Last week, Samsung Germany published a press announcement for the new NX5, which appears to be a lower-end version of the NX10. I inquired with my PR contacts from Samsung USA about the new NX5’s launch in Germany and was told that they have no info with regard to the NX5’s availability in the US market. So, this may be a Germany- or Europe-only sort of thing.
Unfortunately, the official word from Samsung Germany offers little detail about the new NX5, confirming only that it has a 3″ TFT screen in place of the AMOLED screen on the NX10. As you can see from the official product images provided by Samsung Germany, the NX5 appears to offer the same 14.6MP APS-C sensor found in the NX10. Likewise the body and control scheme appears to be identical to the NX10.
The NX5 carries an initial retail price of €699, which puts it €100 less than the current retail sticker on the NX10. Of course, a little bargain hunting will yield better deals on the NX10, so I would expect the same to be true for the NX5, which should be available this month . . . in Germany at least.
If the NX5 were to show up in the US, it might put the camera in a more reasonable price range of $500 to $600. This estimate is not based on the exchange rate for euros to dollars, which would put the NX5 at an absurd price of $850 (proving once again that the folks across the pond are getting hosed on camera prices). The NX10 is currently going for $700 at B&H Photo, so anything more than a $600 NX5 would be pointless.
Would the NX5 be a more attractive purchase (over the NX10) for you?
Finally, if we get any official updates from Samsung USA, I will be sure to pass them along.
paul the octopus is definitely the sweetest psychic ..!