SAMSUNG NX MINI

User friendly interface makes it easy for users of all levels to pick up. Smaller sensor means high ISO performance is poor.

With its range of colors and unabashed hipster design, the NX Mini seems to be targeted at younger generation, and is the only camera of the three to specifically cater for selfies – it has a flip-up LCD that sweeps through 180 degrees to face the front, automatically entering Self Shot mode. This works even if the camera is off – flipping the screen up turns on the NX Mini and places it in Self Shot mode – though the camera will still prompt you to unlock the lens by rotating the zoom barrel if you haven’t done so already.

Perhaps taking into account that hitting the shutter button while trying to frame the perfect selfie isn’t the easiest thing to do, Samsung has thrown in three autofocus modes to help with focus. You have Normal, which just picks up your face and focuses on it, Smile Shot which focuses on your face and triggers the shutter when you smile, and Wink Shot which well, takes a shot when you wink.

We’ll admit that it’s a little gimmicky, but they do work, and are prime examples of how Samsung is applying what they’ve learnt from smartphones towards their cameras. The NX Mini handles like a smart device, and takes full advantage of the touchscreen LCD. Settings like shutter speed, aperture and ISO can all be set by touch, and Touch AF can be configured so you set the autofocus point by tapping the LCD.

Connecting to the NX Mini via Wi-Fi is a relatively simple affair, and once you’re in there you can set your shooting modes, shutter and aperture. However, there is no metering displayed on your smartphone with the app; the screen merely changes to reflect the exposure. While there are a number of Wi-Fi functions offered by Wi-Fi mode (The NX Mini can be set up to work as a baby monitor or to share images with a group for example), the specific function has to be set before you establish a connection, meaning you have to go through the process of disconnecting and reconnecting every time you want to change modes.

Finally, we must note that an additional screw-in flash is provided in the kit. This adds height to help minimize the chances of red-eye, but we do wish they had made it so it could tilt, as that would have given much better control.