Camera Labs

Press Release:

NX Series Offers APS-C Image Sensor, Bridges Gap Between Compact Digital Cameras and DSLRs

SEOUL, KOREA – March 2, 2009 – Samsung Digital Imaging Co., Ltd. used PMA 2009 as the global launching pad for the NX Series, the company’s revolutionary new family of hybrid digital cameras. A new concept digital camera, the NX Series offers the performance and image quality of a DSLR and the portability and convenience of a compact point-and-shoot. With the NX Series, Samsung will become a global leader in the new hybrid market.

Samsung’s new NX Series bridges the gap between a DSLR and compact point-and-shoot digital camera by combining the benefits of both in one new model. Like conventional DSLRs, the NX Series utilizes an APS‑C sized image sensor providing a much larger surface area to gather light and produce higher-quality images than comparable digital camera systems. Unlike a DSLR, the NX Series does not feature a mirror box and employs an ultra-precise Electronic Viewfinder (EVF).

The use of an EVF has allowed Samsung engineers to significantly reduce the size and weight of the new camera system by decreasing the distance between the lens and image sensor (flange back) by approximately 60% compared to traditional DSLRs. In addition to utilizing the EVF, consumers can also take advantage of the camera’s Live View functionality to frame their shots on the NX Series’ high‑resolution screen.

Samsung has recently intensified its focus on the digital imaging market and established a separate company dedicated exclusively to digital imaging in Samsung Digital Imaging Company. The new company was formed to focus on the development of its digital still cameras around world’s first and best in class features, design, and easy-to-use interfaces, and will work towards achieving the company’s stated goal of becoming the world’s leading digital imaging company.

“We estimate that the hybrid digital camera market will be over 20% of the global digital still camera market by 2012,” said Sang-jin Park, CEO of Samsung Digital Imaging Company. “With the release of the NX Series, a digital camera that combines the strengths of a DSLR and compact digital camera, Samsung Digital Imaging will become a global leader in the new hybrid digital camera market and achieve the company’s goal to become the global leader in the digital camera market by 2012.”

Samsung Digital Imaging Company also creates a much more efficient vertical alignment between related Samsung affiliate business units including semiconductor, LCD panel and consumer electronics. This new vertical alignment will create competitive advantages for Samsung by fostering greater collaboration between Samsung affiliate business units and allowing the company to develop and deliver highly-innovative digital imaging products that set the standard for the industry, including the newly unveiled NX Series.

The first model of NX Series will be available in the second-half of 2009.

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RadiantLite - Cameras and Lenses Comparison Reviews, buying guide, photo taking techniques and other tips
My Portfolio - Some photos from my work

Thanks for beating me to it Enche! It's an exciting announcement, and I look forward to hearing more not just about the camera, but also the lens selection. They also talk about a high quality EVF, but they'll need to go some way to beat that in the Lumix G1 - and from their mockup, the body doesn't appear to have a flip screen, which would be a shame...

hehe, u're welcome.

What I like to know if this camera use the same K-mount? If yes, then it will be very exciting for Pentax user.

If no, then this new system will still take a longg time to develop.

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RadiantLite - Cameras and Lenses Comparison Reviews, buying guide, photo taking techniques and other tips
My Portfolio - Some photos from my work

That's the big question. I suspect it may not because the lens to sensor distance will be much shorter on the NX series, so it will need new lenses, or like Micro Four Thirds, an extension tube adapter to use existing ones.

That's a very interesting development. I'm excited to read more about the specs of this.

regards,
HTG

Based on recent interview, Samsung will launch the entire new system with their own lenses. When asked if user can use K-mount lenses or not, the executive says it might be possible with special adaptor, but it is not sure that users will get auto focus or not.

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RadiantLite - Cameras and Lenses Comparison Reviews, buying guide, photo taking techniques and other tips
My Portfolio - Some photos from my work

Hi folks,

According to this rumour post on OLED.at we have some specs for the NX3:

The July 7th Samsung will have a press conference and will announce a new digital camera.
It will be the NX3 a new digital camera concept, but it will have some interesting features.
-Ultra-Precise LED Electronic ViewFinder 1620x1080p/250Hz 3:2 resolution
-1X magnification and 100% coverage
-3" AMOLED 960x720 (720p) 3:2 display
-Cmos sensor 14.6 megapixel 3:2
-100-6400 ISO
-4 frame per second
-Video HD 720p/30fps
-Audio stereo
-and more and more...

I wonder if the refresh rate on the LED viewfinder is a typo? 25Hz sounds more credible but then that differs from the video frame rate. Oh well, it's just a rumour...

Bob.

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OM-D E-M5 + ED 12-50mm, H-PS14042E, H-F007014E, L-RS014150E, M.ZUIKO DIGITAL 45mm 1:1.8.
Gitzo GT1541T, Arca-Swiss Z1 DP ball-head.
Astrophotography: TEC 140 'scope, FLI ML16803 camera, ASA DDM60 Pro mount.

Seems more like a showcase of display technology rather than image quality. Sounds interesting though.

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Graham
Flickr

The new 3.5" LCD of new Samsung cameras of 1.2M could be on th new NX10...

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Samsung NX100
18-55mm f/3.5-5.6 OIS
iFn 20-50mm f/3.5-5.6 ED
iFn 20mm f/2.8 (coming soon)
30mm f/2
50-200mm f/4-5.6 ED OIS
Sony VAIO CR140F White

Some new spec's here http://k-rumors.com/k4-samsung-nx-specs/
Seems like it's got a 120Hz AMOLED display and a 260Hz 1080p electronic viewfinder.
Said to launch on December 10th.
Shame they went for their own custom lens mount.

They are not more options, what would mount they use?
They can´t use K DSLR mount neither M4/3...

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Samsung NX100
18-55mm f/3.5-5.6 OIS
iFn 20-50mm f/3.5-5.6 ED
iFn 20mm f/2.8 (coming soon)
30mm f/2
50-200mm f/4-5.6 ED OIS
Sony VAIO CR140F White

They basically invent their own mount.

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RadiantLite - Cameras and Lenses Comparison Reviews, buying guide, photo taking techniques and other tips
My Portfolio - Some photos from my work

The new Samsung NX 30mm f/2 pancake...

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Samsung NX100
18-55mm f/3.5-5.6 OIS
iFn 20-50mm f/3.5-5.6 ED
iFn 20mm f/2.8 (coming soon)
30mm f/2
50-200mm f/4-5.6 ED OIS
Sony VAIO CR140F White