Facebook Pixel Samsung 2View TL210/PL150 [REVIEW]

Samsung 2View TL210/PL150 [REVIEW]

You may have loyalties to the likes of Sony, Canon, Nikon etc but you have to admit Samsung is shaking the tree when it comes to innovation … witness its NX DSLR-style camera!

The company first introduced a twin screen compact camera with the ST550 late in 2009. I have to admit the idea got to me!

Samsung-PL150 -TL210.jpg

Now we see a similar camera – the Samsung 2View TL210 (also known as the PL150 in some parts of the world): twin LCD, 12.4 megapixel capture, 5x optical zoom (tho’ not a Schneider optic this time) and all for a little over half the XT550’s price.

Samsung 2View TL210/PL150 Features

The maximum image size is 4000×3000 pixels, or 34x25cm as a print. Movies? You can shoot MPEG4 video at sizes up to 1280×720 pixels and view them via an HDMI output.

Although the PL150’s price is bargain basement it doesn’t look it: a piano finish gloss black casing gives it an ultra smart look and of course, as a compact, it’s light and easily pocketable.

The basic exposure programs are auto, smart auto and Program AE; selectable on the camera, are two scene modes — night and beauty shot (to hide facial blemishes) — while ten more are selectable via the finder.

The twin screens have been given some extra functionality: in use the camera can recognise two faces in shot; with the self timer in play, a countdown appears on screen; for kids’ shots the PL150 delightfully runs a shot cartoon on the front screen. And don’t forget you can shoot a movie with the front screen active. Make great Web clips.

The camera can automatically trigger the camera to take a photo when a smile is lurking! And of course there is face detection and face recognition (up to 10 people).

ISO Settings

Samsung PL150 ISO 80 f3.9 1:10 sec.jpg
At ISO 80 the definition is acceptable, as are the noise levels.

Samsung PL150 ISO 800 f3.9 1:90 sec.jpg
At ISO 800 definition is already poor, while the noise level is rising. Not a useable setting.

Samsung PL150 ISO 1600 f3.9 1:180 sec.jpg
At ISO 1600 noise is very high, definition poor. Not good!

Samsung PL150 ISO 3200 f3.9 1:350 sec.jpg
At ISO 3200 the picture quality is unacceptable: high noise and poor definition.

Distortion

Not bad. No problems at the zoom’s wide end but there was a little pincushion distortion at the tele end of the zoom.

Startup

The camera was ready to shot two second after startup; follow on shots came in as fast as I could press the button.

Chrysler car 3.6.10.JPG

Flowers 3.6.10.JPG

Comment< ?h3>
I get the feeling this camera was made down to a low price. The ISO tests tell it all!

Quality: Low resolution and high noise make this a good buy only if you are really stretched financially.

Why you would buy it: attractive budget price; twin screen feature; simple to use.

Why you wouldn’t: below average picture quality.

Vale for money if you are not too demanding on picture quality. An ideal child’s first camera.

Specifications

Image Sensor: 12.4 million effective pixels.
Metering: Multi zones, centre-weighted, spot.
Sensor Size: 7.79mm CCD.
Lens: f3.3-5.9/4.9-24.5mm (27-135mm as 35 SLR equivalent).
Shutter Speed: 8 to 1/2000 second.
Memory: micro SD/microSDHC cards plus 30MB internal memory.
Image Sizes (pixels): 4000×3000, 3984×2656, 3840×2160, 3264×2448, 2560×1920, 2048×1536, 1920×1080, 1024×768.
Movies: 1280×720, 640×480, 320×240 at 15/30/60 fps.
Rear LCD Screen: 7.6cm LCD (230,000 pixels).
Front LCD screen: 3.8cm. (61,000 pixels).
File Formats: JPEG, MPEG4, WAV.
ISO Sensitivity: Auto, 80 to 3200.
Interface: USB 2.0, HDMI, AV.
Power: Rechargeable lithium ion battery, DC input.
Dimensions: 99.2x59x19.9 WHDmm.
Weight: 136.6 g (without battery and card).
Price: Get a price on the Samsung PL150/TL210 DualView at Amazon.

Summary
Review Date
Reviewed Item
Samsung 2View TL210/PL150
Author Rating
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Barrie Smith
Barrie Smith

is an experienced writer/photographer currently published in Australian Macworld, Auscam and other magazines in Australia and overseas.

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