Samsung NX300 in the test

As a new top model of the NX system, the NX300 is priced at around 800 euros – including a full version of the RAW converter Adobe Photoshop Lightroom on CD including serial number. Although the Samsung NX300 is still working with 20 megapixels, it is still a further developed APS-C sensor, which provides additional pixels for phase detection and thus the basis for a hybrid autofocus.

Features


As a special feature, the Samsung NX300 in combination with the new fixed focal range 45 mm f1.8 3D three-dimensional images (resolution limited to 4 megapixels) and full-HD videos. As an alternative to this, the 45 is also available as a 2D variant. Overall, the NX system has grown to 12 lenses.


Monitor and viewfinder


The magnesium housing of the Samsung NX300 leaves a particularly positive impression. The standard zoom 3.5-5.6 / 18-55 mm OIS, which is sold in the kit with the Samsung, has a solid metal bayonet and a generously dimensioned handle provides a secure hold. The battery of the system camera lasted remarkably long without recharging. The included plug-in flash with guide number 6 was unfortunately not always immediately recognized by our test device - a problem that could be corrected with a firmware update from 1.0 to 1.10.


Recording functions


The display of the adjustable touch screen is brilliant. The 3.3-inch display of the Samsung NX300 can be turned 90 degrees upwards and 45 degrees downwards - that is not enough to keep the picture still in front of the camera still in view

Operation


For exposure metering, the Samsung NX300 uses a TTL system with 221 fields. The video recording can be started from the photo mode via a separate shutter, the manual aperture and shutter time settings remain active. The Samsung NX300 limits the recording to 30 minutes at 1920 x 1080 pixels and 50 fps. Continuous tracking is now compulsory in this camera class and works well. The recorded videos convince by their sharpness, but they lack the fine-tuning.


Buying advice system cameras: How to find the right mirrorless


The Samsung NX300 runs in two ways in the operating concept, enabling settings both via traditional keys and drifters as well as via the touch screen, which reacts quickly and reliably. Often several paths lead to the goal, whereby individual work steps can be made even more efficiently. The touch-AF function, for example, is simply practical, by which you can simply position the autofocus measuring field on the display by tapping the corresponding point.


Despite 4 megapixels more on the sensor lies the Samsung NX300 in terms of border resolution behind competition models such as the Panasonic Lumix G6 and Panasonic Lumix GF6. Although it reaches just over 1,700 LP / BH at ISO 100 and thus the level of competition, the value decreases faster with increasing sensitivity.


Notwithstanding this, the Samsung delivers a very good picture quality between ISO 100 and 800 in this test, which is mainly due to the high color contrasts (DL to 1.513 LP / BH), the above-average dynamics (up to 13 stops) and the moderate noise (0.5 To 0.8 VN). However, the Samsung is sharpening a comparatively wide frequency range, resulting in sharp edges to artifacts and overall an almost unnaturally crisp image.


Buying advice: Top 5 of the editors - the best mirrorless


The Samsung NX300 scores in the test with good haptics, advanced connectivity functionality and superior picture quality with low ISO numbers. There are negative points for the unreliable autofocus, the missing seeker and the too much sharpening for our taste.


The camera-internal signal processing of the NX300 takes a very strong re-sharpening in JPEG recordings. This makes the images look almost unnaturally hard. In addition, sometimes image errors occur at high contrast edges.


Note: Further impressions of the tested camera can be found in our Praxistest on the Samsung NX300.


Image quality


Samsung NX300


Test Conclusion