Samsung NX200 Review | 108 Data compared

The Samsung NX200 review by DPReview highlights the mirrorless camera's premium metal body, intuitive Smart Panel UI, and high-resolution 20.3-megapixel APS-C sensor, which provides excellent detail at base ISO. Key advantages include customizable iFn lens controls, capable 1080p30 video with manual options, and fast autofocus in daylight. However, the camera suffers from significantly sluggish file writing speeds, restrictive continuous shooting, and aggressive noise reduction at ISO 800 and above. Additional drawbacks include a steep tone curve causing early highlight clipping, lack of a built-in flash, and uncomfortable sharp edges on the chassis.

The Amateur Photographer review of the Samsung NX200 highlights a shift to a premium magnesium alloy casing, featuring a high-resolution 20.3-million-pixel APS-C CMOS sensor, a 3-inch AMOLED screen, and an intuitive interface with a useful Fn button. Key performance strengths include a rapid 7fps continuous shooting speed and 1080p HD video, allowing for responsive operation in a compact 24mm profile. However, the review points out that the flat design lacks a built-in viewfinder (EVF) and pop-up flash, requiring bulky external accessories that cannot be used simultaneously. Other limitations include cramped controls for some users and a lack of customization options for the multi-direction pad.

The Samsung NX200 is described as a significant upgrade over its predecessor, featuring a refined, logical design, a high-quality OLED screen, and an intuitive user experience with innovative i-Fn lenses. It delivers exceptional image quality at lower ISO settings due to its high resolution. What Digital Camera However, the review highlights critical drawbacks including very slow RAW file processing, short battery life, and frustrating low-light autofocus performance. Furthermore, the lack of a built-in viewfinder and a high price point, initially at £699, were noted as disadvantages.

However, the camera's overall appeal is heavily hampered by severe performance limitations, most notably the agonisingly slow buffer write times. Although it can shoot at a fast 7 frames per second, it takes over 11 seconds to clear a JPEG burst and a massive 34.5 seconds for a RAW burst—completely locking up the camera and showing a frustrating "processing" message even during normal single shooting. Furthermore, noise levels become concerning in low-light and medium-to-high ISO scenarios. In terms of hardware compromises, the fixed 3-inch OLED screen lacks tilt and touch capabilities, there is no built-in electronic viewfinder (EVF) or accessory port to add one later, and it lacks both a mic jack and a cable remote input, which limits its utility for serious video work.

The Samsung NX200 features a 20.3-megapixel APS-C CMOS sensor in a robust, all-metal body, offering high resolution, sharp image quality, and a fast 7fps shooting mode with a useful AMOLED screen. The camera is noted for its improved handling and intuitive interface compared to previous models, though the fixed screen and lack of a built-in flash are limitations. Key downsides identified include sluggish processing times when writing RAW files, uncomfortable sharp edges during extended handling, and noisy, low-detail images at high ISO settings. While a strong contender for image quality, it lacks an electronic viewfinder (EVF) option.

However, the reviewer highlights several prominent drawbacks that keep the camera from achieving true greatness. The RAW file processing is absurdly slow, taking nearly 10 seconds to write a single shot to the memory card and locking up essential menu navigation during that time. Furthermore, the battery life is poor, the autofocus system struggles to lock onto subjects in dim conditions, and visible colour noise and red blotches begin to infiltrate images at ISO 800 and above. The lack of a compatible electronic viewfinder (EVF) also forces users to rely solely on the rear screen for framing shots.

However, the camera is held back by several notable design and performance drawbacks. Physically, it lacks a premium, comfortable grip suited for its price point and completely omits a viewfinder, forcing users to rely entirely on the 3-inch AMOLED screen for framing shots. Performance-wise, its thin internal memory buffer causes a frustrating delay of up to five seconds between continuous burst shots, while the autofocus system remains relatively sluggish and struggles in low-light environments. Additionally, video recording quality is merely adequate due to severe highlight clipping, blue fringe chromatic aberrations, and a prominent, distracting moire aliasing effect when capturing fine textures.

Conversely, the review identifies significant limitations, most notably the lack of an electronic viewfinder (EVF) and a built-in flash. Additionally, the camera suffers from limited button customization and sluggish RAW processing speeds that hinder continuous shooting, particularly when handling large 30MB file sizes. YouTube

Review Overview The Samsung NX200 is a hybrid camera that features a high 20.3-megapixel APS-C sensor and a sharp 3-inch AMOLED display, allowing it to compete closely with several DSLR cameras. It scored a 69 in overall performance, putting it right behind the Nikon D300s and near the Canon EOS 5D. The camera performs beautifully when capturing portraits and landscapes in good lighting, showing excellent colour depth and dynamic range. It also stands out with high-speed 7fps continuous shooting, a premium metal body, and full HD video capabilities. Pros and Cons Pros: High-resolution 20.3-megapixel sensor. Fast 7fps still shooting. Clear 3-inch AMOLED display for bright sunlight. Great dynamic range for landscapes. Strong colour depth for portraits. Full HD video at 30p. Handsome and durable metal body. Cons: Poor low-light ISO performance. Low 618 ISO sports score. Outperformed by rivals like the Sony NEX-6 and Pentax K-01 in low light. Heavy in-camera RAW processing to fix high ISO noise.

The core advantages of the camera lie in its excellent overall image quality, rich colour saturation, massive resolution sizes, and exceptionally compact body profile. However, the reviewer highlights several prominent drawbacks. Image noise becomes intrusive at ISO 6400 and completely degrades the picture at ISO 12,800. Furthermore, the physical camera lacks a vari-angle viewfinder, forces users into a proprietary Samsung RAW Converter format, demands an optional add-on module to use GPS, and carries a high price tag for a system with no historic lens heritage. Minor text spelling errors were also noted throughout the official instruction manual.