Samsung NX1000 camera review
The first mirrorless camera with Wi-Fi. Samsung NX1000 review
Samsung is introducing cameras with wireless capabilities as part of its Smart Environment concept. As part of a smart home. In general, whatever you like, but not much attention is paid to the main functions of the devices. And it's a little confusing. As planned, all so-called Smart devices will be combined into a network, providing you with a new level of comfort, freedom and upgrading you to all points of your marketing vocabulary. But for us, any camera is first and foremost a camera, and only then an accessory, part of a smart home, and so on. However, even if you look from this position, you cannot help but admit that the wireless capabilities of Samsung cameras are perhaps the most sophisticated.
Now the focus is on the Samsung NX1000, the youngest model in the new NX family. At first glance, the differences from the most advanced model (Samsung NX20) are not so great: the NX1000 does not have an electronic viewfinder, built-in flash or AMOLED display, and the body is made of plastic and is more compact. Well, now let's talk about all this in more detail.
Technical characteristics and equipment
| Samsung NX1000 | Panasonic Lumix GF5 | Sony NEX-F3 | |
| Class | system camera | system camera | system camera |
| Matrix | CMOS (23.5x15.7 mm), 20.3 MP | CMOS (17.3×13 mm), 12.1 MP | CMOS (23.4×15.6 mm), 16.1 MP |
| Bayonet | Samsung NX | Micro Four Thirds | Sony E |
| Picture format | JPEG, RAW (5472 x 3648) | JPEG, RAW (4000 x 3000) | JPEG, RAW (4912 x 3264) |
| Video format | MPEG-4, H.264 (1920x1080, 24 fps) | MPEG-4, AVCHD (1920x1080, 60 fps) | MPEG-4, AVCHD (1920x1080, 60 fps) |
| Photosensitivity range | ISO 100 - 12800 | ISO 160 - 12800 | ISO 200 - 16000 |
| Shutter speed range | 1/4 000 - 30 s | 1/4 000 - 60 s | 1/4 000 - 30 s |
| Screen | LCD, 3″ diagonal, resolution 921,000 dots | LCD, 3″ diagonal, resolution 920,000 dots | LCD, 3″ diagonal, resolution 920,000 dots |
| Flash | external, included | built-in | built-in |
| Viewfinder | No | No | No |
| Remote control | via Wi-Fi | No | No |
| Memory | SD/SDHC/SDXC cards | SD/SDHC/SDXC cards | SD/ SDHC/SDXC cards, Memory Stick Pro Duo/ Pro-HG Duo |
| Interfaces | USB, AV, HDMI | USB, AV, HDMI | USB, AV, HDMI |
| Battery | Li-Ion, 1030 mAh | Li-Ion, 940 mAh | Li-Ion, 1080 mAh |
| Dimensions and weight | 114 x 63 x 37 mm, 222 g | 108 x 67 x 37 mm, 267 g | 117 x 67 x 42mm, 314g |
| Average price in Russia | 15,990 rubles | 18,000 rubles | 18,990 rubles |
| Updated price according to price.ru |
When unpacking the device, the following were found in the box: a charger and battery, a USB cable, an instruction manual, a disk with additional software, as well as a belt, a SEF8A flash and an 18-55/3.5-5.6 kit lens. Nothing unusual, as you can see. We received the camera for review complete with several lenses. All of them, of course, must be purchased separately.
Samsung NX1000 Package Contents
Charger included with Samsung NX1000
The Samsung NX1000 is available in classic black, white and pink body colors. Additional accessories are also available for the NX line, such as a GPS module, flashes, cases, filters and a shutter release cable.
Design, ergonomics
The appearance of the camera makes the most pleasant impression. The camera in a white body, with a white strap, a white flash and a white lens looks extremely impressive, although the color, of course, is very easily soiled. The entire body is made of plastic, with the exception of a few metal buttons. The design is somewhat reminiscent of Nikon 1 J2. A certain similarity can also be noticed when looking at the older Samsung NX210. At first glance, the handle and thumb space are equipped with rubber pads, but this is just the texture of the plastic surface. The overall build quality is excellent, there is practically nothing to blame Samsung for here. True, the picture is slightly spoiled by the protective insert of the display, which flexes noticeably when pressed.
Samsung NX1000, flash and lens
Bayonet on the front side of the Samsung NX1000 case
The front panel protrudes forward due to a streamlined handle, in the upper part of which there is an autofocus illuminator lamp. Strictly in the middle is the Samsung logo. The rest of the panel is reserved for a bayonet mount with a lens lock button. The mount is quite large and its diameter roughly corresponds to the height of the body, somewhat reminiscent of Sony NEX cameras.
Samsung NX1000 top panel
On the top panel there is a classic “hot shoe” connector, which is used to connect a flash, a pair of stereo microphone holes, a shutter button combined with the power lever, a mode selector recessed into the body, as well as a Smart Link button, on which you can attach any of the Wi-Fi functions -Fi module. There is no built-in flash or viewfinder here. An external flash, as already mentioned, is included in the kit. Well, the viewfinder, in principle, is not such a big loss. For those who really need it, there is the Samsung NX20.
The back of the Samsung NX1000 case
At the back there is a fixed display, four function keys with corresponding inscriptions and icons, as well as a navigation pad with a scroll wheel and a central button.
Bottom side of the Samsung NX1000 case
Battery included with Samsung NX1000
Below the cover there is a compartment for the battery and memory card, as well as a metal mount for a tripod.
Left side of the Samsung NX1000 case
Right side of the Samsung NX1000 case
On the left side there is a hole for the system speaker, and the right side is occupied by a compartment for connecting USB and HDMI cables. There are also belt mounts on the sides.
Connectors for USB and HDMI cables
And by the way, the Samsung NX1000 is one of the most compact and lightest mirrorless cameras with an APS-C format matrix. Its dimensions are 114 x 63 x 37 mm and weighs 222 grams. The leadership position is still held by the Sony NEX family with an insignificant margin.
Screen, interface
Samsung NX1000, as the youngest model in the line, received a regular 3-inch LCD display, while its older brothers have modern AMOLED screens on board. At the same time, the resolution of 921,000 dots is the highest for cameras in the NX line. The vertical and horizontal viewing angles are more than sufficient for comfortable work, and the brightness and contrast of the TFT matrix are also quite sufficient. The space between the protective plastic cover and the display matrix is filled with transparent rubber to reduce glare and improve readability in bright sunlight.
To combat the blocked horizon, a two-axis electronic level is provided. This option will be very useful for both novice amateur photographers and more advanced users.
The camera menu is intuitive even for beginners. At the same time, the camera has plenty of different settings, and changing a number of the main shooting parameters is assigned to the lens ring, provided it supports the iFunction function. In general, the menu can safely be called friendly.
Functionality
The trio of mirrorless cameras released by Samsung this year share the same CMOS sensor with a resolution of 20.3 megapixels. This is a fairly high resolution, but on the APS-C format it looks more appropriate than, for example, on a matrix with a 2x crop. As is known, both the noise level and the dynamic range of the entire sensor depend on the pixel area. The camera allows you to shoot in RAW, and the maximum resolution of the resulting images is 5472 x 3648 pixels.
The autofocus system is built on the contrast principle and can operate in four modes - spot, tracking, multi-zone, face detection. Manual focusing is also available and is implemented by simply zooming in on an area of the image. There is no Focus peaking function here.
Exposure metering is carried out using matrix, center-weighted and spot methods. In addition to seven preset white balance patterns, automatic and manual settings are available. The automation works quite accurately; an error occurs only when illuminated with incandescent lamps. In this case, it is better not to tempt fate and enable the appropriate preset, especially if you do not like to use the RAW format.
The flash from the kit is mounted in an accessory connector and has a guide number of 8 meters. The body of the blitz can tilt, which can be considered a plus. Sony also practiced the same approach to flash implementation, but this year's new products demonstrate a transition to a built-in flash. After all, the external flash occupies the accessory port, which is not always useful.
Samsung NX1000 camera review
One of the most affordable mirrorless cameras includes an APS-C sensor, continuous shooting at 8 fps, an integrated Wi-Fi module and a hot shoe for connecting external professional flashes. Will this camera be competitive? There are already quite a lot of models in this camera segment.
The NX1000 camera is the youngest model in the Samsung NX line. The cost of the camera is not high. At the same time, it has an ASP-C sensor, an excellent display and a hot shoe. It has everything you need for comfortable work with the camera. The main advantage of the NX1000 is the built-in Wi-Fi; its purpose is not limited to the banal transfer of photos. Typically, the Wi-Fi module in cameras is an external device that is purchased separately and costs a lot of money. The new camera is the smallest device based on an ASP-C sensor. The camera is also equipped with a proprietary feature - control of camera settings using the lens (i-Function 2.0). At retail, the camera can be purchased for approximately $560.
The manufacturer stated the following technical specifications:
Metering: center-weighted, multi-segment, spot
TTL, 221 segments (17×13)
| Samsung NX1000 | |
|---|---|
| Matrix | CMOS, physical size - 23.5 × 15.7 mm number of pixels 21.6 million |
| Effective number of pixels, MP | 20,3 |
| File Format | Photo: RAW, JPEG (DCF 2.0, Exif 2.3) Video: MPEG-4 |
| Frame size (pixels) | Still Images: JPEG (3:2): 20.0M (5472×3648), 10.1M (3888×2592), 5.9M (2976×1984), 5.0M (2736×1824) (only Burst Mode), 2.0M (1728×1152) JPEG (16:9): 16.9M (5472×3080), 7.8M (3712×2088), 4.9M (2944×1656 ), 2.1M (1920X1080) JPEG (1:1): 13.3M (3648x3648), 7.0M (2640x2640), 4.0M (2000x2000), 1.1M (1024x1024) RAW: 20.0 M (5472x3648) Video files: 1920x1080, 1280x720, 640x480, 320x240 |
| Light sensitivity, ISO | Automatic, 100-12800 |
| Exposure, s | Auto/manual: 1/4000 - 30 s with the shutter button held down - up to 4 min. |
| Exposure metering | |
| Exposure compensation | Step: 1/3EV. Total: +/-3 EV in increments |
| Integrated flash | No External flash (at ISO 100 guide number 8) |
| Self-timer/timer | 2 - 30 seconds |
| Supported memory cards | SD, SDHC, SDXC |
| Display | LCD, 3-inch diagonal, resolution 921,000 dots |
| Interfaces | USB, HDMI |
| Battery | Lithium-ion battery BP1030, 7.6 Wh |
| Dimensions (WxHxD), mm | 114.0 x 62.5 x 37.5 excluding protrusions |
| Weight, g | 222 (without lens) |
The package includes additional accessories.
The standard package includes a disk with additional software, instruction manual, USB cable, battery and charger, white shoulder strap, standard 20-50 mm F/3.5-5.6 lens, as well as an external flash SEF8A .
Various cases, a remote control with a wire for remote shutter release, various filters, powerful SEF20A and SEF42A flashes and a GPS module are additionally available for the camera. A significant drawback is that the GPS receiver is installed on the hot shoe, and therefore you cannot use the flash at this moment. There is an adapter that allows you to mount many different lenses from Samsung, Pentax, or third-party manufacturers to the camera.
Camera exterior and ease of use
The design of the camera is similar to the NX200. The differences are difficult to discern. The changes affected the controls. For example, the camera does not have a second control dial. In its place is a Smart Link button. The speaker is located on the side. The button to open the exposure correction menu has disappeared on the back side. The thumb rest and video key have also been moved to a more convenient location.
Almost the entire body is made of matte plastic. At first glance, you might think that the convex part of the front panel and the rear panel are covered with rubber, but this is not the case. It's just plastic with a textured surface. The body is not afraid of scratches or stains, but dirt is clearly visible on the white body, so this camera requires frequent cleaning. Also inconvenient in terms of getting dirty and cleaning is the camera strap, which is also white.
The assembly was excellent. Despite the thinness of the case, when you try to twist it, it does not give in or creak.
The display protection is poorly done. The plastic is very soft, and when pressed it bends and touches the matrix. When wearing the camera without a case, the screen quickly gets scratched and scuffed.
On the front panel there is a lens mount and a lock button. Also located at the front is a very bright LED for autofocus illumination, which also serves as a timer indicator. To the right of the display there is a video key, buttons for entering the menu, a rotary multifunction key with an enter button, as well as view and delete keys.
The top panel houses the hot shoe and two microphones on either side of it. There is also a dial for selecting operating modes, a shutter button, an additional power lever, and a Smart Link button, which is responsible for sending captured frames and videos using built-in Wi-Fi. You can bind any of the camera's wireless functions to this button.
At the bottom there is a threaded mount for a tripod and a cover that covers the compartment with the battery and memory card.
On the left side there is a speaker. On the right is a plastic cover that hides the HDMI and USB connectors.
Reviews Samsung NX1000 Kit
The whole camera is essentially an advantage.
The ability to transfer material over the waffle directly to your smartphone
In time-lapse shooting mode, the shutter speed is limited to 1/30. As for me, it would have been possible to do it longer, but it would have had a positive effect on the result.
AF tracking doesn't work well on video, or rather doesn't work at all. =(
Expensive original optics
Constantly resets settings
Video recording limit is 25 minutes
The 25 minute video limit is just some kind of nightmare. when you shoot a time lapse. and a shutter speed of 1/30 min in the video. If only they could make it more authentic, the frame is shot there much less often than 30 fps. especially at 20x acceleration. and at night the video turns out poorly because you have to raise the ISO, which does not contribute to the quality of the picture. These are actually two particularly tense moments that are really annoying.
Next: I’m a wedding photographer and somehow I took this little girl with me for a shoot in order to take a couple of photos and immediately post them on Instagram =), this is of course not a reportage camera, it doesn’t matter that it slowly writes photos onto a card, that’s okay, that’s all right It’s a very budget camera, but damn, why doesn’t the camera allow you to change settings or modes when recording? Perhaps I'm spoiled, of course =) The camera coped with the task 100 percent
I bought the camera a couple of months ago at an extremely affordable price due to the fact that the kit lens was broken; in general, I didn’t really need it.
Then I bought a piece of 16 2.4 glass for it, with which the camera is very pleased with the picture. Before that, I used the camera in the Samsung S6 Edge phone, which has a cool camera, no doubt, but due to my passion for shooting I was often left without a connection, then I bought a power bank. from which the phone simply did not turn off, to tell the truth, it was annoying sometimes since I mostly move around on a bike.
It’s impossible to properly process ravishes after Canon; I’m almost always not happy with the result. Zhipegi from the camera are made normal.
As a result, the camera is, of course, very good and allows you to take very good photographs and videos; if you clearly understand its capabilities, then there will be no reason to be nervous. In terms of picture quality, the result is very “comparable” (if you use a kit) with flagship smartphones (perhaps you can even create more creative themes with them), but the picture from this device is nicer, due to the larger matrix size. And if you buy some kind of glass like the same 16 mm 2.4 or 30 mm 2 or 85 1.4. then I think you can feel like an artist, and it’s not at all necessary to take original glass, some Samyang thread or Sov optics. =)
Small giant of big photography - Samsung NX 1000
Since August, my idea of cameras has changed dramatically. Previously, like everyone else, I had a large black DSLR, which is now gathering dust in the closet. Let me make a reservation right away, I am not a professional photographer, all I need is to get great pictures for my home archive and blog posts. Now I am a fan of smart and small “mirrorless” cameras that are ahead of their time in their functions. By the way, for those who are not in the know, all the leading manufacturers of photographic equipment have relied on mirrorless cameras, and the media even began to call them “DSLR killers.” Let me make a reservation right away, this is not an advertising post, my review of the Samsung NX 1000 is intended for those who want to take great pictures without wasting a lot of time on various subtleties and meaningless processing! I really fell in love with this camera. -)
Size . As before, I was tired of “carrying around” with a black heavy mirror “coffin”. Now my camera easily fits into a briefcase or jacket pocket. The NX 1000 is very compact and makes a great travel companion. It looks like an ordinary digital camera, but has the same capabilities as a DSLR and even more, and weighs only 300 grams. The photo shows that the camera is slightly larger than the lens from a standard DSLR.
Style. The modern and slim body adds elegance to the camera. Many times people came up to me and asked me about the camera. The white color makes the Samsung NX 1000 stand out from other cameras. Plus, as part of the promotion, I got an engraving on the case.
Mind. The baby NX 1000 will give you a head start in terms of its characteristics: a 20.3MP APS-C CMOS sensor of a professional level allows you to take pictures of quality comparable to a DSLR. Dust removal: ultrasonic drive. The camera has Internet access and the ability to process images! It is also possible to shoot video in Full HD format:
Quality. The NX 1000's sensor allows you to capture images that rival the quality of professional-grade DSLR cameras. For the last three months I have been shooting exclusively with the Samsung NX 100. Instead of words, I will give a series of pictures from my blog.
1.
2.
3.
Image processing. With the NX 1000 there is no need for Photoshop, photos are processed right in seconds on the camera itself! Various filters are already built-in, you press a button and you get the desired effect.
Filter Old Film
You can take panoramic photos!
Many pictures with different examples of processing effects are stored on my Facebook
Lenses . A set of Samsung lenses will ensure high-quality shooting in any conditions. And there is even an adapter for the K mount, designed to mount interchangeable lenses of the K system (lenses from DSLRs) on NX cameras.
Internet. You can safely forget about the need to carry a USB cable with you. Built-in Wi-Fi support allows you to instantly upload photos to all social networks or send them to email directly from the NX1000 camera. It is also possible to send photos to a smartphone, computer, plasma, etc. Everything is done very conveniently and intuitively.
Price. You get a universal, powerful and modern photo machine at a price that is less than the cost of the simplest DSLR - less than 20,000 rubles! This is the last argument... In general, when you come to the store to buy a camera, pay attention to the NX 1000 - you will not be disappointed.
Conclusion. I don't think a conclusion is needed. I recommend!
Samsung NX1000: a smart mirrorless camera
This is the junior model in the updated NX line, which stands out for its high image quality, well-developed automatic shooting modes, and small size
This is the junior model in the updated NX line, which stands out for its high image quality, well-developed automatic shooting modes, and small size.
Equipment
The camera comes with a lens, a compact flash, a microUSB cable, a charger, a quick start guide, and a software disc.
Design
The camera is made of semi-gloss plastic with a textured handle and back panel. The layered design visually reduces the already relatively small dimensions of the case. But, unfortunately, after just a few minutes of use, the materials feel cheap.
On the front side there is a bayonet mount with a button, as well as infrared illumination.
The control keys, mode dial, and hot shoe are located on the top and back sides.
The camera does not have a built-in flash. It is replaced by a compact external flash, which is included in the kit.
The wired interface connectors are covered with a plastic cover in the camera handle.
Slots for the battery and memory card are located on the bottom edge. There is also a tripod socket made of stainless steel.
It remains to add that the small size and weight of 390 g will allow you to always keep the camera with you.
The NX1000 is available in black and white color options.
On the back panel above the control unit there is an oval recess with a mesh-like texture just for the thumb. It provides additional grip when taking a photo.
The power button is combined with the shutter button, next to them there is a mode selection wheel that cuts into the top edge. Thanks to the serrated coating, it rotates easily, and a characteristic click signals that the desired mode has been selected.
There is an iFn button on the lens, which is used to change parameters. And on the zoom wheel there is a slider with which the lens is locked to reduce its size during transportation.
The manufacturer installed “ears” on the side edges for attaching a belt.
Menu and controls
The NX1000 is controlled using a five-way joystick with a rotary control. The top d-pad button is responsible for the information displayed on the display, the left one is for burst shooting, the right one is for focus mode, and the bottom one helps to adjust the white balance. You can scroll through the settings using the adjustment wheel.
Under the cross there is a button to switch to view mode and a delete button. Above it is a button to enter the settings menu, as well as Fn, with which you can quickly change the available parameters. Even higher is a characteristic button with which you can start recording video.
The menu is accessible and understandable. The minimalist design only makes customization easier. The available settings that you can change vary depending on the selected shooting mode.
10 shooting modes available. SMART mode is fully automatic; all you have to do is press the shutter button.
Lens priority mode allows for scene selection and also enables digital zoom. In this case, the selection is made using the first lens wheel.
The so-called Magic Mode gives the user the ability to choose a photo frame or color filter.
Wi-Fi mode is also interesting. With it, you can send pictures to your Android gadget, social networks, email or the SkyDrive cloud service. And in addition, you can remotely control the camera, view photos and videos on other devices, such as a TV, and automatically download pictures to your computer.
You can change the settings for aperture, shutter speed, ISO and white balance by pressing the iFn button on the lens, while changing the parameters with the ring in its front part. But when you press the Fn button on the camera body, a wider range of settings is available, including choosing photo quality and color space.
The built-in accelerometer helps level the camera by showing its position in space. You can forget about the littered horizon.
Functionality
The NX1000 received an APS-C size CMOS matrix (23.5 x 15.7 mm) with a resolution of 20.3 megapixels. The maximum image resolution is 5472 x 3648 pixels in a 4:3 ratio.
A standard lens with a focal length of 20mm at wide-angle and 50mm at maximum zoom is not very fast. This value is F3.5 and F5.6 respectively. ISO ranges from 100 to 12800, and noticeable noise appears only at ISO 3200 sensitivity level. So it is quite possible to get good quality pictures in poor lighting conditions.
The camera can shoot at up to 8 frames per second, although only in JPEG format. Shooting in RAW is more resource-intensive, so in this case the camera works a little slower, recording each shot longer.
3 ̋ The TFT display has a sufficiently high level of brightness and contrast so that you can easily view a photo or select the desired parameters even on a bright sunny day.
Unfortunately, there is no built-in image stabilizer. You need a lens with optical stabilization.
10 shooting modes are available to the user. In addition to choosing a scene, it is possible to decorate the photo with a frame or a color filter. There are a lot of them and they are all varied.
Examples of photos:
The first mirrorless camera with Wi-Fi. Samsung NX1000 review
Samsung was the first to release a mirrorless camera with wireless data transfer function. Or rather, three such cameras were released at once. The NX1000, the youngest of them, received a 20.3-megapixel APS-C sensor, a magic i-Function button, a Wi-Fi module, and a compact plastic body. All this is sold for very reasonable money. What's the catch?
Samsung is introducing cameras with wireless capabilities as part of its Smart Environment concept. As part of a smart home. In general, whatever you like, but not much attention is paid to the main functions of the devices. And it's a little confusing. As planned, all so-called Smart devices will be combined into a network, providing you with a new level of comfort, freedom and upgrading you to all points of your marketing vocabulary. But for us, any camera is first and foremost a camera, and only then an accessory, part of a smart home, and so on. However, even if you look from this position, you cannot help but admit that the wireless capabilities of Samsung cameras are perhaps the most sophisticated.
Now the focus is on the Samsung NX1000, the youngest model in the new NX family. At first glance, the differences from the most advanced model (Samsung NX20) are not so great: the NX1000 does not have an electronic viewfinder, built-in flash or AMOLED display, and the body is made of plastic and is more compact. Well, now let's talk about all this in more detail.
Technical characteristics and equipment
Panasonic Lumix GF5
CMOS (23.5x15.7 mm), 20.3 MP
CMOS (17.3×13 mm), 12.1 MP
CMOS (23.4×15.6 mm), 16.1 MP
Micro Four Thirds
JPEG, RAW (5472 x 3648)
JPEG, RAW (4000 x 3000)
JPEG, RAW (4912 x 3264)
MPEG-4, H.264 (1920x1080, 24 fps)
MPEG-4, AVCHD (1920x1080, 60 fps)
MPEG-4, AVCHD (1920x1080, 60 fps)
LCD, 3″ diagonal, resolution 921,000 dots
LCD, 3″ diagonal, resolution 920,000 dots
LCD, 3″ diagonal, resolution 920,000 dots
external, included
SD/ SDHC/SDXC cards, Memory Stick Pro Duo/ Pro-HG Duo
114 x 63 x 37 mm, 222 g
108 x 67 x 37 mm, 267 g
117 x 67 x 42mm, 314g
Average price in Russia
When unpacking the device, the following were found in the box: a charger and battery, a USB cable, an instruction manual, a disk with additional software, as well as a belt, a SEF8A flash and an 18-55/3.5-5.6 kit lens. Nothing unusual, as you can see. We received the camera for review complete with several lenses. All of them, of course, must be purchased separately.
The Samsung NX1000 is available in classic black, white and pink body colors. Additional accessories are also available for the NX line, such as a GPS module, flashes, cases, filters and a shutter release cable.
Design, ergonomics
The appearance of the camera makes the most pleasant impression. The camera in a white body, with a white strap, a white flash and a white lens looks extremely impressive, although the color, of course, is very easily soiled. The entire body is made of plastic, with the exception of a few metal buttons. The design is somewhat reminiscent of Nikon 1 J2. A certain similarity can also be noticed when looking at the older Samsung NX210. At first glance, the handle and thumb space are equipped with rubber pads, but this is just the texture of the plastic surface. The overall build quality is excellent, there is practically nothing to blame Samsung for here. True, the picture is slightly spoiled by the protective insert of the display, which flexes noticeably when pressed.
The front panel protrudes forward due to a streamlined handle, in the upper part of which there is an autofocus illuminator lamp. Strictly in the middle is the Samsung logo. The rest of the panel is reserved for a bayonet mount with a lens lock button. The mount is quite large and its diameter roughly corresponds to the height of the body, somewhat reminiscent of Sony NEX cameras.
On the top panel there is a classic “hot shoe” connector, which is used to connect a flash, a pair of stereo microphone holes, a shutter button combined with the power lever, a mode selector recessed into the body, as well as a Smart Link button, on which you can attach any of the Wi-Fi functions -Fi module. There is no built-in flash or viewfinder here. An external flash, as already mentioned, is included in the kit. Well, the viewfinder, in principle, is not such a big loss. For those who really need it, there is the Samsung NX20.
At the back there is a fixed display, four function keys with corresponding inscriptions and icons, as well as a navigation pad with a scroll wheel and a central button.
Below the cover there is a compartment for the battery and memory card, as well as a metal mount for a tripod.
On the left side there is a hole for the system speaker, and the right side is occupied by a compartment for connecting USB and HDMI cables. There are also belt mounts on the sides.
And by the way, the Samsung NX1000 is one of the most compact and lightest mirrorless cameras with an APS-C format matrix. Its dimensions are 114 x 63 x 37 mm and weighs 222 grams. The leadership position is still held by the Sony NEX family with an insignificant margin.
Screen, interface
Samsung NX1000, as the youngest model in the line, received a regular 3-inch LCD display, while its older brothers have modern AMOLED screens on board. At the same time, the resolution of 921,000 dots is the highest for cameras in the NX line. The vertical and horizontal viewing angles are more than sufficient for comfortable work, and the brightness and contrast of the TFT matrix are also quite sufficient. The space between the protective plastic cover and the display matrix is filled with transparent rubber to reduce glare and improve readability in bright sunlight.
To combat the blocked horizon, a two-axis electronic level is provided. This option will be very useful for both novice amateur photographers and more advanced users.
The camera menu is intuitive even for beginners. At the same time, the camera has plenty of different settings, and changing a number of the main shooting parameters is assigned to the lens ring, provided it supports the iFunction function. In general, the menu can safely be called friendly.
Functionality
The trio of mirrorless cameras released by Samsung this year share the same CMOS sensor with a resolution of 20.3 megapixels. This is a fairly high resolution, but on the APS-C format it looks more appropriate than, for example, on a matrix with a 2x crop. As is known, both the noise level and the dynamic range of the entire sensor depend on the pixel area. The camera allows you to shoot in RAW, and the maximum resolution of the resulting images is 5472 x 3648 pixels.
The autofocus system is built on the contrast principle and can operate in four modes - spot, tracking, multi-zone, face detection. Manual focusing is also available and is implemented by simply zooming in on an area of the image. There is no Focus peaking function here.
Exposure metering is carried out using matrix, center-weighted and spot methods. In addition to seven preset white balance patterns, automatic and manual settings are available. The automation works quite accurately; an error occurs only when illuminated with incandescent lamps. In this case, it is better not to tempt fate and enable the appropriate preset, especially if you do not like to use the RAW format.
The flash from the kit is mounted in an accessory connector and has a guide number of 8 meters. The body of the blitz can tilt, which can be considered a plus. Sony also practiced the same approach to flash implementation, but this year's new products demonstrate a transition to a built-in flash. After all, the external flash occupies the accessory port, which is not always useful.
Fans of creativity and all kinds of special effects have a choice of 10 photo filters, as well as a solid set of post-processing tools. The new product can shoot panoramas (both regular and three-dimensional) - to do this, just hold down the shutter button and move the camera the required distance “from and to” horizontally or vertically.
Perhaps one of the most notable features of Samsung NX cameras is support for i-Function lenses. It sounds mysterious, but in reality it's just a button on the lens that, by pressing it, you can select one of the exposure settings and change it by rotating the focus ring. This is quite convenient, especially if you initially get used to this method of control. It should also be noted that not all Samsung lenses support this technology. In this case, the settings are changed in the usual way using the navigation pad and buttons.
The second distinctive feature of the Samsung NX1000 mirrorless camera is its support for working with Wi-Fi networks. Of course, this is far from the first camera with such a module, but among system cameras with interchangeable lenses it is a debutant. And, for sure, this trend will be supported by competitors. Having taken a closer look at the wireless capabilities, we failed to notice anything revolutionary. Sending content to social networks and the Microsoft SkyDrive cloud service, by email, transferring footage to mobile devices running iOS and Android, backing up to a computer via Wi-Fi, and even remote control and a “remote viewfinder” - all this has already been seen previously. The only surprise was the support of the social network VKontakte, to the delight of Russian-speaking users.
Test pictures, videos, impressions of work
The available sensitivity adjustment range is 100–12800 units, with values up to ISO 1600 fully operational. Even at ISO 3200 the picture looks quite tolerable, although here everything greatly depends on the intensity and nature of the lighting.
Samsung NX1000 camera review
A modern camera should understand the photographer perfectly and act not only as an excellent tool for photography, but even as a reliable assistant that can solve a lot of problems. My first impressions of the Samsung NX1000 were formed not from the technical capabilities of the camera, but from the design of its body, or more precisely, the materials used. Almost everywhere is plastic. Surely it’s strong and will protect the insides of the device no worse than metal, but you can’t ignore the sensations: the NX1000 is an entry-level camera,” and that’s exactly how the manufacturer positions it. This doesn’t bother me at all, because its status does not affect the quality of the pictures, but the budget can be reduced.
We tested a white device, and at first I liked the color – it looks elegant. But individual elements of the body have an embossed texture, the relief of which easily accumulates dirt, and the hands of a photographer actively photographing on city streets are rarely clean. In short, the white body is beautiful, but the black one is more practical. The camera is equipped with a Samsung 20-50/3.5-5.6 II ED zoom lens. The second version of the lens implements the proprietary i-Function camera control function. In the transport position it is compact; for operation, the optical unit extends only 2 cm. This lens (more precisely, its predecessor) has already demonstrated high optical characteristics in previous tests. But I still note one drawback. In the Samsung NX mirrorless camera system, the image stabilizer is located in the lenses, but in this kit it is missing. But for this range of focal lengths (f=30-75 mm equivalent), the need to stabilize the image arises quite often, especially when shooting video.
I’m sure that sooner or later Samsung will release a stabilized version of the compact kit lens,” but for now you can use another close-range optics - Samsung 18-55 / 3.5-5.6 OIS. This lens is stabilized, but significantly larger and heavier than the one tested. Continuing the optical theme, it should be noted that the NX line of interchangeable lenses currently includes 11 models and covers a range of focal lengths from 12 mm (f=18 mm equivalent) to 200 mm (f=300 mm equivalent]. The most recent arrivals are wide-angle zoom lens Samsung 12-24/4 ED and prime 45/1.8. The NX1000 camera with a resolution of 20.3 megapixels has an APS-C format sensor. The same one is used in devices of a higher rank - NX210 and NX20. They have the same and processor. It is logical that the images produced by the devices will be very close. Color rendition is natural, noise is low, including at maximum ISO with the noise reduction system turned on. The noise reduction is quite aggressive, so at sensitivities of ISO 6400 and 12,800 the picture is loose.
An entry-level camera would have limitations in functionality. But in real work these didn’t catch my eye. A full range of creative PASM modes, a classic list of scene programs, including panorama and 3D (simulation), intelligent mode with automatic scene selection - the NX1000 has it all. Traditionally, Samsung cameras have a decent selection of artistic frames and art filters for image stylization (fisheye, miniature, vignette, etc.). Perhaps, this is where I ran into the limitations of the NX1000 - for some reason my favorite “cartoon” and “ink drawing” filters are not included in this device. It’s good that they left a “sketch” and I used it with pleasure on gloomy autumn days - pictures in the style of a pencil sketch looked better.
Autofocus left an overall favorable impression. It is tenacious, failures were observed only in very poor light conditions. In face focusing and self-portrait modes, sharpness is automatically adjusted even without pressing the shutter button. In single point mode, the size (4 in total) of the sensitive area is adjusted. Compared to compacts, autofocus is very fast, but is inferior in focusing speed to the leaders in the mirrorless camera segment. In search of the best sharpness, the lens hunts noticeably, but does it quickly.
The NX1000 implements the smart camera concept actively promoted by Samsung. It manifests itself both in the intelligent capabilities of the camera (automatic selection of a scene program, bracketing by picture master, etc.), and in means of communication via wireless Wi-Fi networks. Pictures can be sent to social networks Facebook and VKontakte, sent by email, YouTube, Photobucket. DLNA-compatible TV and auto-copy to your computer. Photos are convenient to view on a smartphone or tablet. These same gadgets will become a remote control panel, for which you will need to install branded applications from the Google Play store.
