PERFORMANCE TEST - SAMSUNG NX20

As a manufacturer of smartphones Samsung is well known and very successful. The latter can not be said of the mirror-less system cameras the electronics giant from Korea necessarily. So why not incorporate features of the successful smartphones in the camera? That is what makes Samsung recently, including the current top-of-the mirror lots, the NX20. They sent photos at the touch by e-mail, they will upload to social networks or transfers just to the PC. In addition, the camera can be controlled remotely via app on your smartphone or tablet. Since we almost forget that the camera is actually intended to take pictures - and maybe for filming. As she suggests in this practice, and in the test lab of digcamworld, clarifies our review.

Samsung NX20 NX Lens 18-55 mm 3.5-5.6 III OIS i-Function ergonomics and processing At first glance, you might not believe that the NX20 is a mirrorless system camera - so grown is because their housing. The camera looks like a small DSLR, but still is significantly slimmer. For transport it therefore requires a suitable bag. Once in hand, the rich dimensions of the NX20 but certainly also prove to be an advantage: The camera is good and safe, especially in the hand. Contributing to this, inter alia, although not particularly well shaped, but very non-slip coated gripping bead. The sprawling housing has another advantage: it offers enough space for dedicated controls. Samsung has used this place heartily: the right of the viewfinder hump sits a dainty Programmwählrad that is easy to reach with your thumb and forefinger of his right hand. Right next to a thumb protrudes vertically out of the top plate. A little unusual, but by no means inconvenient arrangement. Too bad that this wheel is too easy as with its predecessor, and therefore can be quickly adjusted unintentionally. He compensated the NX20 with a green "panic button". If pressed, parameters such as white balance, Picture Style, etc., at once a flash exposure take their default - a clever idea!

The broad back of the Samsung NX20 has revised compared to its predecessor visible. Thus, the former four-way rocker was complemented by a versatile wheel that can provide, among other things, the function of a second dial. More importantly however, is that Samsung has the big three-inch display donated a hinged together with swivel. This allows the display to bring in virtually any position, even self-portraits are possible. When you display the Samsung NX20 is the Samsung NX20 luminous AMOLED technology, which provides high contrast and brilliant colors. Since there is negligible, that the RGBG matrix of the display with a resolution of 640 by 480 pixels with 614,000 pixels around a third less active elements than the usual 921,000 points. In practice, the display offers a very brilliant display, even in bright sunlight. As similar contrast and color strength proves the electronic viewfinder, which resolves with 1.44 million pixels very fine. Even with quick camera schliert the EVF to the limit, only its absolute magnitude is somewhat limited.

So much can inspire the display value - it is not sensitive to touch. When configuring the NX20 is not a drawback, the camera can be via buttons, quick menu, and especially via "iFunction" set with a twist of the focus ring very quickly and easily. But at least if you want to send with the NX20, the most recent snapshots by email or post to the social network, one misses a touch painful function (more on this in the "Facilities"). Extremely successful, however, is the graphical representation of the options in the Quick Menu. Speed, aperture and ISO speed to solely one based on scales that a classical aperture ring Samsung NX20 NX Lens 18-55 mm 3.5-5.6 III OIS i-Function [Photo: Media North] are modeled. The main menu is well laid out and clearly divided into register. Incomprehensible, however, that when you scroll through the last point is not beyond the next tab is selected - instead you go through again all entries in the register. Bottom line, does the ergonomics of the NX20, however, hardly a crash, the camera is easy to use model. Has made that one at Samsung thought about, also the manual emphasizes the camera: It is designed very reader-friendly and explains many features on concrete photo example - should however like to be more fully.

The housing of the NX20 is made from very high quality plastic, the hammer effect of the camera certainly gives a professional touch. The ports on the right side are protected by a robust flap with clip - and not just from a fiddly rubber cover. Memory card slot accepts a compartment on the bottom of the camera. Its lid maintains a generous distance from the tripod thread, so that storage and energizer remain accessible even with an attached quick-release plate.

Facilities Currently manufacturer of digital cameras are facing increasingly so that smartphones recordings instantly transmitted over the network - the latest snapshot is in a moment in the social network a la Facebook published or sent by e-mail. If you shoot with the other hand, a full-blown digital camera needs his shots initially transferred to a computer in order to distribute them in a further step. Samsung NX20 Samsung NX Lens 18-55 mm 3.5-5.6 III OIS i-Function then devised a clever solution to this problem: The NX20 will directly via WiFi on contact with a router and distributes selected shots then immediately further. So Photos and videos go immediately into their own gallery of Facebook, Picasa and YouTube, but they can also be copied to a PC in the current network or e-mail. But the NX20 can do even more: a smart phone is in range, can send the images directly to this unit - and can then be taken from there, into the net. In addition, Samsung offers Android and iOS free apps that help the NX20 can be controlled remotely, among other things. We held the very extensive and smart WiFi capabilities recently shown in a photo tip (see links at the end of this review). Samsung deserves praise not only for the clever WiFi connectivity, the NX20, but also, above all, how easily can be set up everything. Usually it is enough to enter some credentials, and you're "in". Is incomprehensible, however, that the Samsung NX20 withholds a touchscreen. For example, enter an e-mail message to the puzzle, because each letter can be selected individually difficulty with the steering wheel in order to insert it then with another button in the edit window.

The pioneering WiFi capabilities of the NX20 can quickly forget that the camera with the usual photo and video functions only fare offers. So for the rapid uptake are 15 scene modes and provides a fully automatic is not missing. With special programs for difficult shooting conditions, the NX20, however, somewhat stingy, an Auto HDR and noise reduction by multiple shots you look at her in vain. Only a program for shooting panoramas by pan stands out from the usual monotony. Who does not want to rely on the automatic features of the NX20 can use the camera as a classical program, speed or aperture control or automatic exposure and focus completely manually. Bracketing, the camera takes three shots always, the maximum spread is 3 EV. Flash bracketing knows the NX20 is not, after all, can correct the flash exposure regardless of the measurement of ambient light. The internal flash of the NX20 is quite strong with its guide number of 10, for even more flash power takes an ISO shoe for an external flash unit. Optionally, can be pushed into the hot shoe and an optional GPS module.

In burst mode, the NX20 sprints off with breathtaking 8.3 JPEG frames per second (fps), in raw format, it is even close to 9 fps quickly. But after eleven JPEG or RAW only eight shots she's out of breath and the processor of the NX20 seems almost collapsing under the weight of the image data. The camera approved now take a break, in which it is completely blocked. This blockage lasts a raw series about 30 seconds, 13 seconds, it takes until after a series of JPEG again accepting entries. Moreover, it provides a burst mode, in which the maximum of 30 fps losflitzt NX20. Here, the image size will be reduced to about four megapixels and at 30 frames a second, or continuous fire it goes back very slowly to the store. How much processor and data bus of the NX20 under the weight of the image data groan, you can tell even at single shots in raw mode: takes 4.5 seconds, until a raw file in the box is also meanwhile denied the NX20 any input and can be not even trigger!

Few surprises - good and bad - is available through the video capabilities of the NX20: She films a maximum in full HD resolution (1,920 x 1,080 pixels) at a rate of 30 or 24 frames per second. The sound is recorded in stereo, via the hot shoe system can connect an optional stereo microphone. The kit lens 18-55 mm F3.5-5.6 III takes the focus when shooting very slowly but without the hassle of pumping by and proved to be a practical test as fortunately almost silently. This can be said of this lens does not zoom hake time: Any change in the focal length is not only in silent film by vocal passages Schabgeräusche attention.

Corresponds to a picture can not meet the expectations, the NX20 features in playback mode the opportunity to follow up with the photo. So you quickly changes the contrast and brightness or lightens the depths of backlit scenes - the color reproduction can not adjust later. Therefore, the imaging of the NX20 provided the recordings afterwards with effects like "miniature" or "Old Film". Very nice, is that the image processing functions even when raw images are available - then obtained a JPEG copy. When playing video still images can be extracted from the film.

Objective To test the time of the NX20 is only available in a set with the standard zoom lens 18-55 mm F3.5-5.6 OIS i-Function III. Usual class whose tube is made entirely of plastic, after all, is the mount of metal. The lens has a switch that will disable the autofocus. Then the slightly narrow focus ring is rotated, it transmits commands to the focus actuator. This is quite sensitive vonstatten so that the focus can be set very accurately by hand. It helps the NX20 with a good focus lens that instantly magnifies the middle picture, when the focus ring is turned. The lens is also equipped with an optical image stabilizer, which also stabilizes the viewfinder image. With a minimum length of about seven inches is well above the zoom the camera out. More compact the pancake zoom is 20-50 mm F3.5-5.6 of i-function, which can be pushed together for transporting to slim four centimeters. Unfortunately, we must dispense with this very compact standard zoom on an optical image stabilizer. With currently nine models, the lens range of Samsung is still quite manageable, however, offers the 85 mm F1.4 ED SSA i-Function is a true Cream Pies - both mechanical as well as a visual point (more on this in the "image quality") .

During autofocus the Samsung NX20 very familiar to a contrast measurement by image sensor. The method is very accurate, but usually slower than a comparative phase measurement like a DSLR. The NX20 to this rule: In the worst case pass around 0.45 seconds for the camera is in focus and triggered. Thus, the autofocus is not straight lame, DSLRs, but mirrorless system cameras, other manufacturers, however, represent nowadays noticeably snappier focus - such as the Panasonic. In AF-C mode leads the NX20 the focus steadily decline to large changes in focus distance, the focus here briefly inflated to the optimum position back and forth. If required, the focus area manually set to the desired image section, up to 154 positions can be controlled. If that's too many choices, the focus area is enlarged in four stages - at maximum size are still considerable 102 items to choose from. Extends the focus automatically from the ambient light, the NX20 assisted with a very subtle green illuminator.

Image quality, the Samsung NX20 equipped with an image sensor in APS-C format, which resolves as with the predecessor NX11 with over 20 megapixels high. The resolution had to crown the NX20 but now pass on to the Sony NEX-7, which still houses a handful more megapixels on its APS-C sensor. The NX11, however, had a half years ago but their problems, the high pixel density in an appropriate Samsung NX20 NX Lens 18-55 mm 3.5-5.6 III OIS i-Function [Photo: Media North] convert coins image quality. Above all the noise, Samsung had the predecessor of the current NX20 is really in control, even at fairly moderate ISO levels forced aggressive brightness and strong color noise, the noise reduction to massive intervention. The more tense we were now, whether with the Samsung NX20 could solve the noise problem. This and many other questions, we examined the test lab as well as in the expanded digitalkamera.de operations very closely. As always, the comprehensive and detailed test protocol outlined can be viewed for a small fee and download as a PDF file to your own computer - click on the relevant link to further information is sufficient at the end of the article.

At first glance, promises that the laboratory protocol of the NX20 is not much good that the camera delivers even at ISO 1,600 images from where the noise has a grain size of about four pixels. And the signal-noise ratio even at ISO 1600 also scratched at the decisive mark of 35 dB. It is hardly surprising to hear that the NX20 is struggling with rising ISO numbers with increasing loss of detail - the texture sharpness also drops at ISO 1,600 already below the critical limit. Since it does little that the testing laboratory of the NX 20 to issue up to ISO 6400 high very high marks in terms of brightness and color noise. This good witness receives the camera that is apparently only by their Rauschunderdrückung zupackt briskly. And so with the noise go to many fine details lost, also the Samsung NX20 produced with NX Lens 18-55 mm 3.5-5.6 III OIS i-Function [Photo: Media North] noise reduction at higher ISO levels dimensional color disorders.

What really lies in the sensor of the NX20, raw recordings that we recorded in parallel to the processed in-camera JPEGs, and then developed in Adobe Camera Raw 7.2 have shown: Until the right high level of sensitivity ISO 6400, the annoying color noise plays visually hardly matters and can be eliminated easily. It is encouraging, however, that the luminance noise in the 100% view to ISO 3200 is very fine and can hardly be lost image details. Only from 6400 are also higher brightness disturbances cheat into the picture - to suppress it, then you have a couple of losses in the detail reproduction accepted. This finding is presence clearly indicates that the rendering of the engineers at Samsung NX20 still has a large potential for improvement. Until this is exhausted, you should contact the NX20 latest ISO 1,600 in raw format and optimize the images then in the raw converter. Then - and only then - the NX20 provides high ISO up to 3200 highly detailed photos with only slightly distinctive noise floor. Fortunately, Samsung NX20 at the the excellent raw converter Capture One, but unfortunately only in the somewhat stripped down "Express" version. Shooting in raw format recommended by the way, still another reason: The image processing inside the NX20 it does not quite know the color fidelity. Blues moves them toward purple, orange provides them a greenish note. When output tonal range, the camera is, however, very Samsung NX20 [Photo: Media North] exactly: At ISO 200 it differentiates almost the theoretical maximum of 256 levels, with increasing ISO speed this differentiation, however, decreases rapidly. Neat is the input dynamics of NX20, achieved at ISO 400, the maximum value of their high 10.5 stops, but even at ISO 1,600 drops to just good nine stops.

The sensor of the NX20, Samsung has thus improved compared to its predecessor it clear for the image processing inside that is only partly true. But how does it look when a lens comes into play? In the laboratory had to show the camera, what does it do in conjunction with the set-lens NX Lens 3.5-5.6 18-55. In addition, we measured the optical performance of the lens NX 1.4 85 mm and 20-50 mm 3.5-5.6 NX Lens NX20 at the laboratory (see related links). Like so many price-optimized set of lenses can meet the 18-55 not the high expectations aroused by the sensor of the NX20: The lens with large aperture and short focal length and a center back a hefty drop in sharpness to the image edges. It lists the wide angle unacceptably highly barrel-shaped, the pincushion distortion at the telephoto end is very pronounced. The only color fringing caused by chromatic aberration, are not a problem to be reckoned with in-lens kit. The resolving power of the lens, however, hardly impressed: The image center is at best solves some 45 line pairs per millimeter (lp / mm), the image edges takes the resolution decreases significantly, even in wide-angle, very strong. A much better Samsung NX20 battery and memory card compartment character makes as even the 20-50 Pancake, vignetting, distortion and sharpness are rubbish at this handy zoom not an issue, the resolution decreases towards the edges, much less. What richness of the NX20 can record and playback, it shows, however, only the team with the 85/1.4: This lens achieves a resolution of up to 56.2 lp / mm - a formidable value! Only the resolution to drop the image edges is about 20 percent to F8 bit high, but for a classic portrait focal length still in order. If you want to get the most out of the NX20 comes to a peak of the type of lens 85/1.4 not fail - and should definitely record in raw format.

Conclusion We rarely had a camera in the test, which has so many ups and downs, like the NX20. Your body fits comfortably in the hand, but falls for a mirrorless system camera with unusually large. The operation is not least thanks to the clever iFunction technique, in which a ring on the lens is used for the input of key parameters, very easy - so far the NX20 can easily do without a touchscreen. The latest, however, is then sorely missed if you want to take this pioneering WiFi connectivity the NX20 - e-mail address or the password for the router have to be so complicated controlled letter for letter and entered. Too bad, because the WiFi capabilities provide opportunities as they previously could only offer a smartphone. The extent of the additional features NX20 goes perfectly fine to do as noise reduction by multi-shot or Auto HDR offers not. The discerning photographer will miss, not least in view of the ambitious price of the NX20 one or the other configuration option, on the other hand, however, be pleased about appropriate treatment options in playback mode. The 20-megapixel sensor, the NX20 delivers excellent picture quality right up to high ISO spheres - which, however, the image processor in the camera JPEG files can not be much left. If you want to exploit the high potential of the camera should, if possible record in raw format - and enjoy high-quality lens of the camera clearly than the 18-55. The use of the raw format is in the everyday practice, however, often against the long storage time, while the NX20 is blocked completely. This bad habit also spoil the joy of the nominally high burst rate. Who can ignore the left of the weaknesses of the camera receives, with the NX20 one easy-to-use camera, the image quality is convincing (on Raw) across the board. To tip could develop the camera for those who want to take their shots quickly and easily into the net or want - for example for ambitious bloggers or photojournalists on a tight budget.