Samsung adds 20.3-megapixel NX20, NX210 and NX1000 to mirrorless cam lineup

 

You probably know Samsung best as the mobile tech giant that it's exploded to become. One area where Samsung has yet to dominate is the digital camera market, however -- the company pumps out some pretty innovative imagers, that for one reason or another haven't caught on like their Japanese counterparts, including those from the likes of Canon, Nikon, Olympus, Panasonic and Sony. Samsung's point-and-shoots could be labeled as gimmicky under-performers, despite their success in Asia, but its mirrorless cameras have been established as viable competitors in the fast-growing ILC market -- from a performance perspective, at least.

What the firm really needs to gain share is a killer model with an incredibly competitive price -- an entry-level cam that comes in at, say, $499 with a decent kit lens. Sadly, there's no sub-$500 ILC in this latest bunch, with the NX20 priced at $1,100 and the NX210 set to retail for $900. The NX1000 has yet to get a price tag, though based on those first two flavors, we wouldn't be surprised to see it hit stores with a $700. There's more to these cameras than price depending on your needs -- but in a market with offerings as solid as the $600 Sony NEX-C3 and $1,100 Olympus E-M5, what Samsung really needs is a product that drops jaws not because of its high megapixel rating, but rather its very low price tag. The company has built a solid portfolio for 2012 -- all three NX cameras include the same 20.3-megapixel Samsung-manufactured APS-C CMOS sensor with an ISO range up to 12,800, 1080/30p video, an 8fps full-res burst mode, integrated WiFi and a 3-inch display, though body size, user interface and other features will differ. 

Samsung NX20, NX210 and NX1000

 

NX20

You might call this Samsung's interchangeable lens flagship. The NX20 looks and feels like a miniature DSLR, with a curvy retracted flash up top, an extended rounded grip and a built-in SVGA EVF -- it looks like a very close relative of its predecessor, the NX10, and even includes the same button and dial placement, along with a full-size hotshoe. Around back, there's a tilt-and-swivel 614k-dot, 3-inch VGA PenTile AMOLED display. If you're looking to replace your DSLR without compromising on form-factor, you'll get a familiar experience here. The NX20 will retail for $1,100 including an 18-55mm f/3.5-5.6 kit lens.

 

NX210

This model will likely look incredibly familiar -- it's essentially an NX200 with built-in WiFi, and a tweaked image sensor. Last year's model will remain on the market as well, with a $800 price tag. The same 614k-dot, 3-inch VGA PenTile AMOLED display available with the NX20 can be found here, though there won't be an electronic viewfinder. The NX210 also ships with an 18-55mm f/3.5-5.6 kit lens, with built-in image stabilization, a focus mode switch and an iFunction button for launching key settings. If you don't need WiFi in your future, the NX200 is worth considering here, or you can hand over an extra Franklin once the NX210 hits stores for $900.

Based on the company's press photos, NX1000 looks awfully familiar. No, it's not reminiscent of a former Samsung model, but it does bear a striking resemblance to the Nikon J1, with a glossy white finish, white lens and sleek, inviting design. Samsung has yet to release pricing, but it's clear that the company is marketing this model towards point-and-shooters looking to make an upgrade. It also includes a 3-inch LCD rather than an AMOLED display, so it's probably safe to assume that this will be an entry-level cam, along with a compact 20-50mm f/3.5-5.6 lens.