Samsung: “We have the technology to develop a medium format cameras but we are not going to do that”
Mirrorless NX prototypes from Samsung promotional video
Megapixel published an interview with Sungrok Kim (Samsung's regional product manager for Digital Imaging Middle East & North Africa) where he denied existing rumors that Samsung is pursuing plans to develop a medium format digital camera:
Q: A few weeks ago an image appeared on Samsung's website depicting what appears to be a camera with a large square sensor. What can you tell us about that?
A: We have the technology to develop a medium format cameras but we are not going to do that because this is not our market. Samsung is a manufacturer that focuses on a broad market – we are not a niche manufacturer like Hasselbald or Lieca. What you see in the image was developed for internal purposes in order to look into future technologies. At this point we have no plans to release it to the public. We have done similar things with lenses – for example we developed a 1000mm lens for astronomical use – but again just for internal purposes.
Some other interesting points form the interview:
- Samsung's representative also confirmed that they are working on a NX adapter for Pentax lenses (currently without AF support).
- Samsung is planning to release 4-5 new lenses each year. In about 2 years they will have a total of 15 different NX lenses.
- Samsung NX100 will be replaced soon, NX10/11 replacement was not mentioned (the NX20 was delayed till 2012).
- Samsung is currently developing a new generation of APS-C CMOS sensors with higher resolution for its future line of compact system cameras.