Samsung Galaxy NX: Android-driven DSLR

Samsung's Galaxy series is a range of mobile computers that all run on Google's Android mobile operating system. One branch of the series is not smartphones, though, but rather Samsung's stab at point-and-shoot style cameras. The company has apparently decided that the camera business suits it, and subsequently introduced the logical next step in image capturing: the Galaxy NX Digital Single-Lens Reflex camera (or simply DSLR).

According to Samsung, despite the incorporation of Android 4.2.2, the camera does not lose the focus of providing the quality and flexibility of a professional DSLR. The camera aspect of the device comes with a 20.3 megapixel APS-C sensor, 25,600 ISO sensitivity, as well as compatibility with standard NX lenses from Samsung (adapters available). It comes standard with an 18 to 55 mm OIS (Optical Image Stabilization) lens with an aperture range of between 3.5 and 5.6 f-stop. The camera can also record full HD 1080p video at 60fps.

The not-so-standard aspects of the camera include a 4.3 inch qHD (960 x 540 pixels) multi-touch screen, which runs a combination of the previously mentioned Android 4.2.2 and TouchWiz interface. At the core sits Samsung's Exynos 5410 (an octa-core ARM cortex A15 also used in some Galaxy S4 phones) utilizing 2 GB of RAM, WiFi, HSPA+ and, on select models, 4G LTE. As with standard DSLRs, the image processing is done by an external chip.

The Galaxy NX really seems to have the best of both worlds, but we can't help but think that some people wouldn't want an open source operating system that can access all your holiday pictures, your real time location (and geo-tagging), and a high-speed mobile Internet connection. Another good point is how well the battery holds up in comparison to standard DSLRs, as we can easily imagine someone playing a game on the camera while waiting in line, only to find a dead camera battery on the other side of the queue.

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  • John Goodman
    " but we can't help but think that some people wouldn't want an open source operating system that can access all your holiday pictures, your real time location (and geo-tagging), and a high-speed mobile Internet connection"

    I'm sorry. What?
    Reply
  • rrr1431
    I'd get this if I could afford it.
    Reply
  • kunwho
    Paparazzi dream camera.. Selling photos on the fly
    Reply
  • nevilence
    11003477 said:
    " but we can't help but think that some people wouldn't want an open source operating system that can access all your holiday pictures, your real time location (and geo-tagging), and a high-speed mobile Internet connection"

    I'm sorry. What?

    its confusing, are they saying people dont want a camera with that function or just android devices in general?
    Reply
  • Nakal
    Say "Cheeese"... wait.. I just got an update on Facebook.
    Reply
  • dailo23
    except, it's not a DSLR, it's a mirrorless.
    Reply
  • swordrage
    cool to have those features, but I think a stripped down version of the OS would be lighter on the processor and battery..
    Reply
  • phalanxes
    Everybody look at the camera...
    Oh wait.. The app crash... Whoa... Why it's lagging so bad
    Sorry guys, gotta restart this thing again
    (3 mins booting time later)
    Ok... Dammit, run out of battery
    Reply
  • quantom88
    Very restrictive grip at the side. You've got to be extra careful when taking shots to avoid accidentally clicking on anything on the screen.'

    It seems that the common theme among all samsung products now is to shove screens of increasing largeness on them.
    Reply
  • razor512
    Finally a step in the right direction, now all they need to do is add the phone functions back in, and you will actually have a smartphone with a decent camera.

    Make it $600 and it will sell really well by competing with the nikon D3200 while only costing slightly more.

    Other than that, it could use some physical buttons and dials.

    A DSLR must allow you to adjust shutter speed, aperture, and ISO without having to move the viewfinder from your face, so having a few modifier buttons and an adjustment dial is a must for non studio photography of people.
    Reply