Camera test
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LongexposureNR The NX500 has the option of long exposure noise reduction for which the camera makes a dark frame exposure. This effectively doubles the actual exposure time. These test images were shot on a NX 16-50mm f/3.5-5.6 at 30secs and f/16 at ISO 100. The shot without NR was very clean and noise- free in the first instance so the NR shot only shows a marginal benefit. With exposures running into several minutes the benefit will probably be much more apparent.
ISOcomparison The NX500 has an impressive ISO range from ISO 100 to 25,600, with the option of expansion to 51,200. These twilight shots were taken with the supplied 16-50mm f/3.5-5.6 power zoom at 29mm and f/8. The base exposure at ISO 100 was 3secs. Digital noise performance is sound and the images up to ISO 800 are very clean and fine detail is crisply defined. At ISO 800 and beyond noise starts producing a mottled pattern in even-toned areas and this gets more pronounced as speed increases. Shooting in JPEG, performance is good up to ISO 1600 – in Raw you can go to ISO 2500 for comparable image quality. I think ISO 3200 is about the limit for a balance of acceptable image quality and a useable speed for poor light shooting but even here detail lacks the definition of images shot at lower settings. At ISO 6400 and upwards fine detail is much more affected by noise. Intricate detail looks mushy and there is noticeable mottling in areas of even tone. If shooting critically, ISO 6400 is just about the limit and higher speeds are best avoided unless you absolutely have no alternative. By the time you get to the highest native ISO setting of 25,600 noise makes images appear almost painterly and colourful noise is clearly evident.
FULL-FRAME IMAGE
FULL-FRAME IMAGE
ISO 100
ISO 400
ISO 800
ISO 1600
ISO 3200
ISO 6400
ISO 12800
ISO 25600
ISO 51200
NONR
WITHNR
High ISO noise reduction
FULL-FRAME IMAGE
The verdict
The Samsung NX500 is an attractively priced, highly capable CSC. Its impressive sensor delivers detail-packed enlargements and it has competent exposure and autofocus systems. It offers formidable competition to the likes of the Sony A6000, Panasonic Lumix GX7 and Olympus OM-D E-M10. It appeals on two levels. One, as a quality CSC attracting discerning but budget-conscious photographers wanting a high level of performance. And two, it could tempt prospective NX system buyers who are currently committed to another brand but want to sample what Samsung has to offer without breaking the bank. Either way, the NX500 could be a very handy backup as well as being a highly capable camera in its own right. The latter point is important because the NX500 makes for a fine take-anywhere camera with features to develop your photography.
The NX500 has a high ISO noise reduction mode that works with JPEGs and has three options, low, normal and high. Using noise reduction improves JPEGs shot at high ISO settings and even the lowest setting lessens the grainy, noise effect albeit at the cost of detail. The choice, which applies to all high ISO settings, is between the low and normal settings really, because the high option smudges fine detail too much. Given the choice, go low – or shoot Raw and lessen noise during processing.
ISO 6400
NONR
LOWNR
NORMAL NR
HIGHNR
SAMSUNG NX500
21/25
FEATURES
ISO 12,800
Has much to offer but no EVF is a minus PERFORMANCE
23/25
Fine image quality HANDLING
22/25
Good but buttons are small VALUE FOR MONEY
25/25
NONR
LOWNR
NORMAL NR
HIGHNR
28 megapixels at this price is terrific
ISO 25,600
OVERALL
91/100
Sub-£600 for a CSC with this spec is excellent value PROS Compact, lightweight, sensor, AF system in good light, flexible monitor CONS No EVF, no body-only option at the moment
NONR
LOWNR
NORMAL NR
HIGHNR
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Issue 20 | Photography News
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