Samsung apparently bringing back their Android-powered mirrorless cameras with 108MP “NX Ultra”
Apr 1, 2020
John Aldred
John Aldred is a photographer with over 25 years of experience in the portrait and commercial worlds. He is based in Scotland and has been an early adopter – and occasional beta tester – of almost every digital imaging technology in that time. As well as his creative visual work, John uses 3D printing, electronics and programming to create his own photography and filmmaking tools and consults for a number of brands across the industry.
Share:
So, I just read a post over on Digital Camera World stating that Samsung is reintroducing their NX mirrorless camera series. For those that hadn’t seen them, it was an Android-powered interchangeable lens mirrorless camera system that actually looked pretty good. In fact, it was probably a little ahead of its time back when they were still releasing them. Then, pretty much overnight Samsung pulled them.
Rumours of their resurrection pop up every now and again, but they invariably turn out to be false. DCW, however, seems to be reporting this latest story with some confidence, citing “reports” (that they don’t link to) claiming it will use the 108-megapixel sensor from the Galaxy S20 Ultra. Could it be happening, or is it all just an April Fool’s Joke?
DCW says that as well as the 108-megapixel ISOCELL sensor, the new “NX Ultra” would be ergonomically based around the NX 300, initially released in 2013. It will be Android-powered and offer a “hybrid” experience with a UI similar to that of their Galaxy phone range, rather than the more standard menus we see on cameras with touchscreen interfaces today.
Samsung’s goal, DCW says, is to combat the reduction in smartphone sales, due to customers happy to keep their devices for longer periods of time and no longer upgrading annually the way they once did. While smartphones are still seeing some pretty big leaps with each new generation, much of it becomes overkill for the masses. Good enough is… well, good enough. Most people I know only replace their phone now when their old one dies, not just because there’s a newer model available.
As they claim it uses the Galaxy S20 Ultra’s 108-megapixel sensor, they’re also saying it will be capable of shooting 8K at up to 30fps. Not out of the realm of possibility, given that their phone can do it, and the industry may be heading the 8K way with the release of the EOS R5, but at that kind of resolution on a smartphone sensor, I don’t expect the quality would live up to the expectations of many.
It would be nice to see Samsung re-entering the market, especially now that Yongnuo seems to have collated their poop and are re-releasing their Android-powered mirrorless camera with a Micro Four Thirds lens mount to match the Micro Four Thirds sensor.
If the YN450M is to be released outside of China (unlike the original YN450) then it could be a very good time for Samsung to relaunch their NX line and get back into the game. With Yongnuo now gaining a little more legitimacy after joining the Micro Four Thirds System Standard Group, Samsung could provide them with some much-needed competition.
Even if it is fake, I do think it could be a good idea. Ultimately, though, I think it’s probably nonsense. Given the date and all.
[via DCW]
John Aldred
John Aldred is a photographer with over 25 years of experience in the portrait and commercial worlds. He is based in Scotland and has been an early adopter – and occasional beta tester – of almost every digital imaging technology in that time. As well as his creative visual work, John uses 3D printing, electronics and programming to create his own photography and filmmaking tools and consults for a number of brands across the industry.
Related Posts
Can the 108mp Samsung Galaxy S21 Ultra stand up against a $6,000 pro DSLR?
Yongnuo’s new Android-powered mirrorless camera is Micro Four Thirds with an EF mount
Yongnuo to release the YN450M – A Micro Four Thirds version of their Android-powered mirrorless camera
Hands on with Yongnuo’s weird Android-powered YN450M Micro Four Thirds mirrorless camera
Join the Discussion
DIYP Comment Policy
Be nice, be on-topic, no personal information or flames.
9 responses to “Samsung apparently bringing back their Android-powered mirrorless cameras with 108MP “NX Ultra””
I wonder what the date is?
April Fools Day.
I wonder if I mentioned it twice in the article? :)
This is not funny, it’s sad! Samsung was so ahead of the competition. Large screens, modern operating system (Android), apps… even now in 2020 we are stuck with tiny screens, 90ies operating systems, outdated camera software. I genuinely hope somebody will finally make a modern camera, but it seems Samsung was the only company capable of that.
I bought the Samsung galaxy nx with a host of lenses. Thousands of dollars. It was what I always wanted, but after using it, I realized it was a classic “not a mac” product. On paper it was a spaceship. In reality, it was a space… Turd. First, the codec was not supported by mac, so I had trouble seeing thumbnails and couldn’t open the files in anything except Photoshop. Secondly, it’s a 2 thousand dollar SLR with an android back… The back was not upgradable, stuck with the same garbage android version, and it couldn’t edit the footage it shot or the raw images natively. Picture this, I bought a 2 thousand dollar camera for the sheer benefit of editing footage and raw photos directly on the camera. What I got was a 400 dollar camera Duct taped to a 400 swing galaxy 4 WITH NO CALLING CAPABILITIES. That’s right. It had a sim card but couldn’t make calls. Then I have to transfer my files to a full computer, not a tablet because the codec is unsupported and proprietary. Then, they discontinue the lineup – which is what??? What major company just starting something dumps it the next day. So I sell my lenses and then learn it’s coming back. If it does come back I wouldn’t touch it with yours. And if this is an April fools joke Shane on whomever did this. April fools Day jokes during the pandemic. Are you kidding me. Either way this is trash.
Published on April 1st. Happy April Fools?
pfft, GFX100 has fewer pixels and sensor sizes don’t matter. micro four micron sensor FTW
but on a real note, I had one of those Samsung cameras and loved tethering directly to my phone.
I wish they do bring out..a natural extension of smartphone photography
cant be, the NX sensor is an APS-C, it must be at least another APS-C sensor and the current 108mp of the S20ultra, is not in that category.
Just fake news