UPDATE: Check out the large image gallery and YouTube video below
Samsung India has launched the company’s two new dual-screen compact digital cameras, ST550 and ST500, which boast the ‘world first’ of front and back LCD display technology.
WHAT’S INSIDE?
The front of the camera has a 1.5-inch LCD screen, while a 3.5-inch touchscreen LCD sits at the back of the ST550 and a 3-inch on the back of the ST500.
Complementing this, the 12.2-megapixel cameras also use the perfect combination of a 27mm wide angle Schneider-Kreuznach lens with 4.6x optical zoom. This gives the photographer a wider shooting range from a shorter distance, producing clear, clean images with even resolution from the centre of the picture right to the edges.
The devices can record high-definition video, crank up the sensitivity to ISO 3200 if needed, and come with all the usual lot of advanced photography technologies such as smile shutter, face recognition, image stabilisation, autofocus, etc. Both cameras come with HDMI out, as well as a microSD card slot, which allows you to store up to 1,200 images at full 12-megapixel resolution on a 4GB card.
DUAL LCD DISPLAYS
With the Dual LCD on front and back, ST550 and ST500 provide the easiest way to take the perfect self portrait, either by yourself or with friends or family, every time. On the front of the camera is a 1.5-inch LCD that shows you exactly what the picture will look like, so you can now be a subject of the picture, as well as the photographer.
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. But the Dual LCDs do more.
In Children mode, the front LCD plays a fun animation to capture a child’s attention while taking their photo.
Shutter Info ensures you take a photo of your subject while they’re smiling, the front LCD will display a “smiley face” when the shutter is pushed halfway thus signalling to the subject they should smile.
Function Info helps you to know the features of every function, with the front LCD providing a visual readout of key camera settings, including whether or not the flash is engaged or if macro focus is in use.
With Self-Timer, 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.
SMART GESTURE UI
When it comes to smart, user-friendly features, the ST550 and ST500 are leading the way. Take, for example, their innovative Smart Gesture UI with built-in orientation sensor, which lets you quickly access and use the key features with either a simple tap or a hand gesture. To turn on the smaller LCD located on the front, simply tap the screen and activates automatically and immediately.
Using other advanced features is just as simple. With the Smart Gesture UI you can quickly scroll through your photos by slightly tilting the device in either direction or by selecting the appropriate photos for a slide show. You can also easily delete photos from your library using Gesture UI by marking a cross (X) on the screen using your finger or you can simply save your favourite photos into a separate folder.
If you want to rotate the images draw a circle (O) on the screen; if you want to see the next image you can drag it on to the screen with a sweep of your finger or by simply tilting the device.
PRICING AND AVAILABILITY
Both the cameras are available now in the Indian market, with the 3.5-inch higher-end ST550 retailing at Rs. 24,990, while the smaller ST500 is priced at Rs. 20,990.