Samsung NX Series Smaller than Panasonic Micro Four Thirds?

Samsung NX Series Smaller than Panasonic Micro Four Thirds?
Tuesday, March 3, 2009

Back in August, we reported on Samsung's intention to challenge the Micro 4/3 market with a "hybrid" system combining interchangeable lenses with a mirrorless APS-C body featuring an electronic viewfinder. Yesterday at PMA, Samsung officially introduced their hybrid system, named the NX series, stating that the first model would be available in the second half of 2009.

Details remain sparse regarding the NX system. However, using the hot shoe to estimate size, the prototype model being shown at PMA seems to be quite compact. In fact, disregarding lens size, it looks to be smaller than the current Micro Four Thirds models from Panasonic. I've resized the Samsung prototype photo below to demonstrate this.

As impressed as I have been with the Panasonic G1, it seems to me that Panasonic could have had even more success with that model by further exploiting the ability to go as compact as possible. The Sigma DP line shows just how small an APS-C sensor camera can be, and a Micro Four Thirds camera should be able to be made even smaller. With Samsung bringing competition to Panasonic and Olympus in the EVIL/hybrid market, I expect that 2010 will be the year that we see large sensor, interchangeable lens compact cameras come to the forefront.

Posted by Amin

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Ted Johnson · 840 weeks ago

Most of the additional size appears to be in the handgrip and the rear LCD (ignoring the lens difference). The larger grip is a design choice which I personally support, but it certainly isn't necessary. The LCD thickness is I believe a result of the G1 having a rotatable LCD, allowing a variety of viewing angles (the photos of the NX clearly show a fixed LCD). So, you get smaller if you reduce the size of the handgrip and eliminate the moveable LCD. For the Samsung's smaller size you get at least one less feature and possibly lower cost. Neither camera will fit in a pocket, so the Samsung's smaller size isn't enough smaller to differentiate it from the Panasonic. Time will tell if there is an IQ difference.

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1 reply · active 840 weeks ago

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Wolfie · 840 weeks ago

I personally find the Samsung design much more appealing - and of course it has a bigger sensor. The other price of the smaller grip may be as in the Olympus E-4xx - smaller battery, fewer shots. But the big thing for Samsung is that Panny has got the still and HD video covered well ahead of their launch, and who knows what OLympus will do with their two models due in mid-year (seems to be confrmed that there will be 2 in an interview on dcwatch site). The Olympus "Carrot"camera is obviously designed for pocketabilty as the hot shoe and the top mode dial are both recessed flush with the top panel so they wont snag anything. Wonder how it will price against the DP-2 which will be hampered by larger size and a vulnerable extending lens.

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Allen George · 839 weeks ago

From what I've seen, I too favor the Samsung design. I like the smaller handgrip and its vertical dial (ala. shutter dial on the Leica CL). Not only that, the 25mm prime alluded to in the renderings works out to ~ 40mm ( x1.56 ), which is a good all-round focal length.

Not all is perfect, of course. I would have liked a second dial, for starters (either to control aperture/shutter speed or focal distance). And it remains to be seen if the shutter lag, AF speed and EVF refresh rate are fast. But all in all, the renderings are promising.

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Leandro · 839 weeks ago

The difference is not enough to carry NX in the pocket. I want and prefer a body and size as LX3, but using a APS or 4/3 sensor. We need only one lens as LX3.

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Juha Haataja · 838 weeks ago

A micro 4/3 camera with a 12-60 mm lens (similar to Olympus Zuiko ED 12-60 mm 1:2.8-4.0 SWD but more compact) would be an excellent tool. Or even just 12-30 which would be equivalent to the LX3 range.

But I would definitely need also a lens with macro capabilities. And I don't think there ever will be a lens in APS or 4/3 which would have the same capability from macro (closeup) to landscape as on the LX3.