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Samsung NX11 review

Our Rating :
Price when reviewed : £459
inc VAT

Sublime controls and a keen price, but it can't match the front runners for photo or video quality

Specifications

23.4×15.6mm 14.0-megapixel sensor, 3.0x zoom (27-82.5mm equivalent), 551g

http://www.amazon.co.uk

The Samsung NX range of mirrorless system cameras isn’t as well known as the Panasonic G, Olympus PEN or Sony NEX ranges, although judging by the disappointing NX100, perhaps it deserves to stay that way. The NX11 seems more promising, though, addressing our primary criticisms of the NX100 by including a flash and an optically stabilised kit lens.

Samsung NX11 front

Unlike the NX100 and most other mirrorless system cameras, the NX11 looks like an SLR after a crash diet rather than a super-sized compact. Lens aside, it’s much slimmer than any SLR, and peering through the viewfinder to see an LCD screen reveals its true nature. This screen isn’t quite as big and detailed as the Panasonic G3‘s electronic viewfinder but it’s not far behind. Unlike the G3, the NX11’s viewfinder automatically switches on when the camera is raised to the eye. Both cameras also have impressive 3in screens. While the NX11’s AMOLED technology produces richer colours, the G3’s is articulated – a great feature for shooting video.

Samsung NX11 left
Here you can see the handy i-Function button on the lens

The NX11 has a button marked i-Function on its lens – a feature we first saw on the NX100. We weren’t sure about it then but we must admit that the idea is growing on us. It works on the assumption than the camera will be used in autofocus mode for the vast majority of the time, and allows the lens’s focus ring to be reassigned to ISO speed, white balance, exposure compensation, shutter speed or aperture. The i-Function button cycles around these options, and the large lens ring was quicker to operate than the conventional controls that duplicate these functions elsewhere on the camera.

Samsung NX11 back
One of the best sets of controls we’ve seen of late

There’s quick access to other settings, too. There are dedicated buttons to access the autofocus point, drive mode, exposure lock and depth-of-field preview, and pressing the Fn button reveals other key settings without needlessly duplicating options that are available elsewhere. We really like the way advanced settings, such as self-timer delay and flash compensation, are presented next to the relevant basic settings rather than being buried in the menu. It’s arguably the best control layout of any camera this side of £700.

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Basic Specifications

Rating ***
CCD effective megapixels 14.0 megapixels
CCD size 23.4×15.6mm
Viewfinder electronic (921,000 pixels)
Viewfinder magnification, coverage 0.86x, 100%
LCD screen size 3.0in
LCD screen resolution 614,000 pixels
Articulated screen No
Live view Yes
Optical zoom 3.0x
Zoom 35mm equivalent 27-82.5mm
Image stabilisation optical, lens based
Maximum image resolution 4,592×3,056
Maximum movie resolution 1280×720
Movie frame rate at max quality 30fps
File formats JPEG, RAW; MP4 (AVC)

Physical

Memory slot SDHC
Mermory supplied none
Battery type Li-ion
Battery Life (tested) 400 shots
Connectivity USB, AV, wired remote, DC in
HDMI output resolution 1080i
Body material plastic
Lens mount Samsung NX
Focal length multiplier 1.5x
Kit lens model name Samsung EX-S1855IB
Accessories USB and AV cables
Weight 551g
Size 90x128x117mm

Buying Information

Warranty one-year RTB
Price £459
Supplier http://www.amazon.co.uk
Details www.samsung.com/uk

Camera Controls

Exposure modes program, shutter priority, aperture priority, manual
Shutter speed 30 to 1/4,000 seconds
Aperture range f/3.5-22 (wide), f/5.6-22 (tele)
ISO range (at full resolution) 100 to 3200
Exposure compensation +/-2 EV
White balance auto, 7 presets with fine tuning, manual, custom
Additional image controls contrast, saturation, sharpness, colour, Smart Range, noise reduction, distortion correct, colour space
Manual focus Yes
Closest macro focus 28cm
Auto-focus modes multi, centre, flexible spot, face detect
Metering modes multi, centre-weighted, centre, face detect
Flash auto, forced, suppressed, slow synchro, rear curtain, red-eye reduction
Drive modes single, continuous, self-timer, AE bracket, WB bracket, Picture Wizard bracket

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Reviews | DSLRs