Thursday, 3 January 2013

Samsung NX300 is out

The new Samsung mirrorless camera NX300 with hybrid autofocus is announced. The new camera has phase-detection focus elements build into sensor, so it supposed to focus fast (depending on lens, of cause). The camera is build around the same or very similar ~20MP APS-C sensor used in NX20, NX200/210 and NX100. It has tiltable AMOLED touch screen but lucks build-in flash or viewfinder. The specs are beefed up, and camera can do more than 8 frames per sec, and has max shutter speed of 1/6000. The focus peaking is added, too.

One of the attractive features of Samsung mirorless system is a fairly broad selection of decent lenses. Their prices are democratic, too. The huge minus is their approach to marketing. It is hard to find Samsung CSC camera in many camera shops in Australia: Teds does not list any Samsung mirrorless camera on their site, and even Camera House does not have all CSC models from Samsung. The 20MP sensor is a bit noisier at high iso compared to other modern APS-C sensors from Sony or Fujifilm, but at low iso the images are gorgeous. Here is a review of the NX system and NX20 camera from SoundImagePlus site.

Samsung apparently is working on dedicated 75-300mm lens for NX system. Very handy zoom range for anyone limited by 18-55mm (sigh...)

High iso nature shots with Fuji X-E1

Toolona creek circuit
Toolona creek circuit |  Fuji X-E1 & XF18-55mm, handheld at iso 1600, exposure compensation -1.0.

I am pleasantly surprised with high iso shots from Fuji X-E1. In both photos the exposure was about 1/60. It is a huge leap from my Olympus E-30. I mean noise, of cause. I've use the lowest noise reduction option, with high iso noise reduction on.

Both pictures were taken on one of my favourite walks in the Lamington national park, Toolona creek circuit.

Toolona creek circuit

Toolona creek circuit |  Fuji X-E1 & XF18-55mm, handheld at iso 1600, exposure compensation -1.0.



Focus peaking on Fuji X100s

The announcement of both Fujifilm X100s and X20 is expected next week on CES show. In addition to X-Trans sensor Fuji X100s is expected to have a focus peaking (link). If true, than it will be implemented on Fujifilm X-Pro2.