Samsung's 2009 flagship DualView — 12.2MP CCD, 27-124mm equiv OIS zoom, 3.5in 1152k touchscreen plus front LCD
The Samsung ST550, sold in North America as the TL225, launched on 13 August 2009 as the flagship of Samsung's DualView pair, above the ST500. The two were the first compact cameras with LCDs on both faces, and the ST550 added a larger, far sharper rear touchscreen plus HDMI output to the formula, shipping from September 2009 at around $299.
It paired a 12.2-megapixel 1/2.33-inch CCD with an optically stabilised 4.6x zoom covering 27-124mm equivalent at f/3.5-5.9. The rear display is a 3.5-inch touchscreen with an unusually high 1,152k-dot resolution for 2009, driving nearly all control with haptic feedback, while a 1.5-inch, 61k-dot front LCD aids self-portraits. A gravity sensor enables tap-and-tilt gestures, video records 720p at 30fps in H.264, and features include Smart Auto, Smile Shot and Smart Face Recognition alongside HDMI connectivity.
The ST550 appeals to collectors of turning-point designs — a mainstream compact built almost entirely around a touchscreen, before smartphones finished the job. The sharp 3.5-inch panel still impresses, the stabilised wide zoom handles travel duties, and the front screen remains genuinely useful for self-portraits; button minimalists will find the all-touch interface slow.
Test both LCDs thoroughly: dead zones on the rear touch panel or a lifeless front screen are the key faults to catch, and screen replacements are uneconomic. Confirm the proprietary battery and charger are present and healthy, check the lens for stabiliser rattle or decentring, and inspect the glossy fascia for scratches, which these slim bodies pick up easily.