Samsung Announces Wi-Fi Flip-Screen Camera

Samsung MV900                                         Samsung MV800

Samsung's MV800 featured a flipping screen that was perfect for self portraits, but it couldn't compete with a smartphone in one area: instant upload to Facebook. The new MV900 addresses that—it includes Wi-Fi, so you can send shots directly to your favorite social-networking site directly from the camera, or beam them to your smartphone via a direct connection if a Wi-Fi hotspot isn't available.

The 16-megapixel camera's 3.3-inch display flips all the way to face the front for self shots. It's an AMOLED display and is touch sensitive, so you can interact with menus and scroll through shots with your fingers. The 5x zoom lens covers a 25-125mm f/2.5-6.3 (35mm equivalent) field of view, and has a fairly fast aperture at its widest setting for better photos in dim environments. Video is recorded in 1080p format, and the MV900 supports microSD memory.

Aside from Wi-Fi, the MV900 also supports gesture-based control, much like the Xbox Kinect. You can wave your arms at the camera to zoom its lens in or out. Performing the gesture that fires the shutter activates a self-timer, so you'll have time to pose before the photo is taken. It also supports the same type of portrait effects as the MV800, so you can add a frame, perform funhouse distortions on faces, or add wigs to your subjects before sharing photos online. The camera is set to ship in late August and will sell for $399.

This comes hot on the heels of Samsung's announcement of the EX2F enthusiast compact. That 12-megapixel camera, which also supports Wi-Fi, offers more advanced features like a 1/1.7-inch CMOS image sensor, Raw shooting support, and a fast 24-80mm f/1.4-2.7 lens that, even at its longest zoom, captures more light than traditional compacts. When you couple this with the maximum extended ISO of 12800, you have a camera that should be able to snap photos in even difficult lighting.

The EX2F supports 1080p30 video recording, and can use an external mic via its accessory port. Its articulating 3-inch display uses AMOLED technology, and you can opt to use an optional EVF—the camera is compatible with all Samsung NX accessories—for eye-level shooting. The camera is set to ship in early August and will retail for $499.

See more at Jim Fisher's "Samsung Announces MV900 Flip-Screen Camera".