Samsung Galaxy Camera gets Wi-Fi only model

Posted on 20 Feb 2013 at 09:50, by Gareth Halfacree

Samsung has revealed a second version of its Android-powered Galaxy Camera, which retains the same 16-megapixel BSI sensor and impressive 21x optical zoom lens, but removes the 3G/4G modem in order to reduce the price.

Like its predecessor, the Galaxy Camera takes a compact point-and-shoot digital camera and equips it with Google's Android 4.1 operating system. The result is a hybrid device which, although focused on picture-taking, can also be used to browse the web, check emails and social networking feeds, and even play games from the Google Play app store on its touch-sensitive rear-facing display.

By ditching the modem module, the result is a cheaper camera, and one that users won't need a data subscription with a mobile network to use. For those who have an up-to-date smartphone already, that's good news: most modern smartphones, including those based on Android, can act as a mobile hot-spot, providing 3G connectivity to the camera over Wi-Fi.

The remainder of the specifications remain the same: the 4.8in HD Super Clear Touch display at the rear has a 1280x720 resolution, a quad-core 1.4GHz Exynos processor is found inside, and the 21x zoom lens sits in front of a 16-megapixel 1/2.3in sensor with Back Side Illumination (BSI) capabilities for low-light shooting.

While Samsung hasn't yet confirmed UK pricing for the Galaxy Camera Wi-Fi, it is expected to launch at a substantial discount compared to the original 3G-equipped model.