Interchangeable-lens cameras without a reflex mirror or pentaprism are hot right now. Non-reflex cameras of this type offer much of the versatility of a digital SLR, but are far more portable. Because there's no optical viewfinder, they're designed for use with Live View only. In other words, you compose images using the LCD screen on the camera back. However, some models are also equipped with an electronic eye-level viewfinder (EVF) that provides a live view of the subject. A few cameras accept an EVF as an optional accessory.

First implemented by Panasonic and Olympus, these companies' "mirrorless" Micro Four Thirds cameras employ a full-size (18x13.5mm) Four Thirds sensor, but they're much smaller/slimmer/lighter than DSLRs. For some time, we've expected other manufacturers to introduce non-reflex cameras as well, and Samsung is the first to do so with its NX10. This new 14.6MP Samsung model is very similar in basic concept to Micro Four Thirds with one key difference: it uses an even larger (23.4x15.6mm) sensor. The larger pixels for a higher signal-to-noise ratio to provide relatively clean images at high ISO, Samsung points out.

The NX10 will launch in Canada on June 25, and will retail for $800, including an image-stabilized 18-55mm standard-zoom lens. (It's shown here with the 30mm f/2 "pancake" lens.)

Feature set: The NX10 was designed to compete with entry-level DSLRs and it features similar modes, overrides and functions, including depth-of-field preview. The menu includes only the bare essentials, with very few customization options in order to minimize complexity. The built-in flash tube (with a Guide Number of 11 at ISO 100) is fine for some purposes, but Samsung offers two external flash units. Most NX lenses are equipped with an image stabilizer.

Its external screen, with 614,000-dot resolution, employs AMOLED (Active-Matrix Organic Light-Emitting Diode) technology with two (instead of one) red, green and blue dots to represent each pixel. Hence, the display is very contrasty, provides a wide viewing angle. and refreshes at a much faster rate than a typical LCD. The electronic viewfinder is very good, almost as impressive as the one in the Lumix G2. It provides a bright, crisp image, 100 per cent scene coverage and data displays.

On bright, sunny days in Florida I preferred to use the EVF. It's excellent in all respects, but does not refresh as quickly as the AMOLED screen. That made it a bit more difficult to keep a baseball player well framed for a series of shots while he was running/sliding to second base.

Useful features include Tracking Autofocus, Smart Range for greater detail in both highlight and shadow areas, and a Smart Auto function with automatic Scene-mode selection. The picture styles include basics such as Vivid and Landscape, plus creative options such as Forest, Retro, Cool and Calm for special effects. Each style provides a full set of overrides. Later, in Playback mode, the JPEGs can be modified with features such as red-eye fix, backlight compensation, resize, Face Retouch for flattering portraits, and the application of various creative styles.

Operation: The NX10 is equipped with DSLR-style controls including a mode dial, input dial, four-way controller keys, and buttons for frequently used functions. Samsung also provided an [Fn] button for quick access to seven functions. The menu includes only the essentials without esoteric items; most options are quite intuitive. While the operating sequences do not specifically target novices, the NX10 is certainly not complicated to use, thanks to its logical interface.

Speed and quality: The camera starts up in about 1.5 seconds and reacts quickly to a touch of the shutter button. It can shoot many Large/Super Fine JPEGs in a sequence; image processing is quite fast, so I rarely missed a shot during a beach volleyball game. In terms of autofocus speed and reliability, the NX10 is very good. In outdoor photography, focus was usually achieved in 0.25 second. Tracking AF was quite effective during a Blue Jays spring-training game. While shooting in a dark theatre, autofocus was most reliable when using only the central AF detection point; focus acquisition rarely took more than 0.75 second.

In Standard picture Style, the NX10 provided slight underexposure of light tones, rich colours, somewhat high contrast and moderate sharpness. All of these aspects were easy to modify with overrides. My 14.6-megapixel Super Fine ISO 100 to 400 JPEGs were clean and richly detailed, suitable for very nice 12x18-inch prints. My ISO 800 JPEGs look great as 11x16-inch prints. Samsung's NX-series zoom lenses are equipped with an image stabilizer, which reduces the need to use an extremely high ISO level in low light to get sharp photos. This handheld photo was taken with an ISO setting of 800 and shutter speed of 1/3 second. At ISO 1600, extra noise-reduction processing provides a smooth effect, but tends to soften fine detail. Still, the images made for nice letter-size prints after some edge sharpening in Photoshop. There was more obvious loss of intricate detail by ISO 3200, as well as some "mushiness," but I was able to make decent 5x7-inch prints after some edge sharpening in Photoshop.

Movie mode: The NX10 can record 1280x720 clips at 30fps in MP4 format with mono sound. Autofocus (with multi-point AF only) can be used while shooting a video, but the system is slow and the sound of the AF motor is recorded on the audio track. Samsung does not provide a method for connecting the camera to an external mic, but the wind-cut function is useful on breezy days.

Important camera features can be preset in advance. Aperture control is available during video capture. While the NX10 does not provide the most versatile movie mode, the available features offer adequate control over the look of a video clip. Overall, movie quality is very good and the audio is acceptable for family events.

Evaluation: As expected, the larger sensor with oversized pixels did provide some benefit in high-ISO image quality. Samsung's autofocus, AMOLED and EVF systems are all very effective, making the NX10 competitive in many aspects with an affordable entry-level DSLR. While only three lenses are currently available, Samsung plans to release another five by year-end. If the reduced size/weight appeal to you (and if you don't need many customization features), the NX10 would be a fine alternative to a DSLR.

Article Tags:  samsung, nx10, interchangeable, lens, sensor, pixel, panasonic, olympus, four thirds, micro four thirds, SLR, DSLR, digital, camera, viewfinder