NXReport.com

Photo Rumors: Samsung NX20 to be announced in January

That's about as much detail on the Samsung NX20 as we have at the moment. Photo Rumors says a 16-80 zoom lens will be announced at the same time . The  rumor website says other lenses and potentially a higher end NX1 camera could also be released later on in 2012.

Samsung NX200 in-depth user report

Vlad Dodan has put together the first in-depth user review that I've seen of the Samsung NX200,  Samsung's latest entry for the NX mirrorless series and the first Samsung camera in years to make use of a new sensor (thus giving a potential forecast of what a future EVF-equipped NX20 might be like).  By the way, the Samsung NX200 kit is selling for $150 less than it used to at B&H. I was worried about the impact the 20-megapixel would have on the camera, but according to Dodan's assessment and my view of the sample jpg's it looks like the camera holds up through 3200 ISO (beyond that and it declines real quick). There is no EVF available, so for users seeking to manually focus, use the camera in bright sunlight, or use long telephoto lenses the theoretical NX20 might be a better option (presuming it ever arrives; earlier rumors had been for a summer release and that never happened). Other than that, it looks like a real nice camera for the category, nice size, nice specifications. Dodan's reviews also include samples of Samsung's new lenses, which I'm happy to see include a healthy offering of fast primes.

Another review has also been posted at Photography Blog.

Hamstrung by Samsung

What I want to know is: what the hell is Samsung thinking? More than two-and-a-half years into the NX system and their U.S. market presence is still nill. I like Samsung because 1) The NX10 offered the best form factor of any mirrorless camera I've seen, 2) They offer the best full lens lineup (though Olympus has a couple good primes out now), 3) Until the NX200 their prices were reasonable, and 4) Most importantly, they are APS-C.  Despite years of expectations, the four-thirds consortium has net yet offered up a game-changing sensor.  If you want to photograph in low light and have control over depth of field- which is essential for the kind of photography I do, anyway- then full frame is best and APS-C is a good enough proposition that I can live with. But no more! Don't try to bargain me down to the micro four thirds, then the Nikon 1 sensor, then the Fuji X10 sensor, then the LX5 sensor, until all I'm left with is the keychain known as the Pentax Q.

Samsung, you've gone and broken my heart. I was sure that by now the NX20 would come out and there would finally be a camera good enough to take pictures with all those fast pancake lenses and its electronic viewfinder. Instead, the system has stalled- all we've had is an announcement of an overpriced, over-megapixeled NX200 that doesn't appear to have made it to too many U.S. stores in time for Christmas. The logical conclusion from that is that the NX20 will be even more overpriced and over-megapixeled but gosh, I hope not. Sony already has the cut-megapixels-to-the-max-then-smear-with-software market cornered. No need to go there.

Samsung had a tremendous window of opportunity. For several years, it's been a pretty open market. Sony hasn't figured out yet that a small camera is useless without small lenses. Nikon and Pentax (pre-Ricoh) went into wholesale "protect the DSLR market and try to capture the consumers getting better photos with their iPhone than our crappy point-and-shoots mode." Canon is pretending to ignore the whole thing while secretly (I presume) preparing an offering of its own to be released once everyone on the planet owns a Rebel T2ix7e3s. Thus, all jacket-pocket-camera-size fanboys have drifted over to Panasonic and Olympus, where they've been welcomed with tedious (now improved) autofocus, pudgy pictures at over 800 ISO (I would argue over 400), above market value prices, and an endless series of 14-xx kit lenses (at last count I think there were seven of those for sale). M4/3rds has paved the way of the interchangeable lens market and there are a few nice primes (20mm f/1.7, 12mm f/2) to tease the enthusiasts. I bought a GF2 and 14mm f/2.5 when the price dropped below $500 and returned the set three weeks later... no thanks. I know the E-P3 and GX-1 are better cameras, but the question is are they better enough? I'm not convinced and I would also like to have a small camera with an EVF that doesn't have the build of a WalMart superzoom and an audio system that's been purposefully cripped (Panasonic G3, we're taking a stab at you there).

Samsung has had the market all to itself, as far as I'm concerned. This is about the change. Fuji is coming out with something this winter, perhaps the rumored LX10, and it's going to be a damn good camera, if the X100 and X10 are any indication. Fujis are expensive, but you can also find them outside of Korea. Meanwhile, where is Samsung?

The Samsung NX200 is not list on Amazon, three months after its announcement. It's out of stock at B&H, which is offering a $150 discount (not surprising considering the $899 original tag... this thing was going to be downmarketed real fast). Adorama is being a good sport and offering the camera for $749, which is better than can be said of the AWOL NX11 (does that camera really exist?).

So if you're curious why this blog hasn't reported much, it's because I'm waiting for Samsung to offer a real camera. If and when they offer a real camera, I'll be ready to post. Until then, I'll be playing with my Canon DSLRs and keeping an eye on the next move by Fuji.

Samsung NX200 image samples

Via Digital Photography Review.

Samsung NX200 hands-on preview

Via Imaging Resource.

Samsung NX200 official announcement

Amateur Photographer has details on the official announcement of the new Samsung NX200 camera. Like Sony, Samsung may have cheated on its frame per seconds claim: the listed specification of 7 frames per second is only at half resolution, according to AP (note: other previews have not confirmed this discrepancy). Another disappointment: the NX200 will only be available with a choice of two variable aperture kit lenses (no body-only option or pancake kits). The UK price is listed at 699 pounds and Samsung's website gives a USD price of $899. Good luck Samsung- this camera is not for me. Dial when the price drops a few hundred dollars.

Samsung NX200 specifications

Samsung.com has a page up now with specs on the new Samsung X200 mirrorless camera. Curiously, the 21.6 megapixels listed in the headline differs from the 20.3 megapixels listed elsewhere in the writeup and in the photos. The bad news: $899, if the actual intended street price, is quite a price rise from the NX11 and NX100. On the plus side: new sensor and 7 frames per second continuous shooting. The camera is also listed with "digital image stabilization," which is a bit of ruse.

Samsung NX200, photos and more

Word is the Samsung NX200 will have an official announcement today. I like what I've seen from this camera so far, courtesy of the rumor mill that has been churning all week. Some (supposed) 6400 ISO photos are circulating online and they look nice, as does the fact that this camera will finally come out. Samsung has a nice lens lineup, this could be the beast to attach it to.

Samsung NX20 delay

Photo Rumors and other websites are reporting that the release of the Samsung NX20 and possibly the NX200 will be delayed, with the NX20 possibly put off until early 2012.

Samsung NX100 with 20-50mm lens and flash now $399 at Adorama (with rebate)

With an announcement for the Samsung NX200 reportedly imminent, retailers are offering $300 instant rebates on the 14.6 megapixel APS-C Samsung NX100 mirrorless camera, packaged with a 20-55mm zoom lens and Samsung SEF15A A-TTL External Flash. At our sponsor Adorama, the adjusted price is now $399. Click to order.