First Impressions: Samsung aims high with new premium camera
Samsung might not dominate cameras like it dominates phones, but that won't stop it from trying. The Samsung NX1 is a statement. A premium camera that will sell for £1,299 body-only, it packs in every conceivable feature Samsung could come up with.
Like all its CSCs, it's based on an APS-C sensor. But this is the first such sized sensor to feature backside-illumination (BSI), which should improve performance in low light. The NX1 also includes 205 phase detection points, supports 4K video recording and shots at up to 15fps at full resolution.
Samsung NX1: Specs and Features
The NX1 is something of a numberfest, so let's get the main ones out the way. The sensor is a 28-megapixel CMOS with BSI and has 205 phase detection AF points, 153 are cross-type, and 209 contrast detect points. There's no low-pass filter and the NX1 can shoot in 14-bit RAW or 12-bit when shooting continuously. The extended ISO range goes all the way up to 512,000 ISO, though even the native ISO is an impressive 128,000.
This is a serious video camera, too, no doubt with half an eye on the Lumix GH4. It supports Cinema 4K and Ultra HD resolutions with 8-bit colour, which you can output directly to a 4K TV video the on-board HDMI output. There's an external mic input, too, and the NX1 records to the h.265 HEVC video codec.
Much of this is made possible by the new image processor, the DRIMe V, which Samsung claims is 2.8x faster than its previous processor, as found in the excellent NX30. It also allows for the addition of feature Samsung calls Auto Shot. It's basically a very clever auto trigger system whereby the camera will work the best time to release the shutter based on motion detection and tracking.
Samsung's example of this was baseball, the idea being it lets you take a perfect shot just as the ball hits the bat. To setup up the shot you need to use the screen to select the subject area (the batter), and then the Auto Shot system tracks the motion at 240fps and detects when the ball enters 'the zone' selected.
It sounds very clever, though we didn't get to see it in action. Until we do it's hard to say how useful or effective it is, though Samsung insists it works well in its trials.
Samsung's also fitted the NX1 with a pattern assist beam, the only CSC to feature on by Samsung's estimations. This kicks in automatically in very low-light situations, projecting a green LED pattern to help focus that reaches to 15 metres.
Finally, Samsung has packed all the latest connections standards, including 802.11ac Wi-Fi, Bluetooth 4.0, USB 3.0 and NFC.
Samsung NX1: Design
Samsung continues to impress here. Starting with the screen and viewfinder, Samsung's included a tilting Super AMOLED rear screen and a 2.36m dot OLED EVF. The rear screen and viewfinder are incredibly crisp and colourful. The extended colour range of OLED screens should help with colour accuracy, too. If the Samsung Galaxy Tab S is anything to judge by, the Super AMOLED screen should cover the Adobe RGB colour space to over 90 per cent.
Build quality is exemplary, too. The NX1 has a magnesium alloy shell and is weather proofed. There's also support for an extra battery base that adds vertical controls. Up top, you'll find Samsung has added an LCD panel -- a first for Samsung, at least.
First Impressions
There's plenty to like about the Samsung NX1. Samsung has clearly worked very hard to put together a top-of-the-range spec to appeal to professional users, and a few design additions to appeal, too. Its super-fast 15fps continuous shooting puts it right in the mix with Canon and Nikon's pro-level cameras, making it an ideal action camera. And at £1,299 ($1,499) body-only, it's competitively priced. Throw in a new addition to Samsung's lens line-up, a 50-150mm fixed f/2.8 aperture effort, and it's clear the NX1 is one to take very seriously.