Samsung introduced their new NX300 mirrorless interchangeable lens camera today; and we were able to get some quick hands on time with it. The new camera (that replaces the NX 210) features a redesigned 20.3MP sensor, the ability to shoot 3D and 2D stills and video with the also announced 45mm f1.8 3D, includes a new DRIMe 4 engine, has both contrast and phase detect focusing, and lots more. To boot, you’ll also receive the camera bundled with Adobe Lightroom 4.
Here’s our overview:
Tech Specs
All info taken directly from SamsungNX300 Product Specifications
| Image Sensor | 20.3 effective megapixel APS-C CMOS |
| IS | OIS mode is only provided on 2D shooting mode |
| Display | 84.0mm (3.31”) AMOLED with a Tilt Touch Panel WVGA (800×400) 768k dots |
| ISO | Auto, 100, 200, 400, 800, 1600, 3200, 6400, 12800, 25600 |
| Image | JPEG (3:2)：20.0M (5472×3648), 10.1M (3888×2592), 5.9M (2976×1984), 2.0M (1728×1152), 5.0M (2736×1824): Burst mode only JPEG (16:9)：16.9M (5472×3080), 7.8M (3712×2088), 4.9M (2944×1656), 2.1M (1920×1080) JPEG (1:1)：13.3M (3648×3648), 7.0M (2640×2640), 4.0M (2000×2000), 1.1M (1024×1024) RAW : 20.0M (5472×3648) * 3D Image Size : JPEG (16:9) 4.1M (2688×1512), (16:9) 2.1M (1920×1080) |
| Video | MP4 (Video: MPEG4, AVC/H.264, Audio: AAC) 1920×1080, 1920×810, 1280×720 , 640×480, 320×240 for Sharing |
| Video Output | HDMI 1.4a |
| Value-added Features | SMART Mode : Beauty Face, Landscape, Macro, Action Freeze, Rich Tone, Panorama, Waterfall, Silhouette, Sunset, Night, Fireworks, Light Trace, Creative Shot, Best Face |
| 3D still image & video capturing | |
| Wi-Fi Connectivity | IEEE 802.11b/g/n support Dual Channel (SMART Camera 2.0) . AutoShare . Cloud . Auto Backup . Remote Viewfinder . MobileLink . Wi-Fi Direct (playback) . AllSharePlay . Social Sharing |
| Bundle PC software | iLauncher, Adobe Lightroom |
| Storage | SD, SDHC, SDXC, UHS-1 |
| Battery | BP1130 (1130mAh) |
| Dimension (WxHxD) | 122 x 63.7 x 40.7mm (excluding the projection part) |
| Weight | 280 g (without battery) |
- NEW Hybrid AF (Phase and Contrast Detection)
- NEW 3.3-inch AMOLED Touchscreen and Tilt Display
- NEW SMART Camera 2.0 functionality
- NEW Premium retro modern design
- 20.3 MP CMOS sensor (APS-C)
- Full HD video recording (1080p/60fps)
- Dual-band Wi-Fi Connectivity (2.4G/5G)
- Available in retro-modern black/silver and white/silver
- MSRP: $749.99
45mm 2D/3D lens Specifications
| Focal Length | 45mm (equivalent to 69.3mm in 35mm format) |
| Elements in Groups | 7 elements in 6 groups |
| Angle of View | 34.7° |
| Aperture | As of 2D : F1.8* (Min. F22), (Number of Blades : 9 , Circular Aperture Diaphragm) |
| OIS | NO |
| Minimum Focus Distance | 0.50m |
| Maximum Magnification | Approx. 0.12X |
| i Scene | Night, Portrait, Beauty shot, Children, Backlight, Sports |
| Lens Hood | Yes |
| Filter Size | 43mm |
| Mount Type | NX Mount |
| Dimension (DxL) | 44.4 x 61.5mm |
| Weight | 115g |
Ergonomics
The NX300 has what the company is calling a, “Retro-modern look”; and indeed it seems to have design cues that balance that. For example, the front is very plain with a faux leather covering and a top and bottom that looks like silver.
The top of the NX300 has a shutter control dial that doubles for zooming in and out of a photo during playback, on/off switch with the shutter release in the middle, direct wifi link, and the mode dial. To the left of all this is the hot shoe and stereo microphones.
The back of the camera looks very interesting with the video record button being placed a bit out of the way. Then there are other controls such as exposure compensation (or aperture control), a menu button, custom function button, display, drive mode, focusing mode, confirmation button, ISO control, playback and trash.
Interestingly enough, the screen is an AMOLED touch screen, and nearly any of these parameters can be controlled via the screen.
The screen is big (3.3 inches), bright, and beautiful. When I switched the camera into manual focusing mode, it also helped me with focusing due to the combination of magnification and focus peaking.
The cameras menus also include quite a bit of info that might be crucial to those trying to become more advanced. Here for example, ISO is explained more.
But the visual menu layout overall has to be the best in the industry: trumping Olympus, Sony, and Panasonic in simplifying and sexifying the menu overview.
As is standard, the user also can have a quick menu overlay. This overlay would be excellent if the camera had a viewfinder (or one that attaches.) Alas, it doesn’t.
The camera also comes in white if the user so chooses to spring for that.
One of the more interesting parts of today’s announcement though is the company’s new 45mm f1.8 2D/3D lens: which incorporates two different shutter curtains. When 3D video or stills are being shot, the left moves and then the right. In 2D mode: only one curtain moves.
Here’s another view of the curtains.
Build Quality
The NX300 was remarkably solid in my hands; but I tested an engineering sample, so not all of the kinks were ironed out. However, Samsung said that a photographer went to the arctic with one of their cameras and a DSLR; and the NX model survived while the DSLR couldn’t take the extreme cold.Autofocus
Samsung claimed that the autofocusing should be the best in the world now that there is phase detection incorporated into the camera. I begged to differ in my short time with the camera; but am willing to blame it on the fact that I held an engineering sample.Ease of Use
The NX300′s menu system and overlays were all very intuitive and at no time did I feel intimidated by the buttons, menus or anything else. The audience that this camera is targeted to (consumers) will have no problems using it or its direct link WiFi settings.Image Quality
Because this was a pre-production model, we couldn’t put a card in the camera at all. We are working on calling in a review unit though.First Impressions
The NX300 felt awesome in my hands, though it was a bit bigger than I’d like. The lovely screen is very much a show stealer: and the company seems to be positioning itself for an even more aggressive push in the camera market. In the years passed, Samsung wasn’t always such a big hit. But maybe now they will be. This little camera surely deserves it from what I’ve seen so far.Please Support The Phoblographer
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