Samsung NX-1
So, Samsung comes out swinging at Photokina. The offering is their first pro prosumer camera, the NX-1. The specs are interesting. The sensor is a the first large BSI sensor on the market. It's 28 megapixels and, according to the specs, it will hammer out 15 frames per second in raw with full AF. The sensor is not covered by an anti-aliasing filter. It's got 4K video. It has enough interconnectivity to communication with Zylons from the Nipsor Galaxy. It's mirror less and, again, according to specs, the EVF is competitive as is the touchable rear screen.
The camera can be bundled with two lenses that should make the heart of a system for any photographer starting from scratch. One lens is the well reviewed 16-50mm S series f2-2.8 wide angle zoom and the latest addition is a 50-150mm S series f2.8. That's pretty sweet coverage from 24-225mm.
What remains to be seen is who will step up and embrace the camera system. Which photographers will take a chance and move from the current group of six and try it on for size. I think it's a big psychological hurdle in that all their previous products were resolutely NOT aimed at the hard core, professional user. I'm not as hung up on specs and speeds. I'm mostly drawn to cameras because they feel right and are highly (and enjoyably) usable. Samsung's last effort, the NX30 was a move in the right direction. To my mind they got the body dimensions just about right. What they stumbled a bit on, initially, was the crispness of operation. I wanted the camera to switch from EVF to rear monitor and back quicker. I want the menus to hesitate just a little less. And I definitely wanted the EVF to be higher res and a bit closer tracking to the color and tonality of the files. A recent firmware update got me closer...
If they are able to execute well on those things they'll have a hell of a competitive offering. I'm not sure there's much that will dissuade the hard core fans of any particular brand to jump ship but they might just have a good shot at all the new people entering the market.
As far as I am concerned they've done a just right job on the lens selection and the quality of their higher spec lenses. Now if they can follow through with a great body and close the circle...
If they are able to execute well on those things they'll have a hell of a competitive offering. I'm not sure there's much that will dissuade the hard core fans of any particular brand to jump ship but they might just have a good shot at all the new people entering the market.
As far as I am concerned they've done a just right job on the lens selection and the quality of their higher spec lenses. Now if they can follow through with a great body and close the circle...
The promotional videos for this camera look amazing. Can't wait to see the review.
ReplyDeleteCompletely. Agree. That could be a very sweet camera.
ReplyDeleteIt makes the Canons and Nikons look hopelessly conservative.
wow... i was pretty impressed with the specs and the lenses for this camera when i saw them. where did samsung come from?! ;D
ReplyDelete"Pro prosumer" camera? So, even in the field of being a Professional Consumer, you can be of various levels? Like, "Beginner Professional Consumer", "Advanced Professional Consumer" and "Professional Professional Consumer"? Verily, we live in interesting times, dear friend!
ReplyDeleteI like Samsung. They try so hard, they have to get it right eventually. The NX-1 looks right. Could this be the first sensor tech to break through the wall that Sony hit?
ReplyDeleteHey Kirk, just wondering if you will soon get this camera? I got the chance to briefly play with one last weekend and have to say that is has been the most intriguing camera for me this year by far. I loved the size of it and the one I played around with (fully working one but apparently not yet the for sale firmware in it) had a attached grip and the 16-50 on it.
ReplyDeletethe focus was real quick and everything seemed to work. Really hoping for some real world testing of one, because my time was so brief that throwing 1600€ is a bit too much for that reason. I think if it works properly in real life, you will love it.
Jere