Samsung introduces a new camera format with the 14.6-megapixel NX10, a mirrorless interchangeable lens model that sells for $700 with the kit lens. The goal was to create a camera that's less bulky than a digital SLR, but uses the same size sensor, to avoid image quality compromises. The result is a decent enough camera, but without a compelling selling proposition compared to existing SLRs or Micro Four Thirds models.

Up until now, the race to create smaller-size cameras that accept  interchangeable lenses has belonged to Olympus and Panasonic with their jointly developed Micro Four Thirds format. To cut down on body depth, these cameras get rid of the traditional mirror mechanism used in SLRs, and the optical viewfinder that goes with it, relying instead on the LCD screen to line up your shots. They also abandon the fast phase-detect focusing system used in SLRs in favor of contrast-detect autofocus, which is consistently slower. And to further reduce camera size, they use a smaller image sensor and lens format. The compact Micro Four Thirds models, including the Olympus E-P1 and the Panasonic GF1, have generated buzz based on their small size – with the right lens attached, they'll fit into a jacket pocket. However, they've been criticized for high image noise, the imperfections that resemble coarse grain in film photography, that are particularly noticeable when shooting in low light.

Samsung decided to create a hybrid with the NX10, tossing out the mirror but keeping the same sensor size used in most digital SLRs (it's called APS-C). In the process they also came up with an entirely new lens format, which means a limited selection for the foreseeable future (there were only three options available at launch). And while the NX10 is slightly smaller than a compact SLR, it's not small enough to change the way you carry it – we're talking neck strap or shoulder bag, not pockets.

In our image quality testing, the NX10 was certainly superior to the Micro Four Thirds cameras when it comes to image noise, but compared to similarly priced SLRs it's a middle-of-the-road performer overall. The autofocus speed is better than the Olympus Micro Four Thirds cameras we've tested, about on par with the Panasonics, but noticeably slower than an SLR. Samsung did step up its game when it comes to the rear screen, using a bright, beautiful OLED instead of the typical LCD display. And, on the surface, including a built-in electronic viewfinder (EVF) for eye-level shooting would seem to be an advantage over the compact Micro Four Thirds cameras, which run over $1000 with an accessory EVF (when one is available at all). Unfortunately, we found the Samsung EVF just about unusable. The stuttering and jerkiness of the display when moving the camera literally made us feel queasy.

Performance (read in-depth performance coverage at DigitalCameraInfo.com)
Resolution results were very good, particularly when it comes to sharpness. However, our lab tests for dynamic range (which measures the ability to maintain detail in both dark and bright areas of a high-contrast scene) and color accuracy were disapppointing. Image noise was on a par with digital SLRs, which makes sense, and far superior to the Micro Four Thirds cameras in both bright and low light. In our white balance testing, the automatic system handled daylight and fluorescent illumination very well, but was totally thrown by the kind of incandescent bulbs still found in many homes. And while taking a custom white balance reading successfully turned those indoor shots from a sickly orange to a more natural hue, the results were still not as accurate as most SLRs we test. The relatively slow autofocus speed makes this camera an iffy choice for shooting sports and fast action, and the continuous shooting rate only makes matters worse under those conditions, running about 25% slower than the competition.

The Samsung supports 720p high-def video recording, with good color accuracy and low noise. We found low-light shooting results looked murky and pixelated, though. And while you can manually adjust the aperture when shooting video (offering control over depth of field), ISO and shutter speeds are set automatically.

Comparisons (read in-depth comparisons at DigitalCameraInfo.com)
We compared the Samsung NX10 head-to-head with the Panasonic GF1 ($900) and the Olympus E-P1 ($800) from the Micro Four Thirds camp. The NX10 was the clear winner when it comes to image noise. All three cameras scored very well in our resolution testing (far better than the Nikon D5000, in fact, a standard SLR). The Panasonic produced more accurate color than the Samsung, and the Olympus was exceptional on this test, though NX10 owners who aren't satisfied with the hues the camera produces can adjust the color settings with reasonable ease. The Panasonic GF1 can take a very respectable 4.4 shots per second, compared to the Olympus and the Samsung, which both come in at just under 3 shots per second. While the Olympus E-P1 is the most customizable of the three cameras, it's showing its age in other areas. Its autofocus is the slowest of the three, it lacks a pop-up flash, and there is no electronic viewfinder option (the Panasonic doesn't come with one, but you can add an EVF for $200). As for lens selection, the Micro Four Thirds cameras lag far behind the well-established digital SLR brands, but are still ahead of the skimpy Samsung selection.

The Nikon D5000 ($850) is the company's lowest-priced SLR that shoots video. Surprisingly, it scored very poorly in our resolution testing, an area where the Samsung NX10 did well. Elsewhere, though, the Nikon consistently outperformed the Samsung, with better color accuracy, white balance, dynamic range and burst rate shooting. The Nikon also had lower image noise, but only by a hair. The D5000 offers much faster autofocus (at least when shooting with the viewfinder) along with a wider range of customization options and manual controls. If you like shooting with the camera at arm's length, you'll prefer the Samsung: the OLED screen looks great, even in bright light, and shooting in Live View mode, the Nikon autofocus is pokey compared to the Samsung. If you like holding the camera up to your eye, though, it's no contest; the Nikon's optical viewfinder is perfectly acceptable, the Samsung's electronic version barely usable.

Finally, the Pentax K-x is one of the smallest and, at $650 with lens,  least expensive SLRs available. A few cost-cutting decisions made here are unfortunate, particularly the small, mediocre LCD and the lack of any high-def video output, despite the fact that the K-x does shoot 720p video. The camera is nicely built, though, with a comfortable rubberized grip and a surprisingly flexible control scheme. The Pentax offers superior burst-rate shooting (a brisk 4.2 frames per second) and better dynamic range coverage than the Samsung, but the NX10 produced sharper images, with lower noise, and did a better job shooting in low light.