DIWA Press Release

DIWA Gold Award to Samsung Pro815 megazoom camera

With the digital age, Samsung has become one of the major camera manufacturers in record time. The Digimax camera range has gained popularity all over the world thanks to a remarkable value for money ratio. With the new flagship, the Pro815, Samsung also displays a capacity of high-class camera manufacturing, assisted by their renowned lens manufacturing partner, Schneider-Kreuznach of Germany.

Amsterdam, 6. February, 2006 – DIWA (Digital Imaging Websites Association), a world-wide organisation of collaborating websites within digital imaging, today has the pleasure of announcing a DIWA Gold Award to the 8 Megapixel Samsung Pro815 digital megazoom camera.

Built around a fast 15x Schneider-Kreuznach Varioplan zoom lens, equivalent to 28-420mm f/2.2-4.6, with an amazing 3 cm super macro performance, the Pro815 holds the world record in terms of zoom power in a digital camera. It is also the first camera in the world with three LCD viewfinder solutions. The camera back is dominated by a gigantic 3.5” LCD-screen, supported by an electronic viewfinder, both with a resolution of 235K for detailed image rendering. To accomodate high or low shooting positions, a third 1.44” LCD display is located on top of the camera, doubling as an information panel. User friendliness is further enhanced by implementing grid lines for easy composition, live histogram, conventional zoom- and focus rings on the lens barrel, and a sofisticated hybrid AF system with nine focusing points and a powerful AF assisting lamp.

The Pro815 is loaded with numerous exciting, useful and unusual features, such as DNG RAW as well as uncompressed TIFF and three JPEG compressed file formats, 12 images continuous shooting with 2.5 fps or super-fast 1.3 MP bursts with 10 fps, interval timer, built in flash and hot-shoe for external flash units, stereo sound recording to still images or VGA movies, 11 Scene modes in addition to three programmable “MySet” storages for personal priorities, a High-Speed mode to reduce movement blur, and a complete range of automatic and manual camera settings.

Kai Thon, DIWA’s test manager comments: “The technical specifications alone prove that Samsung aims high with its Pro815. However, in today’s marketplace, a camera must also deliver in real life. A number of DIWA experts have tested the Pro815 to its limits and they all reported much higher scores than expected. Not only does the Pro815 handle well, it also performs like a professional camera, much thanks to its astonishing Schneider-Kreuznach 15x zoom lens and Samsung’s much improved image processor.”

Breathtaking technical data, a multitude of unique construction details, ingenious design features and professional-like image quality places the Pro815 on the top shelf. But, it has two more goodies at hand; its rechargeable battery pack with 1900 mAh capacity at 7.4V is more powerful than any other comparable battery, another world record - and finally, no other camera in its class can offer the same value for money. All these fine advantages, plus pure camera performance in our rigid testing program made the Samsung Pro815 more than qualified for a DIWA Gold Award.

About DIWA

A fast growing independent, authoritative, industry organization
The Digital Imaging Websites Association (DIWA) is a fast growing group of independent Web-based specialist publications dedicated to digital imaging. DIWA harnesses the collective talent and expertise of its members, resulting in industry awards that command unparalleled confidence and value, both for consumers and the industry, alike. DIWA awards come in the form of bronze, silver and gold medals for various product categories.

Unique bullet-proof test scoring procedure
DIWA product test awards are exclusively decided through the analysis of multiple test scores from different DIWA testers, testing different samples of the same product. A very detailed and comprehensive standardized scoring procedure is employed, tailored carefully for each category of product. Multiple testing eliminates the chance of an isolated, unrepresentative product sample or test error, or even hidden bias, from affecting the trustworthiness of the overall result.

Awards throughout the year
DIWA is also unique in its policy in issuing awards for deserving products throughout the year, culminating in an annual best of the year Platinum medal awards in all product categories.

DIWA Awards members:
- Canada: www.photoxels.com
- Czech Republic:  www.fotoaparat.cz
- Denmark:  www.digitalmagasinet.dk
- Germany:  www.digitalkamera.de
- Netherlands:  www.letsgodigital.org
- Norway:  www.digit.no
- Poland:  www.fotopolis.pl
- Slovenia:  www.e-fotografija.com
- Spain:  www.nuevafotografia.com
- Turkey:  www.diginorm.com.tr
- United Kingdom:  www.photographyblog.com
- United States:  www.steves-digicams.com

The DIWA multi-lingual Web site
At the heart of the DIWA organisation is its multi-lingual Web site, www.diwa-awards.com, where you can find links to the latest reviews published by DIWA member publications. The site also archives DIWA awards and is designed to aid consumers in their choice of imaging products.

For further information about DIWA please visit our Web site - http://www.diwa-awards.com - or email us at [email protected]

http://www.diwa-awards.com/products/digimax_pro815.html