EX2F is currently more expensive than NX1000. Smaller sensor, non interchangeagle lens. Why?

frascati wrote:

In brief, why would one opt for a 1/1.7 camera from Samsung when they offer a range of APS-C and larger sensors at not much more cost? Just why is it that their interchangeable lens cameras seem necessarily to lack some of the more useful features and solid feeling body of the EX2F? I handled a few of the nx series in the store and they feel like junk. I'm sure they're every bit as sturdy as the EX2F but they have the feel of an "empty box" as one reviewer put it. Like there's nothing substantial to it. Weight is very low on my list of priorities in a compact camera.

Go to any brand and look at most of their higher end enthusiast models (i.e. Canon G16, GX1-II, Nikon P7800, P330, Olympus XZ-2, etc) and you will find little bricks built solidly and offering quite the option-set. Samsung was no different with their EX2F, and IMO, what I've seen so far (just received it the other day), this somewhat older EX2F is actually superior to the other brand enthusiast cameras in quite a few areas. An keep in mind that some cameras don't receive the accolades and high purchase numbers upon first release, but then after a period of time...become a cult favorite. I suspect this may become the case with the EX2F. I've always been in the camp of folks who look for that next best enthusiast model (because of the all-in-one factor), and I've really become impressed with this EX2F. So it's no surprise that in some cases, the price of the EX2F is rising (supply and demand laws apply here).

Many of the exchangeable lens models lack in-body image stabilization. I don't understand why this is, but it worries me when making a decision to buy since it limits choice of lenses to in-lens stabilization from the same manufacturer. Pardon my lack of deeper knowledge here, I'm mostly still a beginner but am hoping to make a wise choice with my limited budget.

That's kind of a blanket statement as all Olympus micro 4/3 models have in-body stabilization (IBIS) and these IS systems are quite competent, thus allowing you to use any lens. The Panasonic micro 4/3 models don't have IBIS (with the exception of their GX-7) and require the use of stabilized lenses with OIS (Optical Image Stabilization). Sony mirror-less models have IBIS. Samsung, Nikon, and Canon mirror-less models don't have IBIS and rely on the user to purchase lenses that have IS/VR built into the lens..

Why on earth wouldn't the NX1000, in fact any of the NX series interchangeable lens models, feature image stabilization useful with any, IS lenses or not, in the Samsung lineup? Is there something inherent in the design of interchangeable lens cameras that prohibits the implementation of camera body/sensor IS?

It's more a choice by the manufacturer. Some will argue that the IS on a lens is superior to the IS built into a camera body. Olympus has proved that wrong with their absolutely superb 5 Axis IBIS. If you've not yet tried shooting with one of their E-M series of cameras (specifically their E-M5 and E-M1) and engaged the IS, it's an eye opener to see the stability involved with that system. Now Fuji actually brought this 5-axis equivalent into their new 18-135 MM lens, thus upping the ante for lens-based IS. So right now the manufacturers that use IBIS are Olympus, Sony, and Pentax. The ones that rely on you purchasing a lens that has the IS built into it (Optical IS) are Canon, Nikon, Samsung, and Fuji. It's your choice really.

I'm almost disappointed, oddly that there are sooooooooo many choices out there and beyond Samsung. Panasonic DMC-LX7 for one. But there are a few more right in the same slot. If Samsung had introduce the EX2F with a viewfinder and APS-C sensor (heck, they shoehorned a 1" sensor into the NX mini for cripes' sake) I'd have payed 400 dollars for it this evening.

Now try and visualize the vastly increased size of the EX2F had Samsung included a 1" sensor in that model (two years ago). Of course, Samsung did recently bring out their NX Mini and it's quite small and superbly crafted and the IQ is to die for (when compared to other 1" sensored cameras).

It's unnerving that I can spend an entire afternoon on the web and keep coming up with an 'ideal' camera for my expectations only to have it shot down by just one or two glaring omissions that would have seemed to be minor additions from the engineering/marketing gurus. I realize an APS-C sensor adds cost to the camera. But in this price range it's getting to be more and more common.

Look - don't make this complicated, which is what you're doing. I can honestly saying after trying over a 100 different digital cameras over the past 14 years that it doesn't matter which brand you choose, you will find some superb offerings in each line. Do you think Canon owners are disappointed with what they have....? What about Nikon, Olympus, and Fuji users? Hell No they aren't!! And so it goes for every brand down the line. Folks like me, who shoot with a variety of different brand cameras, can appreciate all of their different models for the contributions they employ to the medium.

So let's look at a simple checklist (based on some of what you mentioned above):

1. Do you desire to have IBIS (In-body Image Stabilization) so that any lens you attach becomes stabilized? If so, then focus on either Olympus micro 4/3, Sony, or Pentax?

2. If the type of IS system does not matter and you'll take IS either in the body or on the lens (wow, this is beginning to sound a bit pornographic...sorry about that). Well, then you're wide open with regards to your choices - sigh, there I go again.

3. Do you want a much smaller sized camera and still want to employ a change of lenses? Then look to Olympus or Panasonic in their micro 4/3 lineup. But then you have to answer question #1 above first.

4. What about IQ capabilities? Well, this is really for naught anymore since everything I've mentioned above is capable of resulting in some absolutely superb IQ.

5. Are you a high MP count fanatic? If you feel that just have to have 20 MP and above, then obviously Canon, Samsung, and Pentax will be your choice. But the 16 MP offerings from the micro 4/3 line and Fuji can just knock your socks off. Heck, I'm still shooting with the likes of the 11 year old (5 MP) Olympus E-1, which has superb IQ levels.

5. Don't knock enthusiast models. There are many of us, whether new users, or seasoned ones, who constantly keep their eyes open for the latest (and best) enthusiast models. There's just something intriguing (convenient) about taking along a small all-in-one instrument that can seemingly offer you superb IQ that rivals the bigger interchangeable lens cameras. I'm one of those. So I catch myself periodically shooting with the likes of the Panasonic LX-7, the Olympus XZ-1, the Nikon P7700/P330, the Fuji X10/X20/X-S1, the Canon G12 and SX-50 HS from time to time (and now the EX2F). Having said that, don't mentally discount the EX2F (or other quality offerings from different brands), as they all have their own merits. If you can afford it, I've been advancing the recommendation for over a decade now on these forums of having both one interchangeable lens camera and one enthusiast model. This way you'd be set for most scenarios.

And in closing (I know, I can get superfluous at times), if you think modern day offerings are ridiculous in price, you have only to research similar releases from 8-10 years ago to see how much more expensive they were in relation to what's being released now-a-days.

Good luck...