Quick review of NX3000 (very early in ownership)

Raw Jaw wrote:

IMO you were too quick to post your 'incomplete' observations salted with many negative vibes.

I look forward to your comments once you know your camera a bit better.

Oh, sorry.  I just thought it might be of some interest to anyone considering the NX3000 to hear some first impressions.  I thought I was fairly positive about it actually.  There are some (intentional, presumably) downgrades on this model such as the loss of the dust removal system, the reduced screen size and resolution compared with the NX2000 and the loss of the touchscreen (for those that like them).  Given that it looks so pretty and retro, I thought it was probably wise to point out that it isn't actually constructed with metal and leatherette outer surfaces, despite appearances - it's quite obvious when handling it which might bother some (I don't necessarily find it a disadvantage as it helps it be light in weight and also less prone to condensation if handled in cold weather, though the leather-effect polycarbonate is perhaps a bit more slippery than is ideal).

The screen does seem to have less obvious patterning of dots than the NX1000/1100 (correction to my previous post: the lines I perceive on the displays of those cameras are horizontal, not vertical) which helps make it look almost as high-res.  Unfortunately I spotted one negative: I think the NX3000 produces a lower resolution jpg for quicker display and uses it for playback even at magnified sizes, because the image is very soft on the display in playback - I initially thought the lens was faulty but the images are fine viewed on the computer.  In fact, I can see that the initial review of an image just taken (instant review on "hold") is sharper than the version that replaces it on pressing playback.  Other makes have done this on certain models too - and it always makes checking focus and other details rather tricky to do.  Hopefully that's something a firmware update could alter if they decide to do so.

It sounds to me as though the NX3000's shutter operates in electronic first curtain mode which cuts down the sound of the shutter, duration-wise, and has the potential to reduce vibration somewhat.

The new 16-50mm PZ kit zoom is smaller than the 20-50mm and is almost silent when focussing, which is useful.