24 January 2008 –Samsung, leaders in digital imaging, today announces the launch of the 14.6 mega-pixel GX-20 digital SLR. The Samsung GX-20 is aimed firmly at the discerning enthusiast photographer who wants comprehensive functions, stunning design, ease of use and real value for money - all in one camera. Samsung also announces the launch of two new lenses, giving both GX-20 and GX-10 series users even more freedom to express their creativity.
Robert King, Commercial Director of Samsung Cameras says, “With the launch of the GX-20 digital SLR, Samsung has a full digital camera line-up ranging from convergent compact digital cameras through to high-end fully-featured digital SLRs. This product is the start of an exciting DSLR range for Samsung as it is our first DSLR with our own manufactured CMOS sensor. This is a very important step for Samsung which is set to support our expansion in this competitive product sector.
“The GX-10 is the next step in Samsung's continued growth in the SLR market – the new GX-20 offers cutting-edge functions as well as outstanding picture quality to satisfy users of all abilities.”
GX-20 - Intelligent design
The GX20 boasts a 14.6 mega-pixel image sensor, which offers the photographer a sharper image with richer colours for a truly compelling composition. Taking photos is made easier with the Enhanced Digital Filter which allows a greater dynamic range of exposures and can also be used to add various effects or compensate for missing pixels after taking a picture. For unrivalled photo viewing, the GX-20 also comes complete with a wide view 2.7” TFT LCD (230k pixels) and live view through the optical viewfinder or LCD display.
With its powerful built-in Optical Picture Stabilisation (OPS) technology, the GX-20 prevents blurred pictures by shifting the CCD to counter any movement of the camera’s body. This function is designed to minimize shake by oscillating the image sensor vertically and horizontally – eliminating the need for additional anti-shake lenses.
The GX-20 is robust enough for taking quality pictures in wet, sandy or dusty conditions. The special water-resistant and anti-dusting body sealing protects 72 different parts and the advanced Dual Dust Removal System included in the GX-20 also removes problematic particles from the sensor, resulting in perfect, blemish-free pictures with minimum effort on the part of the photographer.
With the one-touch RAW button, built into the GX-20, RAW file shooting is made simple and instantly available to users even during general JPEG shooting. The RAW files can be checked on the LCD and then be directly converted to JPEG format via the built-in converter.
With the GX-20, continuous shooting at 3 fps (frames per second) is possible; up to 9 fps; giving the user the best chance to get a great picture.
A comprehensive lens offering
Samsung also announces the launch of two new lenses. These lenses have been designed to enable real freedom in the creative process and include: 18-55mm II F3.5~F5.6 and 18-250mm F3.5~F6.3. The lenses are also compatible with Samsung’s popular GX-10 DSLR.
The award winning i range and NV series (including EISA and TIPA awards) launched in 2007, have enabled Samsung to grow consistently and take market share in the compact camera space. The launch of the GX-20 will see Samsung building on the success of the GX-10 and increase its presence in the digital SLR market.
Pricing and availability
The GX-20 and lenses are expected to be available from March 2008, price for the GX-20 with 18-55mm lens - £699 RRP.
Key features:
- 14.6M, APS-C size Samsung CMOS Sensor
- Optical Image Stabilization (OIS)
- Dual Dust Reduction System (Dust reduction by shake & Special coating)
- Sealed build with 72 different points (Semi water & dust proof)
- Live view (Digital Preview)
- 2.7” Large wide Color TFT LCD (230,000 pixels)
- X sync. terminal for external Flash
- Enhanced Digital filter (HDR - High Dynamic Range & Pixel Mapping)
- Professional RAW Converting S/W
- Lens and Accessories
Samsung GX-20 specifications
| Price (body only) | • UK: £ 699 |
|---|---|
| Body material | • High-impact plastic with metal sub-structure • Dust and weather resistant seals throughout |
| Sensor | • 14.6 million effective pixels |
| Image processor | • PRIME • 22-bit ADC |
| Stabilization | Sensor shift |
| Image sizes | • 4688 x 3120 [14.6 MP] (RAW/DNG) |
| File formats | • RAW (DNG) • RAW + JPEG • JPEG (EXIF 2.21) |
| RAW compression | n/a |
| Lens mount | • PENTAX bayonet KAF2 mount • KAF2, KAF, KA mount lenses |
| Usable lenses | • Schneider D-XENON, D-XENOGON, SAMSUNG lens |
| Auto Focus | • TTL phase-matching 11-point AF |
| Lens Servo | • Single Servo AF • Continuous Servo AF • Manual focus |
| Focus Point | 11 focus points |
| AF Area Mode | • Single point AF |
| Focus Lock | Half-press shutter |
| AF assist | External Speedlite only |
| Exposure modes | • Auto |
| Metering | • TTL open-aperture 16-segment |
| Metering range | • EV0 ~ 18 (ISO 100, 50mm F1.4) |
| Exposure lock | Yes |
| Exposure bracketing | • 2 to 9 frames |
| Exposure compen. | • +/-3 EV (1/2EV step) , +/-2EV (1/3EV step) |
| Sensitivity | Auto, 100, 200, 400, 800, 1600, 3200 (1/3EV or 1/2EV step) 6400 (User setting) |
| Shutter | Electronically controlled vertical-run focal plane shutter |
| DOF Preview | Yes |
| White balance | Auto, Daylight, Shade, Cloudy, Tungsten, Fluorescent (W, D, N), Flash, Manual, Color Temperature (1, 2, 3), One Touch WB |
| Image parameters / Presets | • B&W(4 type) |
| Color space | • sRGB • Adobe RGB |
| Viewfinder | • Pentaprism • 95% Field of View • Diopter Adjustment -2.5 ~ +1.5m-1 |
| Focusing screen | Natural-Bright-Matte II Focusing Screen |
| LCD monitor | Low-temperature polysilicon TFT color LCD Monitor, 2.7" (approximately 230K pixels), Brightness control, Wide angle view |
| LCD Liveview | • Live View(up to 3min.), Digital Preview |
| Self-timer | • 2sec., 12sec. • Remote control, Remote control 3sec. (Compatible with Pentax Remote Control, Optional) |
| Shooting modes | • Single • Continuous (Hi, Low) • High-speed Continuous • Self-timer (12sec., 2sec.) • Remote Control (3sec.) • Remote Control Continuous • Auto Bracket • Expand Bracket • Multi Exposure |
| Continuous | • JPEG : 3fps (depends on memory capacity) • RAW?3fps (up to 9 frames) |
| Flash | • Type Built-in retractable P-TTL auto pop-up flash |
| External flash | • Hot Shoe • X Synchro socket (Sync. Speed : 1/180sec.) • High Speed Synchro, Wireless Synchro (External Flash) |
| Playback options | • Single image, Thumbnail, Rotate, Slide Show (Transition Effect), Histogram • Edit: Rotate, Digital Filter, Picture Wizard * Picture Wizard : Normal, Vivid, Soft, Portrait, Landscape * Picture Wizard Parameter Range : ± 4 (9 steps) • Digital Filter: B&W (4 types), Sepia (3 types), Color Selection (18 types), Color (6 types), Soft (3 steps), Illustration, HDR (3 steps), Slim (±8 steps), Brightness (±8 steps) |
| Connectivity | • Digital Output: USB 2.0 (HI-SPEED) |
| Storage | • SD/MMC |
| Power | Lithium ion battery : SLB-1674, Charger : SBC-L6, |
| Dimensions | 142mm × 101mm × 71.5mm (excluding the projecting parts of the camera) |
| Weight (no batt) | n/a |