ET Review: Samsung NX300

NEW DELHI: Samsung’s NX300 is a gorgeous camera. The faux leather and brushed metal on the body give it a pleasing mix of retro and modern design. Although the camera body weighs less than 300 grams, it feels bulky with the 18-55mm lens & external flash attached.

Using the camera is a breeze thanks to the 3.3-inch touchscreen.

The touch-optimised user interface lets you quickly adjust settings on screen. For those who prefer using buttons for adjustment, the camera also comes with the usual array of buttons and dials placed neatly along the top and side of the display.

You also get various smart features that use the built-in WiFi and NFC — to transfer images to smartphone/laptop for backup, use the smartphone as a remote, view photos and videos wirelessly or share photos via email/social networks.

The speed and results from the camera are just fantastic. The images are bright, rich in colour and pin-sharp. Even at ISO 1600 there is hardly any noise visible.

Autofocus speed is impressive as the camera uses a hybrid system: phase & contrast detection. Full HD videos are also excellent quality with stereo sound. One gripe we have with the camera is the battery life.

Depending on how you use it, it could last anywhere between 150 to 300 shots.

Pricing is another issue: for roughly the same price, you can get a capable DSLR such as Canon's 60D (which offers more expandability & accessories).

If you are looking for a compact form factor, consider Canon's EOS M (Rs 34,995) which offers similar performance with an 18MP APS-C sensor.

Specifications:

20MP APS-C CMOS sensor, 3.3-inch AMOLED tilt touchscreen, full HD video, 8fps drive, ISO 25600, hot shoe, built-in WiFi, NFC, micro HDMI, 284 grams

Top notch image and video quality, lots of useful smart features, great design

Steep price, battery life, no viewfinder, no built-in flash, bulky with lens attached

Price: Rs 46,500