Samsung has launched a mirrorless camera with detachable lenses, smart camera functionality, dual channel WiFi that takes 3D photos and video.
It's inbuilt dual band WiFi gives it the capacity to upload photos to social networks, and with a separately-bought 3D lens, you can shoot not only stills but high definition 3D home movies as well - so you can create your own 3D film. It also has Near Field Communication (NFC) to aid making wireless connections to other devices.
The South Korean manufacturer yesterday launched the NX300 alongside the NX2000 in a function room at the Sydney Opera House – a venue that seems its defacto Australian home following its multi-million dollar sponsorship deal with the Opera House and its launch of its Galaxy S4 smartphone there three weeks ago.
The two cameras can make use of 12 interchangeable lenses in the NX family. They include the novel f45mm lens which can be switched to regular 2D work. However the lens has a fixed length, so you can’t zoom in and out in 3D video mode.
The heart of these two cameras is the 20.3 megapixel APS-C (Advanced Photo System type-C) sensor, a format used in many of the less expensive DSLR cameras.
The NX300 is capable of 8.6 frames per second at full resolution, with a burst mode of 10 frames per second at a lower resolution. It’s capable of a shutter speed of 1/6000th of a second, and, Samsung says, uses a hybrid focussing system with contrast detection and 105 points focussing across the image sensor.
To underline its speed, Samsung has engaged Olympic sprint champion Usain Bolt as product ambassador.
The camera uses NFC to make it easy for compatible Samsung devices such as a smartphone to link wirelessly to the camera. When the connection is made, the phone will download an app that will allow transfers of images from the camera to the phone while shooting continues.
Smart Camera 2 offers WiFi connectivity and functionality similar to that found on the Samsung Galaxy Camera, a camera with a zooms lens that runs the Google Android operating system launched a year ago.
Users can share their photos on social networks, email them, store them to the cloud, perform backups or transfer them to other Samsung devices using WiFi Direct.
The NX300 camera comes with a standard 18-55mm f/3.5-5.6 lens and a copy of Adobe Lighthouse 4 for $899. The 45mm 2D/3D lens however costs an extra $499 - a total outlay of $1398 for the complete package.
A restricted range of the 12 interchangeable lenses are available now with the full range to be coming soon.
Australia head of digital imaging, Craig Gillespie, said Samsung’s market share in Australia had increased “noticeably”, in the year since it launched the Galaxy Camera.
"In terms of the camera business within Australia, we’ve recognised the opportunity to invest in the new categories," he said.
Samsung had focussed on the wireless and connected camera segment.
