Samsung unveiled the Galaxy Camera 2 today, its second take on the idea of a truly smart point-and-shoot. The company also annouced the compact system camera NX30 and the "S" Series premium lens. The Galaxy Camera 2, a successor to the GALAXY Camera, combines the quality imaging of a high end camera with sharing capabilities.

The Galaxy Camera 2 features a 16M BSI CMOS Sensor, a 21x Optical Zoom, an upgraded 1.6 GHz Quad-Core processor, supported by 2.0 GB of RAM and an enhanced battery life (2000mAh).

This internal memory is supplemented with the pre-loaded Dropbox app, an offering which provides 50GB of free cloud storage for up to two years.

Sharing is made simple with Wi-Fi and NFC capabilities that accompany the Galaxy Camera 2. The all-new 'Tag & Go' feature makes it easy to connect the Galaxy Camera 2 to NFC-enabled smartphones and devices. All it takes is a simple tap of the smartphone and camera and devices will be automatically paired and transter images using a host of functions. With Photo Beam, the picture being viewed on the camera is automatically sent to the paired smartphone, while Mobile Link, allows photographers to select images they wish to transfer to their smartphone at their leisure. Remote Viewfinder lets photographers control the camera using the smartphone, providing greater freedom for setting up and snapping shots.

The Galaxy Camera 2 also features a 121.2mm (4.8-inch) HD Super Clear Touch LCD.

With Smart Mode, users can choose from 28 different pre-set modes. For those unsure which mode they want to select, the Smart Mode Suggest feature provides a helping hand. It analyzes the scene at hand; recognizing lighting conditions, scenery, objects, and then recommends the optimal Smart Mode. In addition, the new Smart Mode Selfie Alarm takes five consecutive images so that users can select their best angle and share immediately on social media sites.

Videos can also be given a twist with features such as Multi Motion Video, which allows users to set the speed of capture and create speed up or slowed down movies. Ranging from eight times slower than normal speed up to eight times faster, this feature adds visual flair to footage which can be enjoyed time and time again. The Galaxy Camera 2 also makes it easy for photographers to use their favorite applications, such as Paper Artist and Xtremera, to personalize their shots straight from the camera so that images can be edited and shared without delay.

Pricing and availability will be announced at a later date, but Samsung is promising to have the new camera on display at CES next week. Its predecessor sold for $499 at launch with 3G connectivity.

Samsung also announced today the compact system camera NX30.

The camera is equipped with a 20.3MP APS-C CMOS Sensor, and the Samsung NX AF System II. It supports a 1/8000 sec Shutter Speed and a 9 frame per seconds (FPS) Continuous Shooting function.

Other fatures include the Tiltable Electronic Viewfinder (XGA, 2,359K-dot resolution) with a 80 degree tilt. With the ability to move from side to side up to 180 degrees, and upward and downward up to 270 degrees, the NX30's 76.7mm (3.0-inch) Super AMOLED Swivel and Touch Display offers flexible angles which are useful for self-shooting, whether for stills or video capture.

The NX30 has also NFC and Wi-Fi capabilities, it supports the 'Tag & Go' function and the Photo Beam and MobileLink features. AutoShare automatically sends every photo you take instantly to your smartphone or tablet and the Remote Viewfinder Pro function enables several control of the NX30 from a smartphone, allowing the user to zoom and snap shots remotely yet still have full visibility of the scene. Manual settings can still be accessed, including shutter speed and aperture.

Dropbox web storage service is pre-loaded on the NX30 in selected regions. Additionally, users of the NX30, in select regions, can upload directly to Flickr, the full resolution photo sharing site.

The NX30 also includes the next-generation DRIMeIV Image Processor and a new DSP imaging engine that allows shooting videos at Full HD 1080/60p. Light sensitivity can be set to ISO100-25600.

In addition to Full HD Video Stereo Recording, the NX30 supports a standard 3.5mm microphone input for audio capture while shooting movies. The Audio Level Meter appears on the display so you can continuously monitor the input level status while recording. In addition, the input level can be manually adjusted to ensure optimal audio quality. Moreover the NX30's HDMI live streaming with Full HD 30p output that makes it easy to connect with a large screen, recorder, and other HDMI devices.

The new TTL external flash with a Guide Number of 58 makes it simple to capture shots, allowing light to travel further and wider. The high speed flash sync mode allows for flash with shutter speeds faster than 1/200th of a second. Additionally this new flash supports wireless strobe sync, bringing an added dimension to images with light that looks natural.

The new Samsung 16-50mm F2-2.8 S ED OIS lens allows photographers of all skill levels to achieve professional image quality through a new features.

The first Premium "S" Series lens allows for flexibility to take photos at frequently desired angles and vantage points, without limitations on what is captured. The 16-50mm has a bright aperture (F2.0 at 16mm; F2.8 at 50mm) making it the brightest 3X zoom, among equivalent class lenses.

The splash and dust proof lens features an Ultra-Precise Stepping Motor (UPSM), improved from the conventional Stepping Motor (SM), which is 3X more precise in its ability to control and focus on subjects. Coupled with its optical image stabilizer and combination of three aspherical (ASP) lenses, two extra-low dispersion (ED) lenses, and two eXreme High Refractive (XHR) lenses the 16-50mm F2-2.8 S ED OIS has the ability to take a steady shot and produce photos with clarity and detail.

The new 16-50mm F3.5-5.6 Power Zoom ED OIS lens was designed for everyday use. It is lightweight, weighing only 111g with a compact 31mm frame with a modern and simple design. It is available in two colors (Black and White). The 16-50mm F3.5-5.6 Power Zoom ED OIS lens includes Silent Auto Focusing and a low zooming noise.

A vital feature of the new lens is its quick control made possible through an Electro zoom with a seesaw type button. This feature allows photographers to simply click to zoom and take a photo from any view or angle, similar to a compact camera experience.

Galaxy Camera 2 Prodcut Specifications