Link: http://www.t3.com/news/samsung-st500-and-st550-pack-front-and-back-lcds?
=40201
Samsung ST500 and ST550 pack front and back LCDs
The perfect companion for lonely photographers
We can’t decide whether Samsung’s designers are geniuses, or if this is a sign that digital
cameras have reached a plateau.
Samsung has just revealed a new pair of snappers, the ST500 and ST550, which are
distinguishable from the many thousands of similar digital compacts, because they carry an
LCD on both the front and rear.
The idea is that the front LCD will help you setup the shot while you’re in the frame and let
you see the end result before the photographer sticks walks away with a sly grin and some
priceless Facebook material.
Where it’s best though is if you’re taking photos of yourself. Sure, you could entrust it to
some kindly stranger and hope he doesn’t pilfer your camera the second your back is
turned. Or you could hold your camera at arm’s length and spend the next ten minutes trying
to find just the right wrist angle where half of your face isn’t obscuring the idyllic scenery.
Instead, the front screen lets you see exactly what you’re taking, so you can line your
obstructive face up perfectly. Samsung even incorporates another neat innovation to make
this easier – smile detection, which will take the shot as soon as you flash a cheeky grin.
Samsung isn’t making these cameras all gimmick though – the 12.1 meagapixel sensor is
nothing to gripe about; nor is the Schneider KREUZNACH lens with 4.6x optical zoom. The

ST550 also comes with a 3.5” touchscreen rear display, with haptic feedback, gesture
controls and the highest resolution you’ll find on any camera of its size.
On top of that, both come with dual image stabilisation and HD movie recording. The only
other difference between the two models is that the ST550 comes with an HDMI connector.
We don’t yet know the prices of these two beauties but we’ll be finding out when they launch
later this month. The ST500 will be available in silver, red and blue, while the ST550will
come in black, gold, orange and purple.