2014 was a big year for camera releases, especially in the DSLR/DSLM world. The Lumix GH4 and Sony A7S steal the show in a big way, with both cameras offering incredible image quality, 4K capabilities, and a ton of other great video features that have filmmakers everywhere excited … However, the Samsung NX1 is a camera that hasn’t been as popular as what we’ve seen from products from Panasonic and Sony, which is surprising because it has the potential to be the next best thing in the monocular video market.
A few months ago, Samsung released the NX1 and to the surprise of many, it listed some impressive features – both in terms of photography and video. As far as video capabilities go, the camera offers internal 4K and UHD recording, slow-motion (up to 120fps @ 1080), a great AP-C size sensor, and a mirrorless body (this is lens-adaptive, of course) Ideal)). Photographers are equally interested in the NX1 because not only is its sensor a 28MP one, but it’s also capable of shooting in burst mode at 15fps, which is amazing for such a high-megapixel camera. It’s also interesting to note that the sensor on the NX1 is back-illuminated, which means the circuitry is hidden behind the sensor (rather than in front), allowing the camera to capture 1/2 stop more light, simply based on an efficient design.
Samsung NX1 Highlights
- 28.2 megapixel APS-C BSI-CMOS sensor
- Hybrid autofocus system with 205 phase detection points covering 90% of the frame
- 15 fps continuous autofocus burst shooting
- 4K (DCI 4K and UHD) recording using H.265 codec
- Can output 4:2:0 8-bit 4K video via HDMI
- Stripe pattern AF illuminator, range 15m
- Weather-resistant magnesium alloy body
- Context-sensitive adaptive noise reduction
- 3-inch tiltable Super AMOLED touch display
- 2.36 million dot OLED EVF, 5 millisecond delay
- LCD information display on the top of the camera
- Built-in 802.11ac Wi-Fi and Bluetooth
- USB 3.0 interface
- Optional battery handle
Samsung NX1 – Only $1,499 at B&H
Unfortunately, I haven’t had a chance to shoot with this camera myself yet, but from what I’ve heard from colleagues and seen online, this camera is capable of some great results. That said, like any camera, the NX1 has its shortcomings and is definitely not for everyone. So, if you’re like many shooters who are interested in this camera, here’s a look at its pros, cons, and what gives it a chance to be a front-runner in the video DSLR game.
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I’ve briefly touched on some of the obvious advantages of video capabilities, including overdrive playback (120fps) and the ability to record 4K internally. But rather than just listing a list of features that look good on paper, I’d rather focus on where this camera positions itself in the market, because ultimately that will determine its success. To be sure, the NX1 produces very beautiful images in many shooting scenarios, with rich detail, accurate and rich colors, and strong movement rhythms. But these days, these qualities alone are not enough for a camera to disrupt the market, as the bar for high-performance digital SLR cameras has been set very high in recent years. In order to truly compete with the bigger players in the DSLR space, the NX1 needs to go above and beyond and offer features and capabilities you won’t find anywhere else… and in many ways, I think it does.
Perhaps the NX1’s best advantage (besides the image quality and performance specs) is that it fills a small unmet gap in the DSLR/DSLM market. There are certainly no shortage of excellent digital SLR cameras on the market today, but only a few offer truly professional-grade performance and functionality. While the two current leaders (Lumix GH4 and A7S) can satisfy the needs of many shooters, they are very different cameras from each other and will always leave a gap in the market. For example, the GH4’s sensor is small (at least compared to the A7S’s full-frame sensor), which means shallow depth of field is slightly harder to achieve, and it doesn’t perform well in low-light conditions. But the A7S doesn’t offer built-in 4K, and in my opinion its E-mount leaves a lot to be desired – while it theoretically works with almost any lens, currently available adapters such as MetaBones for EF lenses Speedbooser )), has a lot of quirks of its own that aren’t always ideal.
The NX1 seems to fit right in the middle of the two cameras, offering features and performance that create the best of both worlds. The NX1’s sensor is larger than the GH4 (APS-C size), but smaller than the full-frame sensor in the A7 – which will be preferable to many. In fact, my favorite video sensor size is APS-C because it is the closest to 35mm motion picture film and I find it to be the best choice for most shooting scenarios in digital cinematography. There are currently no affordable APS-C SLR cameras that offer features comparable to the GH4/A7, except of course the NX1. Yes, you can use accelerator on the GH4 or crop mode on the A7S to simulate the look of APS-C, but it’s not the same if it doesn’t happen natively. Even regardless of sensor size, the NX1 (at least on paper) seems to offer some of the best features of the GH4 and A7, all in one package.
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When this camera was first announced and some of the early reviews came out, there was no shortage of criticism – some valid, some not so much. One of the biggest criticisms of the camera is that it shoots in H.265, which is of course the successor to H.264 and allows for very high-quality footage with minimal file sizes. This may sound great (and in most cases it is), but as with any new format, it takes time for editing software and other programs to process the footage natively, and currently raw NX1 footage needs to be transcoded before editing. Many of the original reviewers were frustrated by the workflow involved in handling H.265 files, but to be honest, it wasn’t a big issue for me. At the end of the day, image quality trumps everything else in my opinion (within reason of course) – if I need to wait an extra few minutes or hours to edit footage, I’m totally fine with it being worth it as long as the results are up to par. Do I want to start cutting immediately? Of course I do, but sooner or later there will be a lot of H.265 transcoding software out there, and every major NLE will start supporting it… just like we saw with RED RAW. So this concern is not a big deal to me.
Another big criticism of the camera is its poor dynamic range performance. This is shocking because the sensor itself reportedly has an impressive dynamic range, but somehow it’s currently rated at around 10.3 stops. That said, this concern might as well be put to rest entirely, as Samsung has just released new firmware for the camera, which includes providing a logarithmic gamma setting. For those who don’t know, the log setting (usually accessible through the camera profile) will allow images to be recorded very flat in order to maximize dynamic range. It compresses all highlights and cranks up the shadows as much as possible in order to capture and preserve as much range as possible. All that said, there’s no doubt that DR is a feature you should keep an eye on on this camera, but once the new firmware goes live, we’ll see what this camera really is made of.
A final concern many have with the NX1 is its relatively unimpressive low-light performance. While its performance is reportedly better than the GH4’s, it certainly can’t match the low-light performance of the A7S. Personally, I can’t talk about it in a way anymore because I haven’t shot it with a camera yet. What I can say, though, is that low light capabilities are not my biggest concern when buying a new camera unless the intention is to use the camera as a dedicated tool for low light situations. For the most part, I enjoy the challenge of lighting a scene in a traditional way, and I feel that some cameras that offer extremely high levels of ISO performance are not always conducive to cinematic imagery. Yes, they can produce noise-free images at high ISO, but a poorly lit scene won’t look good, whether it’s noise-free or noise-free.
Will there be a breakthrough?
We really won’t know what the general reaction to the camera will be until it actually gets into the hands of photographers, rental houses, and DPs. It does have a lot going for it right now, and based on its unique position in the market, it might pop up and take over…or it might disappear entirely, who knows! That said, the NX1 feels similar in many ways to the GH1 and GH2 when they first hit the market. At the time Lumix was introducing some amazing features to their cameras, but since they weren’t as trustworthy as Canon was at the time, no one was really taking them seriously. At least until the GH4 comes out… If history is any indication of what’s to come, no matter how popular this camera is, it’s unlikely to revolutionize the market as Samsung still has a lot to prove if they want to compete with Canon, Lumix, Sony and Nikon compete. Regardless, it’s great to have another competitor in the DSLR 4K space, as it will continue to push other manufacturers to improve their products even further, and if it’s the camera we’re all looking for, all the better.
Samsung NX1 – Only $1,499 at B&H
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