New York Times Samsung’s New Camera Goes Wide By Rik Fairlie
Most camera trackers have been watching the focal length of lenses expand (Olympus just announced a 26x zoom) but Samsung is looking the other way with its new compact HZ10W, which has a 24mm ultra-wide-angle lens. The 24mm Schneider lens goes wider than other lenses, which typically stop at 28mm. And that means you can take better group shots and landscapes. Or make your apartment look bigger if you’re trying to sell it.
The $300 10.2-megapixel HZ10W also zooms out to 10x (that’s 240mm, in 35mm film equivalent). For stability at maximum zoom, Samsung includes both optical and digital image stabilization. The optical image stabilization can also be used when shooting high-definition video (720p at 30 frames per second). The HZ10W offers a good range of manual controls, including shutter speed and aperture settings. It also includes face-detection technology and Samsung’s Beauty Shot, which the company says enhances skin tone and removes blemishes.
The camera’s basic specs are what you’d expect from a high-end point-and-shooter. It’s the 24mm ultra-wide-angle lens that sets the HZ10W apart.