Samsung CL5 PMP Camera Hybrid (Will the blend never end?)

Samsung's new CL5 9MP compact digital camera is taking a page from the phone industry's playbook (see their own OmniaHD). The CL5 brings media player functionality to a traditionally all camera line. Doubling as a PMP, the hybrid camera can play MP3 files and movie files while you are on the go. Samsung hasn't released too many details about the file formats the CL5 will support but we can at least count on H.264 for video standard MPEG layer 3 for audio. That should handle the majority of folks that aren't slaved to some sort of DRM. Also unclear is how long the battery will last for video playback or MP3.

Packed with a 2.7" LCD and 3x optical zoom, the CL5 also launches some interesting camera firsts in the camera arena as well. The Smart Album function will index your photos by date, color, balance, composition, lens settings and other aspects allowing for enhanced searching. This will come in very handy the first time you try and go looking for a digital picture you have taken but can't quite remember the date. Another odd first is meant as a guide for the strangers you ask to snap a picture for you, the Frame Guide. You line up the picture without yourself in it, take the guide picture and a ghosted image is superimposed on the viewscreen to guide your helper to your desired result. Should hit stores in April and retail for around $260.