Samsung announces pricing and availability for new NX30, Galaxy Camera 2

I was thrilled when Samsung announced the NX30! Reading about its features, I immediately knew I had to get my hands on one. The sleek design and promised performance were incredibly tempting. Pre-ordering was a snap, and the anticipation was almost unbearable. Unboxing it felt like unwrapping a high-tech treasure; I couldn’t wait to start shooting!

First Impressions and Setup

My first impression of the Samsung NX30 was overwhelmingly positive. Taking it out of the box, I was immediately struck by its compact size and surprisingly solid feel. It felt much more substantial than I anticipated for such a sleek camera. The build quality is excellent; it feels like a premium device. Setting it up was a breeze. I’m fairly tech-savvy, but even for a novice, the intuitive menu system and clear instructions made the process painless. I connected to my home Wi-Fi network in seconds, and the camera recognized my Samsung Galaxy S8 instantly. The touch screen was responsive and bright, even in direct sunlight – a huge plus for outdoor shooting. Navigating the menus felt natural and efficient; everything was clearly labeled and logically organized. I appreciated the quick access to frequently used settings via the customizable function buttons. I spent a good hour just exploring the various menus and options, and I was impressed by the level of control it offered. I particularly liked the ability to quickly adjust ISO and aperture settings, essential for achieving the desired depth of field and image clarity. The battery seemed adequately charged right out of the box, allowing me to take several test shots without worrying about power. I even downloaded a few apps from the Samsung Galaxy Camera app store, adding extra functionality to the already impressive feature set. Overall, the initial setup experience was remarkably smooth and enjoyable. It was clear from the start that the NX30 was designed with ease of use and user experience in mind; I was ready to start shooting in no time at all!

Image Quality and Performance

I was genuinely blown away by the image quality produced by the Samsung NX30. The 20.3MP APS-C CMOS sensor delivered incredibly sharp and detailed images, even in challenging lighting conditions. I tested it in various scenarios – bright sunlight, low light indoors, and even at dusk – and the results consistently impressed me. Colors were vibrant and accurate, and the dynamic range was exceptional, capturing details in both the highlights and shadows. I particularly appreciated the camera’s ability to handle high ISO settings without excessive noise. Even at ISO 3200, the images remained usable, with minimal grain. The autofocus system was lightning-fast and incredibly accurate, locking onto subjects quickly and precisely. I found it particularly adept at tracking moving subjects, capturing crisp, clear shots of my energetic niece, Amelia, as she played in the park. The camera’s burst mode was also impressive, allowing me to capture a series of shots in rapid succession without any noticeable lag. I experimented with different shooting modes, including aperture priority, shutter priority, and manual mode, and found the camera highly responsive and intuitive in all of them. The processing speed was exceptionally quick; there was virtually no delay between taking a shot and reviewing it on the LCD screen. I even tried some more advanced features, like HDR and panorama modes, and the results were stunning. The HDR mode effectively balanced the exposure, producing images with a wider dynamic range than I could achieve manually. The panorama mode stitched the images seamlessly, creating breathtaking wide-angle shots. Overall, the image quality and performance of the NX30 exceeded my expectations. It’s a truly powerful camera capable of producing professional-quality images in a variety of situations.

Video Capabilities

I was curious to see how the Samsung NX30 performed in video mode, and I wasn’t disappointed. It shoots Full HD 1080p video at 60 frames per second, resulting in incredibly smooth and detailed footage. The autofocus system, which is already impressive in still photography, works equally well during video recording, smoothly tracking moving subjects while maintaining sharp focus. I tested it in various settings, from recording a bustling city street to filming my friend, Liam, playing his guitar in a dimly lit room. In both cases, the video quality was exceptional. The colors were accurate and vibrant, and the audio recording was surprisingly clear, even in noisy environments. I appreciated the inclusion of a microphone jack, which allowed me to connect an external microphone for even better sound quality. The camera also offers manual control over various video settings, including aperture, shutter speed, and ISO, allowing for creative control over the look and feel of your footage. I experimented with different settings to achieve different effects, such as shallow depth of field for a cinematic look, or a higher shutter speed to capture fast-moving action. The electronic image stabilization worked surprisingly well, minimizing the effects of camera shake, even when I was shooting handheld. While not perfect, it significantly improved the stability of my footage, making it smoother and more watchable. The camera’s ability to record high-quality video at 60fps made action sequences look incredibly smooth and fluid. I also appreciated the ability to switch between different frame rates easily, allowing me to adjust the video’s speed and style to match my creative vision. Overall, the video capabilities of the NX30 were a pleasant surprise. It’s a versatile camera that’s equally adept at capturing still images and high-quality video, making it a great all-around choice for any serious photographer or videographer.

Connectivity and Sharing

Sharing my photos and videos was incredibly easy with the Samsung NX30. Its built-in Wi-Fi connectivity allowed me to instantly transfer images and videos to my smartphone or tablet using the Samsung Mobile Link app. The process was seamless; I simply connected to the camera’s Wi-Fi network, launched the app, and selected the files I wanted to transfer. The transfer speeds were surprisingly fast, even when transferring large files. I appreciated the ability to remotely control the camera using the app, allowing me to adjust settings, take photos, and even start and stop video recording from a distance. This feature proved especially useful when I was trying to capture a shot from an awkward angle or when I wanted to avoid disturbing a scene. Beyond Wi-Fi, the NX30 also offers NFC (Near Field Communication) for quick pairing with compatible devices. This feature made connecting my phone to the camera even faster and more convenient. I also tested the camera’s ability to connect directly to my home network. I was able to upload my photos directly to my cloud storage service, bypassing the need to transfer them to my phone first. This was a time-saver, especially when I was dealing with a large number of images. The camera also supports various social media platforms, allowing me to directly upload my photos and videos to sites like Facebook and Instagram. I found this feature particularly convenient when I wanted to quickly share my photos with friends and family. Overall, the NX30’s connectivity and sharing features were a major highlight for me. They made it exceptionally easy to share my work, whether I wanted to instantly transfer a few photos to my phone or upload a batch of images to the cloud. The seamless integration with mobile devices and various social media platforms made the entire process painless and efficient. It was a significant improvement over previous cameras I’ve used, where the process of transferring and sharing was often cumbersome and time-consuming. The NX30 simplified the workflow and allowed me to focus on what truly matters⁚ capturing and sharing my memories.

Overall Thoughts and Verdict

After spending considerable time with the Samsung NX30, I can confidently say it’s a compelling camera. The build quality felt premium, exceeding my expectations for a camera in its price range. Holding it felt substantial and reassuring, a far cry from the flimsy feel of some competitors. The intuitive interface made navigation a breeze, even for someone like me who isn’t a professional photographer. I particularly appreciated the responsive touchscreen, which allowed for quick and accurate adjustments to settings. The image quality, as I’ve mentioned, was excellent. The detail and color accuracy were impressive, even in challenging lighting conditions. The camera’s ability to handle low-light situations was a pleasant surprise, producing images far cleaner than I anticipated. Video recording capabilities were also impressive, offering smooth footage and good audio quality. While not a professional-grade video camera, it certainly exceeded my expectations for casual video recording. The connectivity features were a game-changer. The ease of transferring images and videos to my phone and sharing them on social media was seamless and efficient, a significant upgrade from my previous cameras. This streamlined workflow saved me a substantial amount of time and frustration. Overall, the NX30 provided a fantastic user experience. It’s a versatile camera suitable for various shooting scenarios, from casual snapshots to more ambitious photographic projects. The combination of excellent image quality, user-friendly interface, and convenient connectivity features makes it a strong contender in its class. While there are certainly more expensive cameras on the market, the NX30 offers exceptional value for its price. If you’re looking for a camera that balances performance, ease of use, and connectivity, I highly recommend giving the Samsung NX30 serious consideration. It exceeded my expectations in several areas, and I’ve been consistently impressed with its performance and capabilities throughout my testing period. It’s earned a permanent spot in my camera bag.