Samsung NX-20 mirrorless interchangeable lens camera: User Review
- Thread starter wonglp
- Start date
Hi bananaOne, I mentioned in one the post about this. To qualify, I'm using a class 10 SDHC transcend, possibly not the fastest.
Extracted from earlier thread.
"Using the High FPS mode, camera can continuously 8 frames with no lag, in fact the camera has very low shutter lag. However, once you stop, the processor will take time to process what's shot. Meaning between shots, the camera pauses. It depends on the number of frames shot, the size of file, and jpg or Raw or both. Did a 8 FPS at 20MP, superfine, had to wait close to 10s before I can take another shot. If RAW+JPEG (20MP,Superfine), it takes almost 30sec. Read on DPR earlier, there's a new firmware that fix the RAW+JPEG, I shall try to download asap and reaffirm the improvements."
Just read again that maybe not much improvement, at least not that much. I had yet to update firmware, still checking if it's possible to do so as not my set. I will be updating with more photos soon from my trip in China as well as more on the wifi functionality.
EDIT: Just updated firmware, tested before and after FW udpated. 8 shots sequential JPEG SF+RAW, before about 50sec, after just couple secs faster, not significant. A faster card will help more.
Stay tuned. Thanks
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A couple more from last week:
Vivid mode, 18mm, F7.1, 1/500s, ISO 200, +0.3EV. OOC jpg
Vivid mode. Boat Quay. Samsung NX20+18-55OIS. OOC jpg by wonglpnn, on Flickr
Vivid mode, 18mm, F6.3, 1/20s, ISO400, +0.6EV
Shoppes @ Marina Bay Sands. Samsung NX20+18-55 OIS. OOC jpg by wonglpnn, on Flickr
Vivid mode, 55mm, F6.3, 1/50s, ISO 200, +0.6EV
Samsung NX20+18-55 OIS. OOC jpeg by wonglpnn, on Flickr
Vivid mode, 18mm, F4.5, 1/25s, ISO 400, 0EV
What's brewing? by wonglpnn, on Flickr
Vivid mode, 18mm, F7.1, 1/500s, ISO 200, +0.3EV. OOC jpg
Vivid mode. Boat Quay. Samsung NX20+18-55OIS. OOC jpg by wonglpnn, on Flickr
Vivid mode, 18mm, F6.3, 1/20s, ISO400, +0.6EV
Shoppes @ Marina Bay Sands. Samsung NX20+18-55 OIS. OOC jpg by wonglpnn, on Flickr
Vivid mode, 55mm, F6.3, 1/50s, ISO 200, +0.6EV
Samsung NX20+18-55 OIS. OOC jpeg by wonglpnn, on Flickr
Vivid mode, 18mm, F4.5, 1/25s, ISO 400, 0EV
What's brewing? by wonglpnn, on Flickr
The Kit lens is a good enough lens like many other kits, not the sharpest, but versatile range for walkaround, in good light definitely a good performer. In low light, the flash had to be utilized in most situations. With OIS it can be very useful situations, along with the flash & using EVF that helps one to position better. Some flash shots at Shanghai Bund to share. The AF illuminator beam is green and less intrusive (still intrusive if too near to strangers, red would be much more intrusive, so pretty well thought of Samsung
)
A handheld shot. 35mm, F5.6, 1/15s, ISO 1600, 0EV. Flash rear curtain. OOC jpg
SAM_4304 by wonglpnn, on Flickr
A handheld shot. OIS really helps here. 35mm, F5.6, 1/5s, ISO 1600, 0EV. Flash rear curtain. OOC jpg. AF beam on.
Flash and AF beam on by wonglpnn, on Flickr
A squatting shot, camera rested on knee. OIS really helps here. 18mm, F6.3, 1/3s, ISO 1600, 0EV. Flash rear curtain. OOC jpg
1/3s shot from squatting position by wonglpnn, on Flickr
)A handheld shot. 35mm, F5.6, 1/15s, ISO 1600, 0EV. Flash rear curtain. OOC jpg
SAM_4304 by wonglpnn, on Flickr
A handheld shot. OIS really helps here. 35mm, F5.6, 1/5s, ISO 1600, 0EV. Flash rear curtain. OOC jpg. AF beam on.
Flash and AF beam on by wonglpnn, on Flickr
A squatting shot, camera rested on knee. OIS really helps here. 18mm, F6.3, 1/3s, ISO 1600, 0EV. Flash rear curtain. OOC jpg
1/3s shot from squatting position by wonglpnn, on Flickr
Long exposure shots and shutter speeds.
Some long exposure shots to share from Shanghai. The ISO 100 from Samsung is a useful feature for long exposure shooting, although 30sec slowest shutter speed is not so. Sometimes, you need a little longer shutter speed to get light trails. & the fastest shutter speed of 1/8000s is also very useful if one is using primes on bright day light. Not many entry level cameras offer combination of such features. After several long exposure shots, I realized a dust spot on my sensor, though after turning on sensor cleaning (supersonic drive), it's gone! Not all mirrorless cameras today have this feature, I wish all can adopt this in the future.
This is shot with sensor dust, kindly note the distortion (slant inwards of the buildings) is due to perspective distortion of lens at angles rather than actual flawed distortion of the lens. Anyway, even if there's distortion there's a option to turn it on. I suspect this makes the files write longer time.
With sensor dust by wonglpnn, on Flickr
This is after turning on sensor cleaning feature, no more dust. Both shots are post processed on saturation, contrast, levels, etc. Do note that there's also a start up sensor cleaning function which is useful if you change lens very often and you might introduce some minute dust while lens change. However, this also slows down the start up of the camera by close to 1 sec.
No dust after sensor cleaning by wonglpnn, on Flickr
Shanghai night light trails. 18mm, 30sec, F13, ISO200, +0.3EV
Trailing lights by wonglpnn, on Flickr
Some long exposure shots to share from Shanghai. The ISO 100 from Samsung is a useful feature for long exposure shooting, although 30sec slowest shutter speed is not so. Sometimes, you need a little longer shutter speed to get light trails. & the fastest shutter speed of 1/8000s is also very useful if one is using primes on bright day light. Not many entry level cameras offer combination of such features. After several long exposure shots, I realized a dust spot on my sensor, though after turning on sensor cleaning (supersonic drive), it's gone! Not all mirrorless cameras today have this feature, I wish all can adopt this in the future.
This is shot with sensor dust, kindly note the distortion (slant inwards of the buildings) is due to perspective distortion of lens at angles rather than actual flawed distortion of the lens. Anyway, even if there's distortion there's a option to turn it on. I suspect this makes the files write longer time.
With sensor dust by wonglpnn, on Flickr
This is after turning on sensor cleaning feature, no more dust. Both shots are post processed on saturation, contrast, levels, etc. Do note that there's also a start up sensor cleaning function which is useful if you change lens very often and you might introduce some minute dust while lens change. However, this also slows down the start up of the camera by close to 1 sec.
No dust after sensor cleaning by wonglpnn, on Flickr
Shanghai night light trails. 18mm, 30sec, F13, ISO200, +0.3EV
Trailing lights by wonglpnn, on Flickr
banana0ne
New Member
Samsung has a bulb mode. you can activate it by going on manual exposure>then turn the shutter speed dial beyond 30 sec exposure. NX10 is lousy on long exposure, even at ISO there are noise coming out everywhere.
the supersonic sensor dust removal is effective. I never have needed to swipe my sensor since. and its a very good feature...
banana0ne said:
That's correct on bulb mode, I didn't have remote shutter release so can't use that, pretty standard features these days. Thanks for noting that
Do you see a marked improvement from nx10 in these shots? NR is on btw. No sharpening was done.
The tripod mount doesn't obstruct battery compartment & sd card slot opening, so that's a well thought design.
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banana0ne
New Member
That's correct on bulb mode, I didn't have remote shutter release so can't use that, pretty standard features these days. Thanks for noting that
Do you see a marked improvement from nx10 in these shots? NR is on btw. No sharpening was done.
The tripod mount doesn't obstruct battery compartment & sd card slot opening, so that's a well thought design.
I can say that there's improvement, though haven't used NX for LE for quite some time (being spoilt with k-5)... but as far as I could recall, jpeg on NX10 is some kind of point and shoot quality with mosaic like rendition. noise is apparent even with long tern NR is on but detail is there.
I would say jpeg it's pretty good, though I do think the AA filter either is strong, or the lens is pretty soft, though it's still a kit lens, can't ask too much. No hot pixels issues so far with long term NR after an hour or so of usage so thats really good. As for colors, I find the vivid mode works for me, though I will still tweak it to my liking further.
Perhaps the RAW file will see some difference details especially if I turn on NR. Haven't found time to test the RAW files, hope to coming week. IQ so far is good enough for most users, certainly the primes will bring out the best of the sensor.
Street Photography
Mirrorless cameras are very useful for street shooting due to the smaller size, and focusing can be done from LCD screen instead of holding the camera to the eye to compose with OVF compared with DSLR. And with articulate swivel screen of NX20, it's makes things even easier. strap the camera to the neck, rest it on neck walk around at tummy level and trigger off, most would not notice that you had taken a shot. A swivel screen is able to do a low angle portrait orientation shot, which a tilt screen can't. Although at times a tilt screen would be even more useful for streets as it's even less obvious. I walked around with the screen flipped to the side and faced easy for me to see.
Sharing some street shots in Guangzhou, No PP for all shots. OOC Jpg.
18mm, F5.6,1/200s, ISO100, +0.3EV
SAM_4426 by wonglpnn, on Flickr
30mm, F5.6, 1/320s, ISO100, +0.3EV
SAM_4577 by wonglpnn, on Flickr
40mm, F5.6, 1/40s, ISO400, +0.6EV
Fine foods delivered by wonglpnn, on Flickr
55mm, F5.6, 1/640s, ISO 200, 0EV
Hair raising by wonglpnn, on Flickr
Mirrorless cameras are very useful for street shooting due to the smaller size, and focusing can be done from LCD screen instead of holding the camera to the eye to compose with OVF compared with DSLR. And with articulate swivel screen of NX20, it's makes things even easier. strap the camera to the neck, rest it on neck walk around at tummy level and trigger off, most would not notice that you had taken a shot. A swivel screen is able to do a low angle portrait orientation shot, which a tilt screen can't. Although at times a tilt screen would be even more useful for streets as it's even less obvious. I walked around with the screen flipped to the side and faced easy for me to see.
Sharing some street shots in Guangzhou, No PP for all shots. OOC Jpg.
18mm, F5.6,1/200s, ISO100, +0.3EV
SAM_4426 by wonglpnn, on Flickr
30mm, F5.6, 1/320s, ISO100, +0.3EV
SAM_4577 by wonglpnn, on Flickr
40mm, F5.6, 1/40s, ISO400, +0.6EV
Fine foods delivered by wonglpnn, on Flickr
55mm, F5.6, 1/640s, ISO 200, 0EV
Hair raising by wonglpnn, on Flickr
Some more from Guangzhou, all OOC jpg
22mm, F6.3, 1/20s, ISO400, +0.3EV
Male hospital? by wonglpnn, on Flickr
18mm, F8, 1/250s, ISO100. +0.3EV
Chigang Pagoda, Guangzhou Tower by wonglpnn, on Flickr
55mm, F5.6, 1/800s, ISO200, 0EV
Curious dog by wonglpnn, on Flickr
55mm, F5.6, 1/40s, ISO800, +0.3EV
SAM_4591 by wonglpnn, on Flickr
18mm, F5.6, 1/20s, ISO400, +0.3EV
Panning by wonglpnn, on Flickr
22mm, F6.3, 1/20s, ISO400, +0.3EV
Male hospital? by wonglpnn, on Flickr
18mm, F8, 1/250s, ISO100. +0.3EV
Chigang Pagoda, Guangzhou Tower by wonglpnn, on Flickr
55mm, F5.6, 1/800s, ISO200, 0EV
Curious dog by wonglpnn, on Flickr
55mm, F5.6, 1/40s, ISO800, +0.3EV
SAM_4591 by wonglpnn, on Flickr
18mm, F5.6, 1/20s, ISO400, +0.3EV
Panning by wonglpnn, on Flickr
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The picture mode has a few interesting colors preset you can use. I attempted a couple using the retro colors as well as classic (B&W) according to situations. Shots are made in Guangzhou, Lao Beijing Street.
22mm, F5.0, 1/13s, ISO1600, +0.6EV
Tweaked contrast and shadows to bring out subject. Classic mode.
Guangzhou, tweaked contrast, shadows by wonglpnn, on Flickr
55mm, F5.6, 1/40s, ISO400, +0.3EV. Classic mode.
Classic mode, tweaked contrast, shadows, picasa by wonglpnn, on Flickr
55mm, F5.6, 1/40s, ISO400, +0.3EV. Retro mode.
Retro colors, OOC jpg by wonglpnn, on Flickr
55mm, F5.6, 1/40s, ISO800, +0.3EV. Retro mode.
Untitled by wonglpnn, on Flickr
22mm, F5.0, 1/13s, ISO1600, +0.6EV
Tweaked contrast and shadows to bring out subject. Classic mode.
Guangzhou, tweaked contrast, shadows by wonglpnn, on Flickr
55mm, F5.6, 1/40s, ISO400, +0.3EV. Classic mode.
Classic mode, tweaked contrast, shadows, picasa by wonglpnn, on Flickr
55mm, F5.6, 1/40s, ISO400, +0.3EV. Retro mode.
Retro colors, OOC jpg by wonglpnn, on Flickr
55mm, F5.6, 1/40s, ISO800, +0.3EV. Retro mode.
Untitled by wonglpnn, on Flickr
The OIS (Optical Image Stabilizer) is effective. All the time was turned on during my shoots. Here's 2 shots to illustrate that.
General rule of thumb, to get shake-free shots, the shutter speed should be faster than 1/(FL x crop factor) = 1/(55 x 1.5) = 1/83s. Shot below was at 1/30s, so it's about 1.5 stops effective.
55m, F7.1, 1/30s, ISO1600, +0.3EV, OOC jpeg
Untitled by wonglpnn, on Flickr
The following is at 18mm with shutter speed of 1/3s, handheld and using EVF for better support. So its more than 3 stops effective. So I thinks it's very effective.
18mm, F5.6, 1/3s, ISO 800, 0 EV, OOC jpeg
Untitled by wonglpnn, on Flickr
General rule of thumb, to get shake-free shots, the shutter speed should be faster than 1/(FL x crop factor) = 1/(55 x 1.5) = 1/83s. Shot below was at 1/30s, so it's about 1.5 stops effective.
55m, F7.1, 1/30s, ISO1600, +0.3EV, OOC jpeg
Untitled by wonglpnn, on Flickr
The following is at 18mm with shutter speed of 1/3s, handheld and using EVF for better support. So its more than 3 stops effective. So I thinks it's very effective.
18mm, F5.6, 1/3s, ISO 800, 0 EV, OOC jpeg
Untitled by wonglpnn, on Flickr
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Portraits
Something that I do lot is portraits, especially kids portraits as they surround me all the time. Skintone is a particular trait in the camera that I look out for, whether it's jpeg (preferably) or Raw (if no choice), as I am lazy to do much PP. So far, Olympus, Fuji X-pro1, Ricoh GXR skintone works well for me. NX20 surprises me as I tried NX100 couple years ago, the skintones didn't appeal to me. NX20 renders skintone pretty well, I do prefer the vivid mode vs the portrait mode or standard, personal preference.
Some more outdoor portrait shots, all with vivid mode, OOC jpg, no PP:
55mm, F5.6, 1/160s, ISO200, 0EV
Untitled by wonglpnn, on Flickr
With backlight, the lens controls flare very well here.
55mm, F5.6, 1/160s, ISO100, 0EV
Untitled by wonglpnn, on Flickr
55mm, F5.6, 1/100s, ISO400, 0EV
Untitled by wonglpnn, on Flickr
Something that I do lot is portraits, especially kids portraits as they surround me all the time. Skintone is a particular trait in the camera that I look out for, whether it's jpeg (preferably) or Raw (if no choice), as I am lazy to do much PP. So far, Olympus, Fuji X-pro1, Ricoh GXR skintone works well for me. NX20 surprises me as I tried NX100 couple years ago, the skintones didn't appeal to me. NX20 renders skintone pretty well, I do prefer the vivid mode vs the portrait mode or standard, personal preference.
Some more outdoor portrait shots, all with vivid mode, OOC jpg, no PP:
55mm, F5.6, 1/160s, ISO200, 0EV
Untitled by wonglpnn, on Flickr
With backlight, the lens controls flare very well here.
55mm, F5.6, 1/160s, ISO100, 0EV
Untitled by wonglpnn, on Flickr
55mm, F5.6, 1/100s, ISO400, 0EV
Untitled by wonglpnn, on Flickr
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WIFI BUILT IN
One of the new features that this camera showcase is the built in wifi function. There are a few functions that this wifi capability brings along. And if you don't have wifi network, no problem, as long you have smartphone that can do tethering, you can connect via 3G network.
1. Mobilelink - Connects and transfer images/videos uncompressed to a Smartphone (only Android/iPhone/iPad devices are supported) via a free app "MobileLink". So need to download run it, connect wifi and then select the pictures to send. Does not have ability like the Eye Fi Pro X2 card to transfer images on the fly, but this is first version, i can only see good things coming.
2. Remote viewfinder - This allows one to use similarly (Android or iOS devices) to be used as a remote shutter release, this is an exciting feature will show some shots of it later.
3. Photo/video sharing sites - So far only Facebook, Photobucket, Youtube. Will show some examples later as well.
4. Email. Max of all files limited to 10MB
5. Upload to Microsoft cloud server SkyDrive. Must setup an account with microsoft first in order to use that.
6. Wifi Direct devices. Any device that supports Wifi-Direct.
7. Samsung Allshare devices, any samsung devices that has this feature (PC with the app, Samsung smart TV, mobile phone, tab etc)
The limitation for all above (except 1,7) is set to be 20 pics, with max 2MB per pic (auto resized if it's larger than 2MB), and if Facebook is used, 1MB per pic. Video sharing has to be resolution of 240Web in the camera.
One of the new features that this camera showcase is the built in wifi function. There are a few functions that this wifi capability brings along. And if you don't have wifi network, no problem, as long you have smartphone that can do tethering, you can connect via 3G network.
1. Mobilelink - Connects and transfer images/videos uncompressed to a Smartphone (only Android/iPhone/iPad devices are supported) via a free app "MobileLink". So need to download run it, connect wifi and then select the pictures to send. Does not have ability like the Eye Fi Pro X2 card to transfer images on the fly, but this is first version, i can only see good things coming.
2. Remote viewfinder - This allows one to use similarly (Android or iOS devices) to be used as a remote shutter release, this is an exciting feature will show some shots of it later.
3. Photo/video sharing sites - So far only Facebook, Photobucket, Youtube. Will show some examples later as well.
4. Email. Max of all files limited to 10MB
5. Upload to Microsoft cloud server SkyDrive. Must setup an account with microsoft first in order to use that.
6. Wifi Direct devices. Any device that supports Wifi-Direct.
7. Samsung Allshare devices, any samsung devices that has this feature (PC with the app, Samsung smart TV, mobile phone, tab etc)
The limitation for all above (except 1,7) is set to be 20 pics, with max 2MB per pic (auto resized if it's larger than 2MB), and if Facebook is used, 1MB per pic. Video sharing has to be resolution of 240Web in the camera.
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One of the wifi feature I see myself using quite a bit is the Facebook connection.
When you start searching, once put in password, you can start choosing the pictures. Max 20 pics, with FB, each pic will be resized to 1MB.
Untitled by wonglpnn, on Flickr
Untitled by wonglpnn, on Flickr
The network will be saved so next time you connect it will be auto, also the FB account as well, however, the password needs to be reentered. For security reasons, this is good.
2 things I hope to see improve in firmware, maybe dreaming:
1. Able to choose the album to put the pictures into.
2. Flickr!!!!! There's photobucket, but I believe the Flickr users are much more than Photobucket. If they can make it become an android device to download apps, wow!
Still for first version it's pretty awesome already. The fact that this can be done without Eye fi card, with your choice of fast UHS-1 large storage SDXC cards, Eye fi is max 8GB & Class 6 (iirc), not to mention it's a pretty expensive SD card >$100. All this built in NX20 free!!
When you start searching, once put in password, you can start choosing the pictures. Max 20 pics, with FB, each pic will be resized to 1MB.
Untitled by wonglpnn, on Flickr
Untitled by wonglpnn, on Flickr
The network will be saved so next time you connect it will be auto, also the FB account as well, however, the password needs to be reentered. For security reasons, this is good.
2 things I hope to see improve in firmware, maybe dreaming:
1. Able to choose the album to put the pictures into.
2. Flickr!!!!! There's photobucket, but I believe the Flickr users are much more than Photobucket. If they can make it become an android device to download apps, wow!
Still for first version it's pretty awesome already. The fact that this can be done without Eye fi card, with your choice of fast UHS-1 large storage SDXC cards, Eye fi is max 8GB & Class 6 (iirc), not to mention it's a pretty expensive SD card >$100. All this built in NX20 free!!
The other very useful Wifi app is "remote viewfinder"
One usage I can think of is to use it as stealth street shooting. So you view on phone and shoot, while camera is strapped on the neck. No compact, Rangefinder, swivel screen, tilt screen comes close to this sort of stealth...
A shot of shooting the phone with the camera capturing it simultaneously. Extremely cool!
Shooting the handphone shooting the camera remotely by wonglpnn, on Flickr
Some test shots
Untitled by wonglpnn, on Flickr
Untitled by wonglpnn, on Flickr
However using this mode, it becomes auto scene mode, only settings are flash, timer and file size. The rest is decided by camera. Hopefully all settings can be changed in future updates.
One usage I can think of is to use it as stealth street shooting. So you view on phone and shoot, while camera is strapped on the neck. No compact, Rangefinder, swivel screen, tilt screen comes close to this sort of stealth...
A shot of shooting the phone with the camera capturing it simultaneously. Extremely cool!
Shooting the handphone shooting the camera remotely by wonglpnn, on Flickr
Some test shots
Untitled by wonglpnn, on Flickr
Untitled by wonglpnn, on Flickr
However using this mode, it becomes auto scene mode, only settings are flash, timer and file size. The rest is decided by camera. Hopefully all settings can be changed in future updates.
After 12 good days with the Camera, here's some rundowns of Pros & cons of what I think of the camera, and it's personal user remarks, so take it with a pinch of salt
Pros
- Wifi functions is the one that really got me hooked on this camera, especially the remote viewfinder function for street shooting.
- Zippy AF in day, High 8 frames per second
- Improved ISO from what I had seen on NX100, can personally go up to 1600 no issue.
- Nice skintones
- 1/8000s with ISO100, great for shooting outdoors with primes without stop down or ND filter! Though I wish I had some of the excellent primes (30 & 85) to test with
- Best Amoled screen ever used, and I don't even need to bump up the max brightness most times. So much so I render the EVF function rather useless except for low light shot for better stance, and manual lenses. But can someone just put ambient sensor in to do it auto like what most smartphones have today??
- Panoramic function (horizontal, vertical) & 3D
- Articulate screen!!! Gotta love this in any camera, compared to a tilt screen, swivel can take low angle portrait shots which I really like. A tilt screen won't be able to do that, although a tilt screen is more inconspicuous than swivel for street shooting.
- Flash seems good so far I tested without much overexposing
- Good ergonomics at least for my hands
- Very well thought menu & user interface, shortcut keys, iFn on lens, feels much like a mini dsLR in operations. Little gripe though is the On/Off power button is rather stiff.
- Pretty good lens range, 9 so far, with some 3rd party ones as well.
- Sensor dust removal which really works! Bye to DIY cleaning or service centres
- Of course, lastly with mirrorless format, it uses APSC sensor in a small lightweight body.
Cons
- Biggest issue for me is the buffer speed. Tried the fastest card i had, Sandisk extreme 30MB/s. Still takes 15-20s for processing 8FPS sequential shots Jpeg at 20MP superfine. If Raw, allow another 10sec of wait. I suppose UHS-1 would improve the buffer speed, but that's beside the point. Rather pointless to be able to shoot 8FPS but not able to continue shooting immediately afterwards.
- Raw files, a whopping 35MB average size. This is pretty big still. haven't look into the Raw files, should do so soon. But still the file size seems a little too big, it may be a pro for some though
- Though I like the skintones, I generally find the colors a bit lacking because I like more punchy colors (like Fuji velvia, Olympus jpeg engines). Yes, this is personal preference. A bit of tweaking is still needed to bring out the colors.
- Kit lens seems a bit soft wide open, even in centres. Though I have seen excellent details with some primes. Distortion though is well controlled in camera. Haven't been troubled with chroma aberrations so far, so that;s good.
- AF at low light can struggle even with AF beam on.
- rather lacking dynamic range compared to some other latest mirrorless cameras.
Though there may be some cons, as with every camera, there's no perfect camera/system, there's only one that will suit you best for your needs. So do try out at the stores to see if it's suitable for you or not. In fact, I seldom need to shoot Hi FPS. Ergonomics and menu may suit me, but not everybody may feel the same. Concluding, I feel this camera has really the most value for money amongst all mirrorless today, just this few features will knock the socks off many others like Wifi, articulate screen, EVF, best AMOLED, 1/8000s...if one can leave with some of the quirks, and should the lens range and accessories is sufficient for one, it's certainly a camera system to keep. And looking at the direction that Samsung is heading, to have a Smart Camera, we can expect great things to happen. Sensor wise, they may not be the best now, however as an overall camera system and user experience of being able to communicate their creativity immediately & seamlessly, will outshape their goal of being the Smart Camera and perhaps a standard to other manufacturers to adopt as well.
Will post more pictures along the way. Hope the short review & images helps some to have a better idea of what this camera is capable of.
Pros
- Wifi functions is the one that really got me hooked on this camera, especially the remote viewfinder function for street shooting.
- Zippy AF in day, High 8 frames per second
- Improved ISO from what I had seen on NX100, can personally go up to 1600 no issue.
- Nice skintones
- 1/8000s with ISO100, great for shooting outdoors with primes without stop down or ND filter! Though I wish I had some of the excellent primes (30 & 85) to test with
- Best Amoled screen ever used, and I don't even need to bump up the max brightness most times. So much so I render the EVF function rather useless except for low light shot for better stance, and manual lenses. But can someone just put ambient sensor in to do it auto like what most smartphones have today??
- Panoramic function (horizontal, vertical) & 3D
- Articulate screen!!! Gotta love this in any camera, compared to a tilt screen, swivel can take low angle portrait shots which I really like. A tilt screen won't be able to do that, although a tilt screen is more inconspicuous than swivel for street shooting.
- Flash seems good so far I tested without much overexposing
- Good ergonomics at least for my hands
- Very well thought menu & user interface, shortcut keys, iFn on lens, feels much like a mini dsLR in operations. Little gripe though is the On/Off power button is rather stiff.
- Pretty good lens range, 9 so far, with some 3rd party ones as well.
- Sensor dust removal which really works! Bye to DIY cleaning or service centres
- Of course, lastly with mirrorless format, it uses APSC sensor in a small lightweight body.
Cons
- Biggest issue for me is the buffer speed. Tried the fastest card i had, Sandisk extreme 30MB/s. Still takes 15-20s for processing 8FPS sequential shots Jpeg at 20MP superfine. If Raw, allow another 10sec of wait. I suppose UHS-1 would improve the buffer speed, but that's beside the point. Rather pointless to be able to shoot 8FPS but not able to continue shooting immediately afterwards.
- Raw files, a whopping 35MB average size. This is pretty big still. haven't look into the Raw files, should do so soon. But still the file size seems a little too big, it may be a pro for some though
- Though I like the skintones, I generally find the colors a bit lacking because I like more punchy colors (like Fuji velvia, Olympus jpeg engines). Yes, this is personal preference. A bit of tweaking is still needed to bring out the colors.
- Kit lens seems a bit soft wide open, even in centres. Though I have seen excellent details with some primes. Distortion though is well controlled in camera. Haven't been troubled with chroma aberrations so far, so that;s good.
- AF at low light can struggle even with AF beam on.
- rather lacking dynamic range compared to some other latest mirrorless cameras.
Though there may be some cons, as with every camera, there's no perfect camera/system, there's only one that will suit you best for your needs. So do try out at the stores to see if it's suitable for you or not. In fact, I seldom need to shoot Hi FPS. Ergonomics and menu may suit me, but not everybody may feel the same. Concluding, I feel this camera has really the most value for money amongst all mirrorless today, just this few features will knock the socks off many others like Wifi, articulate screen, EVF, best AMOLED, 1/8000s...if one can leave with some of the quirks, and should the lens range and accessories is sufficient for one, it's certainly a camera system to keep. And looking at the direction that Samsung is heading, to have a Smart Camera, we can expect great things to happen. Sensor wise, they may not be the best now, however as an overall camera system and user experience of being able to communicate their creativity immediately & seamlessly, will outshape their goal of being the Smart Camera and perhaps a standard to other manufacturers to adopt as well.
Will post more pictures along the way. Hope the short review & images helps some to have a better idea of what this camera is capable of.
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