LAS VEGAS – With a motto like “Shoot wow! Share now!”, Samsung’s cameras definitely have a lot to live up to and its new NX300 interchangeable lens camera, unveiled at International CES, comes close. At a small sit-down session with two other journalists we got to take a look at the new camera and the new lens just to see how exactly they work.
The white Samsung NX300. Photo: Alvin Chong
Dressed in what Samsung Product Planner Nam Nyun-Woo dubbed a new “retro modern style”, the NX300 features a leather-esque texture that covers most of the camera body – an improvement over the NX210. While I do wish it was real leather, the brushed metal and faux-leather look does a good enough job of making it feel classier.
Samsung calls the new NX300 sensor the “best in class”, justifying that it cannot be compared to other more expensive cameras with larger sensors such as Sony’s NEX-7.
But the true revolution in Samsung’s new optical releases lies in the 45mm f1.8 lens, that looks like any normal lens – except it has a 2D to 3D switch on the side.
The 2D to 3D switch on a black Samsung NX300. Photo: Alvin Chong
When 3D is triggered – while the camera is on – a pair of liquid crystal module filters that are differently polarised move within the lens to move over the sensor (see photos below). That worked pretty effortlessly, and it’ll be nice to see it introduced in other lenses – Mr Nam did say that there are plans for other lenses, but could not offer any details.
Before and after:
Another flick of the switch will stow the filters.
Samsung’s confident that the NX300 will appeal to serious photographers and enthusiasts, and a copy of photo management and editing software Adobe Lightroom will be given with each purchase of the NX300.
The NX300 and the 45mm lens will launch by end March, and the prices for both products have not been revealed. The camera and lens is said to cost US$749 (S$919) and US$499 respectively in the United States, however Samsung has not confirmed this.
If you’ve been waiting to get your hands on Samsung’s Galaxy Note 10.1 but were just holding out for some blazing fast LTE speeds, your wait is over: Samsung has announced at the Samsung Galaxy Note 10.1 LTE will be released tomorrow.
Continue reading ‘Samsung Galaxy Note 10.1 LTE launches tomorrow’
The Saumsung Galaxy Note II LTE
Samsung will launch the highly-anticipated Galaxy Note II LTE and Galaxy Camera today.
Those who have indicated their interest in the Galaxy Note II prior to the launch will be able to collect their phones from Friday, Oct 19, 6pm at M1 Paragon, SingTel Hello! ComCentre and StarHub Plaza Singapura.
The phone will be available at other outlets on Saturday at the recommended retail price of S$998 (without contract). If you are still undecided if you should get one, check out our preview.
The Samsung Galaxy Camera
The Galaxy Camera – which comes 3G and Wi-Fi connectivity – boasts a massive 4.8-inch HD Super Clear LCD screen, 21x optical zoom and a 16-megapixel BSI (Backside Illuminated) CMOS sensor.
Its wireless network connectivity and Android 4.1 Jelly Bean operating system also open up the device to applications for photo-editing and almost instantaneous sharing.
It will be in stores here next month but the pricing has yet to be revealed.
The Samsung Galaxy Note II.
Registration of interest for the Samsung Galaxy Note II LTE is now open and you can visit the SingTel, M1 and Starhub sites for more information on how to get your hands on the year’s most anticipated phablet.
The 5.5-inch Note II promises to be faster and more powerful than its predecessor, thanks to its 1.6GHz quad-core processor. It also comes shipped with the Android 4.1 (Jelly Bean) operating system.
A 3100 AmH battery is also in place to help power the mammoth device, ensuring longer lasting performance and shorter charging time, according to Samsung.
And that is not all that has been modified; the Galaxy Note 2 also comes with a revamped S Pen, which introduces a whole lot of new features the original Note phone did not have.
Check out our preview to find out what our first impressions were and what other upgrades you can expect to see in the new Note II.
The Samsung Galaxy S III LTE
Samsung today announced that the LTE version of its Galaxy S III smartphone will be available in Singapore from the end of this month.
The phone, which will be available in Marble White and Titanium Grey at the price of S$998, will be compatible with the local LTE networks recently unveiled by Singtel, Starhub and M1.
The Samsung Galaxy S III LTE comes with a 4.8-inch HD Super AMOLED display, an 8MP camera and runs on the Android 4.1 Jelly Bean operating system.
