Successor to the NX10 released in April earlier this year, Samsung’s NX100 is the latest in line for their mirrorless compact camera line, boasting DSLR features in a small, lightweight package.

With the innovation of the mirrorless compact system cameras, modern compact cameras now have precise control and image quality of a DSLR, while being small and lightweight. The Samsung NX100 is a testament to that. Though no bigger than your usual point-and-shoot cameras, it’s equipped with a 14.6 megapixel sensor that can churn out images on par with entry-level DSLRs.

The major differences of the NX100 from its predecessor the NX10 are few, but important. The NX100 drops the size and weight of the more DSLR-like NX10, but at the cost of an electronic viewfinder and built-in flash.

Samsung also added an i-Function button onto the side of their lenses, letting you change settings like aperture and shutter speed, white balance and more with a turn of the focus ring. (I-Function has also been made available for the NX10 via firmware upgrade.)

The NX100 looks just like your average compact camera, available in two-tone colour combinations of silver and black, white or brown. The body is made of plastic, but it feels well built and comfortable to hold.

With the 20-50mm kit lens attached, it may not be slim enough to quite fit into a pocket, but it is still small enough to be brought around in a bag. Two lenses are available as a kit with the body, a 20-50mm f3.5-5.6 and a 20mm f2.8, making the NX100 a versatile camera for general use.

The camera is quick to startup, taking only about a second. There are a slew of camera modes for you to choose from, from the “smart” mode, which automatically chooses which scene settings to use, to full manual mode, where every parameter of setting can be tweaked to your liking. The NX100 also packs a video mode, capable of recording HD 720p movies.

While the NX100’s automatic modes are simple enough, manual operation is also easy by as the buttons on the back are clearly labeled, and there is the useful i-Function button on the lens. Zooming in and out is smooth and evenly spaced out between the 20mm to 50mm range.

The camera helps out with manual focus by enlarging the area on which you are focusing, letting you see better if your subject is in focus.

Speaking of low-light situations, the lack of a built-in flash is one of the camera’s biggest pitfalls. Trying to maintain a slim and compact profile, Samsung got rid of the flash from the NX10, instead opting to offer a large and bulky flash unit as a separate accessory.

In addition, the camera lacks image stabilization, making it difficult to get sharp pictures at a slow shutter speed. Another gripe is that in low-light situations, the camera lights up an auto-focus illuminator that helps it focus. Unfortunately, the light is a blindingly bright green, and will likely temporarily stun your subjects.

Still, given the right conditions, this camera takes great pictures. The 14 megapixels captures lots of detail, and colours turn out bright and vivid. Photos are clean, and even at higher ISOs, the image noise is controlled. While the 20-50mm focal range of the kit lens seems odd compared to the usual 18-55mm range of DSLR kit lenses, it is sharp and versatile enough for the casual photographer. ISO performance is also excellent, even going up to ISO6400, great for low-light situations.


Images are sharp and clean.

Reviewing images is great on the 3-inch LED screen as it’s large and vibrant, even visible under bright sunlight. However, playback is sluggish, as zooming in and out and scrolling through images takes a while to process.

Overall, the NX100 is a great camera for the casual photographer looking for better quality and control, but without the bulk and price of a DSLR. It’s definitely worth the money if you want to step up your photography without investing in a DSLR. While it does have its flaws like the lack of built-in flash and image stabilization, the NX100 still manages to hold its own against entry-level DSLRs.