Cameras
Samsung's TL9 Point-and-Shoot Camera Has Dual Analogue Gauges
Posted by Sean Fallon at 8:00 AM on July 17, 2008
Outside of the TL34HD, Samsung released 3 other second-tier point-and-shoots: the TL9, SL310W and SL201. However, the most notable of these is definitely the 10 megapixel TL9 with its dual analogue gauges that keep track of remaining battery life and memory capacity.
Besides that unique design feature, it also has a 2.7 inch LCD, internal 5x optical zoom as well as Dual Image Stabilisation. Sure, the gauges are kind of gimmicky, but hey--it's easy to access when your on the go and it reels in the geeks. Samsung's TL9 will be available in September for around US$280. A press release outlining the entire series:

SAMSUNG UNVEILS 2008 SECOND-HALF DIGITAL CAMERA LINE UP
RIDGEFIELD PARK, N.J., July 16, 2008 - Samsung today unveiled its 2008 second-half digital camera line up with the launch of four new models - the TL34HD, TL9, SL310W and SL201. Joining the company's growing array of advanced digital imaging solutions, these four new digital cameras bring new technologies to the industry and will be on retail shelves nationwide in time for the upcoming holiday shopping season.
TL34HD
Boasting an impressive resolution of 14.7 megapixels and renowned Schneider lens yielding a 28mm wide-angle focal length with 3.6x optical zoom, the TL34HD promises sharp, clear and detailed images with every shot. The most advanced point-and-shoot digital camera in Samsung's history, the TL34HD builds upon the success of its predecessor, the NV24HD, with the ability to capture high-definition video at a resolution of 720P along with Dual Image Stabilization.Featuring an all-metal build, the TL34HD is pocket-sized with dimensions of 3.68" x 2.34" x 0.80". Available in all-black, or silver with a red accent adding to the camera's elegance, the TL34HD takes camera design to a new level. Although compact, a large three inch touch-screen hVGA LCD dominates the back of the camera and is sure to turn heads no matter where the TL34HD may be used.
The TL34HD also pioneers Samsung's next generation Smart Touch 2.0 user interface, which further simplifies the way users navigate through the camera's comprehensive feature set. By incorporating touch-screen technology, users can now select and control various camera functions by interacting with the TL34HD's large three-inch touch screen LCD. Not only does this enhance the experience for the shooter and the operation of the Smart Touch interface, but it also provides for a much sleeker and attractive design.
TL9
Samsung's TL9 is an ultra compact, 10.0 megapixel digital camera highlighted by a large 2.7 inch LCD, internal 5x optical zoom as well as Dual Image Stabilisation. The latest digital camera in Samsung's digital camera arsenal to feature MP3 and PMP capability, the TL9 sets itself apart from the crowd as a multimedia powerhouse.The TL9 is encased in a silver, metal body, measuring 3.74" x 2.36" x 0.84", and incorporates a unique design element which graces the top of the camera's body - dual analogue gauges. The small gauges, located next to the power button, display remaining battery life and memory capacity in a way that's easy for the shooter to access while on the go. Thanks to the enhanced sensitivity of the TL9's CCD sensor, which features a maximum ISO of 1600, and the camera's Dual Image Stabilisation, users can rest assured that they'll be able to capture images in low-light situations, especially when the use of a flash is not desired.
Shooters can also benefit from a comprehensive suite of automatic controls designed to help them capture better images, specifically portraits and group shots of family and friends. The TL9's Face Detection technology makes taking pictures of family and friends a snap, as it detects up to nine faces and automatically adjusts focus and exposure to ensure better composition and image quality. Furthermore, Smile Shot automatically triggers the TL9 to take a photo only when the camera detects smiles on the subjects' faces, and Blink Detection will prevent a photo from being taken if the camera recognises that a subject's eyes are closed - a useful feature as it's often difficult to distinguish closed eyes when composing a shot on an LCD screen.
SL310W
Ideal for the step-up shooter, the SL310W is highlighted by features commonly found on higher-end, more expensive digital cameras, including an impressive resolution of 13.6 megapixels, Dual Image Stabilisation, 2.7 inch LCD, and a 3.6x, 28mm wide-angle optical zoom lens which significantly improves the user's ability to photograph more of a desired scene.Unlike a standard 35mm lens which is commonly found on compact digital cameras, the SL310W's 28mm wide-angle lens gives consumers the ability to expand their creativity and take even more moving and emotional images. Ideal for a variety of scenarios, users can easily leverage the increased viewing angle of the SL310W's wide-angle lens, especially when shooting landscapes or groups of family or friends.
The SL310W offers a number of user-friendly features, including 11 scene modes, auto red eye fix and MPEG-4 video recording. The camera also features Self Portrait, Face Detection, Blink Detection, and Smile Shot technology, all which help enhance the digital imaging experience for the shooter.
The SL310W also offers Function Description and a Photo Help Guide. Function Description automatically provides a brief and easy to understand description of each setting when scrolling through the camera's menus, helping the end-user determine which setting is appropriate for their current shooting scenario. The camera's Photo Help Guide is another intuitive component incorporated into the digital camera. Photo Help Guide offers the end-user a guided tour of how to take better images as well as easy-to-follow tips instructing them how to obtain excellent results.
SL201
The Samsung SL201 is an ultra-slim, compact point-and-shoot digital camera featuring a resolution of 10.2 megapixels, a 3x optical zoom lens and large 2.7-inch intelligent LCD which will automatically brighten or dim based on available lighting.
For added versatility, the new SL201 features Face Detection, Self Portrait, and Digital Image Stabilisation technology. Face Detection makes taking pictures of family and friends a snap as it automatically detects up to nine faces and automatically adjusts focus and exposure to ensure better composition and image quality. Self Portrait mode is a unique function that takes the guessing out of taking a self portrait. When in Self Portrait mode, the SL201 automatically detects the user's face, adjusts focus and exposure, and will only allow a photo to be taken if the subject is centered in the frame. Samsung's improved Digital Image Stabilisation (DIS) helps the user capture blur-free images.With 11 scene modes to choose from, including Night, Children, Landscape, Text, Close Up, Sunset, Dawn, Backlight, Fireworks, and Beach & Snow, shooters can effortlessly adjust the camera to capture the most superb image possible in any setting. Additionally, the SL201 features Function Description and a Photo Help Guide. Function Description provides a brief and easy-to-understand description of each setting when scrolling through the camera's menus, helping the end-user determine which setting is appropriate for their current shooting scenario. The Photo Help Guide is another intuitive component incorporated into the digital camera. It offers the end-user a guided tour of how to take better images as well as easy-to-follow tips instructing them how to obtain excellent results.
Samsung's TL34HD, TL9, SL310W and the SL201 will be available in September priced at around US$330, US$280, US$230 and US$170 respectively.

Comments (AU Comments · US Comments)
There are currently no AU comments for this post.
CutePuppyz
Posted 8:23 AM 17/7/08
Looks so retro chic. Me likes.
CutePuppyz
twilight-arc
Posted 8:19 AM 17/7/08
Maybe they were thinking of fuel cells.
twilight-arc
shamoononon has a hebetudinous dog
Posted 8:16 AM 17/7/08
@bobdobbs: Yeah, they should drive my truck.
shamoononon has a hebetudinous dog
GeekyNerdGuy
Posted 8:13 AM 17/7/08
How long until I can get an analog gauge plug-in for my iPhone?
GeekyNerdGuy
shamoononon has a hebetudinous dog
Posted 8:11 AM 17/7/08
Gawd, it's on empty just like my truck.
shamoononon has a hebetudinous dog
bobdobbs
Posted 8:09 AM 17/7/08
Whoever approved this design needs to find new employment as far away from technology as possible.
bobdobbs
buyj3llo
Posted 8:06 AM 17/7/08
thats adorable.
buyj3llo
bobdobbs
Posted 8:44 AM 17/7/08
Smith: "Who's got some ideas for our new point-and-shoot?"
Johnson {raises hand shyly, voice cracking}: "Well, uh, Mr. Smith, how about if we put a couple of analog gauges on top, for shutter speed and aperture?"
Smith: "Jeezus f-ing christ on a pogo stick, Johnson! Shutter and aperture? We're in business to SELL these babies and we don't need to f-ing CONFUSE the F out of our customers."
Johnson : "Yes, sir. Sorry, sir. How about if one of the gauges is an exposure meter and the other a distance-to-subject?"
Smith: "WHAT??? How many Albert-friggin-Ensteins do you think are out there??? Keep it simple stupid! If I haven't learned anything in my 17 years making dishwashers and ice makers, it's that!"
Johnson: "Then, how about if one of them is the amount of battery left, and the other is the amount of memory?"
Smith: "You mean like the gas gauge on your car? When the needle points down, you're empty?"
Johnson: "Yeah, uh, I guess so"
Smith: "Yeah, that's so simple, every idiot customer of ours will understand it. I LOVE IT!"
bobdobbs
Intro24
Posted 8:44 AM 17/7/08
That first picture is definitely version 2.0 of the neuralizer from Men In Black.
Intro24
MastaFalse
Posted 8:37 AM 17/7/08
Shopped. :P
MastaFalse
itchytooth
Posted 9:29 AM 17/7/08
@bobdobbs: Exactly. It blows my mind that point and shoot makers don't think there is any value in offering manual controls in a cheap camera.
itchytooth
hoselshaft
Posted 9:28 AM 17/7/08
so does an empty memory mean its full or empty?
this doesn't need an Einstein..it needs a Wittgenstein
hoselshaft
zed0
Posted 9:27 AM 17/7/08
nice Samsung, this is a nice novel approach
zed0
Y2KGTP
Posted 9:15 AM 17/7/08
Samsung makes such crappy cameras.....I regret not getting a Cannon just to save a few bucks miserably...
Y2KGTP
tucker
Posted 9:08 AM 17/7/08
Hello? Can i get a compass please? So i can know which way the camera is pointing.
tucker
navstar
Posted 9:59 AM 17/7/08
I like it. Why all the hate?
navstar
fallenturtle
Posted 9:44 AM 17/7/08
A cute concept for battery power, but when it comes to exposures or memory left, I'd like to have an exact number, thank you very much.
fallenturtle
ChootinDaChit
Posted 10:17 AM 17/7/08
With the cheap 8+ GB SD cards available now, I expect that most everyone's "memory" gauge is going to stay pretty close to pegged at full.
ChootinDaChit
NeoXY
Posted 10:01 AM 17/7/08
Thats bad ass. A great piece of creative design that is.
Form over function? Possibly. But bad ass.
NeoXY
markarian
Posted 10:42 AM 17/7/08
Oh man, if I had these on my SLR. I think I would die and go to geek heaven.
markarian
morcheeba
Posted 11:45 AM 17/7/08
Reminds me of the Nikon 35Ti. It was a compact 35mm camera with dials (picture) for aperture, focus distance, shots remaining, and exposure compensation.
morcheeba
bailey_ca
Posted 12:28 PM 17/7/08
Oh that is so incredibly awesome! Silly, but I do loves me some analogue gauges.
@fallenturtle: Hmmm, interesting point. I'm going to assume they're treating the card as a physical "thing" so when it's empty, they mean the card is full. But yeah, I can see how one could misconstrue it as empty meaning "free memory". Still, there's not much of a learning curve to it.
bailey_ca
MinceyFresh
Posted 1:11 PM 17/7/08
Now if maybe Leica stuck these things on, say, their M8 or D-LUX 3, then I could imagine it being a little more embraced (and possibly appropriate), but the functions of this Samsung P+S seems a little too simple for those guages...
@hoselshaft: Haha, nice... I recently learned who that was from my philosophy/rhetoric major buddy... I wonder if anyone else got that. :D
MinceyFresh
Erzengel
Posted 4:45 PM 17/7/08
am i the only one who see STEAMPUNK written all over this baby???
i f-ing love it :D
Erzengel
Roivas
Posted 7:07 PM 17/7/08
@bailey_ca: I don't know. That just feels backwards to how it should be. The needle for the memory card should read empty when there are no photos, videos, etc on it, and full when there is actual memory being used.
Roivas
hanswurst0815
Posted 7:47 PM 17/7/08
@MinceyFresh:
I did get that, but I had to read Erzengel's comment to realize that steampunk elements have finally arrived at the mass market.hanswurst0815
tobedetermined
Posted 9:12 PM 17/7/08
I hope you all realize this is a North Korean model.
tobedetermined
ajile
Posted 11:41 PM 17/7/08
Elaine: Mr. peterman..I think we are lost...
Peterman: Shut the mallarky woman, as long as I have my trusty compass that I used during my journey in Burma.
Elaine: SIr...thats not a compass...thats the memory dial on the ...
Peterman: Hot diggetty damn woman...
ajile
Fierock
Posted 2:38 AM 18/7/08
One thing I miss on digital SLR cameras (and even P&S ones for that matter) is the analog light meter that is found on older film SLR cameras. For some reason seeing a needle on a gauge in the viewfinder seems easier to read and more intuitive then the digital readout.
Fierock
dcjeepguy2001
Posted 1:47 AM 18/7/08
Let's see this for what it is, folks. Technically: Un-necessary and arguably anachronistic.
However, we (most of us) do not live on modernity alone. Sometimes charm and tradition are nice. This is definitely a charming touch for a digital camera.
dcjeepguy2001
gniklats
Posted 12:14 AM 19/7/08
I don't see what is so traditional about a fuel meter on your camera. It fails to do anything that the LCD display can tell you with a quick glance.
Nonetheless, I can see it as a power saver, allowing you to turn off the LCD screen and still be able to see how full your memory card is.
gniklats