Here’s a new compact that should get the attention of enthusiasts: Samsung’s TL500 that’s all set to rival the high-end compact niche taken up by Panasonic’s Lumix LX and Canon’s PowerShot G-series.
It packs a 10MP sensor that might seem weaker than the average 14MP point-and-shoot, but packs serious parts that include a 24mm ultra-wide angle f/1.8 Schneider Kreuznach lens. That bright f/1.8-2.4 lens (24mm-72mm equivalent) is this cam’s highlight, giving it a fast shutter for shooting clear images in low light, and a shallow depth-of-field that lets you blur out the background while focusing on your subject.
Like the Lumix LX3, the TL500’s zoom range is pretty short at 3x, but it does allow for wide angle shooting to take in more landscapes. It’s also packed with dual image stabilization to lessen the shakes, and flexible shooting controls that include shutter priority and aperture priority and full manual to satisfy any advanced shooter who didn’t feel like lugging a full DSLR kit.
Like its contemporaries, the TL500 also supports RAW image shooting, allowing you to capture full, uncompressed images that can be further edited after the shot—something that’s definitely a plus if you’re looking for something that can handle your tastes if you want something more than what your basic point-and-shoot offers. As a plus over the competition, the LT500 also features a 3-inch swing-out AMOLED screen that’s definitely brighter than the average LCD, while keeping the power-draw to a minimum.
The price of Samsung’s new RAW-shooting power-compact? $450 when it’s released this spring.
Tags: Digital Cameras, Samsung
