Mirrorless Interchangeable Lens Camera NX10

This is an extreamly long review about Samsung NX10 camera.
SAMSUNG NX10 Review

Digital cameras have kept changing according to customers’ requests. They have been smaller for better mobility and for more convenient shots, new functions have been added. Moreover, Quality difference has drastically reduced recently, so a cheap camera doesn’t mean low quality any more.

By releasing the successful WB1000 and ST550(TL225), Samsung has become a representative camera maker in 2009 and also by adding high quality and unique functions, they have been loved much. (The front LCD of the ST550(TL225) was an ‘innovative’ idea, I think.) However, unlike the compact digital camera market, they failed to appeal in the high grade market such as DSLRs in 2009. (The WB5000 was a high end digital camera, but not a lens interchangeable type, so it failed to satisfy DSLR users. A following model of the GX-20 a lot of users wanted wasn’t released, either.)

There was nothing but rumors about the NX10 which a lot of users had been expecting and it made people wondering it. Finally, it has been released. (As the next model of Mirrorless Interchangeable Lens Cameras which have been popular, it’s a kind of next generation digital camera having both mobility of compact digital cameras and manual function of DSLRs.)

I’m so wondering whether it can be a competitor of DSLRs having the same level image sensors. I hope this will satisfy users longing for this camera. Let’s take a closer look at the camera with the review.

It has 123 x 87 x 39.8mm of size and 353g of weight. As a APS-C type image sensor installed model, it has the outstanding mobility. (Depending on the type of lenses, mobility varies. However, like the picture, if the 30mm F2 lens is mounted, it fits in a brief case and is good enough to carry. For those who want lens interchangeable cameras like DSLR, but hesitate to buy it because of their mobility, this camera would be a perfect camera.)

The design of this products comes from a traditional DSLR line. Its great finishing makes it more elegant and unlike general compact digital cameras, its side and front have been simplay finished. (The overaall deesign is so satisfactory, but as a leader of the new mirror-less market, it should have been more cyberti, I think. The similar design to normal DSLR cameras is a little unsatisfactory.) @The body is made of high intensity fiber material, so it has higher intensity.

It’s the front and as a lens interchangeable type camera, a lens mount is installed in the center, but different from other DSLRs, it has been designed as a mirror-less type, so the image sensor is exposed. (It’s CMOS type and supports 23.4×15.6mm APS-C. It has 14.6M pixels and it can also be used for professional purposes.) Depth preview and lens detach buttons are also installed. @ A lens mount adaptor for the K mount lens used for the GX-10 or GX-20 will be released. AF can’t be used, but various Pentax and Samsung lenses will give more advantages.

On the front, in the left top, AF assist light and self timer lamp is installed and in the right tip, a built-in microphone for voice and video recording is located.

It’s the top of the product. A pop-up flash is located and through Hot shoe, it can be connected to an external flash. (In order to take higher quality pictures, the external flash is necessary. I think a lot of users like that it supports Hot Shoe.) On the side, flash and menu buttons are located with a speaker.

It’s the right top. Mode can be easily changed and mode dial is supported. (Not only P/A/S/M, but also additional functions for compact digital cameras such as Beauty Shot, Smart Auto, Movie, Scene are mostly supported.) Power switch, shutter button, dial, green button for initialization, and shooting type button for selecting normal/consecutive/self timer are located.

It’s the side of the product. In the upper side, a viewfinder is located and on the side, Eyesight adjustment dial is located. (Like the picture, eyecup can be separate. I hope they will release various eyecups for customers.) @ As a mirror-less type camera, EVF (Electronic View Fidner) is supported. Unlike most other products supporting display change switch, the NX10 has an eye sensor in the lower part of the EVF, so once an eye gets closer to it, the screen automatically changes.

On the right side, various buttons are located. In the upper side, AEL button for automatic exposure lock and automatic focus lock and EV button are located. DISP for display setting, Fn buttons for functions, direction key, and status LED are installed. (In the lower part, playback, and delete/Picture wizard buttons are located.

As an expected model, it has the AMOLED not TFT LCD. It has not only great Color expression and vividness, but also no influence by viewing angle, and good under the sunlight. (With Normal TFT LCD, it’s almost impossible to playback images due to limited viewing angle and light reflection.) @ I don’t think I need to explain strengths of AMOLED. One thing you should be noted is the big difference from TFT LCD.

It’s the right side of the product and there’s a memory card slot. It also perfectly supports high capacity SDHC, so there’s no inconveneince to shoot RAW and HD movides. (Up to 8GB SDHC is supported.)

It’s the right side of the product and various ports are supported. (DC IN power port, mini HDMI for connection of external AV devices, shutter release connection port, and AV out port are installed.) @ Please check the HDMI connection through the video clip.

It’s the bottom of the product. There’s a mount hall for tripod connection and a battery is located on the side. (1300mAh BP310 Li-Ion battery is supported. It takes 150 mins for full charge and photo shooting for 200 mins (400 pictures) and video shooting for 130 mins are possible.)

It’s larger than a compact digital camera, but compared to DSLRs, it’s small enough to carry around. Like the picture, the size is totally different from the product equipped with vertical grip and still smaller than small DSLR cameras. (It’s not only the size, but also the weight. The large display is so outstanding with the small body.)

Grip was also so satisfactory. Like the picture, the curve on the body allows more natural grip and there was no empty space between the body and my fingers, so more stable shooting was possible. (Because I used to take with a vertical grip installed camera, there was no place for my small finger to put. However, most of the users will get used to it soon.)

With the NX10, 3 lenses will be released at the same time. (18-55 OIS lens, 50-200mm OIS telephoto lens, and F2 30mm Pancake lens) @ I think you could see the performance by looking at the specifications.

It’s the 18-55mm F3.5-5.6 OIS included as a bundle and it’s not much different from other bundle lenses for DSLRs. Like the picture, zoom ring and focus ring are installed and OIS and AF/MF selection switch are supported. (The NX10 supports OIS by lens shift, so normal lens and OIS lens will be separate. It’s more expensive than body shift type, but it’s more reliable, instead.) @ In MF setting a focus manually using the focus ring, because live view is zoomed, more accurate focus can be set.

It’s the 30mm F2 lens not included and this will satisfy those who want higher quality pictures. (By supporting F2, it can easily be used in a dark place and it allows more vivid quality as a pancake lens.) @ Image quality will be handled in the test part.

@ Lenses for the NX10, Flash, Filter, and case will be released.

We’ve looked at the design and features. Let’s take a look at the detailed functions at this time. (I expect different menu from other compact digital cameras. I’m wondering whether it supports high level functions like DSLRs.)

It’s the main UI and totally different from previous compact&high end digital cameras. In the lower part, setting mode, shutter and aperture information, exposure compensation status, available shots, histogram, and battery status are displayed. On the both sides, shot option is displayed, so the environment can easily be checked. (Using DISP button, screen information status can be selected.) @ It’s good to see the various information in a screen, but I like the elegant UI design more. Previous cameras had messy font and icon composition, but the UI of the NX10 is clear and cool.

For quick selection for frequently used functions, Fn buttion is supported. By pushing Fn button, size, quality, AF region, flash, color space, Smart Range, and OIS can be quickly adjusted.

Not only Fn button, but also most of the buttons on the back support shortcut button. By using shot type button, consecutive/high speed shots and self timer can easily be selected and Picture Wizard button is located. Through direction key, AF mode, White Balance, ISO, and metering can be set. @ At first, it might be a little complicated, but getting accustomed, it will be quite convenient, because shortcut buttons for frequently used functions are supported.

It supports a perfect manual shooting like a DSLR and also for users’ convenience, Smart Auto is supported. (If you press the shutter halfway down, the camera automatically recognizes the screen and relevant mode icons are activated.) Most of the settings are automatically set, so setting menu is so simple. @ The NX10 not only supports a perfect manual shooting, but also good auto mode.

It’s the setting of video mode and various settings as many as pictures are supported such as exposure mode selection, size, quality, White Balance, and Picture Wizard. AF mode, shot type, metering light, fader, wind noise removal, voice, and OIS (On lens) are also featured. @ It supports incomparably good HD video recording. The AF wasn’t that perfect, but by using Depth Preview button to set a focus, there will be no inconvenience.

Scene mode is also supported. Like the picture, 9 scene modes (Beauty Shot, Children, Close Up, Text, Sunset, Dawn, Backlight, Fireworks, Beach, and Snow) are provided and when Beauty Shot mode is selected, brightness and compensation can manually be made.

When it comes to a frequently used scene, it’s supported as a separate mode such as Portrait mode, Night Scenery mode for correct exposure in a dark place, and Landscape mode for vivid focus.

High level compact cameras and high end cameras support Manual mode, but because it’s a lens interchangeable type, it’s not perfect. (For example aperature) However, because the NX10 is a lens interchangeable type, a perfect manual mode is supported like a DSLR. And like the picture, it supports P/S/A/M modes perfect, so userse can easily adjust aperture value and shutter speed to get pictures they want. @ When it come sto P mode, Program Shift maintaining the same brightness with adjusting aperture and shutter speed is supported.

Now, let’s take a closer look at the various functions supported. The picture on the top is after pushing the menu button from P/A/S/M mode. The NX10 has 14.6M pixels and allows up ot 4592×3056 resolution. Not only 4:3, but also 16:9 can be set, and so various settings for file sizes are available. @ I’ve been using 12.2M pixels DSLR camera, but I’ve never needed more pixels. The NX10is good enough for professional purposes.

When it comes to quality setting, Super Fine/Fine and RAW are supported. (It is needed when using a picture for professional purposes.) Up To ISO 3200 is supported. (Separate Noise reduction function is also supported for high pixels unlike compact digital cameras.) @ I was surprised at the results of ISO 32000. Please check at the test part.

As a high level camera, various White Balance modes are supported. (Auto, Daylight, Cloudy, Fluorescent (W, N, D), Tungsten, Flash, Custom, and Color Temperature (Manual). In White Balance, by pushing Fn button, micro adjustment is possible.) Color space is also supported. (Not only sRGB which is a standard for a computer monitor, but also Adobe RGB for commercial printing with wider range of color reproduction are supported.)

Various Picture Wizards are supported for more emotional pictures with various moods. (Setting Picture Wizard, micro adjustment of saturation, sharpness, and contrast are available. It’s good enough to make colors you want.) @ 3 custome Picture Wizard modes are supported for your own colors, not just basic Picture Wizard.

It’s the Shot setting 2. In AF mode, single AF and continuous AF which the focus is continuously fixed while holding the shutter half-way down are supported. (Setting MF in the lens, it automatically sets to MF.) Selection AF, Multi AF showing all places which focus is set correctly, Face Detection AF recognizing faces, and Self Portrait AF making beep sounds to confirm the location of your face are supported.

For shooting method, Continuous shooting taking 3 shots per 1 sec, burst taking 30 shots per 1 sec (1472 x 976 of fixed resolution) are supported. Self timer (2-30 sec in increments of 1 sec), is also supported and BKT taking 3 shots considering exposure, white balance, and Picture Wizard can be set. Center-weighted, multi, and spot metering are possible and various built-in flash settings also available.

It’s Shooting setting 3 and like I mentioned, detailed settings of BKT are supported.

Smart Range which automatically corrects the loss of bright parts due to difference in the shading of picture is supported. (Because it supports lens shift, it also works with a OIS lens. In mode 1, it’s only activated when pushing the shutter half-way down and in mode 2, it’s always on.

It’s user setting menu and intensity of exposure compensation can be set. It has a noise reduction function caused by high sensitivity (ISO 3200) and long time shooting. AF assist light, icon, guide line, histogram, screen setting, and button setting are possible.

Let’s take a look at the environment setup menu. Like the picture, format and initialition are supported and files and folders can be set as dates. The way of file numbering can be set (In order to prevent file names from being overwritten, set it to Series.) As a Samsungproduct, various languages are supproted.

Preview time can be set and by adjusting the screen, brightness and colors of display can be set. (Automatic brightness adjustment function is also provided.)

Not only screen saving, but also normal power saving mode is supported (Like the picture, users can set it manually.) and date, time, and sound can be set.

Senser cleaning eliminating dusts around the sensor is supported (Ultra sonic dust removal functin is installed, so you don’t need to visit customer service cenber to clean CMOS.) PAL is also supported for the appropriate output signal for different countries. Anynet+ setting is also available and HDMI resolution setting is also supported. @ They will be reviewed more closely in the test section. Firmware update for lens is also supported.

Using a playback button on the back, you can see recorded videos and pictures. Unlike other previous products, on the bottom of the picture, various shot informatin is displayed. It allows users to realize the situations more intuitively and using a DISP button, detailed shot information and RGB histogram can be checked, so it will satisfy professional users, I think.

Using a trash bin button, users can easily delete pictures while in playback, and zooming and cutting of pictures are available. Thumbnails (3/9/20 images) and Smart Album are also supported. (Classified by file and date)

Like shooting, when in play mode, by using Fn button, images can easily be edited. Red eye fix and backlight adjustment are supported and various photo style can be set. Size adjustment, rotation, and compensation are alsosupported.

It’s Playback setting and it supports File delete and playback setting. Like I mentioned, image editing menu is included and automatic rotation setting, highlight (Notifying users of too dark part of the image by blinking), and DOPF (Setting Print information) are supported.

Slide show function is provided. (Pictures, effects, interval, and BGM can be set.)

Design and functions have been closely reviewed. Now, through shooting tests, let’s take a look at how great quality pictures it takes. @ As an APS-C CMOS camera, 1.57 is multified on the angle. It means 47mm is displayed on images taken by 30mm pancake lens.

Unlike other compact and high-end cameras, the NX10 is a lens interchangeable camera. The biggest advantage from this type is a manual function, I think. Even though M/A/S modes are supported, lens fixed type cameras have a certain limit to get pictures users want, because of aperture value. However, when it comes to the NX10, because aperture value is adjustable, the NX10can take out-focus shots like DSLRs.

I think the pictures are enough to explain it. The upper picture was taken with aperture tightened, so it’s not easy to distinguish subjects from background, but the lower picture was takenwith open aperture, so a perfectly out focused picture was taken. (When it comes to normal compact cameras, no matter how close the subject is, this out-focusing can’t be made. With the 30mm F2 lens, even though it was quite far from subjects, satisfactory out-focusing could be made.

Not only by aperture, but also by using shutter speed, different style of pictures can be taken. (The lower picture was taken with low shutter speed using a tripod, so more natural water flowing could be taken. Because it makes less noise even in high ISO, fast movement can perfectly be taken.)

Lens shift type IS is provided and by supporting up to ISO 3200, without using a flash, shooting can be done at night. @ (Especially, it was easy to take shots at night, because the 30mm lens which have been used for the test supports F2

Even though they were taken at night, it set focus quite accurately and fast. (The reason I don’t use a compact digital camera is AF. When I needed a quick shot, the slow AF made me crazy, but the NX10 could take fast AF as much as DSLR cameras.) @ ‘Dream Image process engine’ Samsung developed and up-to-date ‘AF algorithm’ help create the high speed AF.

As a lens interchangeable camera, it also has the convenience of compact digital cameras, so it supports various functions regarding Portrait shots like other Samsung cameras. (It supports not only separate portrait mode, but also Beauty Shot in SCENE mode. By supporting Face Detection AF, optimized portrait shots can be taken under any circumstances.)

Various portrait shots were taken and skin tone was calm. Exposure was quite accurate. When it comes to Beauty Shot, it was quite natural compared to other products. (The skin tone was closer to Nikon, rather than Canon. It looks a littl cold, but realistic.)

It’s the ISO test and I was surprised at its great noise reduction. Unlike compact cameras, there was no resolution degradation in ISO 1600 and 3200. When resized, there was rare noise in high ISO. (I liked this part the most while testing the NX10. I compared this to Nikon D2X and the NX10 has incomparably great noise reduction, so it will perfectly satisfy users who are sensitive noise.)

They were taken in ISO 3200 and like I mentioned, when resized, there was no noise at all, and considering ISO 3200, the original picture was also good enough.

It’s the angle comparision of the 18-55 bundle lens. It’s a little difficult to take telephoto angle shots, but good enough for wide and standard angle shots, I think. (The quality was beyond my expectation. It also supports OIS, so in a dark place, by securing shutter speed, there was no hand blur. NX mount various lenses will be supported and by adapter ring, Pentax K mount lens can also be used, so it will support wide range of angles.)

It’s the test of exposure correction and much different from normal shots without the setting. (On the lower part, appropriate exposure is displayed, so exposure can easily be changed)

Not only continuous shots taking 3 shots per sec, but also burst (high speed shooting) mode taking 30 shots per sec are supported, so you will never miss a moment and it’s also good to make GIF animation like the picture. (Unlike other products having 600 fixed resolution, the NX10 has 1472×976. This quality is good enough for web sites.)

Picture Wizard function is provided for unique pictures. Like the picture in the upper side, by selecting the mode, shooting with different colors is possible and color, saturation, sharpness, and ocntrast can also be adjusted to take your own pictures.

It has a built-in flash and the amoung of flash light can be adjusted. (The exposure changed a lot. When a flash is needed to take close subjects, it can be taken by adjusting expousre.) @ Hot Shoe is installed on the top, so an external flash can be used. Those who use an external flash will be satisfied with this.

Because it has Hot shoe, those who want to use a camera for more professional purposes don’t feel any inconvenience. I tried to take shots with a light set used in my office, and then I could see the great details of images even compared to DSLRs. (I was surprised at the original pictures. I couldn’t see anything wrong in details and was fully satisfied with the qulaity.)

In order get more natural color images depending on light sources, various White Balance menus are proivded. (After the test, I could see the auto white balance was quite accurate.)

Considering the feature higher color temperature makes it bluer and lower color temperature makes redder, users can manually set the color temperature in White Balance.

AS a camera supporting HD movie recording, it supports Composite and HDMI outputs. The above picture was the NX10 connected to Full HDTV through HDMI cable and pictures taken were played perfectly. (Different from other cameras allowing shooting and recording in external output mode, only playback function is supported in the NX10.) @ Like I mentioned in the design section, the NX10 supports mini HDMI port, not normal HDMI. When buying a cable, please check if the cable is HDMI to mini HDMI first.

It’s playing a video in the best quality and as a HD resolution supporting product, vivid and clear video was being played. There was some inconvenience, because it needed to set the focus by using depth adjustment lever. However, it will be very useful, because of the incomparably great video quality. @ Please check through the video preview.

[Samsung NX10 Sample Video 1]



[Samsung NX10 Sample Video 2]

Not only JPEG files, but also RAW files are perfectly supported and for convenient photo editing, Samsung RAW Converter 3 is included. (Unlike JPEG compressing files and causing some image loss, RAW is non-compressed file format. The size is huge, but wide range of retouching can be done. For those who want to use the NX10 for professional purposes, this would be more wonderful, I think.)

[Samsung NX10 Design & Operation Video]

When it comes to normal digital product, domestic and oversea products have been struggling in the market, but in a digital camera market, only Samsung has been in the market with Japanese makers. (Optical technology needs a lot of experiences for decades and digital cameras are in technology-integrated product, so it’s not easy to start the business.) I’d just like to highly evaluate Samsung for releasing a lens interchangeable camera with their own technology, no matter how great or bad the quality is. (I hope Samsung will be successful in the lens interchangeable camera market, like the great success of the ST550(TL225).

The biggest advantage of the NX10 was the image quality. By adopting the APS-C 14.6 pixels large CMOS, the image quality is great enough for professional purposes like large development. (I was really surprised at the noise reduction in ISO 3200.)

As a lens interchangeable camera, various lenses will be purchased later, so there’s no limit caused by shooting angle, and by supporting lens shift IS, there’s no hand blur in any circumstances. (3 lenses are being released with the NX10, but new lenses will be released continuously, and a lens mount adapter will be release to user Pentax K lenses.)

I like the compact size and light weight compared to DSLRs. The combination of perfect manual function and convenience of compact digital cameras is an outstanding point compared to other digital cameras. @ Most of the high level functions such as AMOLED, Hot shoe, HDMI, HD movie recording are supported.

Unlike cameras from Japanese makers, there’s no influence by currency rate, so the price will be reasonable, I think. I’d like to recommend this product for those who want to update their camera due to their limited quality rather than professional DSLR users. You will be satisfied with everything such as functions, performance, quality, and mobility.

Read more: http://www.samsungimaging.net/mirrorless-camera-nx10/#ixzz0ixvrGrZb