While there are some slight processing artifacts, overall the NX200 should deliver very pleasing images.
Lori Grunin
I've been reviewing hardware and software, devising testing methodology and handed out buying advice for what seems like forever; I'm currently absorbed by computers and gaming hardware, but previously spent many years concentrating on cameras. I've also volunteered with a cat rescue for over 15 years doing adoptions, designing marketing materials, managing volunteers and, of course, photographing cats.
While detail looks good up to about ISO 800, nonsubject areas can look a bit mushy and processed. (Preproduction camera; 18-55mm kit lens)
2 of 8Lori Grunin/CNET
Sharpness, 18-55mm kit lens
My shutter speed was a little too slow for the breeze and the bee to render this properly sharp, but you can tell this isn't bad for a kit lens, and the image stands up pretty well to magnification. (Preproduction camera; 18-55mm kit lens at 55mm, 1/100 sec, f7.1, ISO 100, pattern metering, AWB)
3 of 8Lori Grunin/CNET
Sharpness, 60mm macro lens
While the photo could stand a little less in-camera sharpening, this lens has extremely good sharpness and clarity. (Preproduction camera; 60mm macro lens, 1/100 sec, f11, ISO 100, center-weighted metering, AWB)
4 of 8Lori Grunin/CNET
Sharpness, 16mm prime lens
This lens also has good center sharpness, though it's not very bright. (Preproduction camera; 16mm lens, 1/100 sec, f2.4, ISO 100, pattern metering, AWB)
5 of 8Lori Grunin/CNET
Bokeh, 16mm lens
While the lens displays pleasantly round, soft, out-of-focus highlights, you can see the slightly grainy, processed looking effect of the camera. (Preproduction camera; 16mm lens, 1/200 sec, f3.5, ISO 100, spot metering, AWB)
6 of 8Lori Grunin/CNET
Bokeh, 18-55mm kit lens
The out-of-focus highlights here are round, but not quite as soft as I'd like, though this is a very high-contrast image. (Preproduction camera; 18-55mm lens, 1/100 sec, f8, ISO 100, spot metering, AWB)
7 of 8Lori Grunin/CNET
Color
I was extremely pleased with the color reproduction accuracy, and the NX200 handled saturated reds and pinks very well. (Preproduction camera, various lenses)
8 of 8Lori Grunin/CNET
Distortion, 18-55mm lens
With the in-camera distortion control turned off, this is what the kit lens looks like at its widest--not great, especially on the left side. (Preproduction camera)