Samsung NX10 Digital Camera Announced

Samsung has announced the NX10, a mirror-less, interchangeable lens camera that is the introductory offering in Samsung’s new NX system. Featuring an 921k dot EVF, a 3 inch AMOLED display, and a 14.6 megapixel sensor, the NX10 looks to compete in the same space now occupied by Panasonic’s G1 and GH1. Yes, the NX10 is awfully similar to the G series in size and effect, but the NX system does have one noticeable difference when compared to Micro Four Thirds, and that’s sensor size. Rather than the 2x crop sensor of Micro Four Thirds, the NX10 uses a more traditionally sized DSLR sensor with a 1.5x crop. The camera bodies between the two systems are roughly the same size, but the bigger sensor seems to translate to larger lenses (at least on the initial zoom offerings).

So once again, we have an all new camera system to digest, and consumers buying in will have to keep their fingers crossed that Samsung, with all of its tremendous resources, will continue to make lenses, and additional cameras. There’s no word on pricing as of right now, so it’s hard to assess the advantages of the NX10 versus Panasonic’s G series. The NX10 has a larger sensor, and that theoretically means better high ISO performance, but high ISO images from the Micro Four Thirds cameras are already quite good. Both systems offer HD video, and naturally the G Series has more lenses to choose from, many more if you factor in Olympus’ offerings, and the availability of adaptors. Autofocus performance still needs to be assessed, but Samsung says it will be the fastest available contrast detect AF, and early impressions do sound good.

Samsung expects the NX10 to ship sometime in spring, but as of yet, no US pricing information has been released. As for lenses, Samsung has 3 lenses that will be ready at launch: a 30mm pancake, a 18-55mm, and a 50-200mm.

Availability

• Check Amazon for availability

Media

Specifications

Camera	Samsung NX10
Colors	Noble Black and Titan Silver
Image Sensor	14.6M APS-C CMOS
Mount	Samsung NX Mount
Display	3.0Ó AM OLED (VGA)
View Finder	Electronic viewfinder
Movie	720p HD (MP4. H.264)
Size & Weight	4.8Ó x 3.4Ó x 1.6Ó (excluding the projecting parts of the camera).78 lbs (without battery and card)
ISO	100 - 3200
Flash	Built-in Pop-up Flash
OIS	Lens Shift
Dust reduction	Supersonic Type
Special Features	APS-C sized image sensor, 3.0" AMOLED, Smart Range, HDMI (Anynet +),Fast & Decisive Contrast AF, New DRIMe II Pro engine and advanced AF algorithm
Availability	Spring 2010

Press Release

Samsung unveils the next generation of camera – the NX10
The Samsung NX10’s innovative technology provides ‘best in class’ features with a large APS-Csize sensor, bright AMOLED screen and fast autofocus to give users ultimateperformance

Las Vegas, NV, January 4th, 2009: Samsung Digital Imaging Company Inc., today announced the Samsung NX10 at the Consumer Electronics Show in Las Vegas – an innovative digital camera that provides users with an interchangeable lens system and optimum image quality in a sleek, compact body. Delivering creativity without compromise, users can now be as creative as they want on the move, without having to compromise perfect images.

The NX10 incorporates a fast and decisive auto focus (AF), 14.6 MP APS-C size CMOS sensor and unique, large 3.0” AMOLED screen, allowing users to easily view their images, even in bright sunlight. Users can also record in HD movie to create the full story. Available in two colors, Noble Black and Titan Silver, the Samsung NX10 is small, light and ergonomically designed to ensure maximum portability for everyday use.

The Samsung NX10 ensures users never miss a moment, with one of the fastest AF in its class on the market. The company’s latest innovation, the new DRIMe II Pro engine and advanced AF algorithm, also provide ultra fast AF speed with the higher precision of contrast AF.

The Samsung NX10 has the heart of a DSLR embedded inside the compact frame of a digital camera, successfully integrating the APS-C size CMOS sensor with a mirrorless interchangeable lens, for a sleek, lightweight camera that users can easily take with them everywhere they go.

Consumers are not just limited to taking shots but can also tell their own stories in video format with HD movie recording (H.264 codec).

Samsung continues to extend the usage of AMOLED screens across many products, using a large 3.0” AMOLED screen in Samsung NX10. AMOLED provides easier viewing even in bright sunshine and at acute viewing angles, meaning users no longer need to shield their screen with their hand. The category leading screen also provides 10,000 times faster response rate than conventional LCDs, has a far lower power consumption and higher contrast ratio – 10,000:1 vs. 500:1.

“The new Samsung NX10 marks the start of the next generation of cameras,” said Mr. S J Park, CEO of Samsung Digital Imaging Company. “We know from our detailed research over several years that what consumers want from their cameras is evolving, which we’ve reflected in the development of the Samsung NX10. With specialist equipment open to everyone and no longer restricted solely to the professional, more and more people want to capture something creative and tell a story through their camera – but they also want something compact that they can carry round with them all day. The large sensor and the ultra fast auto focus give consumers the quality they demand as well as the compactness they want in one exceptional package.”

Mr. Park continued: “Samsung has always been quick to implement cutting edge technology and no more so when it comes to quality of images. For the first time in the market, Samsung has successfully integrated an APS-C size sensor into a compact body by eliminating the mirror box, meaning that our users can now be as creative as they want to be on the move without having to compromise on image quality.”

The Samsung NX10 also contains a range of intelligent features to put professional quality images within reach of the amateur photographer. The Samsung NX10 includes in-depth manual controls and also a Smart Auto function which automatically detects the surrounding environment of the shot and selects the right shoot mode. Its Smart Range feature also enables the user to vividly express both bright areas and dark areas in the same frame, and the Supersonic Dust Reduction system keeps those dust particles clear of the image sensor that can often impair an image. It even senses when the user brings the camera close to their face to look through the viewfinder, and puts the AMOLED screen on standby to conserve power.

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