Samsung WB700: New long-zoom compact (UPDATED)
By
Michael R. Tomkins, The Imaging Resource
(Tuesday, December 28, 2010 - 21:14 EST)
Alongside its interchangeable lens NX11 model, Samsung has today unveiled the new WB700 digital camera.
We're not certain if the new 'WB' designation -- which has been used in other markets for some time -- is intended to be applied in the US market, or whether it will bear a different model number in this country, as its predecessors have received the HZ and TL-series monikers in this market. Certainly, the US press release we've received carries the Samsung WB700 name, suggesting that the company might be synchronizing its product names worldwide, a move we'd definitely support (and that we wish more manufacturers would adopt.) The Samsung WB700 is advertised as featuring 24x zoom range, but in actual fact features a Schneider-Kreuznach branded 18x optical zoom lens with 24 - 432mm equivalent focal lengths, plus a 1.3x "smart" (aka digital) zoom function. Resolution has been boosted from Samsung's most recent generation of long-zoom compacts, which featured twelve megapixel sensors. The step to sixteen megapixels (of which fourteen are effective) sounds more significant than it probably is in the real world, likely equating to somewhere around 10% more linear resolution, although we don't have precise image resolution figures from which to make an exact calculation. Importantly given its zoom range, the Samsung WB700 includes true optical image stabilization, which will help to fight blur caused by camera shake. Other features of the WB700 include 720p H.264 movie capture, a high definition HDMI video output with Consumer Electronics Control support (or Anynet+, in Samsung parlance), plus a built-in flash, dedicated movie recording button, aperture / shutter-priority and manual shooting modes, Smart Auto mode for both still and movie capture, and a variety of fun filter effects such as soft focus, half-tone dot, cinema, fish-eye, miniature, and sketch. There's also a Zoom Noise Reduction function that aims to cancel out noise from the zoom drive mechanism that would otherwise be noticeable during video capture. The Samsung WB700 goes on sale from April 2011, priced at around US$300. | Samsung WB700 |  | | General | | Camera Type | Compact | | Manufacturer | Samsung | | Model Number | North America: WB700
| | Dimensions | 3.9 x 2.3 x 0.9 in.
(100 x 59 x 22 mm) | | Planned Price | $300 | | Planned Availability | April 2011 | | Image Capture | | Sensor Type | CCD
1/2.33" (approx. 0.43 in. diagonal)
16.00 megapixels (total)
14.00 megapixels (effective) | | Image Preview / Review | | Playback Zoom | 13.5x max | | Lens | | Lens Type | Schneider-Kreuznach
18x optical zoom | | Image Stabilization | Yes | | Focal Length | 4.1 - 73.1mm (actual)
24 - 432mm (35mm equivalent) | | Exposure | | Exposure Modes | Aperture, Shutter, Manual | | Creative | | Digital Zoom | Up to 5x | | Movie Format | H.264 with audio | | Storage | | File Format | JPEG | | Connectivity | | Video | High definition: Yes (HDMI)
| | Other | | Internal Microphone | Yes | | Internal Speaker | Yes | | Notes | Smart Filter 2.0 function includes effects such as soft focus, half-tone dot, cinema, fish-eye, miniature, and sketch. Zoom Noise Reduction function tries to cancel out noise from the zoom drive mechanism that would otherwise be noticeable during video c pture. | | More Photos |  | | |
UPDATED 2010-12-28 22:40ET: Added product photos. UPDATED 2010-12-29 21:22ET: We've just been informed that the press materials for the WB700 incorrectly stated that the camera could record 1080p video, when in actual fact it is limited to 720p capture. This has now been corrected in our own coverage. UPDATED 2011-01-05 13:51ET: We've just been informed that the press materials for the WB700 incorrectly stated that the camera could record images in raw format, when in actual fact it is limited to JPEG capture. This has now been corrected in our own coverage.
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Original Source Press Release:
| Samsung Zooms into the Future with the New WB700 The ultra-slim 24X zoom camera comes packed with features for the demanding photographer Ridgefield Park, New Jersey – December 28, 2010 - Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd, a global leader in digital media and digital convergence technologies, announced todaythe launch of the new WB700, the ultra-slim camera with an impressive 24X zoom function, capable of delivering superb quality images whether your subject is near or far. The camera features a 24mm ultra-wide Schneider KREUZNACH® lens to capture the perfect wide shot, as well as an outstanding 24X zoom function, made up of an 18X optical zoom and 1.3X Smart Zoom. The WB700 delivers sharp images with incredible detail, thanks to the camera’s 16 Megapixel (MP) CCD sensor. The WB700 is also equipped with full manual control and the ability to record 720p high definition video (H.264 format). The flexibility of the WB700’s lens and zoom functions allows users to capture a broad landscape in the same 16MP detail as a bubbling brook in the distance. “We understand that many of our customers come to us for the very best and most up-to-date technology available, which is why we have chosen to bring all our innovation together in the WB700 for both the advanced and novice photographer, giving a balance of professional quality imaging and the kind of usability anyone can master,” said Mr. Hyunho Chung, Executive Vice President and Head of the Digital Imaging Business, Samsung Electronics. “On top of the core excellence of the WB700’s 16MP 24mm lens with OIS and Schneider KREUZNACH 18x super-zoom, we have added features that bring surprise and delight to the photography experience, such as our new smart filters, the smart lens effect and zoom noise cancellation.” High quality and fun shooting
The successor to the successful WB600 and WB650 models, the WB700 includes Samsung’s latest advances in HD video technology so users can capture high quality video footage, as well as still images. The WB700 also features Smart Filter 2.0 - artistic filters in modes such as ‘soft focus’, ‘half-tone dot’ and ‘cinema’ alongside traditional features such as ‘fish-eye’, ‘miniature’ and ‘sketch’, giving entertaining and professional finishes at the touch of a button. Zoom Noise Reduction
Samsung has also introduced new innovation to remove zoom noise from video content. The WB700 uses an advanced noise reduction algorithm that actively cancels out the zoom noise, as the optical zoom slides backwards and forwards, giving you uninterrupted clear sound to complement your detailed High Definition movies. |
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