New Asus ZenFone 2 and ZenFone Zoom may be a delight for shutterbugs

LAS VEGAS — Asus’s flagship ZenFone phone gets a sharp new design in the ZenFone 2, and the new ZenFone Zoom puts a decidedly photography-focused phone in the Asus lineup.

The ZoomFone sports a 3X optical zoom camera with optical image stabilization and laser auto-focus for blur-free photography.

Asus chairman Jonney Shih introduced the new products at a press event at the 2015 Consumer Electronics Show.

ZenFone 2

The ZenFone 2 features a refined ergonomic body, advanced PixelMaster camera technology, and an Intel Atom processor. The device has 4GB RAM and an Intel LTE-Advanced modem. And the ZenUI has been updated to provide more opportunities for personalization.

The 5.5-inch full HD IPS+ screen has an ultra-narrow bezel that reduces the ZenFone 2’s overall size.

The 13MP camera has a wide aperture lens and features a low-light mode, a backlit HDR mode, and the Real Tone flash feature, which automatically adapts to different lighting conditions.

Above: The Asus ZenFone 2

ZenFone 2’s 3000mAh battery provides enough power to get through the day, Asus says, and features fast-charge technology for dramatically reduced recharge times.

The ZenFone 2 will start at $199 (2GB RAM/16GB ROM), Asus says, and will be available in Osmium Black, Sheer Gold, Glacier Gray, Glamor Red, and Ceramic White. No shipping date was given.

Above: The Asus ZenFone Zoom

The ZenFone Zoom

Asus says the Zoom is the thinnest 3X optical zoom smartphone in the world, and the thinnest phone to offer a 13MP camera.

The ZenFone Zoom has an optical image stabilizer for those of us with shaky-hands syndrome to reduce photo blur. The phone’s laser auto-focus helps too.

Using the Zoom’s “manual mode,” more advanced photographers can take control of ISO settings, shutter speed, etc.

No information was given about the price and available data of the Zoom.