Olympus SZ-15 vs Samsung Galaxy NX: An Expert Comparison for Enthusiasts and Pros

Choosing your next camera is an exciting - but often bewildering - step in your photography journey. Today, we dive deep into two very different yet intriguing models released around the same era: the Olympus SZ-15, a small sensor superzoom compact, and the Samsung Galaxy NX, an entry-level mirrorless with some unique smartphone-inspired features. Having personally tested thousands of cameras over 15 years, I’ll walk you through the real-world strengths and weaknesses of each, how their technology stacks up, and which could best suit your creative ambitions - from casual travel snaps to professional workflows.

A Tale of Two Designs: Compact Convenience vs Mirrorless Versatility

Let’s start with how these cameras feel and handle, a critical factor often overlooked until you’re in the field.

Olympus SZ-15: Small and Lightweight Travel Buddy

• Body type: Compact, fixed lens superzoom
• Physical dimensions: 108 x 70 x 40 mm
• Weight: 250 g
• Lens: Built-in 23-483mm equivalent, 21× zoom
• Screen: 3" fixed LCD, 460k dots, no touchscreen or EVF

This camera is incredibly pocketable. At just 250 grams, it slips easily into carry-on luggage or jacket pockets, making it perfect for travelers and street photographers who prioritize discretion and mobility.

Samsung Galaxy NX: Mirrorless Ambition with Smartphone DNA

• Body type: SLR-style mirrorless with Samsung NX lens mount
• Physical dimensions: 137 x 101 x 26 mm
• Weight: 495 g
• Lens: Interchangeable (compatible with 32 lenses)
• Screen: 4.8" fixed HD touchscreen, no touch viewfinder but electronic finder present

While heavier and more substantial, the Galaxy NX offers far greater versatility in lens choices and the advantages of an electronic viewfinder for critical framing. Its large touchscreen echoes smartphone ergonomics, intended to ease operation for users comfortable in a mobile-first world.

Ergonomics verdict: If you want outright portability and simplicity, the SZ-15’s compactness wins hands down. However, for those who seek creative control and optical flexibility without lugging a DSLR, the Galaxy NX’s mirrorless form factor is a worthy compromise.

Sensor and Image Quality: Tiny vs APS-C - The Big Picture

Image quality is the heart of the matter. Let’s look under the hood at their sensors:

The APS-C sensor in the Galaxy NX is a game-changer here: over 13x larger in surface area compared to the SZ-15’s small 1/2.3" sensor. This translates into:

• Better low light and high ISO performance: The Galaxy NX can handle ISO up to 25600 natively, producing usable images in dim environments. The SZ-15 maxes out at ISO 3200, where noise becomes prominent.
• Greater dynamic range: APS-C sensors capture more tonal detail, essential for landscapes and portraits involving bright skies and deep shadows.
• Higher resolution potential: The 20MP output from the Galaxy NX affords cropping and printing large while maintaining detail.

In contrast, the SZ-15’s small sensor limits image quality to casual sharing sizes, though its 21× zoom lens offers enormous compositional flexibility at the expense of optical sharpness at extremes.

Viewfinders and Screen: Composing Your Shot

The SZ-15 lacks a viewfinder entirely, relying on its modest 3" LCD with 460k dots. The Galaxy NX, by comparison, equips an electronic viewfinder (EVF), alongside a massive 4.8" HD touchscreen with 922k dots.

What this means for your shooting:

• Using an EVF often allows steadier handling and better subject tracking, especially outdoors in bright conditions where LCD glare can be hindering.
• The large touchscreen of the Galaxy NX enhances usability - intuitive tap-to-focus commands, swipe through menus, and review images quickly.
• The SZ-15’s fixed screen size and lower resolution limit detailed playback feedback, which could frustrate users wanting closer inspection in the field.

Autofocus and Shooting Performance: Speed and Accuracy in Action

Since autofocus capabilities dictate your success in capturing dynamic subjects like sports or wildlife, here’s where these cameras differ significantly:

The Galaxy NX employs a hybrid autofocus system, blending phase detection for speed and contrast detection for precision, albeit without continuous autofocus during bursts. The SZ-15 uses contrast detection exclusively, which tends to be slower and less reliable in tracking moving subjects.

For wildlife and sports shooters, the Galaxy NX offers more confidence with its faster shutter speeds (up to 1/6000s versus SZ-15’s 1/2000s) and hybrid AF, though neither is truly racing DSLR territory. You’ll find the SZ-15 more suited to casual snapshots rather than action photography.

Lens System: Fixed Convenience vs Interchangeable Creativity

The lens mount is a defining factor. Olympus SZ-15 comes with a fixed 23-483mm (21× zoom) f/2.8–5.9 lens. This lens versatility is excellent for everyday photography, from wide landscapes to distant subjects, but with some optical compromises typical in superzoom compacts.

On the flip side, the Samsung Galaxy NX is part of the Samsung NX mount ecosystem, with over 30 native lenses ranging from wide-angle primes to telephoto zooms.

Benefits of Galaxy NX lenses:

• Superior optical quality with larger apertures - great for portraits and low-light shooting.
• Macro lenses for close focusing precision.
• Specialized options such as fisheye, tilt-shift, and fast primes for creative expression.
• Compatible with adapters to use legacy lenses.

If you’re someone keen to explore various genres or focus on image quality, Galaxy NX’s lens system will unlock more creative doors. The SZ-15’s all-in-one lens keeps things simple but fixed.

Build Quality and Weather Resistance: Durability in Different Conditions

Neither camera boasts weather sealing, freezeproofing, or rugged protections suitable for harsh environments.

Considering weight and form factor, the SZ-15 is undeniably more travel-friendly for casual outings or hiking. The NX’s SLR-style body, though lacking rugged sealing, uses more robust materials typical of mirrorless cameras, appealing to users who prioritize manual handling and durability over compactness.

Battery Life, Storage, and Connectivity: Staying Powered and Connected

The Galaxy NX shines in battery life, rated around 440 shots per charge, boosted by its larger battery pack. Olympus SZ-15’s battery life details are sparse, but compact compacts typically manage fewer shots.

Both cameras accept SD/SDHC/SDXC cards and support one storage slot.

Connectivity is interesting:

• Both cameras offer built-in GPS for geotagging your shots.
• The SZ-15 has built-in wireless capabilities, though limited; the Galaxy NX also supports wireless but lacks Bluetooth and NFC.
• Both cameras provide HDMI output and USB 2.0 ports for data transfer.

For photographers keen on social sharing or on-the-go workflows, the Galaxy NX’s larger screen, touchscreen interface, and wireless features align better with a connected lifestyle.

Video Capabilities: Basic HD to Practical Shooting

Neither camera supports 4K recording, but both provide Full HD:

The Olympus SZ-15’s slow-motion modes and built-in optical stabilization allow for flexible casual video shooting, while the Galaxy NX’s built-in microphone and headphone ports provide better options for serious videographers or vloggers who want sound monitoring and external audio.

Field Performance in Genres: How Do They Measure Up?

Let’s breakdown their real-world suitability across popular photography styles.

Portrait Photography

• SZ-15: Limited by fixed lens, moderate aperture range, and small sensor. Skin tones can appear flat, mild background blur (bokeh) is achievable only at longest focal lengths.
• Galaxy NX: Larger sensor enables natural skin tone rendition and shallow depth of field. You can select fast primes to isolate subjects with beautiful bokeh. Face detection autofocus aids composition.

Landscape Photography

• SZ-15: Versatile zoom covers wide-angle composition but struggles with dynamic range due to sensor size.
• Galaxy NX: Strong HDR potential and resolution with APS-C sensor. Suitable for RAW capture and post-processing flexibility.

Wildlife and Sports

• SZ-15: Limited by slower contrast detect AF and burst speed.
• Galaxy NX: Better autofocus system, faster max shutter, and interchangeable telephotos make it more suitable, though not top-tier for pro sports.

Street Photography

• SZ-15: Small, discreet, and silent. Ideal for candid, low-profile shooting.
• Galaxy NX: Bulkier and noisier shutter; less stealthy, but touchscreen controls speed operation.

Macro Photography

• SZ-15: Close focus limit at 5 cm helps casual macros but optical restrictions.
• Galaxy NX: Excellent with dedicated macro lenses; more control over DOF and lighting.

Night and Astrophotography

• SZ-15: Limited ISO, noise management poor.
• Galaxy NX: High ISO capability, manual exposure modes, RAW support facilitate night scenes and star fields.

Video Use

• SZ-15: Easy point-and-shoot, optical stabilization aids handheld clips.
• Galaxy NX: Better audio control with mic/headphone ports; touchscreen for focus during video shooting.

Travel Photography

• SZ-15: Lightweight and versatile zoom lens make it a convenient travel companion.
• Galaxy NX: Bulky but offers creative freedom and superior image quality.

Professional Work

• SZ-15: Casual use only, no RAW, limited manual options.
• Galaxy NX: Supports RAW, manual controls, and interchangeable lenses; suitable for pro workflows with some limitations.

Olympus SZ 15 front Olympus SZ 15 screen back Samsung Galaxy NX front Samsung Galaxy NX screen back

User Interface and Controls: Designed for Different Photographers

Olympus keeps it simple:

• Dedicated manual exposure modes including shutter and aperture priority.
• Exposure compensation dial.
• No touchscreen, fixed menus through button navigation.

Samsung Galaxy NX pushes tech:

• Large touchscreen supports intuitive focus control and menu navigation.
• Manual exposure modes, exposure compensation.
• Lens and accessory compatibility enhance operation.

For beginners wanting quick automated shooting, Olympus’ straightforward controls reduce learning curves. Advanced users benefit more from NX’s touchscreen and deeper customization.

When to Choose Which? Clear Recommendations

Final Thoughts: What Fits Your Creative Path?

Olympus SZ-15 is a perfect option if lightweight, easy superzoom photography is your priority. Its built-in GPS tagging, optical stabilization, and simple menus make it a charming “travel buddy” for casual photography. However, the small sensor and fixed lens limit growth potential and image quality in challenging scenarios.

The Samsung Galaxy NX, despite being an early mirrorless model, impresses with an APS-C sensor, interchangeable lenses, and a user-friendly touchscreen interface. It blends smartphone convenience and serious camera technology, making it a compelling choice for enthusiasts and emerging pros who want to expand skill sets without moving into bulkier DSLRs. The premium price reflects its advanced features, but it delivers appreciably better image quality and creative control.

Ultimately, the best choice hinges on your shooting style, budget, and growth plans. Are you primarily after convenience and everyday snapshots, or are you ready to engage with more manual controls and lens options to elevate your craft? Whichever path you choose, both cameras have a unique place in photography’s diverse ecosystem.

Getting Hands-On and Next Steps

If you’re intrigued by either model:

• Try physically handling them in store to see which matches your preferences.
• Look out for deals on lenses if considering the Galaxy NX.
• Explore SD cards, spare batteries, and accessories that complement each model.
• If possible, rent both cameras for a weekend shoot to experience their real-world feel.

Photography is a craft of exploration. This comparison should arm you with the key insights to select a camera that not only takes pictures but inspires your creative journey every step of the way.

Happy shooting!