Samsung NX mini: Digital Photography Review

Manufacturer description: The NX mini is the world's slimmest and lightest interchangeable-lens camera (as of 3/19/14). The portable and stylish design of the SMART Camera NX mini, along with its stunning image quality makes it the “go-to” device for great photography, allowing users to capture special moments in stunning detail. With NFC and Wi-Fi capabilities, it allows users to take impressive shots that can then be shared quickly and easily, for friends to enjoy in real time.

Product timeline

A small project: iFixit Samsung NX Mini disassembly guide

Apr 17, 2016

Entry-level mirrorless roundup (2014)

Roundup, Dec 17, 2014

DPReview Recommends: Best Cameras for Beginners

Dec 2, 2014

DPReview Recommends: Best Cameras for Social Photography

Dec 2, 2014

Samsung NX mini Review

Review, Nov 26, 2014

Small change: Samsung NX mini review

Nov 26, 2014

Photokina 2014: Samsung stand report

Sep 17, 2014

Samsung NX Mini real-world gallery updated with 17mm F1.8 samples

Aug 1, 2014

Samsung NX Mini real-world samples gallery

May 5, 2014

Little wonder: Samsung NX mini First Impressions Review

Mar 19, 2014

Samsung announces tiny NX mini mirrorless camera

Mar 19, 2014

Quick specs

Body type	Rangefinder-style mirrorless
Max resolution	5472 x 3648
Effective pixels	21 megapixels
Sensor size	1″ (13.2 x 8.8 mm)
Sensor type	BSI-CMOS
ISO	Auto, 160 - 12800 (extends to 100-25600)
Lens mount	Samsung NX-M
Focal length mult.	2.7×
Articulated LCD	Tilting
Screen size	3″
Screen dots	460,800
Format	MPEG-4, H.264
Storage types	microSD/microSDHC/microSDXC
USB	USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec)
Weight (inc. batteries)	196 g (0.43 lb / 6.91 oz)
Dimensions	110 x 62 x 23 mm (4.33 x 2.44 x 0.91″)
GPS	None

See full specifications

Our review

The Samsung NX mini is an impressive camera purely because of the amount of technology that Samsung has managed to place inside such a tiny body. The system may be small (no pun intended) for now but the lenses currently available for the mini are of a high quality, and the camera is capable of excellent results from its 1in sensor. Ultimately, our frustrations with the mini are almost all focused around its user interface, which needs some work before it will appeal to enthusiasts. Right now the mini is a great point-and-shoot with some slightly awkward manual controls but it has the potential to be much more.

Good for: Smartphone upgraders looking for a step up in image quality from a pocketable camera

Not so good for: Enthusiasts who enjoy taking manual control

74%
DPReview score

Read the full review

Scoring

Build quality

Ergonomics & handling

Features

Metering & focus accuracy

Image quality (raw)

Image quality (jpeg)

Low light / high ISO performance

Viewfinder / screen rating

Performance

Movie / video mode

Connectivity

Value

Samsung NX mini videos

Samsung NX mini sample video

00:11 (26 Nov, 2014)

Samsung NX Mini samples gallery

58 images • Posted on May 5, 2014 • View gallery

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9-27mm Zoom Lens, White, None In stock Usually ships in 4-5 business days	From $399.00 »
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9-27mm Zoom Lens, Mint, None In stock Usually ships in 1-2 business days	From $399.00 »
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75	Thom's Nikon Fix.
63	Part 2: FF snobbishness takes a hit now MF accessible
49	X-T2 ISO 200 isn't low enough
44	Why do I want the 105mm F1.4 so badly?
42	How many people here have ordered the A99II or plan to do so.
41	Panasonic Petition: Exposure Compensation w/ Auto ISO in Manual
41	Goodbye Full-Frame Cameras
39	The mistake a thread makes that causes it to be locked....
39	Equivalence: Great Progress! remaining: Total Image Exposure (INPUT) vs Brightness
38	5DMk4 or 5Ds-R or Neither??
37	Disappointed with panasonic
36	Would you buy a Sigma 19mm f1.4 DN?
35	Pre-interview headshot requirement? A tool for Discrimination?
34	What do you use to quickly cull images?
33	Putting photography on hold.
33	Rumor of new menu system. (No public beta?)
32	Why not a square sensor?
32	New Nikon 1 lens
31	Olympus 40-150 mm f/2.8
30	Advise for China trip


Orange-tip Butterfly by anisah from Nature's Colour Palette	Windswept juniper by Kreber from Wind power