New Samsung HZ15w (WB550) fun-superzoom joins the party

Borrowing a page from the TZ-series playbook, Samsung added a new camera to go with the CES-announced HZ10w fun-superzoom. The new HZ15w is the Batman and the HZ10w is the Robin, similar to the TZ5/TZ4 and TZ7/TZ6 fun-duos.

Main Samsung HZ15w specs
+ 12mp 1/2.3" sensor
+ 10X optical zoom Schneider-branded lens
+ lens starts at 24mm (24-240mm eq.) and is stabilized
+ manual exposure
+ 720p HD video
+ 3" LCD
+ available for pre-order at Amazon for $330

Why the HZ15w over the HZ10w?
Judging from the basic specs, the HZ15w costs an extra $30, and for that it offers a 3" LCD instead of 2.7", and 12-megapixels instead of 10mp (not sure if this is a plus). We haven't checked the detailed specs, there might be some other differences as well. Interestingly, the HZ10w has been yanked from returned to Amazon.com.

Further Reading
+ Press release at Imaging Insider
+ DC Resource
+ dpreview