Samsung DualView TL220 And TL225 Twin-LCD Digicams Get Official

The dual-LCD ST500 and ST550 digital cameras spotted earlier today on Amazon UK have been confirmed for the US market, as the Samsung DualView TL220 and TL225.  While the names may be different, the specifications are not: that means – like the Samsung CL65 – 12.2-megapixel resolution, paired with a 4.6x Schneider-Kreuznach optical zoom.  What makes the TL225 and TL220 particularly special, however, are the two LCD displays: a large touchscreen on the back, for primary control, and a 1.5-inch front display for previewing self-portraits.

The two cameras both use Samsung's new Tap and Take function, which allows you to switch to using the front display by simply tapping it.  Doing so automatically kicks the TL225 and TL220 into self-portrait mode, which relies on smile-shutter to shoot off a frame.  We're not sure how this will go down with moody teenagers, who generally prefer sullen pouting than beaming grins in their profile photos.

Meanwhile the front display can also be used to play short animated clips, useful for attracting the attention of small children and easily-entertained adults.  Other specifications include optical and digital image stabilization, face/smile/blink detection, 720p HD video recording and a gesture-based touchscreen UI.

The Samsung DualView TL220, which has a 3-inch touchscreen, will be priced at $299.99, while the Samsung DualView TL225, which has a 3.5-inch touchscreen, will be priced at $349.99.  Both will arrive in the US come September.

Press Release:

Samsung Leads the Way in the Digital Camera Evolution

Samsung Electronics America, Inc., today unveiled the Samsung DualView Cameras – the TL225 and TL220 – as well as the CL65. These three new compact devices are highlighted by innovative new features, groundbreaking technology, ease-of-use and design. Representing the next step in the evolution of the digital camera, the Samsung TL225, TL220, and CL65 give consumers a whole new approach to personal photography.

Delivering twice the fun of any other compact digital camera, Samsung DualView Cameras, the innovative TL225 and TL220, truly put the photographer in the picture. Samsung DualView Cameras feature Dual LCDs with one on the front of the camera and another one on the back. Embracing the latest consumer trends, Samsung's new CL65 provides unprecedented connectivity as it incorporates geo-tagging, Bluetooth 2.0, DLNA, and Wi-Fi* capabilities, giving social networkers the ability to share their images while on the move and breaking the confines of uploading and sharing content in the traditional way.

"Today's product launch is an important milestone for Samsung, reinforcing our position as a leading innovator in the digital camera market and setting a new benchmark for digital camera technology," said Sang Jin Park, Chief Executive Officer of Samsung Digital Imaging Co. Ltd. "It is our goal to continue to lead the evolution of the industry while delivering a first-class consumer experience through ease-of-use and the design of our 'Smart Cameras'. We've listened to what consumers want and need, particularly in the social networking field, and I consider these latest products to surpass even the highest expectations of today's budding photographer, providing fun and excitement to the user."

Samsung DualView Cameras: TL225 and TL220

Samsung DualView Cameras bring the latest in compact camera innovation to consumers with Dual LCD screens on the front and back, offering twice the fun of any camera and allowing the user to take photographs they simply couldn't take before. The growing popularity of social networking sites has given rise to the self-portrait or profile picture with many consumers turning their digital camera on themselves to become the subject of their photo.

The 1.5" LCD now on the front of the TL225 and TL220 allows consumers to take these self-portraits and profile pictures with ease, showing the user exactly what the picture will look like, enabling the desired result every time. Incorporating a 3.5" wide, 1,152K resolution touch-screen LCD, the TL225 delivers one of the highest resolution screens available on a digital camera. Complementing this is a 12.2 mega-pixel CCD and 27mm wide-angle Schneider KREUZNACH lens with 4.6x optical zoom, allowing a wider shooting range from a shorter distance, and producing clear, clean images with balanced resolution from the center of the image to the edges.

Another innovation found on the TL225 and TL220 is Samsung's new powerful Smart Gesture User Interface (UI) with a built-in Gravity sensor. Once the camera is powered on, a simple tap on the front LCD activates it and the camera is automatically set to Self Portrait Mode with smile detection. This means that if users want to take a self portrait, they only need to tap and smile, and the picture will be taken automatically. Teamed with innovative Samsung technologies such as Smile Shot, Smart Face Recognition, and Smart Auto, users are given the ability to take the perfect image with ease.

Introduced to the world via a series of themed events in New York, Beijing, Bangkok, London and Seoul, the TL225, TL220 and CL65 will be available to consumers in September 2009.