Samsung EX2F vs Samsung NX mini + 9mm

Well I've finally got my half case for the NX mini and taken it out for a few sessions. Both were quite brief but they highlighted some problems.

I was not so impressed by the shutter feel when the camera is mounted in a half case and being pressed by my thumb. It was just a bit too sensitive for my thumb and I found myself regularly groping for the button and half pressing it just so I knew my thumb was in the right place. I suppose that is the downside to a flush shutter button. I can remedy that by sticking a bit of rubber on top.

Worried about the settings being changed accidentally, I turned off the touch screen only to then realize doing so removes the function menu thus I had no way of quickly adjusting exposure compensation. I need quick access to exposure comp so I'll have to leave the touch screen on and hope my chest does not change any settings inadvertently!

Biggest con however is the 9mm pancake lens. It performs quite horrendously when shooting into the sun. I know that is a challenge for all lenses but if you are gonna produce a pancake lens that cannot take filters or hoods you'd better give it some nice coatings to reduce lens flare. Sadly this is not the case with this pancake.

The above image is untouched other than reducing the highlights a bit to stop them blowing out. As well as that halo/softening effect caused by flare the colors go way out and contrast is reduced giving a washed out look. In camera RAW the histogram clearly shows a lack of black. Correcting this in post was challenging..

The lens is a good performer with the sun behind or to the side.

All shots taken at F5 so stopping down does little to help the flare issue.

The Samsung EX2F on the other hand. In similar conditions it struggled also but flare was much better controlled and contrast and blacks were showing up much stronger on opening the files in camera raw. Colors tended to over-saturate and look a bit unreal but you could get usable images from the files albeit you might have to stick to b&w to do so. I've only really used the zoom lens at 24mm so cannot comment on its performance at other focal ranges.

So for my purposes the EX2F is staying and I'll eventually sell on the NX mini. Maybe the 17mm lens has no issues with flare but that is not a focal length that suits my style unfortunately. I doubt the 9-27mm zoom is any better? I'm not prepared to fork out the moolah to find out!

Not knocking the NX mini. It was never designed as a street camera so it's hardly surprising it didn't work for me. I'm sure it'll be a fine street camera for some though. I should also add that in the right conditions the 9mm lens can produce some remarkably detailed images. The sensor is great and could no doubt challenge many m43 cameras. Touchscreen and GUI are both good.

From my first shoot with the NX mini

However, for me, the EX2F is king. It's the best small sensor camera I've had to date and I've been through a few - LX5, GRD 3, GRD 4, Nikon J1 etc. I'm curious about the Nikon J5 and may get one in the future if the price is right. Otherwise it's a wait for the Nikon DL series to arrive. In the meantime I'll enjoy the EX2F. I'll end with some images from that camera.