Samsung NX100 Pushes the Envelope

The Samsung NX100 retains most features of the NX10, Samsung's first mirrorless camera, but dramatically introduces support for a new line of i-Function lenses.

We will go over the evolutionary changes, before dwelling on i-Function lenses.

The 14.6 MP, APS-C (23.4×15.6mm) sensor on the NX100 comes with improved sensitivity of ISO 6,400, as compared to ISO 3,200 on the NX10.

The camera introduces creative filters such as the vignette, soft focus, fish-eye, or miniature effects.

Mirrorless cameras are handicapped by slow contrast detection autofocus, when compared with traditional DSLRs that use the much faster phase detection autofocus.

The NX100 is claimed to feature one of the fastest AF amidst mirrorless cameras on the market today.

The NX100 supports HD movie recording at 720P and features a 'Sound Picture' mode, which can record audio when a photo is taken enriching the experience.

i-Function Lens

The revolutionary change in the NX100 is its support for i-Function lenses.

An i-Function lens allows users to control their camera through the lens for the first time. It lets you to manually set the camera using a single focus ring.

An i-Function button on the camera allows you to quickly scroll through manual settings - shutter speed, aperture, EV, WB, and ISO - and then make changes using the focus ring.

The lens communicates the setting to the camera body.

Typically, you grip the camera body with your right hand and wrap the left hand around the lens to steady the camera. The i-Function features allow you to make changes to the camera settings while continuing to track the target object.

The camera also comes with customized settings which are ideal for the lens being used.

Lens Priority Mode

The NX100 also has a lens priority mode which provides scene options specifically designed for the lens being used – for example when a landscape lens is attached, the camera will immediately display the landscape mode. Additionally, when users change to a specialized lens, the camera will recognize the lens type and automatically configure the settings that would best match with the attached lens.

This latter feature will work with future, specialized Samsung lenses.

At launch, the lens line-up includes a compact zoom 20-50mm lens to provide both high image quality and portability. A small and light 20mm wide angle Pancake lens will be introduced shortly after. Two additional specialized lenses will be available in the first half of 2011 – a 60mm Macro lens and 18-200mm Super Zoom lens.

To expand the lens line-up even further, three more lenses will be introduced by the second half of 2011, including 16mm, 85mm, and 16-80mm lenses.

The NX system will be further enhanced with more accessories, including an Electronic Viewfinder, Flash and GPS tracker to capture your exact geographical location.