Samsung HZ25W 24x Zoom Camera [720p HD Video Ultra Zoom Point & Shoot]

As the battle continues to rage in the ultra zoom market Samsung have unveiled their most powerful ultra zoom point and shoot camera to date in the form of the Samsung HZ25W which, as well as touting 24x optical zoom capabilities also brings 720p HD video capture to the table (just when other’s are busy outing 1080p HD capable cameras – but who are we to quibble?).

Offering 12.5 megapixel resolution courtesy via a Schneider-KREUZNACH 26mm wide-angle lens offering a focal length of 4.6 ~ 110.4mm, the Samsung HZ25W sits somewhat in the Bridge camera camp in offering greater artistic freedom than a standard compact whilst offering all the convenience of Smart Auto functionality paired with a host of in-camera modes such as Samsung’s Perfect Portrait System which takes in Face Recognition, Face Detection (capable of recognising and locking onto up to 20 faces), Smile Shot, Blink Detection and, of course, Samsung’s Beauty Shot that’ll ensure that your subjects are captured sympathetically (especially handy for images of the wife – there’s my customary slap sorted for today). Interestingly -and of some note – the aforementioned Face Detection technology onboard the HZ25W also comes with a preferred face feature by which you can give certain people preferential treatment in terms of focusing should they appear in any shot. Undoubtedly handy for those who entertain a certain pecking order when it comes to family and friends (why is it that the mother in law’s face always seems less sharp than other’s in each image?).

Of course, being a Bridge camera, you can also opt to dispense with the camera doing all the thinking for you thanks to the evidence of P/M/(A?) modes (an apature mode seems in evidence, however, we cannot get close in enough to the dial to confirm with certainty)

Further features concerning the Samsung HZ25W, which measures in at a compact 116 x 83 x 91mm, include a 3″ 230K color TFT LCD display and a 230K color viewfinder, up to 3200 ISO (or up to 6400 ISO if you’re prepared to drop the resolution to a mere 3MP) as well as, of course, its above mentioned 720p HD video capture capabilities utilising the H.264 codec. And, yes, it’ll also shoot RAW as well as JPEG – which will be greeted warmly by those wishing to indulge in a little post-production.

“Photographers of all skill levels are going to be drawn to the HZ25W’s features,” said Reid Sullivan, senior vice president of audio/video and digital imaging marketing at Samsung Electronics America. “The versatility of the lens gives any user, whether you’re a soccer mom on the sidelines or an enthusiast looking to create a stunning image, the ability to be prepared for just about any shooting scenario. Serious shooters will gravitate toward the HZ25W’s aperture and shutter priority modes as well as full manual control and RAW support. For the entry-level shooter, Samsung’s Smart Auto takes simplicity to a new level, ensuring a great shot every time without having to be concerned about camera settings.”

The Samsung HZ25W 25x optical zoom camera is set to commence shipping in the US from October at which juncture it’ll set you back circa $400.