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Samsung's GX-1S digital SLR. Courtesy of Samsung, with modifications by Michael R. Tomkins. Samsung rebadges Pentax DSLR (UPDATED)
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(Monday, January 16, 2006 - 11:15 EST)

A news item published on the website of Norwegian-language website digit.no reports that Samsung is to offer one of Pentax's digital SLR models under the Korean company's brand name.

The news follows in the footsteps of an announcement late last year that Samsung and Pentax would "combine their unique technologies to develop lens-interchangeable digital SLR cameras". The Samsung GX-1S is apparently the first fruit of this cooperation, and looks to be Pentax's *ist DS2 digital SLR under a different name. The only difference we could see between the specifications of the two cameras is that where Pentax list a body-only weight of 470 grams for the *ist DS2, the English-language specifications for the Samsung GX-1S list a body-only weight of 505 grams. All other specifications seemed to be identical to the original *ist DS2.

Alongside the announcement of the camera body, Samsung are listing two Schneider-Kreuznach D-XENON branded lenses that will be offered for the Samsung GX-1S. Both look to be identical to existing Pentax lenses (although it is certainly possible that there could have been changes to lens coatings, etc., beyond the change of branding). The Schneider-Kreuznach D-XENON 18-55mm F3.5-5.6 AL lens mirrors Pentax's smc P-DA 18-55mm F3.5-5.6 AL lens, and the Schneider-Kreuznach D-XENON 50-200mm F4-5.6 lens looks to be the Pentax smc P-DA 50-200mm F4-5.6 ED lens under another name. There's also a Samsung-branded flash strobe which appears to be a rebadged Pentax AF360FGZ, dubbed the Samsung SEF-36PZF.

Pricing and availability for the Samsung GX-1S, SEF-36PZF flash strobe and Schneider-Kreuznach D-XENON lenses have not been disclosed at this time.

Samsung GX-1S
Samsung's GX-1S digital SLR. Courtesy of Samsung, with modifications by Michael R. Tomkins. Click for a bigger picture!
General
Camera TypeSLR
ManufacturerSamsung
Model NumberGX-1S
Dimensions4.9 x 3.6 x 2.6"
125.0 x 92.5 x 67.0mm
Weight505.0 g
17.7 oz
Image Capture
Sensor Type1.12" CCD
6.30 megapixels (total)
6.10 megapixels (effective)
Filter TypeRGBG
Focal Length Multiplier1.50
Aspect Ratio3:2
Image Dimensions3008 x 2008 (6.0 megapixels)
2400 x 1600 (3.8 megapixels)
1536 x 1024 (1.6 megapixels)
Capture SpeedContinuous: 2.8 frames per second for 8 frames
Image Quality4 levels
Image Preview / Review
ViewfinderYes, Fixed eye-level pentaprism
95% field of view
LCD2.5", 210,000 pixels
Lens
Lens TypeInterchangeable Lens
Lens MountPENTAX KAF; KAF2, KAF, KA lens
Focusing System11-point phase detection
Manual Focus possible (0) steps
Exposure
ISO Sensitivity200, 400, 800, 1600, 3200
Shutter Speed30 - 1/4000 second
Exposure ModesAperture, Shutter, Manual
Metering ModesMulti-segment, Center-weighted, Spot
Exposure Compensation+/- 2.0EV in 1/3EV increments
White BalanceImage Sensor - Auto, Daylight, Shade, Cloudy,Tungsten Light, Fluorescent Light (W,D,N), Flash, Manual, Manual
Internal FlashModes: Auto, Flash-On, Flash-Off, Auto + Red-Eye Reduction, Flash-On + Red-Eye Reduction
Range: 15.6m (ISO 200)
Creative
Scene ModesPortrait , Night Scene Portrait, Landscape, Macro, Action, Standard, Flash off
Self TimerYes, 2 or 12 seconds
Time LapseNo
Storage
Recording MediumSD/MMC
File SystemComplies with Design Rule for Camera File System (DCF)
File FormatCCD-RAW, CCD RAW (.PEF), JPEG (EXIF 2.21)
Connectivity
VideoYes, NTSC / PAL switchable
ComputerUSB 2.0 High Speed
OtherDC In
Power
Battery TypeAlkaline or Lithium disposable, NiMH rechargeable
Battery Form Factor4 x AA or 2 x CR-V3
Product Bundle
SoftwareDigimax Master, drivers
Other
Digital Print Order Format (DPOF) compliantYes
PictBridge CompliantYes
Internal MicrophoneNo
Internal SpeakerYes
Tripod MountYes
Remote ControlYes
More Photos
Samsung's GX-1S digital SLR. Courtesy of Samsung, with modifications by Michael R. Tomkins. Click for a bigger picture!
Samsung's GX-1S digital SLR. Courtesy of Samsung, with modifications by Michael R. Tomkins. Click for a bigger picture!
Samsung's GX-1S digital SLR. Courtesy of Samsung, with modifications by Michael R. Tomkins. Click for a bigger picture!
Samsung's GX-1S digital SLR. Courtesy of Samsung, with modifications by Michael R. Tomkins. Click for a bigger picture!
Samsung's GX-1S digital SLR. Courtesy of Samsung, with modifications by Michael R. Tomkins. Click for a bigger picture!
 

Schneider-Kreuznach D-XENON 18-55mm F3.5-5.6 AL
Samsung's Schneider-Kreuznach D-XENON 18-55mm zoom lens. Courtesy of Samsung, with modifications by Michael R. Tomkins. Click for a bigger picture!
Focal Length 18 ~ 55mm (equivalent to 28 ~ 84.2mm in 35mm format)
Elements in Groups 9 groups, 12 elements
Angle of View 29° ~ 76°
Aperture F3.5 ~ F5.6
Mount Type PENTAX KAF mount
Minimum Focus Distance 0.25m
Maximum Magnification Approx. 0.34X
Lens Hood SCH-A52
Filter Size 52mm
Max. Diameter x Length 68.5 x 67.5mm
Weight 225g (without hood)
 

Schneider-Kreuznach D-XENON 50-200mm F4-5.6
Samsung's Schneider-Kreuznach D-XENON 50-200mm zoom lens. Courtesy of Samsung, with modifications by Michael R. Tomkins. Click for a bigger picture!
Focal Length 50 ~ 200mm (equivalent to 76.5 ~ 306mm in 35mm format)
Elements in Groups 10 groups, 11 elements
Angle of View 8.1° ~ 31.5°
Aperture F4 ~ F5.6
Mount Type PENTAX KAF mount
Minimum Focus Distance 1.1m
Maximum Magnification Approx. 0.24X
Lens Hood SCH-B52
Filter Size 52mm
Max. Diameter x Length 66.5 x 78.5mm
Weight 255g (without hood)
 

Samsung SEF-36PZF
Samsung's SEF-36PZF flash strobe. Courtesy of Samsung, with modifications by Michael R. Tomkins. Click for a bigger picture!
Flash Type P-TTL auto zoom flash unit with serial control
Auto focus assist beam, Automatic zooming, Bounce function
Usable Cameras Samsung DSLR cameras
Guide No (ISO 100)

Zoom Position (35mm equivalent) / Guide No:
20mm / 14; 24mm / 21; 28mm / 22; 35mm / 25; 50mm / 30; 70mm / 33; 85mm / 36

Zoom Control Automatic, Manual
Bounce Flash Vertical bounce -10°, 0°, 45°, 60°, 75°, 90°
Flash Range Approx. 0.7m ~ 5.4m (Guide No. 30, ISO 100, f/5.6)
Wide Angle Panel Pull out manually and flash zoom position sets to 20mm
Catchlight Panel Pull out manually
Wireless Flash Optical pulse transmission
Color Temperature Daylight
Flash Modes P-TTL, TTL auto, Auto, Manual
Flash Exposure Compensation -3.0 ~ 1.0 (1/2 steps)
AF Spot Beam

Red beam under low light or low-contrast condition
Range : Approx. 1m ~ 7m

Connection to Camera Fixed : Via the Hot shoe
Power Source Primary batteries : 4xAA Alkaline, Lithium batteries
Secondary batteries : 4xNi-MH
Dimension (W x H x D) 70 x 110 x 115.5mm
Weight 270g (without batteries)
Operating Temperature 0 ~ 40 °C
Operating Humidity 5 ~ 85%
More Photos
Samsung's SEF-36PZF flash strobe. Courtesy of Samsung, with modifications by Michael R. Tomkins. Click for a bigger picture!
 

UPDATED 2006-01-16 13:01ET: Added product photos, details of a new flash strobe, and specifications for the two lenses, all courtesy of Samsung and kindly provided by our friends at digit.no.

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