Samsung debuts HD-loving snapper
The reasons for getting a HDTV are stacking up – Sky’s broadcasts will start this summer, the PS3 should follow soon after, and now Samsung has announ
The reasons for getting a HDTV are stacking up – Sky’s broadcasts will start this summer, the PS3 should follow soon after, and now Samsung has announced the world’s first high-def telly digicam.
The 8MP L85 doesn’t have a built-in HDMI connection, but does – for the first time – offer an optional cradle that will hook up to your HD flatscreen, allowing you to punish relations with your most vividly boring family slideshow yet.
It’s not the complete multimedia dreamboat – the MP3 and MP4-playing i6 is your port of call for that – but does offer some high-end photographic tomfoolery.
Aside from letting you take 8MP shots, there’s a decent 5x optical zoom, 2.5in LCD, direct PictBridge printing and some handy shooting options including high-speed continuous shooting for speedy objects and comedy flickbook-style playback.
Like any self-respecting digicam today it offers MP4 video recording in VGA resolution at 30fps, which can also be watched on your HD telly.
The bad news is that Samsung hasn’t set a UK release date yet. It’s sure to make the Atlantic leap, though, and will be on sale in the US from April for $500 (£290).
4.30pm update: Aha! Our guess was right. The L85’s officially expected in UK shops later this week for around £330, though – as usual – you’ll be able to bagsy it cheaper online.
07/03/06 update: Hold those credit cards – it’ll actually appear in shops in April. We apologise for the confusion.
Samsung packs DVD quality movies in its new digicam
