Samsung's New 24x Optical Zoom HZ25W

Sep 13, 2009
Samsung introduced their new 12.5MP point-and-shoot the HZ25W which has a 24x Mega-Zoom, the most powerful zoom ever offered on a Samsung compact camera. The lens has a focal range equivalent to 26mm-624mm and coupled with its optical and digital image stabilization, you can capture sharper images even at full zoom. The HZ25W features manual controls for aperture and shutter priority and shoots in RAW, JPEG or both right on the camera. Use the electronic viewfinder or the 3” LCD to compose you images and on screen menu navigation is easy with its Smart dial. As with all new cameras, the HZ25W shoots HD video at 720p using H.264 compression. Look for it to hit stores in October for an estimated price of $399.99.

PRESS RELEASE

Samsung Goes Long with New 24x Optical Zoom HZ25W

Samsung HZ25W Impresses With 24x Mega-Zoom, Full Manual Control and RAW Support

RIDGEFIELD PARK, N.J.–Samsung Electronics America, Inc. today unveiled the HZ25W, a 12.5 mega-pixel point-and-shoot outfitted with the most powerful lens ever offered on a Samsung compact digital camera. Joining the company’s advanced HZ Series, the HZ25W’s high-performance Schneider-KREUZNACH lens offers an impressive 24x optical zoom with a 26mm wide-angle focal length (35mm film equivalent focal range of 26mm-624mm), which can be used for shooting high-quality digital still images as well as recording 720p HD video in H.264 format.

“Photographers of all skill levels are going to be drawn to the HZ25W’s features,” said Reid Sullivan, senior vice president of audio/video and digital imaging marketing at Samsung Electronics America. “The versatility of the lens gives any user, whether you’re a soccer mom on the sidelines or an enthusiast looking to create a stunning image, the ability to be prepared for just about any shooting scenario. Serious shooters will gravitate toward the HZ25W’s aperture and shutter priority modes as well as full manual control and RAW support. For the entry-level shooter, Samsung’s Smart Auto takes simplicity to a new level, ensuring a great shot every time without having to be concerned about camera settings.”

The HZ25W puts high-definition video recording in the palm of users’ hands. The camera can record 720p HD video using H.264 compression, an advanced codec that allows users to record video for longer periods of time. For added versatility, users can zoom in and out while recording video, taking full advantage of both the camera’s 26mm wide-angle focal length and 24x optical zoom.

The HZ25W’s 24x optical zoom, 26mm wide-angle lens is supported by Samsung’s Dual Image Stabilization, which combines both optical and digital stabilization to help reduce blur, especially when using the lens at its maximum zoom. The HZ25W also provides aperture and shutter priority and a full manual shooting mode for those users looking to exercise more control over camera settings. Additional manual controls include the ability to customize white balance settings from a temperature range of 3,000K to 10,000K as well as manual focusing. Users have the option to shoot in RAW (DNG1.1), JPEGs, or both right on the camera.

Users can frame their images using the HZ25W’s color electronic viewfinder (EVF) or three-inch LCD screen, which also grants access to the camera’s user interface. The HZ25W also features an easy-to-use Smart dial, which provides effortless navigation through the camera’s menu and simplifies the way users select various settings and review their images.

The new HZ25W also incorporates Samsung’s latest suite of intuitive and smart technologies which simplify how users take and view their photos, including Smart Auto. An advanced shooting mode which analyzes the current environment, Smart Auto will automatically choose from one of 11 optimized settings to produce the best possible image. After pictures are taken, users can easily search for a specific image they have saved on their memory card using the HZ25W’s Smart Album feature. Smart Album automatically organizes the user’s digital images and gives them the ability to narrow their search based on specific criteria such as the date or week the image was taken, the overall color tone, portraits or specific file types, including photos, videos, or voice memos.

Samsung’s Perfect Portrait System, which includes Face Recognition, Face Detection, Smile Shot, Blink Detection and Samsung’s Beauty Shot, can also be found on the HZ25W. One of the most advanced on the market, Samsung’s Face Recognition technology automatically stores up to 20 preferred faces to the cameras’ internal memory. While taking a portrait, the HZ25W will automatically recognize if one of the user’s 20 preferred faces is in the frame and identify them as a priority for focus and exposure. Users can also save time sorting through their photos and instead search for photos that contain a specific face.

* Specifications are subject to change without notice.

About Samsung Electronics America, Inc.

Headquartered in Ridgefield Park, NJ, Samsung Electronics America, Inc. (SEA), a wholly owned subsidiary of Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd., markets a broad range of award-winning, digital consumer electronics and home appliance products, including HDTVs, home theater systems, MP3 players, digital imaging products, refrigerators and washing machines. A recognized innovation leader in consumer electronics design and technology, Samsung is the HDTV market leader in the U.S. Please visit www.samsung.com for more information.

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Trevor Current

Founder of Current Photographer, co-host of The Digital Photography Cafe Show, Designer, Photographer, and overall tech geek.

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