The control layout is also very similar to the NX200, but again with slight changes. It has the same multi-function D-pad with a rotary bezel, which is used to adjust most of the camera's functions, and navigate through both a main menu and a graphical function menu for quick settings. Main mode selection is via a large dial on the top plate. As with the other NX models the NX1000 has a full range of exposure options, including program auto, aperture and shutter priority and full manual exposure. As well as these, it has multiple scene modes and smart scene selection. The button layout is a little different, with exposure compensation shifted onto the D-pad and ISO setting adjustment done via the function menu. The most obvious difference though is the addition of the "Smart Link" button on the top plate.

Features

The NX1000 is the latest of many cameras to include built-in Wi-Fi connectivity, which can be used to share pictures via email. It's fairly easy to use, and no harder to set up than connecting a smartphone to a Wi-Fi network. The Smart Link function is fairly quick and easy to use. You can choose from a list of in-range Wi-Fi signals, enter the password if required, then enter your name and optionally a "from" email address. Add a recipient's email address, choose which pictures you'd like to send, and off they go. Pictures are reduced in size to 2.1 megapixels and compressed down to around 44KB for transmission, which obviously reduces overall quality, so if you want to share high quality pictures you'll have to wait until you can download onto a PC, but as a way of quickly sharing a snapshot it's certainly faster than sending a postcard.

The NX1000 offers other Wi-Fi features too. Selecting "Wi-Fi" on the main mode dial leads to a menu of options, including Remote Viewfinder and MobileLink, both of which are intended to work with free smartphone apps downloaded from Google Play or Apple App Store. I installed both the Remote Viewfinder and MobileLink apps on my HTC Sensation, a fairly recent high-spec Android smartphone, and connected the NX1000 to my home Wi-Fi network, but despite repeated attempts I couldn't get either one to communicate with the camera. To make matters worse both apps kept disabling my phone's Wi-Fi connection, even going so far as to reset the network password. I think the problem here is with the apps, not the camera. I don't have an iPhone to test the iOS versions, but the Android versions clearly need some urgent attention.

The other Wi-Fi options, including direct posting to Facebook, Picasa, YouTube or Photobucket, all work perfectly well, and there are also options to remotely upload your pictures to your PC or the Microsoft SkyDrive cloud storage service. I've previously stated that I don't consider Wi-Fi connectivity to be much of a selling point for a camera. I've never yet seen such a feature that works smoothly, and the NX1000 has done little to change my opinion. I suppose the ability to instantly post your pictures on social media sites might be appealing to some, but it's really not something I'd pay extra for.

One feature that is worth the cash is the NX1000's excellent video recording mode. It records in full HD 1,920 x 1,080 at 30fps with stereo audio, and offers professional features such as manual exposure options in video mode, Picture Wizard scene effects, voice recording and more. The video and audio quality are excellent, although the built-in microphones are rather prone to wind noise.

Performance

The NX1000's overall performance is very good. It can start up and take a picture in approximately 2.5 seconds, and in single shot mode the shot-to-shot time is approximately 1.6 seconds, which is approaching DSLR speed. Like all CSCs the NX1000 uses contrast detection autofocus, but Samsung's multi-point AF is very quick and accurate, and even works well with moving subjects, although as with the NX200 is does slow down a lot in low light. The NX1000 has several burst and continuous shooting modes, the fastest of which can shoot at 8fps in both JPEG and Raw modes for up to eight shots.

The NX1000 has no built-in flash, but there is a small clip-on flash available either as an optional extra or as a bundled accessory with the SEF8A kit seen here. It's a neat little unit and matches the camera well, but it has to be said it's not particularly powerful, with a guide number of only eight at 100 ISO. Most full-size accessory flashguns are three or four times as powerful. It does at least offer a full range of flash mode options, including first or second curtain sync.

Image quality

And so finally we come to the section of the review that will make or break a camera. All the HD bells and Wi-Fi whistles are worthless if the image quality isn't up to scratch, but the NX1000 has nothing to worry about in this respect. Not too surprisingly, the image quality is pretty much identical to the NX200. It produces virtually noise-free shots at 400 ISO, and usable pictures all the way up to 6400 ISO. The 12800 ISO maximum setting is a bit of a stretch, but even here the contrast and colour reproduction are better than some rivals.

Naturally, that powerful 20-megapixel sensor produces plenty of fine detail, and the kit lens is excellent, producing pin-sharp detail across the frame with no distortion, and only a faint trace of chromatic aberration towards the edges of the frame, which apparently I missed in my review of the NX200. Colour reproduction is superb, with rich natural-looking colours, especially of foliage. Dynamic range could possibly be a bit better in JPEG mode, and might well be better in Raw mode. Unfortunately, I was unable to test this since the latest version of Adobe Camera Raw doesn't yet support the NX1000, and my review sample arrived without the software disc. That's one slight disadvantage of reviewing the very latest cameras!

Verdict

Although relatively new, Samsung's NX system is developing quickly, with the NX1000 representing its third generation. It's a well-sorted little camera and certainly above expectations for an entry-level model. It has plenty of useful features as well as a couple that may need a little work, but on the whole it's a very nice camera to use and produces some very pleasing results. The Wi-Fi connectivity is of questionable usefulness considering the non-functional smartphone apps that accompany it, but it's a nice bonus if you can make use of it.

This is the full frame at 200 ISO, the minimum setting. As usual, all these ISO test shots were done using tungsten studio lights, +0.6EV compensation and manual white balance. Download the full-size image.

200 ISO, f/5.6, 1/10 sec. As you can see the results at the minimum ISO setting are superb, with perfectly smooth colour.

400 ISO, f/6.3, 1/15 sec. At 400 ISO, the results are pretty much identical to 200.