Samsung announces hybrid APS-C digicam family

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Samsung announces hybrid APS-C digicam family
By Mike Tomkins
(Monday, March 2, 2009 - 10:18 EST)

Competition for Olympus and Panasonic's Micro Four Thirds standard has today appeared from Korean rival Samsung, with the announcement of the company's upcoming NX series.

The Samsung NX format looks to be similar to that of Micro Four Thirds in concept - the biggest difference from existing Samsung digital SLR designs being the elimination of the mirror box. This change means that, as with the competing Micro Four Thirds format, all NX-series cameras will use Live View mode for framing of images. The Samsung NX design is said to include an "ultra precise" electronic viewfinder and initial product photos also show a fixed-position LCD display.

The removal of the mirror box allows for a significant reduction in the size and weight of the camera body, and although dimensions haven't yet been released, the Samsung NX does indeed look pretty compact. On the downside, it also means the removal of phase detection autofocus sensors since there's nowhere in the optical path where they can be placed. Contrast detection autofocus based on data from the camera's image sensor seems the most likely replacement, as adopted in Micro Four Thirds. As a second bonus though, the design also allows for a reduction in the size and weight of compatible lenses, as compared to a regular digital SLR of equal sensor size.

In this area, we're curious to see whether Samsung intends to offer an adapter for backwards compatibility with the Pentax / Samsung digital SLR lineup, or whether Samsung NX users will need to start afresh. Competitors Olympus and Panasonic allow use of regular Four Thirds lenses on their Micro Four Thirds bodies with an adapter, although autofocusing is only possible with certain adapted lenses - most likely due to compatibility issues with contrast detection AF in some lens designs.

In terms of differences between the two competing standards, only one point stands out thus far given the limited information available - but it is an important one. Micro Four Thirds is based around the same 4/3" type image sensor as the regular Four Thirds system, with a diagonal of 22.5 millimeters. By contrast, the Samsung NX system is to be based around an APS-C sized image sensor - which should mean a diagonal somewhere in the region of 28mm. This larger sensor size will likely give Samsung's design an advantage in terms of ISO sensitivity and noise levels.

The first Samsung NX-series digital camera is slated to ship in the second half of 2009, and to say we're eagerly awaiting full details on the design would be somewhat of an understatement...

Samsung NX

Original Source Press Release:

Samsung’s NX Series, Hybrid Digital Cameras Make Global Debut At PMA 2009

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.

About Samsung Digital Imaging
Samsung Digital Imaging Co. Ltd. is a leader in photo imaging technology, digital cameras and optical devices. The company offers a range of high-performance digital compact and DSLR cameras, introducing cutting-edge features to meet consumer needs. Samsung began developing film cameras in 1979 and has led the growth of the digital imaging market through its advanced technology and innovation. For more information, please visit www.samsungcamera.com.

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