SAMSUNG EXTENDS POPULAR SL-SERIES WITH FOUR NEW MODELS
Four New Digital Cameras Elevate Stature of SL-Series with High-Performance Features
RIDGEFIELD PARK, N.J. – February 17, 2009 – Samsung Electronics America today extended its popular SL-Series with the introduction of four new models, comprising two 12.2 mega-pixel and two 10 mega-pixel digital cameras. Stylish and advanced, the new SL-Series models elevate the stature of the user-friendly family of digital cameras, allowing consumers to experience higher-end features and performance at more affordable price points.
The SL820 and SL620
Samsung’s new 12.2 mega-pixel SL820 and SL620 offer users large three inch LCD screens and powerful 5x optical zooms. With the SL820, users have access to a 28mm wide angle lens, while the SL620 offers a standard 35mm lens. Both the SL820 and SL620 are paired with Optical and Digital Image Stabilization to help reduce blur caused by hand movements. Shooters have the option of simply using Optical Image Stabilization, ideal for well lit environments, or choosing Dual Image Stabilization and combining the strengths of Optical and Digital Image Stabilization.
A first for Samsung’s SL-Series, the new SL820 offers consumers high-definition video recording at a resolution of 720p, as well as HDMI connectivity, allowing the camera to be connected to an HDTV through a cradle for reviewing footage and photos. The camera also utilizes H.264 compression, an advanced codec that allows users to record video for longer periods of time. The SL620 offers users advanced MPEG-4 video recording at a resolution of 640×480. For added versatility, with both the SL820 and SL620, consumers can use the cameras’ 5x optical zooms and Optical Image Stabilization while recording video.
The new SL820 and SL620 offer an array of automatic controls, including Samsung’s Smart Auto mode. When selected, Smart Auto will automatically choose from one of the cameras’ 11 scene modes, determining which best suits the environment the user may be shooting in. For example, if the user is taking a photo of a mountain range, Smart Auto will automatically select the Landscape scene mode. If the user then proceeds to take photo of an individual, Smart Auto will switch to the Portrait scene mode – no manual interaction is required.
In addition to Smart Auto, the SL820 and SL620 also feature Samsung’s proprietary Smart Album program. In addition to Smart Auto, the SL202 features Samsung’s Smart Album program. Smart Album is useful tool which allows users to easily search for a specific image they have saved on their memory card. Smart Album automatically organizes the user’s digital images and gives them the ability to narrow their search based on specific criteria. Users can quickly sort by the date or week the image was taken, the overall color tone, as well as whether they’re searching for portraits or specific file types, including photos, videos, or voice memos.
Other automatic features found on the SL820 and SL620 include Face Detection, Blink Detection, Smile Shot, and Beauty Shot. Designed to help capture better portraits and group shots of family and friends, Face Detection technology detects up to nine faces and automatically adjusts focus and exposure to ensure better composition and image quality. Smile Shot automatically triggers the SL820 and SL620 to take a photo only when a smile is detected on the subjects’ faces, and Blink Detection will automatically fire two consecutive shots if a subject’s eyes are closed. Beauty Shot is a unique functionality which will automatically brighten and even out skin tones as well as remove blemishes.
The SL202 and SL30
Ideally suited for families and entry-level shooters looking for an easy-to-use digital camera, the 10 mega-pixel SL202 and SL30 present users with a range of features that will help them effortlessly capture digital images without having to worry about becoming entrenched in technical specifications or terminology. The SL202 and SL30 offer consumers a quality Samsung lens with a 3x optical zoom, as well as Digital Image Stabilization to help reduce blurry images.
The SL202 boasts a stylish, compact design which is accentuated by an elegant, brushed metal finish. Powered by a rechargeable Li-Ion battery, the SL202 gives users the ability to record high quality MJPEG video at VGA resolution with a frame rate of 30fps. The video, along with photos, can be reviewed on the SL202′s 2.7 inch LCD screen. Furthermore, the camera’s advanced movie mode will allow users to pause and then resume recording video without having to save the clips as individual files.
When it comes to snapping digital images, the new SL202 does a bulk of the work for the user thanks to a host of advanced automatic features, including Samsung’s new Smart Auto mode and Smart Album program. Other automatic controls found on the SL202 include Face Detection, Blink Detection, Smile Shot, and Beauty Shot.
For added convenience, the SL30 is powered by easily available, AA alkaline batteries, assuring end-users that they can find a replaceable power source no matter where they may be. Like the SL202, the SL30 also offers users MJPEG, VGA video recording, Face Detection, which detects up to nine faces and automatically adjusts focus and exposure, as well as Beauty Shot, which automatically enhances subjects’ skin tones. Photos and videos can be reviewed on the camera’s 2.5 inch LCD screen.
The SL820 will be available in May 2009 at an MSRP of $279.99.
The SL620 will be available in March 2009 at an MSRP of $199.99.
The SL202 will be available in March 2009 at an MSRP of $149.99
The SL30 will be available in March 2009 at an MSRP of $99.99
About Samsung Electronics America, Inc.
Samsung Electronics America, Inc. (SEA), based in Ridgefield Park, NJ, is a subsidiary of Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd. The company markets a broad range of award-winning consumer electronics, information systems, and home appliance products, as well as oversees all of Samsung’s North American operations including Samsung Telecommunications America, LP, Samsung Electronics Canada, Inc. and Samsung Electronics Mexico, Inc. As a result of its commitment to innovation and unique design, the company was ranked #6 in the Electronics Industry segment in Fortune Magazine’s “Most Admired Companies 2008,” and named as one of Fast Company’s “Fast 50 Most Innovative Companies of 2008.” Among popular BusinessWeek rankings, the company ranked #26 in the publication’s “Most Innovative Companies of 2008″ and #21 in the “100 Best Global Brands” for 2007. Samsung Electronics Co, Ltd. is also a top patent holder, ranking second overall in the U.S. in 2007. Please visit www.samsung.com for more information.
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I purchased a Samsung SL202 point and shoot camera in April. It’s an affordable camera at only $150 but it had plenty of features that make it easy to just take half decent pics of buddy’s on the trail and that’s what I wanted. It worked great for the first couple weeks but on a trip to Bend two weeks ago it started malfunctioning and eventually transitioned to refusing to power up at all. I checked my warranty card, filled out the required info, didn’t include the original packaging as I didn’t think it was necessary, it was clearly stated it was not in the warranty terms, and I included my receipt from Fred Meyer. Dropped it off at UPS and awaited two completely normal emails that updated me on the process. “Your camera has arrived”, “Your camera has departed”. No phone calls, no other emails. It shows up at my door yesterday with a note that states the following.
“Your out of warranty product has been returned to you as per your request. If you have any questions, contact us at blah blah blah…” Huh? WHAT!? I didn’t request it be returned, why is it out of warranty??? WTF man!!!
So I call the CS department, I was a little pissed but I asked politely why my camera had been returned and why I wasn’t contacted. Long story short after about 45 minutes of raving to the corporate tool on the other end of the phone (I don’t yell at people regarding business stuff often, actually this is the first time in years that I can think of) I was given a case to talk to their “enhanced customer service department”. I explained I refused to pay to have my under warranty product serviced and was pretty pissed that I have lost this time as I have many trips planned over the next few weeks that I wanted to use it for. I was told that the receipt listed only “digital camera” and didn’t specify it was an SL202 and that was why it was returned to me (I later found out that the UPC code is on the receipt so if I had included it in the packaging it would have been fine). I expected them to throw me some kind of incentive to not talk bad about their product and their CS but the lady basically avoided any invitation to help out and I had to lay down my own terms. I’d get the receipt they wanted if they would pay for the return shipping. They agreed, which was good but not enough to make me feel better about buying a Samsung Camera.