Introduction:

It’s been barely a month since Samsung TL500; one of the much-anticipated digital cameras has hit the stands. This camera is already creating a history with its stunningly bright Schneider lens and high-end features that are truly a signature of Samsung. Hard-pressed to impress, this camera has something for all levels of shooters and succeeds in garnering attention in the first glance itself.

Features:

Determined to outshine the rivals, the Samsung TL500 comes equipped with a powerful Schneider KREUZNACH Lens and 3x optical zoom that is tad brighter than many of the lenses we have seen till now. With this lens the user can have more say on things like depth-of –field, aperture etc. Thus, the entire focus can be concentrated on the target alone ignoring the background images.

Pros:

• The camera comes equipped with a swivel AMOLED display that offers ample opportunity to shoot from any corner or angle you wish to. This display not only offers good visibility but also prolongs the battery life by reducing its consumption.
• Known for its impressive array of manual controls the TL 500 assists RAW format and exclusive manual controls are in place for setting options like aperture, shutter etc. For an automated shooting experience you can rely on the Smart Auto feature that automatically chooses the settings after considering the environment.
• The TL 500 boasts of 10 megapixels resolution and sports Dual Image Stabilization technology. Apart from taking pictures, this camera also records video in standard-definition 640 x 480 at 30 frames per second.

Cons:

• The optical viewfinder and a remote control are absent from this camera.
• Apparently, the hot shoe does not support the regular flash.
• With this camera you can shoot videos in standard definition VGA resolution alone. This can be a major drawback considering the fact that every other camera in the market today offers HD video capability. 
• The camera lacks style and is not small enough to fit into a shirt pocket. The price tag of this camera fails to justify the scant features it carries.

Pricing Range: Make this exceptionally bright camera yours by just paying $449 - $600!

Final Verdict: Samsung TL 500, the new whiz kid in the field of optics is wooing customers with its drool-worthy features and exquisite performance that goes well beyond a normal point-and-shoot camera. Unfortunately, there are certain drawbacks in this camera that are too big to be ignored. If shooting pictures is your primary concern then this camera might help you succeed. Videographers please stay away!