Samsung Galaxy S4 Zoom

Samsung claims that the Galaxy S4 Zoom, which launched on Wednesday, is a smartphone with a powerful camera — but we think it should be the other way around. All it takes is one quick glance at the South Korean tech conglomerate's latest device to realize that it's much more camera than smartphone.

The 4.3-inch, Android Jelly Bean 4.2-powered Zoom, which boasts 10x optical zoom, 16MP CMOS sensor, and Xenon flash, is the most photo-forward of the Galaxy S4 bunch. The original Galaxy S4 takes 13MP images with its rear camera, while the waterproof S4 Active captures a mere 8MP.

Added features like the Zoom Ring, which surrounds the camera's lens, acts as a shortcut button to the phone's marquee features. Twist the Zoom Ring to activate the In-Call Photo Share feature, which takes a photo and immediately sends the image to whoever you are speaking to. An Optical Image Stabilizer prevents shaky photos, keeping the camera still and reducing blur while zoomed in.

Samsung's new cameraphone is more on par with the tablet/camera hybrid Galaxy Camera, an Android-powered point-and-shoot with 16x optical zoom and a 4.8-inch touch display. At $500 plus AT&T DataConnect, the Galaxy Camera isn't exactly affordable. Samsung hasn't released pricing or availability for the Zoom just yet, but we're hoping that the Zoom will be available at a lower price point than the Galaxy Camera.

See all of the Galaxy S4 Zoom's specs after the break.

• Display — 4.3-inch AMOLED 960 x 540 screen
• Processor — 1.5Ghz Dual-Core
• Rear Camera — 16MP with 10x optical zoom, 24-240mm, F3.1-F6.3
• Front Camera — 1.9MP
• Video — Full HD 30p at 1920 x 1080
• Memory — 8GB internal memory + microSD slot for up to 64GB; 1GB RAM
• Dimension — 125.5 x 63.5 x 15.4mm, 208g

If Zoom becomes available in the US, Sony's Xperia Z (16x digital zoom (not optical) and 13MP rear camera) would be the Zoom's main competition at the top of the niche mobile photography market.