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Samsung added five new models to its NV series of point-and-shoots at the 2008 Consumer Electronics Show in Las Vegas, NV. The new flagship model of the line, the 10-megapixel NV24 HD features a 3.6x Schneider zoom lens with a 24mm wide angle (35mm equivalent), while the 8.1-megapixel NV30 and 10-megapixel NV40 offer 3x Schneider zooms. The ultracompact, 8-megapixel NV4 is Samsung's second NV camera to double as a media player, with video and MP3 playback. It has an internal 3x zoom lens, a 2.5mm headphone port, and an external speaker with SRS 3D acoustic technology.
All four new metal-body cameras sport 2.5-inch LCDs with brightness levels that adjust automatically to ambient light levels, and implement the line's signature Smart Touch interface. Smart Touch employs two sets of pressure-sensitive buttons located along the edges of the LCD to provide access to controls. Running a finger over a row of buttons lets you activate and navigate menus, or adjust settings with virtual sliders.
Among the other improvements that all four new NV cameras share are face-detection autofocus and autoexposure, a self-portrait mode, a Multi-Slide Show mode that adds transitions and user-loaded MP3s to on-camera slideshows, and a new Photo Style Selector dial that provides direct access to seven color settings. The four models each offer 14 scene modes.
The NV30, NV40, and NV24 HD also benefit from a new image-processing engine that promises improved image quality and speed. They offer built-in help functions, a top ISO 3200 setting (the NV4 goes to ISO 1600), and a Dual Image Stabilization mode that combines optical and digital image stabilization. The NV4 offers digital image stabilization only. That camera is also the only one of the new batch to offer Samsung's World Tour Guide function, a rudimentary in-camera travel guide to destinations in 30 countries.
While all four new NVs can capture 640x480 video with sound at a smooth 30fps, the NV24 HD also offers a 720p, 30fps high-definition mode that saves footage in the H.264 format, and the NV4 has an MPEG-4 video mode that shoots at 800x592 resolution. All four cameras allow video capture to be paused and resumed during a single clip, and the NV4 and NV24 HD also enable the optical zoom to function during video capture.
The NV30 will be available in February 2008 for a $279 retail price, and the NV40 and NV24 HD will hit store shelves in March for $329 and $349, respectively. The NV4 will be available for $279 at a date that has not yet been announced. Samsung will also sell an HDMI Consumer Electronics Control cradle that is compatible with the NV24 HD for displaying hi-def video on an HDTV. When it's connected to a Samsung HDTV, users will be able to navigate the NV24 HD's menus with the TV's remote.
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