Samsung Nx Lens 18 55 Mm 3.5 5.6 Iii Ois

Introduction

As i of the least desirable models in a camera maker's range, the kit lens is normally the first experience users have of the brand. This is a revised model that'due south bundled with the maker's high-end NX300 and the new NX30 so expectations are high, only it is as well bachelor separately at effectually $220. Although plastic is used for the outer it has a metal mount and is relatively well fabricated by comparison to some of the bigger well-known brands. It has 12 elements in 10 groups including one aspherical element, though the total number in includes stabilization optics.

Like other models from the maker the xviii-55 (28-85mm equivalent) f3.5-5.vi OIS III includes the firm's innovative i-Function choice allowing quick and simple selection of a number of camera features, such as EV shift, ISO and more using the focus collar. Although compact measuring 2.48 x 2.56″ (63 x 65.1 mm), it's non quite as small as the business firm'south collapsible 20-50mm f3.five-5.vi, which has been bundled every bit a kit lens in the by but at 7.20 oz (204 g) it's relatively light in weight.

Samsung NX 18-55mm F3.5-5.six OIS 3 mounted on Samsung NX 20: Lower than expected sharpness wide open up

The lens accomplished a DxOMark score of 13 points overall and a adequately typical score for a lens like this. A acme sharpness score of 8-Mpix is besides around the expected value, given the 20-Mpix sensor of the NX 20.

Similar many zooms we see, this one is sharper at the wider-cease of the zoom range and it requires stopping down a little from the initial aperture as it'south a little soft, particularly in the outer field. Barrel baloney is noticeable at 18mm but this falls away quickly although it changes to pincushion from 35mm through to 55mm. Apart from low sharpness with zooms, vignetting and chromatic abnormality are arguably the most troubling for kit zooms similar this, merely again Samsung has done very well to minimize both.

Samsung NX eighteen-55mm F3.five-5.vi OIS Iii vs Canon EF-S xviii-55mm f/3.v-5.six IS STM vs Nikon AF-S DX Nikkor 18-55mm f/iii.5-5.6G VR: Uniformity slightly behind rivals

Compared to two retrofocus type zoom lenses intended for use on DSLRs, the Samsung scores comparatively well.

It'due south like in top sharpness to Canon only that model has adequate sharpness at full-discontinuity and ameliorate uniformity, which is more practical in models like this (even if they're equipped with stabilization). Both have near identical baloney at 18mm simply the Catechism reveals barrel baloney to 28mm and has only the barest trace of distortion from 35mm onwards.

That lens besides has more noticeable chromatic aberration, particularly at the wider cease of the zoom range.

When analyzed confronting the earlier Nikon AF-Due south DX Nikkor xviii-55mm f3.five-5.6G VR (2007 version), the Samsung has similar levels of peak sharpness.

It's possible the Samsung may have some in reserve with a college resolution sensor, but the Nikkor has slightly higher overall sharpness. The Nikkor also stands out for its distortion correction. Admittedly at 18mm it has a similar barrel blazon distortion to both the Catechism and the Samsung but from 35mm onwards the Nikkor has no measurable distortion at all, which is unusual in a lens like this.

The Nikkor also has well-controlled vignetting only it'due south not low as the Samsung, which has only a slight trace at the shorter focal lengths. The use of ED glass shows at the longer focal lengths as lateral chromatic aberration is very low from 24mm onwards and it's still quite low at 18mm, though information technology'due south noticeable in the extreme corners.

Conclusion

While information technology's good encounter makers similar Samsung improve the build quality and concentrate on calculation innovative features with kit lenses like this lens, there is some room for improvement in optical quality. The performance isn't bad past any means, considering the price, only sharpness is a little depression wide open throughout the zoom range and uniformity isn't quite on a par with the all-time of the rival options.