Samsung NX200 review
Value & Verdict
Samsung NX200 review - Value
The NX200's £699 asking price makes it among the priciest non-viewfinder CSCs on the market. Only the Olympus E-P3 commands a higher price and the forthcoming Panasonic GX1's power zoom kit is also of a similar standing. What you're really paying for is the Samsung's high resolution but if that's not of interest then the camera may struggle to hold your attention. Considered in context and, in terms of price, the NX200 can be found sandwiched between the Nikon 1 V1 and Sony NEX-5N cameras price-wise.
Samsung NX200 review - Verdict
The NX200 is a big step beyond the NX100. The design and layout don't disappoint and the camera is a breeze to use. Image quality is also phenomenal at the lower ISO settings - something we didn't anticipate considering the high resolution - and high ISO settings are decent (though not quite the best from a CSC). The camera's OLED screen is excellent, the inclusion of a hotshoe means expansion is possible and the i-Fn lenses add to the user experience.
But there are areas where the NX200 comes up short: low-light focusing is a frustration; Raw file processing is far too slow; and the battery life is poor. If it wasn't for these three points and if a hotshoe-mounted electronic viewfinder became available then there'd be little else out there that could take the on the NX200 and win.
If you're considering the Samsung system then the APS-C sensor will deliver quality in droves, but such a sensor size means a larger system overall compared to the likes of Micro Four Thirds and similar systems. Landscape enthusiasts and the like will love the otherwise compact size - just be sure to bag a second battery and there's little the NX200 can't do.
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/