Samsung NX10
Panasonic and Olympus took the camera market by storm last year with their Micro Four Thirds format models - the Pen-E and the GF-1. Now Samsung is hoping to do the same with the NX10.
Like the Micro Four Thirds predecessors, the NX format promises all the benefits of DSLRs, such as a larger sensor and interchangeable lenses, but without the bulk - in its own format - the NX system.
This means that only NX lenses will work on NX system cameras - so far. Samsung is offering its latest model with three different lens options. You can choose from a 30mm F2, an 18-55mm F3.5-5.6 zoom, or a 50-200mm F4-5.6 zoom. The company says it is developing an adaptor for Pentax K mount lenses, greatly expanding lens options for the NX10. Inside the NX10 is a 23.4 x 15.6mm APS-C type CMOS sensor that offers 14.6 Mega-pixel imaging.
It also offers both automatic and manual settings, including manual focus. The NX10 will also support 720p HD video recording at 30 fps in H.264 format.
The problem is the product looks like a shrunken version of a DSLR, and not a souped-up version of a compact like the Pen-E or GF-1. The NX10 is expected to be released in April, at around HK$8,000.
Pros: large sensor, smaller than DSLRs, interchangeable lens
Cons: proprietary format, still looks like a DSLR, it's not the Pen-E or GF-1
