The Samsung Galaxy Camera, which debuted at the IFA consumer electronics show, sets out to meld smart phone technology and digital camera fidelity, yet does not offer the ability to make voice phone calls.
Specs
The device sports a 4.8-inch HD Super Clear LCD screen with a 1,280x720-pixel resolution, has a 16.3-megapixel image sensor, ISO up to 3200, 8 GB of internal memory that can be copied to a cloud storage service, AVC/H.264 video capture, dimensions of 128.7 x 70.8 x 19.1mm, a 23-480-mm 21x optical zoom lens, a voice controlled assistant for basic operations, both 3G and 4G connectivity, and weighs 305 grams. The phone also streamlines social media outlets, allowing users to upload photos to Instagram, Facebook, Twitter, ect. with ease.
So what does this all mean? Here are a few accounts of journalists that have gone hands-on with the device in Germany.
First Impressions / Reviews
CNET's Shawn Low argues that "the Samsung Galaxy Camera has much potential and may appeal to social media junkies or shutterbugs who want a do-it-all" device in a camera."
"Judging by its dimensions, we think some shutterbugs may find the Samsung Galaxy Camera a bit bulky due to its large size," he adds.
Low also comments on the battery, stating: "the large 4.8-inch screen coupled with constant Wi-Fi or 3G connectivity would probably require more power compared with normal camera. We think the Samsung Galaxy Camera may run into battery issues and could require frequent recharging."
Wired tackles the picture quality, saying that it's "okay, but it's by no means up to Samsung's usual standards for higher-end cameras. Generally pictures were decent enough, but there is clearly visible noise in areas with lower brightness and a hefty amount of chromatic aberration (colored artifacts around the edges of objects) when viewing the photo in full resolution."
GizMag comments on the usability of the device, stating: "the process of taking a photograph is much more akin to smartphone than compact camera. Sure, there's a dedicated shutter-release button where you'd hope to find it, with optical zoom rocker close by; but otherwise things are decidedly smartphoney."
The site relates that there is a "noticeable delay between hitting the shutter release and seeing your photo on the screen as the camera finds focus. I was disappointed to find that, when using Android apps, depressing the shutter release half-way did not activate camera mode for emergency from-the-hip snapping. You have to navigate the camera app using the touchscreen interface. You know-like a smartphone."
While it remains to be seen whether or not Samsung's smartphone-digital camera hybrid will succeed in its mission to mesh the best features of both devices, it represents an experimentation with technology that may take us into new, exciting directions.