News & Reviews:   Samsung Galaxy camera

Samsung Malaysia have also made the Samsung Galaxy Camera 2 available at a retail price of RM1699. While the overall look of the Android powered camera hasn't changed that much from the original Samsung Galaxy Camera, the tech specs and features have received a number of updates and changes. One of the most notable is that the Galaxy Camera 2 does not have 3G or 4G connectivity, but just WiFi. Other tech specs include a 1.6GHz quad-core processor, 20GB RAM, 8GB storage + microSD support, NFC support and a 2000 mAh battery. Tech specs and features which remai nthe same are the 4.8-inch Super Clear LCD with 1280 x 720 pixel resolution, 16MP 1/2.3" BSI Sensor, 21X optical zoom and Xenon Flash. There is a weight difference though as the Galaxy Camera 2 is lighter at 283g with a more rugged look and feel. While the retail price is RM1699, the Samsung Galaxy Camera 2 is already available from other sellers at just RM1598.

Samsung recently partnered with Association Internationale de la Presse Sportive (AIPS) to launch the Samsung GALAXY NX-AIPS Young Reporters partnership program. Started in 2011 the AIPS program seeks to nurture and train youth on sports photojournalism. For the current program this is done by providing the Samsung Galaxy NX to trainee participants who will undergo a 10-day course on sports reporting using the Samsung Galaxy NX. The course started on 25 June 2013 and ends on 4 July 2013, in Lausane, Switzerland. Experts will be on hand during the course to help these youths and trainee AIPS reporters gain the skills necessary to do successful sports photojournalism. Participants are then expected to return home with the Samsung Galaxy NX and then continue reporting on local sporting events using the device through Samsung NX and AIPS social media channels.

While Samsung have already created an Android powered digital camera in the form of the Samsung Galaxy Camera, it hasn't really had as much of an impact as hoped. While the pseudo-DSLR introduced Android smartphone connectivity and other functions for a digital camera, the camera itself didn't come up to par, often being compared to a hyped-up point-and-shoot. With the arrival of the Samsung Galaxy S4 Zoom, there isn't really that much of a reason to go for the Samsung Galaxy Camera, which is why this rumour about an Android powered Samsung Galaxy NX sounds so plausible.

Interested in the Samsung Galaxy S4 Zoom? Want a cameraphone with a serious camera but don't want to go full Samsung Galaxy Camera? If you can stomach all the perfect smiles, Samsung have been kind enough to do some "real-world" testing with their new cameraphone, the Samsung Galaxy S4 Zoom and it looks quite nice. All of the features like the Zoom Ring, the In-call Photo share, Optical Image Stabilization (OIS) and Photo Suggest are put on display.

After the Samsung Galaxy S4 Active got it's official confirmation it is now time for the Samsung Galaxy S4 Zoom to get it's official announcement. Is it the Samsung Galaxy Camera's little brother or is it the Samsung Galaxy Camera II? Regardless, it looks like a Samsung Galaxy S4 Mini on the back and a Samsung ultracompact digital camera at the front, complete with 10x telescopic optical lens. In terms of tech specs the Samsung Galaxy S4 Zoom offers:

• 4.3-inch Super AMOLED (960 x 540) display
• 1.5GHz dual-core processor
• 1.5GB RAM
• 8GB storage
• 16MP rear camera (10x optical zoom, OIS 24-240mm, F3.1-F, Xenon flash, ISO: Auto ~ 3200, SMART Modes, Continuous Shot: 4fps MAX with AF) + 1.9MP front camera
• Supports LTE + 3G + Bluetooth 4.0 (LE) + WiFi a/b/g/n + NFC + A-GPS
• 2330 mAh battery
• Android 4.2
• 125.5 x 63.5 x 15.4 mm, 208g

There are leaked images of products and then there are leaked images taken by products. This time around some leaked images taken by a digital camera seem to indicate that the next Samsung Galaxy Camera could be coming soon and that it could be coming with an updated 20.2MP sensor. According to rumours the camera used to take the images had the model number EK-GN120 which matches quite closely with the Samsung Galaxy Camera which goes by EK-GC100. The EK-GC100 used a 16.2MP sensor.

Another Samsung Galaxy S4 version that has so far not been revealed has just made it's first appearance. After the Samsung Galaxy S4 Mini and Active, the Samsung Galaxy S4 Zoom finally shows up with leaked images from two rather well known rumour sites. They confirm that the Samsung Galaxy S4 Zoom is going to be a cameraphone something along the lines of Samsung’s Galaxy Camera.  Rumoured tech specs for the Samsung Galaxy S4 Zoom include:

• 4.3-inch Super AMOLED display
• 1.6GHz dual-core processor
• 1GB RAM
• 8GB storage + up to 64GB microSD
• 16MP rear camera (10x optical zoom)
• Supports WiFi a/b/g/n + Bluetooth 4.0 LE + GPS
• Android 4.2.2

While Samsung have already come out with their Galaxy Camera they still intend to stick a more powerful camera sensor on one of their smartphones like Nokia's EOS and Sony's Honami. Upping the sensor megapixels to 16MP from the current standard of 13MP, the new cameraphone from Samsung will most likely be called the Samsung Galaxy S4 Zoom, making it a variant of the current flagship Samsung Galaxy S4. Other tech specs rumoured to come out for the Zoom include:

• 10x Optical Zoom
• 16MP camera sensor
• 4.3-inch Super AMOLED display
• 8GB storage + 64GB microSD
• Bluetooth 4.0 LE, Wifi 802.11 a/b/g/n, A-GPS