Samsung DualView ST700

Two LCDs, three price points, and maybe just a little too much of a good thing.

LAS VEGAS--Samsung's DualView technology, which puts a small LCD in front next to the lens for self portraits and other things, is as good an idea today as it was when it premiered in 2009. It must've struck a chord with consumers, too, as Samsung is back with three models--the ST700, PL170, and PL120--two of which are very similar, but separated by $80.

The ST700 is the flagship with the most shooting features, a new smartphone-like touch interface, and a couple nonessential extras. It also features a new Easy Self Shot mode that shuts down the rear LCD for privacy while you're in front of the camera (which seems a little weird to me since I'm assuming whatever people can see on the LCD they'd be able to see you doing in front of the camera, but maybe I'm missing something).

ST700:

• 16 megapixels
• 5x 26-130mm lens (35mm equivalent)
• 3-inch touch-screen LCD
• 1.8-inch front-facing LCD
• Optical image stabilization
• 720p movie capture
• HDMI output
• Easy Self Shot
• $279.99; available in March

PL170:

• 16 megapixels
• 5x 26-130mm lens (35mm equivalent)
• 3-inch LCD
• 1.5-inch front-facing LCD
• Optical image stabilization
• 720p movie capture
• HDMI output
• Easy Self Shot
• $199.99; available in March

PL120:

• 14 megapixels
• 5x 26-130mm lens (35mm equivalent)
• 2.7-inch LCD
• 1.5-inch front-facing LCD
• Digital image stabilization
• 720p movie capture
• $149.99; available in March

Editors' take: Though I think the DualView technology is valuable, three cameras might be one too many cameras with this feature. There's just not enough differentiation between the ST700 and the PL170. Plus, though I knew it was coming, it still makes me throw up a little every time I see a pocket camera with a 16-megapixel sensor.