Samsung NX10

Shooting Modes (11.00)

We were happy with the Smart Auto mode, a scene recognition system that attempts to identify the subject you’re shooting and adjust camera settings accordingly. The Samsung version has more potential matches than most similar systems, and was impressively accurate in matching modes to subjects.

Focus

Like other mirrorless cameras, the NX10 relies on contrast detect autofocus, using data directly from the image sensor, rather than the faster SLR-style phase-detect autofocus, which uses a mirror to bounce light to a separate autofocus sensor. On the plus side, the NX10 autofocus feels about as fast as the Panasonic Micro Four Thirds cameras, which are significantly faster than the Olympus models. At the same time, if you’re doing a lot of sports or nature photography, the hesitation between pressing the shutter halfway and acquiring focus is still irritating, especially if you’re used to shooting with a conventional SLR. For less action-packed scenes, like photographing guests at a party, it won’t be a problem.

The camera supports three focus modes: Single, Continuous, and Manual.

There are two basic focus area options, one which lets the camera choose multiple points, the other which leaves the focus area selection up to the user. In addition, face detection and self-portrait autofocus are provided.

There is a bright, green autofocus assist lamp located below the mode dial, which proved effective even in large rooms.

When using manual focus, the camera automatically enlarges the Live View display when you turn the focus ring, making accurate adjustment more practical. It would be better, though, if you could turn this behavior off if you find it annoying. And it certainly can be annoying, since you lose your view of the overall image every time the magnification kicks in.

Recording Options

The NX10 offers four image size options when shooting JPEGs in the 3:2 aspect ratio, and another four sizes in 16:9 mode. There is also a 1.4-megapixel size used only in reduced-resolution burst mode.

There are three JPEG compression settings, Super Fine, Fine and Normal. RAW file shooting is supported, either alone or paired with a JPEG at any of the three available compression settings.