Need for noise reduction with 'normal' captures using NX300 / NX1

Previously I have tried to avoid any noise reduction when processing my files in Lightroom, but I'm wondering if I should be applying a small amount. I shoot with the NX300 and NX1 in RAW + JPEG (using the JPEG as a sidecar file to record the in-camera look of the shot) and normally make minor adjustments to levels (shadows, highlights, etc.), clarity, vibrance, sometimes specific colour saturation, and framing / cropping.

For normal (not high ISO, long exposure, etc.) shots is there any need to consider noise reduction in post processing? I have assumed so far that it shouldn't be necessary and may impact detail, but thought I should check my assumption.

It much depends on:

1) the crop

2) the iso

3) the exposure

4) the print size, if you print

If you don't crop, a 28mp image, downsampled to, say, 16mp, barely show any noise up to iso 1600. That's if you don't need to pull rhe exposure in post, of course.

I find myself not using any nr for shots up to iso 800, even with slight crop, and even printing up to 60x40cm.

Thanks for the answer, tecnoworld. Do others find the same?

I like to do a small amount of noise reduction on almost all my shots, even at ISO 100...but that's just me.

Thanks freeagent and zipcode (earlier). It sounds like its a question of personal preference.

It always is. There are shots that look unrealistic when super clean and benefit from some noise. Also, we are examining photos on our screens at 100% scrutinizing every pixel, but when printed, even what looks pretty bad on screen looks quite acceptable on a smaller print (let's say 15x10 cm makes anything acceptable and 30x20 cm is as if you down sampled to 8MP or similar - so two stop advantage).

Thanks Otto. My next step is to get some prints done so I'll explore that further now knowing what you just shared