We were not all that impressed by the
picture quality of the Samsung Galaxy Camera. So when we got hold of the
NX1000, which looks a bit like the Android camera, we were unsure what to
expect. But the similarity ends at the looks, for the NX1000 is Samsung's first
foray into the compact mirrorless space.
With
an all-white body, the camera has a switchable lens
With an all-white body, the camera has a
switchable lens. We tested with the 20-50mm lens, which comes with an
i-Function that lets you control the camera with the lens ring. So if you are
on shutter priority the lens rings lets you choose the shutter speed. The
i-Zoom lets zoom in using the focus ring, but it's a bit tough to get right.
The
Samsung NX1000 debuts a new 20-50mm lens, which like Samsung's other small
lenses, retracts inside the zoom barrel to make a smaller package, and must be
deployed before shooting.
There is a mode ring on top and a control
dial on the side of the LCD. The Fn button give you the settings for any mode
and there is a lot even when you are shooting video. But there is so much to do
here that a touchscreen is missed at times. Thanks to Samsung's expertise with
screens, the LCD is real good. It actually makes pictures seem better than they
are.
Unlike
the NX210 and NX20, the Samsung NX1000 has a 3-inch LCD, rather than an AMOLED.
We've yet to see it, but tend to prefer LCDs over AMOLED displays, so it'll be
interesting to see which we prefer.
The NX1000 too gives you the option of
shooting in RAW. It also gives you almost all the shooting options available on
the DSLR, along with the Magic mode with frames and filters, a smart mode where
the camera chooses the setting and a scene mode. There is also a Wi-Fi mode
where you can link to a network and wireless network and share or sync your
picture on online platforms. The Smart-link button on top lets you connect to a
compatible smart phone and share pics there. The phone can also be used to
control the camera remotely. And that is a real killer feature on this camera,
though it takes a while to link up.
We
also received last minute news that the NX1000 will ship in pink, as well as
white and black.
The camera has a 20.3 CMOS sensor and the
image quality is pretty good. Though we had trouble with the auto-focus in
close range, it was limited to the manual and semi-automatic modes. There is
Manual Focus in case that is what you prefer. The camera also excels in low
light, even if you are in full auto mode. Don't think that we are talking about
the flash popping up to give you an extra bright picture, for this camera has
no flash. That is an attachment, and hence a sore point. The low-light features
are all thanks to the sensor and ISO.
The camera lets you do lots in terms of
filters and frames. There is even a 3D settings, though we could not test the
image. However, most of these involve a bit of processing and that takes a few
seconds. Buy this camera as an upgrade from a point-and-shoot, one that lets
you do a lot more.
|
Specifications
§ Price:
$645
§ Camera
type: Mirrorless / Interchangeable Lens
§ Width:
4.58 inches
§ Height:
2.67 inches
§ Depth:
1.55 inches
§ Weight:
0.6 pounds
§ Color:
Black, Silver
§ Sensor
size: Four Thirds System
§ Sensor
type: Live MOS
§ Effective
pixels: 16 megapixels
§ Minimum
ISO: 100
§ Maximum
ISO: 12800
§ Fastest
shutter speed (1/n seconds): 4000
§ Slowest
shutter speed (n seconds): 60 seconds
§ Focus
points: 23
§ Max.
continuous shooting speed: 20 FPS
§ Size:
3 inches
§ Resolution:
460000 dots
§ Touch
technology: Yes / Unspecified
§ Supported
media: SD, SDHC, SDXC
§ Built-in
speaker: Yes
§ Built-in
microphone: Yes
§ Video
out: Yes
§ Connection(s):
USB, HDMI mini, AV Multi
§ Model:
DMW-BLD10
§ Removable:
Yes
§ Flash:
Yes (Built-in)
|
