Samsung has outlined its digital camera and camcorder lineup for release in the first quarter of 2012 and many models have a common feature: Wi-Fi.
Like the previously announced DV300F, the wireless cameras allow you to upload photos and videos to Facebook, YouTube, and Picasa. You can also email photos, or set up automatic backup to your PC or the Microsoft SkyDrive cloud service. Transfer to an Android phone is supported, and you will also be able to use your phone as a remote viewfinder for the camera.
Headlining the new cameras is the WB850F, a 16-megapixel compact superzoom with a BSI CMOS sensor and a 21x (23-483mm f/2.8-5.9) Schneider lens. The camera also has built-in GPS for geotagging and a 3-inch AMOLED display. It can capture still photos while recording 1080p30 video. It will be available in April for $379.
The 14-megapixel WB150F is similarly styled to the WB850F, but it doesn't offer GPS functionality. The camera uses a CCD image sensor and an 18x (24-432mm f/3.2-5.8) Schneider zoom lens. It also uses a 3-inch AMOLED screen and supports 1080p30 video capture. It will be available this month for $229.
Rounding out the Wi-Fi camera announcements is the ST200F. This compact 10x (27-270mm, f/3.1-5.6) zooming camera offers 16-megapixel resolution, a 3-inch LCD, and 720p video capture. It will be available in black, silver, red, and purple. It ships in February for $199.
Samsung is also releasing two cameras sans Wi-Fi. The ST66 and ST76 both feature 16-megapixel image sensors, a 5x (25-125mm f/2.5-6.3) zoom lens, a 2.7-inch LCD, and 720p video recording. The distinguishing feature of the ST76 is optical image stabilization, which the ST66 lacks. Both will be available in March, with the $119 ST66 shipping in black, while the $129 ST76 will be available in black, silver, purple, and blue.
On the camcorder front, Samsung is releasing a lone model with Wi-Fi. The QF20 features a 20x optical zoom lens, a 5-megapixel BSI CMOS sensor, and support for 1080i60 video capture. The SwitchGrip II system lets you use it in any orientation, even in portrait mode, as an internal sensor will ensure that your video is correctly oriented. Video is stabilized via the OIS Duo system, and the camera features an Art Time Lapse function. The camera will be released in March and is set to retail for $349. If Wi-Fi isn't a requirement, the otherwise-identical Q20 will be available for $299.
Samsung's long-zoom camcorder, the F80, hits the streets in February for $199. It features a 52x f/1.8 Schneider zoom lens, which can be extended to 65x via a digital zoom function. The 5-megapixel CMOS sensor is capable of capturing 720p video, which can be upscaled to 1080i when outputted via HDMI. The camcorder will be available in black and silver.
Finally, the rugged W300 and W350 are set for an April release. The cameras themselves are identical, but the W350 ships with an accessory kit that is not included with the W300. The tough shooter can be submerged in up to 16.4 feet of water and has an Aqua Mode that improves the color balance of your underwater footage. Its fixed-focal length lens covers a 29.6mm (35mm equivalent) field of view, and a 2.3-inch TFT LCD serves as your viewfinder. It can record video at 1080p30 resolution, and has a built-in USB connector so you can offload footage to your computer. The W300 will sell for $159, while the W350 will set you back $199. Both cameras will be available in yellow, red, and black.