Samsung TL34HD Review

Click to take a 360-degree QTVR tour of the TL34HD

Samsung's new TL34HD is a sleek and compact digital camera featuring high-definition video capabilities, 14.7 megapixels of resolution and a renowned Schneider 3.6x optical zoom lens yielding a 28mm wide-angle focal length. The most advanced point-and-shoot digital camera in Samsung's history, the TL34HD builds upon the success of its predecessor, the NV24HD, taking many of the camera's advanced features to a whole new level.

Featuring an all-metal build, the TL34HD is pocket-sized with dimensions of 3.68" x 2.34" x 0.80". Available in all-black, or silver with a red accent, the TL34HD takes camera design to a new level. Although compact, a large three-inch touch-screen hVGA LCD dominates the back of the camera.

The TL34HD gives shooters the ability to record video in 720p high-definition resolution, at a maximum frame rate of 30fps. Shooters can also take advantage of a movie stabilizer and optical zoom while recording video, as well as Samsung's Successive Recording mode, which allows the user to pause and then resume filming without having to save the clips as individual files. Additionally, the TL34HD utilizes H.264 compression, a codec for high-definition video that has become an industry standard and which yields three times the recording length than of other compressions.

The TL34HD also boasts Samsung's next generation Smart Touch 2.0 user interface. With the Smart Touch 2.0, Samsung further simplifies the way users navigate through the camera's comprehensive feature set by incorporating touch-screen LCD technology. Besides serving as the portal to access the Smart Touch 2.0 user interface, the TL34HD's three-inch hVGA LCD screen is used to compose shots and review images, with a stunning resolution of 460K pixels. To help cut down on glare and enhance viewing outdoors and in direct sunlight, Samsung has also designed the TL34HD's LCD screen with a drastically improved anti-reflective coating.

Shooters can also benefit from a comprehensive suite of automatic controls designed to help them capture better images, specifically portraits and group shots of family and friends. The TL34HD's Face Detection technology detects up to nine faces and automatically adjusts focus and exposure. Furthermore, Smile Shot automatically triggers the TL34HD to take a photo only when the camera detects smiles on the subjects' faces, and Blink Detection will prevent a photo from being taken if the camera recognizes that a subject's eyes are closed.

The TL34HD also puts an end to inadvertently lost images with a new feature called the Recycle Bin - a unique functionality that allows consumers to retrieve images which were deleted by mistake. When the Recycle Bin function is in use, the TL34HD automatically creates a "trash" folder on the memory card which stores any image deleted from the camera. This special feature allows users to shoot, delete and restore images without the fear that they will be lost forever.

To enjoy the TL34HD's high-definition video on an HDTV television, consumers simply dock the camera into a proprietary Samsung HDMI CEC (Consumer Electronics Control) cradle (sold separately). For added versatility, when the HDMI CEC cradle is connected to a high-definition Samsung digital television, end-users can navigate the TL34HD's menu using their TV's remote control. The HDMI CEC cradle also gives shooters the ability to display their images in high-definition clarity, further enhancing the digital imaging experience. The TL34HD is also DLNA Compatible, allowing users to maximize the way they view and share their digital content over their wireless home network.

TL34HD Features:

• 14.7-megapixels of resolution for images up to 4384X3288 pixels
• Schneider-Kreuznach 3.6x F2.8 optical zoom lens (28-102mm in 35mm equivalent)
• DRIM Engine image processor
• Dual Image Stabilization mode for blur free photos
• Capture MPEG4 (H.264/AVC) HD video at 1280x720 (720p, 30fps) w/stereo audio and movie stabilization
• Auto, Program, Manual, Dual IS and 15 scene modes
• Powerful Effects: Color and Image Adjustment (Sharpness, Saturation, Contrast)
• High speed continuous and Auto Bracketing shooting
• High-quality 3.0-inch Touch screen LCD with 460K pixels
• Macro focus as close as 2 inches (5cm) from the lens
• Adjustable sensitivity from ISO 80 - 3200
• 40MB of internal memory and removable SD/SDHC/MMC/MMCPlus card storage
• Adjustable ISO, white balance, and metering
• Recycle Bin for even better protection against losing images
• Li-ion rechargeable battery, charged via USB (AC Adapter included)
• USB 2.0 Mass Storage and PictBridge compliant

The TL34HD is available in two color tones (Red or Black) with a MSRP of US$329.95. Each camera kit ships with: TL34HD camera, Wrist strap, USB cable, A/V cable, USB/AC charger, Li-ion battery, Software CD-ROM, Warranty certificate, and Quick Start manual.

TL34HD Specifications