CES, the world’s largest multimedia home appliance exhibition, will take place this year from January 8th until January 11th in Las Vegas. As in 2012, Samsung Camera is expected to introduce to great fanfare an array of new products at CES 2013.
One new product will be the Samsung SMART CAMERA NX300, the world’s first camera that shoots in both 2D and 3D. The NX300 is truly a highlight in the market. We met with the creators of the Samsung SMART CAMERA NX300 to hear them introduce the new product.
From left: NyunWoo Nam (Manager), Digital Imaging Business Product Planning Group;
Minu Lee (Assistant Manager), DI Business Product Planning Group;
Byunggu Kim (Principal Engineer), DI Business H/W Lab.2;
Woojong Cho (Principal Engineer, Ph. D.), DI Buisiness Lens Development Group.
NX300 is a special camera that produces 2D and 3D images at the same time
“NX300 is a camera that embraces a new concept, shooting 2D and 3D images using the same lens. This was made possible by adopting new parts and new technology,” said Byunggu Kim, the Principal Engineer for Samsung Electronics’ Digital Imaging Business H/W Lab.2.
“Conventionally, two lenses were needed to produce 3D images. But using two lenses for 3D image production precluded the production of 2D images. To overcome this, we divided the lens in half for the NX300. Through this technology, choosing between 2D and 3D shooting can be accomplished with the flip of a switch.”
The above image shows the lens of the NX300, which allows, for the first time in the market,
both 2D and 3D production using the same camera.
There is a switch on top of the lens for choosing 2D/3D shots
Woojong Cho, Principal Engineer (Ph. D.) at DI Buisiness Lens Development Group added, “Usability would have dropped significantly if we made a lens only for 3D. But the lens in the NX300 allows both 2D and 3D production, so while shooting a still 3D picture or a 3D video, it was still possible to use the conventional 45mm F/1.8 character lens. The lens is of a new form completely to itself.”
Woojong Cho, Principal Engineer (Ph. D.) at DI Business Lens Development Group,
explaining new parts for the NX300 lens.
NX300 is a revolution in better imaging
The launch of the NX300 can be described as an ‘image revolution’ and a break from the past, when all images were 2D. Minu Lee (Assistant Manager) of the DI Buisiness Product Planning Group explained the development of the idea for a 3D camera.
“3D televisions and 3D monitors that read 3D content have already been steadily introduced into the market, but there were lack of tools which consumers could use to create 3D content on their own. There has been a growing consumer demand for ways to produce 3D content. Our goal was to fulfill this need. In the end, our goal was realized with the NX300. The NX300 is small and lightweight and not overly expensive, so 2D and 3D images can now be made at home as well.
Minu Lee (Assistant Manager) of the DI Buisiness Product Planning Group
explaining the planning phases of the NX300
Besides the 2D/3D production feature, NX300 is loaded with a diverse array of advanced Samsung camera technology. NyunWoo Nam (Manager) of the Digital Imaging Business Product Planning Group explains those features.
“Our focus was on the lens but we also worked to improve the body. In essence, the NX300 has improved functionality, image development, and sensors relative to previous models. For example, the AF system has been improved. Existing mirrorless cameras used the contrast AF method, which prioritizes accuracy, but it tended to lag behind the speedy and highly functional phase AF method of DSLR. The NX300 overcame the limits of mirrorless cameras through the application of a new system called ‘Hybrid AF’ which has the benefits of both contrast AF and phase AF methods. Wi-Fi functionality has been improved to dual-band Wi-Fi, providing a stable and comfortable wireless environment and making for freer and faster SNS picture sharing.”
Of the NX300’s functions, he added, “Personal content will become increasingly active. There isn’t much 3D content being produced by individuals yet, but the NX300 should provide the impetus for new creations. People will be able to share their 3D content with more people through 3D TVs.”
The NX300’s creators said that entirely new parts had to be developed to create the camera. Their many efforts and pride in their creation were evident from their descriptions. The Samsung SMART CAMERA NX300 is expected to be introduced at CES 2013 for the first time, and we hope that the camera exceeds expectations and is loved by people all over the world.
