Samsung TL34HD Review

The TL34HD is equipped with a Schneider-Kreuznach 3.6x optical zoom lens, which covers a focal range of f =6.0 ~ 21.6mm (28 - 102mm, 35mm equivalent) and has a maximum aperture range of f/2.8 - f/5.9. When the camera is powered down, the lens retracts into the body and is protected by a built-in lens cover.

Focus is achieved by a TTL contrast detection AF system, that features a low-light focus assist illuminator. The Autofocus Range is:

Normal: 2.6 ft. (80cm) to infinity at wide angle
Macro: 2.0 in. - 2.6 ft. (5cm - 80cm) wide, 1.6 - 2.6 ft. (50cm - 80cm) telephoto
Auto Mode: 2.0 in. (5cm) to Infinity at wdie angle, 1.6 ft. (50cm) to Infinity at telephoto

The built-in flash has modes for Auto, Auto & Red-eye reduction, Fill-in flash, Slow sync, Flash off, and Red-eye fix. Working range in wide angle is approx. 11.8 in. to 17.7 ft. (0.3 to 5.4m), telephoto is 1.6 ft. to 7.8 ft. (0.5 to 2.4m), using ISO Auto. Recharge time is approx. 5 seconds with fully charged battery.

Here you can see the high-resolution (460,000 pixel) 3.0-inch Touch screen LCD monitor, which takes up almost 90% of the back of the camera. Featuring Samsung's Smart Touch 2.0 user interface, all menu opterations and buttons are on-screen. Only the Zoom controls (Magnify/Index options in playback), Menu, and Playback buttons remain.

On top you'll find the Auto Pop-up flash unit, power On/Off switch with the built-in speaker mounted around it, shutter release, and the Mode dial with positions for: Auto, Movie, Scene, Beauty Shot, Night, Dual IS, Manual and Program.

The combination I/O port is located on the bottom of the camera right beside the tripod mount. The miniature connector is for the USB 2.0 (full-speed) data cable, Audio/Video cable for connection to a TV set, and is used for charging the battery.

The TL34HD stores images, movies and sound clips on either the ~40MB of internal memory or a MMC cards up to 2GB, SD cards up to 4GB, and SDHC cards up to 8GB.

Approx. 1GB Storage Capacity

The TL34HD is powered by a SLB-1137D 3.7V 1100mAh Li-ion rechargeable battery pack. This Li-ion battery pack is charged while inside the camera, and Samsung has taken a creative approach to the AC charger.

The USB cable is also the charger cable - you just plug it into the small AC adapter included in the box or plug it into your PC to transfer your photos and recharge at the same time (note: charging from the PC takes about twice as long as using the AC adapter). Samsung claims you can capture up to 200 photos or 100 minutes of continuous shooting (like in Movie mode) with a fully charged pack.