Samsung has announced Galaxy Camera 2, successor to the Android-based Galaxy Camera that it announced at IFA last year. Samsung will be showcasing the camera at CES in Las Vegas next week.
Samsung Galaxy Camera 2 comes with a 16.3 effective megapixel 1/2.3-inch BSI CMOS sensor and 21x optical zoom. The Android 4.3-based camera is powered by a 1.6GHz quad-core processor alongside 2GB RAM. The Galaxy Camera 2 comes with 8GB internal storage (2.8GB user accessible), which is expandable by up to 64GB via microSD card. Connectivity options include Wi-Fi, GPS, NFC and Bluetooth.
Interestingly, there's no mention of 3G/ LTE connectivity, so one wonders if Samsung has given up on having a SIM slot, which was present in the original Galaxy Camera. Samsung did launch a cheaper, Wi-Fi only variant of the Galaxy Camera later, so the Galaxy Camera 2 follows on those footsteps. There's no word if Samsung will launch a Galaxy Camera 2 variant with cellular connectivity at a later date.
"Consumers love the Galaxy Camera, and this next-generation version was designed to improve on the successful predecessor, with upgraded and new features that will enhance the photography experience," said Myoung Sup Han, Executive Vice President and Head of the Imaging Business Team at Samsung Electronics. "The result is a more powerful and portable device which continues to embrace the public's passion for the social features of smartphones, yet also provides superior image control and quality."
Samsung is silent on pricing and availability details for the Galaxy Camera 2, but one can expect to find more on the same at CES in Las Vegas next week.



Samsung Galaxy Camera 2 technical specifications

Image Sensor	16.3 effective megapixel 1/2.3" BSI CMOS
Lens	21x Optical Zoom Lens, 23 mm Wide Angle, F2.8(W) ~ 5.9(T)
IS	OIS
Display	121.2mm (4.8-inch), HD Super Clear Touch LCD Screen
ISO	Auto, 100, 200, 400, 800, 1600, 3200
AP	1.6GHz quad-core processor
OS	Android 4.3 (Jelly Bean)
Storage and RAM	8GB Internal storage (User available approximately 2.8GB) ＋ microSD slot(up to 64GB) 2GB RAM
Image	JPEG format 16M, P14M, 12M Wide, 10M, 10MP, 9.2M Wide, 5M, 3M, 2M Wide, 1M
Video	MP4 (Video: MPEG4, AVC/H.264, Audio: AAC) Full HD 1920×1080 /30fps, 1280×720 /60fps, 1280×720 /30fps, 640×480 /60fps, 640×480(30fps), 320×240(30fps) Multi Motion Video 768 x 512 (WVGA, x1/8, x1/4, x1/2, x2, x4, x8) /120fps
Audio	Format: AVI, MP4/3GP, WMV, FLV, MKV, WEBM
Value-added Features	Smart Mode : 28 modes
	Built-in Pop-up Xenon Flash
	Samsung Link, Samsung ChatON
	Story Album, Xtremera, Paper Artist
	S Voice
	Group Play
Connectivity	Wi-Fi a/b/g/n, Wi-Fi HT40, GPS/GLONASS, Bluetooth 4.0, NFC
Sensor	Accelerometer, Geo-magnetic, Gyro-sensor, Gyro-sensor(for OIS)
Bundle Software	Samsung Kies (Windows and Mac)
Dimension (WxHxD)	132.5 x 71.2 x 19.3 mm, 283g
Battery	Li-on 2000mAh