Another breed of high-caliber compact digital camera was seen enticing tech-geeks and photo-enthusiasts at PMA 2010 held at Anaheim Convention Center last month. A worthy LX3 contender I must say, as it sports a wide angle and ultra bright lens @ f/1.8 (Canon and Panasonic are probably raising their eyebrows now since both their products, S90 and LX3 respectively, can only go as fast as f/2.0 aperture). The new Samsung TL 500 is a high-end digital compact camera with PSAM modes -- the functionality that you'd normally find in SLR cameras. It'll be officially out in the market second quarter of this year ('got this release timing info from Samsung's website).
So how is it compared with the tough pocket-able rivals? ..the prevailing & dynamic LX3 and the undaunted S90, that is.
Okay, allow me to pull the tech specs of these two from my previous blog and line up this new TL500 with 'em.
Effective Pixels
LX3 : 10.1 megapixel
S90 : 10.0 megapixel
TL500: 10.0 megapixel
Sensor Size
LX3 : 1/1.63" CCD
S90 : 1/1.70" CCD
TL500: 1/1.70” CCD
Lens Type/Build
LX3 : Leica DC Vario-Summicron Lens
S90 : Canon Lens-Shift System
TL500: Schneider-Kreuznach Varioplan Lens
Aperture
LX3 : f/2.0 (Wide); f/2.8 (Tele)
S90 : f/2.0 (Wide); f/4.9 (Tele)
TL500: f/1.8 (Wide); f/2.4 (Tele)
Focal Length
LX3 : 5.1-12.8mm (35mm equivalent: 24-60mm)
S90 : 6.0-22.5mm (35mm equivalent: 28-105mm)
TL500: 5.2-15.6mm (35mm equivalent: 24-72mm)
Optical Zoom Factor
LX3 : 2.5x
S90 : 3.8x
TL500: 3.0x
Continuous Shooting Speed (in FramesPerSecond)
LX3 : 2.5 FPS
S90 : 0.9 FPS
TL500: not mentioned
Image Stabilization Tech
LX3 : MEGA Optical Image Stabilization System
S90 : Optical Image Stabilizer System
TL500: Dual Image Stabilization System (Optical and Software)
Macro Focusing Range
LX3 : Wide 1cm
S90 : Wide 5-50cm
TL500: not mentioned
Built-in Flash
S90 : Yes
LX3 : Yes
TL500: Yes
External Flash Compatibility
LX3 : Yes, via standard hotshoe
S90 : Nil
TL500: Yes, via standard hotshoe
ISO Sensitivity
LX3 : Auto / 80 - 3200
S90 : Auto / 80 - 3200
TL500: Auto / 80 - 3200
Shutter Speed
LX3 : 60 - 1/2000 sec. (for Manual Mode, while PSA Modes varies)
S90 : 15 - 1/1600 sec. (only for Shutter Priority and Manual Mode)
TL500: not mentioned
Image Recording format
LX3 : JPG, RAW
S90 : JPG, RAW
TL500: JPG, RAW
Video Recording
LX3 : HD 1280x720p
S90 : Standard VGA
TL500: Standard VGA
Basing on the TL500 specs, apart from those details which are not mentioned anywhere yet, i.e burst speed and macro focusing range, I think this digital snapper will be very snappy in terms of delivering good quality image. It is slimmer than LX3 and almost the same size as S90. And it's in black! So what if it's black? Well, you know, black-colored devices have that professional look and they're more elegant. Anyhow, let's see if the numbers and all other features up there will translate to what we should be expecting from this newcomer. .jpg)
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TGIF! God bless y'all.
Ciao! c",)
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PhotoTech: Delilah's true love.. Samsung TL 500 |
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PhotoTech: Powerful Point-and-Shoot Digicams |
Since Panasonic's award-winning compact digital camera was launched mid 2008, snappers up to now are still waiting for its price to go down. And it doesn't seem to show any signs that the price will drop like what you'd normally expect in most electronic gadgets after certain months of existence, even with the rumored LX4 successor. LX3 has gained tremendous praises from various photographers, be it from amateur or pro. The 24mm wide angle lens and the f/2.0 aperture, the first in this category I believe (not to mention its twin brother D-LUX4 from Leica), has allowed users to shoot better quality images in low light conditions without the need for flash (which is good as built-in flash tends to ruin the image than deliver a fine picture, I mean on some occasions).
Nikon’s high-end compact P6000 have tried to measure up with LX3’s capability but failed, and this product earned various criticisms from enthusiasts instead. I guess this is what the manufacturers will get when their Engineers focuses more on design aesthetics. Canon's G-series (G9/G10/G11), on the other hand, have tried to steal the crown by offering feature-rich compacts with longer focal length and larger pixels. But the steep price of this series and the bulkier & heavier body had caused some potential buyers to look for alternatives.
Still, Canon will not just sit and watch Panasonic rule in this digicam category, so they've introduced yet another powerful compact camera under their Powershot line, called the S90.
By just looking at ‘em, which do you think is better? 
(images courtesy of neutralday.com, actually I just grabbed them, hehe)
Well, there’s only one way to find out…
The Battle of the Titans.
See for yourself if this new product from Canon will get them to sit on the "Superior PNS throne" =)
Effective Pixels
S90: 10.0 megapixel
LX3: 10.1 megapixel
Sensor Size (Bigger is Better)
S90: 1/1.7" CCD
LX3: 1/1.63" CCD
Aperture
S90: f/2.0 (Wide); f/4.9 (Tele)
LX3: f/2.0 (Wide); f/2.8 - F/8.0 (Tele)
Focal Length
S90: 6.0-22.5mm (35mm equivalent: 28-105mm)
LX3: 5.1-12.8mm (35mm equivalent: 24-60mm)
Zoom Factor
S90: 3.8x
LX3: 2.5x
Digital Zoom: Same @ 4x
Macro Focusing Area
S90: Wide 5-50cm
LX3: Wide 1cm
Built-in Flash
S90: Yes
LX3: Yes
External Flash Compatibility
S90: Nil
LX3: Yes, via standard hotshoe
ISO Sensitivity: Same @ Auto / 80 - 3200
Shutter Speed
S90: 15 - 1/1600 sec. (only for Shutter Priority and Manual Mode)
LX3: 60 - 1/2000 sec. (for Manual Mode, while PSA Modes varies)
Image Recording format
S90: JPG, RAW
LX3: JPG, RAW
Video Recording
S90: Standard
LX3: HD
No doubt Canon S90 offers promising features in a smaller package. And we may not be comparing apple to apple here, but if you're considering getting a compact digital camera with a wider view and fast lens, S90 or LX3 is for you. Of course, it really depends on one's preference. Biased pa rin ba? haha =)
For the detailed specifications, you may visit these links:
Canon Powershot S90
Panasonic Lumix DMC-LX3
c",)
