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Samsung unveils TL225: point-and-shoot camera with front-facing LCD
Points to Samsung for coming up with something that should have been common years ago: a point-and-shoot camera with front-facing LCD. It's been a staple of cameraphones (even Samsung ones) for a while, but the TL225 is one of the first mainstream P&S cams to have the feature, making it ideal for self-portraits, something we're told the kids are into these days. Face and smile detection are built in to help get that perfect shot.
Besides the self-portrait assistance, the 1.5-inch screen will display a countdown for when you don't want to be holding the camera. It also boasts a Child Mode, which will play vaguely creepy animation of clowns, intended to help get the attention of a small child (the video can be changed).
Hit the Continue jump for our hands-on assessment, as well as pricing info.
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Samsung made the TL225 simple to use — just tap the front screen to turn it on. The quality of the front LCD is a little sketchy, especially compared to the comparatively glorious 3.5-inch one on the back. But then again, this front screen is really there just to help with composition, not for picture viewing, so that's OK. Navigating the menus on the backside touchscreen was fairly intuitive; after you've used it for a couple of minutes, you'll be flying.
My favorite extra feature is touch delete: just swipe an "X" over an image during playback, and the camera deletes the pic (don't worry about accidents; there's a confirmation screen). The 12.2-megapixel resolution, HDMI output and 4.6x optical zoom are nice to have, too. The cam also shoots 720p HD video.
The TL 225 will sell for $350. The more affordable TL220, which also has a front LCD, costs $250, but it ditches the HDMI output and takes the rear LCD down to 3 inches. Both models will be on store shelves in September.
By nellajella at 1:38 PM ON 08/13/09
This is the singularly most awesome camera I have ever seen, and I want one really bad. Having on would make me feel like I live in Eureka or something
By kash at 1:54 PM ON 08/13/09
This is a very cool camera. The front pacing LCD will definitely come in handy when it comes it to taking group pics, which makes this a perfect camera for women. I mean the only other thing this is good for is myspace pictures, you know the ones I'm talking about,, posing while showing off their ass. At least these girls will stop taking pics in the mirror with their cell phones now. http://ziggytek.com/
By Tav at 2:16 PM ON 08/13/09
Seriously? This is like the silliest idea I've seen in a while.
By Mad Vulcan at 2:28 PM ON 08/13/09
Well, it took the long enough. This feature has been in camcorders for as long as they've had LCD screens. This is a really cool camera, now if only the could make it water proof.
By Insomniac at 2:29 PM ON 08/13/09
This camera is for the people narcissists who have 400 self portraits on myspace and facebook.
By hollywood_hillbilly at 6:57 PM ON 08/13/09
Narcissists, or people who don't have any friends to take pictures of them.
By bgilmore93 at 8:53 PM ON 08/13/09
This is such a good idea. Me and my sister always take pics together and we sometimes miss ourselves this will surely help.
By samsung at 10:37 PM ON 08/13/09
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By Random Hero at 9:39 AM ON 08/14/09
YES! Finally an end to those horribly ghey MySpace self taken pictures, yeah right. Here's to wishful thinking.
And for future reference, those high angle MS shots you take of yourself DO make you look like a douche bag. Also, pretty much all digital cameras have a timer for group pictures and "self" pertraits, learn to use it.
By kabel adapter at 6:00 AM ON 09/04/09
I guess that's cool. I think a little mirror on the front is much more practical, though. Having another LCD will drain battery and generally be a distraction.
on your cellphone!
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kabel adapter:
I guess that's cool. I think a little mirror on the front is much more practical, though. Having another LCD will d...More »