Samsung NX M 9mm F3 5 ED Review | 54 Data compared

The Les Numériques review awards the Samsung NX Mini a 3 out of 5 stars, defining it as a highly pocketable and stylish "jewel" mirrorless camera that sacrifices practical handling for extreme slimness. On the positive side, its Sony-sourced 1-inch 20.5 MP BSI CMOS sensor delivers impressive image quality and sharp details up to 1600 ISO, complemented by a long-lasting battery capable of capturing over 500 photos. Vloggers and selfie enthusiasts will appreciate the 180° tilting touchscreen, robust Wi-Fi and NFC smartphone integration, and the bundled Adobe Lightroom 5 license. Additionally, it offers broad versatility through compatibility with full-sized NX APS-C lenses via an adapter. However, the review highlights that its 22.5mm ultra-thin profile severely compromises handling and unbalances the camera, causing it to tip forward when the screen is flipped up. The physical build is hindered by cheap-feeling textured plastics, stiff rear buttons, and tiny, flush top controls that make it easy to accidentally trigger the power or Wi-Fi functions. Performance-wise, the camera suffers from a slow 3-second startup time, an autofocus that tends to hunt ("pump") during Full...

The Samsung NX mini is a compact mirrorless camera featuring a 21 MP 1-inch BSI-CMOS sensor and interchangeable Samsung NX-M lenses, launched in April 2014 for around $449/449€. Designed to capture the growing hybrid camera market, its ultra-slim aluminum body is highly portable but presents several ergonomic challenges. The lack of a grip section makes the brushed aluminum surface quite slippery, and the control buttons are notably small and difficult to feel. Furthermore, performance speed is a weak point, burdened by a sluggish 3-second startup time and an autofocus system that struggles in low-light environments. The video capabilities are also lacking, limited by mono audio recording, exposure irregularities, and poor autofocus performance. Despite these performance flaws, the camera delivers impressive image quality with high detail homogeneity, even when using the 9mm lens. Its Sony-built sensor handles ISO sensitivities up to 1600 very well with minimal noise, and the package surprisingly includes a valuable license for Adobe Lightroom. Standout positive features include an excellent 3-inch touchscreen that flips 180° for selfies, functional Wi-Fi and NFC connectivity for remote smartphone operation, and...

The Samsung NX Mini is a compact mirrorless camera featuring a 20-megapixel 1-inch CMOS sensor, designed to compete with the Nikon 1 series. It is praised for its surprisingly detailed JPEG image quality, accurate and flattering color reproduction, and an impressive battery life that yields around 650 shots per charge. The device includes a user-friendly touchscreen that flips up for easy self-portraits, and it features built-in Wi-Fi, borrowing its sleek design and efficient interface from Samsung's smartphone division. However, capturing photos in RAW format provides little benefit, as the camera's internal processing engine already optimizes JPEG files beyond what can be easily replicated in editing software like Lightroom. Despite its inventiveness, the camera suffers from notable performance flaws, particularly its slow autofocus in low light—taking up to 1.5 seconds—and a sluggish two-second startup time. The physical layout is hindered by an poorly positioned Wi-Fi button right next to the power switch, a screen with mediocre resolution (460 x 800 dots), and a smooth, faux-leather plastic finish that offers poor grip and feels less robust than traditional photography equipment. Additionally, the...

The Samsung NX Mini is an ultra-thin (22.5 mm depth) and lightweight (156 grams) compact camera that stands out for its high portability and user-friendly features. Evaluated over an eight-week test period in Paris, the camera impressed with its stylish white and silver aesthetic and its highly capable automatic mode. It effortlessly adapted to challenging lighting conditions, such as high-altitude shots from the Tour Saint Jacques, outperforming a traditional DSLR camera in automatic adaptability. Key technical highlights include an integrated suite of versatile shooting modes (such as night and sport), a 7.5 cm touchscreen that flips 180 degrees for high-quality selfies, and seamless Wi-Fi connectivity for rapid smartphone photo transfers. The review identifies distinct pros and cons regarding the camera's design and functionality. On the positive side, it offers an elegant aesthetic, an option to disable autofocus lights and sounds for discreet shooting, and a playful wink-activated self-timer that triggers the countdown for selfies. However, the camera does have a few drawbacks. While the main body fits into a jeans pocket, the protruding camera lens does not, which can create...

The Samsung NX Mini is an ultra-slim, lightweight hybrid mirrorless camera designed primarily for high-quality selfie creation and everyday blogging. The reviewer notes that its pocket-sized, elegant design—featuring a leather-like texture—easily slips into a handbag and delivers "insane" video and photo quality packed with rich detail. Key highlighted pros include its seamless wireless sharing via NFC and Wi-Fi (using the MobileLink app), a generous battery life capable of capturing up to 650 shots, and a highly intuitive 180-degree flip-up touchscreen that triggers an automatic shutter when you wink. However, the review reveals distinct limitations regarding the camera's adaptability and functional ecosystem. A notable con is the highly limited selection of interchangeable lenses, as it launches with only two kit options: a fixed 9mm f/3.5 pancake lens or a 9-27mm f/3.5-5.6 zoom lens. While the camera is praised for its portability compared to a standard DSLR, users looking for an extensive focal range will find the system restrictive. Additionally, the camera relies strictly on MicroSD cards rather than standard SD cards, which may require users to purchase new storage media.

The Samsung NX mini is an exceptionally compact mirrorless camera, scoring 85/100 for handling, with a 180-degree tilting touchscreen, fast 1/16,000s shutter, and strong 650-shot battery life. Despite these portable advantages, it suffers from poor low-light performance due to heavy noise reduction and receives low scores for landscape/portrait shooting. Limited physical controls and a slow processor hinder usability, making it a mixed, niche device.