Is Samsung still in the ILC Camera business?

My experience and conclusion:

I was a Canikon guy in the film era.

Then had to get a pro digital cam for my paintings: http://lorberboim.com/ http://artnot4sale.com/ .

I live outside the US. So walking into a cam store try a cam for few days with the possibility of return it is still a far fantasy. Got the Pentax K 30. Excellent.

Then stumbled on Samsung NX 2000. bought on EBAY for 300$ ( my experience with EBAY –Never again!). Loved it. Until, alas the lens malfunction after less than 2 years. Telling ERROR 00 and quitting. So I had to buy a lens immediately. No lens available here or very expensive – better buy a whole bundle new camera with lens, this way I’ll have a spare backup body.

Few days ago I stepped in a local chain store shop got the NX 500 for 430$. In Hong Kong the price was 550 $. About a month ago, in Seoul a friend told me he saw it for 500$ at a Samsung flag shop. I asked him to go back and have a try on it. But all the cameras have been removed from store and no longer available!

Too short time to compare, but I liked more the interface of the NX 2000 then that of the NX 500.

So, did Samsung quit the cameras market?

Especially after making killer ILC cameras with the NX 1, NX 500, NX 2000 and more?

While pricing start originally way low to comparable competition ILC cameras?

Add a lot of evidences that prices of Samsung ILC cameras are pretty much falling down.

At the B&H online store many Samsung items are out of stock.

We are talking about a field of declining market. But so is the market of laptops.

Was surprised like many other enthusiasts that Samsung did not introduced any new cameras.

Since I have to assume that Samsung knows better than me, putting on hold the cameras market without making a definite decision, thus actually sign to me that they are out of market.

All this looks to me like Samsung quit the cameras market. May be Samsung think that the big bucks and future lies at the cameras in their smartphones.

Personally I’d like to see a body like NX 2000 with a full frame! Even more wish that Pentax step in!

Hope to see it soon!

...I don't know where you've been, but this forum (and other Samsung related forums)  was abuzz over the past six months or so with news that Samsung had just decided to exit the camera market.  It's the way Samsung did so, however, that caused so much anger and frustration on behalf of the many Samsung users out there.  They never formally announced they were leaving (or telling us why), and they just quickly stopped everything - all the while folks were rushing to get the remaining cameras and lenses that were in stock around the world.

So yes, they most certainly left the market - and it's a shame really since their NX1 and NX500 were class leading.  Even with their other NX cameras, the IQ levels will be competitive for years to come.  This was all quite perplexing as to how they exited the market, and so secretly.

Kisaha wrote:

This is almost a year old story. Especially before December the rumors (and clearance) prices escalates.

You are very lucky getting n exceptional camera with one of the best kit lenses around (and much better in texhnology than your previous 20-50 I guess) for such a low price.

I am sure you will be very pleased with your purchase for years to come, as it is a future proof little camera with irresistable design (even though I preffered the NX300/3000 design and built quality with the silver top plate), 4K H265 video which is the near future of video, 4K crop of vastly more expensive cameras (Nikon D500), top leading 28megapixel BSI sensor, stil number one in DxOmark reviews, and all the rest that you already know I guess.

Take a second battery and probably an external adapter (original if you can find for cheap, but there are very good cheaper ones as well), and tou are set for a whole day of photos and videos.

Since QC was not one of Samsung strentghs and he already experienced it I woudn't be too sure anyone shooting with these cams will have fun for years to come...

Kisaha wrote:

Jorginho wrote:

Kisaha wrote:

This is almost a year old story. Especially before December the rumors (and clearance) prices escalates.

You are very lucky getting n exceptional camera with one of the best kit lenses around (and much better in texhnology than your previous 20-50 I guess) for such a low price.

I am sure you will be very pleased with your purchase for years to come, as it is a future proof little camera with irresistable design (even though I preffered the NX300/3000 design and built quality with the silver top plate), 4K H265 video which is the near future of video, 4K crop of vastly more expensive cameras (Nikon D500), top leading 28megapixel BSI sensor, stil number one in DxOmark reviews, and all the rest that you already know I guess.

Take a second battery and probably an external adapter (original if you can find for cheap, but there are very good cheaper ones as well), and tou are set for a whole day of photos and videos.

Since QC was not one of Samsung strentghs and he already experienced it I woudn't be too sure anyone shooting with these cams will have fun for years to come...

All my lenses and bodies are still working very well after a lot of years, so there is a counter argument for this, especially if you are reading any of the Nikon/Olympus forums, which complaints are really the norm. There are no more companies with excellent QC anymore, the productions are massive these days and no one can guarantee much.

In my experience and estimation, QC of Samsung since the NX300 is very good, except the top plate dial but rather seldomly is a reason to take the camera to the service. There are the well documented problems with older 12-24, the image quality of the pz is a little hit and miss (much better than any Sony pz though) and the full plastic 20-50 had some issues after heavy use.

In general, I consider them to be quite ok for the price you pay.

Agree with this, all my gear seems to be working well so far (touch wood).

Out of interest does anyone know easy these cameras would be to repair of samsung is no longer offering service?

markyboy81 wrote:

Kisaha wrote:

Jorginho wrote:

Kisaha wrote:

This is almost a year old story. Especially before December the rumors (and clearance) prices escalates.

You are very lucky getting n exceptional camera with one of the best kit lenses around (and much better in texhnology than your previous 20-50 I guess) for such a low price.

I am sure you will be very pleased with your purchase for years to come, as it is a future proof little camera with irresistable design (even though I preffered the NX300/3000 design and built quality with the silver top plate), 4K H265 video which is the near future of video, 4K crop of vastly more expensive cameras (Nikon D500), top leading 28megapixel BSI sensor, stil number one in DxOmark reviews, and all the rest that you already know I guess.

Take a second battery and probably an external adapter (original if you can find for cheap, but there are very good cheaper ones as well), and tou are set for a whole day of photos and videos.

Since QC was not one of Samsung strentghs and he already experienced it I woudn't be too sure anyone shooting with these cams will have fun for years to come...

All my lenses and bodies are still working very well after a lot of years, so there is a counter argument for this, especially if you are reading any of the Nikon/Olympus forums, which complaints are really the norm. There are no more companies with excellent QC anymore, the productions are massive these days and no one can guarantee much.

In my experience and estimation, QC of Samsung since the NX300 is very good, except the top plate dial but rather seldomly is a reason to take the camera to the service. There are the well documented problems with older 12-24, the image quality of the pz is a little hit and miss (much better than any Sony pz though) and the full plastic 20-50 had some issues after heavy use.

In general, I consider them to be quite ok for the price you pay.

Agree with this, all my gear seems to be working well so far (touch wood).

Out of interest does anyone know easy these cameras would be to repair of samsung is no longer offering service?

“year old story” – Yes but I’m still hopping…

Samsung service - Yesterday I put my Samsung NX 2000 and lens at the Samsung service counter, here in Chiang Mai, Thailand, and hope for the best. I might get a quote in few days.

Few days ago I went to a camera repair shop. He said he repair cameras from cameras brands.

I’ll update ASAP.

hezy11 wrote:

markyboy81 wrote:

Kisaha wrote:

Jorginho wrote:

Kisaha wrote:

This is almost a year old story. Especially before December the rumors (and clearance) prices escalates.

You are very lucky getting n exceptional camera with one of the best kit lenses around (and much better in texhnology than your previous 20-50 I guess) for such a low price.

I am sure you will be very pleased with your purchase for years to come, as it is a future proof little camera with irresistable design (even though I preffered the NX300/3000 design and built quality with the silver top plate), 4K H265 video which is the near future of video, 4K crop of vastly more expensive cameras (Nikon D500), top leading 28megapixel BSI sensor, stil number one in DxOmark reviews, and all the rest that you already know I guess.

Take a second battery and probably an external adapter (original if you can find for cheap, but there are very good cheaper ones as well), and tou are set for a whole day of photos and videos.

Since QC was not one of Samsung strentghs and he already experienced it I woudn't be too sure anyone shooting with these cams will have fun for years to come...

All my lenses and bodies are still working very well after a lot of years, so there is a counter argument for this, especially if you are reading any of the Nikon/Olympus forums, which complaints are really the norm. There are no more companies with excellent QC anymore, the productions are massive these days and no one can guarantee much.

In my experience and estimation, QC of Samsung since the NX300 is very good, except the top plate dial but rather seldomly is a reason to take the camera to the service. There are the well documented problems with older 12-24, the image quality of the pz is a little hit and miss (much better than any Sony pz though) and the full plastic 20-50 had some issues after heavy use.

In general, I consider them to be quite ok for the price you pay.

Agree with this, all my gear seems to be working well so far (touch wood).

Out of interest does anyone know easy these cameras would be to repair of samsung is no longer offering service?

“year old story” – Yes but I’m still hopping…

Samsung service - Yesterday I put my Samsung NX 2000 and lens at the Samsung service counter, here in Chiang Mai, Thailand, and hope for the best. I might get a quote in few days.

Few days ago I went to a camera repair shop. He said he repair cameras from cameras brands.

I’ll update ASAP.

Just got today a new lens for my Samsung NX 2000 20-50 from the Samsung service counter, here in Chiang Mai, Thailand. Paid 95 $.

I saw on the Ebay asking for about 130 $.

It doesn't look like they have here a repair shop in Thailand for cameras and lenses.

Any way it is not much to regain a very good camera like NX 2000 fot that price. Besides, now I'll have the pleasure of dismantle the lens...

Kisaha wrote:

• hezy11 wrote:

hezy11 wrote:

markyboy81 wrote:

Kisaha wrote:

Jorginho wrote:

Kisaha wrote:

This is almost a year old story. Especially before December the rumors (and clearance) prices escalates.

You are very lucky getting n exceptional camera with one of the best kit lenses around (and much better in texhnology than your previous 20-50 I guess) for such a low price.

I am sure you will be very pleased with your purchase for years to come, as it is a future proof little camera with irresistable design (even though I preffered the NX300/3000 design and built quality with the silver top plate), 4K H265 video which is the near future of video, 4K crop of vastly more expensive cameras (Nikon D500), top leading 28megapixel BSI sensor, stil number one in DxOmark reviews, and all the rest that you already know I guess.

Take a second battery and probably an external adapter (original if you can find for cheap, but there are very good cheaper ones as well), and tou are set for a whole day of photos and videos.

Since QC was not one of Samsung strentghs and he already experienced it I woudn't be too sure anyone shooting with these cams will have fun for years to come...

All my lenses and bodies are still working very well after a lot of years, so there is a counter argument for this, especially if you are reading any of the Nikon/Olympus forums, which complaints are really the norm. There are no more companies with excellent QC anymore, the productions are massive these days and no one can guarantee much.

In my experience and estimation, QC of Samsung since the NX300 is very good, except the top plate dial but rather seldomly is a reason to take the camera to the service. There are the well documented problems with older 12-24, the image quality of the pz is a little hit and miss (much better than any Sony pz though) and the full plastic 20-50 had some issues after heavy use.

In general, I consider them to be quite ok for the price you pay.

Agree with this, all my gear seems to be working well so far (touch wood).

Out of interest does anyone know easy these cameras would be to repair of samsung is no longer offering service?

“year old story” – Yes but I’m still hopping…

Samsung service - Yesterday I put my Samsung NX 2000 and lens at the Samsung service counter, here in Chiang Mai, Thailand, and hope for the best. I might get a quote in few days.

Few days ago I went to a camera repair shop. He said he repair cameras from cameras brands.

I’ll update ASAP.

Just got today a new lens for my Samsung NX 2000 20-50 from the Samsung service counter, here in Chiang Mai, Thailand. Paid 95 $.

I saw on the Ebay asking for about 130 $.

It doesn't look like they have here a repair shop in Thailand for cameras and lenses.

Any way it is not much to regain a very good camera like NX 2000 fot that price. Besides, now I'll have the pleasure of dismantle the lens...

Perfect! Problem solved. I do not know any brand giving you a brand new lens for less than 100$. I wish that will be the case for all the Samsung repair centers around the world, but I am not so sure..

I guess the reason maybe that they don't have a camera shop repair here in Thailand, so they go for the easy solution.

Since I don't have any experience with Samsung lens, can you tell me which one other of the kit lens 20-50 and 16 -50 I already have, is the one more zoom lens to get?.

I will check the price here and in Korea.

What puzzles me continuously is that they developed a brand new and very advanced sensor, to use it in just two cameras, one of which aimed to high end, and hence with limited diffusion by default.

Petak wrote:

hezy11 wrote:

... Samsung NX 2000. bought on EBAY for 300$ ... Few days ago I ... got the NX 500 ...

How would you compare screen visibility outdoors between the two?

As soon as we will have here a good sunny say I'll make the test.

Its the wet season now.

Petak wrote:

hezy11 wrote:

Petak wrote:

hezy11 wrote:

... Samsung NX 2000. bought on EBAY for 300$ ... Few days ago I ... got the NX 500 ...

How would you compare screen visibility outdoors between the two?

As soon as we will have here a good sunny say I'll make the test.

Its the wet season now.

I like the nx2000 very much except for this one flaw - its s screen is pretty much unusable outdoors. It is not that it is not bright - it just lacks any anti-reflective coating whatsoever.

I have read on other threads that there are anti reflective screen protectors that work well. Not sure of the brand and you would have to cut to size. The trade off is a loss of clarity because you have the extra sheet of material in front of the screen, but maybe worth the trade off to use outdoors.

edit: something like this https://www.amazon.com/Anti-Glare-protector-Samsung-Anti-Reflex-application/dp/B00DQN03L4/ref=sr_1_cc_2?s=aps&ie=UTF8&qid=1472309455&sr=1-2-catcorr&keywords=Anti+reflective+nx2000#customerReviews

Petak wrote:

hezy11 wrote:

... Samsung NX 2000. bought on EBAY for 300$ ... Few days ago I ... got the NX 500 ...

How would you compare screen visibility outdoors between the two?

A side by side comparison in direct sun light shows a very small difference, if any in favor of the 500

tecnoworld wrote:

What puzzles me continuously is that they developed a brand new and very advanced sensor, to use it in just two cameras, one of which aimed to high end, and hence with limited diffusion by default.

Had they stayed the course and marketed their cameras effectively, they would now have a very secure foothold in the marketplace and making themselves a lot of money as well.

Someone should tell their managers that "Faint heart never won fair lady" especially when the "faint heart" in this case was a very athletic and good looking Prince Charming!