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Samsung's NX100 digital camera. Photo provided by Samsung Electronics Co. Ltd. Samsung NX100: A more compact NX-series SLD
By
(Tuesday, September 14, 2010 - 02:30 EDT)

Samsung Electronics Co. Ltd. has today announced its third offering in the single-lens direct view camera market -- the long-rumored Samsung NX100.

Following in the footsteps of the closely related NX5 and NX10 models, the Samsung NX100 aims to better fulfil the promised reduction in body size of an SLD camera. The change comes mostly from a reduction in height, and from the removal of the sculpted handgrip of the previous NX-series models. The NX100 still doesn't challenge the compactness of Sony's NEX-5, but it's certainly among the smaller SLD camera bodies yet announced.

Like its existing NX-series siblings, the Samsung NX100 is based around an APS-C sized, 14.6 megapixel CMOS image sensor. It also retains a 3.0-inch, VGA-resolution AMOLED like that of the NX10. Following the lead of Panasonic's Lumix GF1, as well as both the Olympus E-P2 and E-PL1, the NX100 also adopts a hotshoe-mounted electronic viewfinder that mates into an accessory port just below the shoe.

The Samsung NX100 offers a range of shooting modes including an unusual Lens Priority mode, which automatically selects scene modes and chooses camera settings based on the lens type attached -- for example, a telephoto lens might prompt higher ISO sensitivity and shutter speeds automatically to help prevent blur from camera shake. Data is stored on Secure Digital cards, including SDHC types, with a maximum capacity of 32GB supported. Pricing and availability for the NX100 have not been announced. More details can be found in our Samsung NX100 preview.

Alongside the camera body, Samsung has also unveiled a couple of new lenses and accessories. The Samsung 20-50mm F3.5-5.6 ED Standard Zoom Lens (30.8 to 77mm equivalent) looks to be a folding design like those for PEN-series models from Olympus, and incorporates what Samsung calls "i-Function" -- essentially, a button on the lens that lets users change settings including shutter speed, aperture, exposure compensation, white balance, and ISO sensitivity without taking their hand off the lens barrel by turning the focusing ring, suggesting the lens uses fly-by-wire focusing.

There's also a new Samsung 20mm F2.8 Pancake Lens, equivalent to 30.8mm on a 35mm camera, plus a Samsung SEF15A flash strobe, the aforementioned electronic viewfinder accessory, and a Samsung GPS10 unit that runs off two AAA batteries, includes 128MB of memory, and geotags images -- presumably once they're offloaded to a computer, as there's no mention of camera connectivity. Like the NX100 body, no pricing or availability information has been disclosed for the lenses or accessories.

Finally, Samsung has also disclosed several forthcoming lens models for the NX series. These include a 60mm Macro lens and an 18-200mm Super Zoom promised in the first half of 2011, and a selection of 16mm, 85mm, and 16-80mm lenses promised in the second half of the year.

Metering Modes
Samsung NX100
Samsung's NX100 digital camera. Photo provided by Samsung Electronics Co. Ltd. Click for a bigger picture!
General
Camera TypeSLD
ManufacturerSamsung
Model NumberNorth America: NX100
Dimensions4.7 x 2.8 x 1.4 in.
(121 x 71 x 35 mm)
Weight9.9 oz (282 g)
Image Capture
Sensor TypeSamsung CMOS
APS-C (approx. 1.10 in. diagonal)
15.10 megapixels (total)
14.60 megapixels (effective)
Filter TypeRGBG
Aspect Ratio3:2, 16:9
Image Dimensions4592 x 3056 (14.0 megapixels)
4592 x 2584 (11.9 megapixels)
3872 x 2592 (10.0 megapixels)
3872 x 2176 (8.4 megapixels)
3008 x 2000 (6.0 megapixels)
3008 x 1688 (5.1 megapixels)
1920 x 1280 (2.5 megapixels)
1920 x 1080 (2.1 megapixels)
1472 x 976 (1.4 megapixels)
Image Preview / Review
ViewfinderYes, Optional EVF: 201Kdot (QVGA), 98% coverage, 0.83x magnification, 17mm eyepoint, -4 to +1 diopter
LCD3.0 in. diagonal
614,000 dots (approx. 205,000 pixels)
Lens
Lens TypeSamsung iFunction 20-50mm f/3.5-5.6 ED
2.5x optical zoom
41mm lens thread
Lens MountSamsung NX
Focal Length20.0 - 50.0mm (actual)
31 - 77mm (35mm equivalent)
Aperture Rangef/3.5 (W) / f/5.6 (T) - 22
Focusing SystemContrast detection
Manual focus possible
Exposure
ISO Sensitivity100 - 3200; expandable to 6400
Shutter Speed30 - 1/4000 second
Exposure ModesAperture, Shutter, Manual
Multi, center-weighted, spot
Exposure Compensation+/- 3.0EV in 1/3EV increments
White BalanceImage Sensor - Auto, 7 presets, manual
Creative
Scene ModesSmartAuto, Lens Priority, Beauty shot, Children, Close Up, Text, Sunset, Dawn, Backlight, Fireworks, Beach & Snow, Night, Portrait, Landscape, Sports, Sound Picture
Self TimerYes, 2-30 seconds
Movie FormatH.264 .MP4 with audio
Storage
Recording MediumSD/MMC including SDHC
File SystemFAT16, FAT32, complies with Design Rule for Camera File System (DCF)
File FormatRAW (.SRW), JPEG (EXIF 2.2)
Connectivity
ComputerUSB 2.0 High Speed
OtherEVF port, Optional GPS module (GPS10)
Power
Battery TypeLithium-ion rechargeable
Battery Form FactorProprietary
Product Bundle
Battery / Charger1 x Proprietary Lithium-ion rechargeable battery and charger
Other
Digital Print Order Format (DPOF) compliantYes
PictBridge CompliantYes
Internal MicrophoneYes
Internal SpeakerYes
Tripod MountYes
NotesiFunction lenses allow shutter speed, aperture, EV, WB, and ISO setting changes from lens; Smart Filters, 720p HD movies, 3-inch AMOLED screen. Available in black and brown.
More Photos
Samsung's NX100 digital camera. Photo provided by Samsung Electronics Co. Ltd. Click for a bigger picture!
Samsung's NX100 digital camera. Photo provided by Samsung Electronics Co. Ltd. Click for a bigger picture!
Samsung's NX100 digital camera. Photo provided by Samsung Electronics Co. Ltd. Click for a bigger picture!
 

Original Source Press Release:

Samsung Sets Sights On Industry Leadership With Pioneering NX100

New Mirrorless Camera Incorporates Unique New i-Function Lens to Give Beginner and Expert Photographers Seamless Control and Creativity

Ridgefield Park, NJ (September 14, 2010) –Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd, a global leader in digital media and digital convergence technologies, today announced the launch of the unique Samsung NX100 – an innovative mirrorless camera equipped with the world’s first i-Function lens, putting the perfect picture at the fingertips of all photographers through a completely new way of controlling your camera.

The NX100 is expected to dominate the new mirrorless camera category. The innovative NX100 has benefited from Samsung’s expertise across multiple areas of technology as all of the camera’s key components are produced internally. Samsung’s expertise has been combined with a detailed and extensive program of consumer research, which provided valuable insights that the company’s designers and engineers have incorporated into the creation of the NX100. Additionally, the unparalleled camera is complemented by an extensive line up of lenses and accessories, which give photographers the full package to explore their creativity.

The launch of the NX100 follows the success of the NX10, Samsung’s first mirrorless camera and the first in the world to feature an APS-C size sensor, which has changed the way photographers across the globe take pictures, and raised the bar for the industry as a whole. The NX100 shares the industry leading technology of NX10, such as an APS-C size sensor for quality images and a 3-inch AMOLED screen for easy and clear viewing. However, with the NX100, Samsung takes the mirrorless camera to the next level, by incorporating the innovations of the NX10 and improving other areas of the camera’s performance and design. While the body of the camera is slim, sleek, and stylish, the NX100 also features the intuitive i-Function lens which allows users to control their camera through the lens for the first time. The NX100 also boasts one of the fastest AF on the market today, which ensures that users never miss a moment, and an ISO that is raised to a maximum of 6400 for action shots.

The design of the NX100 is inspired by the simple shape of dew forming on a leaf, which can be seen on the camera’s shutter button and curved body, which comes in two different colors; black and brown. The lightweight, compact and modern design makes the camera portable, allowing users with a creative flair to carry the NX100 with them anywhere and for any occasion. The NX100 is more than just a camera; it is both a creative tool and an artistic object that makes a bold style statement everywhere it goes.

“Our aim is to dominate the mirrorless camera market in the same way that we do in the DualView category, and the new NX100 is the embodiment of that goal,” said Mr. SangJin Park, President of Samsung Digital Imaging Division, Samsung Electronics. “We are the first to create a mirrorless camera with high quality imaging technology which has been designed based on intuitive consumer insights from our in-depth consumer research. This is why we believe that the NX100, alongside the NX10, will cement our leadership in this growing field. Our unique and pioneering i-Function Lens stands out from the competition as an example of our unparalleled innovation, which will appeal to every photographer.”

While conventional lenses were passive in controlling camera settings, the unique i-Function Lens is a proactive lens that communicates with the camera body. It delivers total image control with fast manual settings to ensure quick and easy image capturing, and also provides customized settings which are ideal for the lens being used. The lens incorporates a conveniently-located i-Function button which allows users to scroll through manual settings, and a focus ring which is used to easily change parameters for each setting. This unprecedented control system is clever, intuitive and fast, putting the perfect picture at everyone’s fingertips.

Since a typical camera-user wraps their hand around the lens when holding the camera, the new system means that photographers can naturally use their left hand to change settings through the intuitive i-Function lens without the need to take the cameras off the target. Users can toggle between shutter speed, aperture, EV, WB, and ISO quickly and easily by simply using the i-Function button and ring on the lens, meaning easier and quicker configuration while shooting.

The NX100 also has a lens priority mode which makes switching between lenses easier than ever. Each lens is clearly marked with icons that illustrate their main usages, so beginners can quickly understand which lens they need to select for any given scene. The lens priority mode provides scene options specifically designed for the lens being used – for example when a landscape lens is attached, the camera will immediately display the landscape mode. Additionally, when users change to a specialized lens, the camera will recognize the lens type and automatically configure the settings that would best match with the attached lens. This latter feature will work with future, specialized Samsung lenses.

The NX100’s innovations aren’t confined to the lens – the camera also provides a very creative feature called ‘Smart Filter’. In playback mode, users can apply seven different effects to the picture, such as the vignette, soft focus, fish-eye, or miniature effects. The ‘Smart Filter’ provides not just high quality images, but also features that are fun to use.

The fun doesn't stop with the still image options - the NX100 supports HD movie recording at 720P, so that memories can stay alive in their finest details. The NX100 also contains a ‘Sound Picture’ mode, which can record audio when a photo is taken enriching the experience. To ensure the perfect quality of every image, even when lenses are being regularly changed, the NX100 also features a supersonic dust reduction feature to remove foreign particles from the lens before shooting.

The NX100 will be equipped with a range of innovative lenses and accessories to further enhance the user’s experience. At launch, the lens line-up includes a compact zoom 20-50mm lens to provide both high image quality and portability. A small and light 20mm wide angle Pancake lens will be introduced shortly after. Two additional specialized lenses will be available in the first half of 2011 – a 60mm Macro lens and 18-200mm Super Zoom lens. To expand the lens line-up even further, three more lenses will be introduced by the second half of 2011, including 16mm, 85mm, and 16-80mm lenses. The NX system will be further enhanced with more accessories, including an Electronic Viewfinder, Flash and GPS tracker to capture your exact geographical location.
* Specifications and design are subject to change without notice.

About Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd
Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd. is a global leader in semiconductor, telecommunication, digital media and digital convergence technologies with 2009 consolidated sales of US$116.8 billion. Employing approximately 188,000 people in 185 offices across 65 countries, the company consists of eight independently operated business units: Visual Display, Mobile Communications, Telecommunication Systems, Digital Appliances, IT Solutions, Digital Imaging, Semiconductor and LCD. Recognized as one of the fastest growing global brands, Samsung Electronics is a leading producer of digital TVs, memory chips, mobile phones and TFT-LCDs. For more information, please visit www.samsung.com.

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