PMA 2010: Samsung, Sony, and HP introduce new digital cameras

Feb 21, 2010 8:15 PM

The big camera trade show, PMA, started today, and three manufacturers have announced new products to kick things off. Here's a quick rundown:

Samsung
This brand leads the pack with a small laundry list of products: four point-and-shoots, two camcorders and a whopping five new lenses for its NX, SLR-like models. Of the cameras, I found two quite interesting:

The 12-megapixel AQ100, $200, is a 5x zoom point-and-shoot that’s waterproof (to a depth of 10 feet), with a 2.7-inch LCD and HD-resolution video, though it doesn’t appear to be shockproof or freezeproof.

Then there's the 10-megapixel TL350, $350, also 5x zoom, with a 24mm wide angle lens, plus the ability to fire 10 frames per second, shoot 1080p HD-resolution video, and capture RAW shots. It also has a large, 3-inch AMOLED LCD.

The two pocket camcorders—HMX-U20, $250, and HMX-U15, $230, both shoot 1080p HD-resolution video. The U20 shoots 10-megapixel stills while the U15 shoots 14-megapixels. Both can record time-lapse stills, too--every one, five, 10, or 30 seconds. The U20 has a 3x zoom as well.

On the show floor, I hope to also get a good look at the five NX lenses Samsung just announced for its new Micro Four-thirds camera.

Sony
Of the two point-and-shoots announced by Sony, the subcompact is more noteworthy: The Cybershot DSC-TX5, $350, with a 4x zoom, is waterproof, freezeproof, and shockproof. It has a 3-inch LCD and also includes HDR technology like that on other point-and-shoots and SLRs. HDR could be quite useful when shooting underwater, where there is often minimal dynamic range due to the lack of light.

HP returns
Now back in the camera game, HP just announced five new entry-level digital cameras. And they appear to be expanding into another imaging area with three new camcorders, all priced at $200 or less. This is the first time in more than two years that HP has offered new cameras.

Of course, the big absence at this year's show is Canon, which chose to show only at CES. So there should be a bit more floor space at this year’s PMA, since Canon usually has a monster-size booth. But it will be interesting to see what high-end cameras and micro four-thirds-like cameras, if any, are unveiled by other companies here.

For example, will Nikon update the Nikon D700 with video? Will Sony announced a micro four-thirds type model? Keep coming back for my updates, here on the Consumer Reports Electronics blog.

Got a wish list for this year's new cameras? Post your ideas below.

–Terry Sullivan

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