The Samsung WB700 is a new superzoom camera with an 18x optical zoom and a 1.3x “Smart Zoom” (as Samsung calls it). The WB700 sports a 16MP sensor and can record 1080p HD video in H.264 format.
The WB700 will be available in April 2011 for an initial retail price of $299.99. Check availability on Amazon.com.
More details in the press release below.
Samsung WB700 Press Release
Ridgefield Park, New Jersey – December 28, 2010 – Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd, a global leader in digital media and digital convergence technologies, announced today the 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 full 1080p 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.
Specification Sheet
| WB700 | |
| Image Sensor |
1/2.33? (approx 7.76mm) CCD, 16 Megapixel, 14MP(effective) |
| Zoom |
Still Image mode : 1.0X ~ 5.0X Still Image mode: Resolution (X1.5) –> Extra Zoom (X2) or Digital Zoom (X4) |
| Lens |
Schneider-KREUZNACH f = 4.06 ~ 73.08mm (35mm film equivalent : 24~432 mm) |
| Image Stabilization |
Dual OIS and DIS (Optical / Digital Image Stabilization) |
| Dimensions |
99.5 x 59 x 21.7 |
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Additional features |
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Pricing |
$299.99 |
|
Availability (est.) |
April |
When I first heard about this Camera, I considered returning my newly purchased Olympus epl1 micro 4/3 I got to complement my Canon Powershot sx30is and Kodak Easyshare Z950 travel zoom. (12mp and 10x zoom). Opon reading the specs and seeing the standard issue P/S 1/2.33 CCD sensor, I realized that I would be getting what amounts to the z950 on steroids. While I don’t doubt that Samsung will be selling a bunch of them, due to its impressive zoom and resolutions, along with its German-branded lens, I, for one, won’t be exchanging my epl1 any time soon