Samsung GX-10

[Pink Floyd Veteran]

Pre-Photokina 2006: Samsung has apparently 'announced' the GX-10 digital SLR. This camera, rather unsurprisingly is in reality the Pentax K10D with its logos replaced. Hence a ten megapixel digital SLR with built-in shake reduction, dust 'shake' removal, weather sealing and unique exposure modes. We received no information on this camera from Samsung, all we have at this point is a press release which popped up two hours after news first broke, which is amazing considering how Samsung keep telling us they want to be taken more seriously on dpreview.

UPDATE: Finally about two hours after it appeared elsewhere a press release has just been posted on the Samsung website, which we have reproduced below.

Phil: Perhaps a discussion for our forums members, but why would you buy this camera over the Pentax branded model? (Assuming there aren't hundreds of dollars difference in price).

Click here for our Exclusive Pentax K10D Hands-On Preview

21 September 2006, Seoul, Korea. Samsung today announced the launch of the 10.2 mega-pixel GX-10 digital SLR, the first DSLR from the company to be positioned firmly towards the discerning enthusiast photographer searching for comprehensive functions, stunning design, ease of use and real value for money - all in one camera. Samsung also announced the launch of five more lenses, that some of the lenses would be released before the end of 2006, giving GX-10 and GX-1 series users alike even more freedom to express their creativity through the Samsung DSLR range.

GX-10 - Intelligent design

The GX-10 boasts a 10.2 mega-pixel image sensor, which offers the photographer a sharper image, with richer colours for a truly compelling composition. Taking photos is made easier with the PentaPrism viewfinder with its high magnification (0.95x) to provide a clearer, wider field of view (95%) for optimum shooting. For unrivalled viewing of photos the GX-10 also comes complete with a wide view 2.5” TFT LCD (210k pixels). With its powerful built-in Optical Picture Stabilization (OPS) technology, the GX-10 prevents blurred pictures by shifting the CCD to counter any movement of the camera’s body. In addition, when a manual lens is used in ordinary digital SLR cameras, the camera’s shake prevention mechanism does not function properly since the camera does not have the lens information. In the GX-10, however, the manual lens information can be input so that film cameras’ manual lenses can also be used with the GX-10. (In some digital SLR, because the lens has the shake prevention functionality, the unsteady hands cannot be compensated for when manual lenses are used.)

The advanced design features of the GX-10 ensure it is robust enough for taking quality pictures in even wet, sandy or dusty conditions as the camera comes equipped with a special water-resistant and anti-dust sealing. The advanced dust removal function included in the GX-10 also removes potentially problematic dust from the CCD by vibrating it automatically when the camera is booted, resulting in perfect blemish-free pictures with minimum effort on the part of the photographer. A further dust barrier is provided by the special coating on the CCD’s protective window.

With the one-touch RAW button, built into the GX-10, RAW file shooting is made simple and instantly available to users even during general JPEG shooting. The RAW files can be checked on the LCD and then be directly converted to JPEG format via the built-in converter for convenience.

With the GX-10, continuous shooting at 3 fps (frames per second) is possible; RAW files can be shot at the same speed up to 9 frames; giving the user the best chance to get a great picture.

The GX-10 has been designed to let the photographer customize and take control of their camera with the My Set Dial option allowing you to personalise your dial settings by choosing your most frequently used functions for ultimate ease of use.

A comprehensive lens offering

Samsung also announced that five kinds of lenses will be launched soon. These lenses have been designed to enable real freedom in the creative process and include: fish eye lens (fish eye 10-17mm F3.5-F4.5 ED), an ultra wide zoom lens (12-24mm F4 ED AL), a wide zoom lens (16-45mm F4 ED AL), a fixed focus lens (35mm F2 AL) and a macro lens (Macro 100mm F2.8).

The lenses will also be compatible with the DSLRs launched by Samsung earlier in the year – the GX-1S and GX-1L which were aimed towards the serious amateur photographer. Samsung adds, “We will also expand professional lens line-up aggressively next year.

With the launch of the GX-10, digital SLR for professionals, after the introduction of the GX-1S and GX-1L for general-use digital SLR, Samsung has come to have a full digital camera line-up ranging from convergent compact digital cameras through high-end to luxurious digital SLR.

With the NV series (NV10, NV7ops & NV3) launched in September consistently growing in the

market share of the compact line up. Samsung plans to capture the heart of photographers with the GX-10 as a springboard for a leap into digital SLR. Samsung also announced that it would meet the consumers’ needs by establishing a total digital SLR system by reinforcing the digital SLR accessories and after-sales service.

Samsung adds, “The GX-10 is a professional model far more upgraded than the previous GX series. The improved GUI (Graphic User Interface) for user’s convenience and cutting-edge functions are incorporated. The GX-10 has the optimum system as well as picture quality to satisfy users.”

Pricing and availability

The GX-10 and lenses are expected to be available from November, with the price being announced at that time.

Key features:

Professional digital SLR camera with 10.2 mega-pixel CCD sensor

OPS (optical picture stabilization) Shake reduction with image-sensor shift mechanism

Dust-free CCD with dust removal system

Impenetrably built, resistant to water, sand, or other potentially harmful materials

Field of view 95%, bright PentaPrism viewfinder (0.95x magnification)

Brightness adjustable and wide-angle view 2.5" TFT LCD (210K)

Raw file format support (including converting)

Continuous shooting of 3 pictures per second (up to memory full)

Support high sensitivity ISO 1600

TTL phase-matching 11 points wide AF

TTL open-aperture 16 segment metering system

Source: dpreview.com

yep, competition is always good :yes:

[SamNeeds]

Yes, competition is good, but Samsung, who don't have a strong history or presence in photography, are highly unlikely to worry the likes of Canon or Nikon.

Either way, the camera does look very nice and seems to be backed by a nice set of features. Good luck to 'em!

[instant.human]

id take the pentax, tbh. ;) but just because of the name and because i owned one long, long ago. remember the mx? ;)