Guide Book

Samsung SMART CAMERA NX System

Powerful Performance of the NX system

20.3 megapixel APS-C CMOS sensor

The Samsung Smart Camera NX system's 20.3 megapixels have been recognized as the most appropriate number of pixels for its APS-C size sensor, not only because of the increased number of pixels but because of its ability to remove noise problems fundamentally. The biggest feature of this sensor is that A/D Convert has been built into the sensor, which removes incoming noise created in the process of changing light to digital signals at the light attenuator, and improves the communication speed between DSPs in the sensor. The sensor has been designed and optimized with a broader area for the receiver. To improve optical characteristics, copper is used in the receiver to allow more light to enter the sensor, and the light transmittance of the micro lens is improved to increase the sensitivity.

16 megapixel camera

20.3 megapixel camera

3:2 picture ratio, as with a DSLR

Trimming in 3:2

4:3 picture ratio

NX system 3:2 picture ratio

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35mm Film Format (3624mm) Samsung NX System Entry-level DSLR Camera Micro Four Third Camera

20.3 megapixel APS-C CMOS sensor

The 20.3 megapixel APS-C CMOS sensor adopted by the NX system increases the DR(Dynamic Range) from the previous 8.8 EV to 10.5 EV, which allows a wider and more delicate gradation to be expressed. In addition, noise levels have been improved by 5dB based on ISO800. AWB(Auto White Balance) and color reproduction place emphasis on recording actual images naturally without any artificial color manipulation, to show images simply as they are. The philosophy of NX quality is "realism", that is to say, creating a faithful recording. Resolution power in the camera also has been further increased, recording more information.

ISO100 f/6.3 1/500s

The NX system has 20.3 effective megapixels, so it can create a larger photo than any of the mid-range DSLRs. The ability to create a larger photo means that it can even be used to create works of art, or for commercial purposes by professional photographers. In general, mirrorless cameras have the advantages of both compact and DSLR cameras, but their performance is somewhere in between the two. However, the Samsung NX system has a sensor that is the same size as that of a DSLR, and 20.3 megapixels which gives sufficient performance for it to substitute a DSLR; thus, it is good enough to be the main camera for professional photographers rather than a secondary camera.

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High speed continuous shooting at 8 frames per sec

An SW optimization technique called "Parallel Programming" is adopted in the NX system, minimizing standby time for sequence capture. As a result, a continuous shooting speed of 8 frames per second is realized at 20.3 MP full size. This high speed shooting of 8 frames per second provides many more shooting opportunities for photographers. Users can capture dynamic scenes from fast motion activities without missing a second, as well as vivid scenes of children, sports events, insects and animals in daily life. With this level of performance, giving you the ability to capture any moment without missing any details, you can enjoy a broader range of creativity.

Super-speed shutter 1/8000s fast shutter

Shutter Speed NX20 1/8000s NX210, NX1000 1/4000s

The NX20 captures quickly-moving subjects clearly with a high speed shutter of 1/8000s. While production DSLR cameras as well as most mirrorless cameras have a shutter speed of 1/2000-1/4000s, the NX20 offers an even higher shutter speed. Regardless of subject, environment, or action, the super fast shutter speed lets you capture every detail with clarity.

Faster AF speed & high speed capture

Operating speed is one of the critical indicators of performance in digital cameras. From initial operation and control to auto focusing(AF), adjusting, and shooting, it is important to reduce operating time as much as possible to allow for fast shooting. The point is to capture a desired scene accurately, without missing anything. The NX system was designed to offer high speed capture in order to satisfy this sort of demand from photographers. First, its booting time is less than 0.5 seconds; so users can capture a crucial moment without delay, even if an unexpected event is unrolling before their very eyes. The next indicator is focusing. Most digital cameras employ an AF(Auto Focusing) method. Auto focusing is an important element in the performance of digital cameras, and how quickly a camera can focus accurately is key to getting a good shot. However, a certain lag time (AF Lag Time) is required for focusing, and there is also a shutter lag time between pressing the shutter button after focusing and actual shooting. All digital cameras aim to reduce this lag time to as short a time as possible. For the NX20, especially, shutter lag time is reduced to 40ms (0.04 seconds) to allow for faster response.

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High sensitivity of ISO 12,800

Samsung Smart Camera NX has increased ISO sensitivity up to 12,800 with the revolutionary performance of the DRIMe III DSP chip. ISO 12,800 sensitivity allows users to shoot in very low light indoors or at a roadside with lighting at night without a strobe. As increased ISO sensitivity generally results in increased noise, the practicable level of sensitivity available for users would be 2 levels below the ISO sensitivity that can be set in the camera. In other words, a sensitivity of up to ISO 3,200 can be used as a practicable sensitivity, so users can easily take a natural photo in real life in any circumstances without a strobe. Also, in other manufacturers' cameras, the ISO level can only be moved by 1 step, whereas in the NX, the ISO level can be adjusted by 1/3 steps (100, 125, 160, 200, 250, 320, 400), which allows users to select a more accurate high ISO setting with minimized noise.

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1080 30p, Full HD video shooting

Allowing for the fact that taking video has become ever more important, the NX system provides a 19201080 full HD video shooting function. Its compact size and various interchangeable lenses allow users to shoot life-like video with the expression and display resolution of professional imaging devices, having better performance than a regular camcorder. Users can employ a variety of shooting functions such as a smart filter effect for videos, and record in stereo sound for more dynamic expressions. Using an external mike (EM10) also enables the user to enjoy more realistic sound. The new 18-200mm lens in the NX system is equipped with a VCM motor optimized for video shooting. A combination of full HD resolution, various images shooting effects, and an 18-200mm lens allows anyone to access a high level of video shooting with ease. The NX cameras also have an HDMI terminal so that you can connect directly to a full HD TV and enjoy vivid full HD images.

External microphone for a step up in video quality Wide & zoom microphone, EM10

High quality sound improves video quality, and an external mike equipped with various functions does just that. The EM10, an external mike only for the NX, is made for the job. First, its sound quality has been greatly improved, with the ability to record sound by level adjustment. With this mike, the wide setting captures surrounding sounds from a broader area, whereas the zoom setting increases its directivity, recording a lively sound as if it was recorded from very close. Users can also check the sound quality directly through an ear jack on the external mike during shooting. Now, by capturing more real sound from the scene using the external mike, users can greatly increase their video quality.

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1440K

921K

1.44 megapixel high-resolution SVGA electronic viewfinder

The NX20 is equipped with a 1.44-megapixel high-resolution electronic viewfinder. Shooting with this viewfinder allows for a finer focus, and helps you take a firm stance for shooting, even when using a telephoto lens with a long focal length. In addition, the viewfinder lets you see a more vivid and realistic image than other products on the market, because the large number of pixels available offer a closer sense of reality than an optical viewfinder.

3.0 inches (about 7.6cm) Super AMOLED display

Mirrorless cameras do not have an optical viewfinder on account of their characteristics, so the camera sends the image passed through the lens to the display screen on the back. Shooting and replaying are both conducted through this display screen, as is the composition of a picture. As such, the display is very important in a mirrorless camera. With digital cameras, anybody can experience difficulty seeing a dark image on the display when shooting or replaying images in bright daylight. However, an AMOLED (organic light emitting diode) panel is used for the display on the back of the NX20 (NX210), so users can see the screen clearly even in bright ambient light conditions. The 3.0-inch AMOLED display has a response speed 3,000 times faster than TFTLCD, which creates images very quickly and naturally, and its 10,000:1 contrast ratio allows users to see a clear display in bright daylight. Plus, this strong display function significantly extends battery life due to its low-power design, and adds greatly to usability when shooting. In particular, the gap between the surface of the AMOLED and the glass is treated with a UV coating instead of having a layer of air in this newly-launched camera, giving a clearer image and improving visibility by 20%. On top of this, users can appreciate a clear screen with a full viewing angle of 180. The swiveling display on the NX20 can be moved in various directions to make use of different angles for shooting. Using the swiveling display, users can take photos easily without getting into uncomfortable positions-for example by holding the camera close to the ground or overhead with the screen angled as appropriate.

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Smart Panel & PUI

The Smart Panel has been improved for greater user convenience so that even beginners can use it intuitively. For example, it provides a video recording button to shoot video immediately while taking a photo, so you won't miss that important moment. There is a function (Fn) key that enables frequently-used functions to be set fast, a new wheel key, and an i-Fn key on the i-Fn lens, which lets users set the menu as desired, while the easy menu screen makes understanding functions via graphics and seleting settings easy.

Wi-Fi enjoyable anytime and anywhere

All three models of the NX system released in 2012 (the NX20, NX210, and NX1000) are equipped with a Wi-Fi function, which allows images to be shared in various ways, including with smart phones, digital tablets, laptops, and TVs anywhere and anytime. The Wi-Fi function on the camera is basically the same as on smart phones, digital tablets, and laptops. In order to use the Wi-Fi function, users need to turn the mode dial to Wi-Fi, and select the icon for the function they want from the mode list.

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Wi-Fi Mode Mobile Link

Let's have a look at the Wi-Fi functions one by one. First of all, the Mobile Link function allows you to retrieve images from the camera to read, save and share with a touch on a linked smart phone. Turn the mode dial to Wi-Fi mode, and select a Mobile Link icon (refer to the table) from the functions list. Then select either 'Share all' or 'Selective share' in order to select files to be shared with the smart phone. Now run the Samsung Mobile Link application on the smart phone, select camera and files to be transmitted, then photos will be transmitted to the smart phone.

Wi-Fi Mode Remote Viewfinder

The Remote Viewfinder function allows the use of a smart phone as a remote control for the camera. For example, users can take a photo with a smart phone controlling the camera, instead of using a self-timer, and check and save the photo with and from the smart phone. This function is very useful for other situations that need a remote control. Mobile Link and Remote Viewfinder functions are available in the Galaxy series equipped with Android OS 2.2 or higher, and on 7-inch and 10.1-inch Galaxy Tabs, and can be run through a downloaded App for each function.

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Wi-Fi Mode Social Sharing

If you can utilize Social Sharing, you can access image share sites or blogs such as YouTube, Facebook, Picasa, and so on, just with the camera. The Wi-Fi function allows users to directly access the corresponding site from the camera. Photo file sizes are limited to 2MB, and a maximum 20 files with a total of 10MB are selectable at one go, but this criteria may be limited depending on uploading capacity or quantity on the site concerned, thus the upload should be made according to the criteria of the respective sites. Now, with the new NX system, you don't have to turn on your PC to access UCC or SNS related services, but can just use the camera even if you don't have a smart phone or a digital tablet.

Wi-Fi Mode Email

Email transmission is also available. Users can send photos or videos through email using the Wi-Fi function directly from the camera. As the user can input not just images but also text and messages, both image and text can be sent directly from the shooting site without a computer. When the camera is out of a Wi-Fi zone, it can be connected via the hotspot function with a smart phone, which effectively allows the camera's connectivity to be used anywhere at all. There is a capacity and quantity limitation for uploading files in social sharing and email transmission. Photo file sizes are limited to 2MB, and a large file will automatically be compressed, keeping the original photo scale. Videos of less than 30 seconds in QVGA resolution or taken in 240 WEB (icon) resolution, can be uploaded without capacity limitation. (For the capacity and quantity of other upload files, please refer to the criteria stipulated on the site concerned)

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Wi-Fi Mode Cloud

The Cloud function allows users to share their images easily with various devices. Without moving the images to a different device each time, users can share them with smart phones and digital tablets as well as laptops, and broaden the range of their utilization by synchronizing the camera with a cloud server via the Wi-Fi function.

Wi-Fi Mode Auto Backup

The Auto Backup function allows users to save images stored in the camera to a PC with just one touch after turning on the computer, and removes the trouble of taking out and dealing with the memory card each time. To send files, turn the mode dial to Wi-Fi, select the Auto Backup icon, set options on the menu, and then transmit. A maximum of 1,000 files can be transmitted, and it is advisable to check these files on the PC after transmission is completed, because transmission may be interrupted depending on the wireless communication status. This function is available only when there are new photos, and the Intellistudio software supplied with the camera needs to be installed first. (Supported only with Windows OS)

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Wi-Fi Mode TV Link

With a wireless connection between camera and TV, the TV Link function allows the camera to be searched, and to check and enjoy shared photos and videos from the TV. This is only available when the TV has a sharing function. Although photos and videos are shared in their original form, only files in 720, 480, or 240 resolution can be supported for video.

Wi-Fi Mode Wi-Fi Direct

The Wi-Fi Direct function allows direct data exchange with laptops, smart phones, TVs, and digital tablets when these have a wireless communication function. This is a convenient function, which allows for transmission of photos and videos using the wireless communication unit equipped in each device to enjoy or save them. It is built into the camera itself, so users don't need to buy an expensive wireless transmission device separately. Depending on the wireless communication environment or device connected, Wi-Fi connection speed may be slow or restricted even though the camera is operating normally.

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C mode, quick and easy setting for shooting

NX20

In C(Custom) mode, three custom banks are supported, which enables users to freely save or retrieve the setting they want for shooting. This mode contains almost every setting related to shooting, including shooting mode or shutter speed, aperture value, ISO sensitivity, exposure compensation, photometric method, white balance, file size, and so on. If you save a few settings in advance, with the parameters of shooting in specific situations such as night scenes or snow scenes or some other specific situation, and use each of the three settings accordingly, you can be free of the inconvenience of doing the setting every time, and just concentrate on the shooting.

C mode is supported only on the NX20. (On the NX210 and NX1000, magic mode is supported)

Electronic level guide for image composition

The NX system is equipped with an electronic level, offering convenient shooting. The electronic level can be very useful in the shooting of urban and natural landscapes, still photos, and photo reproduction, and offers a more accurate and convenient horizontal-vertical check.

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Lens line-up for the best combination

Samsung releases interchangeable lenses with various angles of view designated especially for the NX system. Samsung has also released a series of i-Function lenses at the same time, including an 18-200mm zoom lens appropriate for shooting video, an 85mm F1.4 large optical lens appropriate for taking portraits, a close-up 60mm macro lens and a 16mm extreme wide angle lens useful for landscapes and many other purposes, so that a perfect line-up has been put together, including 9 different exclusive lenses.

Lens Line-up
Ultra Wide pancake
16mm F2.4

16mm extreme wide angle with a fast F2.4 appropriate for taking pictures of landscapes.

Macro
60mm F2.8 OIS

Wide pancake
20mm F2.8

Wide angle lens with a speed of F2.8 appropriate for taking pictures of landscapes and faces.

Close-up lens with low noise motor, suitable for taking photos of insects and flowers. With a built-in Image Stabilizer.

Standard pancake
30mm F2.0

Permium Portraits
85mm F1.4

30mm standard lens. Lens with a speed of F2.0 appropriate for taking portraits.

Very fast large optical lens suitable for taking portraits.

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Lens Line-up

Zoom
18-55mm F3.5-5.6 OIS-III

Compact Zoom
20-50mm F3.5-5.6-II

Lens for wide angle to medium telephoto suitable for landscapes and portraits.

General-purpose commercial lens provided in a bundle. Can be used from wide angle to medium telephoto, with a built-in Image Stabilizer.

Movie Pro
18-200mm F3.5-6.3 OIS

Zoom
50-200mm F4.0-5.6 ED OIS-II

Lens used from wide angle to telephoto, with low noise motor and appropriate for shooting video. With a built-in Image Stabilizer.

Telephoto zoom lens adopting low-dispersion lens, and excellent resolution appropriate for taking pictures of faces, sports and nature. With a built-in Image Stabilizer.

100mm ISO100 f6.3 1/250s



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