Review: Samsung NX100

The latest in Samsung's NX series of mirrorless interchangeable lens cameras, the NX100 boasts a 14-megapixel APS-C-format sensor, full HD video, a 3-inch AMOLED screen and a 20-50mm f/3.5-5.6 lens with focusing ring and Samsung's innovative new i-Function button, which allows users to choose from a series of manual settings.

Now interchangeable lens compacts are so well established that the challenge is to appeal to specific market segments – or just to stand out by doing something different. Samsung's response to this challenge is the NX100, the sister camera to the Samsung NX10.

The Samsung NX100 has a new feature called iFunction, which enables you to make camera adjustments via a new button on compatible lenses. Basically, iFunction sets up an extra layer of communication between camera and lens – so you get to use the Samsung NX100 lens' focusing ring to adjust aperture, exposure compensation, and other key settings.

Samsung claims this makes life easier for beginners, while at the same time making it faster for more experienced users to adjust exposure settings without moving their hands from the shooting position.

We wouldn't describe iFunction as a massive leap forward in camera usability that will change the market overnight, but still, Samsung deserves plaudits for trying something new.

As well as iFunction, other key selling Samsung NX100 specs include a 14.6-megapixel, APS-C-size sensor, high-tech rear screen and full 1080p HD video.

Despite being closely related to the NX10, the Samsung NX100 camera looks quite different. Rather than trying to look like a mini SLR, the Samsung NX100 camera's styling recalls the rangefinder looks of the Olympus Pen EP2 (although the dial and button layout is simpler).

The top of the NX100 camera is refreshingly uncluttered, with just a PASM dial, discreet thumbwheel, shutter button and hot shoe for a range of accessories (as with the Olympus PEN EP-2, you don't get flash as standard). The NX100 camera feels comparatively heavy with the 20-50mm kit lens attached, and while it can be retracted, it only retracts to 40mm.

So the NX100 is hardly a pocket or handbag camera. Still, the Samsung NX100 handles well and its relative bulk makes it easier to hold firmly and avoid camera shake.

Controls and features

Now, let's look in more detail at the iFunction feature. Does it make the NX100 camera easier to use?

Yes and no. It's certainly true that using the focus ring to adjust exposure settings does become second nature after a while, and you do wonder why, apart from on a couple of compact cameras, nobody's introduced a similar feature before. So somebody coming straight to the NX100 from a point and click compact will probably get used to iFunction as quickly as they would to a more conventional camera system.

But unlike the Nikon D3000 or D3100 SLR, the Samsung NX100 doesn't go the extra mile for beginners by explaining what aperture or exposure compensation adjustment, for example, actually DO.

iFunction lenses arguably come in more handy when you've figured out the basics; once your fingers learn where the button and focusing ring are, you can quickly adjust the aperture, for example, without moving your hands from the 'shoot' position.

What is really impressive, however, is how great the iFunction menus look on the high-quality rear-LCD. This is a three-inch AMOLED screen that borrows technology from Samsung's lusted-after LCD TVs, and it just looks fantastic. The screen is bright and pin-sharp without constantly draining the battery, and it puts most current Micro Four Thirds camera screens to shame.

The function menu is very well designed too. Hit the Fn button on the back of the Samsung NX100 camera and you can quickly tweak AF, metering and picture size. You can also access a handy Picture Wizard for adjusting colour, saturation, sharpness and contrast.

Of course, iFunction lenses and fancy rear LCDs won't be able to salvage the Samsung NX100's reputation if photo quality isn't up to scratch. Fortunately it delivers.

Straight from the box, the NX100 camera takes really punchy vibrant images, with bags of resolution and detail – a real testament to the quality of the APS-C size sensor. Colours are rich but natural looking, and noise is well controlled under ISO 1000.

We did notice a slight tendency to overexposure in Auto everything mode, but this can be adjusted easily enough with the handily placed exposure compensation button or via the iFunction control.

When it comes to AF, you need to remember that the NX100 camera uses contrast detection AF, so it's not as fast as a conventional DSLR in normal stills mode, rather than Live View mode. Lower light in particular challenges the AF, but it stills feels quicker off the mark than the AF on the Olympus PEN series.

It's a shame that Samsung NX100 iFunction lenses aren't stabilised (neither is the NX100 camera body) so a firm grip, and tripod, are essential. And unlike a typical DSLR kit lens, the 20-50mm Samsung NX100 lens is hamstrung at the wide-angle end (we're talking 30-75mm equivalent range).

The f/3.5-5.6 aperture mode is a bit restrictive, too; if you want a faster lens, go for the f/2.8 20mm pancake instead. Despite its drawbacks, the 20-50mm lens is a reasonable performer: nice and sharp, with acceptable distortion and chromatic aberration levels.

HD video recording is right up there, too. Full 1080p performance is a real bonus, and you can shoot in either Program or Aperture Priority mode.

As with stills performance, HD video shooting is rather limited by the limitations of the 20-50mm lens, but the Samsung NX100 still delivers a solid performance when it comes to movies. HD implementation isn't quite as slick or detailed as the similarly priced Panasonic Lumix GF-1, however.

ISO100 (click here to see a full-sized version)

ISO200 (click here to see a full-sized version)

ISO400 (click here to see a full-sized version)

ISO800 (click here to see a full-sized version)

ISO1600 (click here to see a full-sized version)

ISO3200 (click here to see a full-sized version)

Colours are punchy and well-exposed, and it's a cinch to adjust white balance via iFunction (click here to see a full-sized version)

The metering system is generally reliable, and again can be adjusted via iFunction (click here to see a full-sized version)

There's a slight 'pinkish' tones to skin tones in portraits but we like the warmth and clarity (click here to see a full-sized version)

The 20-50mm lens is a solid performer, with great edge definition and sharpness (click here to see a full-sized version)

Although the 20-50mm lens isn't an obvious wide-angle performer, you soon learn to work around its limitations (click here to see a full-sized version)

There's a lot to like about the Samsung NX100 camera, from its curvy rangefinder looks to innovative iFunction lenses. The NX100 is not quite the revolution that Samsung is promising, but it will further bolster the company's reputation as a serious player in the photography market.

This is a tough, sturdy camera, and the Samsung NX100 lens is quality. What's more, being able to control camera functions via the zoom ring on iFunction lenses is a genuine innovation. The rear screen is simply great too.

That said, the 20-50mm NX100 lens isn't particularly fast, and is limited for wide-angle work. There's no image stabilisation and the lack of flash as standard is off-putting on a £500 camera.

With the NX100 selling for just under £500 at the time of writing, it's no impulse buy. While it's innovative in many ways, you have to ask yourself whether the limited lenses (both in terms of focal length and choice) make it a wiser buy than a similarly priced DSLR like the Nikon D3100 – or a top Micro Four Thirds hybrid like the Panasonic Lumix GF1. We'd still go for the latter.