Samsung TL320
First Impressions Review
Mar 04, 2009
- By Tim Barribeau
The TL320 from Samsung is a new point-and-shoot sporting a 24mm, 5x zoom lens, a 12-megapixel sensor, a wide array of manual controls, and most interestingly, an OLED screen. This is one of the only cameras ever produced with organic light emitting diodes. The technology uses less power than traditional LCDs, as well as having better contrast and a wider viewing angle. The camera also has an impressive ISO spread, good build quality, and features retro analog dials to show remaining battery and memory card capacity. The TL320 will be available in May for $379.99.
| Top Point & Shoot Cameras |
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Overview
The TL320 doesn't set out to redesign the wheel, but rather tweaks the design of a standard point-and-shoot slightly, like by adding a larger grip, or the use of analog dials for battery charge and memory.
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| The Samsung TL320 |
Front
The front of the TL320 has a distinctive grip against the edge of the camera. You'll notice a small circle beneath the Samsung logo, this is a receiver for an optional remote control. The similar circle beneath the flash is the autofocus assist bulb.
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| The grip on the far left is easy to hold |
Back
The big new feature of the TL320 is its OLED screen, with 460,000 dots. The primary method of control is a dial, which also acts as a four-way control, and has a series of small dots on it which give a bit of grip. Along the right edge of the camera is a thumb-rest, that provides a little extra grip when not zooming with the small toggle right under your thumb.
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| OLEDs are a rare sight on cameras |
Sides
The left and right sides are both barren, though on the right you can see the thumb-rest poking out.
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| Both sides are bare |
Top
In a rather stylish touch, Samsung have attached small dials to the top of the camera which show the battery level and amount of storage on the memory card. These little analog meters give you an easy and constant reminder of how the camera is doing. Also on top of the camera is the power button, shutter control, and mode dial.
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| The analog dials are a quirky, but nice, touch |
Bottom
Here on the bottom of the camera, you'll find the tripod mount, the sole proprietary port, and the battery and memory card slots.
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We could have done with a standard
rather than proprietary port |
