Samsung NX10
Samsung has launched the first salvo in what will certainly be the big camera “war” in 2010: the first Digital Interchangeable Lens (“mirrorless DSLR”) camera with an APS-C sized image sensor.
[Panasonic was the first with the G1, followed by Olympus with the E-P1, and again by Panasonic with its GF1. All DIL cameras however use the Four Thirds System image sensor that is slightly smaller than the APS-C sensor. The Leica X1 has an APS-C sensor but the lens is not interchangeable.]The Samsung NX10 features 14.6MP resolution (on an APS-C CMOS sensor), a 3.0-in. AMOLED (Active Matrix Organic Light Emitting Diode) screen (614k-dot), VGA EVF (921k-dot), Smart AUTO, PASM, Scene modes, Smart [Dynamic] Range, Supersonic Dust Reduction, and HD movie. The NX10 promises ultra fast AF speed with a high precision contrast AF [apparently a match to Panasonic’s GF1]. Image Stabilization is lens based.
The Samsung NX 18-55mm (27-83mm equiv.) F/3.5-5.6 OIS lens will be sold as a kit lens. A 55-200mm (75-300mm equiv.) OIS tele zoom and 30mm (45mm equiv.) F2 pancake prime (no IS) are also available. The mount is a new Samsung NX mount, with an adaptor for the Pentax K mount to be available later.
Dimensions: 123 x 87 x 39.8 mm / 4.8” x 3.4” x 1.6” (excluding the projecting parts of the camera)
Weight: 353g / .78 lbs (without battery and card)
Here is how the Samsung NX10 compares against the other DSLRs and DILs as far as dimensions and weight are concerned:
| Camera | W (mm) |
H (mm) |
D (mm) |
Weight (g) |
| Nikon D300s DSLR | 147 | 114 | 74 | 840 |
| Canon 7D (DSLR) | 148.2 | 110.7 | 73.5 | 820 |
| Olympus E-3 (DSLR) | 142.5 | 116.5 | 74.5 | 810 |
| Pentax K7 (DSLR) | 130.5 | 96.5 | 72.5 | 670 |
| Nikon D5000 (DSLR) | 127 | 104 | 80 | 560 |
| Olympus E-450 (DSLR) | 129.5 | 91 | 53 | 380 |
| Panasonic GH1 (DIL) | 124 | 89.6 | 45.2 | 385 |
| Samsung NX10 (DIL) | 123 | 87 | 39.8 | 353 |
| Olympus E-P1 (DIL) | 120.5 | 70 | 35 | 335 |
| Panasonic GF1 (DIL) | 119 | 71 | 36.3 | 285 |
As you can see, that’s quite small, just slightly larger than the Olympus E-P1 / Panasonic GF1. By designing a viewfinder “hump,” Samsung has chosen the conservative design route (like what Panasonic did with the G1/GH1) so that the NX10 looks more like a dimunitive DSLR rather than the brand new category it is supposed to be.
SAMSUNG UNVEILS THE NEXT GENERATION OF CAMERA – THE NX10
Samsung NX10’s Innovative Technology Provides ‘Best in Class’ Features with a Large APS-C Size Sensor, Bright AMOLED Screen and Fast Auto Focus to Give Users Ultimate Performance
Ridgefield Park, NJ (January 4, 2010) – Samsung Electronics America, Inc., a market leader and award-winning innovator in consumer electronics, today announced the Samsung NX10 – an innovative digital camera that provides users with 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 will be on display during the 2010 International Consumer Electronics Show, January 7-10, in the Samsung booth #11026 in the Central Hall of the Las Vegas Convention Center.
Samsung NX10 Back View
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. SJ 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 around 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 best shooting 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.
About Samsung Electronics America, Inc.
Headquartered in Ridgefield Park, NJ, Samsung Electronics America, Inc. (SEA), a wholly owned subsidiary of Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd., markets a broad range of award-winning, digital consumer electronics and home appliance products, including HDTVs, home theater systems, MP3 players, digital imaging products, refrigerators and washing machines. A recognized innovation leader in consumer electronics design and technology, Samsung is the HDTV market leader in the U.S. Please visit www.samsung.com for more information.
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The only reason for buying a not Nikon/Canon camera is the sensor image stabilization. I don’t understand why Samsung has designed a camera without this feature (considering that former models have it).
The NX10 is Samsung’s first inhouse camera: previous DSLR models were rebadged from Pentax.
I’m sure they’ll add Sensor-shift IS if they can either develop that technology themselves, or allowed to use it from one of the other camera or third party company. As you say, Sensor-shift IS can be viewed as a competitive advantage so Pentax and co. may not be that willing to share the technology.