No new Samsung NX cameras at Photokina? Preparing for an Android NX camera?

Samsung Digital Imaging Sales and Marketing vice-president Sh Lim reported at AP that “Samsung has no plans to launch any more NX cameras this year.“

This is a surprising news considering that we are close to the biggest event of the year…Photokina! I think Samsung is reorganizing their entire camera roadmap. And by reading the article you really start to believe that they are may switching the NX software entirety on Android!

Hmmm, not a good time for Samsung…NX still hasn’t grabbed any significant percentage of the mirrorless market.

Fuji X PRO 2 in 2013? New X PRO 1 firmware update on September 5th! Massive X PRO 1 discount.

Short update from the Fuji front. We already know Fuj is going to introduce a new X-E1 interchangeable lens camera and another X compact camera at Photokina (see picture on top). Fujirumors reports that a more professional X camera (X PRO 2?) may arrive ine arly 2013. The good guys from Fuji US just launched a $300 rebate on the current X PRO 1 at Amazon (Click here to see all details).

And another good news is that current X PRO 1 owners will soon get a new firmware update. Photorumors found that Facebook post written by Tony Bridge. A new X PRO 1 firmware update is coming on September 5th, 2012. These are the highlights:

1) In low-light condition, the X-Pro1 will be much faster in Auto Focus mode.
2) The speed of the image coming into focus when turning the focus ring has been vastly improved.
3) At maximum speed the X-Pro1 can now write to SD memory card twice as fast as before.

 

All the camera world goes into the Application support hype!

Yesterday was one of those days where you clearly see where the camera manufacturers world is moving. After the Mega pixel war, the ISO war, the miniaturization war we now have the Application support battle!

1) Sony announced the NEX-5R (Click here) which is the first mirrorless camera to bring full Application support. More info about how this platform works at Dpreview , Sony and iTunes.
2) Samsung announced the fully Android powered EK-GC100 (Hands-on at Engadget).
3) The upcoming Panasonic GH3 will also have a full third party application support system.

Simple question….what’s going to happen in the long term….will the camera world completely move on Android OS?

The X-E1 is “cheap” (less than $1000)

Photorumors posted full X-E1 specifications. Here they are:

  • Same 16MP sensor as in the X-Pro1 (with max ISO of 25,600)

  • 6 fps

  • Light magnesium body

  • Improved AF speed

  • Price: bellow $1000

  • To be released before Christmas

  • Same video recording capabilities as the X-Pro1

  • Mic input

  • EVF only (not hybrid as the X-Pro1)

  • Two colors: black and silver

  • Pull 25 ISO to simulate Velvia in JPEG mode

The price of the current X PRO 1 is around $1700. Less than $1000 sounds very cheap compared to the PRO 1!