Samsung left the camera industry a while back. However, in a time when everyone is tired of the devices we see today, one can’t help but feel nostalgic about the good old days. This particularly goes for Samsung cameras, which were in a league of their own. The devices were small and compact, and photographers today will appreciate them not only for their design but also for their performance. Here is a look at the ones that we adored.
Samsung NX300
The Samsung NX300 is a flagship camera with a 20-50mm f3.5-5.6 ED II. It is designed for quick shooting and sharing and has 3D video and still capture capability, and a 20MP APS-C sensor. You also get a 3.32-inch tilt screen, hybrid focus, ISO up to -25600, and dual-channel Wi-Fi via the SMART CAMERA app. The WiFi capabilities are fast, build and finish are great, and the LCD is quite gorgeous. The auto focus could be better, but it makes up for it in the image department, as it offers great colors. The RAW files are also versatile, and the high ISO output is good. As we said, “In our tests, though, we discovered that shadow detail is much better with the Samsung-made sensor, and we also sometimes discovered smudging with the JPEG files at higher ISOs. Otherwise, though, the images were sharp as ever with either one of the lenses we mounted on.” For these reasons, it won our Editor’s Choice Award.
Samsung NX500
Introduced in 2015, the NX500 is an APS-C camera with a 16-50mm f3.5-5.6 power zoom fixed lens. It houses a 28.2MP BSI CMOS sensor and DRIMe V image processor and can shoot 4K videos at 24fps. In addition, you get auto-shot more, 205 AF points, and a Birts rate of 9fps. The camera’s ISO is up to 51,200, has a 1036k-dot LCD, and a built-in flash. Some of the things we adore include solid image quality, which offers vivid colors and sharpness, as well as good autofocus in most stations. The ergonomics are excellent, while its LCD gives you an experience that is TLR style. As we said in our review, “The RAW files are capable of doing quite a bit at the lower ISO settings, but once at the higher settings, you’ll need to start relying more on accurate metering. It’s a good camera for many consumers (especially those that want 4K video), but anyone above that may not be as excited.”
Samsung NX1
The Samsung NX1 is the winner of our Editor’s Choice Award. This is a powerhouse DSLR that features the speed and versatility of a mirrorless camera. The camera houses a 28.2MP BSI APS-C CMOS sensor, a 2360k-dot OLED EVF, and a 1036k-dot LCD. There is also a burst rate of 15fps, 4K video recording, and 205 advanced AF points. The DSLR is designed really well, featuring multiple buttons for your needs and customisation. The viewfinder is bright, and the LCD also provides good resolution. The image quality is also crisp, providing vivid colors and sharpness. As we said in our review, “The NX1 shares design aspects with the NX30, but it goes above and beyond that camera in terms of processing power and the images it can produce. Full-frame enthusiasts won’t find anything they want here because Samsung has yet to enter the full-frame game. The NX1, however, is one of those cameras that can stand very close to a full-frame camera that can perform just as well, if not better in some cases.”