Samsung NX30 review

VIDEO QUALITY

The video mode is well specified, with 1080p recording at 25 or 50fps, full control over exposure settings and responsive, touchscreen-controlled autofocus. Details were sharp, but videos were susceptible to aliasing artefacts such as pixelated diagonal lines and moiré interference on repeating patterns. We noticed some compression artefacts on grass textures, and noise at ISO 3200 was higher than from the Panasonic G6 that we tested it against. The soundtrack was clear and detailed, but background hiss came and went in sync with other noises on the soundtrack. This suggests some fairly crude digital noise reduction is being used. None of these issues would deter us from using the NX30 for casual video clips, but we’d rule it out for more ambitious video projects.

IMAGE QUALITY

We have fewer concerns about photo quality. As with previous NX cameras, the 18-55mm kit lens, 20-megapixel sensor, autofocus system and JPEG processing engine all excelled for capturing sharp details. We were able to extract a little more fine detail from RAW files via Lightroom, but there wasn’t much in it. Colours were rich and punchy, and automatic exposures were well judged.

The subtle textures in the skin, eye and fabric are all faithfully reproduced in this shot

Focus is pretty good at the edge of this wide-angle shot at f/3.5 – this is one of the best kit lenses around

There’s a small boost to the fidelity of details after processing the RAW shot in Lightroom

The Samsung NX system uses the same sensor size as consumer SLRs, which bodes well for noise levels. However, the relatively high 20-megapixel resolution arguably pushes noise up a little. Overall, we found that noise was broadly equivalent to the current generation of 16-megapixel Panasonic G-series cameras, and a little higher than from Sony and Fujifilm’s CSCs and APS-C SLRs. Processing RAW images in Lightroom 5 gave a small improvement to the quality of high-ISO images, but not by as much as we’re used to seeing. It’s somewhat ironic, then, that there’s a copy of Lightroom 5 included in the box. We’ll gladly take it anyway – Lightroom is a superb bit of software that every serious photographer should own.

Details are a bit scruffy at ISO 800 and the strands of hair have a slightly pixelated appearance. Ultimately, though, this photo is good enough for anything except perhaps A4 and larger prints

There’s a fair amount of noise reduction at ISO 1600, but it’s a perfectly respectable snapshot

Still holding it together for snapshot quality at ISO 6400. Processing the RAW file in Lightroom gives a small improvement

TOUGH CHOICES

The NX30 has lots of strengths, but there’s some stiff competition around this price from both CSCs and SLRs. Compared to the Nikon D7100 and Canon EOS 70D, it’s significantly smaller, it broadly matches them for ergonomics and delivers faster continuous shooting. It’s not as quick for continuous autofocus, though, its high-ISO output is a little noisier and some people will prefer an SLR’s optical viewfinder. The Samsung NX lens range is steadily growing but it can’t begin to compete with the choice available for Canon and Nikon SLRs.

Compared to other CSCs, its closest rival is the Panasonic GH3. The two cameras are closely matched for controls, features and image quality. However, the GH3 benefits from a weather-sealed magnesium alloy body, it has a bigger viewfinder, it’s faster to focus and it takes a clear lead for video capture. Since the Panasonic GH4 was announced, the GH3’s price has fallen to around £750 body only. The Panasonic G6 is a worthy rival, too, and it costs just £500 with its kit lens.

Overall, then, the NX30 isn’t a runaway success. However, there’s a long list of accomplished features and very little to criticise. We can imagine it finding favour with people who are tempted by a CSC but don’t want to forego the sublime ergonomics associated with SLRs. If the tilting viewfinder, and great app, appeal to you then it’s a sound purchase.