Samsung NX10 hybrid takes on Micro Four Thirds

BY: Allison Johnson, DigitalCameraReview.com Editor

With CES 2010 just a few days away, Samsung announces the NX10 interchangeable lens camera. As promised, the compact NX10 is armed with a large 14.6 megapixel APS-C CMOS sensor along with a 3.0 inch AMOLED monitor, pop-up flash, and an electronic viewfinder.

Standing toe-to-toe with the competition, Samsung has included 720p HD video capture capability in the NX10. It will record HD videos in H.264 codec.

Proprietary mount, K-mount adapter
The Samsung NX10 will sport a proprietary NX mount - however, they will be releasing a K-mount adapter for the NX system. Samsung will make an 18-55mm OIS, 50-200mm OIS, and a 30mm pancake lens available with the launch of the NX10. Also among the list of specs, Samsung notes the implementation of a new DRIMe II Pro processor and a fast contrast AF system.

The 14.6 megapixel APS-C sized sensor is substantially bigger than those used by the Micro Four Thirds cameras released by Panasonic and Olympus in 2009. But like the MFT cameras, there's no mirror box at the heart of the NX10 and is therefore not a traditional DSLR. Instead, the NX10 will offer an electronic viewfinder in addition to the display as a means of framing images.

Also notable is the use of a 3.0 inch AMOLED monitor, a technology that should make the display brighter and easier to use in direct sunlight. Compared to a traditional LCD, the AMOLED technology should consume less power and put up faster refresh times. The NX10 is equipped with a sensor to detect when the shooter is using the EVF, and will automatically put the display on standby when the camera is brought up to the user's face.

As you might expect, the camera with the larger sensor is just slightly bigger than the MFT cameras:

• Samsung NX10: 4.8x3.4x1.6 inches (W) x (H) x (D)
• Panasonic GF1: 4.69x2.8x1.43 inches
• Olympus E-P1 (and E-P2): 4.7x2.8x1.4 inches

Based on the images released today, the NX10 doesn't appear to have undergone significant cosmetic changes since we first saw the mock-ups at PMA 2009. The control layout on the back panel is identical to the early model. The NX10 utilizes lens-shift optical image stabilization and an automatic dust reduction system.

Pricing and availability
The Samsung NX10 is slated for availability in the spring of 2010. No word yet on pricing or lens kit configurations.