Is the NX1 still a decent choice?

roxics

roxics

Veteran
I know its discontinued and Samsung pretty much closed up their camera department, but looking around at everything else in the sub $1400 range I'm not thrilled with what I see. The NX1 is the only thing that is peaking my interest.

My 60D stopped working over the weekend after being caught in the rain on Saturday and now I'm hunting for a replacement. Something that can do pro stills and decent video for side jobs.

What is grabbing my attention is the the APS-C sensor and 28MP for stills and the 4K for video. It seems like my best choice. I'm not thrilled with the size, ergonomics or rolling shutter of the A6300. I'm also not thrilled with the smaller size and photos from the GH4. While great for video I'm not convinced it's a pro photo class camera. Canon and Nikon while better with size, ergonomics and photo quality are both still pushing only 1080p video in this price range.

I need something by the end of the week. I have a photo shoot coming up. I even considered a 70D or 80D (crazy as that sounds) based just on ergonomics and photo quality, but then I remembered the NX1. I think even though it's discontinued if I get one in good shape it could last me years. At least to hold me over a few years until Canon and Nikon start offering 4K on their less expensive APS-C cameras. Plus there seem to be enough native lenses to cover the ranges I typically shoot.

What are your thoughts on this camera these days?
 
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A used NX1 should hold its value for a while, especially with the hack.

But, with the IBC and PhotoKina coming up, there'll be a several new models announced. But they won't help you shoot this weekend.
 
Can you rent or is this a no-pay engagement?

I wish Samsung would have put a mount on the NX-1 that was adapter friendly. I think this was very short sided of them. If they had I think this camera would have caught on a lot more. It has a lot of great features although h.265 is still a little before its time.
 
While tempting and there does seem to be a decent variety of lenses already available. But ultimately the fact that there is no future for this system swayed me against it in the end. It would be hard to pull the trigger on a $900 lens that can't be used on any other camera. So I just bit the bullet and bought a GH4 and 14-140 lens to start. Both used. Hopefully in good condition like they say. Looks like I'm back to the GH line after a three year stint with Canon.
 
I bought an NX1 for the high frame rates. Smokes the GH4 on that front.

I've been through Panasonic too and the NX1 is a much nicer looking image. But they did have the advantage of learning from the GH4 and taking the next steps.

I just got an inexpensive adapter and use all my Nikon Mount lenses on it. No problems at all.

I bought a couple of the really cheap Samsung lenses for auto-focus and they are surprisingly good for the price. Noticably better than my cheap Canon STM lenses.
It's that $1,000 "S" series zoom lens that buggers me though - because it's a GREAT lens and it can do some scandalously good auto-focus in video mode.
If you need to use your camera like an ENG video camera then the NX1 with an "S" series lens is a serious contender.
 
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