Samsung NX2000: Image Quality

When it comes to image quality the Samsung NX2000 certainly benefits from its larger APS-C sensor.

Click the image above to view the full gallery of full-res test shots

Throughout the lower stages of the NX2000’s ISO range there’s very little discernable difference between the settings. Between ISO 100 and ISO 3200 the only real difference is a change in slight banding in colour gradation.

Click the image above to view the full gallery of full-res test shots

Typical noise artefacts aren’t actually noticeable until ISO 6400, and even at ISO 12800 results are pleasingly noise-free. As is ever the case, the maximum ISO 25600 does suffer from colour noise and other issues, although that’s acceptable as it will no doubt be reserved for emergencies.

The NX2000 ships with the 20-50mm kit lens and on the whole it performs better than expected. Despite its plastic construction, it’s solidly built and as a result feels lighter than conventional optics.

Click the image above to view the full gallery of full-res test shots

The lens delivers excellent centre sharpness and a good level of corner sharpness, while chromatic aberrations are kept to a minimum, as is wide-angle distortion.

But the NX2000’s exposure system is a let down. The multi-pattern system offers widely-varying exposures in standard lighting conditions, and it’s even worse in unusual conditions.

Click the image above to view the full gallery of full-res test shots

Of course there are different metering modes which are sometimes preferable to the automatic setting, but a camera such as the NX2000 should offer a reliable multi-pattern metering system.

The NX2000’s white balance system is similarly problematic, often capturing cold skin tones in warm lighting conditions and vice-versa, while the camera’s colour reproduction also varies often in continuous shots. So, while the ISO performance is indeed impressive, the ultimate quality of shots falls some way short of what we expect from a £500 mirrorless camera.

Should I buy the Samsung NX2000?

At its current market price, the Samsung NX2000 is up against some pretty stiff competition: stiff enough that we can’t recommend it. Cameras such as the Sony NEX-5R, Olympus E-PL5 and Panasonic Lumix GF6 offer a similar specification – and come complete with some key features the NX2000 is lacking – and as such it’s difficult to see what the camera has with regards to competitive advantage.

If the large screen and connectivity are of key importance to you then the NX2000 could well be worth a look, but its image quality is nowhere near good enough to justify its price tag and its performance is hit and miss.

We recommend you check our best cameras round-up for more alternatives, too.

Verdict

The Samsung NX2000 offers some great features, including its connectivity and the fantastic rear LCD, but it’s sometimes slow and the image quality falls a long way short of the competition.

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