A PROMISING WORK-IN-PROGRESS - SAMSUNG NX11

You can be forgiven if you think you've seen this camera in these pages before. The Samsung NX11, successor to the one-year old NX10, not only looks virtually identical to its predecessor, it's almost the same.

As far as we can tell, the only changes have been the addition of Lens Priority, Sound Picture and Panorama modes, and a curvier, easier-to-hold grip. Samsung says that the auto-focus has been improved over the NXlOO's, which was improved over the NXlO's. And it comes built-in with i-Function support - but the NXlO's firmware can also be upgraded to do the same. In short, the NX11 isn't so much an attractive upgrade as it is a slightly more refined version of the NX10.



It's amazing how Samsung has managed to fit an APS-C sensor into so small a body. The NX11 is slim, even when compared to the smallest DSLR camera. It isn't light though; the camera feels dense, and when coupled with a lens definitely begs for two-handed handling. And we mostly like the handling there's the menu which is overlaid on the AMOLED display. Simply press the Fn (Function) button and you get quick access to main controls.

You can do this even when using the evf, which means you can change settings without taking your eyes off the viewfinder, but the Fn button is really difficult to place without looking. Other vital controls can be changed using dedicated buttons found throughout the body, like flash, drive and ISO settings. The AMOLED screen, exactly like the one found on the NX10, is still vivid and brilliant.
Unfortunately, manual shooting isn't as smooth. There is only one control dial on the NX11, there is no secondary control wheel, and this spells trouble. To switch between aperture and shutter controls in full manual, you have to press - and hold - the exposure button while turning the control dial on top, besides the shutter release..

i-Function Is supposed to alleviate this problem, and it does...somewhat. There is no way to tap out of the i-Function menu, once you hit that button on the lens, you're stuck in the i-Function menu until you half depress the shutter or wait for the menu to fade. This works to supplement aperture and shutter control, but only if you switch off WB and ISO i-Function control, otherwise you'll just be toggling between menus that aren't relevant.

And when you activate i-Function mode, the control dial confusingly gives up shutter/ aperture control, and only toggles between i-Function menus. You now have to use the d-pad to switch settings, it's all frustratingly slow, even if it works.

Fortunately, the auto-focus isn't slow. Samsung wasn't kidding when they say they're improved the auto-focus: the NX11 locks focus quickly and accurately. But while Samsung has improved the AF, it's overlooked a critical element: Shutter lag. The NX11 reacts a split second too late after you hit the release, which means any decisive moments are missed.
The NX11 doesn't offer significantly improved visual performance from its predecessors. We're still seeing image noise coming in at an early ISO80O, and it gets more noticeable above that. Below ISO800, images are sharp, the NX11 gets a respectable 1800X1800LPH on our test charts, but aps-C sensors are expected to do better.


The NX11.and the NX series with it, is a promising work-in-progress, with a lot of potential, it's ± here, but it needs to be so much Z more there - especially with the ° competition breaking new ground g every generation. As it is, the NX11 ™ handles and performs more like < a professional compact camera, jj rather than a simplified dslr.

PRODUCT SCORE : 8 / 10