I just witnessed the big unveiling of Samsung Electronics Phils. Corp. about their latest design of Samsung digital compact camera with features of having a dual LCD screen on the front and back of the camera. The ST550 and ST500 has this features, the LCD screen at the back that we normally view our subject in taking a shots has a 3.5" wide touch screen, 1.152k resolution, while the 1.5" LCD screen in the front is a perfect use for live viewing your self in taking photos or videos. It is a perfect camera if you love to travel, take photos of yourself, or as video blogger. The two models has a 12.2 mega-pixel CCD and 27mm wide-angle Schneider-KREUZNACH lens with 4.6x optical zoom gives a wider shooting range from a shorter distance producing clear, clean images with balanced resolution from the center of the image to the edges.
ST550 and ST500 are the first of its kind to have a dual LCD screen. According from Sang Jin Park, CEO of Samsung Digital Imaging Company. “The use of digital imaging technologies has evolved and we are offering functionality and capabilities that no other digital camera manufacturer has yet addressed. It has become more common for the photographer to switch roles and become the subject of his or her photo, especially given the rise in popularity of self-portraits or profile pictures for use with today’s popular social networking sites. The Dual LCD on the ST550 and ST500 allows consumers to become part of the picture in a way that they simply were unable to do so before. These cameras will be must-haves for those individuals that use popular social networking websites and for families that want to get everyone, including the photographer, in the picture.”
The camera has a Smart Gesture User Interface with built-in Gravity sensor, means that you can tap the camera using your fingers if you want to control it or turn it off, and a hassle free automatic shot by just smiling infront of it. The Smile Shot, Smart Face Recognition and Smart Auto is one of the fun features of the camera. It can also record a 720 pixelHD video at 30 frames per second in H.264 format.
ST550 and ST500 is now sold in the market with a SRP of Php21,000
here are some cool features of the camera
- In Children mode, the front LCD plays a fun animation to capture a child’s attention while taking their photo
- When you tap the front LCD, it turns on and automatically goes into Self-Portrait mode, ensuring that the user will always be framed exactly the way they want. You can also turn on the front LCD with a simple selection through the intuitive interface. As soon as you smile, the camera automatically takes the picture. When in Self-Portrait mode, the camera will also engage its smile detection technology, automatically taking a photo when it recognizes a smile.
- Shutter Info ensures you take a photo of your subject while they’re smiling. When using Shutter Info, the front LCD will display a “smiley face” when the photographer has the shutter button pushed halfway down, giving the subject a signal that you’re ready to take the photo.
- Function Info helps you to keep track of what flash and macro value you’re currently using, as the front LCD provides a visual readout of key camera settings.
- When taking a group photo using the Self-Timer, the front LCD will show a preview of the shot as well as a visual countdown timer so that everyone knows exactly when the photo will be snapped.
- Beauty Shot. Samsung’s Beauty Shot feature lets you remove all the imperfections on your subject’s face such as wrinkles, blemishes, and moles. Simply select one of two editing options to even out skin tone and complexion.
My Review in using ST550
I already tried and tested the camera and it is okay, It is slim, light and small. But you need to attach a hand strap for safety when taking a photo or video. Because of it's small size your fingers might accidentally push a control button at the back of the LCD when taking self portrait photos, there's a trick that you should take out all the control panels so that it you wont be disturbed in taking photos, I encounter that many times and I learned to push out the controls after the setting, since its a touch screen LCD screen, your fingers and touch is a friend to the camera's touch sensitivity. I love the beauty shot features of the camera, it added glows and light to the person's face, I found my photo so cool, and I look like a soap and facial wash model heheh.
The front LCD screen is very helpful to self portrait photographers, shooting a video with the front LCD screen open is very helpful for solo video bloggers. As you will see a live view of what it will be recorded. The smiling face cartoon and clown is very funny, it is designed for young kids if you want to take a photo of them smiling, and when they saw the clown in the front screen, they will react and smile at you, it is also effective not only to kids, but also to adults ahhahha.
The ST550 and ST500 is a perfect toy camera for me, if you are a lone photographer or a party goer, then this camera is for you, you can capture great photo details using the Samsung 2view (as it was labeled for having 2 LCDs). For this Christmas 2009, I will add this camera to my wish list :)
ST550 | ST500 | |
Mega-Pixels | 12.2 mega-pixels | 12.2 mega-pixels |
Optical Zoom | 4.6x Zoom Lens | 4.6x Zoom Lens |
LCD Size | Dual LCD – Front LCD: 1.5” Back LCD (haptic): 3.5 inch wide 1,152K touch-screen | Dual LCD - Front: 1.5” Back LCD(haptic): 3.0 inch wide 230K touch-screen |
Lens | Schneider-KREUZNACH | Schneider-KREUZNACH |
Movie Mode | 720p HD / H.264 Format (optional HDMI / CEC cradle) | 720p HD / H.264 Format |
Size | 99.8mm x 59.8mm x 18.9mm | 99.8mm x 59.8mm x 19.1mm |
Special Features | · Smart Gesture UI · Advanced Real Dual Image Stabilization : Optical IS + Digital IS · One Touch Auto Focus · Smart Auto (16 Scenes) · Smart Album · Smart Face Recognition (up to 20 faces) · Perfect Portrait System: Beauty Shot / Face Detection / Self Portrait / Smile Shot / Blink Detection · Photo Style Selector | · Smart Gesture UI · Advanced Real Dual Image Stabilization : Optical IS + Digital IS · One Touch Auto Focus · Smart Auto (16 Scenes) · Smart Album · Smart Face Recognition (up to 20 faces) · Perfect Portrait System: Beauty Shot / Face Detection / Self Portrait / Smile Shot / Blink Detection · Photo Style Selector |
Availability | · September 2009 | · October 2009 |
here are some test shots from our photo activity after the media launch. And I'm happy that we won the Best Panoramic shot, which was one of the cool features of the camera.
more photos of the launching event in my photo album at Samsung 2View digital camera (media launching)
And here's our test shots gallery Photos taken using Samsung 2View digital camera
