Limited edition, gold-plated Samsung NX300 camera on sale for $2,700

We've seen some blinged-out cameras before -- gold-plated, limited edition Leicas have been selling for large sums for many years -- but this is, perhaps, the first modern, compact system camera to get the gold treatment. The Samsung NX300 now comes in a limited edition, 22k gold-plated version from Axiom Telecom that's selling for approximately US$2,700.

We say "approximately" because the estimated US price is converted from the 10,000 Saudi Riyal list price on Axiom's website. (And yes, that Saudi pricing gives you an idea at who this luxury mod is aimed at.) The gold-plated NX300 comes in a special box bundled with two lenses (18-55mm III and 45mm 2D/3D), a flash (SEF8-A), an external battery charger, a 16GB memory card, and two MC Protector filters (43mm and 58mm).

From the pictures we've seen, the Samsung NX300 Gold Edition does look pretty nifty -- if this is your sort of thing -- with the mode dials and shutter re-designed to complement the gold plating. Each limited edition camera has a unique serial number and engraved signature to make it feel special.

Otherwise though, it's the same 20.3MP, mirrorless, WiFi-equipped, compact system camera that started selling back in March for a mere $800 with an 18-55mm kit lens. I've been testing the NX300, which uses a revamped, APS-C CMOS sensor, for the past month for an upcoming review on Imaging Resource. In the meantime, you can check out our preview of the camera with our initial image quality report here.

Along with being available on Axiom Telecom's website, you can purchase the Samsung NX300 Gold Edition "at select stores in Riyadh, Jeddah and Al-Khobar" if you happen to be traveling through Saudi Arabia any time soon.