Samsung GX-10 DSLR

The Samsung GX-10 and 5 new lenses are announced this morning. The Samsung GX10 is a 10 megapixel digital SLR camera a 2.5 inch LCD screen, built-in Optical Picture Stabilization technology (CCD Shift), dust removal function, water-proof and anti-dust coating, one-touch RAW button and continuous shooting at 3 fps. The Samsung GX10 and lenses are expected to be available from October, with the price being announced at that time.

Samsung UK Press Release

London, UK. Samsung today announced the launch of the 10.2 mega-pixel Samsung GX-10 digital SLR, the first DSLR from the company to be positioned firmly towards the discerning enthusiast photographer searching for comprehensive functions, stunning design, ease of use and real value for money - all in one camera.  Samsung also announced the launch of five more lenses, that each would be released before the end of 2006, giving GX-10 and GX-1 series users alike even more freedom to express their creativity through the Samsung DSLR range.

Photokina Update: We now have some product photos live from Photokina 2006 - just click the link below to view them.

Intelligent design
The GX-10 boasts a 10.2 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 PentaPrism viewfinder with its high magnification (0.95x) to provide a clearer, wider field of view (95%) for optimum shooting. For unrivalled viewing of photos the GX-10 also comes complete with a wide view 2.5” TFT LCD (210k pixels). With its powerful built-in Optical Picture Stabilization (OPS) technology, the GX-10 prevents blurred pictures by shifting the CCD to counter any movement of the camera’s body. OPS also uses the lens information to ensure results remain sharp every time.

The advanced design features of the GX-10 ensure it is robust enough for taking quality pictures in even wet, sandy or dusty conditions as the camera comes equipped with a special water-proof and anti-dust coating. The advanced dust removal function included in the GX-10 also removes potentially problematic dust from the CCD by vibrating it automatically when the camera is booted, resulting in perfect blemish-free pictures with minimum effort on the part of the photographer.  A further dust barrier is provided by the special coating on the CCD’s protective window.

With the one-touch RAW button, built into the GX-10, 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 for convenience.

With the GX-10, continuous shooting at 3 fps (frames per second) is possible; RAW files can be shot at the same speed up to 9 frames; giving the user the best chance to get a great picture.

The GX-10 has been designed to let the photographer customize and take control of their camera with the My Set Dial option allowing you to personalise your dial settings by choosing your most frequently used functions for ultimate ease of use.

A comprehensive lens offering
Samsung also announced that five kinds of lenses will be launched by the end of 2006.  These lens have been designed to enable real freedom in the creative process and include: fish eye lens (fish eye 10-17mm F3.5-F4.5 ED), an ultra wide zoom lens (12-24mm F4 ED AL), a wide zoom lens (16-45mm F4 ED AL), a fixed focus lens (35mm F2 AL) and a macro lens (Macro 100mm F2.8).  The lenses will also be compatible with the DSLRs launched by Samsung earlier in the year – the GX-1S and GX-1L which were aimed towards the serious amateur photographer.

Pricing and availability
The GX-10 and lenses are expected to be available from October, with the price being announced at that time.

Key features:
· Professional digital SLR camera with 10.2 mega-pixel CCD sensor
· OPS (optical picture stabilization) Shake reduction with image-sensor shift mechanism
· Dust-free CCD with dust removal system
· Impenetrably built, resistant to water, sand, or other potentially harmful materials
· Field of view 95%, bright PentaPrism viewfinder (0.95x magnification)
· Brightness adjustable and wide-angle view 2.5” TFT LCD (210K)
· Raw file format support (including converting)
· Continuous shooting of 3 pictures per second (up to memory full)
· Support high sensitivity ISO 1600
· TTL phase-matching 11 points wide AF
· TTL open-aperture 16 segment metering system

About Samsung Cameras
Samsung Cameras is a leading-edge technology company delivering high-end digital cameras for today’s and future generations of photographers by merging technical innovation with superior design. Samsung’s global brand image has been enhanced tremendously in recent years – it is believed to be in the top 20 of the world’s most powerful brands, and is recognised as the fourth fastest-growing brand in the world, according to Interbrand.

Published: Friday, September 29, 2006

Reader Comments

1. Not only Samsung are quick at rebranding Pentax cameras since this one was just announced as the Pentax K10D, but they seem to have pulled a fast one this time: It was announced that the K10D would be available in November while the GX-10 is announced for October!

   Itai at 12:13am on Thursday, September 21, 2006

2. Seems like a re-badged Pentax K10 D, but apparently without one of its key selling points, the 22-bit A/D converter. (At least it is not mentioned in this press release.)

   Zoltán at 05:55am on Thursday, September 21, 2006

3. The body shape is slightly different, especially on the control dial side and I like the chunkier buttons on the rear of the Samsung.
   
   As someone else has said, marketing essentially the same product with a diffferent badge worked well for Rolls Royce and Bentley for a long while!

   James at 09:51am on Thursday, September 21, 2006

4. Wow.
   Yeah, they may essentially be the same camera as pentax's, but the pressure is on Canon to make enter the IS world (in the body) and to build sealed cameras under $5,000!

   Dario at 01:02pm on Thursday, September 21, 2006

5. Canon will likely never introduce a body with IS built-in.
   
   Canon IS lenses get you 1 more stop anyway, over in-camera sensor designs.

   phule at 07:56pm on Thursday, September 21, 2006

6. #5, Interesting point!

   nick in japan at 05:07am on Friday, September 22, 2006

7. Any comments about the Samsung lens.
   Are they any good?

   Ishai at 04:40pm on Tuesday, September 26, 2006

8. I would like to know that too! Unfortunately, the Japanese don't sell Samsung stuff here at the shop I frequent.
   I am a collector/user of lottsa different brands and I have no idea what Samsung is all about! I do know that they surely could give Fuji some competition, as, repair/ failure rates are the highest amoung the competitors ( pocket cameras )
   I have alot of respect for the Korean attitude towards getting better and better!

   nick in japan at 09:41pm on Tuesday, September 26, 2006

9. We now have some product photos live from Photokina 2006...

   Mark Goldstein at 10:23am on Friday, September 29, 2006

10. Hey, I just bought ( two weeks ago ) a DX-1S and at the advice of the gurus at B&H;put its " free " lens away and bought a Tamron 18-200 zoom and a pancake 40mm from Pentax. I am in heaven. The camera is light as a feather, and guess what.... all the hype about 10 mpxls is nonsense. I shoot street photography for news print, not National Geographic. Who the hell needs 10 mpxls? My card recycles faster ( Lexar 133x pro) my 3 shots per sec. are fine, for the most part, and sometimes a little blur is good..... I will try the lens it came with; it is after all labeled a Schneider = Kreuznach; but it is made in Vietnam. I don't have enough of a guilt complex to deal with that as opposed to a genuine Pentax lens. Love this camera. By the way, unless you are changing lenses in a hurricane most digital SLRs will take a little rain. So spare me the photo of the DX10 in the grass with beads of moisture on it. I managed to shoot a Canon D60 in a hurricane and it held up quite well.

    Hal Weiner at 08:31pm on Thursday, November 16, 2006

11. How does the Rebel XTi compare with the Samsung? There doesn't seem to be much discussion of them:
    
    http://www.vsxl.com/cameras/Canon_EOS_400D___Digital_Rebel_XTi_vs_Samsung_GX_10.html

    Bill at 09:18pm on Thursday, November 16, 2006

12. I pulled out the Pentex K10 DSLR and compared it to the Samsung GX10 DSLR. The body of the Samsung has a more rounded look and not as professional or better looking then the Pentex K10. I do like the the four bigger buttons MENU / TRASH / INFO / SCREEN on the back of the Samsung GX10, as they would be easier to press. Over all I prefer the Pentex, does anyone know the price differance? Does the Samsung GX10 come with the same 22bit D/A (Digital to Analog Converter) as the Pentex K10?
    
    I have a Pentex K10 Photo Gallery at my website http://www.angelarmadillo.com

    Angel with a Pentex K10 at 08:54am on Wednesday, March 14, 2007

13. Does anyone know where I can actually try out the GX10? I work in Mayfair and can't find any stockists.
    
    Thanks

    Michael Woodman at 03:19pm on Thursday, March 15, 2007

14. Michael,here's some info for you.
    
    The GX10 is widely available in nationwide stores, such as Jessops and Currys Digital.
    
    From an online search, the nearest Jessops appears to be on The Strand, and the nearest Currys Digital is in Victoria. However, as you are in Mayfair, you should probably just head to Oxford Circus or Tottenham Court Road and visit the electrical shops there.

    Mark Goldstein at 03:31pm on Friday, March 16, 2007

15. hum, hum...am no expert....got a samsung GX ...no, no 10!! was wondering what lense can i actually fit onto the body? do they all fit or only a few brand ? family member going to singapore next week, need some answers so can ask to get me a lense ...up to 300mm kind of lense ! thanks millions.

    stephanie en zambie at 06:52pm on Friday, March 30, 2007

16. Any Pentax F, FA, FAJ or DA lens (even the older M and A lenses), all the Sigma, Tamron, Tokina etc. lenses made for Pentax mount should work. I personally have Sigma 17-70/F2.8-4.5, Tamron 70-300/F4-5.6 and Pentax A50/1.7, all of them working just fine on GX-10.
    
    Btw, there is a new firmware released recently for GX-10, check here:
    
    http://www.samsungcamera.com/customer/download/fw/gx_10/fw_step1.asp
    
    Details of added functions:
    http://www.samsungcamera.com/customer/download/fw/gx_10/fw_pop.asp

    Sigtran at 12:24pm on Monday, April 02, 2007

17. The bundled lenses arent that great as pointed out in the review.
    The sigma range work well with the camera. The 70-300mm zoom worked great with my GX-1L.
    Tamron and tokina's are worth a look as well.
    
    At present you can pick up the GX10 with 18-55mm lense kit for as little as £439.99.
    I just bought mine for that in the UK and got a 1gb sd card, mini tripod,case and cleaning kit, and free next day delivery thrown in.
    
    Whereas the same kit for the K10D is at cheapest £480 without any of the freebies.
    So its definatly worth shopping around for the best deal.
    
    The converter is 22bit..not 16.
    
    http://www.bestcameras.co.uk/shop/acatalog/Online_Catalogue_Samsung_GX_10___18_55__712.html

    ian candler at 08:56pm on Thursday, October 11, 2007

18. The Samsung lenses 28-55 (and 50-200 if you buy the 2 lens kit) are also re-branded pentax lenses - the same as supplied with the K10d. The mount is the same - Pentax KAF2.
    
    All K10d accessories fit - with the exception of the battery grip - a Samsung version is available.
    
    The AD converter is the same 22bit model
    
    Firmware 1,3 is now released
    
    £50 cashback deals available until 31/1/08

    Brian at 01:47am on Sunday, December 09, 2007

19. hi, does any one what other lenses are compatible with a samsung gx-10? Because samsung lenses are really difficult to find -_-

    Oddie at 06:30am on Monday, March 24, 2008

20. The Samsung GX-10 and Pentex K10 DSLR have the same lens mount (as far as I know) so you have many choices. I know Pentex K10 is slightly more popular, so try asking for the Pentex lenses in the shops.
    
    read Sigtran post above as well. at 12:24pm on Monday, April 02, 2007

    Angel at 01:45pm on Saturday, March 29, 2008