Samsung NX30
 | Samsung NX30 came into my hands for testing. Let's look at what Samsung has surprised and pleased us with as a camera manufacturer. |
NX30
Samsung NX30 (~750€ with kit lens) came into my hands for testing. As I mentioned in my article http://blog.andreart.net/raksti/fotokameras_izvele.php, the main and most important quality indicator of a camera is the sensor's physical size, and only then comes optics, megapixels and everything else. And Samsung NX30 falls into the commonly called "Crop" category, where sensor size is 23.5 x 15.7 mm, which means that within +/- 2 years, cameras with the same sensor size will produce equal image quality (with equivalent optics). Samsung NX30 in my opinion is something in between an advanced compact camera (pseudo-SLR camera) and a beginner SLR camera. It's built almost like an SLR camera, only it doesn't have a mirror mechanism. What does that give? The camera is quieter, smaller, lighter, the manufacturer can more easily achieve fast camera operation, but as a minus is the viewfinder, in which when you look you're actually looking at a low-resolution screen, which in my opinion is a poor substitute for a viewfinder. What does that physically change? In a normal SLR camera viewfinder you see through the mirror one-to-one the same image that will be captured. That gives the photographer the ability to understand if the autofocus hasn't missed, because through a low-resolution screen in the viewfinder that's not possible or very hard to judge. Adding another brand's lens (for example, manual old lenses) with an adapter (converter), it's pretty hard to judge sharpness through the viewfinder. That's one essential minus of this camera, if used by a knowledgeable user. Most regular users probably won't use the viewfinder at all. The question arises - why is it even built in?Lenses
The next quality indicator of a camera is optics. Currently Samsung has available 11 lenses , of which 4 came into my hands for testing: 2 zoom lenses, aka those that can "pull in" and "pull back" the image, and 2 fixed lenses.
For comparison, the Samyang Optics manufacturer (Bower, Rokinon, Walimax) offers 5 manual (don't autofocus) lenses with NX mount. I remind that fixed lenses will always be superior in quality to zoom lenses, but "pulling in" and "pulling back" will have to be done with your legs :). I was pleasantly surprised that almost all Samsung zoom lenses have OIS, aka image stabilization system, which allows taking sharper photos in difficult conditions.
Samsung 18-55mm f/3.5-5.6 OIS Lens (~180€) is the kit lens, aka the lens that comes with the camera. Mostly these lenses are a compromise between price, quality and application, aka the manufacturer produces the cheapest possible universal lens that satisfies beginners in both quality and application. Compared to other manufacturers, the kit lens quality is very close to others, Samsung hasn't pleased me with this lens quality, I hoped it would maybe be better than standard kit lenses. It falls into the category "like everyone" doesn't want to stand out. Actually Samsung brand lenses are produced by the Korean company OPTRON-TEC, about which I generally haven't heard.
Samsung 18-200mm f/3.5-6.3 ED OIS Lens (~630€) is the so-called tourist lens, because it includes a very large "zoom" range. With this lens you can photograph both architecture objects up close, and at a very far distance some object. Very convenient, large lens for all life purposes, but only you need to sacrifice image quality. The larger the "zoom" range of a lens, the more expensive and harder it is for the manufacturer to make it quality. With this and the previous lens, you'll easily take good photos in daylight conditions. As soon as it's indoors or outdoor light is less (sunset, sunshine, heavy rain, evening light) it will be harder to shoot, because these lenses are commonly called "dark" because of light transmission. The manufacturer took care of OIS, which slightly eases the situation, but doesn't solve it.
Samsung - 30mm f/2.0 NX Pancake Lens (~260€), this is my favorite lens. Recently when traveling, going around the city, my constant companion is a 35mm 1.4 lens. I can say this is my favorite range, because it can include both people and portraits, and nature and city parts. I would say very convenient for street art photography, reportage, in difficult lighting conditions. This is the lens that gives very good quality and the ability to photograph in poor lighting conditions and even in darkness handheld (you need to have somewhat steady hands). This lens is called "fast".
Samsung - 60mm f/2.8 Macro ED OIS SSA Lens (~500€) is a macro lens, intended mostly for flower and insect lovers, but very good also for portraits. Simply put, for anyone who wants to get closer to the subject in the image. Helpfully OIS is present and optical quality, as it befits fixed lenses.
Of all the tested lenses I love fixed ones. My ideal kit would be 3 fixed lenses. For wide shots or nature and city scenes - Samsung 16mm f/2.8, for shots with people - Samsung 30mm f/2, but Samsung 85mm f/1.4 for portraits and "distant" shots. I'm a fixed lens fan, because they give a much better image than zoom, and zoom's light strength aka ability limits my creative desires and quality requirements. But well that's me. Possibly, a person who is just starting to get to know a camera may not yet understand the advantages of such a kit.
Samsung NX30 is convenient, small and cool camera with many more features than beginner SLR cameras. It has the ability with WIFI help to send photos to computer, tablet or phone. A tilting screen allows photographing more conveniently from different angles. A touchscreen will even let you switch between shooting modes with your nose :) Simply put, a feature-rich photo camera that gives good image quality, quiet, light, convenient, with interchangeable good lenses.
Now let's talk about the things I don't like. Autofocus precision and speed doesn't satisfy me. There were several situations on the street, when I saw a great frame, grabbed the camera, but by the time I turned it on, focused, the moment was already gone. In fast-moving events, camera speed is very important. The second essential minus is the lack of lens market. Currently the selection of usable lenses is very small. Buying used lenses in Latvia is almost impossible. Samsung is quite new in this field and the optics selection for now is very limited.
If comparing with competitors in this price category, then I conclude that other manufacturers' SLR cameras already start appearing with minimal weather sealing (weather sealed). Weather sealed means that in mild rain, by a waterfall or in humidity the camera is "somewhat" protected. Samsung unfortunately doesn't have such minimal protection. I was surprised by the autofocus辅助灯 (lamp that helps illuminate in dark conditions for precise focus). I've seen white, red ones, but Samsung has a green one! With the previously mentioned colors people are accustomed, but the green light draws excessive attention from people being photographed, especially if you want to photograph an unrecognizable person, then the green light will give you away!
Overall Samsung NX30 performs similarly to competitor cameras and image quality is very close or even equal without any surprises. I recommend buying the camera for those who don't like SLR camera size and loud sound, although mirrorless cameras also have smaller cameras, but not as convenient for the hand. The question remains about Samsung camera and lens service in Latvia. How good is it? Are there alternatives when the warranty expires? Samsung has no answers to these questions. Overall I rate the camera with a 7.
PLUSES
APS-C sensor
Quiet, light, sufficiently small
Small and light lenses with IOS
Intuitive and easy to understand
9 frames per second
WiFi Share
Convenient
MINUSES
Samsung brand is little known among photographers
Doesn't support external flash
No minimal protection against external conditions
Tilting screen is hard to see in bright light
Price