The Samsung NX10 is aimed at users who want a lightweight camera that can take good shots and has DSLR functionality. This mirrorless digital camera with interchangeable lenses is easy to use and lets you switch between automatic and manual functions instantly.
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The Samsung NX10 is aimed at users who want a lightweight camera that can take good shots and has DSLR functionality. This mirrorless digital camera with interchangeable lenses is easy to use and lets you switch between automatic and manual functions instantly.
The NX10 looks and feels like a small DSLR. The shutter button, mode dial, selection wheel, drive mode, and function reset button are found on top of the camera, while the electronic viewfinder, 3-inch AMOLED screen, Menu, Display, Function, EV Adujustment, AE Lock, Play, Delete, and five-way navigation pad (that also functions as hotkeys for Focus, White Balance, ISO, and Metering mode) are found at the rear.
The SD card is located on the right side and is compatible with SD and SDHC. The panel on the left side of the camera hosts the DC-in, HDMI out, USB/AV out, and remote out ports.
The whole camera feels very solid and well made, although the grip was a bit small (as the reviewer had large hands). Depending on the lens purchased, the camera can be held and used with one hand. The camera measures 123 x 87 x 39.8mm (excluding the projecting parts of the camera) and weighs 353g without the batteries and card.
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Those unfamiliar with DSLR functions can use the camera immediately as it has a ‘Smart Mode’ that automatically determines the scene you are about to shoot. The camera also has a ‘Scene Mode’ that has nine different presets (Beauty, Children, Close Up, Text, Sunset, Dawn, Backlight, Fireworks, Beach and Snow), as well as a Landscape, Portait, and Night mode. The NX10 does not have a dedicated video button, forcing users to set the dial to video mode before being able to capture footage.
The NX10’s menu is easy to navigate, with each of the icons labelled accordingly. During our test, we were able to adjust the photo size, image quality, and tweak the white balance setting instantly. Pressing the ‘green’ button resets any adjustments done and restores the setting to default.
Shots taken using the 30mm pancake lens were sharp and captured fine details without any problems. Since the pancake lens did not have an image stabiliser, users are advised to use a tripod in case an image will be shot at a slow shutter speed. The NX10 was able to handle high ISO shots well, with the camera delivering photos with minimal noise. In manual focus mode, the camera zooms into the area where you are focusing, which is helpful when taking night shots. The AMOLED screen was bright and was able to display images even viewing it under the sun.
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The Samsung NX10 can capture video at 1280×720 and saves it as an MP4 file. The unit has two shooting modes (Program and Aperture), a fader function (in, out, in-out), and also offers auto focusing. It takes about a second before the NX10 starts recording, which can annoy those who want to take that ‘moment’ instantly. We also found a couple of times when the AF system had trouble focusing on subjects. The videos taken on the NX10 were vibrant, although we recommend users to zoom in on an object before pressing record.
Overall, the Samsung NX10 is a great camera that can produce brilliant images and HD video. It is packed with features and has a very attractive price tag to boot ($899 with the 30mm pancake lens or $849 with the 18-55mm lens). Unfortunately, there are not a lot of lenses and accessories available for this product, which limits its capability. However, Samsung is promising more lenses and more accessories in the next coming months, so this product is still a worthwhile investment for aspiring photographers.
