Samsung NX200 review
Review Date : Thu, 17 Nov 2011
Author : Mike Lowe
- Sample Photos: Samsung NX200 review sample images gallery
The 20.3-megapixel Samsung NX200 doesn't do things in half measures. Is the latest NX-series CSC as good as it promises, or does the NX200 have its share of issues? The What Digital Camera Samsung NX200 review...
| Pros: | Excellent low ISO image quality, ease of use, OLED screen, i-Fn lenses |
|---|---|
| Cons: | Low-light focusing issues, Raw processing is slow, poor battery life, no EVF available |
Samsung's latest Compact System Camera (CSC) isn't looking to do things in half measures. With a huge 20.3-megapixel resolution across its large APS-C sized CMOS sensor and a brand new design could the NX200 be the best NX-series camera yet?
Samsung NX200 review - Features
Who said the megapixel race was dead? Second only to the huge resolution of Sony's 24.3-megapixel NEX-7, the Samsung NX200 has a massive 20.3-megapixel resolution - making it the second most resolute CSC that money can buy. But you won't find the Samsung's sensor in any other model so it's not directly comparable to any competitors or other NX-series models.
There's no doubting that the NX200 is a change of gear for Samsung. The NX100 which it replaces was almost half the cost of the latest £699 model, so there's plenty more on board to get your money's worth.
The NX200's DRIMIII processing engine assists in recording images from ISO 100-12,800 at full resolution, can capture shots at 7fps and also offers 1080p movie clips as MP4 files. Autofocus has a quoted 100milisecond response time that's super-fast and a host of Smart Filters, Magic Frames, Scene modes and Picture Wizard settings complement the more traditional P/S/A/M manual shooting modes.
There are also a couple of standout features that you'll find throughout the whole Samsung NX range too: the 614k-dot OLED screen on the NX200's rear is fantastic quality and superior to competitors' LCD equivalents; and each NX lens comes equipped with an i-Function (iFn) function button to quickly access common settings and then adjust them using the lens' focus ring. The i-Fn concept is a firm stamp of Samsung's individuality that sets the model's control process apart from the competition - plus the latest i-Fn 2.0 adds i-Zoom and customisation options to the list of settings.
However there's no built-in viewfinder and while a small flash is included in the box to add to the camera's hotshoe fitting there's not one built into the body itself. The NX200 sits firmly in the compact-styled CSC market sector, where it's comparable in price and format to the latest Panasonic Lumix GX1 and Sony NEX-5N models.
Have your say!
Latest comments
November 22 09:51
WDC
The camera's very close to getting it perfect. But the battery life, slow Raw processing (and locked down controls while writing to card) and no consideration for an EVF (unless Samsung release a different statement - that's what we've been told for now) leave it a whisker short of incredible. Fix those first two things and this would've been a Gold Award camera.
November 22 12:17
oly-oly-oly
i don't understand your lens comment. yes, the 60mm macro is large, as it has to be to extend to 1:1 magnification. But it has more, and better pancakes than all other CSC's. The 16mm, 20mm, 30mm and 20-50mm zoom are all pancake lenses. Sony has only the 16mm (which is of lower image quality) and no others planned due to short flange distance. m43 has the 14mm and 20mm. Both are good lenses, but rely on software correction.
November 23 10:09
wdc
Re: lenses. Consider the NX200 (and indeed Sony NEX) lenses in comparison to Nikon 1 and Micro Four Thirds systems. The APS-C sensor sizes are quite different and require larger lenses - that's an important consideration for consumers that may not immediately think about such things.
December 02 16:50
Daniel
If anyone is interested I have some pictures from the NX200. Super Macro taken with reverse mounting and 20mm. http://www.flickr.com/photos/didmyself/sets/72157627822053437/