Samsung Announces $1600 Price Tag for Galaxy NX

Earlier this year we were impressed by the Samsung Galaxy NX, marrying Android OS to a powerful ILC. Today Samsung finally announced pricing for the Galaxy NX: $1599 for just the body, and $1699 for a kit.

The original Galaxy Camera was a fixed lens offering, and the Galaxy NX marks the first time Android has been ported over to an interchangeable lens system. The Galaxy NX has a 20-megapixel APS-C sensor, comes fully loaded with Android 4.2 Jelly Bean, a maximum shutter speed of 1/6000 sec., and 8.6fps.

While the combination of a Mirrorless camera and Android-powered touchscreen body will certainly appeal to many people, the $1599 body price is pretty steep. Expect to see it on store shelves in October.

What do you think? Is this unique mash-up of technology enough to be justify the asking price? Or is this an excessively expensive piece of gear?

Press release follows:

Highly Anticipated Samsung Galaxy NX Camera Available in the US in Time for Holiday Shopping

First Interchangeable-Lens Camera with Android 4.2 Jelly Bean, Available in October Starting at $1,599.99

RIDGEFIELD PARK, N.J. – August 29, 2013 – Samsung Electronics America, Inc., a market leader and award-winning innovator in consumer electronics, today announced pricing for the GALAXY NX SMART camera; the first connected Compact System Camera (CSC). The GALAXY NX will be available $1,599.99 (body-only) or $1,699.99 (bundled with an 18-55mm lens) and will be available in U.S. stores in October, just in time for the holiday shopping season. Adaptable and simple to use, the GALAXY NX combines cutting edge optical performance with connectivity capabilities and a variety of applications based on the Android eco-system, all in one stylish package.

Photographers today live mobile lifestyles and they demand tools that allow them to share their work – in stunning detail – instantly,” said Ron Gazzola, Vice President of Marketing for Digital Imaging. “The GALAXY NX camera represents the pinnacle of technology convergence in our 2013 SMART camera line, successfully marrying the benefits of our GALAXY Camera with the imaging prowess of the award-winning NX interchangeable lens SMART cameras.”

Android Integration

Powered by the Android 4.2 Jelly Bean operating system, the GALAXY NX offers a professional-level photographic experience with the simplicity and familiarity of a smartphone. Users can choose from a variety of Android apps to help personalize their GALAXY NX and do more than just shoot amazing photographs and video – from editing images to adding special effects to staying in touch with friends and family.

Professional Image Quality

The GALAXY NX’s 20.3MP APS-C Sensor produces images that are bright and detailed, even in low light conditions, while the DRIMe IV Image Signal Processor delivers the speed and accuracy today’s photographers demand. Its Advanced Hybrid Auto Focus (AF) System ensures accurate phase and contrast detection for crisp, vibrant shots, while the 1/6000 sec shutter speed and 8.6fps shooting lets users capture the action as it happens.

The flexibility offered by the GALAXY NX’s selection of Interchangeable Lenses places creative control firmly in the hands of the photographer, opening up a world of imaging possibilities, whatever the scenario. From compact pancake lenses and an ultra-wide fisheye, to exquisite longer prime and zoom lenses, the extensive optics portfolio helps users create images that are truly special.

Smarter SMART Features

The GALAXY NX is teeming with options to capture life’s memorable moments. Photo Suggest provides location-based recommendations of popular photography spots, sourced from a huge library of images taken by fellow photographers across the world. Story Album lets users relive memories by displaying special moments on one timeline, reframing and resizing them to create digital photo books that can be viewed and shared on other devices.

The GALAXY NX boasts more than 30 Smart Modes, allowing**** users to select the optimum settings for almost any scenario, as well as create fresh, artistic images. ‘Multi Exposure’ merges two different shots together to produce one distinctive image, while ‘Animated Photo’ connects continuous shots of up to five seconds, creating a moving GIF file. For added realism, ‘Sound & Shot’ stores sound and voice together as the picture is taken, so moments are captured exactly as they happened.

For added personalization, Camera Studio allows users to easily customize settings with their most frequently used applications or camera modes, making sure their photos are captured exactly as desired every time.

Pricing & Availability_

The GALAXY NX will be available at www.samsung.com and authorized Samsung retailers in October for $1,599.99 (body-only) or $1,699.99 (bundled with an 18-55mm lens). For more information on the Wi-Fi version of the Samsung GALAXY Camera and the full line of Samsung digital cameras, lenses and accessories, please visit www.samsung.com.

Samsung GALAXY NX Product Specifications:

About Samsung Electronics America, Inc.

Headquartered in Ridgefield Park, NJ, Samsung Electronics America, Inc. (SEA), a wholly owned subsidiary of Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd., markets a broad range of award-winning, digital consumer electronics and home appliance products, including HDTVs, home theater systems, MP3 players, digital imaging products, refrigerators and washing machines. A recognized innovation leader in consumer electronics design and technology, Samsung is the HDTV market leader in the U.S. Please visit www.samsung.com for more information.

About Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd.

Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd. is a global leader in technology, opening new possibilities for people everywhere. Through relentless innovation and discovery, we are transforming the worlds of televisions, smartphones, personal computers, printers, cameras, home appliances, LTE systems, medical devices, semiconductors and LED solutions. We employ 236,000 people across 79 countries with annual sales of US$187.8 billion.