Samsung HZ10w performance compact camera
 Samsung is attacking the performance compact market with the introduction of the Samsung HZ10w. Handsome and unassuming, the Samsung HZ10w handled like an average compact and felt smaller than the Panasonic Lumix DMC-LX3 in our hands. Here at CES, we were impressed with the HZ10w's 24mm wide-angle lens, allowing us to frame more booth babes into our shots without having to back up significantly. Samsung also went with new lenses this year, and the HZ10w struts with Schneider optics. Also noteworthy was the Samsung HZ10w's 10x optical zoom, which is a triumph, given the camera's compact size.
The Samsung HZ10w shoots 720P 30fps video utilizing H.264 compression, which are specs that promise excelled video quality compared to Motion-JPEG. In back, the Samsung HZ10w has a 2.7" LCD, but we feel that Samsung could have easily fit a 3-incher on the back. Nearly one third of the back is engulfed by a circular directional pad and three buttons. In other news, we like the shutter button zoom toggle, advanced manual control and Optical Image Stabilization. Overall, we liked what we saw, but it wasn't enough to dissuade us from the venerable Panasonic Lumix DMC-LX3. Price: $300. Release: January 2009.
Samsung YP-P3 media player
 Samsung's high-end portable media players have always zigged where other have zagged. While other flagship all-touch players are focusing on Wi-Fi and internet capabilities, like the Sony Walkman NWZ-X1000 above, the Samsung YP-P3, like the YP-P2 before it, focuses more on some acrobatic feats of Bluetooth. The touch screen player can pair with your phone, and then the music will pause when you receive a call. Further, you can even take the phone call using your headphones and a built-in microphone on the Samsung YP-P3. Full preview...
Samsung TL100 ultra-compact camera
 Over at the Samsung booth, we caught the lens of a petit little number called the TL100. The Samsung TL100 is ultra-compact, just like the two cameras above, and captures 12-megapixel still images. For shooters that haven't a clue what they're doing with a camera in their hands, the Samsung TL100 has a Smart Auto mode, which automatically detects a particular Scene Mode based on the shooting environment. We were lukewarm about the Samsung TL100's 3x optical zoom, Digital Image Stabilization and 2.7" LCD, and were hard-pressed to discover any exclusive findings within this camera. Like most other cameras, the Samsung TL100 is equipped with Smile Shot, Face Detection and records standard-definition video. We're eager to test out the Samsung TL00's Blink Detection feature when we get our hands on a model in the near future. Release: Spring 2009.
Samsung HMX-H106 camcorder
 We've seen the same freaking camcorder design from Samsung for quite some time now, yet it never ceases to amuse us. The new HMX-H106 inherited Samsung's classic swivel grip, which allowed us to shift the camcorder up into positions that made us wonder what we'd use them for. New this year is, brace yourselves, a Schneider Kreuznach Varioplan HD lens, which promises a sharper picture. The Samsung HMX-H106 was flashy to the max, glistening and gleaming for us under the CES lights. This is another style and/or mom cam.
The Samsung HMX-H106 has a 2-megapixel 1/4.5" CMOS sensor, which is the smallest we've seen out of this rowdy lot. With sensors smacking into the 9-megapixel ceiling, we're a trifle speculative on how the Samsung HMX-H106 will ante up in the video quality department. The big news here is the Samsung HMX-H106's 64GB Solid State Drive (SSD). No camcorder has achieved such a capacious SSD, and Samsung promises speed, durability and enhanced performance with their new technology.
With a 10x optical zoom, new Time Lapse feature and a fully touch-screen LCD, we're eager to get our hands on the Samsung HMX-H106. Release: April 2009.
Samsung HMX-R10 camcorder
 The peculiar Samsung HMX-R10 looks like a space capsule from the 50's that was dropped out of a flying saucer. We were beckoned by the camcorder's angled lens and pill-like structure. The Samsung HMX-R10 is exceedingly small and flaunts a brushed silver body that will fit in a large pocket with ease. The best part is that this little video pod captures high-definition video. If anything, the Samsung HMX-R10 is a great conversation starter. Release: Mid-2009.
Samsung MBP200 Pico Projector
 The Samsung MBP200 is a portable media player with a pico projector built in. The MBP200 can also display video from other sources, like cell phones and laptops, and Samsung says it can fill a 50-inch screen with its image. As a standalone player, though, the MBP200 will use a microSD slot to read media files as well as office documents, so you can use the device as a presentation projector for PowerPoint, Word or Excel documents. The Samsung MBP200 even comes equipped with a tiny arm that extends to hold a sheet of paper, and this can be used as the projection screen. The projector will be available later this year, but pricing and specific launch dates have yet to be determined. In Korea, however, buyers can now purchase a Samsung Anycall phone with a projector built in, so clearly the technology is ready for the mainstream.
Philip Berne and Mike Perlman contributed to this CES 2009 story.
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