Shooting, sharing and selfies
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The new Samsung Galaxy Camera 2 lets you review and edit your photos in an instant
A new Android-base camera that allows you to have fun with online functions and use it like an Android tablet, the Samsung Galaxy Camera 2 also captures great quality photos for instant sharing with online friends.
Similar in specifications to its predecessor, the Galaxy Camera 2 uses a more powerful application processor and runs on a newer Android OS. It also boasts a bigger range of fun shooting modes.
It swaps its 3G connection for a Wi-Fi connection that can be linked to your smartphone’s mobile hotspot and comes complete with the NFC (Near Field Communication) function, making it easier to link with a smartphone.
Both the new and older models feature 4.8-inch HD Super Clear LCD with 1280 x 720 pixel resolution. The large screen is great for composing photos and the touch screen provides all the menus for controlling and navigating through the camera’s functions. Galaxy Camera 2 has no hardware controls other than buttons for the shutter, power and flash release.
You can choose to zoom in on your subject by using the zoom lever by the shutter button or through the touch screen, using the two-finger pinching function.
Both Galaxy Camera 2 and its sister have the same 16-megapixel, 1 / 2.3 backside-illuminated CMOS image sensor and an optically-stabilised 21x wide zoom lens with an equivalent focal length of 23-483mm. At the widest angle, the lens is very bright and fast with f/2.8 aperture.
Both models support Wi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n connection with the Galaxy Camera 2 now also supporting Digital Living Network Alliance or DNLA that allows you to display images from the camera on a TV.
The new model runs on Android 4.3 Jelly Bean OS and is powered by a quad-core application processor running at 1.6 GHz compared to the 1.4 CPU of the first model.
Both models have similar a footprint and weight though the new model has a large battery of 2,000 mAh capacity compared to 1,650 mAh of the first model.
Thanks to its 23mm wide-angle lens, the test found that Galaxy Camera 2 captured beautiful landscapes with well-saturated colours. And its bright f/2.8 aperture allowed it to capture terrific portraits with a blurred background.
Among several new and improved features, the popular Beauty shooting mode now lets you further edit and adjust by enlarging eyes, reducing noise or smoothing out the face while also slimming it down. The extra touching up went down well with my female colleagues during the test at The Nation’s newsroom.
The mode makes your subject’s face look fairer and smooth and thus much younger.
Galaxy Camera 2 also comes complete with the “Selfie alarm”. Anyone who enjoys capturing photos of themselves will love this mode, as it allows you to compose your portrait shot without having to look at the screen and press the shutter button.
You first drag the composing frame to set the detection area then compose your shot with the lens facing you. The more your face fits inside the detection area, the faster the camera beeps so do remember to listen to the beeps as you adjust the composition. Once your face is inside the detection area, the camera emits a warning tone and takes five shots for you to select the best one.
Another interesting mode is called Best photo. With this mode, Galaxy Camera 2 will take multiple shots and you can select the best ones to save.
You can use the Colour bracket mode to take three shots with different colour effects.
And if you want to take photos of young children, simply switch to the Kids shot mode. The camera will play a funny sound to draw the child’s attention when you capture his or her photo.
When you have to capture a scene in a complex lighting environment, use the Rich tone (HDR) mode. The mode will take several shots with various exposure values and then merge them into one photo. With this mode, you will not lose details in bright and dark areas.
You can also use the Drama mode to take a series of photos and combine them to create a photo that shows trails of movement. The mode will not work if your subject and the background are similar colours or if you stand too close or too far from the subject.
I really like the Night mode, which is good for capturing lights at night. The camera will fire three shots and merge them into one photo for a sharp and colourful image.
Samsung Galaxy Camera 2 will appeal to those who enjoy sharing high-quality photos on Instagram directly from the camera. It retails for Bt15,900.
Key specs:
OS: Android 4.3
CPU: quad-core processor 1.6 GHz
Storage: 8GB, expandable with micro-SD card
Display: 4.8-inch HD Super Clear LCD (1280x720 pixels)
Connectivity: Wi-Fi 802.11a/b/g/n 2.4GHz / 5GHz, Bluetooth 4.0, HDMI 1.4, micro USB 2.0
Sensor: 1/2.3-inch BSI CMOS with 16.3 MP resolution
Lens: 23-383mm equivalent 21x optical zoom with f/2.8-5.9 aperture
Shutter Speed: 16 ~ 1/2000 sec
ISO Equivalent: Auto, 100, 200, 400, 800, 1600, 3200
Exposure control: Program AE, Aperture Priority AE, Shutter Priority AE, Manual Exposure
Video: Full HD (1080p) Video Recording (30 fps) & Playback
Battery: 2,000 mAh, about 400 shots, based on CIPA testing standards
Dimension (HxWxD): 71.2 x 132.5 x 19.3mm
Weight: 283g
