Samsung's abandoned NX cameras can be brought online with a $20 LTE stick
Samsung’s discontinued NX mirrorless cameras are being revived by enthusiasts, who use cheap LTE sticks and community firmware to bring them back online and integrate them with modern services. This sparks a broader debate over why current camera makers haven’t pursued “smart” connected cameras more aggressively, despite clear demand for features like reliable Wi‑Fi, GPS tagging, cloud backup and computational photography on devices with larger sensors and interchangeable lenses. Commenters point to physics, battery life, tiny market size, poor software from traditional camera companies and a lack of open, extensible platforms as reasons smartphones have effectively taken over all but the enthusiast and pro segments.
Value of Reviving Samsung NX Cameras
- Many see the NX hacking work as a learning/retro-tech project more than a practical upgrade path.
- NX interchangeable-lens bodies (NX1, NX500, etc.) are still considered capable: APS‑C sensors, good IQ, better than phones in many scenarios.
- Main downside: platform is dead. No new lenses, no support; good if you’re fine with kit or adapted vintage glass.
- Compact NX models and NX Mini are praised for image quality vs size, but lenses are rare and used market–dependent.
Dedicated Cameras vs Smartphones
- Consensus: phones have made huge strides and are “good enough” for most casual users and small-screen viewing.
- Repeated claim: physics limits phones—tiny sensors and lenses hurt low light, dynamic range, and real bokeh/zoom, even if software helps.
- Several report decade‑old ILCs or even old digicams still easily outperform modern phones on image quality, especially in low light and with depth of field control.
- Counterpoint: for many workflows (sharing, casual documentation), phone convenience outweighs quality gains of dedicated cameras.
Why “Smart” / LTE Cameras Never Took Off
- Multiple past attempts cited: Android-based cameras, screenless “smart lens” modules, external phone‑paired sensors.
- Common failure modes: slow startup, poor software, no updates, awkward ergonomics, latency, and tiny market.
- LTE and cloud features are seen as costly, power‑hungry, and quickly obsolete as networks and APIs change.
- Some argue the niche between smartphones and pro gear is too small to justify ongoing R&D.
Camera Software, UX, and Connectivity
- Many complain camera makers are weak at software: clunky menus, flaky Wi‑Fi/Bluetooth, poor apps, and missing seamless cloud integration.
- Desired features: reliable Wi‑Fi, built-in GPS, automatic cloud/PC backup, good phone integration, maybe some computational photography.
- Others actively avoid any networked features for privacy, longevity, and battery‑life reasons; prefer SD + USB.
Market Dynamics and Used Gear
- Interchangeable-lens camera market described as tiny and declining; pros and serious hobbyists dominate.
- A decade of used ILC bodies is viewed as “good enough” for most needs; incremental gains since ~2013 are modest for stills.
- Some see a small resurgence of interest in high‑end compact and “retro” digital cameras among younger users.
Tech and Future Directions
- Debate over how much ISO and sensor performance really improved in 10 years; opinions differ.
- Curved sensors and liquid lenses are noted as promising on paper but not yet impactful in real products.
- Strong interest in more open/programmable cameras (APIs, open mounts), but no mainstream example exists.