Samsung Electronics America Inc. extended its SL-Series of easy-to-use, compact digital cameras with the introduction of the new SL720 and SL502. Offering 12.2 megapixels, 5x optical zooms and eye-catching style, the SL720 and SL502 add additional depth to Samsung’s popular SL-Series now comprised of eight individual models.

"These are two of the most full-featured compact digital cameras on the market,” said Reid Sullivan, senior vice president of audio/video and digital imaging marketing, Samsung Electronics America. “Typically, consumers may feel like they have to sacrifice functionality in order to find a digital camera priced within their means, but that’s not the case with the new SL720 and SL502. Samsung is giving consumers the ability to experience the latest and most advanced digital imaging technology, helping them step up to a more robust, feature-packed camera which will help take their photography to a whole new level."

The SL720 should be the choice for the ones that like to shoot landscape since it provides a 28mm short end of the zoom lens, while the SL502 offers a standard 35mm. Both cameras offer powerful 5x optical zooms and are each paired with image stabilization to help reduce blur caused by hand movements. The SL720 offers Dual Image Stabilization, combining both optical and digital stabilization technology. The SL502 features Digital Image Stabilization. Image framing is only available on the cameras' large LCD screens, since there's no viewfinder whatsoever. Luckily, the SL720 features a 3.0-inch LCD and the SL502, a 2.7-inch LCD.

With these two new cameras, Samsung has introduced its Face Recognition technology to the SL-Series. The technology automatically stores up to 20 preferred faces to the cameras' internal memory. While taking a portrait, the SL720 and SL502 will automatically recognize if one of the user's 20 preferred faces is in the frame and identify them as a priority for focus and exposure.

HD video recording could not be absent, of course, but only available on the SL720. It can record 720p video that can be played on HDTVs through an optional HDMI cradle, sold separately. H.264 compression is employed to allow users to record high-definition video for longer periods of time. The SL502 only sports high-quality 640x480 MJPEG recording.

Availability for the SL702, as well as the SL502, is stated for August 2009 with a price of $229.99 and $149.99, respectively.


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