Samsung NX mini
With a brand-new mount as well as a new sensor size, is Samsung’s NX mini worth taking a chance on? Amy Davies finds out
While many compact system cameras are the natural competitor for the hefty SLR, there are other, smaller systems that find their competition more readily within the compact arena. To produce the ultra-small NX mini, Samsung has used a 20.5-millionpixel one-inch type sensor – the same physical size as found in the Nikon 1 range of CSCs and the Sony RX100 fixed-lens compact cameras.
A new sensor size means a new mount, and therefore a new range of lenses. So far, there are just three such optics available to buy: a kit zoom lens, with a focal range of 9-27mm (roughly equivalent to 24-72mm in 35mm terms); a 9mm f/3.5 pancake lens (24mm equivalent); and a 17mm f/1.8 lens (45mm equivalent).
Features
Samsung is aiming this camera at a beginner audience, but you can take manual and semi-automatic control of the NX Mini. It can also shoot in raw format. The camera’s screen rotates through 180 degrees, making it particularly useful for taking self-portraits, but also for coping with other awkward angles. It doesn’t tilt downwards, so you won’t be able to use it for overhead shots. The screen is touchsensitive, though.
Unsurprisingly for something so small, there’s no built-in viewfinder. There is Wi-Fi and NFC connectivity, though, and to keep the size down, Micro SD Cards are used.
Build and Handling
If you’re using the NX mini with the 9mm pancake lens, you’d be forgiven for thinking it was an ordinary compact camera. It looks a little less balanced with the 9-27mm zoom lens, even though the lens collapses into itself to make it smaller.
Despite its small size, and the fact that it offers a touchscreen, there’s still a decent number of buttons to
“A new sensor size in the NX mini means a new mount, and therefore a new range of lenses”
be found on the NX mini. That said, most of the camera’s operation, if you want to control it manually, takes place via the screen. Setting the AF point requires a quick tap.
Alternatively, you can access the function menu by pressing a virtual button in the bottom right-hand corner of the screen. There’s not much in the way of customisation on offer, either in terms of the buttons or the menu options.
Perfo rmance
Looking at images at normal printing or web sizes, you get a good impression of detail. However, even images taken at the lowest end of the sensitivity run display areas of smudging when viewed at 100%.
On the plus side, colours are bright and punchy straight from the camera, with a nice amount of vibrance. The camera’s metering system keeps exposures well-balanced, but occasionally it is prone to underexposure. You may need some positive exposure compensation.
The auto white balance system does a good job of producing accurate colours, even when faced with tricky mixed or artificial lighting. Autofocus is quick and generally accurate. When the light drops, focussing is a little slower.