Get ready for the parade of these new middle ground size camera systems, sometimes dubbed EVIL or 4/3 (due to sensor size)
And you know what? We love a parade!
This is a great category of camera size as it’s the Goldilocks and the 3 Bears syndrome: is this point and shoot to small? Is the DSLR with huge glass too big?
Maybe this mirrorless camera with interchangeable small lenses is just right. Kinda like baby Leicas.
As Samsung came out previously with the NX10, they upped the ante a bit with this new model: higher ISO, faster AF, sound mode in still images, and a new range of lenses dubbed i-Function Lens , where the shooter can use their left hand to control many of the camera’s functions, right from the lens. (wonder how much that adds to the cost of the lens?)
This does have the APS-C sized sensor which is slightly bigger than the 4/3rds one.
Anyway, this new format is here to stay so watch these pages as we let you know what the range is and maybe, what could be the right choice for you.

( our guess is that the USB looking input on the back, is where the electronic viewfinder plugs in)

and now, the press release:

New Mirrorless Camera Incorporates Unique New i-Function Lens to Give Beginner and Expert Photographers Seamless Control and Creativity

Ridgefield Park, NJ (September 14, 2010) – Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd, a global leader in digital media and digital convergence technologies, today announced the launch of the unique Samsung NX100 – an innovative mirrorless camera equipped with the world’s first i-Function lens, putting the perfect picture at the fingertips of all photographers through a completely new way of controlling your camera.

The launch of the NX100 follows the success of the NX10, Samsung’s first mirrorless camera and the first in the world to feature an APS-C size sensor, which has changed the way photographers across the globe take pictures, and raised the bar for the industry as a whole. The NX100 shares the industry leading technology of NX10, such as an APS-C size sensor for quality images and a 3-inch AMOLED screen for easy and clear viewing. However, with the NX100, Samsung takes the mirrorless camera to the next level, by incorporating the innovations of the NX10 and improving other areas of the camera’s performance and design. While the body of the camera is slim, sleek, and stylish, the NX100 also features the intuitive i-Function lens which allows users to control their camera through the lens for the first time. The NX100 also boasts one of the fastest AF on the market today, which ensures that users never miss a moment, and an ISO that is raised to a maximum of 6400 for action shots.

While conventional lenses were passive in controlling camera settings, the unique i-Function Lens is a proactive lens that communicates with the camera body. It delivers total image control with fast manual settings to ensure quick and easy image capturing, and also provides customized settings which are ideal for the lens being used. The lens incorporates a conveniently-located i-Function button which allows users to scroll through manual settings, and a focus ring which is used to easily change parameters for each setting. This unprecedented control system is clever, intuitive and fast, putting the perfect picture at everyone’s fingertips.
Since a typical camera-user wraps their hand around the lens when holding the camera, the new system means that photographers can naturally use their left hand to change settings through the intuitive i-Function lens without the need to take the cameras off the target. Users can toggle between shutter speed, aperture, EV, WB, and ISO quickly and easily by simply using the i-Function button and ring on the lens, meaning easier and quicker configuration while shooting.
The NX100 also has a lens priority mode which makes switching between lenses easier than ever. Each lens is clearly marked with icons that illustrate their main usages, so beginners can quickly understand which lens they need to select for any given scene. The lens priority mode provides scene options specifically designed for the lens being used – for example when a landscape lens is attached, the camera will immediately display the landscape mode. Additionally, when users change to a specialized lens, the camera will recognize the lens type and automatically configure the settings that would best match with the attached lens. This latter feature will work with future, specialized Samsung lenses.
The NX100’s innovations aren’t confined to the lens – the camera also provides a very creative feature called ‘Smart Filter’. In playback mode, users can apply seven different effects to the picture, such as the vignette, soft focus, fish-eye, or miniature effects. The ‘Smart Filter’ provides not just high quality images, but also features that are fun to use.
The fun doesn’t stop with the still image options – the NX100 supports HD movie recording at 720P, so that memories can stay alive in their finest details. The NX100 also contains a ‘Sound Picture’ mode, which can record audio when a photo is taken enriching the experience. To ensure the perfect quality of every image, even when lenses are being regularly changed, the NX100 also features a supersonic dust reduction feature to remove foreign particles from the lens before shooting.
The NX100 will be equipped with a range of innovative lenses and accessories to further enhance the user’s experience. At launch, the lens line-up includes a compact zoom 20-50mm lens to provide both high image quality and portability. A small and light 20mm wide angle Pancake lens will be introduced shortly after. Two additional specialized lenses will be available in the first half of 2011 – a 60mm Macro lens and 18-200mm Super Zoom lens. To expand the lens line-up even further, three more lenses will be introduced by the second half of 2011, including 16mm, 85mm, and 16-80mm lenses. The NX system will be further enhanced with more accessories, including an Electronic Viewfinder, Flash and GPS tracker to capture your exact geographical location.

Specifications
NX100
Image sensor: 14.6 Mega-pixels APS-C size CMOS sensor
Useable lens: Samsung Lenses
Display: 3.0″ VGA AMOLED Display
ISO Equivalent: Auto, 100 – 3200, Extension settable : ISO 6400
Shooting modes: SmartAuto, Lens Priority, Program, Shutter Priority, Aperture Priority, Manual, Scene, Movie
Scene mode: Beauty shot, Children, Close Up, Text, Sunset, Dawn, Backlight, Fireworks, Beach & Snow, Night, Portrait, Landscape, Sports, Sound Picture
Movie recording: 720P HD Movie Recording (H.264)
Storage media: SD, SDHC (Up to 32GB)
EVF: Optional
GPS: Geo-tagging w/ Optional GPS Module (GPS10)
Battery life: Still : 420shot , 210min (CIPA Standard) Movie : 130min
Dimensions: 120.5 x 71 x 34.5mm (excluding the projection part)
Weight: 282g (without battery and Memory card)

SAMSUNG: Standard Zoom Lens (20-50mm F3.5-5.6 ED)
Focal Length: 20 – 50mm (equivalent to 30.8-77mm in 35mm format)
Elements in Groups: 9 elements in 8 groups
(1 Aspherical lens, 1 Extra-low Dispersion lens)
Aperture: F3.5 – 5.6 (Min. F22), (Circular Aperture Diaphragm)
Minimum Focus Distance: 0.28m
Filter Size: 40.5mm
Dimensions: 64 x 39.8mm
Weight: Approx. 119g

SAMSUNG Pancake Lens (20mm F2.8)
Focal Length: 20mm (equivalent to 30.8mm in 35mm format)
Elements in Groups: 6 elements in 4 groups (1 Aspherical lens)
Aperture: F2.8 (Min. F22), (Circular Aperture Diaphragm)
Minimum Focus Distance: 0.17m
Filter Size: 43mm
Dimensions: 62.2 x 24.5mm
Weight: Approx. 89g