Samsung announces new ‘flagship’ CSC

Angled view of the Samsung NX1 with the new 50-150mm 2.8 S ED OIS lens. (Source: Samsung.)

Positioned by the company as ‘a genuine alternative to DSLRs’, the NX1’s 28-megapixel APS-C CMOS sensor is the first of its type with Back Side Illumination (BSI) structure and a micro lens array. Compared to conventional CMOS sensors, BSI reduces noise more effectively by keeping the path between the lens and detectors clear so more light can hit each pixel, lowering the signal-to-noise ratio. The NX1 supports native ISO 100-25600 and extended ISO to 51200.

Powerful and fast, the  DRIMe V Image Processor boasts superior colour reproduction and supports 4K UHD video recording as well as Full HD, using the inbuilt HEVC Codec (H.265), the most advanced compression technology available. Conversion software for editing the 4K footage is bundled with the camera. New noise-reduction technology can identify each imaging area, such as edges, textures or skies and intelligently applying different types of noise reduction to retain details without softening.

The Electronic Viewfinder (EVF) is an XGA OLED display with 2.36 million dots, which provides ‘immersive’ eye-level shooting. The NX1’s DRIMe V Image Processor reduces lag time to 0.005-seconds so the EVF reflects the scene being shot in near real time. The 3.0-inch FVGA Super AMOLED monitor includes touch-screen capabilities. The NX1 is also the only CSC to feature a top LCD status display panel.

Samsung’s new NX AF (Auto Focus) System III has 205 Phase Detection AF points and supports a fast AF speed  of 0.055 second plus continuous shooting at up to 15 frames/second. Wide Phase Detection enables the camera to track subjects almost anywhere in the frame.

A new Samsung Auto Shot (SAS) feature uses the camera’s image processing algorithms to recognise high-speed motion and set the appropriate shutter speed in real time to automatically trigger the shutter at precisely the right moment.

The new camera has a durable magnesium alloy body with SLR-like styling and a specially shaped grip that is secure and comfortable to hold. Dust- and splash-resistance is provided by rubber seals and seams to protect dials and buttons. A custom designed Vertical Grip is available as an option for photographers who require a larger battery and easier vertical and horizontal shooting.

Wi-Fi functionality in the NX1 is claimed as the fastest, most advanced connectivity available, offering data transfer speeds fast enough to send both large images and Full HD video files swiftly and without delay. The NX1 is also the world’s first Bluetooth equipped CSC, further boosting Samsung’s Smart Camera offering and enabling photographers to access easy pairing and quick transfer times with smart-phones and tablets.

Samsung is introducing a new 50-150mm 2.8 S ED OIS lens with the NX1. Perfectly matched to the camera, it has a fast f/2.8 maximum aperture and 35mm equivalent 77-231mm focal length range. Additional features include Advanced Multi-Axis Optical Image Stabilisation (OIS) system with up to 4.5 stops (at mid-range, under the CIPA standard), Samsung’s Ultra Precise Stepping Motor (UPSM), and dust and splash resistance offered by Samsung Hyper Shield (SHS)

Details of the new camera have not yet appeared on the Samsung Australia website so we can’t provide a local release date or pricing. In the interim, additional information is available at Discover article and the official product video can be viewed at  www.youtube.com/samsungcamera.

SPECIFICATIONS

Image Sensor	28.2 effective megapixel APS-C BSI CMOS sensor
Display	76.8mm (3.0-inch) Super AMOLED Tilt Display with Touch panel (tilting Up 90 °, Down 45 °) FVGA (720×480) 1,036K dots
View finder	EVF  (OLED) with Eye Contact Sensor XGA
ISO	Auto, 100, 200, 400, 800, 1600, 3200, 6400, 12800, 25600 (1EV or 1/3EV step) (EXT. 51200)
Image	JPEG (3:2) : 28M (6480×4320), 13.9M (4560×3040), 7.1M (3264×2176), 3.0M (2112×1408) JPEG(16:9) : 23M (6480×3648), 11.9M (4608×2592), 6.2M (3328×1872), 2.4M (2048×1152) JPEG (1:1) : 18.7M (4320×4320), 9.5M (3088×3088), 4.7M (2160×2160), 2.0M (1408×1408) RAW : 28.0M (6480×4320) * 3D Lens Image Size: JPEG(16:9) 5.9M (3232×1824), 2.1M (1920×1080)
	File format: RAW (SRW ver2.0.0), JPEG (EXIF 2.3), MPO (for 3D Lens), DCF
Video	MP4 (Video: HEVC /H.265, Audio: AAC) UHD  3840×2160 (30fps Only),  4K  4096×2160 (24fps Only), Full HD 1920×1080, 1280×720 , 640×480 * 3D Lens Movie Recording Compatible only for Full HD
	Frame rate: 60fps, 30fps, 24fps NTSC / 50fps, 25fps, 24fps PAL
Video Output	NTSC, PAL, HDMI
Value- Added Features	SMART Mode: Action Freeze, Beauty Face, Fireworks, Landscape, Light Trace, Multi-Exposure, Night, Panorama (Live), Rich Tone (HDR), Samsung Auto Shutter, Silhouette, Sunset, Waterfall
	3D still image & video capturing
	Built-in Flash  (Guide Number 11 at ISO 100)
	Magnesium cover body
	External Microphone
	Dust and splash resistance * Note – This product is not water or dust proof. It is designed to resist dust and minor splashes only. Exposure to severe conditions is not recommended.
Wi-Fi Connectivity	IEEE 802.11b/g/n/ac . Email . Quick Transfer . Auto Backup . FOTA . TV Link . Full Browser(SNS & Cloud) . Auto Time Setting . BT GPS Tagging . Mobile Link . Photo Beam(Play Back) . Remote Viewfinder Pro * Note – The availability of each service may differ by country.
NFC	NFC
Bluetooth	Bluetooth 3.0
Storage	SD,SDHC,SDXC,UHS-I,UHS-II
Battery	BP1900 (1860mAh)
Dimensions (WxHxD)	138.5 x 102.3 x 65.8 mm
Weight	550 g (without battery)