Samsung NX1000 Pro Reviews

The Samsung NX2000 isn't the cheapest entry-level compact system camera on the market, but it is a very capable one, sharing the same core DNA as the other new NX models. It's so similar to the NX210 that we'd recommend saving £150 / $200 and opting for the NX1000 instead, or stepping up to the more DSLR-like NX20 - not a bad recommendation for a supposedly lesser camera!

If you're in the market for a compact interchangeable lens camera and like the idea of Wi-Fi, the Samsung NX1000 is a serious contender. The kit lens is compact and sharp, and you can snap JPGs at up to ISO 1600 without sacrificing too much in the way of image quality. If Wi-Fi isn't a concern, you may want to consider a camera to which you can add an eye-level EVF like our Editors' Choice Sony Alpha NEX-F3 or Olympus's compact PEN E-PM1. The former has a large APS-C sensor, just like the NX1000, and the latter will give you access to the Micro Four Thirds lens library, which boasts more lenses than either the Samsung or Sony.

The Samsung NX1000 features the same high quality 20.3 megapixel APS-C sensor as the NX20, NX210 and NX200, this is higher than many Digital SLRs and yet it manages to produces images with low noise levels, excellent levels of detail and excellent colour. Noise control certainly appears to be on a par with competitors from Sony and Canon with well controlled noise up to ISO3200. The camera has a fast 7fps shooting mode and an easy to use control system and menus making it enjoyable to use, although the delay while it writes photos to the memory card can be frustrating at times. Focussing was also slow with the 20-50mm kit lens, although image quality from this lens is excellent. The camera scores highly in all areas and importantly produces great image quality whilst providing excellent Wi-Fi connectivity, whether you want to upload to social network sites, or simply backup photos. The Samsung NX1000 has a plastic body available in black or white, and combined with the 20-50mm lens makes a compact camera. The lack of image stabilisation with this lens, and the lower quality screen shouldn't cause too many problems, however we would prefer it if the price matched other entry level mirrorless cameras available. If however, you want to be able to share or backup your photos straight from the camera, then this makes an excellent choice.

Samsung’s been a bit of a slow burner in the compact system camera market, but that’s not on account of its quality. The NX1000 might not be much more than £500, but it sure doesn't scrimp on the features front. The inclusion of the decent 20.3-megapixel sensor - the very same as found in the NX20 - is the star of the show, so if image quality is your main concern then the Samsung might have already caught your attention. But there are lows: if you want a camera with a viewfinder or any kind of eyepiece then look away now, as that’s just not what the NX1000 has been designed for. The battery life is poor too. A shame, as this is an area in which we’d hoped to see vast improvements compared to the poor standings of the NX200’s shots-per-charge ability.

We've all seen WiFi cameras come and go over the years, but this time may be different, for several reasons. First, WiFi itself is more ubiquitous than ever, with WiFi antennas even found recently on ski lift towers: WiFi is becoming the near-universal connectivity fabric of modern society. What's different this time around is that these latest cameras have a whole lot more smarts to deal with WiFi interfacing, and there's also a new "WiFi Direct" protocol that makes it easy for devices to communicate with each other without the fiddling with network names, encryption types, etc, that was needed in the past. If there's an open WiFi network available, these new NX models will use that; but if not, they'll publish their own network to let a phone or computer connect to it. Suddenly, rather than being islands unto themselves, cameras become true photo sharing hubs, able to email photos or upload to Facebook and YouTube or to a Samsung-provided cloud directly, automatically backup photos to your computer, let you use your smartphone or tablet as a remote viewfinder and shutter release, and connect to your cell phone for photo sharing even when there's no WiFi network around. We think this is just the first ripple of a wave that's going to sweep through the camera industry in the next few years: Two or three years from now, this sort of connectivity will be expected in cameras, rather than an unusual feature. You can wait for the coming wave, or get onboard now with these latest NX models from Samsung. One way or another, the WiFi wave is coming; you heard it here first.

Although the NX1000 lacks the quality feel of the other NX cameras, it provides a lot of functionality and given that it as the same sensor and processor it should produce comparable images at a more attractive price. We think the Wi-Fi connectivity will be a hit with the intended market.