Samsung NX1 Review | 108 Data compared

The DPReview review for the Samsung NX1 highlights an advanced APS-C mirrorless camera boasting a 28.2MP BSI CMOS sensor and a 15 fps continuous shooting rate with a 205-point hybrid autofocus system. The camera is noted for its high-resolution electronic viewfinder, robust weather-sealed body, and comprehensive 4K video capabilities. Key drawbacks include a limited native lens selection, poor low-light autofocus performance, and overly aggressive JPEG noise reduction. Additionally, the camera suffers from issues with the H.265 video codec, along with inconsistent wireless and NFC connectivity.

The Samsung NX1 is a highly responsive mirrorless camera powered by a 5-core CPU and the Linux-based Tizen operating system, costing $1,499 for the body only. It features an innovative 28MP backside-illuminated APS-C sensor that samples internal 4K video from a full 6.5K readout. Key advantages include stunning 4K video quality with deep cinematic detail at lower ISOs, excellent ergonomics, and an inky-black, high-resolution AMOLED electronic viewfinder. Stills shooters benefit from superb raw dynamic range and an exceptionally fast 15fps continuous burst rate at full resolution. Additionally, its highly efficient H.265 video codec heavily compresses file sizes to roughly 1/10th of ProRes equivalents. However, this cutting-edge compression presents significant drawbacks, as the H.265 footage requires a time-consuming and CPU-heavy transcoding step before it can be edited natively. While the camera delivers beautiful performance in good lighting, its low-light capabilities fall short of rivals like the Sony A7S. At ISO 3200, the video output suffers from aggressive noise reduction, smudging, and prominent macro blocking in shadow areas. Furthermore, filmmakers will miss advanced settings like a built-in LOG profile, and photographers are...

The Samsung NX1 is reviewed as a fast, highly capable, and feature-packed camera that marks a significant evolution for Samsung's compact system cameras. Built with advanced ergonomics resembling a mid-priced SLR, it features a weather-sealed magnesium alloy body, comprehensive manual controls, and a high-resolution, tilting OLED touchscreen paired with a pin-sharp electronic viewfinder. Performance stands out as its greatest strength; the camera delivers an astonishing 15fps burst shooting speed with highly accurate continuous autofocus tracking. Additionally, it outputs sharp 28-megapixel photos with detailed JPEG rendering and captures breathtakingly detailed 4K and UHD videos. Despite its high-end performance, the review highlights several distinct drawbacks. For video production, the camera saves files exclusively in the HEVC (H.265) format, which suffers from low compatibility with most video editing and playback software. The camera's 1080p video output also displays visible digital over-sharpening, and its overall video dynamic range falls slightly short of the competing Panasonic GH4. On the hardware side, it lacks a dedicated PC sync socket for studio flashes, has a relatively modest 500-shot battery life, and relies on a fragile Micro HDMI...

Samsung NX1 Review Summary The Samsung NX1 is a high-performance mirrorless camera designed to compete directly with leading action-focused dSLRs like the Canon EOS 7D Mark II. It excels in continuous shooting speed, reaching up to 15 frames per second with autofocus, and delivers excellent photo and 4K video quality with highly neutral color rendering. The camera features a sturdy, dust- and weather-resistant body with a large, comfortable grip, a sharp tilting Super AMOLED touchscreen, and a bright electronic viewfinder. Additionally, it supports modern connectivity options such as Wi-Fi, NFC, and Bluetooth, and includes dual control dials and a top status LCD for streamlined operation. Despite its strong performance, the NX1 has notable drawbacks, particularly regarding battery life, which maxes out at 500 shots—disappointing for a camera in its class. It lacks a standalone battery charger, requiring users to rely on slow USB charging directly through the camera. Furthermore, there is no tracking autofocus available when shooting through the viewfinder, which limits its effectiveness for panning action. Other minor issues include an erratic wireless pairing setup and default noise processing...

In this MirrorLessons review, Mathieu Gasquet evaluates the Samsung NX1, a mirrorless camera packing a 28-megapixel APS-C BSI CMOS sensor that exhibits immense performance potential. The camera excels with its stunning resolution, expansive dynamic range, and surprisingly strong high-ISO noise management up to ISO 3200. Its standout physical attributes include a stellar, bright electronic viewfinder, a highly responsive tilt-angle touchscreen monitor, a top monochromatic LCD screen, and a durable, weather-sealed magnesium alloy body with excellent ergonomics. Performance-wise, it functions like a high-end DSLR, boasting an incredibly fast hybrid autofocus system and a blistering 15 fps continuous burst rate backed by massive buffer capabilities. For videographers, it delivers gorgeous Cinema 4K and Ultra HD footage utilizing the advanced H.265 codec alongside excellent background-running Wi-Fi, NFC, and Bluetooth options. However, the review details several notable drawbacks, particularly regarding color processing, which often feels cold, flat, and artificial compared to rival brands. While the autofocus is superb with premium Samsung "S" lenses, it slows down significantly with older, non-S lenses. The user interface is plagued by awkward, multi-step configurations; for instance, AF tracking...

The Samsung NX1 is a highly capable hybrid mirrorless camera designed to compete directly with professional APS-C DSLRs. Filmmakers will love its incredibly detailed 4K video, which is downsampled from a large 6.5K sensor to deliver a crisp image without any line-skipping. The camera boasts Canon-like color science with highly natural skin tones right out of the box, a free "Gamma DR" flat color profile, and highly responsive smartphone-like touchscreen menus with easy Wi-Fi connectivity. On top of that, it provides excellent DSLR-like ergonomics, a comfortable handgrip, weather sealing, an illuminated top settings panel, and physical headphone and microphone jacks. However, the camera has notable limitations, starting with its poor low-light performance at settings higher than ISO 1600, where noise reduction artifacts become too harsh. While the native Samsung S-lenses offer superb autofocus and built-in stabilization, they are focus-by-wire and feature a reversed zoom and focus direction that may feel awkward to some users. Additionally, because Samsung discontinued the NX line, lens choices are limited, and using third-party lenses requires passive adapters. These passive adapters force filmmakers to lose autofocus,...

The Samsung NX1 is a flagship compact system camera (CSC) that directly challenges traditional DSLRs and high-end rivals like the Panasonic GH4, Sony A7 series, and Fujifilm X-T1. It features a weather-resistant body with a highly impressive 28-megapixel back-lit APS-C sensor, 4K video capture, and an autofocus hybrid system boasting 205 phase-detection and 209 contrast-AF points. Performance stands out with continuous capture speeds of up to 15 frames per second. Additionally, the camera is equipped with a premium, tilting 3-inch AMOLED screen and an ultra-sharp, two million-plus dot electronic viewfinder. Battery life is robust for a mirrorless camera, delivering around 500 shots per charge. Despite its professional-grade capabilities, the NX1 comes with notable drawbacks, starting with a premium asking price of over £1,000 for the body alone. When paired with large professional lenses like the 50-150mm f/2.8, the camera becomes quite bulky and heavy, encroaching on DSLR heft and somewhat defeating the traditional lightweight appeal of mirrorless systems. Its biggest hurdle for professionals is the limited lens ecosystem; Samsung offers only 16 compatible NX lenses compared to the roughly 70...

The Samsung NX1 is highly praised as a top-performing crop-sensor mirrorless camera, securing the number one spot for APS-C hybrids in the DxOMark database with an overall sensor score of 83. Foremost among its pros is the innovative 28.2-megapixel APS-C BSI (Backside Illuminated) CMOS sensor, which is the largest of its type and delivers class-leading resolution along with remarkable color depth (24.2 bits). It stands out as an elite hybrid machine by packing action-ready performance specs, featuring a blazingly fast 205-point autofocus system, an lag-free electronic viewfinder, and an impressive 15 frames-per-second burst shooting rate. Furthermore, the review highlights excellent landscape potential with a dynamic range of 13.2 EVs—putting it on par with full-frame alternatives—as well as highly advanced 4K video recording capabilities. Despite its powerhouse performance, the review notes several cons that could deter some buyers, particularly its hefty $2,400 price tag when bundled with a standard zoom lens. From a design perspective, the body takes on a bulkier, heavier DSLR-style shape with a large handgrip. While this form factor appeals to discerning enthusiasts who favor solid handling and...

The Samsung NX1 is a highly capable 28-megapixel APS-C mirrorless camera that challenges established DSLR giants by packing advanced, high-tier technology into a robust, weather-sealed magnesium body. It stands out for its exceptional performance, featuring an industry-first back-side illuminated (BSI) APS-C sensor that delivers strong high-ISO image quality up to ISO 3200, alongside a state-of-the-art electronic viewfinder (EVF) and an articulated touch LCD. Its autofocus and speed capabilities are highly impressive, boasting 205 phase-detection points across 96% sensor coverage and a blistering 15 frames-per-second burst rate with accurate focus tracking. Furthermore, it pushes video standards forward by supporting in-camera 4K recording using the ultra-efficient H.265 codec. Despite its technological triumphs, the NX1 suffers from notable practical and ecosystem drawbacks. A major usability flaw is the lack of an included standalone battery charger, meaning the camera is stuck charging via a USB-3 cable and cannot be used to shoot pictures while powering up. Additionally, because the camera relies on a proprietary Samsung lens mount, buyers face a limited native lens selection with no third-party support from manufacturers like Zeiss or Sigma,...

The Samsung NX1 review highlights it as a powerful, feature-packed flagship camera that targets action shooters and videographers alike_. On the positive side, the reviewer praises its ground-breaking 28-megapixel BSI APS-C sensor for delivering excellent dynamic range and improved high-ISO file flexibility when shooting RAW. The camera boasts an incredibly fast 15 frames per second burst rate with highly accurate subject tracking in good light, a robust and weather-sealed magnesium alloy body, and an exceptionally crisp, low-lag electronic viewfinder (EVF). Additionally, it offers sharp 4K video recording via the H.265 codec and a pleasingly quiet shutter mechanism. Conversely, the camera suffers from significant shortcomings, most notably its struggling autofocus performance in low light, where it frequently slows down or fails to lock onto subjects. Ergonomically, the body is bulkier and heavier than standard mirrorless expectations, weighing 640g, and the 3-inch AMOLED screen is only tiltable, which proves frustrating when capturing portrait-oriented shots or using a tripod. The review also points out a poorly placed top-left AF/ISO/WB dial that demands awkward two-handed adjustments, unstable smartphone connectivity apps, and a lack of...

The Music Photo Life review highlights the Samsung NX1 as a significant improvement over its predecessors, featuring a 28-megapixel BSI APS-C sensor that delivers exceptional detail, natural images, and accurate white balance. The review praises the camera’s speed and performance, making it a strong contender for those switching from traditional DSLRs. Conversely, a key limitation noted is that high ISO settings result in heavy noise-reduction processing. However, the reviewer concludes that the high-resolution sensor successfully masks these artifacts, maintaining good image quality despite this processing.

The Samsung NX1 is a highly capable mirrorless system camera designed for professional and prosumer photographers, featuring the world’s first 28-megapixel APS-C Backside-Illuminated (BSI) CMOS sensor. It boasts an exceptional burst speed of 15 frames per second with continuous autofocus, supported by a dense autofocus grid of 205 phase-detection and 209 contrast-detection points across the entire sensor. Its build quality is robust, utilizing a dust- and splash-water-sealed magnesium alloy frame styled like a traditional SLR. On the video side, it is flat-out impressive as one of the few system cameras capable of internal 4K recording using the highly efficient H.265 (HEVC) compression standard, eliminating the need for external recorders. The camera's primary advantages include a sharp, tiltable AMOLED screen, top-tier video capabilities, lightning-fast autofocus tracking, and a record-holding resolution that delivers excellent dynamic range and low-noise performance under 1600 ISO. However, it does come with a few notable drawbacks. Because it mimics the ergonomics and size of a standard SLR to appeal to professional photographers, it is not a "compact" mirrorless system camera. Furthermore, its out-of-camera color reproduction is good...

The Samsung NX1 review highlights the camera as a highly capable flagship mirrorless model equipped with a standout 28.2-megapixel APS-C CMOS sensor and a remarkably fast burst rate of 15 frames per second. It is well-regarded for its robust, weather-resistant, and dust-resistant body, providing a solid and professional feel despite being slightly heavier than competing models like the Fujifilm X-T1. The camera performs exceptionally well for still photography, producing sharp images and accurate metering. It also introduces innovative smart features, such as "Framing Mode" to bypass exposure previews in dark environments, and an "Auto Shot" sports mode that triggers the shutter automatically when action crosses a designated line. Additionally, its user interface is modern, bright, and easy to navigate with smartphone-like animations and sounds, backed by efficient Wi-Fi options and dedicated manufacturer firmware support. On the downside, the review notes specific drawbacks in the video workflow and physical design. While the camera records impressive 4K video at 30 frames per second, it uses the H.265 codec, which requires time-consuming transcoding via external programs like Rocky Mountain Video Converter to be...

In a Wall Street Journal review, columnist Geoffrey A. Fowler compares the Samsung NX1 mirrorless camera to the iPhone 6 Plus, highlighting the advantages of a larger APS-C sensor. The camera offers superior low-light performance and produces sharper images with better depth-of-field than the smartphone, which often produces hazy photos in similar conditions. WSJ Conversely, the review notes significant drawbacks for dedicated cameras, including a bulkier form factor that reduces convenience compared to pocketable smartphones. Additionally, the Samsung NX1 lacks the instant spontaneity and automatic, seamless HDR optimization found on the iPhone, making the phone superior for quick, candid snapshots. WSJ

The Samsung NX1 is a DSLR-styled mirrorless camera featuring a high-resolution 28-megapixel APS-C BSI sensor without an anti-aliasing filter, a remarkably fast 2.36m-dot EVF with a 5ms response time, and 4K video recording capabilities. Built with a weather-resistant magnesium alloy frame, the camera boasts excellent build quality and extensive connectivity options, including fast Wi-Fi, Bluetooth, and USB 3.0. On the positive side (Pros), it delivers excellent overall image quality with rich detail, surprisingly strong low-light performance despite the dense pixel count, an impressive 15 fps continuous burst rate, and a relatively long battery life rated at around 500 shots per charge. Additionally, it integrates exceptionally well with mobile devices and features a bright, easily viewable SuperAMOLED tilting touchscreen. However, the camera falls short of its DSLR-targeted aspirations in several key areas (Cons). Its hybrid autofocus system—while fast for static subjects—struggles with continuous focus tracking during high-speed action sequences, often falling slightly behind moving subjects and misidentifying focus priorities. The physical handling is also compromised by an inconsistent control layout that awkwardly mimics competing brands like Nikon and Canon, resulting in...

pro-level mirrorless camera with exceptional build quality, featuring a fully weather-sealed magnesium alloy body, a 15fps burst rate, and a high-resolution 28.2MP APS-C BSI sensor. Its standout performance includes internal 4K video recording, a responsive interface, and superior image quality at low ISOs, representing a significant, albeit premature, leap in mirrorless technology. Conversely, the review notes the camera lacks the extreme high-speed electronic shutter modes found in modern alternatives, relying strictly on a 15fps mechanical rate. Additionally, its heavy, DSLR-like ergonomics limit portability, while the abrupt discontinuation of the system by Samsung leaves users with a dead lens mount and no manufacturer support, significantly impacting its long-term viability.