The Samsung NX1 is a camera that ticks all the right boxes. High quality shots? Check. Interchangeable lenses? Check. Video? Wireless link? Full control over the settings? Check, check and check.
The NX1 means business. It’s not another point and shoot camera that will eventually be forgotten in favour of your ever-more powerful smartphone camera.
For this review, we teamed it with the 50-150mm OIS lens, but Samsung has a range of compatible lenses that will suit all situations, from portraits and macros to good all-rounders and telephoto lenses.
The good
Nicely chunky in your hand, the NX1 isn’t made to slip discreetly into a small handbag.
This is a camera that will stand alongside the smaller Nikon or Canon DSLRs proudly, even though it's not – it's a compact system camera, and it's mirrorless, unlike DSLRs. It's easy to grip, which you'll be thankful for if you opt for a larger lens, which can throw the camera off balance a little.
The NX1 shoots to secure digital memory cards, with still images clocking in at 28 megapixels and the ability to record high definition video also included. It goes further than HD – the NX1 can shoot in 4K, which would be great if you had the compatible TV to view it in all its glory.
The LCD screen on the rear of the camera can be used for both reviewing photographs and as a viewfinder for setting them up.
The added bonus here is that it can be popped out of the rear of the device and set at a different angle, so you can still see what you’re shooting even if the shot is at a difficult angle.
It’s touch enabled too, which might not be a necessity but it’s a nice extra.
The NX1 has also got an electronic viewfinder that’s activated when you put the camera to your eye.
The camera is great for both beginners and more seasoned photographers.
Shooting on auto produced bright, crisp photographs 95 per cent of the time, while the ability to mess about with ISO and white balance for those with a bit more experience meant the camera was more flexible.
The only area where the camera wasn’t outstanding was in low light – while it produced good images, they were a little on the noisy side.
The not so good
The camera works with wireless networks and smartphones to transfer photos and allow you to share them online or via email. Setting it up takes a few minutes, but in theory, this should be a simple enough task.
It can be temperamental though, and on one occasion it took three attempts to connect, before the software froze. When that happened, the camera has to be rebooted by removing the battery.
To say it’s frustrating is putting it mildly. But when it works, it’s great. Of course, it’s easier with a Galaxy smartphone – pair it with NFC in seconds – but it will work with non Galaxy android handsets and the iPhone too.
The rest
If you have a DSLR, you know how frustrating it can be when the battery charger goes AWOL. But the NX1 charges with a micro USB cable, which means you are never without a means to charge your camera.
The mini HDMI port means you can connect the camera directly to your TV to share video and images if you aren’t set up to stream live.
There’s bluetooth included too, which widens the options for connecting to mobile devices.
The verdict
HHHH Samsung’s camera can hold its own, even against stiff competition from DSLRs.
