Samsung NX 50 200mm F4 5 6 OIS Review | 54 Data compared

The Samsung NX 50-200mm f/4.0-5.6 ED OIS is a well-built, compact telephoto zoom lens (406g) featuring a robust design with a metal mount, providing excellent center sharpness through most of its range. Key advantages include an internal focusing system, a non-rotating 52mm filter thread, and highly effective optical image stabilisation (OIS) capable of handling up to four stops of compensation. Drawbacks highlighted include a noticeable drop-off in edge sharpness at the 200mm telephoto end and visible chromatic aberration, especially in RAW files. While a great value, the lens can feel slightly bulky on smaller NX bodies and has limited low-light performance due to its variable f/4.0-5.6 aperture.

The Samsung NX 50-200mm f/4.0-5.6 OIS II is a lightweight, capable telephoto zoom with a sturdy build and effective four-stop optical image stabilization, making it excellent for sharp, handheld shooting. Key advantages include fast autofocus, smooth manual focus, an intuitive iFunction button, and a non-rotating 52mm filter thread. ePHOTOzine However, the lens can feel cumbersome on smaller camera bodies, contradicting the compact mirrorless design ethos. Performance drawbacks include softness at the edges, particularly when zoomed out, and noticeable lateral chromatic aberration in high-contrast areas.

The Samsung 50-200mm F4-5.6 ED OIS III NX is an affordable telephoto zoom lens designed for Samsung’s APS-C NX mirrorless cameras, offering a 35mm equivalent focal range of 75-300mm. In terms of standout advantages, the lens features smooth zoom action, a non-rotating front element that supports 52mm filters, and a minimum focusing distance of 3 feet. Crucially, it provides optical stabilization, which successfully enables steady handheld shooting even when utilizing a narrower aperture. Optically, the lens performs superbly at its widest 50mm focal length, delivering an impressive center-weighted score of 2,528 lines at f/4 and improving to 2,686 lines at f/5.6, with sharp details maintained through to the edges of the frame. However, the lens does suffer from notable drawbacks, particularly regarding size and telephoto degradation. At 4 by 2.8 inches and 14.3 ounces, it feels a bit large and heavy when mounted on compact NX camera bodies, especially when compared to competing Micro Four Thirds zoom alternatives. Furthermore, its narrow maximum aperture range of f/4-5.6 cannot compete with faster, pro-level f/2.8 telezooms. Edge performance begins to soften near the...

The Samsung 50-200mm F4-5.6 ED OIS III NX is an affordable ($349.99), compact telephoto zoom for APS-C NX cameras, offering a versatile 75-300mm equivalent field of view with effective optical image stabilization. While it delivers high center sharpness, pros include excellent image quality across most of its range and robust build. Conversely, the lens is not ideal for low-light shooting due to a narrow aperture and displays noticeable softness at the edges when fully zoomed to 200mm.

In terms of optical performance, the review highlights several distinct pros and cons regarding image quality and handling. On the positive side, the lens delivers high center sharpness, impressively low vignetting (never exceeding half a stop in RAW), and very low vulnerability to flaring or ghosting when shooting directly into the sun. Conversely, the major cons include visible lateral chromatic aberration (purple and green edges) in RAW files at sharp contrast transitions, and a noticeable drop in corner and edge sharpness when extended to its maximum 200mm focal length. However, the reviewer notes that the NX300 camera perfectly corrects both the distortion and chromatic aberration automatically when saving in-camera JPEG files. Ultimately, it is concluded to be a highly competent, budget-friendly telephoto lens that punches well above its weight class.

The Photo Review Australia analysis of the Samsung 50-200mm f/4-5.6 ED OIS lens highlights its solid construction, effective Optical Image Stabilization (OIS), and impressive center sharpness across the zoom range. Pros include the use of two Extra-low Dispersion (ED) elements to manage aberration and a non-rotating 52mm filter thread that facilitates easy use of polarizers. Conversely, the review notes a visible drop-off in edge and corner sharpness at the telephoto end, which may require smaller apertures to correct. Additionally, the variable f/4-5.6 aperture is restrictive in low light, and the lens's physical size can feel cumbersome on smaller NX mirrorless bodies.