Featuring the same 20.3MP APS-C CMOS sensor that can be found on the Android-based Samsung Galaxy NX Gn120, the Samsung NX30, announced by Samsung days before the start of the Consumer Electronics Show in Las Vegas, features numerous improvements including a higher-resolution electronic viewfinder, flip-out LCD monitor, new control dials, a port for an external microphone, NFC and WiFi capabilities, and an upgraded autofocus system.
The first, and most noticeable new features are the flip-out 3-inch LCD touchscreen monitor with 1,037k dot resolution, and a tiltable EVF (electronic viewfinder), which can tilt up to 80 degrees and has 2,359k dot resolution, making it one of the highest resolution viewfinders currently available.
Other new features include an expanded ISO range of 100-25,600, the ability to capture 3D scenes using the Samsung 45mm f/1.8 2D/3D lens. Samsung also announced OLED Color, which they claim records more faithful color rendering for a variety of subjects.
The design of the camera has been adjusted to include two Custom Modes that let you select preferred camera settings that you can access quickly. Samsung continues to offer programmable i-Function buttons that can be reprogrammed to quickly access your most frequently used settings.
Automatic Uploads to Dropbox
The Samsung NX30 also adds NFC and Wi-Fi communication connectivity. Each NX30 is pre-loaded with online storage service Dropbox, making it the first camera to offer direct-to-Dropbox uploading. The Photo Beam feature lets you wirelessly move an image or video to your tablet or smartphone by touching the devices together. You can send multiple images to up to four devices simultaneously via MobileLink, and Remote Viewfinder Pro lets you zoom, shoot and control other manual exposure features via smart phone.
For videographers, new features include full HD Video Stereo sound recording, thanks to a new 3.5mm mic jack built into the camera. An audio Level Meter lets you monitor sound quality. HDMI live streaming with full HD 30p output is available.
New Accessories: Powerful Flash, Fast Zoom Lens
Along with the camera, Samsung introduced a new Samsung 16-50mm f/2-2.8 S ED OIS lens, the first of a premium “S-Series” lineup of higher-quality lenses. Samsung claims it’s the brightest of all lenses in its focal range, and it features three aspherical, two extra-low dispersion and two extreme high refractive lenses for additional clarity and minimal flare and distortion. The lens is said to offer Silent Autofocusing, making it a desirable addition for videographers.
Samsung also promises the Samsung ED-SEF580A flash, with a Guide Number of 58 at ISO 100 and A-TTL exposure control. This is the first high-level external flash that Samsung has introduced, and it includes a head that tilts and swivels, has a 5-second recycle time, AF assist and full manual control, with power adjustable down to 1/256.
The Samsung NX30 will be bundled with Adobe Photoshop Lightroom 5.
