[ortega] Hands on Samsung NX1

[ortega]

Samsung's 1st go at the professional market. The NX1's specifications look really good on paper. But is it as good as it seems?
I will be testing this interesting camera, so lets me know if you have requests and I will try to answer them while the camera is still in my hands.

First the official features

High-speed image processor DRIMe V
Extremely fast and accurate NX AF System III
Fast continuous shooting up to 15 fps at 28 MP
Accurate shots every time
Ultra-high 1/8000s shutter speed
Redefine images with 28 MP BSI APS-C CMOS sensor
Shoot with confidence even in low light
Breathtaking 4 K UHD video recording
Highly durable magnesium alloy body
Convenient top-mounted LCD status window
Easy sharing with Wi-Fi[SUP]®[/SUP] and Bluetooth[SUP]®[/SUP]


From the features above you can see where Samsung has aimed their latest camera at, it has some serious technology and specifications that beat the whole camera market, not only the mirrorless camera segment. Can this be a DSLR killer?

Stay tuned

 

[ortega]

Lets have a look at the camera first.

at the back, you see a 3" tilting SUPER AMOLED touch screen with 1,036,000 pixels
a EVF and the usuals controls plus the EVF and Wifi Button.

A single SD Card slot on the right

and ports for USB, HDMI, Headphones and Mic

The battery is charged via the USB 3 port, a normal USB 2 cable is provided.

BTW the images of the camera is shot with a Samsung Glalxy NX and the 16-50mm f2-2.8 S lens

 

[ortega]

Deep DSLR style handgrip and thumb rest. DOF preview button.
Video record button has been moved next to the shutter release, compared to the NX30 which is located where the AEL button is on the NX1

Convenient top-mounted LCD status window (smaller than DSLRs but manages to display necessary information.)

On the bottom you see the tripod mount (at the centre of the lens mount), connector for the battery grip and access door to the battery.

 

[ortega]

The NX1 uses a BP1900 Li-ion Battery rated at 1860mAh, 7.2V
Charging: DC 5.0V, 2A via Micro USB port
500 shot (CIPA Standard)

Compared to the NX30's battery, it is just a little bigger

the BP1410 is rated at 1410mAh, 7.6V
but only manages 360 shots (CIPA Standard)

Once the battery runs out, I will report the real world battery life, shooting at full res, RAW + JPEG Fine.

 

[ortega]

if you are upgrading from the NX30, it is a little bit bigger, but still light (I find the NX30 a little too small for my big hands)

 

[ortega]

The back of the NX30

compared to the back of the NX1

 

[ortega]

At the same time, Samsung launched the 2nd S lens

50-150mm Premium S Telephoto Zoom Lens

Notice the weather sealing on the lens mount

 

[HYPY13]

Thanks for the tantalizing pix of the NX1, Ortega.
camping here for your opinion on its much vaunted capabilities as a sports/action photography tool..

 

[Nikonzen]

Thank you sir.

Could you please elaborate on this backside illuminated sensor (BSI) and confirm for me this is APS-C sized sensor (1.5X, 1.6X ratio) ?

I love how this looks and I really like Samsung as I have a Samsung dumb phone which is incredible. I ran over it with a one ton Dodge Dually Diesel last summer. Cracked the screen a little didn't hurt the phone one iota...Samsung builds some tough durable stuff bros.

Popphoto mag Dec issue has it in their Next column.

 

[ortega]

Next is to see what the new 28.2 MP CMOS APS-C sized BSI Sensor can do.
BSI sensors moves the illumination circuits behind the sensor, thus increasing the amount of light falling on it.
Which means better low light image quality and reduced noise.

Samsung NX1 APS-C Sensor Size: 23.5 x 15.7mm
Canon APS-C sensor Size: 22.2 x 14.8 mm
Nikon APS-C sensor Size: 23.5 x 15.6mm

You can choose from a multitude of images sizes

28M (3:2) 6480x4320
13.9M (3:2) 4560x3040
7.1M (3:2) 3264x3040
3M (3:2) 2112X1408

23.6M (16:9) 6480x3648
11.9M (16:9) 4608x2592
6.2M (16:9) 3328x1872
2.4M (16:9) 2048x1152

18.7M (1:1) 4320x4320
9.5M (1:1) 3088x3088
4.7M (1:1) 2160x2160
2M (1:1) 1408x1408

High ISO Noise tests
How it was done. scene is placed on my sofa and lit by window light, note that my window has a green tint film on it.
Camera was mounted with a 30mm f2 prime lens, this is so that the focal length does not change
Camera was mounted on a table pod and set to aperture priority with the aperture set to f8
Shutter speed changes as the ISO speed changes
High ISO Noise reduction is set to Normal, all images are straight from the camera (JPEG Fine)

Note: the Multi Metering did a good job getting the exposure right and the Auto White balance corrected the green cast as well.

First ISO 100, this is the full image, click on the image and download the full sized image straight from the camera
12060076-100 by ortega_sg, on Flickr

Now 100% crops

 

[ortega]

ISO 200

12060077-200 by ortega_sg, on Flickr

 

[ortega]

ISO 400

12060078-400 by ortega_sg, on Flickr

 

[ortega]

ISO 800

12060079-800 by ortega_sg, on Flickr

 

[ortega]

Now we go into the HIGH ISO (shooting at night without flash and tripod territory)

ISO 1600

12060080-1600 by ortega_sg, on Flickr

a little noise is starting to creep in the shadow areas, but be reminded that this pixel peeping at 100%

 

[ortega]

ISO 3200

12060081-3200 by ortega_sg, on Flickr

 

[ortega]

ISO 6400

12060082-6400 by ortega_sg, on Flickr

 

[ortega]

Now we move on to Private Investigator mode, hiding in the dark shooting in total darkness mode

ISO 12800

12060083-12800 by ortega_sg, on Flickr

 

[ortega]

And lastly shooting ghosts in abandoned buildings mode

ISO 25600

12060084-25600 by ortega_sg, on Flickr

Do you like what you see? How high would you go?

 

[Nikonzen]

Awesome. Looks like it handles white roll off excellently. Does new sensor provide extra DR over and above typical sensor...something akin to say the old Fuji S5 Pro that also handles whites so deftly? I am watching this camera body very closely because of it's very nice price point. Looks like a lot of bang for the buck to me bros.

 

[ortega]

So far so good, I will need some time to get to know the camera well enough to make the most of it
let me know if you have something that you want me to test.

Things that i will be testing

Time to charge battery from wall socket and from an eternal battery.
Video stuff and screen grab quality from a 4K video
Buffer capacity on various cards
AF speed in various lighting conditions

looking for a black cat or dog to test shadow detail quality and or dynamic range.