Samsung NX10

Opinion: A great camera and worthy of consideration by anyone
seeking good performance in a small packet. Well built,
with a carefully thought out button and memory
system and an absolutely fantastic screen that is visible
in bright daylight. The optics are first rate; not just the
stellar 30 mm pancake but also the 18-55mm standard
zoom and the somewhat heavy but outstanding 50-
200mm. It is a delight to use and in every way
challenges the traditional mirror DSLRs. If you can get it
with a package including a couple of lenses at a good
price then it's a fantastic buy.

Opinion: Among other competing models in the same price range : GF-1 , Olympus EPL-1 and NEX5 , I settled for the NX10 mainly for the fact that it has all the good parts of those 3 cameras , SLR style controls and interface and design, Fast AF speed, Large Sensor (APS-C Cmos) and to add that the NX10 also had a good EVF and AMOLED screen.

Picture quality is also marvelous. Very similar to what I get from Nikons (at least that's what I feel) Controls and handling is a breeze without the need to ever dive into the menu to compose a shot which is important as I am very used to SLRs being an ex-dSLR user.

Hopefully I will get some time to post a in-dept review soon.

Opinion: I've had this NX10 for a few months now and I am very satisfied, and surprised by its capabilities. Before having it I was using standard DSLRs such as 550Ds and 40Ds.

Initially the NX10 was a camera without much of a raison d'etre, costing as much as the average low-mid end DSLR, however, now it seems that this camera (and its NX100) counterpart cost as much as comapcts, but offer DSLR performance. This is just one of the advantages of the NX system.

The camera itself is small but doesn't lend itself with bad ergonomics, with the wedge of rubberised plastic still comfortable to hold onto, even for big hands. With the 30mm f2.0 pancake installed, this camera is take-anywhereable, unlike DSLRs equipped with even the smallest lenses which are too cumbersome to take to most places in small bags.

The button layout is also good, and well thought out with most controls accessible through the buttons. Full manual usage is a dream on this camera, however the omission of the secondary jog wheel that is seen on the NX100 is a little unfortunate.

The viewfinder provides a decent image, although one would wish for more contrast, in some cases low contrast images become a completely dark blur. The AMOLED is far superior to the EVF, providing a high contrast, clear image with a ridiculous viewing angle. A flip out screen would have been nicer, but it would have compromised the compactness of the camera. An EVF/Live view does have an advantage over traditional viewfinders in that there is an exposure preview, and in some cases that is important.

In terms of photo quality, it is in the domain of APS-C DSLRs, however the sensor is a tad noisy, with anything beyond ISO1600 somewhat sub-par. However for the price point, you really cannot argue, and personally I would not shoot at ISO 1600 regardless of the camera.

About a year ago, the main complaint of the NX line was of the lack of lenses available, however, that is soon to change. However samsung makes quality lenses, which are relatively cheaper than their DSLR counterparts. If there is a lens that any NX user should have, it would be the 30mm f2.0, which incidentally is the most expensive NX lens available.

Personally, I use the NX10 with a manual 50mm f1.4 on a MD to NX adaptor for most occasions. Manual focusing is possible on this camera and I have not really come across any issues with it. However there is no exposure compensation when strobes are installed, but this can be remedied through switching from manual to apeture priority and back.

One noteable addition to this camera is the panorama mode which has been added after the 1.30 update. Expect more features in the future!

Overall the NX system has some unique advantages over other systems, in that it provides DSLR level performance in such a small (and cheap) package. I have enjoyed shooting with the NX10 and i'd daresay have done better than I would have on traditional DSLRs. It is a surprisingly well refined product considering its a first generation foray into MILCs. I am considering a second NX body soon.

Keep in mind that the NX line has a large lens roadmap ahead, and that the NX20/200 is poised to be released next quarter. Compared to the micro four thirds MILCs I would hedge behind the NX series instead due to the larger sensor.

Opinion: Picture Quality:
Terrific frankly, nice clean shots up to ISO800 suitable for your big enlargements, a little bit noisier at 1600 but still fine for 8x10s or more, 3200 maybe for emergencies only - there's a NR function you can switch on that kicks in at 3200, but if you want to get technical best thing apparantly is to shoot in RAW at 1600 and above and process to your own NR taste rather than relying on the jpeg output. I'm referencing the 18-55mm kit lens - If you use the bright & fast 30mm 2.0 lens you're less likely to stray up beyond 800 anyway. From review sites around the net it seems that the overall IQ comfortably matches entry-level DSLRs, and has a more controlled dynamic range (shadow detail, highlight clipping) than it's smaller-sensored 4/3s competitors. I'm using the 18-55 and 50-200 kit lenses, both well built (latter is metal mount) and good-to-excellent sharpness/IQ, especially for their price (I did get the 50-200 on sale for £70!).

Build Quality
Excellent - professional reviews across the web liken it to mid-range DSLRs. High quality plastics, good solid feel to it all, buttons a little mushy but nothing's cheap. Hinged doors to battery, AV connections and SDcard slot all decent. Having handled all direct competitors, this feels the most solid.

Handling
Ergonomics of a shrunken dslr - comfortably works with left hand cupping the body and lens, right hand curled round the handle, with right thumb controlling main function buttons. Great AMOLED screen, pretty intuitive main and function menues. Having the electronic view finder (evf) and flash built in also makes it a more flexible user experience, and better value - No need to attach or pay extra for a flash (a la Samsung's own NX100) or a evf (a la Olympus).

Ease of Use
It's more of a shrunk down dslr, rather than an upsized compact, so for a dslr user it's a doddle to get familiar with the controls and functions, less so for those trading up from a compact - I think that the Sony and Olympus rivals designed their models with compact users in mind - Samsung with the NX10(and Panasonic w the G series) have designed with DSLR users in mind. It also lacks those easy-use and fun features you get with some other models - No easy-guide "Background defocus", "Action blur" etc modes with adjustable toggles, no fun picture modes like miniaturization, vignetting etc.

Accessories:
Small but growing range of lenses, five more coming out in 2011 - Not as extensive a range as some of the competition right now, and the smaller 20-50mm is just a duplicate version of the 18-55mm, gains i-function but loses OIS. Overall the range of lenses available are better value than the competitors - When shortlisting what mirrorless models you're considering, also check out how much the lenses etc are - you might be shocked by what some of the other makes are asking for their different lenses, flashes, straps and even cases!