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...

Product Overview

Overall rating:

88%

Samsung NX200

Overall score:88%
Value:85%
Performance:85%
Image Quality:90%
Features:90%
Design:90%

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

Product:

Samsung NX200 Review

Manufacturer:

Price as reviewed:

£699.00

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.

Details

White Balance:Auto, Daylight, Cloudy, Fluorescent (W, N, D), Tungsten, Flash, Custom, K (Manual)
Lens Mount:Samsung NX mount
Built-in Flash:External Flash only (Bundle with SEF8A); Smart Flash, Auto, Auto+Red-eye reduction, Fill-in, Fill-in+Red-eye reduction, 1st Curtain, 2nd Curtain, Off
Memory Card:SD (HC/XC)
Exposure Comp:+/-3EV with 1/3EVsteps
Cable Release:No, remote
Compression:Super Fine, Fine, Normal
Output Size:5472 x 3548 pixels
Viewfinder Type:N/A
PC Socket:No
LCD:3in, 614k-dot AMOLED (not LCD)
Field of View:100% approx (rear screen)
AF Points:35-point max
Colour Temp Control:Manual White Balance: Each 7 steps in Amber / Blue / Green / Magenta axis
White Balance Bracket:Yes (3 frames from +/-1 to +/-3 in either blue/amber or magenta/green axis)
Sensor:20.3MP APS-C CMOS sensor
Metering System:TTL 221 (17 x 13) Block segment
Dust Reduction:Yes, Super Sonic Drive Dust Reduction Type
Other:100mm super-fast autofocus, i-Function 2.0, Magic Mode, Panorama, Smart Panel interface, DRIM III Digital Signal Processor
DoF Prview:Yes
Focal Length Mag:1.5x
Max Flash Sync:1/180th sec
Built-in Image Stabilisation:No, lens-based where applicable
Exposure Modes:SmartAuto 2.0, Program, Aperture Priority, Shutter Priority, Manual, Lens Priority, Magic, Panorama, Scene, Movie
Movie Mode:1080p at 30fps H.264 as MP4 format
Live Mode:Yes
Connectivity:mini HDMI, A/V out
Weight:220g without battery, lens or memory card
Power:Rechargeable li-ion battery
File Format:JPEG, Raw, Raw & JPEG
Dimensions:116.5 (W) x 62.5 (H) x 36.6mm (D)
Shutter Speeds:1/4000 - 30 and bulb to 4mins
Drive Mode:Single, Continuous, Burst 7fps, electronic burst (5MP only, JPEG only, 10, 15 and 30fps options available), Self-timer, Bracket (AE / WB / PW)
Focusing Modes:Single AF, Continuous AF, MF
Colour Space:sRGB, Adobe RGB
ISO:100-12,800
  1. 1. Samsung NX200 review - Features
  2. 2. Design
  3. 3. Performance
  4. 4. Image Quality
  5. 5. Movie/Video Mode
  6. 6. Value & Verdict
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