This blog has argued before that Samsung has a superior product development cycle that allows it to deliver better cameras, smartphone and other electronic devices on a timely basis. The whole idea is to draw from Agile software development – and quickly produce designs that meet consumer feature needs through live products every 6-12 months that have been carefully marketed and tested with clients and customers. Feedback is picked u early and often to shape the next product line cycle. Easy to say but one can clearly see how well it is executed given the just before and Samsung’s latest camera+smartphone/WiFi lineup.
| Category | Galaxy S4 Zoom | Galaxy NX | Galaxy Camera |
| OS | Android Jelly Bean 4.2 | Android Jelly Bean 4.2 | Android Jelly Bean 4.1 |
| Display | 4.3″ AMOLED, 960 x 540 | 4.8″ AMOLED | 4.8″ HD TF, 1280 x 720 |
| CPU | Dual core XMM6262 | 16MP BSI CMOS w/ Flash | 1.4GHz dual core |
| Memory | 1.5GB RAM, 8GB MicroSD for upto 64GB |
2GB RAM, 16GB MicroSD for upto 64GB |
1GB, 8GB MicroSD for upto 64GB |
| Size | 63.3×125.3×15.25mm | 136.5 x 101.46 x 56mm | 70.8 x 128.7 x 19.1mm |
| Battery | 2330 mAh | 4360 mAh | 1650 mAh |
| Sensors | GPS, Accel, gyro, light | GPS, Accel, gyro, light | Accel, gyro, light |
| Connectors | microUSB, USB2, earjacks | microUSB, USB2, earjacks | microUSB, USB2, earjacks |
| Wirelesss | BT 4.0, NFC, WiFi a/b/g/n | BT 4.0, WiFi a/b/g/n | BT 4.0, WiFi a/b/g/n |
| Networks | HSPA, EDGE, no 4G LTE | 4gLTE, HSPA | NA |
| Camera Sensor | 16MP BSI CMOS w/ Flash | 20MP APS-C CMOS | 16MP BSI CMOS w/ Flash |
| Camera Zoom | 10x optical zoom | Many NX interchangeable lenses | 21x optical zoom |
| Photo Features | Shutter speed range – TBD Optical Image Stabilize Zoom ring +touch screen control |
Interchangeable lens some with OIS 30sec to 1/6000 shutter speeds Hybrid Auto Focus 3Metering modes RAW, JPG, 3D JPEG 3D lens and image/video capable Voice, button, and touch screen control |
8 sec to 1/2000 shutter speed 3 metering modes Optical Image Stabilization 3 Autofocus modes |
| Capture Modes | Photo Location Suggest 15 Smart Modes |
Photo Location Suggest 15 Smart Modes Camera Studio |
Photo Location Suggest 15 Smart Mode |
| Video Specs | MPEG4, H.263, H.264, VP6/8, WMV9 Recording/Playback: 1080@30fps |
MPEG4, H.263, H.264, WMV, RV, VD-1 Recording/Playback: 1080@30fps |
MPEG4, H.263, H.264, WMV, VD-1 Recording/Playback:1080@30fps 768@120fps |
| Pricing | ?? | ?? | $382 |
| Major Competitors | iPhone 5 and HTC One Nikon Coolpix S800c Nokia EOS 909 |
No Android but WiFI enabled SLRs Nikon 3200 with WiFi Canon EOS 70D |
Sony RX100II |
Despite the increase in capabilities there are a surprising number of common features across all three cameras. Video specs and capture modes are similar. likewise Wireless features and connecttors are equivalent as is the provision of microSD card with expansion to 64GB. So capacity and some basic operations will be similar across all 3 cameras. But clearly, each has a specific niche. Let examine each camera in detail.
Galaxy S4 Zoom
This is one of the first smartphones to incorporate a true optical zoom lens into the design. For a long time this has been the holy grail for smartphone cameras – optical zoom with a quality lens and sensor and 10x 24-240mm optical zoom. The S4 Galaxy Zoom camera definitely moves upscale. And with top of the compact features like optical image stabilisation, a built-in xenon flash, ISO 100-3200, 4 fps continuous shooting, and 1080p30 HD video one is buying a camera plus smartphone which will give leaders like iPhone 5 and HTC one a real run for the money. Only Nokia’s upcoming EOS 909/1020 may be a topper on raw camera performance. Pricing and yet to be determined weight will be other major influencers. But clearly this is an improvement on the Galaxy Camera.
Galaxy NX DSLR
As seen in our earlier review, the Galaxy NX is a DSLR looking for a boost from the Android OS apps space and the Galaxy S4 display technology. Several reviewers have complimented the phone/camera’s touchscreen and voice command operations.But given the Camera Studio API, app developers will have an opportunity to do bring some very novel apps to the Galaxy NX DSLR for pre, during and post image taking tasks. And given that Adobe Lightroom will be distributed with the camera, post processing will already be at a high standard.
Speaking of which, Galaxy NX camera specs are top notch – APS -C Sensor, NX interchangeable lenses, image stabilization, 9 fps continuous shooting, fast responding hybrid autofocus, 3D lens and image/video taking. And this is before considering the Location suggest, smart mode, and Camera Studio features. It appears that Samsung will have a major head start over the other SLR suppliers in getting apps built for its SLR as Nikon and Canon are just adding WiFi only capabilities to their cameras. Thus in SLR futures it looks like advantage Samsung over Canon, Nikon, Pentax, etc.
Galaxy Camera
Here is the Samsung stalking horse camera. It has Android jelly Bean 4.1 and WiFi a/b/g/n. But no phone connectivity. Rather the WiFi is intended for use with Samsung and other smartphones or tablets. But again if you look at the feature set and price, clearly Samsung was and is testing the market for a more direct invasion by a Galaxy S4 Zoom. But clearly, with features like 21x optical zoom and 720 x568 120fps video, the Galaxy Zoom can compete effectively in the point and shoot market place. And as more 3rd party apps are devloped for the Galaxy S4 Zoom and Galaxy NX , some will be pass on to the Galaxy Zoom and enhance its position in the compact camera market place.
Summary
On examination, the evolving Samsung camera line-up is impressive. Samsung sees the merging of camera, smartphone and touch screen enabled mobile OS as an opportunity to get competitive advantage in emrging and left-over markets. Galaxy S4 Zoom for the smartphone+camera sector, Galaxy NX for a breakthrough in the app driven DSLR market and Galaxy Camera to protect Samsung in the inevitably waning point and shoot market place. Kudos to Samsung for it camera savvy innovations and market positioning.