Samsung reveals i85, new NV camera trio

Samsung today catered explicitly to Americans with the release of four new Lifestyle cameras. The NV8, NV15, and NV20 upgrade the sensor depth of the NV point-and-shoot series to 8, 10, and 12 megapixels respectively; the improved sensors are matched by equal processing improvements with ISO sensitivity up to 3200, noise and shake reduction, and an auto-contrast feature that automatically adjusts the brightness of central subjects in poor lighting conditions. Face detection and 14 preset modes further help compose shots.

All three rely on 3X optical zoom lenses and include SDHC support for cards up to at least 8GB. The NV15 and NV20 will be available first, shipping sometime during the fall for $299 and $399; Samsung has yet to announce launch details for the NV8.

A single i-series model, the i85, also joins the introductions with an 8-megapixel sensor and a 5X zoom lens fitting into a metal body only 0.8 inches thick. It also stresses portable media features with a jukebox mode that switches on dedicated MP3 and converted video playback. A 2.5mm headphone port provides personal listening to those with an adapter, Samsung adds. The camera also doubles as a relatively advanced video recorder with 800x592 recording in MPEG-4 with basic on-camera edits. The i85 appears in fall for $349.