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Samsung NX1000

 & Jim Fisher Principal Writer, Cameras

Our team tests, rates, and reviews more than 1,500 products each year to help you make better buying decisions and get more from technology.

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Samsung NX1000 - Samsung NX1000
4.0 Excellent

The Bottom Line

The mirrorless Samsung NX1000 is a little slower than other cameras in its class, but it delivers excellent image quality and aces Wi-Fi implementation.

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Pros & Cons

    • Sharp, compact kit lens.
    • Good high ISO performance.
    • Excellent Wi-Fi implementation.
    • Sharp rear LCD.
    • Slower performance.
    • No EVF option.
    • Lacks built-in flash.

Samsung NX1000 Specs

35mm Equivalent (Telephoto) 75 mm
35mm Equivalent (Wide) 30
Battery Type Lithium Ion
Dimensions 2.5 by 4.6 by 1.4 inches
Display Resolution 921000
Lens Mount Samsung NX
Maximum ISO 12800
Maximum Waterproof Depth 0
Memory Card Format Secure Digital
Memory Card Format Secure Digital Extended Capacity
Memory Card Format Secure Digital High Capacity
Optical Zoom 2.5 x
Sensor Resolution 20
Sensor Size 18 x 24 (APS-C)
Sensor Type CMOS
Stabilization In-Lens
Touch Screen
Type Mirrorless
Video Resolution 1080p
Video Resolution 720p
Viewfinder Type None
Weight 7.7

The NX1000 ($699.99 list with 20-50mm lens)SEE IT brings Samsung's excellent Wi-Fi implementation to an interchangeable lens camera, making it possible to push top-quality photos to your phone, home network, or favorite social networking outlet. The 20-megapixel camera is a little slow to start and suffers from some shutter lag, but is still worth a close look for its Wi-Fi features and overall image quality. It doesn't manage to oust our Editors' Choice mirrorless camera, the Sony Alpha NEX-F3£599.98 at Amazon UK, which lacks Wi-Fi, but does offer a tilting screen, built-in flash, and the ability to add an electronic viewfinder.

Design and Features
The NX100 is one of the smaller mirrorless cameras out there, especially when you consider that its APS-C image sensor, the same type found in consumer D-SLRs, is physically larger than those found in Micro Four Thirds cameras. The included 20-50mm zoom lens is actually about the same as the standard 14-42mm kit zoom included with Olympus PEN Micro Four Thirds cameras. The NX1000's 7.7-ounce body measures 2.5 by 4.6 by 1.4 inches, only slightly larger than the 7.7-ounce Olympus PEN E-PM1£560.86 at Amazon UK. There's no built-in flash, but there is a small external one included—you'll just have to slide it into the camera's hot shoe.

The rear display, which you'll use for all image framing and review, just as you do on a point-and-shoot camera, is 3 inches in size and packs a 921k-dot resolution. It's one of the best in its class, but not the best. Both the Samsung NX200£456 at Amazon UK and Olympus PEN E-P3 pack OLED displays that are slightly crisper, brighter, and refresh more quickly than LCDs.

The NX1000's physical control layout is well designed. Unlike the Sony Alpha NEX-5NSEE IT, the camera has a physical mode dial that switches between Smart Auto, Program, Aperture Priority, Shutter Priority, Manual, and Scene shooting modes. On the rear of the camera you'll find controls for the Self Timer, Drive Mode, Exposure Compensation, and Autofocus mode. There's also a function button that launches an overlay display, from which you'll be able to adjust most shooting settings. You'll have to access the Menu to dive deeper into the camera's settings, but unless there is a rather obscure setting you'd like to adjust, you won't have to go there during shooting.

One of the unique controls found on the NX series of cameras is the iFn button that is found on the kit lens as well as many other lenses available for the system. It launches a menu from which you can adjust certain settings, including ISO, White Balance, Shutter Speed, Aperture, and EV Compensation. When the iFn function is active, all of these settings are adjusted using the focus ring on the lens.

The feature that really sets the NX1000 apart from its mirrorless competition is its built-in Wi-Fi. Moving the Mode Dial over to this position brings up a menu of options that make it possible to share photos without cables. You can use MobileLink to directly beam photos to your iOS or Android device, or Remote Viewfinder to use the same device to take control of the camera. Both functions require that you download an app, but it's free for either platform. There's also a Social Sharing menu from which you can push photos and videos to Facebook, Picasa, YouTube, and Photobucket. You also have screens from which you can transfer your images and movies to the Microsoft SkyDrive service, or your Windows PC, as well as a TV Link option that lets you view photos on a Samsung Wi-Fi TV. The great thing about the Wi-Fi on this camera is that it's fairly easy to configure and use—it transcends the gimmick niche and becomes an actual useable function of the camera.

Final Thoughts

Samsung NX1000 - Samsung NX1000

Samsung NX1000

4.0 Excellent

The mirrorless Samsung NX1000 is a little slower than other cameras in its class, but it delivers excellent image quality and aces Wi-Fi implementation.

Get It Now

Buy It Now

About Our Expert

Jim Fisher

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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