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Saturday 17 December 2011

Samsung NX200 Review : A Mirror less camera

Camera enthusiasts never miss a single chance to have a look at the beautiful cameras which are introduced every time. With the start of a new year, manufacturers have geared up to produce wide range of high quality cameras to cater the demands of camera lovers. At one point, some cameras are so dramatically designed that you cannot distract your mind from them. Similarly, this time we were enjoying every glance of a new camera which has high potential to capture amazing images with detailing that photographers’ demand. It is the Samsung NX200, an interchangeable lens camera which is highly praised by experts. However, certain flaws are always present in all the cameras, which we will now expose.
Samsung NX200 Review
The NX200 is the latest entrant in the Samsung’s interchangeable lens category and we can firmly say that it is a mirror less model. Besides, it is the latest version introduced by the company with its ILC (interchangeable lens) to deploy an APS-C size sensor. This sensor is the largest we have ever seen in the class of mirror less cameras. This new camera has entered after the last years NX100. So, it is just the remodeled version with metal body. The camera features a 20.3 megapixel APS-C CMOS sensor which literally offers quick capture as well as swift auto focusing. Below is the list of quick view for features of NX200:
  • ISO – 100-12,800
  • 20.3 MP APS-C CMOS sensor
  • HD movie recording (1080p)
  • 3 inches of AMOLED screen
  • 7 fps continuous shooting
  • An extraordinary i-Function lens from Samsung
  • 3D panoramas
  • Manual settings – shutter speed, EV, aperture, WB, and ISO
  • I-Scene lens priority mode
  • Choice of scene modes, 6 types of Smart Filters and intelli-Zoom function

Price and availability :

The Samsung NX200 comes in a price tag of $900 in the United States and the kit includes an 18-55 mm f/3.5-5.6 OIS II kit lens. So, before you plan to buy a good camera, read the pros, cons and NX200 specs.

Pros :

The camera offers an excellent battery life so you can click and record for a long time. The best is its lively 20.3 megapixel resolution for still and 1080p for video shooting. Also, it offers an accurate white balance and exposure which makes the quality of a picture far more presentable. The camera is far more equipped than its predecessor NX100.

Cons :

The Samsung NX200 is very expensive and features limited lens selection. One of the biggest flaws is its inconsistent focusing system which could disappoint many photographers.

Design :

The camera is designed to offer high quality performance. Apart from performance, Samsung has also focused on its design part to make it more attractive and appealing in just one glance. The lens’ design is a little mounted up and extends out of the front level by around half an inch. Comfort-wise, this camera can easily be handled as it perfectly fits in hands. A large logo of Samsung increases the elegance of this camera and can be found positioned at the center of the grip and completely hides behind your hand when you hold it to click a picture. The camera also boasts a standard lens release button which is positioned at the top of the camera with a green focus lamp. Particularly, there isn’t any built in flash, but the camera does offer a compact external strobe which is present in the box.
At the rear of the camera is a 3 inches of AMOLED VGA display for comfort in viewing. When you’ll go to playback mode, you’ll definitely enjoy the fantastic look of the images which glows up due to accurate color and sharp detailing. However, there is a little difference in white balance which gives different previews sometimes after clicking a particular image. At the right side of its screen, you’ll find a dedicated record control that gives you access to 1080p video capturing. Other functions include exposure compensation, function, menu, playback, and delete buttons. A selection wheel can be found at the top right fitted across the 4-position button equipped with speed, ISO, display, and AF modes. An OK button is also positioned at the center.
At the top, stereo microphones, full-size hot shoe to maintain its top casing, and a small speaker grill are integrated. Mode dial is another feature which offers automatic, manual and scene modes. A wheel can be found for zooming into the images while you are on playback mode. A combination of power slider and shutter release is also available to meet the requirements of any photographers. Once you open its solid plastic cover, the camera will reveal its hidden treasures – miniHDMI and microUSB ports. At the bottom of NX200, a tripod connector and a single compartment is available which houses both SD card and 1030 mAh battery.
            Samsung NX200 Specs       Samsung NX200 Front view       Samsung NX200 Camera

Image quality in NX200 :

Users get a benefit of using an APS-C sensor camera which produces a wonderful low-light performance. When the camera functions, we get fine shooting job with a settings fixed on high-ISO. When we put the setting on ISO 800, the noise was barely visible and was completely disappeared on ISO 200. Considering the image quality of this camera, we are not much attracted to it as it is almost similar to other cameras including what the Sony NEX-C3 offers. The color and exposure is good, but viewing at 100% often brings soft details. Perhaps, this problem occurs due to the low lens quality. So we cannot comment properly as we have just checked it with one lens.

Image quality :

One of the greatest benefits of using an APS-C sensor is excellent low-light performance, and we were pleased to see that the NX200 does a fine job shooting at high-ISO settings. Noise is barely visible at ISO 800, and non-existent at ISO 200. Looking beyond noise, image quality was on par with other cameras in this category, including the Sony NEX-C3. Colors and exposure were generally spot-on, but when viewed at 100-percent, some details often appeared soft, even on images where a focus lock was confirmed by the camera. All in all, the images will look really good if you want to upload them on web or want to enjoy viewing in smaller prints.

Battery and overall performance :

Samsung NX200 camera with its interchangeable lens does not perform any focus. It will ultimately bring your subject in focus perfectly, but it can even perform a little slow, especially when the light is very low. In fact, it becomes much slower when bright sunlight occurs. Photographers probably will get disappointed with its slow performance more often when they want to capture a subject and almost miss the action. While the video capturing is on, the camera can even refocus automatically. Here, we have found a noticeable delay which requires a slow-processed readjustment.
Performance-wise, the camera can easily startup, focus and click an image in around 1.5 seconds. However, the truth is that its delay can consume some more seconds, even more when you try to focus on a particular subject in depth with multi-layered scenes, especially in the bright sunlight. Apart from this focus issue, the camera did perform very well when we rapidly clicked 11 shots back to back in 7 frames/seconds in full resolution (JPEG) and 8 frames in RAW.
The battery life (1030 mAh battery) of this camera lives long. We clicked 700 images and 25 minutes of 720p video for four days and the battery didn’t fail our imaginations to widen up. In fact, even after four days of exploration, the camera showed us 3 bars of remaining battery power. So, no complaints here as the battery is really phenomenal.
Samsung Digital Camera

User interface :

We are really happy to check out its amazing interface. Its mode dual up top enables users to choose a particular program, shutter priority, aperture priority, and manual. The main system menu is very easy access and is also responsive enough to perform a task.
Cameras with compact interchangeable lens come in affordable ranges, but Samsung NX200 on other hand is quite expensive. The competition is still unclear as there is not much manufacturers who have offered mirrorless cams. Canon will announce its new release sometimes soon whereas; Nikon has stepped in an unexpected way where it offers disgustingly underpowered 1 System, which other than this is very profitable. Still, we are quite impressed with Samsung’s competitor Sony which offers NEX-C3.Though this camera doesn’t offer much specs like what Samsung is offering (16.2 MP APS-C ILC and 18-55mm kit lens), but Sony’s NEX-C3 is a best deal as it comes for $550.

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