Build and handling
It is in the build and handling that the most obvious differences between the NX1000 and NX210 can be found, although in size and weight these are negligible. Body-only, the NX1000 is up there with the smallest and lightest interchangeable-lens cameras around, at 37mm deep and weighing 217g. Where the two cameras differ is that the NX210 features a metal build, while the NX1000’s shell is made from plastic, which accounts for the difference in price.
Aesthetically similar, the difference is felt in the hand and in how well each camera body will resist years of toil and use. That is not to say the NX1000 build is poor, as, on the contrary, it feels solid in the hand and has neat touches like the textured leather effect on the front and rear panels.
Another factor that classes the NX1000 as an entry-level model is the limited controls on the body, which make it suitable for those new to photography. The camera seems geared toward instant sharing, because on the top plate is the smart link button for direct access to MobileLink, while the NX210, in contrast, has a dial to control zoom in playback and make exposure adjustments. Likewise, there is no exposure-compensation button, which is instead found on the control wheel in place of the ISO control. Smart auto shooting mode provides hassle-free shooting, and magic frame mode adds a frame directly onto the digital file for instant effect.
In keeping the body as small as possible, the NX1000 does not feature a built-in flash. Instead, the camera comes supplied with a separate flash unit, which is attached via the hotshoe port. In its extended position the flash has good clearance from the body, which I think is a better option than a compact, built-in unit. The hotshoe port does not feature an accessory port to fix an electronic viewfinder.
There is one issue that I hope will be addressed in future models. When using raw or JPEG fine capture, especially in the continuous high shooting mode, images are processed very slowly, and on countless occasions I had to wait for the camera to be ready before I could shoot again. All in all, though, the camera handles really well.
