Samsung NX10 Hybrid Camera - A Small Winner

Never mind the Micro Four Thirds System; Samsung has one upped that and gone ahead with the NX10, a product that's a perfect union between a DSLR and a Micro Four Thirds camera as it comes with a APS-C sized sensor built into a compact body. But does it only work in theory? We give you the details.

Introduction 

After what seemed like forever, the recent Micro Four Thirds segment came along to finally patch up the rift that existed between compacts and DSLR cameras. As technology progressed to take better photos and enable cameras to be more user friendly, the demand for cameras is inching ever higher and we don't see that changing anytime soon. In fact, as casual consumers get more educated with the ways of photography, they are increasingly demanding smaller and lighter compact-like cameras armed with the capabilities of a DSLR (bigger sensors, interchangeable lens,etc). The Micro Four Thirds system couldn't have come at a better time.

So what makes Micro Four Third cameras an almost perfect mix to serve this growing need? To recap: they come with mirror-less bodies which makes them not only smaller, but more compact. The only major drawbacks are a) the viewfinder is no longer optical due to the removal of the mirrors and b) they come with sensors that are about 30 to 40% smaller than those in DSLR cameras which as we all know translates to more noise in photos. Nonetheless, they were welcome additions for photography enthusiasts as they were presented with more options besides the heavy and bulky DSLRs.

But don't be mislead by our Micro Four Thirds discussion here as the camera in question today, the Samsung NX10, is not exactly using this system, but rather, a more developed evolution of the former. Technology has allowed makers to delve even further into the psyche of photography enthusiasts, upping the bar with "hybrid" cameras that not only boast the same APS-C sensor size as cropped DSLRs but also maintain the lightweight bodies behind the Micro Four Thirds system cameras. That means less digital noise than the Micro Four Thirds cameras. The new Samsung NX10 is one such hybrid camera and we give you our impression of it in the following few pages. Hit on the specs tab if you want to absorb the camera tech specs before continuing.

The all new Hybrid NX10 from Samsung is quite a game-changer in the field of digital cameras. Read on for our assessment.

The all new Hybrid NX10 from Samsung is quite a game-changer in the field of digital cameras. Read on for our assessment.

 

Design

It is safe to say that the black Samsung NX10 looks pretty pedestrian and unassuming as it opted for a more modern DSLR-like exterior design that's clean-cut and not a whole lot interesting. Nonetheless, looks here are secondary for the NX10 - what it has here in its favor is a streamlined build and promising performance which should make many photography enthusiasts happy. Regardless, skimping on weight doesn't make the NX10 look any shabbier than its heftier DSLR counterparts; in fact, the NX10 looks and feels sturdy enough to impress in spite of a plastic build.

Despite housing a bigger sensor, at 123×87×39.8mm, the NX10 is only marginally bigger than the Olympus PEN series cameras and the Panasonic GF1, all of which are true Micro Four Third cameras.

You've seen the front view, so here's a top view of the Samsung NX10.

You've seen the front view, so here's a top view of the Samsung NX10.

 

Handling

Bearing a close resemblance to the bigger DSLR but armed with a thinner body and smaller handgrip, the camera naturally feels a lot lighter and less threatening, even more prominently so for those who are used to the girth and weight of DSLRs. The buttons are well-positioned and uncluttered - making the shooting experience a pretty seamless and tireless one. While we felt that the handgrip might be a little too flat and small for some, it is nothing much to mince about as its rubbery texture and nice ridge help keep our grip on the camera strong and firm. 

Controls

You will notice that the top right corner is where most of the action takes place, which is quite standard on most other DSLRs or Micro Four Third cameras for the matter. Prominently seen here is the mode dial, where users can choose which mode to shoot on - beginners can seek solace in the available scene modes and SmartAuto modes while advanced photographers can select between the more intensive Manual, Aperture-Priority or Shutter-Priority modes. Most of all, the dial is relatively thick and covered with grooves, which makes it extremely easy to change settings just with your thumb.

One small gripe that we had was with the position of the selection wheel. As seen in our shot below, it is sitting just under the power button on the NX10. It is purely a matter of ergonomics but we felt that it would have been better if the selection wheel was shifted down to the bottom right of the mode dial. In that way, both the mode dial and selection wheel is within the reach of the only free finger, the thumb, without really having to adjust your grip.

The selection wheel that's just under the power button on the NX10 could have been better positioned instead. Otherwise, most other controls and usability is fine.

The selection wheel that's just under the power button on the NX10 could have been better positioned instead. Otherwise, most other controls and usability is fine.

On the left, there's the flash, hotshoe attachment, and surprise, the menu button. While the menu button is almost always found at the bottom near the screen along with the rest of the buttons, the choice to isolate it from the rest isn't entirely a bad idea as it makes the layout way less cluttered and confusing. 

Like its mirror-less counterparts, such as the Panasonic G1 and the Olympus PEN series, the Samsung NX10 comes with a built-in electronic viewfinder (EVF) patterned after the more recent crop of DSLR cameras. It has a 0.86x magnification and offers 100% field of view with a reasonable 921k dots of resolution. The NX10 does however have an eye sensor underneath the EVF, which will automatically switch to the EVF usage mode from the default LCD screen (or technically known as live viewfinder) when you position your eye near it (or any obstacle for that matter if you're curious). While we were hesitant at first, the seamless transition bowled us over as not only does it help to conserve battery life by putting the screen to sleep, the switch is also instantaneous without any lag. All things said and done, it really helps that users do not have to fumble to press an extra button to switch it to EVF or LVF (live viewfinder) mode or contend with a sub-performing function that lags to the point of frustration on the end-users' part. The EVF is also sufficiently bright so there's no need to squint or strain your eyes dry.

While we assume most users will shoot with auto focusing on, it is still good to know that manual focusing on the NX10 is rather fluid. After selecting the manual focus mode on the lens, turning the ring will allow the camera to automatically zoom into the area of focus; when you stop tweaking it, the screen will return to normal after a couple of seconds. We found that it took quite awhile for the screen to return to the original magnification if we left it to its own devices, but for those impatient like us, a light press on the shutter release button will promptly switch it back. 

Slots & Ports

Unlike most cameras, the SD/SDHC slot is found apart from the battery compartment on the right side of the NX10. Being assigned a different compartment is actually good news, and presents a convenient way of changing cards without having to flip your camera over since you know, you wouldn't want your battery to drop out either. The slot is covered with a plastic 'door' that opens with a sideway push.

A sideway push does the trick, but you have to put slightly more pressure than usual to open it.

A sideway push does the trick, but you have to put slightly more pressure than usual to open it.

On the left side of the camera's body, users will find a one-stop compartment for the NX10's connectivity ports. From top to bottom: DC In, HDMI, SR9NX01 Remote Controller and AV Out.

An easy tug at the gap will open the I/O compartment.

An easy tug at the gap will open the I/O compartment.

 

The battery compartment is located at the bottom with a safety lock to push before you can actually open it.

The battery compartment is located at the bottom with a safety lock to push before you can actually open it.

LCD & Menus

Finding the screen a bit too crowded with information for your taste? It's simple to resolve that with a press of the display button that hides the symbols lining the screen. There are two ways to tweak your settings: through the one-stop, self-explanatory buttons found on the scroll wheel, or by pressing the menu button on the top left side of the camera which leads you to an intuitive menu with 7 tabs. Otherwise, the 3.0-inch 614k AMOLED screen is extremely clear and sharp since it boasts of a speedy response rate that's 3,000 times faster than an LCD display and a 1,000:1 dynamic contrast ratio. It allows for easier viewing of photos even in bright sunlight, which is a definite plus, and takes up most of the real estate on the back of the camera. The only downside is that the glossy screen is rather prone to fingerprint smudging, and cannot be easily cleaned off.

Icon overdose, yes, but it's useful if you like to absorb information in just a single glance.

Icon overdose, yes, but it's useful if you like to absorb information in just a single glance.

The menu is intuitive and easy to use, even for first-time photographers. It is also one of the least cluttered and more polished interfaces (to the point where it is actually pretty to look at) that we have come across so far on cameras. There's a lot of flexibility in terms of setting your own controls, which is quite necessary coming from a camera with DSLR capabilities.

While the settings are pretty self-explanatory for more advanced users, the NX10 has an extra cookie stored for those who aren't quite as adept. One of the nifty features that the NX10 has is that when you long-press the DISP button for about 1-2 seconds on a selected setting, a short yet succinct explanation appears. Amateur photographers upgrading from a compact point-and-shoot cameras will definitely appreciate this small touch since it saves them the trouble of leafing through books and research.

There are plenty of options to customize here, just like on any DSLR. On long-press, a menu pops up with relevant information.

There are plenty of options to customize here, just like on any DSLR. On long-press, a menu pops up with relevant information.

Performance

The main thing that has the Samsung NX10 going in its favor is a DSLR-sized sensor, which is 30-40% bigger than a Micro Four Thirds camera. That also means that NX lens will be bigger and bulkier than the latter's, given that with a smaller sensor, the focal length will be multiplied to a higher degree, hence, a smaller lens. However, compared to DSLRs, the main issue buyers have to contend with is settling for an electronic viewfinder at the benefit of a smaller and more compact body. Interestingly, the NX10 can also shoot in RAW format as well, which gives the users bigger autonomy over their changes during post-production.

For our full evaluations, we managed to land a Samsung NX10 along with the 18-55mm f/3.5-5.6 kit lens - a sufficient and casual lens for close-up to wide shots. The camera does not come with built-in image stabilization; rather, the lens comes with a built-in optical image stabilization (OIS) that can be easily toggled on or off by shifting a button on its body.

Both photos were taken at 1/5 sec, 25mm, F4.3, ISO 100 with the only variable being the OIS setting. While shooting with the OIS on, the image appeared to be slightly sharper. Click for bigger image.

Both photos were taken at 1/5 sec, 25mm, F4.3, ISO 100 with the only variable being the OIS setting. While shooting with the OIS on, the image appeared to be slightly sharper. Click for bigger image.

ISO and Noise Control

The Camera exhibited very good noise control till ISO800 settings, but while at ISO1600, noise starts to show more prominently. That is not to say that the photos at 1600 and above are not usable, though we reckon that photos shot at ISO3200 would be too grainy to pass off as professional work. Check out our comparison below:-

ISO performance is usable till even ISO800, but noise is more prominently seen on ISO1600 and ISO3200 Click for a high-resolution image.

ISO performance is usable till even ISO800, but noise is more prominently seen on ISO1600 and ISO3200 Click for a high-resolution image.

Auto-Focus and Manual Focus

Samsung has bragged about the camera's auto focus capabilities, even going as far as to saying that the "NX10 has one of the fastest AF in its class on the market". Well, it certainly does live up to this statement, as we found that the focusing is extremely fast and mostly accurate for mid-range objects, even in low light. However, we found that it tends to under perform when dealing with close-up subjects, and will struggle to focus, without success. In the end, we had to either move back slightly or switch to manual focus (MF) mode to finish the shot. This sticky issue can be easily compensated while shooting still objects, but not so for moving objects. Also, testing it on an 18-55mm lens, there were no problems or lags faced when trying to focus on the farthest object within the frame. We have read some reports that the auto-focusing on this camera can be slightly wonky and swims in and out of focus in low light or on low-contrast subjects. However from our use thus far, it has been a relatively smooth ride except for close-up objects.

 

Sample Images

These are sample images shot with the Samsung NX10. The images have not been post-processed, are copyright to SPH Magazines and we kindly ask that you do not reproduce them elsewhere. Click to see the original full resolution images (which can be rather large). All photos have been shot on Auto White Balance.

Shot at 1/100 sec, F5.6, ISO200.

Shot at 1/100 sec, F5.6, ISO200.

Shot at 1/100 sec, F6.3, ISO800.

Shot at 1/100 sec, F6.3, ISO800.

Shot at 1/350 sec, F4.3, ISO1600.

Shot at 1/350 sec, F4.3, ISO1600.

Shot at 1/100 sec, F3.5, ISO3200.

Shot at 1/100 sec, F3.5, ISO3200.

Colors reproduced on the NX10 appear to be slightly over-saturated and vibrant, but this can be easily configured within the camera.

Conclusion 

We reckon that the Samsung NX10 will be a hot choice amongst those who are looking to venture deeper into the realm of photography but dislike the bulk of a DSLR. Moreover, it has a superior APS-C sensor if you were to compare it against the Micro Four Thirds contingent. Of course, there are also other positive features: the NX10 has a simple, uncluttered button control layout that does not confound, an intuitive menu interface, an AMOLED screen that works well under bright sunlight, good image quality and decent noise performance for its class. The AF function is slightly wonky but workable - it is extremely speedy and accurate even in low light for mid-range objects, but doesn't perform as well on close-ups.

With three lenses and other accessories available on launch, and 5 more lenses to come for this year, the Samsung NX10 for S$1099 with 18-55mm OIS lens and S$1199 with NX10 30mm lens might very well turn out to be a worthy investment for newcomers to photography. For being the first to stake out in this territory and coming out with a pretty well performing camera along with its nifty features, we're giving this camera our Innovation award.

Samsung has had a strong year last year and with the NX10 today, it looks like they are going to be a strong contender in the digital camera scene.

 



 

Our articles may contain affiliate links. If you buy through these links, we may earn a small commission.

Introduction 

After what seemed like forever, the recent Micro Four Thirds segment came along to finally patch up the rift that existed between compacts and DSLR cameras. As technology progressed to take better photos and enable cameras to be more user friendly, the demand for cameras is inching ever higher and we don't see that changing anytime soon. In fact, as casual consumers get more educated with the ways of photography, they are increasingly demanding smaller and lighter compact-like cameras armed with the capabilities of a DSLR (bigger sensors, interchangeable lens,etc). The Micro Four Thirds system couldn't have come at a better time.

So what makes Micro Four Third cameras an almost perfect mix to serve this growing need? To recap: they come with mirror-less bodies which makes them not only smaller, but more compact. The only major drawbacks are a) the viewfinder is no longer optical due to the removal of the mirrors and b) they come with sensors that are about 30 to 40% smaller than those in DSLR cameras which as we all know translates to more noise in photos. Nonetheless, they were welcome additions for photography enthusiasts as they were presented with more options besides the heavy and bulky DSLRs.

But don't be mislead by our Micro Four Thirds discussion here as the camera in question today, the Samsung NX10, is not exactly using this system, but rather, a more developed evolution of the former. Technology has allowed makers to delve even further into the psyche of photography enthusiasts, upping the bar with "hybrid" cameras that not only boast the same APS-C sensor size as cropped DSLRs but also maintain the lightweight bodies behind the Micro Four Thirds system cameras. That means less digital noise than the Micro Four Thirds cameras. The new Samsung NX10 is one such hybrid camera and we give you our impression of it in the following few pages. Hit on the specs tab if you want to absorb the camera tech specs before continuing.

The all new Hybrid NX10 from Samsung is quite a game-changer in the field of digital cameras. Read on for our assessment.

The all new Hybrid NX10 from Samsung is quite a game-changer in the field of digital cameras. Read on for our assessment.

 

Design

It is safe to say that the black Samsung NX10 looks pretty pedestrian and unassuming as it opted for a more modern DSLR-like exterior design that's clean-cut and not a whole lot interesting. Nonetheless, looks here are secondary for the NX10 - what it has here in its favor is a streamlined build and promising performance which should make many photography enthusiasts happy. Regardless, skimping on weight doesn't make the NX10 look any shabbier than its heftier DSLR counterparts; in fact, the NX10 looks and feels sturdy enough to impress in spite of a plastic build.

Despite housing a bigger sensor, at 123×87×39.8mm, the NX10 is only marginally bigger than the Olympus PEN series cameras and the Panasonic GF1, all of which are true Micro Four Third cameras.

You've seen the front view, so here's a top view of the Samsung NX10.

You've seen the front view, so here's a top view of the Samsung NX10.

 

Handling

Bearing a close resemblance to the bigger DSLR but armed with a thinner body and smaller handgrip, the camera naturally feels a lot lighter and less threatening, even more prominently so for those who are used to the girth and weight of DSLRs. The buttons are well-positioned and uncluttered - making the shooting experience a pretty seamless and tireless one. While we felt that the handgrip might be a little too flat and small for some, it is nothing much to mince about as its rubbery texture and nice ridge help keep our grip on the camera strong and firm. 

Controls

You will notice that the top right corner is where most of the action takes place, which is quite standard on most other DSLRs or Micro Four Third cameras for the matter. Prominently seen here is the mode dial, where users can choose which mode to shoot on - beginners can seek solace in the available scene modes and SmartAuto modes while advanced photographers can select between the more intensive Manual, Aperture-Priority or Shutter-Priority modes. Most of all, the dial is relatively thick and covered with grooves, which makes it extremely easy to change settings just with your thumb.

One small gripe that we had was with the position of the selection wheel. As seen in our shot below, it is sitting just under the power button on the NX10. It is purely a matter of ergonomics but we felt that it would have been better if the selection wheel was shifted down to the bottom right of the mode dial. In that way, both the mode dial and selection wheel is within the reach of the only free finger, the thumb, without really having to adjust your grip.

The selection wheel that's just under the power button on the NX10 could have been better positioned instead. Otherwise, most other controls and usability is fine.

The selection wheel that's just under the power button on the NX10 could have been better positioned instead. Otherwise, most other controls and usability is fine.

On the left, there's the flash, hotshoe attachment, and surprise, the menu button. While the menu button is almost always found at the bottom near the screen along with the rest of the buttons, the choice to isolate it from the rest isn't entirely a bad idea as it makes the layout way less cluttered and confusing. 

Like its mirror-less counterparts, such as the Panasonic G1 and the Olympus PEN series, the Samsung NX10 comes with a built-in electronic viewfinder (EVF) patterned after the more recent crop of DSLR cameras. It has a 0.86x magnification and offers 100% field of view with a reasonable 921k dots of resolution. The NX10 does however have an eye sensor underneath the EVF, which will automatically switch to the EVF usage mode from the default LCD screen (or technically known as live viewfinder) when you position your eye near it (or any obstacle for that matter if you're curious). While we were hesitant at first, the seamless transition bowled us over as not only does it help to conserve battery life by putting the screen to sleep, the switch is also instantaneous without any lag. All things said and done, it really helps that users do not have to fumble to press an extra button to switch it to EVF or LVF (live viewfinder) mode or contend with a sub-performing function that lags to the point of frustration on the end-users' part. The EVF is also sufficiently bright so there's no need to squint or strain your eyes dry.

While we assume most users will shoot with auto focusing on, it is still good to know that manual focusing on the NX10 is rather fluid. After selecting the manual focus mode on the lens, turning the ring will allow the camera to automatically zoom into the area of focus; when you stop tweaking it, the screen will return to normal after a couple of seconds. We found that it took quite awhile for the screen to return to the original magnification if we left it to its own devices, but for those impatient like us, a light press on the shutter release button will promptly switch it back. 

Slots & Ports

Unlike most cameras, the SD/SDHC slot is found apart from the battery compartment on the right side of the NX10. Being assigned a different compartment is actually good news, and presents a convenient way of changing cards without having to flip your camera over since you know, you wouldn't want your battery to drop out either. The slot is covered with a plastic 'door' that opens with a sideway push.

A sideway push does the trick, but you have to put slightly more pressure than usual to open it.

A sideway push does the trick, but you have to put slightly more pressure than usual to open it.

On the left side of the camera's body, users will find a one-stop compartment for the NX10's connectivity ports. From top to bottom: DC In, HDMI, SR9NX01 Remote Controller and AV Out.

An easy tug at the gap will open the I/O compartment.

An easy tug at the gap will open the I/O compartment.

 

The battery compartment is located at the bottom with a safety lock to push before you can actually open it.

The battery compartment is located at the bottom with a safety lock to push before you can actually open it.

LCD & Menus

Finding the screen a bit too crowded with information for your taste? It's simple to resolve that with a press of the display button that hides the symbols lining the screen. There are two ways to tweak your settings: through the one-stop, self-explanatory buttons found on the scroll wheel, or by pressing the menu button on the top left side of the camera which leads you to an intuitive menu with 7 tabs. Otherwise, the 3.0-inch 614k AMOLED screen is extremely clear and sharp since it boasts of a speedy response rate that's 3,000 times faster than an LCD display and a 1,000:1 dynamic contrast ratio. It allows for easier viewing of photos even in bright sunlight, which is a definite plus, and takes up most of the real estate on the back of the camera. The only downside is that the glossy screen is rather prone to fingerprint smudging, and cannot be easily cleaned off.

Icon overdose, yes, but it's useful if you like to absorb information in just a single glance.

Icon overdose, yes, but it's useful if you like to absorb information in just a single glance.

The menu is intuitive and easy to use, even for first-time photographers. It is also one of the least cluttered and more polished interfaces (to the point where it is actually pretty to look at) that we have come across so far on cameras. There's a lot of flexibility in terms of setting your own controls, which is quite necessary coming from a camera with DSLR capabilities.

While the settings are pretty self-explanatory for more advanced users, the NX10 has an extra cookie stored for those who aren't quite as adept. One of the nifty features that the NX10 has is that when you long-press the DISP button for about 1-2 seconds on a selected setting, a short yet succinct explanation appears. Amateur photographers upgrading from a compact point-and-shoot cameras will definitely appreciate this small touch since it saves them the trouble of leafing through books and research.

There are plenty of options to customize here, just like on any DSLR. On long-press, a menu pops up with relevant information.

There are plenty of options to customize here, just like on any DSLR. On long-press, a menu pops up with relevant information.

Performance

The main thing that has the Samsung NX10 going in its favor is a DSLR-sized sensor, which is 30-40% bigger than a Micro Four Thirds camera. That also means that NX lens will be bigger and bulkier than the latter's, given that with a smaller sensor, the focal length will be multiplied to a higher degree, hence, a smaller lens. However, compared to DSLRs, the main issue buyers have to contend with is settling for an electronic viewfinder at the benefit of a smaller and more compact body. Interestingly, the NX10 can also shoot in RAW format as well, which gives the users bigger autonomy over their changes during post-production.

For our full evaluations, we managed to land a Samsung NX10 along with the 18-55mm f/3.5-5.6 kit lens - a sufficient and casual lens for close-up to wide shots. The camera does not come with built-in image stabilization; rather, the lens comes with a built-in optical image stabilization (OIS) that can be easily toggled on or off by shifting a button on its body.

Both photos were taken at 1/5 sec, 25mm, F4.3, ISO 100 with the only variable being the OIS setting. While shooting with the OIS on, the image appeared to be slightly sharper. Click for bigger image.

Both photos were taken at 1/5 sec, 25mm, F4.3, ISO 100 with the only variable being the OIS setting. While shooting with the OIS on, the image appeared to be slightly sharper. Click for bigger image.

ISO and Noise Control

The Camera exhibited very good noise control till ISO800 settings, but while at ISO1600, noise starts to show more prominently. That is not to say that the photos at 1600 and above are not usable, though we reckon that photos shot at ISO3200 would be too grainy to pass off as professional work. Check out our comparison below:-

ISO performance is usable till even ISO800, but noise is more prominently seen on ISO1600 and ISO3200 Click for a high-resolution image.

ISO performance is usable till even ISO800, but noise is more prominently seen on ISO1600 and ISO3200 Click for a high-resolution image.

Auto-Focus and Manual Focus

Samsung has bragged about the camera's auto focus capabilities, even going as far as to saying that the "NX10 has one of the fastest AF in its class on the market". Well, it certainly does live up to this statement, as we found that the focusing is extremely fast and mostly accurate for mid-range objects, even in low light. However, we found that it tends to under perform when dealing with close-up subjects, and will struggle to focus, without success. In the end, we had to either move back slightly or switch to manual focus (MF) mode to finish the shot. This sticky issue can be easily compensated while shooting still objects, but not so for moving objects. Also, testing it on an 18-55mm lens, there were no problems or lags faced when trying to focus on the farthest object within the frame. We have read some reports that the auto-focusing on this camera can be slightly wonky and swims in and out of focus in low light or on low-contrast subjects. However from our use thus far, it has been a relatively smooth ride except for close-up objects.

 

Sample Images

These are sample images shot with the Samsung NX10. The images have not been post-processed, are copyright to SPH Magazines and we kindly ask that you do not reproduce them elsewhere. Click to see the original full resolution images (which can be rather large). All photos have been shot on Auto White Balance.

Shot at 1/100 sec, F5.6, ISO200.

Shot at 1/100 sec, F5.6, ISO200.

Shot at 1/100 sec, F6.3, ISO800.

Shot at 1/100 sec, F6.3, ISO800.

Shot at 1/350 sec, F4.3, ISO1600.

Shot at 1/350 sec, F4.3, ISO1600.

Colors reproduced on the NX10 appear to be slightly over-saturated and vibrant, but this can be easily configured within the camera.

Conclusion 

We reckon that the Samsung NX10 will be a hot choice amongst those who are looking to venture deeper into the realm of photography but dislike the bulk of a DSLR. Moreover, it has a superior APS-C sensor if you were to compare it against the Micro Four Thirds contingent. Of course, there are also other positive features: the NX10 has a simple, uncluttered button control layout that does not confound, an intuitive menu interface, an AMOLED screen that works well under bright sunlight, good image quality and decent noise performance for its class. The AF function is slightly wonky but workable - it is extremely speedy and accurate even in low light for mid-range objects, but doesn't perform as well on close-ups.

With three lenses and other accessories available on launch, and 5 more lenses to come for this year, the Samsung NX10 for S$1099 with 18-55mm OIS lens and S$1199 with NX10 30mm lens might very well turn out to be a worthy investment for newcomers to photography. For being the first to stake out in this territory and coming out with a pretty well performing camera along with its nifty features, we're giving this camera our Innovation award.

Samsung has had a strong year last year and with the NX10 today, it looks like they are going to be a strong contender in the digital camera scene.

 



 

Our articles may contain affiliate links. If you buy through these links, we may earn a small commission.

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