Samsung reveals new digital cameras

Samsung has announced seven new digital cameras to be available in early 2007.

Historically camera manufacturers refresh their product range after Christmas to create a renewed interest in upgrading.

Samsung's offerings will slot in below its GX range of SLR cameras and profession-looking NV camera range. The cameras are:

A pocket-sized camera called the L73. It has a 7-megapixel sensor and a 3x optical zoom.

The i70 is a 7.2-megapixel camera with 3x optical zoom and a 3.0in LCD panel. It is billed as a high-end device that can be used as a portable media player (PMP) for audio and video. It has an unusual sliding cover from which the lens pops out from the side.

The L700 is a compact metal body housing a 7-megapixel sensor, 3x optical zoom, 2.5in LCD display. It is claimed to offer advanced video-editing functions and support for 4GB SD cards.

The S630 is a low end compact 6-megapixel camera powered by AA batteries and described as a straightforward and uncluttered camera. The S730 has the same design and features as the S630 but comes equipped with a 7-megapixel sensor.

S850 features an 8-megapixel image sensor with 5x optical, a variety of manual modes including aperture and shutter priorities and continuous shooting.

The S1050 is Samsung's flagship model in the S range. It features a 10.1-megapixel sensor and 5x optical zoom.

The i70, L73, S850 and S1050 have Samsung's face-recognition technology which detects the subject's face and focuses on it.

The cameras will be on display at CES this week. Prices have not been announced yet.