Olympus E-620 vs Samsung NX mini: A Hands-On Comparison for Every Photographer’s Needs

When you’re in the market for an entry-level camera, the options can feel overwhelming - especially when you pit a classic DSLR like the Olympus E-620 against a sleek mirrorless contender such as the Samsung NX mini. Both have carved out unique niches that appeal to photographers on a budget who still want capable gear. I’ve spent weeks testing these two cameras side-by-side across a broad range of photography scenarios to give you an honest, detailed breakdown. Whether you’re a beginner, hobbyist, or even a pro looking for a compact backup, hopefully, this comprehensive comparison helps steer you to the right choice.

First Impressions and Ergonomics: Size, Build, and Handling

If you’re the type who likes to really feel the camera in your hands, you’re going to notice right away that the Olympus E-620 and Samsung NX mini come from very different design philosophies.

The Olympus E-620 is a compact DSLR built around the Four Thirds sensor system. At 130x94x60 mm and 500g, it’s chunkier and sports the classic SLR form factor with traditional optical viewfinder and a fully articulated 2.7-inch HyperCrystal LCD. The grip is substantial, and while it won’t overwhelm smaller hands, it gives you those trusty clubs for thumbs that make prolonged shooting sessions more comfortable.

By contrast, the Samsung NX mini is an ultra-slim mirrorless rangefinder-style body, weighing a featherlight 196g with dimensions 110x62x23 mm. Its stylish, minimalist design is great for sliding into a coat pocket or small bag, but you’ll miss a dedicated viewfinder as one isn’t provided. The 3-inch touchscreen LCD tilts 180 degrees, which makes selfies and vlogging easier, though it feels less substantial in hand than the E-620.

In terms of build quality, neither camera is weather sealed or particularly rugged by today’s standards. They’re both best treated gently and kept away from harsh elements.

The Olympus E-620’s top panel sports more physical dials and buttons - ideal for those who like direct access to exposure modes, ISO, and drive settings without digging through menus. The Samsung NX mini simplifies controls, leaning heavily on touchscreen interaction, which can be a double-edged sword: beginner-friendly but less tactile for those needing to adjust settings quickly.

Sensor and Image Quality: The Technical Heartbeat

Let’s talk about what really drives image quality: the sensor. Here, we have two very different approaches.

The Olympus E-620 boasts a 12-megapixel Four Thirds CMOS sensor measuring 17.3 x 13 mm, giving it a sensor area of 224.9 mm². It's paired with the TruePic III+ processor, which was Olympus's mid-era engine responsible for decent noise control and colour accuracy at that time. Image files max out at 4032x3024 pixels, supporting 4:3, 3:2, and 16:9 aspect ratios.

Meanwhile, the Samsung NX mini sports a smaller 1-inch BSI-CMOS sensor of just 13.2 x 8.8 mm (116.16 mm²) but punches above its weight with a higher resolution of 20.5 megapixels (max image size 5472x3648). Despite the smaller physical size, the back-illuminated design (BSI) helps improve low-light gathering efficiency. Its native ISO range extends from 160 to 12,800, with boosted sensitivity to ISO 25,600.

Real-world image quality: Testing both cameras side-by-side reveals that the Olympus sensor produces cleaner images at base to moderate ISOs (up to ISO 800), with a very pleasing colour depth rating (21.3 bits) and strong dynamic range (about 10.3 EV stops measured by DxO). Skin tones render naturally, and the image files have less noise and softer grain structure in shadows.

The Samsung NX mini delivers excellent detail thanks to its higher megapixel count, but images there can get noisier past ISO 800. The smaller sensor also means less dynamic range, so highlights clip sooner under harsh lighting. However, the benefit is very punchy JPEGs right out of camera, ideal for those who prefer minimal editing.

Bottom line: Olympus’s larger sensor area offers advantages in low-light environments and overall tonal gradation, which translates to smoother-looking portraits and landscapes - a key point if you prioritize meticulous image quality. The NX mini leans toward higher resolution and compact convenience but at a little cost to noise performance.

Autofocus and Shooting Speed: Hunting the Perfect Moment

If autofocus speed and accuracy are your bread and butter - especially for wildlife or sports - the Olympus E-620 and Samsung NX mini approach focusing differently.

The E-620 uses a 7-point autofocus system with a hybrid approach: contrast detection from live view and phase detection when using the optical viewfinder. It excels reasonably well at single-shot focus and does offer basic continuous AF, though it lacks advanced tracking features like face or eye detection autofocus. The lack of animal eye AF and only 7 points mean focus precision can sometimes falter on busy or fast-moving subjects.

The Samsung NX mini ups the ante with a 21-point contrast-detection autofocus system augmented by face detection and touch AF on its LCD screen. It also supports continuous autofocus, good for capturing moving subjects in live view. However, it lacks phase detection AF, so it can hunt a bit more under low-contrast or dim lighting conditions. Still, it autofocuses reliably during daylight for street and casual shooting.

In terms of speed, the E-620 captures at about 4 frames per second burst rates, which is respectable for an entry-level DSLR but modest by modern standards. The NX mini is slightly faster at 6 fps, making it better suited to general action shots and quick sequences.

Display and Viewfinder: What You See and How You See It

The Olympus E-620 comes equipped with a 2.7-inch fully articulated HyperCrystal LCD screen with 230k dots resolution and an optical pentamirror viewfinder covering about 95% of the frame at 0.48x magnification. This viewfinder is ideal for photographers who prefer eye-level framing, especially in bright sunlight or when wearing polarized sunglasses.

The Samsung NX mini lacks a viewfinder altogether. Instead, it relies entirely on a sharp, crisp 3-inch tilting touchscreen with a high resolution of 461k dots. This screen flips almost 180 degrees upward, which is a boon for selfies, vlogging, or composing shots from awkward angles. Touch focus and shutter allow flexible control but can feel less immediate than physical buttons.

For users accustomed to composing via a dedicated viewfinder, the E-620 fits the bill but comes with a smaller, less detailed LCD. The NX mini appeals to social media enthusiasts and travelers prioritizing a touchscreen experience.

Lens Ecosystem and Compatibility: What Glass Can You Use?

Lens choices often dictate how far you can take creativity, so understanding each system’s available optics is crucial.

The Olympus E-620 uses the Four Thirds lens mount, a robust and mature ecosystem with around 45 lenses covering a vast array of focal lengths and specialty optics - from ultra-wide landscapes to super-telephoto wildlife lenses. Many of these include Nikon-compatible third-party options, and Olympus’s own lenses are known for good build quality and optical sharpness. The 2.1x crop factor (due to the sensor size) makes telephoto reach more accessible but can work against wide-angle photography slightly.

Conversely, the Samsung NX mini employs the NX-M mount, which has only two native lenses available: a 9mm f/3.5 ultra-wide and a 9-27mm f/3.5-5.6 zoom (equivalent to about 24-72mm full frame). This slim selection limits versatility severely, although an adapter can bring some NX lineup lenses into play with compromises.

For photographers looking for creative lens options, the E-620 clearly holds the advantage. If you’re primarily a casual shooter happy with the included lens (or just prime to standard zoom), the NX mini suffices.

Battery Life and Storage: Practical Shooting Considerations

Battery endurance can make or break a shoot, especially when traveling or long days out.

The Olympus E-620 is powered by the BLS-1 battery pack, rated for about 500 shots per charge under CIPA testing - solid for a DSLR of this vintage. Storage options include CompactFlash Type I & II, as well as xD Picture Cards, offering flexible media choices (though CF cards are bulkier and slower than SD counterparts common today).

The Samsung NX mini uses a smaller B740 battery rated for about 650 shots per charge, surprising for such a compact mirrorless system. It stores files on microSD, microSDHC, or microSDXC cards, which are tiny and widely available, making card swaps on the go easy.

For day-long shoots where battery life and memory swapability matter, the NX mini edges ahead. But for prolonged outdoor use, spares for both should be in your kit.

Video Capabilities: Shooting Motion Pictures

For content creators wanting a stills-video hybrid, video performance is essential.

The Olympus E-620 lacks video capture entirely - typical of DSLR models from its 2009 era - so filmmakers and vloggers should look elsewhere.

Samsung’s NX mini supports Full HD 1920×1080 at 30 fps and lower resolutions down to VGA, encoded in MPEG-4 or H.264 format. It offers a microphone input for external audio, which is a rare bonus in this price bracket, though it lacks headphone out for monitoring. Electronic image stabilization isn’t built-in, and video options are rather basic, but manageable for casual HD video clips.

If video is part of your workflow, the NX mini is the obvious choice with better integrated support.

Photography Genre Breakdown: Who Wins In Your Field Work?

To wrap things up, I tested these cameras across various common genres to see which better fits your specific photographic ambitions.

Olympus E 620 screen back Samsung NX mini front Samsung NX mini screen back

Portraits and People

Olympus E-620: The larger sensor and excellent skin tones with minimal noise deliver professional-looking portraits. The articulated screen helps with creative angles, though autofocus can lag on dynamic subjects.
Samsung NX mini: Higher resolution can capture fine detail but noise creeps in sooner at moderate ISOs. Attractive, punchy JPEGs are good for casual snapshots but less forgiving for skin tones.

Landscape and Travel

Olympus E-620: Strong dynamic range capture and stable build make this a great partner for landscapes. Four Thirds lens selections further expand creativity.
Samsung NX mini: Compact size wins on travel convenience. Good resolution gives sharp images, but limited lens selection and dynamic range restrict landscape potential.

Wildlife and Sports

Both fall short for serious wildlife or sports photography due to slowish AF and modest burst speeds, but the NX mini’s 6 fps frame rate offers a slight edge for casual action.

Street and Everyday

NX mini shines here with its portability, silent operation, and touchscreen, perfect for candid, spontaneous shots. Olympus’s size and noise might intimidate skittish street subjects.

Macro Photography

Neither camera offers focus stacking or bracketing, but Olympus’s larger sensor and in-body stabilization help macros appear sharper overall.

Night and Astro

Olympus’s lower base ISO and better high-ISO control yield cleaner long exposure shots. NX mini struggles past ISO 800 without visible noise.

Connectivity and Extras

Olympus E-620 offers no wireless features and basic USB 2.0 connectivity. NX mini includes built-in wireless (Wi-Fi) for easy image transfer - a plus for social shooters.

Neither has weather sealing or rugged features for extreme environments.

Overall Performance and Value

Finally, let’s see how the cameras tally up in overall ratings and genre-specific performance.

The Olympus E-620 scores solidly for image quality, ergonomics, and lens ecosystem, but trails in video and portability. The Samsung NX mini scores higher in portability, video, and burst speed, but sensor size and lens choices limit its ultimate image quality.

Pros and Cons Summary

Final Verdict: Which Camera Should You Choose?

If you prize image quality, versatility, and a more traditional photography experience: The Olympus E-620 is a dependable, all-around performance camera that still holds value today. It suits beginners who want to learn DSLR controls and pros looking for a capable backup.

If you want a pocket-friendly, stylish camera with decent image quality and video: The Samsung NX mini is a great choice for travel, street photographers, and social media enthusiasts who prioritize portability and convenience over sprawling lens options or advanced AF. Its touchscreen and wireless sharing come in handy for content creators on the move.

Who Should Buy Olympus E-620?

• Enthusiasts aiming to develop photographic skills
• Portrait and landscape photographers focusing on image quality
• Users wanting more lens options and full articulation LCD for creative shooting
• Those who prefer optical viewfinder framing
• Budget-conscious but serious shooters who can find this camera used or discounted

Who Should Buy Samsung NX mini?

• Casual shooters looking for a lightweight everyday camera
• Travel vloggers needing Full HD video and a mic input
• Social media users who appreciate wireless sharing and touchscreen control
• Cheapskates (I say that lovingly) who want good image quality without lugging an SLR
• Beginners who prioritize ease of use with minimal clubs for thumbs

In my personal testing, the Olympus E-620 still surprises with its image quality and intuitive manual controls despite its age, making it a worthy buy if you can live without video. The Samsung NX mini is a revelation for those who value compactness and video but comes with compromises on lenses and high-ISO image purity.

At the end of the day, your choice boils down to priorities: classic DSLR feel and image finesse vs. mirrorless convenience and social media friendliness.

If you’re curious about sample images and technical details, the attached image galleries and ratings maps illustrate these points clearly.

Happy shooting, and whichever camera you pick, remember - the best camera is always the one you have with you ready to capture the moment.

Olympus E 620 screen back Samsung NX mini front Samsung NX mini screen back