Thursday, December 30, 2010

The Stylish Mirrorless Camera, Samsung NX100(1)

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The NX100 hit the digital camera market with force. It got attention from a lot of people for it’s great quality and mobility. It has the APS-C sensor, as well as interchangeable lenses.
Samsung’s NX100 ambitiously follows the NX10. It isn’t just a follow up of the NX10 but also a new line of it’s own. With better quality and a Fast AF this is a camera to tangle with.
Let’s take a closer look at the design, functions, performance, and quality
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It’s the full kit with the 20-5mm lens KIT including the body, 20-50mm i-Function lens the 20mm 2.8 lens, charger, USB cable, neck strap, battery, S/W CD, and manual. The memory card, case, GPS, EVF, and Flash are not included.
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It is 120.5 x 71 x 34.5mm and weighs 282g which is quite compact. When it comes to the NX10, it was a little heavier and larger than other hybrid cameras, although it was lighter than previous DSLRs. The NX100 has the great mobility as much as hybrid cameras even with the APS-C sensor.
The design is not classical like the NX10, but simple like compact digital cameras. The curved shape of the back lets you keep a good grip on it. And it will come in black, white, and white.
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This is the front of the camera. The mount is the same as the other NX cameras so you can interchange lenses from each camera. The APS-C sensor has improved a lot, with a faster AF.
The lenses have the newly add I-function. This innovative Function lets you control the setting of the camera through the rings on the camera itself. To better explain refer to the video clip.
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This is the top of the camera and it supports Smart Shoe compatible with other products. It also has a microphone, speaker, jog dial, shutter button, and mode dial.
On the mode Dial, The lens Priority made could be set. This lets you use the i-Function on the lens. On the screen only the scene are displayed, and for beginners it was a little hard to figure out, but after you got used to it, it was easy.
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This is the right side of the camera) and there’s a strap ring to use a neck strap. In the center, a depth preview button is located. On the lower side it has the HDMI, USB/AV, shutter release, and power ports .
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This is the bottom of the product and there’s a mount hole for a tripod, battery and SD memory slot. It supports up to 32GB of SDHD. It can easily take RAW and HD movies without worrying about the storage space.
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This is the back of the camera, and it has the 3” AMOLED screen. It’s totally different from other LCDs, it can be seen from all angles. It’s amazing!
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Various setting buttons are supported. It has a Smart Dial Smart Dial which didn’t exist on the NX10 allowing users to set the camera to manual. The jog dial on the top allows the user to adjust the aperture and shutter speed in Manual mode like a DSLR. The green button on the right bottom is impressive. It can initialize Picture wizard, WB, color temperature, screen color, and self timer. In play mode, it can delete files.
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I was worried about the grip, because of the compact design, but actually it was very satisfactory. The thin designed grip allows users to hold the body without slipping and the thumb fits comfortably in the hole on the back.
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This is a size comparison of different types of cameras. Look how close it is to my cell phone in size.
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Compared to the NX10 this camera has a lot more going for it. It’s lighter, smaller, and it has the i-Function. Also in its accessories it can use a GPS, external flash, and an EVF.
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Neck strap, charger, battery, USB cable, manual, and S/W CD are included.
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It can use the 30mm, 18-55mm, and 50-200mm lenses for the NX10 and the 2 i-Function lenses. Various lenses will also be released. I think the amount of lenses that this camera can use will also be an advantage.
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It’s the 20-50mm F3.5-5.6 ED lens from Samsung and it doesn’t supports IS function. Since it’s a wide angle lens, OIS is not that necessary. Like I mentioned earlier, it has the i-Function button. It also supports the locking function.
The previous 18-55mm lens had great quality with OIS, so it pleased a lot of users, but the size was a little big actually. The 20-50mm lens has almost the same angle and i-Function with a much more compact size. I think this will satisfy users who want compact lenses.
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It’s mounted on the NX100 and unlike the 18-55mm and 50-200mm, it can be carried without a camera bag.
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This is the 22mm i-Function pancake lens. ON the side of the lens, the optimized scene is displayed as an icon. The previous 30mm pancake lens had the best quality. This 20mm lens will also be loved by users with its great quality and wide angle.
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The 20mm lens is mounted on the camera and it’s slim enough to fit in a bag. It satisfies wants of both mobility and quality.
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The NX100 doesn’t have a built in flash, while the NX10 does. But with the added External flash this isn’t a problem. Though it can only point in one direction. But it also has a GPS and external view finder that are easy to use.
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DSLR users like me are not used to taking shots by looking at the display. In order to minimize this inconvenience, the cute EVF in the picture will be released.
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The EVF is attached to the camera. It fit well and the image was perfectly played. It has about 98% of visibility with QVGA (300×224) 200K pixels.
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In order to locate the shooting position through Intelli-Studio and Google Map, a separate GPS module is supported. Like the picture, 2 AAA batteries fit and the location information is registered in the picture, and pictures can be sorted by the location in Smart Album.
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The GPS module has been attached. It takes about 1 minute to sink up to the satellite.
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This is the external flash supporting a A-TTL, manual mode setting is also available. Not only the SEF15A, but also SEF20A and SEF$42A can also be used.
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The flash is attached and unlike other products when using a telephoto angle lens, there was no inconvenience to use the flash.
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We’ve looked at the design and features. Let’s take a look at the functions through the UI interface.
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It’s the main UI and totally different from previous compact & high-end digital cameras. It’s similar to the NX10 and EX1(TL500). In the lower part, setting mode, shutter and aperture information, exposure compensation status, available shots, histogram, and battery status are displayed. On the sides, shot options are displayed, so the environment can easily be checked. Using DISP button, screen information status can be selected, and the exposure gauge goes blue, so users can manually adjust it. As a GPS supported product, the GPS icon and location are displayed in real time (when the GPS is attached.
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For quick selection for frequently used functions, Fn button is used. By pushing Fn button, size, quality, AF region, flash, color space, Smart Range, and OIS can be quickly adjusted. OIS is activated only when the OIS supported lens is mounted.
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Not only Fn button, but also the direction key supports the shortcut function, and by using the OK button in the center, the size of frame can be adjusted and AF mode setting is also available. Through the shooting type button, continuous/high speed shooting and self timer can be easily selected and used.
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This is the i-Function which is the best thing of the NX10 and pushing the i-Function button on the lens, like the picture, setting values are displayed on the lower side. Whenever you push the i-Function button, the menu changes. When the menu is activated, by rotating the focus ring, users can set the value.
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It supports a perfect manual shooting like a DSLR and also for users’ convenience, Smart Auto is supported. If you press the shutter halfway down, the camera automatically recognizes the scene and relevant mode icons are activated. Most of the settings are automatically set.
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This is the setting for the video mode. It supports incomparably good HD movie recording.
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AF mode, MF assist, shooting type, metering light, fader, wind noise reduction, voice, and OIS. On lens are also featured.
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In user setting menu, AF assist light can be selected. Also the screen and function of the AEL button can be manually set.
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Not only Smart Auto, but also Scene mode are also supported. Like the picture, 14 scene modes. Sound Picture, Beauty Shot, Children, Sport, Backlight, Macro, Text, Sunset, Dawn, Beach and Snow, Night scenery, and Fireworks are provided.
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It supports not only the basic scene modes, but also i-Scene mode to show the optimized modes for the user. The above picture showed the scenes only optimized for the 20mm lens.
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High level compact cameras and DSLR cameras support Manual mode, but because it’s a lens interchangeable type, it’s not perfect. And like the picture, it supports P/S/A/M modes perfect, so users can easily adjust aperture value and shutter speed to get pictures they want.
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The picture on the top is menu button from P/A/S/M mode. The NX100 has 14.6M pixels and allows up to 4592×3056 resolution. Not only 4:3, but also 16:9 can be set. The NX100 is great enough to be used for a professional purpose such as large development.
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When it comes to quality setting, Super Fine/Fine and RAW are supported. Up to ISO 6400 is supported. ISO 6400 can be used only when setting extended ISO function. I like the upgraded ISO from the NX10.
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As a high level camera, various White Balance modes are supported Auto, Daylight, Cloudy, Fluorescent, Tungsten, Flash, Custom, and Color Temperature, The color range can also be adjusted.
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This is the Shot setting 2 (menu). In AF mode, single AF and continuous AF are supported Selection AF, Multi AF, Face Detection AF, and Self Portrait AF are supported. These are really nice to have giving the abilities of the camera a lot of range.
Continuous shooting taking 3 shots per 1 sec, burst taking 30 shots per 1 sec. Self timer 2-30 sec in increments of 1 sec is also supported and BKT taking 3 shots considering exposure, white balance, and Picture Wizard can be set. Various flash settings such as Smart Flash, forced flash & red eye reduction, 1st curtain, and 2nd curtain are available. It’s activated when the external flash is mounted.
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Like I mentioned it supports detailed settings for BKT.
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Smart Range which automatically corrects the loss of bright spaces is supported. Because it supports lens shift, it works only with an OIS lens. It consists of the mode 1 which is only activated when pushing the shutter half-way down and mode 2 which is always on.
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It’s the user setting menu and intensity of exposure compensation can be set. It has a noise reduction function caused by high sensitivity (ISO 3200) and long time shooting. AF assist light, icon, guide line, histogram, screen setting, and button setting.
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Let’s take a look at the environment setup menu. Like the picture, format and initialization are supported. And the way that the files are Organized. Also look at all the language options to have fun with. I like to change them when my friend uses my camera so they get annoyed. Its great Suomi is my favorite.
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Preview time can be set and by adjusting the screen, brightness and colors of (the) display can be set. Automatic brightness adjustment is also provided. By supporting the automatic screen off and power saving mode, users can use the batter more efficiently.
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Date type, date, time zone, time, date recording, and sound of AF can be set.
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Sensor cleaning eliminating dusts around the sensor is supported Ultra sonic dust removal function is installed, so you don’t need to visit customer service center to clean CMOS. PAL is also supported for the appropriate output signal for different countries. Anynet+ setting is also available and HDMI resolution setting is also supported. Firmware update for (the) lens is also supported.
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As a GPS supported product there are setting for it. Recording of the location can be selected and GPS researching time can also be set. The name of the city can be checked in real time and initialization function is also provided.
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It also supports lens distortion compensation function and the use of the i-Function can also be set.
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By using the play button on the back, users can see the movies and images. Unlike the previous products, various information is displayed on the lower side of the picture. By using DISP button, more detailed shooting information and RGB histogram can be checked, so it will please more professional users.
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Using a trash bin button, users can easily delete pictures while in playback. Thumbnails allow users to find pictures or movies more quickly.
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Like the previous Samsung cameras, it supports Smart Album. Files can be sorted by file, date, and location.
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When) in play mode, by using Fn button, images can easily be edited. Red eye fix and backlight adjustment are supported and various photo style can be set. Size adjustment, rotation, and compensation are also supported. The filters can be applied before or after your take your shots.
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This is the Playback settings; it supports File delete, playback setting, Automatic rotation setting, highlight and DPOF.

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