Samsung has unveiled its latest mirrorless camera, the NX30. A follow-up to the previously flagship NX20, the new camera boasts a series of substantial upgrades including better autofocusing, a tiltable EVF, and easy wireless connectivity with NFC. Samsung also announced a new line of premium S lenses for NX cameras, which will launch with the introduction of a 16-50-mm F2-F2.8 zoom.
The Samsung NX30 is a high-end DSLR-styled mirrorless camera with an NX mount. It packs a 20.3-megapixel APS-C sensor (23.5 x 15.7 mm) paired with a DRIMeIV image processor and has a 9 fps continuous shooting mode. It's also capable of a speedy 1/8000 sec shutter speed, features an ISO range of 100 to 25,600, and boasts the wireless connectivity we've come to expect from Samsung cameras.
Key improvements to the new model include the addition of the NX AF System II, and a hybrid autofocus system which combines phase and contrast detection to offer considerably faster and more accurate auto-focusing. It's an updated version of the system which helped earn the Samsung NX300 a place in our pick of the best mid-range mirrorless cameras of 2013.
Another new feature which stands out on the NX30 (quite literally in his case) is the new electronic viewfinder. Not only does it pack an impressive 2,359K-dot resolution, but it can also be pulled out and then tilted up 80 degrees to make it easier to compose shots, like that on the Panasonic GX7. The rear monitor of the NX30 has also been upgraded with 1,037k dots spread across its three inches. It can now move from side to side up to 180 degrees, and upward and downward up to 270 degrees.
Wireless ability has been given a boost with NFC making pairing the new camera easier with suitably equipped smart devices. Once connected, there's the the usual options to share images wirelessly, or to use your smartphone or tablet for remote shooting. Here, the Remote Viewfinder Pro function allows full control over manual settings like shutter speed and aperture in addition to zoom and shutter control.
Video enthusiasts will be pleased to know that in addition to Full HD 1080p 60p recording, the NX30 now supports a standard 3.5 mm microphone input, meaning you don't have to rely on a built-in microphone.
New Standard Zoom Lenses
Samsung has also announced two new standard zoom lenses for the NX system, each of which cover the 16-50-mm focal range. The first, the 16-50mm F3.5-5.6 Power Zoom ED OIS is a fairly standard kit-type lens, though it has a seesaw zoom button which could be particularly handy when shooting video.
The second lens, while covering the same focal range, is a very different beast. Offering a variable maximum aperture of F2-F2.8 it's a much more professional quality lens, and just what many Samsung NX shooters have been wanting to supplement their quality prime lenses.
The first in a new line of premium S Series lenses, the 16-50mm F2-2.8 S ED OIS also features an Ultra-Precise Stepping Motor (UPSM) for better control and focus in addition to its optical image stabilizer and superior glass.
There's currently no news on availability or pricing of either the Samsung NX30 or the new lenses, but we could find out more during CES next week, when they will be on show.
Check out the Samsung NX30 in the video below.
Source: Samsung