Samsung NX10: Samsung’s Latest Bridge Digital Camera

Samsung’s latest bridge camera may look like something out of a 1960s war correspondent’s belt, but the rugged construction actually hides some refreshingly modern technology. Designed as a midpoint between professional dSLR cameras and consumer-focused point-and-shoot models, the NX10 is a refreshing mix of user-focused controls, impressive technology and high-end shooting power.

Boasting a three-inch LED screen, the NX10′s rear resembles that of a midrange consumer point-and-shoot camera. We’ve found that the traditional viewfinder is rarely used, replaced with an intuitive and surprisingly usable LED screen. Identifying focus points is simple due to the large screen size, while setting depth of field is remarkably simple; users simply adjust the camera’s position as they would on a high-end digital SLR camera.

Samsung have never been particularly successful in the high-end dSLR market, losing market share and critical acclaim to rivals Canon and Nikon. While we can’t see the NX10 infringing on any professional cameras, we can see it becoming a go-to choice in the burgeoning Four Thirds camera market.

The NX10 hits all the points we’ve come to expect from a ‘prosumer’ compact camera – HD video recording, manual optical zoom, and a powerful sensor – and it does them all refreshingly well. A 14.6 megapixel sensor comes as standard, pushing the NX10′s photo resolution beyond the levels offered by many pro-focused digital rangefinder cameras.

The NX10′s form factor is simultaneously familiar and unusual. The camera’s compact size makes it an ideal option for frequent travellers and spontaneous photographers, while the design is more reminiscent of an ageing Canon Digital Rebel than it is of a modern compact camera. The classical styling is neither good nor bad, merely a matter of taste; techies may appreciate a more sleek look, while experienced photographers will enjoy the familiarity of dSLR controls and black materials.

On the control front, the NX10 is an interesting midpoint between pro-focused dSLR cameras and the growing ‘prosumer’ market. A grip wheel controls shooting mode – allowing users to pick from automatic, manual, and aperture-only settings – while a simple left-right control wheel adjusts shutter speed, exposure, and depth of field levels.

Navigating through the NX10′s menu system is simple. Photographers can survey their previous pictures by using the four-way control pad on the camera’s rear, or simply scroll through them individually using the viewfinder. Exposure information and light levels can be displayed alongside stored photos, allowing users to quickly identify and delete wasted shots while in the field.

As a professional camera, the NX10 is unlikely to win any awards. Despite the large sensor and improved low-light performance, this certainly isn’t the type of camera you’d find in a professional’s equipment bag. It is, however, a refreshingly simple and powerful consumer camera; the type of digital camera you’d feel quite comfortable taking on a round-the-world vacation.

Priced at £479, the Samsung NX10 is neither cheap nor expensive. When compared to entry-level dSLRs it’s easy to spot the camera’s faults, but then again, who would want to? The NX10 is smaller than most ‘prosumer’ cameras while retaining most of their virtues, giving users a powerful camera without requiring a bulky travel case. For on-the-go photography, we can’t recommend it enough.

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