Samsung NX300M User manual

ENG This user manual includes detailed usage instructions
for your camera. Please read this manual thoroughly.
USER
MANUAL

1
Copyright information
 Camera specications or contents of this manual may be changed
without prior notice due to upgrade of camera functions.
 You are not allowed to reuse or distribute any part of this manual
without prior permission.
 We recommend using your camera within the country where you
purchase it.
 Use this camera responsibly and adhere to all laws and regulations
concerning its use.
PlanetFirst represents Samsung Electronics' commitment to
sustainable development and social responsibility through
eco-driven business and management activities.
 Microsoft Windows and the Windows logo are registered trademarks of
the Microsoft Corporation.
 Mac and Apple App Store are registered trademarks of the Apple
Corporation.
 Google Play Store is a registered trademark of Google, Inc.
 Adobe, the Adobe logo, Photoshop and Lightroom are either registered
trademarks or trademarks of Adobe Systems Incorporated in the United
States and/or other countries.
 microSD™, microSDHC™, and microSDXC™ are registered trademarks of
the SD Association.
 HDMI, the HDMI logo, and the term “High
Denition Multimedia Interface” are
trademarks or registered trademarks of HDMI
Licensing LLC.
 Wi-Fi®, the Wi-Fi CERTIFIED logo, and the Wi-Fi logo are registered
trademarks of the Wi-Fi Alliance.
 Trademarks and trade names used in this manual are the property of
their respective owners.

2
Health and safety information
Prevent damage to subjects’ eyesight.
Do not use the ash in close proximity (closer than 1 m/3 ft) to people or
animals. If you use the ash too close to your subject’s eyes, this can cause
temporary or permanent eyesight damage.
Keep your camera away from small children and pets.
Keep your camera and all accessories out of the reach of small children
and animals. Small parts may cause choking or serious injury if swallowed.
Moving parts and accessories may present physical dangers as well.
Do not expose the camera to direct sunlight or high
temperatures for an extended period of time.
Prolonged exposure to sunlight or extreme temperatures can cause
permanent damage to your camera’s internal components.
Avoid covering the camera or charger with blankets or clothes.
The camera may overheat, which may distort the camera or cause a re.
Do not handle the power supply cord or go near the charger
during a thunderstorm.
This may result in electric shock.
Always comply with the following precautions and usage tips to avoid
dangerous situations and ensure peak performance of your camera.
Warning—situations that could cause injury to yourself
or others
Do not disassemble or attempt to repair your camera.
This may result in electric shock or damage to the camera.
Do not use your camera near ammable or explosive gases
and liquids.
This may cause a re or explosion.
Do not insert ammable materials into the camera or store
these materials near the camera.
This may cause a re or electric shock.
Do not handle your camera with wet hands.
This may result in electric shock.

3
Health and safety information
If liquid or foreign objects enter your camera, immediately
disconnect all power sources, such as the battery or charger,
and then contact a Samsung service center.
Comply with any regulations that restrict the use of a camera
in a certain area.
 Avoid interference with other electronic devices.
 Turn o the camera when in an aircraft. Your camera can cause
interference with aircraft equipment. Follow all airline regulations and
turn o your camera when directed by airline personnel.
 Turn o the camera near medical equipment. Your camera can interfere
with medical equipment in hospitals or health care facilities. Follow all
regulations, posted warnings, and directions from medical personnel.
Avoid interference with pacemakers.
Maintain the distance between this camera and all pacemakers to avoid
potential interference, as recommended by the manufacturer and
research groups. If you have any reason to suspect that your camera is
interfering with a pacemaker or other medical device, turn o the camera
immediately and contact the manufacturer of the pacemaker or medical
device for guidance.
Caution—situations that could cause damage to your
camera or other equipment
Remove the batteries from your camera when storing it for an
extended period of time.
Installed batteries may leak or corrode over time and cause serious
damage to your camera.
Use only authentic, manufacturer-recommended,
Lithium-ion replacement batteries. Do not damage or heat the
battery.
Inauthentic, damaged, or heated batteries may cause a re or personal
injury.
Use only Samsung-approved batteries, chargers, cables and
accessories.
 Using unauthorized batteries, chargers, cables or accessories can cause
batteries to explode, damage your camera, or cause injury.
 Samsung is not responsible for damage or injuries caused by
unapproved batteries, chargers, cables or accessories.
Use the battery only for its intended purpose.
Misusing the battery may cause a re or electric shock.

4
Health and safety information
Do not touch the ash while it res.
The ash is very hot when red and may burn your skin.
When you use the AC charger, turn o the camera before you
disconnect the power to the AC charger.
Failing to do so may result in re or electric shock.
Disconnect the charger from the wall socket when not in use.
Failing to do so may result in re or electric shock.
Do not use a damaged power supply cord, plug, or loose outlet
when you charge batteries.
This may cause a re or electric shock.
Do not allow the AC charger to come in contact with the +/-
terminals on the battery.
This may cause a re or electric shock.
Do not drop or subject the camera to strong impacts.
Doing so may damage the screen or external or internal components.
Exercise caution when you connect cables and install batteries
and memory cards.
If you force the connectors, improperly connect cables, or improperly
install batteries and memory cards, you can damage ports, connectors,
and accessories.
Keep cards with magnetic strips away from the camera case.
Information stored on the card may be damaged or erased.
Never use a damaged battery, or memory card.
This may result in electric shock or camera malfunction or cause a re.
Do not place the camera in or near magnetic elds.
Doing so may cause the camera to malfunction.
Do not use the camera if the screen is damaged.
If the glass or acrylic parts are broken, visit a Samsung service center to
have the camera repaired.

5
Health and safety information
Check that the camera is operating properly before use.
The manufacturer takes no responsibility for any loss of les or damage
that may result from camera malfunction or improper use.
You must plug the small end of the USB cable into your
camera.
If the cable is reversed, it may damage your les. The manufacturer is not
responsible for any loss of data.
Do not expose the lens to direct sunlight.
This may discolor the image sensor or cause it to malfunction.
If the camera overheats, remove the battery and allow it to
cool down.
 Prolonged usage of the camera may overheat the battery and raise
the internal temperature of the camera. If the camera stops operating,
remove the battery and allow it to cool down.
 High internal temperatures may result in noise in your photos. This is
normal and does not aect your camera’s overall performance.
Avoid interference with other electronic devices.
Your camera emits radio frequency (RF) signals that may interfere
with unshielded or improperly shielded electronic equipment, such as
pacemakers, hearing aids, medical devices, and other electronic devices in
homes or vehicles. Consult the manufacturers of your electronic devices
to solve any interference problems you experience. To prevent unwanted
interference, use only Samsung-approved devices or accessories.
Use your camera in the normal position.
Avoid contact with your camera’s internal antenna.
Data transference and your responsibilities
 Data transferred via WLAN could be leaked, so avoid transferring
sensitive data in public areas or on open networks.
 The camera manufacturer is not liable for any data transfers that infringe
on copyrights, trademarks, intellectual property laws, or public decency
ordinances.

6
Indications used in this manual
Mode indications
Mode Indication
Smart Auto
t
Program
P
Aperture Priority
A
Shutter Priority
S
Manual
M
Lens Priority
i
Smart
s
Wi-Fi
B
Icons used in this manual
Icon Function
Additional information
Safety warnings and precautions
[ ]
Camera buttons. For example, [Shutter] represents the
shutter button.
( )
Page number of related information
ĺ
The order of options or menus you must select to perform
a step; for example: Select 1ĺQuality (represents
select 1, and then Quality).
*
Annotation

7
Contents
Chapter 1
My Camera
Getting started ............................................................................................ 30
Unpacking.................................................................................................................... 30
Camera layout.............................................................................................. 31
Using the DIRECT LINK button................................................................................ 33
Inserting the battery and memory card................................................. 34
Removing the battery and memory card ........................................................... 34
Using the memory card adapter............................................................................. 34
Charging the battery and turning on your camera.............................. 35
Charging the battery................................................................................................ 35
Turning on your camera ......................................................................................... 35
Performing the initial setup...................................................................... 36
Selecting functions (options) ................................................................... 37
Selecting with buttons............................................................................................ 37
Selecting by touch.................................................................................................... 37
Using m.............................................................................................................. 38
E.g. Selecting the photo size in Pmode ............................................................. 38
Using the Smart panel............................................................................................. 39
E.g. Adjust the exposure value in Pmode ......................................................... 39
Tips
Concepts in Photography
Shooting postures....................................................................................... 13
Holding the camera..................................................................................................... 13
Standing photography ............................................................................................... 14
Crouching photography ............................................................................................ 14
Using the display .......................................................................................................... 15
Low-angle shot.............................................................................................................. 16
High-angle shot............................................................................................................. 16
Aperture........................................................................................................ 17
Aperture value and the depth of eld .................................................................. 18
Shutter speed............................................................................................... 19
ISO sensitivity .............................................................................................. 20
How the aperture setting, shutter speed, and ISO sensitivity
control exposure ......................................................................................... 21
Correlation between focal length, angle, and perspective................ 22
Depth of eld ............................................................................................... 23
What controls out-of-focus eects?....................................................................... 23
Optical preview ............................................................................................................. 25
Composition................................................................................................. 25
Rule of Thirds.................................................................................................................. 25
Photos with two subjects .......................................................................................... 26
Flash............................................................................................................... 27
Flash guide number..................................................................................................... 27
Bounce Photography .................................................................................................. 28

8
Contents
Display icons ................................................................................................ 41
In Shooting mode ..................................................................................................... 41
Capturing photos ........................................................................................................ 41
Recording videos......................................................................................................... 42
About the level gauge ............................................................................................... 42
In Playback mode...................................................................................................... 43
Viewing photos ............................................................................................................ 43
Playing videos............................................................................................................... 43
Changing the information displayed................................................................. 44
Lenses............................................................................................................ 45
Lens layout................................................................................................................... 45
Locking or unlocking the lens................................................................................. 46
Lens markings ............................................................................................................ 48
Accessories ................................................................................................... 49
External ash layout................................................................................................. 49
Connecting the external ash................................................................................. 50
GPS module layout (optional) .............................................................................. 52
Attaching the GPS module.................................................................................... 52
Shooting modes .......................................................................................... 54
tSmart Auto mode ..................................................................................... 54
PProgram mode....................................................................................................... 56
Program Shift ................................................................................................................ 57
Minimum shutter speed............................................................................................ 57
AAperture Priority mode ..................................................................................... 58
SShutter Priority mode.......................................................................................... 59
MManual mode ....................................................................................................... 60
Framing mode .............................................................................................................. 60
Using the Bulb function ............................................................................................ 61
iLens Priority mode............................................................................................. 61
Using E............................................................................................................. 61
Using i-Function in P/A/S/Mmodes ................................................................ 62
Using Z.............................................................................................................. 64
sSmart mode ........................................................................................................ 65
Using the Best Face mode ........................................................................................ 66
Capturing panoramic photos.................................................................................. 67
Recording a video ..................................................................................................... 69
3D mode....................................................................................................................... 70
Available functions by shooting mode............................................................. 72

9
Contents
Chapter 2
Shooting Functions
Size and Resolution .................................................................................... 74
Photo size..................................................................................................................... 74
Quality........................................................................................................................... 75
ISO sensitivity .............................................................................................. 76
White Balance .............................................................................................. 77
Customizing preset White Balance options ....................................................... 78
Picture Wizard (photo styles).................................................................... 80
AF mode........................................................................................................ 81
Single AF....................................................................................................................... 82
Continuous AF............................................................................................................ 82
Manual focus............................................................................................................... 83
AF area........................................................................................................... 84
Selection AF ................................................................................................................ 84
Multi AF......................................................................................................................... 85
Face detection AF...................................................................................................... 85
Self-Portrait AF ........................................................................................................... 86
Touch AF........................................................................................................ 87
Touch AF....................................................................................................................... 87
AF Point......................................................................................................................... 87
Tracking AF .................................................................................................................. 87
One touch shot .......................................................................................................... 88
Focus assist................................................................................................... 89
MF Assist....................................................................................................................... 89
Focus Peaking............................................................................................................. 89
Optical Image Stabilization (OIS)............................................................. 90
Drive (shooting method)........................................................................... 91
Single............................................................................................................................. 91
Continuous.................................................................................................................. 91
Burst............................................................................................................................... 92
Timer.............................................................................................................................. 92
Auto Exposure Bracketing (AE Bracket)............................................................. 93
White Balance Bracketing (WB Bracket)............................................................ 93
Picture Wizard Bracketing (P Wiz Bracket)........................................................ 94
Bracketing setting..................................................................................................... 94
Flash............................................................................................................... 95
Reducing the red-eye eect.................................................................................. 96
Adjusting the ash intensity ................................................................................. 96
Self Shot ........................................................................................................ 97
Metering........................................................................................................ 98
Multi............................................................................................................................... 98
Spot................................................................................................................................ 99
Center-weighted ....................................................................................................... 99
Measuring the exposure value of the focus area ......................................... 100
Dynamic Range ......................................................................................... 101
Smart Filter................................................................................................. 102
Exposure compensation.......................................................................... 103
Exposure lock............................................................................................. 104
Video functions ......................................................................................... 105
Movie size.................................................................................................................. 105
Movie quality ........................................................................................................... 105
Multi Motion ............................................................................................................ 106
Fader ........................................................................................................................... 106
Voice............................................................................................................................ 107
Wind cut .................................................................................................................... 107
Mic Level.................................................................................................................... 107

10
Contents
Chapter 3
Playback/Editing
Searching and managing les................................................................ 109
Viewing photos....................................................................................................... 109
Viewing image thumbnails................................................................................. 109
Viewing les by category .................................................................................... 110
Viewing les as a folder........................................................................................ 110
Protecting les ........................................................................................................ 111
Lock/Unlock all les .................................................................................................. 111
Deleting les............................................................................................................ 112
Deleting a single le................................................................................................. 112
Deleting multiple les.............................................................................................. 112
Deleting all les.......................................................................................................... 113
Viewing photos.......................................................................................... 114
Enlarging a photo .................................................................................................. 114
Viewing a slide show............................................................................................. 114
Auto rotating ........................................................................................................... 115
Creating a print order (DPOF)............................................................................ 115
Playing videos............................................................................................ 116
Trimming a video during playback.................................................................. 116
Capturing an image during playback............................................................. 117
Editing photos ........................................................................................... 118
Cropping a photo................................................................................................... 118
Rotating a photo .................................................................................................... 119
Resizing photos....................................................................................................... 119
Adjusting your photos.......................................................................................... 120
Retouching faces.................................................................................................... 121
Reducing red-eye................................................................................................... 121
Applying Smart Filter eects.............................................................................. 122
Chapter 4
Wireless network
Connecting to a WLAN and conguring network settings............... 124
Connecting to a WLAN......................................................................................... 124
Setting network options ......................................................................................... 125
Manually setting the IP address ........................................................................... 125
Using the login browser....................................................................................... 126
Network connection tips..................................................................................... 127
Entering text ............................................................................................................ 128
Saving les to a smart phone automatically ....................................... 129
Sending photos or videos to a smart phone ....................................... 130
Using a smart phone as a remote shutter release.............................. 132
Using Auto Backup to send photos or videos..................................... 134
Installing the program for Auto Backup on your PC.................................. 134
Sending photos or videos to a PC.................................................................... 134
Sending photos or videos via email...................................................... 136
Changing email settings...................................................................................... 136
Storing your information........................................................................................ 136
Setting an email password..................................................................................... 137
Changing the email password.............................................................................. 138
Sending photos or videos via email................................................................ 138
Using photo or video sharing websites................................................ 140
Accessing a website .............................................................................................. 140
Uploading photos or videos............................................................................... 141
Using Samsung Link to send les .......................................................... 142
Uploading photos to online storage............................................................... 142
Viewing photos or videos on devices that support Samsung Link...... 143
Sending photos using Wi-Fi Direct ........................................................ 145

11
Contents
Chapter 6
Connecting to external devices
Viewing les on an HDTV or 3D TV........................................................ 159
Viewing les on an HDTV .................................................................................... 159
Viewing les on a 3D TV....................................................................................... 160
Transferring les to your computer....................................................... 161
Transferring les to your Windows OS computer....................................... 161
Connecting the camera as a removable disk................................................... 161
Disconnecting the camera (for Windows XP).................................................. 162
Transferring les to your Mac OS...................................................................... 162
Using programs on a PC........................................................................... 164
Installing programs from the provided CD................................................... 164
Available programs when using i-Launcher .................................................... 164
Using i-Launcher .................................................................................................... 164
Requirements for Windows OS............................................................................. 164
Requirements for Mac OS....................................................................................... 165
Opening i-Launcher.................................................................................................. 165
Using Multimedia Viewer........................................................................................ 166
Downloading the rmware.................................................................................... 167
Downloading the PC Auto Backup program ................................................... 167
Installing Adobe Photoshop Lightroom........................................................ 168
Using Adobe Photoshop Lightroom ............................................................... 168
Chapter 5
Camera settings menu
User settings............................................................................................... 147
ISO Customizing ..................................................................................................... 147
ISO Step......................................................................................................................... 147
Auto ISO Range .......................................................................................................... 147
Noise Reduction ..................................................................................................... 147
Bracket Set................................................................................................................ 148
DMF (Direct Manual Focus) ................................................................................ 148
Color space............................................................................................................... 149
Distortion Correct .................................................................................................. 150
Touch Operation..................................................................................................... 150
iFn Customizing ...................................................................................................... 150
User Display.............................................................................................................. 150
Key Mapping............................................................................................................ 151
Grid Line .................................................................................................................... 152
AF Lamp..................................................................................................................... 152
Setting ......................................................................................................... 153

12
Contents
Before contacting a service center ........................................................ 182
Camera specications .............................................................................. 185
Glossary....................................................................................................... 190
Optional accessories................................................................................. 196
Index ............................................................................................................ 198
Chapter 7
Appendix
Error messages .......................................................................................... 170
Maintaining the camera........................................................................... 171
Cleaning the camera............................................................................................. 171
Camera lens and display ......................................................................................... 171
Image sensor............................................................................................................... 171
Camera body............................................................................................................... 171
Using or storing the camera............................................................................... 172
Inappropriate places to use or store the camera ........................................... 172
Using on beaches or shores................................................................................... 172
Storing for extended period of time................................................................... 172
Using the camera with caution in humid environments ............................ 173
Other cautions ............................................................................................................ 173
About memory card.............................................................................................. 174
Supported memory card ........................................................................................ 174
Memory card capacity ............................................................................................. 175
Cautions when using memory cards.................................................................. 177
About the battery .................................................................................................. 178
Battery specications ............................................................................................... 178
Battery life .................................................................................................................... 179
Low battery message............................................................................................... 179
Notes about using the battery.............................................................................. 179
Cautions about using the battery........................................................................ 180
Notes about charging the battery....................................................................... 180
Notes about charging with a computer connected...................................... 181
Handle and dispose of batteries and chargers with care............................ 181

13
Concepts in Photography
Holding the camera
Hold the camera with your right hand and place you right index nger on
the shutter button. Place your left hand under the lens for support.
Shooting postures
A correct posture for stabilizing the camera is necessary for taking a good
photo. Even if you hold a camera correctly, the wrong posture can cause
the camera to shake. Stand up straight and remain still to maintain a
steady base for your camera. When shooting with a slow shutter speed,
hold your breath to minimize body movement.

14
Concepts in Photography
Standing photography
Compose your shot; stand up straight with your feet shoulder-length
apart, and keep your elbows pointed down.
Crouching photography
Compose your shot, crouch with one knee touching the ground, and keep
a straight posture.

15
Concepts in Photography
Using the display
To take photos at high or low angles, tilt the display up or down.
1 Slide the display downwards carefully.
2 Tilt the display from 180° upwards to 45° downwards.
• To capture a self-portrait, set Self Shot to On, ip the display 180°
upwards and touch the subject on the display. (p. 97)
• Keep the display closed when the camera is not in use.
• Tilt the display only within the angle allowed. Failing to do so may
damage your camera.
• Be careful not to damage the display when tilting it.
• When the camera is not held by hands and the display is ipped
upwards, use a tripod. Otherwise, it may cause damage to your
camera.

16
Concepts in Photography
Low-angle shot
A low-angle shot is a shot from a camera positioned below your eyeline,
looking up the subject.
High-angle shot
A high-angle shot is a shot from a camera positioned above your eyeline,
looking down on the subject.

17
Concepts in Photography
Aperture
The aperture, a hole that controls the amount of light that enters the
camera, is one of the three factors that determine the exposure. The
aperture housing contains thin, metal plates that open and close to let
light through the aperture and into the camera. The size of the aperture
is closely related to the brightness of a photo: the larger the aperture, the
brighter the photo; the smaller the aperture, the darker the photo.
Aperture sizes
Minimum aperture Medium aperture Maximum aperture
Darker photo
(aperture opened slightly)
Brighter photo
(aperture opened wide)
The size of the aperture is represented by a value known as an “F-number.”
The f-number represents the focal length divided by the diameter of the
lens. For example, if a lens with a 50 mm focal length has an f-number of
F2, the diameter of the aperture is 25 mm. (50 mm/25 mm=F2) The smaller
the f-number, the greater the size of the aperture.
The opening in the aperture is described as the Exposure Value (EV).
Increasing the Exposure Value (+1 EV) means the amount of light doubles.
Decreasing the Exposure Value (-1 EV) means the amount of light halves.
You can also use the exposure compensation feature to ne-tune the
amount of light by subdividing exposure values into 1/2, 1/3 EV, and so on.
+1 EV
F1.4 F2 F2.8 F4 F5.6 F8
-1 EV
Exposure Value Steps

18
Concepts in Photography
Aperture value and the depth of eld
You can blur or sharpen the background of a photo by controlling the
aperture. It is closely related to the depth of eld (DOF), which can be
expressed as small or large.
A photo with a large DOF A photo with a small DOF
The aperture housing contains several blades. These blades move together and
control the amount of light passing through the center of the aperture. The
number of blades also aects the shape of light when shooting night scenes. If
an aperture has an even number of blades, light divides into an equal number
of sections. If the number of blades is odd, the number of sections is double the
number of blades.
For example, an aperture with 8 blades divides light into 8 sections and an
aperture with 7 blades into 14 sections.
7 blades 8 blades

19
Concepts in Photography
Shutter speed
Shutter speed refers to the amount of time it takes to open and close the
shutter, and it is an important factor in the brightness of a photo, as it
controls the amount of light which passes through the aperture before it
reaches the image sensor.
Usually, the shutter speed is manually adjustable. The measurement of the
shutter speed is known as the “Exposure Value” (EV), which is marked in
intervals of 1 s, 1/2 s, 1/4 s, 1/8 s, 1/15 s, 1/1000 s, 1/2000 s, and so on.
Exposure
+1 EV
-1 EV
1s 1/2 s 1/4 s 1/8 s 1/15 s 1/30 s
Shutter Speed
Therefore, the faster the shutter speed, the less light will be let in. Likewise,
the slower the shutter speed, the more light will be let in.
As the photos below illustrate, a slow shutter speed allows more time
to let light in, so the photo becomes brighter. On the other hand, a fast
shutter speed allows less time to let light in and the photo becomes
darker and more easily freezes subjects in motion.
0.8 s 0.004 s