Hands On With Samsung's NX2000 Mirrorless Camera

Samsung's latest NX camera, the NX2000, is built around a big touch-screen display. The 20-megapixel compact interchangeable lens camera has the features you've come to expect from Samsung cameras, notably class-leading Wi-Fi integration with support for Near Field Communication (NFC) pairing and a large APS-C image sensor.

The NX2000 is powered by the same DRIMe IV image processor as our Editors' Choice NX300, which makes it the second NX body to support the 45mm f/1.8 2D/3D lens. The processor also drives the contrast detect autofocus system, which operated very quickly on the pre-production model we tested. It also makes fast burst shooting possible—the NX2000 is rated to shoot at an impressive 8 frames per second.

Video is recorded in up to 1080p30 quality in 2D or 3D, and the camera's ISO ranges from ISO 100 through 25600 with a top shutter speed of 1/4,000-second. The rear display is 3.7 inches in size and, unlike other NX cameras that use OLED technology, is a fixed LCD design. Its resolution is 1,152k dots, which is quite sharp to my eye.

It takes its control interface from the Galaxy Camera, but the NX2000 does not run Android and it does not have 4G connectivity built in. It does have a Home button, which launches an on-screen Mode selector and gives you access to creative filters. It's one of only a few rear controls; the others are a dedicated Movie button and a Play button. On top you'll find the standard shutter release and power button, the Direct Link Wi-Fi button, and a control dial that doubles as a push button. The dial allows you to control your aperture or shutter speed when shooting in aperture priority, shutter priority, or manual mode.

Turning the wheel lets you navigate through menus and on-screen shooting settings, and pushing it in allows you to select an option. Of course, you can also navigate menus and adjust settings via touch. There's no flash built into the camera, but a small external flash is included.

The NX2000 will ship in a kit with the compact 20-50mm f/3.5-5.6 ED II NXSEE IT lens and a copy of Adobe Photoshop Lightroom for $649.99. You'll have your choice of a matched set in black, white, or pink. There's a second kit available which includes Lightroom, the 20-50mm and the telephoto 50-200mm lens for $899.99, but don't expect quite as much color coordination if you go for the pink camera. The 50-200mm is only available in white or black.

Samsung is also officially announcing the NX1100, which has been available in the U.S. market for a few weeks. It's the replacement for the NX1000SEE IT, and isn't that much different from its predecessor. It includes updated firmware with support for automatic file sharing with your tablet or phone; that firmware is available for download for current NX1000 owners. The NX1100 also includes a Lightroom license, which was not bundled with the NX1000. If you already have an NX1000 you are on your own in that regard—the software license is only available with the purchase of a new camera. The NX1100 is priced at $599.99 with the 20-50mm lens and is available in black or white.

About Our Expert

Jim Fisher

Principal Writer, Cameras

My Experience

Images, and the devices that capture them, are my focus. I've covered cameras at PCMag for the past 14 years, which has given me a front row seat for the changeover from DSLRs to mirrorless cameras, the smartphone camera revolution, and the emergence of drones for aerial imaging. I have extensive experience with every major mirrorless and SLR system, and am also comfortable using point-and-shoot and action cameras. As a Part 107 Certified drone pilot, I’m licensed to fly unmanned aircraft systems (UAS) for commercial and editorial purposes, and am knowledgeable about federal rules and regulations regarding drones.

The Technology I Use

I use all of the major camera systems on a regular basis, swapping between Canon, Fujifilm, L-Mount, Micro Four Thirds, Nikon, and Sony systems. I still find time to use Leica M rangefinders and Pentax SLRs on occasion, too. I keep an iPhone 13 in my pocket for the rare occasions I'm not carrying a camera.

I'm not a brand-specific photographer. For product review photos, I swap between a Canon EOS R5 and a Sony a7R IV. I use Flashpoint and Godox TTL lights and Peak Design tripods, and I most often reach for a Think Tank or Peak Design backpack to carry equipment.

When it comes to computers, I'm an unapologetic Mac person and have been for the past 20 years. I write in Pages and use Numbers for spreadsheets. I currently swap between an Intel i9 MacBook Pro and an Apple Silicon Mac Studio for writing and use a calibrated BenQ 32.5-inch with the Studio for photo and video editing. I rely on a LaCie 6big RAID for media storage. I also keep a PC around for gaming, but please don't tell my Macs about it; they'll get jealous.

I split time between several different software apps depending on the type of editing I'm doing. For Raw image processing, Adobe Photoshop Lightroom Classic is my standard. I pair it with a LoupeDeck CT console to supplement my keyboard and trackpad, and I lean on RNI All Films 5 presets when I want to give an image a film look. I use Apple Final Cut Pro for video editing.

My first digital camera was the Canon PowerShot Elph S200, and my first DSLR was the Pentax *ist DL. I have a soft spot for antique film gear. I still use a 1950 vintage Rolleiflex Automat TLR and love trying mid-century Leica lenses on film and digital alike. I mainly use whatever's in front of me for review for digital snaps, but I pick up either my Leica M Typ 240 or Pentax K-3 III Monochrome when I want to step away from review work. In my downtime, I enjoy bird watching, reading, video games, and both good and bad movies, especially in the sci-fi and horror genres.

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