Samsung has just announced its next generation Android camera, called the Galaxy Camera 2. It’s been updated with a newer software experience, hardware, and a design. As Samsung puts it, photographers can capture the images and then share them with speed and great quality.
For starters it has a new lightweight design at 283-grams and what Samsung calls a retro design, it is more compact. It appears to be available in white and blue, for now. In terms of speed, the Galaxy Camera 2 is powered by a 1.6GHz quad core processor with 2GB of RAM and this should give a speed bump. It is running Android 4.3 Jelly Bean with a Samsung user interface. Pre-loaded is the DropBox application and customers who get the device will receive 50GB of DropBox storage. It has a 4.8-inch HD Super Clear Touch LCD, on the original it was an Amoled display, this display will likely perform much better in sunlight. In terms of the camera, it is pretty much identical to what was on the Galaxy Camera, 16M BSI CMOS Sensor will proceed clear and vibrant images. This is paired with a 21X Optical Zoom, this way you can capture the everyday moments, no matter how far away they maybe. A 2000mAh battery is inside and for storage you get 8GB of internal, plus a micro SD card slot. WiFi, GPS, Bluetooth, and NFC are on board. I have a feeling that a 4G LTE connected variant of the device will come out and it make its way to the US carriers.
Let’s talk all of the new software features we are getting on the Galaxy Camera 2, Photo Beam makes an appearance. This will let you share photos quickly with other Samsung Photo Beam devices. Mobile Link will allow you to select multiple images and then send to your smartphone, kind of like a more advanced version of Photo Beam. Remote Viewfinder is a neat tool and will come in handy, essentially it will let you control the camera from your smartphone. With Tap & Go, you can connect any NFC device to the camera and you can share images, this takes advantage of the built-in WiFi and NFC. Smart Mode let’s you choose from over 28 pre-loaded modes, each is specialized for a different scenario. If you are unsure which one to use, Smart Mode Suggest will pick the mode for you. One of those modes is Selfie Alarm, this will make sure you get the perfect selfie every time. It will shoot five consecutive, high-resolution images, this way you can choose which one you like the best and share it immediately. This is just a quick look at the many new software features on the Galaxy Camera 2.
No pricing or availability has been announced for the Samsung Galaxy Camera 2, just yet. Most likely it will be available in the US as a WiFi only device or paired with an US carrier, like the original Galaxy Camera was. It will be on display at Samsung’s Booth at the 2014 Consumer Electronics Show, we will be sure to stop by and bring you our first impressions. Check out the gallery and press release below for the mean time. Stay Tuned To NJTechReviews For More Coverage Of The 2014 Consumer Electronics Show, Powered By Lenovo For Those Who Do!
Gallery
Press Release
Samsung Launches the Galaxy Camera 2, a Powerful Successor to the Galaxy CameraJanuary 2, 2014Featuring an Android platform and a lightweight retro design, the Galaxy Camera 2 allows avid photographers to capture and share even more, with superior quality and speed
SEOUL, Korea – January 02, 2014 – Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd announced the Galaxy Camera 2, a successor to the award winning GALAXY Camera which combines the quality imaging of a high end camera with sharing capabilities and an intuitive design to match the most up-to-date smartphones. The Galaxy Camera 2′s revolutionary technology, which includes an upgraded 1.6GHz Quad Core processor and the Android platform makes it faster and easier than ever for users to shoot, edit and share high quality images with friends and family. With a lightweight, retro design, the Galaxy Camera 2 is the ideal option for photographers who do not want to sacrifice style for technology.
“Consumers love the Galaxy Camera, and this next-generation version was designed to improve on the successful predecessor, with upgraded and new features that will enhance the photography experience,” said Myoung Sup Han, Executive Vice President and Head of the Imaging Business Team at Samsung Electronics. “The result is a more powerful and portable device which continues to embrace the public’s passion for the social features of smartphones, yet also provides superior image control and quality. We are dedicated to making it easier for more people to achieve great results and with the Galaxy Camera 2′s host of creative features, anyone can capture stand out images.”
Fast and Superior Performance
The Galaxy Camera 2 lets users enjoy the full benefits of the Android platform. Intuitive to use and faster than ever before, users can navigate the Galaxy Camera 2 functions with ease-of use and focus on capturing the perfect shot rather than having to filter through complex settings. With an enhanced battery life (2000mAh), avid photographers can enjoy the photography experience for longer period of time and have the ability to take even more beautiful pictures.A high performance camera, the Galaxy Camera 2 produces images of exceptional quality, unrivalled by smartphone photography. Its 16M BSI CMOS Sensor produces vivid images which are both rich in color and sharp in detail, allowing memories to be captured and reproduced in perfect clarity. With a huge 21x Optical Zoom, photographers can get closer than ever to their subjects. Featuring an upgraded 1.6 GHz Quad-Core processor, supported by a massive 2.0 GB of RAM, the Galaxy Camera 2 operates at ultra high speed so that the array of intuitive features can be accessed without delay. This internal memory is supplemented with the pre-loaded Dropbox app, an exclusive offering which provides 50GB of free cloud storage for up to two years, so that passionate photographers need never worry about running out of memory ever again.
Simple Sharing and Easy Use
Sharing is made simple with advanced Wi-Fi and NFC capabilities that accompany the Galaxy Camera 2. The all-new innovative ‘Tag & Go’ feature makes it easy to connect the Galaxy Camera 2 to NFC-enabled smartphones and devices. All it takes is a simple tap of the smartphone and camera and devices will be automatically paired and transter images swiftly using a host of clever functions. With Photo Beam, the picture being viewed on the camera is automatically sent to the paired smartphone, while Mobile Link, allows photographers to select images they wish to transfer to their smartphone at their leisure. For more creative shooting, Remote Viewfinder lets photographers control the camera using the smartphone, providing greater freedom for setting up and snapping shots.The Galaxy Camera 2′s 121.2mm (4.8-inch) HD Super Clear Touch LCD provides users with a beautiful way to view and edit images. Shots are displayed in intense color and detail, while its large size makes it easy to navigate the many apps and features available on the camera. With a lightweight design, the Galaxy Camera 2 is a highly portable option making it the perfect choice for both day to-day, as well as special occasion photography.
Creative Capture
With Smart Mode, users can choose from 28 different pre-set modes all designed to address different shooting scenarios, which will allow a professional touch or creative twist to any image. For those unsure which mode they want to select, the Smart Mode Suggest feature provides a helping hand in securing those winning shots. It analyzes the scene at hand; recognizing lighting conditions, scenery, objects, and then instantly recommends the optimal Smart Mode to ensure that the perfect shot is always captured. New Smart Mode Selfie Alarm guarantees that self-portraits receive the attention they deserve. It takes five consecutive, high resolution images so that users can select their best angle and share immediately on their favorite social media site.Videos can also be given a unique twist with features such as Multi Motion Video, which allows users to set the speed of capture and create speed up or slowed down movies. Ranging from eight times slower than normal speed up to eight times faster, this feature adds visual flair to footage which can be enjoyed time and time again. The Galaxy Camera 2 also makes it easy for photographers to use their favorite applications, such as Paper Artist and Xtremera, to personalize their shots straight from the camera so that images can be edited and shared without delay.
