Samsung NX Mini review
VerdictProsSuper compact size; Connectivity; AffordabilityConsSome image quality issues; Relatively low-end screenKey specsReview price: £399As shown...
21/01/2022
Verdict
Advantages
Super compact size; Connectivity; Affordability
Disadvantages
Some image quality issues; Relatively low-end screen
Key specs
Review price: £399
As evidenced by the growing range of Samsung Galaxy compacts and CSCs, as well as a host of innovative Wi-Fi powered smart cameras, Samsung has a growing tradition of leading the way in digital camera development.
This is no doubt in part thanks to the prominence of Korean tech giants in several other electronics sectors, including smartphones and LED development.
New
Samsung NX Mini
is the latest model to benefit from the bumper R&D department, setting new standards in the interchangeable lens camera market.
The model replaces
Nikon 1 series
and the
Panasonic Lumix GM1
in the micro CSC department, topping the pair and taking the title for the world's smallest and lightest interchangeable lens camera.
Such a feat is impressive, although at times it can suffer from handling and performance issues, raising the question of whether Samsung has delivered a top-notch miniature CSC.
Samsung NX Mini Review - Features
Despite its diminutive dimensions, the Samsung NX Mini still packs some serious imaging specs.
The model sports a good-sized 1-inch BSI CMOS sensor with 20.5MP resolution. While the sensor isn't as large as some other smaller CSCs, it's the same size sensor used in the headline-grabbing Sony RX100 III.
The sensor is also capable of delivering full HD video capture at 1920 x 1080 and 30 fps.
The NX Mini's small bezel also manages to pack a decent sized LCD screen. The model sports a 3-inch TFT LCD touchscreen, although unfortunately its 460,000-dot resolution is somewhat disappointing by today's standard.
The screen is, however, of the vari-angle variety and can be tilted around 180 degrees to view in front of the lens - perfect for selfies.
As you'd expect for a new Samsung CSC, the NX Mini comes with a host of connectivity options. The model has Wi-Fi and NFC connectivity, which means it can communicate easily with a smartphone or tablet on Android and iOS operating systems.
Once connected, users have the ability to wirelessly transfer images, as well as control the camera for wireless shooting and image review.
Shooting modes
As you'd expect for a camera that no doubt has an eye on the consumer market, the NX Mini offers a range of different shooting modes, some of which could be described as being more on the 'novelty' side. of the spectrum.
For example, the model has "Wink" and "Smile" shooting settings - these modes automatically take a photo when a face is detected in the frame and can detect up to 10 individual faces.
A by-product of developing such a small body is that the NX Mini sees the start of a completely new lens mount. The model now features the NX-M lens mount, and as such will see the introduction of new lenses in the near future, although for now existing NX mount lenses can be used with the adapter lens ED-MA4NXM.
Samsung NX Mini Review - Design
Again, as you would expect for a CSC that sits firmly in the “consumer” category, the NX Mini comes in a range of different colors.
As mentioned earlier, the NX Mini is the smallest interchangeable lens camera in the world, but how small is it?
Well, measuring around 119mm wide, 62mm high and 22.5mm thick - and weighing a mere 196g body - it's more in the category of most
flagship smartphones
currently on the market than competing CSCs.
What's also welcome is the choice and design of the kit lens that comes with the NX Mini. It's a 9mm f/3.5 prime optic which both offers a pleasingly wide-angle shooting experience and is also designed a bit like a pancake lens, and therefore only adds very little to the overall depth of the camera body.
Touchscreen
The majority of the camera's shooting features are accessed via the camera's reasonably sized touchscreen, although unlike other touchscreen cameras there are a range of physical buttons placed around the camera body.
Unfortunately some buttons are misplaced, with two particular culprits. The model's 'Direct Link' button is placed right next to the power buttons, while the video record button is placed dangerously close to your thumb's natural resting place while shooting.
As a result, both of these buttons are easy to press accidentally, which I found myself doing more than once.
The actual finish of the body itself is described by Samsung as being "bound by a natural leather-like material", although closer examination reveals this to be a somewhat misleading claim.
The finish is much more like a tough, leather-like plastic, although such a material gives it a hard-wearing finish.
Samsung NX Mini Review - Performance
Although the NX Mini has a reasonable AF setup, it unfortunately lacks the type of on-chip phase detection AF found in several other cameras.
Samsung CSC Series Feature
.
The setup found in the NX Mini is of the contrast detection variety only, with 21 AF points in standard mode, rising to 35 points when shooting in close-up mode.
Overall, AF performance is generally acceptable, delivering fast focusing speeds and sharply focused subjects.
However, there is one concern with the camera's AF performance, and that's when shooting self-portraits. On occasion the NX Mini showed a tendency to lose focus, seeking focus just before taking the shot and then shooting.
In terms of focus tracking, however, the camera performs much better. The touchscreen allows users to simply tap on the subject they want to track and the camera does the rest.
action camera
This makes the NX Mini a capable action shooter, enhanced by the fast 1/16000 second maximum shutter speed and 6 fps burst mode shooting speed.
Camera battery life is an impressive area, especially considering the small size of the camera body. Samsung claims the 2330mAh battery is good for around 650 shots on a single charge with the kit lens, and when testing I generally found that claim to be true.
Samsung NX Mini Review - Picture Quality
p>Samsung NX Mini review sample image gallery
Color and white balance
While the NX Mini's auto white balance generally works well, it does show a slight tendency to lean towards the warmer end of the spectrum when the occasion arises. As a result, greens may suffer and appear less vibrant than they actually are.
That being said, the NX Mini does well in the majority of settings, delivering attractive blue skies and generally even scenes.
Additionally, there are a host of white balance freebies available, including custom white balance, while each setting can be adjusted to your personal taste.
Exposure
The NX Mini uses the same 221-block segment measurement system found in previous NX models
, and not without reason.
The system has worked well in the past and it does again with the NX Mini, rarely requiring intervention when it comes to exposure compensation in the variety of metering modes available.
The level of dynamic range captured is also quite reasonable considering that the NX Mini does not contain an APS-C sensor. There's a slight tendency towards the darker areas of the scene, leading to odd occasions of blown out highlights, but this can be remedied with the camera's Smart Range+ and HDR modes.
Noise
< p>The Samsung NX Mini sports a substantial ISO range of 160-12800, expandable to ISO 100-25600.In practice, the limits of the camera's ISO range are best reserved for emergencies, however, with the NX Mini struggling towards the top ends.
Between ISO 160 and 1600 there's not much noise to note, although it does become noticeable at the latter of these settings.
Above ISO 1600 things deteriorate, with spotty and unpleasant images due to aggressive noise reduction.
As always, if you're happy shooting in Raw, you can control the noise reduction yourself in post-production, something made even more appealing by the fact that the NX Mini comes with Adobe Lightroom in the box.
Samsung NX Mini Review – Verdict
The Samsu ng NX Mini signals yet another first in the world of digital photography, and it usually does so quite impressively.
Complete with the 9mm kit lens, the camera forms a compact package that is sure to appeal to those who like to travel light.
Wireless connectivity is another plus, while the selfie-targeted LCD screen is sure to prove popular.
It's not without its flaws, with said screen proving to have under-specced touch and some image quality issues, however for those who like to travel light, the Samsung NX Mini could well be on the shortlist.
Samsung NX Mini Review - Sample Image Gallery
These are just a small selection of images captured with the Samsung NX Mini. To find out more, visit the
Samsung NX Mini test sample image gallery.
1/200 sec @ f/7.1, ISO 400
1/250 sec @ f/4, ISO 400
1/200 sec at f/5.6, +1 EV, ISO 800
1/250 sec at f/5.6, ISO 800
Trust rating
Note in detail
Value
9
Design
9
Features
9
Image quality
9
Performance
9