Samsung Takes Aim at Enthusiasts With SLR
By Staff -- TWICE, 2/11/2008
LAS VEGAS — Samsung recommitted itself to the digital-SLR market with the announcement of the new GX-20.
Due to ship in March for a suggested $1,399 (body only), the 14-megapixel GX-20 is geared toward a more advanced user, a new market for Samsung, pitting it against Nikon and Canon, amongst others, for the enthusiast dollar.
The GX-20 uses the same Samsung-developed CMOS sensor found in Pentax's new K20D. The two firms partnered in 2005 for digital SLR development.
The sensor can snap 14-bit RAW images and can achieve a maximum ISO of 6,400. RAW images can be converted to JPEG files in-camera and the GX-20 sports a dedicated RAW shooting button. The imager can also vibrate to dislodge dust. The camera features a 2.7-inch LCD screen with a live-view mode, CCD-shifting image stabilization, and is compatible with lenses from Pentax and Schneider Optics.
The GX-20 is capable of a 3 fps burst to an unlimited number of JPEGs or up to nine RAW image files. It features a pentaprism viewfinder with a 95 percent field of view, an 11-point autofocus system and uses SD/SDHC memory cards.
