Samsung South Africa has announced the launch of the Samsung Galaxy S4 Zoom, a powerful new device which combines the design language of the Galaxy S4 smartphone with advanced photographic capabilities, not to mention the only smartphone with a 10x Optical Zoom in the world, to date.
As part of the Galaxy S4 family, the Galaxy S4 Zoom is the realisation of Samsung’s mission to create a single device that can fulfil the role of both an industry leading smartphone and a high-end compact camera.
Combining 10x Optical Zoom, 16MP CMOS Sensor, OIS and Xenon Flash with the very latest Samsung Galaxy S4 technology, the Galaxy S4 Zoom sets new standards for perfect mobile photography. It is the ultimate smartphone and camera experience in one.
“The Samsung Galaxy S4 Zoom represents yet another step forward in the way Samsung is working to enhance the lives of our customers around the world,” says Craige Fleischer, director of Mobile Communications at Samsung SA.
“As communication continues to become increasingly visual in nature, people wish to capture and share their moments in the highest quality possible, but often do not have the space or inclination to carry a dedicated camera for this purpose.
“The Galaxy S4 Zoom changes this forever, combining the industry leading functionality and connectivity of the Galaxy S4 with the high quality photographic experience you’d expect from a compact camera. The result is truly the best of both worlds, without compromise.”
Do it all and miss nothing thanks to the revolutionary new Zoom Ring, a simple and intuitive way to access the Galaxy S4 Zoom’s key features. When in the middle of a phone call and users see something they absolutely have to share, a quick twist of the Zoom Ring will activate the In-Call Photo Share feature, letting them capture and send an image directly via MMS, to whomever users are talking to, simply.
For easy camera navigation, the Zoom Ring can be used to activate the Quick Launch and Shortcut features, giving users instant access to multiple camera modes including Auto, Gallery and Smart Mode with a simple twist.
The Zoom Ring also revolutionises conventional camera zoom controls. Optical zoom control replaces traditional dials and buttons with smooth, easy-to-operate digital controls. Professional-quality accuracy and unprecedented ease-of-use are just a twist away, making it easy to compose a scene and capture wide-angle shots or tight close-ups.
When it comes to high quality photography, bigger isn’t always better. The compact Galaxy S4 Zoom’s best-in-class 10x Optical Zoom and 16MP BSI CMOS Sensor lets users capture beautiful images from far away or up close and personal, in all light conditions, without having to carry heavy camera gear around with them.
Furthermore, the built-in Optical Image Stabiliser (OIS) helps keep the camera perfectly still even when users are not, reducing blur and stabilising the image while zoomed in for high-quality photos and video.
Photo Suggest instantly connects users to huge libraries of images taken by fellow photographers, to help users find and compose their best shots anywhere in the world. Photo Suggest can even direct users to the ideal nearby location which will give users the vantage point users need for that perfect photo.
The Galaxy S4 Zoom also features Samsung’s popular Smart Mode, so users can stop worrying about settings and start taking professional-quality artistic shots. Simply choose from a series of pre-set modes and the camera will automatically adjust to ensure users capture the best photo possible.
Use Drama Shot to merge continuous shots of moving objects into a single composed image, or Action Freeze to instantly capture high-speed action.
If users aren’t sure which Smart Mode to select, the Smart Mode Suggest feature can assess the scene and provide a short list of the best options for consideration, based on surrounding factors such as light levels, focal length, or face detection, ensuring users always get the best shot users want.
The Galaxy S4 Zoom’s heritage is evident throughout, from its sleek and stylish design to the powerful, yet intuitive user interface. Running on Android Jelly Bean 4.2, the Galaxy S4 Zoom boasts many of the same features as the recently launched Galaxy S4, including Touchwiz – which lets users fully customise various aspects of their device including the lock screen and notification bar, for a truly personal mobile experience.
When users return from their travel adventures, Story Album lets them arrange all of their treasured images and videos into one timeline to share with friends and loved ones. Users can also edit images and even order prints directly from the device through a partnership with blurb.
If you’d rather transfer your images to your laptop or tablet for safe keeping, Samsung Link lets users do so quickly and easily with just the touch of a button. Alternatively, users can sync all data in their own personal cloud through HomeSync, providing the ultimate peace of mind and ensuring images and videos are waiting for users whenever users need them.
The Galaxy S4 Zoom features the new Samsung Hub, a one-stop destination for all of the latest multimedia content. Search, download and enjoy all of your favourite entertainment at the touch of a button, all directly from the device.
When users find that amazing new track or game that they can’t wait to share with friends, Group Play lets users connect directly with their Samsung devices so users can all listen and play together, without the need for a WiFi AP or cellular signal.