Lee’s arguments are very similar to the statements of the developers of the Micro Four Thirds System: “Many people find DSLR cameras too heavy and to big to carry,” he explained to the British magazine. “So, Samsung will introduce a new hybrid system that will be small and light like a bridge type camera, but with interchangeable Samsung-made lenses.”
The new system, which is being developed by Samsung independently from the Micro Four Thirds Standard, will include cameras that are equipped with an electronic viewfinder and an LCD screen on the back side for framing. The cameras will feature Samsung’s proprietary APS-C format CMOS sensor with a resolution of 14 megapixel, while the small and compact lenses will come with a new mount.
Talking to Amateur Photographer, Lee admitted that competing with Canon and Nikon in the DSLR market is extremely challenging, and Samsung has a long way to go to gain a good market share. “With the hybrid system we will create a new camera segment, which will be able to dominate,” the Executive Vice President of Samsung Techwin pointed out.
After Lee’s statement, industry observers are thrilled to listen to Dr. Sang-Jin Park, Executive Vice President of the Samsung DSC division, who plans to share his view of the company’s strategy for the digital camera business for the first time in his new position at an international press conference the day prior to photokina (September 22, 2008).