Samsung Electronics has always been lacking in one of the more important member in its family of electronic devices. While they have great market penetration and recognition in devices like displays, cellphones, and printers, the imaging device palette has never been as complete as Samsung would have wanted it.

I am of course referring to the camera and video segments of the imaging industry. Previous works from the company were quite well done, if a bit under marketed and not as well-supported as its other product stable mates. All this changed in today’s inaugural Samsung Digital Imaging Roadshow 2008.

                                             Mr. Spencer Shim, and Mr. Dong Ha Jang, CEO and VP-Marketing for Consumer electronics respectively, giving the opening remarks.

The Roadshow is a pioneering event for Samsung, and it is the epitome of all-out effort on their part. Seemingly out of nowhere, 20 new models are being introduced into the market within the month or in the very near future. No soft launch, the event hosted working samples of most of the new models, with the DSLR GX20 even having five units for testing available, along with a couple of its lens options under glass for us to ogle at.

                                             Korean executives all present in one of the biggest Samsung events of the year.

The event iterates Samsung’s commitment to growing the camera market segment by giving it the same advantages of its other product lines – better research facilities and budget, and transferring sales and marketing responsibilities to the main brand, so that the camera and videocam lines can also benefit from Samsung’s well-established dealer network and sales team.

                                             The Samsung model cast out in force.

Even without the superior sales support of the main sales team, Samsung is set to capture many consumer’s interests, if not their outright fascination. Some of the models display superior technology and smart implementation of the current crop of features, producing cameras that are desirable both from the style standpoint – a traditional Samsung strength – and from a technological superiority standpoint, with features like super-wide angle lenses, AMOLED display technology (Active Matrix Organic LED), dual image stabilization and the like. Some products presenting the best Samsung has to offer bears mention.

The above features are actually listed straight from the NV24HD compact camera – with the 24mm ultra-wide angle lens headlining the features list. Even a limited viewing angle (when in an enclosed space for example) is no detriment to the NV24, which makes composing shots from up close to zoom-out far away ridiculously easy.

The i8 fills in the Samsung mid-range with a bevy of multimedia functions that are thoughtful and well-implemented – chief among them the “World Tour Guide” that gives you a direct listing of the potential sights one can visit – and to take pictures of of course. Face detection, Advanced movie mode, plus four colors to choose from give this model all the credentials for the smart traveler looking for a new snapper.

The L100 is designed with the first-time digital camera user in mind, with all of the expected features in an entry-level camera present, and even some that are not so expected. A 2.5” screen is more than par for the course, with a 3x optical zoom, a sleek, colorful body and up to 1600 ISO only sweetening the deal for the budget shopper.

The GX-20 is the thousand-pound gorilla of the show, garnering a lot of positive exclamations and admiring glances due to its hefty and solid looks, plus the comprehensive feature set that is amazing for a relative newbie of the DLSR market. A 14.6MP sensor trumps many of its contemporaries, and when combined with its natural weather resistance due to its sturdy and sealed body, plus a Live View capable 2.7” LCD, the GX-20 is set to cause a ruckus among the more established brands.

Nearly all of the other models in Samsung’s imaging lineup were also displayed, presenting a solid front and a complete model line-up declaring Samsung’s readiness to take on this once neglected market segment and take it up to the high level of its other respected product lines in displays, cellphones, and printers.

More pictures to follow.