Samsung WB700 14MP compact struts a huge 18x zoom

The camera body may be the same size as a regular compact, but the white coated techies at Samsung have managed to squeeze in a massive 18x 24-432mm super zoom lens on their upcoming WB700 camera.

Just in case zoom-anxious punters felt that the 18x zoom wasn’t enough, the company has also added the option to digitally extend the zoom range by 24x, which means you could probably photograph the Clangers on the surface of the Moon.

Possibly.

Hushed lens

To keep the sounds of the whirring lens motor at bay, the WB700 boasts active noise cancellation, with the camera capable of recording 1080p movies in H.264 file format and offering a HDMI output for hooking up to your monster home TV.

Inside the 4.1 x 2.3 x .98 inches body lurks a 16-megapixel CCD sensor 1/2.3-inch type (actually delivering 14 megapixels), with a 3.0-inch LCD on the back and full manual controls for creative exposure tweaking.

Samsung has been a little coy on the full details, but we can tell you that the WB700 is expected to make its debut in April, priced at $299.99.

Update: UK pricing has now been set at £249.99.

Key features:

* 16-megapixel CCD sensor 1/2.3-inch type (14 megapixels effective)

* 3.0-inch LCD

* 1080p movie capture (H.264 file format)

* Full manual controls

* Raw capture

* HDMI output

* 4.1×2.3x.98 inches (WHD)

Samsung UK Press Release

Samsung Zooms into the Future with New WB700

The ultra-slim 24X zoom camera comes packed with features for the photographer who demands more

CES, Las Vegas – December 28, 2011 – Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd, a global leader in digital media and digital convergence technologies, announced today the launch of the new WB700, the ultra-slim camera with an impressive 24X zoom function, capable of delivering superb quality images whether your subject is near or far.

The camera features a 24mm ultra-wide Schneider KREUZNACH lens to capture the perfect wide shot, as well as an outstanding 24X zoom function, made up of an 18X optical zoom and 1.3X Smart Zoom. The WB700 delivers sharp images with incredible detail in close up thanks to the camera’s 16 Megapixel (MP) CCD sensor. The flexibility of the WB700’s lens and zoom functions means that you can capture a broad landscape in the same 16MP detail as a bubbling brook in the distance.

Steve Mitchell, General Manager, Samsung UK Digital Imaging, said: “We understand that many of our customers come to us for the very best and most up-to-date technology available, which is why we have chosen to bring all our innovation together in the WB700 for both the advanced and novice photographer, giving a balance of professional quality imaging and the kind of usability anyone can master.

On top of the core excellence of the WB700’s 16MP 24mm lens with OIS and Schneider KREUZNACH super-zoom, we have added features that add surprise and delight to the photography experience, such as our new smart filters, the smart lens effect and zoom noise cancellation, adding value throughout the photography experience.”

High quality and fun shooting

The WB700 also includes Samsung’s latest advances in HD video technology so users can capture high quality video footage as well as still images. It also features Smart Filter 2.0 – artistic filters in modessuch as ‘soft focus’, ‘half-tone dot’ and ‘cinema’ alongside traditional features such as ‘fish-eye’, ‘miniature’ and ‘sketch’, giving entertaining and professional finishes at the touch of a button.

Zoom Noise Reduction

Samsung has also introduced new innovation to remove zoom noise from video content. Unlike camcorders, because of the long zoom capabilities of cameras such as the WB700, users reported that their videoswere being interrupted by the sound of the camera’s mechanical optical zoom sliding backwards and forwards. The WB700 uses an advanced noise reduction algorithm that actively cancels out the zoom noise, giving you uninterrupted clear sound to complement your clear High Definition movies.