TIPA Camera Test Online: Samsung NX200

By TIPA

Cameras

20 December 2011 12:00

The Samsung NX200 is a CSC camera with an APS-C sensor and 20MP resolution. It offers easy and comfortable handling with a large and brilliant AMOLED display. It offers the ability and performance of an SLR camera in a very compact system. In addition it is able to record Full HD videos.

Comments on Handling

The Samsung NX200 is a CSC camera with an interchangeable lens system. It is based on an APS-C sized sensor and Samsung’s NX mount system which makes it possible to use 9 available Samsung lenses. The range of lenses will be expanded in the next year – currently the newest lens is the Samsung 85 mm F1:1.4 ED SSA, which is a fast portrait lens with a shallow depth of field. This lens supports Samsung’s i-Function technology which is also used by the NX200. The lens ring – which is normally used for manual focusing – can be used by i-Function.

This is a little unusual process and new to most photographers, but it is also a very handy feature. The NX200 photographer can define which settings are available for i-Fuction by using the setup menu of the camera.

The camera has no integrated image stabilizer and therefore relies on stabilizer systems in the lenses. Our NX200 was equipped with the standard zoom lens (18-55mm; 3.5-5.6) which has an OIS system and worked very well. Images can be taken with longer exposure settings equivalent to 3 to 4 EV-stops.

The camera has a stylish design in classic retro look. The massive body has no optical or electronic viewfinder, the photographer has to use the large and very brilliant AMOLED display on the back. This monitor shows crisp and brilliant images with a 614,000 RGB dots and is also readable in situations with bright ambient light.

The camera offers all standard image modes like P, S, A and M. In addition the photographer can choose a scene mode out of 14 programs and the “MAGIC” setting on the mode dial, which allows you to use effect programs like “Magic Frames” (which will create an image frame like an old photo album, a newspaper title or other effect around the taken photo shot). Using the “Smart Filter” function, which is also available in MAGIC setting, allows you to create miniature, fish-eye or sepia tinted image effects.

The camera has two setup dials to change image parameters. The first dial is located on the top and near the shutter release button, the second is a dial which is placed around the 4 way cursor field on the back. This allows the user to change parameters like aperture setting and shutters-peed very fast and efficiently.

The camera can record full HD videos with 1920 x 1080 pixels and 30 frames per second. Picture wizard settings are available in video mode to create a retro style look (sepia tinted movie) or other effects. A built in stereo microphone records additional sound, but only with 32 kHz. An interface for an external microphone is missing. Videos are recorded as MOV files and with H.264 compression.

Test shots

Click image to enlarge.

The Samsung NX200 showed a nearly perfectly exposed version of our portrait shot. The excellent sharpness is noticeable in fine details like in the hairs or the structure of the red fabric. The background shows a little shift into more bluish colours.

 

Click image to enlarge.

The NX200 creates natural looking colours due to its very precise automatic white balance system, which captures a neutral grey background in our standard test image. Only some red elements show a little shift into the orange coloured nuances (see red pattern in “Kodak Color Control Patches” or red brushes in the lower left). The LDC system (lens distortion correction) works fine.

Comments on Image Quality

Color:
The camera reproduced the GretagMacbeth testchart with a saturation of 102.5 percent and therefore nearly perfect saturation. Colour errors are on a very low level and the automatic white balance system causes nearly perfect neutral colours. Skintones are superb, only red colours have a little too high yellow rate and have shifted into the more orange coloured area.

Sharpness:
The Samsung showed an excellent performance in our resolution tests. The ISO 12233 chart was reproduced with 3437 lines per image height which is a remarkable result for a camera with a nominal resolution of 3648 lines per picture height. Fine details like the hair in the portrait shot are clearly visible, as well as the fibres in the fabric of the model’s t-shirt. Differentiation of red nuances is very good, even though the red nuances have a high yellow rate.

Noise:
The camera has a very intelligent and efficient anti noise system. The test images showed nearly no noise artifacts taken with ISO speeds up to ISO 800. In ISO 1600 images you will start to notice some minor noise effects in homogenous grey fields, but even images taken with ISO 6400 are still usable, even though there are clearly noticeable colour clouds. Images taken with ISO 12800 show a distinct noise pattern.

The dynamic range results are only on an average level for a CSC camera. With a maximum of 10.5 f-stops the NX200 showed a performance like a good compact or bridge camera. Real life and outdoor shots will prove that - images taken in the bright sun showed a blown out and nearly white sky instead of a light blue.

Opinion

Pros:
     + compact and stylish retro design
     + very good color reproduction
     + i-Function-System for comfortable handling
     + optional GPS system available (mounted on accessory shoe)

Cons:
     - missing optical viewfinder
     - dynamic range results should be better for an APS-C system

To download the PDF specifications sheet for the Samsung NX200, click HERE.

About TIPA

The Technical Image Press Association (TIPA) is a non-profit oranisation made up of a worldwide family of independent photo & imaging magazines with the most expert editors.

TIPA uses BetterNet GmbH in Heidelberg, Germany to perform routine digital camera tests based on an independent and objective testing method. The TIPA sponsored tests range from small compact cameras to popular DSLRs and even up to high-tech medium format models.

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