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[Samsung NX100] New way to shoot with i-Function as a mirrorless camera
New way to shoot with i-Function as a mirrorless camera The usage of cameras is divided by the size. Compact cameras have strength in the size, but weakness in the quality, and DSLRs have the weakness in the mobility. That’s why people tried to look for a portable and high quality camera, and the result is the mirrorless cameras. Mirror and penta prism were taken out from DSLR cameras, they are relatively small, and the larger APS-C sensor than compact cameras allows high quality. Especially, Samsung Digital Imaging has released their third mirrorless camera NX100. The previous NX10 looked like a small DSLR, but the NX100 looks like a compact digital camera, and by adopting the i-Function which controls the body from the lens, it becomes more convenient. In this review, I’m going to take a closer look at the Samsung NX100.
The NX100 and 20-50mm lens used for this review were not an official version, so they might be different from the official products.
NX100 / 1.3s / F11.0 / ISO100 / 24mm / EV0.0
Image Sensor
Lens Image Stabilization
Type
CMOS
Sensor size
23.4×15.6mm
Effective Pixel
Approx. 14.6 Mega-pixels
Total Pixel
Approx. 15.1 Mega-pixels
Color Filter
RGB primary color filter
Mount
Samsung NX Mount
Usable Lens
Samsung Lenses for Samsung NX Mount
Type
Lens Shift (depends on Lens)
Mode
OIS Mode1 / Mode2
Distortion Correct Mode Dust Reduction
Display
Viewfinder
Focusing
LDC On / Off (depends on Lens)
Type
Super sonic drive
Type
AMOLED
Size
3.0”
Resolution
VGA (640x480) 614k dots (PenTile)
Field of View
Approx. 100%
User Display
Grid (4types), Histgram, Icons : On / Off
Type
EVF (Optional)
Type
Contrast AF
Selection : 1point (Free selection) Focusing point Multi : Normal 15points, Close Up 35points Face Detection : Max. 10faces Modes
Single AF, Continuous AF, MF
AF-assist lamp
Yes (Green LED)
Type
Electronically controlled vertical-run focal plane shutter
Speed
Auto：1/4000sec. ~ 30sec. Manual：1/4000sec. ~ 30sec. (1/3EV step) Bulb (Limit time : 8 min)
Metering
Metering : Multi, Center-weighted, Spot
Shutter
System Compensation
±3 EV (1/3EV step)
AE Lock
AEL button
ISO Equivalent
Auto, 100, 200, 400, 800, 1600, 3200 (1EV or 1/3EV step) Extension settable : ISO 6400 * Auto ISO upper level is selectable. (Up to ISO 1600)
Modes
Single, Continuous, Burst, Self-timer, Bracket (AE, WB, PW)
Continuous
JPEG : 3fps up to 6shots (LDC : On) 10shots (LDC : Off) Burst mode : 10, 15, 30fps selectable, 30shots by 1 released RAW : 3fps up to 3shots
Bracket
Auto Exposure Bracket (±3EV), White Balance Bracket (±3step), Picture Wizard Bracket (Selectable 3modes)
Self-timer
2-30sec. (1sec. step)
Remote controller
Wired : SR9NX01 (Optional)
Internal Flash
N/A
External Flash
Samsung External Flash available (SEF42A, SEF20A, SEF15A : Optional)
Synchro (Flash attachment)
Hot Shoe
Modes
Auto, Daylight, Cloudy, Fluorescent (W, N, D), Tungsten, Flash, Custom, K(Manual)
Micro adjustment
Each 7steps in Amber / Blue / Green / Magenta axis
Exposure
Drive Mode
Flash
White Balance
Dynamic Range Expansion Picture Wizard
Metering range : EV0 ~ 18 (ISO100•30mm F2.0)
Smart Range On / Off
Modes
Standard, Vivid, Portrait, Landscape, Forest, Retro, Cool, Calm, Classic, Custom (1-3)
Parameter
Contrast, Sharpness, Saturation, Color Smart Auto, Lens Priority, Program, Shutter Priority,
Modes
Aperture Priority , Manual, Scene, Movie
Scene Mode
Beauty shot, Children, Close Up, Text, Sunset, Dawn, Backlight, Fireworks, Beach & Snow, Night, Portrait, Landscape, Sports, Sound Picture
Sound Picture
JPEG Only Sound Recording Time (Before and after shooting each 5 or 10sec.)
Shooting
JPEG (3:2) : 14M (4592x3056), 10M (3872x2592), 6M (3008x2000), 2M (1920x1280), 1.4M (1472x976): Burst mode only Image Size
JPEG (16:9) : 12M (4592x2584), 8M (3872x2176), 5M (3008x1688), 2M (1920x1080) JPEG (1:1) : 9M (3056x3056), 6.7M (2592x2592), 4M (2000x2000), 1.6M (1280x1280)
RAW : 14M (4592x3056)
Movie
Quality
Super fine , Fine, Normal
RAW Format
SRW
Color Space
sRGB, Adobe RGB
Format
MP4 (H.264)
Compression
Movie : H.264 , Sound : AAC
Mode
Program, Aperture Priority
Movie Clip
With Audio or without Audio (user selectable, recording time : 25 minutes)
Image Size
1280x720 , 640x480 , 320x240 (Default : 1280x720)
Frame rate
30fps
Sound
Mono Sound
Movie Editing
Still Image Capture, Time Trimming
Type
Single image, Thumbnails (3/9/20 images), Slide show, Movie
Highlight Warning
Available
Editing
Red eye fix, Back light comp., Photo Style Selector, Resize, Rotate, Face Retouch, Smart Filter
Smart Filter
Vignetting, Miniature, Fish-Eye, Sketch, De-fog, Halftone Dots, Soft Focus JPEG (3:2) - 6M (3008x2000), 2M (1920x1280), VGA (640x424) JPEG (4:3) - 6M (3008x2256), 2M (1920x1440), VGA (640x480) JPEG (16:9) - 5M (3008x1688), 2M (1920x1080), VGA (640x360) JPEG (1:1) - 4M (2000x2000), 1.6M (1280x1280), VGA (480x480)
Photo Style Selector
Soft, Vivid, Forest, Autumn, Misty, Gloomy, Classic
Media
SD, SDHC
File Format
RAW (SRW), JPEG (EXIF 2.21), DCF, DPOF 1.1, PictBridge 1.0
Image Play
Storage Capacity (1GB)
14M : RAW 34 14M (3:2) : Super Fine 141, Fine 282, Normal 423 10M (3:2) : Super Fine 195, Fine 391, Normal 587 6M (3:2) : Super Fine 320, Fine 640, Normal 961 2M (3:2) : Super Fine 732, Fine 1465, Normal 2198 Burst (1.4M) : Super Fine 1161, Fine 2322, Normal 3484 12M (16:9) : Super Fine 166, Fine 332, Normal 499 8M (16:9) : Super Fine 232, Fine 464, Normal 696 5M (16:9) : Super Fine 376, Fine 752, Normal 1129 2M (16:9) : Super Fine 850, Fine 1703, Normal 2550 9M (1:1) : Super Fine 210, Fine 420, Normal 630 6.7M (1:1) : Super Fine 288, Fine 576, Normal 864 4M (1:1) : Super Fine 470, Fine 940, Normal 1411 1.6M (1:1) : Super Fine 1041, Fine 2083, Normal 3121 Movie : 1280x720 : High Quality 15min., Normal 22min. 640x480 : High Quality 44min., Normal 66min.
320x240 : High Quality 145min., Normal 210min. ※ These figures are measured under the Samsung standard Languages
16 (Korean, English, Danish, German, Dutch, Swedish, Spanish, Italian, Czech, French, Portuguese, Polish, Finnish, Russian, Simplified/Traditional Chinese)
Direct Printing
PictBridge
GPS
Interface
Type
Geo-tagging w/ Optional GPS Module (WGS84)
Function
- Location Name (OSD) (English and Korean only) - Google Map Link (with intelli-Studio)
Digital Output Connector
USB 2.0 (HI-SPEED)
Video Output
NTSC, PAL (user selectable) HDMI 1.3 : (1080i, 720P, 576P / 480P)
External Release
Yes
DC Power Input Connector
DC 9.0V, 1.5A (100 ~ 240V)
Type
Rechargeable battery : BP1310 (1300mAh) Charger: BC1310 AC Adaptor : AD9NX01 (Optional) * Included battery may vary depending on sales region
Battery Life
Still : 420shots / 210min (CIPA Standard) Movie : 130min
Dimension (WxHxD)
120.5×71×34.5mm (excluding the projecting parts of the camera)
Weight
282g (without battery and memory card) 340g (Battery and memory card included)
Operating Temperature
0 ~ 40 °C
Operating Humidity
5 ~ 85%
Power Source
Physical Specification
Software
intelli-studio 2.1, Samsung RAW Converter 4, Adobe Reader
Checking out the specification of the NX100, it has 14.6M pixels CMOS sensor and the lens is Samsung’s own NX mount. When it comes to the lens, in addition to the previous 3 lenses, the 20-50mm and 20mm i-Function lenses have been added, so total 5 lenses can be used. Besides, the 3” AMOLED is installed and it supports Picture Wizard and Smart Filter.
NX100 / 8s / F11.0 / ISO100 / 20mm / EV-1.0
The sensor was blocked by the mirror in the previous DSLR, but the Samsung NX100 has taken out the mirror and penta prism, so it became smaller and like the above picture, the sensor is exposed. Therefore, it has a vulnerable structure to dust, so you’d better change the lens in a clean area. The ultrasonic dust elimination function is also recommended.
The above picture is the 20-50mm standard lens mounted on the NX100 body. On the left top of the picture, AF assist light / Self timer lamp is located and beside the lens, lens detach button is located. In the review, it’s black, but now white and brown products have been released.
The top design of the NX100 was based on a leaf. The shutter has been designed from a water drop on the leaf. Before released, people talked about the design a lot, but after released, people said it’s okay.
The Samsung NX100 doesn’t include a built-in flash. That’s why it needs an external flash to secure more light. SEF42A, SEF20A, and SEF15A have been released as an external flash, and they can be connected to the accessory shoe on the top. On this shoe, the GPS receiver can also be attached. On the front, a separate smart shoe is attached, and on this shoe, an external EVF can be attached.
On the top, a mode dial, shutter, jog dial speaker, and power button are located. Looking at the mode dial, different from other products, ‘i’ is printed and by using this, in i-Function lens, i-Scene function can be used. It could have been better if the power button was designed with more elegant design.
On the side of the NX100, a depth preview button is located and compared to other cameras having it on the side of the lens, it’s quite unique. Opening the cover next, USB/AV out connector, shutter release port, DC IN, and HDMI connector are located.
When it comes to the depth preview button on the side, other functions can be assigned. Checking out the button function setting in the menu, on the AEL button, AEL, AFL, and AEL+AFL function can be assigned, and on the depth preview button, one function can be assigned among one touch white balance, depth preview, and one touch RAW+.
On the side of the NX100, a camera ring is located and different from the NX10, it’s rotational to various angles. It allows users to hold it more stably.
On the bottom, a metal hole is located to connect a tripod and next to the hold, a serial number is printed. On the right side, a battery cover is located.
When it comes to the NX10, the battery was supposed to be inserted from the bottom and the SD card was from the side, but both the battery and SD card are supposed to be inserted from the bottom for the NX100. Personally,
it could have been more convenient, if the direction of the cover was opposite.
On the back of the NX100, the 3” AMOLED is installed and the right side, various buttons are located. For the NX100, one function is allocated on one button, so users can use what they want.
The 3” AMOLED on the NX100 has VGA (640x480) resolution. The AMOLED is a self-illuminated material, so it doesn’t need a backlight like the LCD. Therefore, it has a good quality and less battery consumption. However, the color of the AMOLED is a little deeper, so the color might be different from the computer LCD.
On the right side, status LED with various buttons is located. In the center, rotational Smart Dial allows more convenience. By using the jog dial on the top and Smart dial on the back, the aperture and shutter are adjustable.
NX100 / 4s / F11.0 / ISO100 / 20mm / EV-1.0
Samsung has released 2 i-Function lenses together with the NX100. One is the 20-50mm standard zoom lens. Compared with the previous 18-55mm bundle lens, it has more compact size, but doesn’t include OIS function.
Checking out the information of the 20-50mm, landscape and portrait icons are shown. It has F3.5-5.6 and includes 1 non circular lens and 1 less distributed lens
On the side, i-Function button is attached, and by using this button, from the lens, aperture, shutter speed, exposure, and ISO can be adjusted. On the back of the iFn button, the protruding part of the 20-50mm lens can be inserted by using a button.
When the protruding part of the 20-50mm lens is inserted, like the picture, the status ‘the lens is fixed’ is displayed. When rotating the lens, the protruding part is protruded to outside.
The difference of the 20-50mm lens from the previous 18-55mm lens is the compact size. When it comes to the 1855mm lens, the lens was protruded in the 55mm area, but as you can see in the picture, the 20-50mm lens was not that protruded much in the 50mm area.
Together with the 20-50mm lens, the 20mm pancake lens has been released. It also includes i-Function and has a small size. It has a short focal length, so semi-macro shooting is also available.
When mounting the 20mm lens on the NX100, like the picture, it has the compact size. On the top of the 20mm lens, the landscape icon is shown and the aperture starts from F2.8.
On the side, iFn button is located and the NX100 has a flat front surface, so there was no inconvenient to push the iFn button of the 20mm lens. However, when it comes to the NX10, due to the built-in flash, the upper side is a little protruded, so when mounting the 20mm lens, the button was a little inconvenient.
NX100 / 1/400s / F10.0 / ISO100 / 50mm / EV0.0
The NX100 includes the same camera strap as the NX10. Since the NX100 has been released in various colors, it could have been better if various camera straps were provided.
The battery of the NX100 is the BP1310 and has 1300mAh 7.4V. Because it’s the same battery as the NX10, so it’s compatible. It’s a power saving type, so on CIPA standard, 420 shots can be taken. It’s actually amazing.
The battery charger is like the above picture. Since it has an LED on the side, the charging status can easily be checked. However, because there was no hole or something in neither battery nor the charger, it could be connected with the opposite direction.
The USB cable is also included and by using USB/AV out connector, it can be connected.
NX100 / 1/200s / F6.3 / ISO200 / 38mm / EV-1.0
Due to the sleek design of the NX100, it looked like having an inconvenient grip, but the actual grip was much better. On the Smart Dial, there was a hole for comfortable grip.
Looking at the front and top, thanks to the shutter and protruding design on the top, it has good grip also on the top and front. However, it could have been even better if the body was made of material with more friction.
When it comes to iFn lenses, like the picture, users can change the setting by pushing the button with a left hand and using the focus ring. Normally, a left hand was not used except for adjusting the angle, but by using the left hand, users can conveniently change various settings without changing the direction.
NX100 / 20s / F18.0 / ISO100 / 50mm / EV-0.6
By using the left hand and pushing the iFn button, like the above picture, iFn interface is displayed and i-Scene mode can be set in the lens priority mode, and by M, P, and A mode, iFn interface slightly changes.
Selecting the lens iFn function in the menu, WB and ISO value can be turned on/off. Turning the function OFF, that function is not displayed in the interface.
The Samsung NX100 supports Manual shooting mode. However, if you are not familiar with a manual camera, I recommend using Smart Auto function. According to the various situations, the NX100 automatically optimizes the camera setting and help users take pictures.
The NX100 is an advanced digital camera, but cannot be 100% accurate, so by using Scene mode, users can manually set the setting. The mode change can be done by the Fn button.
Checking out the interface in P mode which is the most frequently used, the composition is like the above picture. Various settings are displayed as icons on the desktop, so users can easily find out the current status of the NX100.
By using the DISP button on the top, icons and guidelines on the desktop can be displayed or not. Users can always change it.
Selecting the AEL button on the back or exposure compensation button, the screen is like the above. Below the AEL lamp, AFL lamp is located. The AEL is used to fix the exposure and AFL is used to fix the focus.
NX100 / 1/200s / F7.1 / ISO100 / 50mm / EV0.0
Selecting the Fn button, users can set the size, quality, AF area, and metering as they want. RAW quality was provided and in AF area, Face Recognition function could be used.
Using the Smart Range function, ISO started from 200 and it highlights the dark area in a bright environment. It will be useful for those who take shots in the over exposed situation.
Using Picture Wizard, users can select a function among Standard, Vivid, Portrait, Landscape, Forest, Retro, Cool, Calm, Classic, and Custom (1-3), and they are all unique.
These were taken after applying Picture Wizard. Color feels were different by each mode. I liked Vivid and Classic. It
was useful to change the color feel simply.
Pushing the OK button on the back, the location or the size of AF area is adjustable. By using the jog dial on the top, the size of the AF area is adjustable, and by using the direction key, the location can be changed. If you want to detect a certain object in various objects, you can just make the AF area smaller.
The NX100 supports ISO 100 to 6400 (Extended). The previous NX10 supported up to ISO 3200, but the NX100 supports up to 6400 extended. When the light is extremely insufficient, it might be useful.
If you want to deactivate ISO 6400 from user interface, you can set the ISO extension to Off in the menu. Due to the high noise in ISO 6400, it’s not used much for normal situations.
I checked out the noise increase during the day and night by the ISO value. It was a 100% cropped picture, and in up to ISO 800, there was no inconvenience to use. However, there was a lot of noise from ISO 1600 or higher.
Selecting the AF mode, users can select what they want from Single AF, continuous AF, and MF. For more unique feeling, when using MF, users can select magnifying or FA type from MF assist. Selecting the magnifying, it’s easy to set the focus, because it magnified the object. Using the FA function newly added, bar graphs are displayed and the more accurate the focus, the higher the value.
In shooting type, users can set the continuous or bracket mode. In high speed shooting, 30fps shooting is available,
and the resolution is fixed to 1.4M (1472x976). Bracket can be set to exposure, white balance or Picture Wizard, and it takes 3 different pictures at once.
After taking 120 shots which is 4 times of 30fps high speed shooting, I made them as a video. The low quality was a little unsatisfactory, but was useful to take fast moving objects.
10 white balance modes are supported such as auto, daylight, cloudy, fluorescent W, N and D, tungsten, flash, custom, and color temperature. They can be applied in real time, so users can change it according to the light source.
These were taken with each different white balance. They all have slightly different color feeling, and by using the
grey card or something, users can accurately set the custom white balance, and without this instrument, by adjusting the color temperature, it can be set accurately.
The frame mode has been added in the NX100. The NX100 shows the screen with real time exposure value. That’s why when the exposure is insufficient, the screen goes dark, but the frame mode can keep the brightness of the screen.
The left one is Frame mode Off and the right one is on. Both are under exposed, but the right one keeps the brightness. It’s useful for synchronized shooting.
The NX100 supports 720p (1280x720) movie recording. Like the photo shooting interface, users can check the settings with various icons for movie recording.
Pushing the Fn key, like the above picture, options are shown, and exposure mode, size of the movie, quality, and fader can be set, and Picture wizard can also be applied to the movie.
The above movie was testing the AF function by using the depth preview button while recording. It was difficult to track the moving object, but was useful to change the focus of an object.
The above movie was setting the focus with the MF mode. It was useful when the distance between objects was short, but when taking objects having distant focus lengths, it was not easy to use the MF.
NX100 / 1/200s / F5.6 / ISO200 / 50mm / -3.0
Let’s take a look at the play function to see the taken pictures. Selecting the play button, like the picture, the shutter speed, aperture, and photo number are displayed.
Using the DISP button, various information such as mode, metering, focus length, white balance, and Picture wizard can be checked.
In the play mode, by using the jog dial on the top, like the picture, the number of pictures in a screen is adjustable to 3, 9 and 20 pictures. Sorting type is also adjustable.
Using the Fn button in the play mode, the editing function is available. Red eye reduction and backlight compensation are provided.
Using the backlight compensation function, the picture in the left side becomes the picture in the right side. The brightness has been improved a lot. It can also be used when the picture was taken too dark.
The third one is Photo Style. The color feel of pictures taken is adjustable. 7 Photo style modes such as Soft, Vivid, Forest, Autumn, Misty, Gloomy, and Classic are provided.
I applied 7 different Photo Style modes to pictures taken. Various feelings could be applied, and for those who can’t use an editing tool, it was very useful.
In the play mode, resizing and rotating function is provided. It looked useful when trying to editing a picture without using a computer.
Skin compensation and Smart filter function are included. When it comes to skin compensation, it needs a lot of work, but it was convenient with the NX100. Smart Filter could make a unique picture.
Smart Filter consists of 7 modes such as Vignetting, Miniature, Fish Eye, Sketch, Defog, Dot, and Soft focus. It was useful for those who want pictures having unique pictures.
NX100 / 30s / F11.0 / ISO100 / 20mm / EV-0.3
The menu of the NX100 is composed like the above picture, and main functions are assigned to the Fn or other buttons. At the moment, Flash and OIS are not activated, but by connecting the external flash or mounting the OIS lenses such as the 18-55 or 50-200mm, they are activated.
In the menu, users can format the memory card and use the quick view and power saving mode. The NX100 supports the ultrasonic dust elimination function, and when the NX100 is booted, it can be activated as an option. Besides, GPS and iFn setting menu is provided.
When it comes to the 20-50mm lens released together with the NX100, it has a narrow angle compared with the 1855mm, but because it’s very compact in the maximum telephoto angle, it’s easy to be carried.
I checked out the sharpness of center and corner areas in 20mm angle. The center quality was good, and the corner was a little blur, but from F5.6, it showed the good details.
In the 50mm angle, the detail in F5.6 was a little insufficient, but from F7.1, it got back the details. The above image was taken with a tripod and 100% cropped.
The 20-50mm lens has 7 blades, so there were 14 sunstars and they were quite clear. When it comes to bokeh, it kept the original one well.
We’ve looked at the NX100 closely. I thought it has been improved a lot compared with the NX10 in convenience. Because this is the third mirrorless camera, Samsung could make a better camera. Especially, the i-Function in the 20-50mm and 20mm lenses helped users use the NX100 more conveniently by allowing users to change the camera setting with their left hand without changing direction. However, it was unsatisfactory that it didn’t include the built-in EVF and flash for a compact body. It could have been better if a bundle external flash was included in the package. Let’s enjoy sample pictures taken by the NX100 and 20-50mm lens.