Samsung PL150

Samsung tried to position the ST550 as a bit of a game-changer when it first came out, thanks to the dual screens. Now, it seems relatively common, even if no other manufacturer has jumped on the same wagon.

The PL150 doesn't really improve on the formula laid down by the older camera (indeed, it can't really as it's a cheaper model), but it does provide a compelling talking point for those who haven't seen this technology in action. The 1.5-inch front screen on the PL150 can be used to take self-portraits, display a timer that counts down when the camera will take the shot, or to entertain small children and those young at heart, with animations designed to temper bad moods and put a smile on anyone's face.

The 3-inch LCD at the back only reaches 230,000 dots in resolution (which pales in comparison to the 1,152,000 dots in the screen of the ST550) and it shows — it looks grainy.

Controls at the top of the camera are kept sparse and slim to fit onto the thin chassis, which is just 1.9cm thick. There's a shutter button with a zoom rocker around it, a power and front LCD activation button. At the back, to the right of the rear screen, is a mode wheel, menu button, four-way circular pad with a central button, and playback/delete buttons at the base. HDMI output and digital-out connectivity is provided at the side, underneath a small flap. Overall, the camera is very light, tipping the scales at just 136.6g without battery or memory card.