Samsung announces NX11 14.6MP compact system camera, plus new NX lens

Samsung announces NX11 compact=

Samsung has spilled the beans on its new NX system camera ahead of the big CES tech-fest trade show that kicks off next week.

Their new NX11 large-sensor mirrorless interchangeable lens camera replaces the current NX10 model and bolts on support for its i-Function feature which they claim, “puts the perfect picture at the fingertips of all photographers.”

i-Tweakin’ good

The i-Function  feature lets users tweak exposures to perfection with swift toggling between shutter speed, aperture, EV, WB, and ISO settings.

With the NX11 packing a large APS-C sensor – bigger than what you’ll see inside a Micro Four Thirds camera – you can expect decent shots from this fella, and the new model rocks an improved grip and 3.0” AMOLED LCD screen.

There’s also support for 720p HD recording and a nifty panorama mode which lets users knock out panoramic pictures with one ‘press-and-sweep’ motion, while the bundled  18-55mm kit lens now comes with an i-Function button.

Samsung have also announced new 20mm pancake and 20-50mm zoom silver colour lens for the NX system, but there’s no news on the all-important pricing for either the camera or the lens yet.

Samsung announces NX11 compact=

Press Release:

Samsung Launches the NX11, the Latest NX System Camera and Lens Line Up

Create high quality images with the camera’s easy-to-use i-Function lens

CES, Las Vegas – December 28, 2010 – Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd, a global leader in digital media and digital convergence technologies, announced today the launch of the NX11 – thelatest addition to the highly successful NX family of cameras. The NX11 is an upgraded model based on the NX10, compatible with the new i-Function lens, introduced for the NX100. The NX11 will come complete with an 18-55mm i-Function lens, as well as two new i-Function lenses, a 20mm pancake and a 20-50mm zoom silver colour lens. The launch reinforces the company’s commitment to leading innovation in the compact system camera market.

The i-Function lens puts the perfect picture at the fingertips of all photographers by providing an exceptionally easy way of controlling the camera. A typical camera user wraps their hand around the lens when holding the camera, the new i-Function system allows photographers to naturally use their left hand to change settings through a button built into the i-Function lens, without the need to take the camera off the target. Users can toggle between shutter speed, aperture, EV, WB, and ISO quickly and easily by simply using the i-Function button and ring on the lens, meaning easier and quicker configuration while shooting.

The NX11 also has a focus on usability, with a change in the grip design to make shooting easier and more comfortable for users. Additionally, it has a lens priority mode dial, to simplify searching for the best mode for each lens. The camera makes taking great landscape scenes or pictures of large groups simple by featuring a panorama mode, which allows the user to take panoramic pictures in one press-and-sweep motion. As with the NX10, the NX11 uses the best in class APS-C sensor for better image quality. The APS-C sensor is larger than Micro 4/3 and the larger sensor delivers high quality images, easily.

Steve Mitchell, General Manager, Samsung UK Digital Imaging, said: “Today’s launch is important for Samsung in reinforcing our position as a leading innovator in the digital camera market and for showing our innovation in the compact system camera market. The NX11, while offering the best features of the NX10, has an upgraded design and the additional i-Function capability with more lenses. The launch of our next offering in the NX range also demonstrates our commitment to our customers, by producing user driven innovation in the form of easy-to-use functions and upgraded customisation.”

Alongside the built-in flash and built-in electronic VGA (640×480) viewfinder, the NX11 has a 3.0” AMOLED LCD screen. The AMOLED screen reduces the glare from sunlight so the consumer can see their images under any lighting conditions, including sunlight. The user can also get a more vivid, clearer image through enhanced colour reproduction. The NX11 also provides high quality video with 720p HD recording, and its large APS-C sensor allows the videos to be recorded with shallow depth of field, providing effects that are shown in motion picture movies.