From The Straits Times    |
Samsung NX30 digital camera review THUMBNAIL

On my bi-annual trip to Tokyo and Japan for Autumn Winter 2014-15 fashion weeks I was loaded down not just with a full complement of “outfits” for the various shows, but also the usual electronic gear of any modern journalist – laptop, smartphone, chargers of all sorts, etc. This season, however, I didn’t have a photographer in tow which meant I would also have to source my own images: Quelle Horreur!

Thankfully the nice people at Samsung provided me with a Samsung NX30 digital camera (pictured below); an object so professional looking that I managed to swing a photographer’s pass – not something you can usually do with a smartphone as your only piece of kit.

Samsung NX30 digital camera review DECOR

The Samsung NX30 digital camera is supposed to be able to “capture and share high quality imagery in an instant with advanced features, new shooting angles and next generation of Smart connectivity” according to the brand. I can confirm the first – yes, it shoots well, fast and at interesting angles – but unfortunately due to the fact that I was gallivanting around Asia, I couldn’t get the wi-fi connectivity to work.

This is the major drawback I’ve experienced with the whole “connectivity” function of the new digital cameras (I’ve never managed to get any of them to work regardless of the brand); and also the reason why most journalists rely on their smartphones.

I’m sure the function is fabulous; if only you can get it to actually “connect” with something. I’ve tried various forms of wi-fi – with passwords; paid for; bluetooth from my phone – an continue to fail to access this most functional of functions.

What I really want is a proper digital camera with a SIM card. If anyone knows of one, please let me know!
Back to the actual camera part. The Samsung NX30 has all the abilities you’d expect from what is basically a professional quality digital camera; interchangeable lenses in a wide range of sizes, a professional grade 20.3MP APS-C CMOS Sensor for sharpness, colour and speed, super fast and accurate auto focus (there’s a great auto setting designed to capture fast-moving objects; perfect for runway shows).

Samsung NX30 digital camera review VIEWFINDER

The “Tiltable Electronic Viewfinder” – which has an 80 degree tilt, side-to-side 180 degree movement and up-and-down 270 degree movement (pictured above) – is also very handy for getting clear shots when you’re seated in a less than useful position; or when you’re trying to shoot detail shots like shoes – after all, you can’t drop onto the floor in your couture, can you?

While Samsung says that the NX30’s “Photo Beam” function “allows users to transfer an image or video to a smartphone or tablet by simply touching the two devices together with no other configuration needed”, I honestly could not get this thing to work. Possibly due to user error rather than mechanical failure, but as I couldn’t work it, I really can’t say. You can also use Dropbox, apparently, as it’s pre-loaded on the NX30, and you can also upload images directly to Flickr, apparently, but again … since I couldn’t get the wi-fi to work, I couldn’t try this out.

Like all digital cameras these days, the Samsung NX30 is also great as a video recorder; you can film Full HD 1080/60p movies.

Overall the Samsung NX30 is a good digital camera, especially for people who want to take professional quality images of movement – this would be great for sports enthusiasts. From a purely fashion-focused, personal perspective, however, I did find it a little heavy and bulky to cart around in my Givenchy handbag; and it certainly did not fit into my Longchamp clutch.

So if you’re looking for something compact, I’d give this one a miss and go for the Samsung NX200 Mirrorless Compact Camera. But if you want great shots of fast moving stuff and are more interested in the shooting than in what you’re wearing, the Samsung NX30 is a great option.

The Samsung NX30, $1,369, is available at all major consumer electronics stores. For more information about Samsung cameras, go to www.samsung.com/sg/cameras.

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