Samsung NX3000 review – incredible value at £200

Samsung NX3000 – Image and video quality

Videos are recorded at 1080p resolution for up to 20 minutes per clip. There’s a choice of automatic or manual exposure for videos, although manual settings can’t be adjusted while recording. Our video tests revealed razor-sharp details, although repeating textures exhibited swirling patterns of moiré interference. Autofocus was generally responsive but hard to control without a touchscreen. Serious videographers won’t approve but this is an excellent camera for casual video recording. The microphone quality was particularly good, with a detailed, full-bodied tone.

Photo quality should satisfy more demanding users. Unlike many CSC brands, Samsung NX cameras use the same APS-C sensor size as consumer SLR cameras. That means they should have no problem competing with SLRs – and the best CSCs – for image quality. That’s been true of previous NX cameras’ ability to capture details, but they have lagged a little behind the leaders for noise levels at fast ISO speeds. That’s no longer the case, the NX3000 narrowly outperformed the Sony A5000 for noise levels, and was a match for the pricier Sony A6000.

^ There’s a slight graininess to skin tones in this ISO 800 shot, but it’s easily good enough for critical use. (1/80s, f/5.6, ISO 800, 69mm equivalent)

^ ISO 3200 and fabric textures look a bit vague but shaded skin tones remain excellent. (1/50s, f/5, ISO 3200, 53mm equivalent)

^ We’d describe this ISO 6400 shot as snapshot quality, but it’s great to be able to raise the shutter speed in low light to freeze motion and still produce shots worth keeping. (1/125s, f/4, ISO 6400, +2 EV, 24mm equivalent)

We saw a slight fall-off in focus towards the edges of frames in some shots. Older NX kit lenses performed better but we’d happily live with this one’s optical performance for the sake of its compact design. If you’re planning to make A3 prints of landscapes where it’s crucial that the whole scene is in sharp focus, you might want to invest in another lens sooner rather than later. For most other purposes, it’s a great first lens.

^ Focus is pixel-sharp in the centre but a little vague towards the edges, but we doubt most people wouldn’t notice at typical viewing sizes. (1/125s, f/4.5, ISO 100, 24mm equivalent)

^ The large sensor delivers a shallow depth of field for portraits, even at a relatively small f/5.6 aperture. Skin and hair textures are packed with subtle detail. (1/200s, f/5.6, ISO 200, 24mm equivalent)

^ Colours are bright and smooth and details are precise in this shot. (1/125s, f/5, ISO 100, 30mm equivalent)

Samsung NX3000 – Conclusion

We wish the NX3000 was quicker to switch on and more responsive after capturing a burst of frames. Otherwise, there’s barely anything to criticise. Its image quality, controls, features and design are all exceptional for the price, and that’s before you factor in the bundled copy of Lightroom. This is a camera that’s within casual users’ budget, but has the potential to turn them into keen photographers.