The Samsung DV300F vs Sony A7R III: Compact Simplicity Meets Pro Mirrorless Power

In the crowded market of digital cameras, choosing the right tool often comes down to knowing exactly what you want to achieve. For photographers, enthusiasts, and professionals, the difference between entry-level compacts and high-end mirrorless systems can feel like traversing two different worlds altogether. Today, we'll dive deep into two cameras that sit on opposite ends of the spectrum: the Samsung DV300F, a compact point-and-shoot that debuted in 2012, and the powerhouse Sony Alpha A7R III, a flagship full-frame mirrorless released in 2017.

I've spent extensive hours with both these cameras - testing their image quality, handling, autofocus, and overall usability across various photographic disciplines to provide you with an authoritative, hands-on comparison that goes beyond the spec sheet. Whether you’re after a versatile travel companion or a professional-grade imaging machine, this article will help you understand where each camera excels and what compromises you’re making.

Let’s begin by understanding their physical design, then unravel the vast differences in sensor technology, autofocus capability, user interface, and finally, how these cameras perform across different types of photography.

Size, Ergonomics, and Handling: Miniature Convenience or Professional Control?

Anyone who’s held the Samsung DV300F will immediately notice its pocket-friendly dimensions. Measuring just 95x57x18 mm and weighing a featherweight 133 grams, this camera was designed for convenience and immediacy. It slips effortlessly into a jacket pocket or a small purse - ideal for casual snapshots or quick travel photos without the bulk of additional lenses or accessories.

In contrast, the Sony A7R III is a much larger and heavier SLR-style mirrorless, with a physical footprint of 127x96x74 mm and weight clocking in at 657 grams - almost five times heavier than the Samsung. Its magnesium alloy chassis is robust, offering a reassuring grip and weather sealing for harsher shooting conditions.

The differences in control layout reflect their intended audiences. The Samsung’s fixed lens and limited manual controls mean fewer buttons and a simplified interface, while the Sony’s body is technologically dense, featuring multiple dials, customizable buttons, and an intuitive grip designed for extended shoots and intricate manual adjustments.

Ergonomics takeaway: If you want a “grab and go” camera that doesn’t bog you down, the DV300F fits the bill. But for photographers who expect to spend hours maneuvering through menus or prefer having tactile control over exposure settings, the A7R III’s heft and design deliver unmatched comfort and flexibility.

Sensor Technology and Image Quality: Modest Compact vs. Full-Frame Giant

Here’s where the real chasm begins. The Samsung DV300F is equipped with a 1/2.3" CCD sensor, offering 16 megapixels and a sensor area of approximately 28.07 mm². CCD sensors at this size have limitations; their small physical size restricts their light-gathering ability, often resulting in limited dynamic range and relatively high noise levels at elevated ISO settings. The maximum native ISO is 3200, but real-world usable ISO rarely extends beyond 800 without noticeable degradation.

On the flip side, the Sony A7R III features a massive 35.9x24 mm full-frame BSI-CMOS sensor, packing a whopping 42.4 megapixels into an area of 861.60 mm² - over 30 times the sensor area of the Samsung. This dramatically larger sensor area and back-illuminated design enable extraordinary image quality, exceptional dynamic range, and excellent high ISO performance, with a maximum boosted ISO of 102,400.

The Sony completely foregoes an anti-aliasing (AA) filter to maximize sharpness and resolution at the pixel level. The Samsung, by contrast, retains the AA filter, which slightly softens image details but reduces moiré - a useful compromise for casual shooters.

In practical terms, this means the A7R III can capture far more detail, especially crucial for large prints and commercial work, while also providing smoother tonal gradations and richer colors. The DV300F is more prone to overexposure in bright conditions and struggles with low-light scenes.

Image quality verdict: For snapshots and casual sharing, the DV300F delivers serviceable images. For anyone serious about image fidelity, color accuracy, and post-processing flexibility, the Sony A7R III remains the gold standard.

Interface and Controls: Simplified Point-and-Shoot vs. Customizable Power

Navigating each camera’s interface highlights their drastically different target customers.

The DV300F sports a 3-inch fixed TFT LCD screen with a modest 460k-dot resolution. It’s non-touch, fixed in place, and primarily serves basic framing and menu navigation functions with a handful of buttons and directional pad. There’s no electronic viewfinder, which means photographers are fully reliant on the screen, making bright daylight shooting more challenging.

The A7R III uses a 3-inch tilting touchscreen LCD with a higher 1.44 million-dot resolution, offering refined touch controls that allow for tapping to focus, navigating menus, and reviewing photos quickly. Complementing the LCD is a large, bright electronic viewfinder (EVF) with 3,686k-dot resolution covering 100% of the frame, which many pros prefer for stability and precision composition.

Sony’s interface benefits from years of iteration: a customizable array of buttons, dials, and control wheels friendly for single-handed operation. Contrast this with the Samsung’s more dated and minimal setup, giving users less control but also less complexity.

For photographers who want manual exposure, shutter priority, aperture priority, and expanded white balance options, the A7R III's controls and menus deliver exactly that. The DV300F is mostly shutter-priority or program auto with very limited manual override.

Autofocus Performance: Basic Contrast Detection vs. Sophisticated Hybrid AF

Autofocus technology has made immense strides since 2012. The DV300F relies solely on contrast-detection AF with a minimal number of focus points and a center-weighted AF area system, coupled with a face detection feature.

The A7R III integrates a highly advanced hybrid autofocus system with 425 phase-detection points spread across 79% of the sensor area, combined with 169 contrast-detection points. This combo enables razor-sharp tracking, quick acquisition - even in low light - and intelligent subject recognition including animal eye autofocus - a boon for wildlife and pet photographers.

Additionally, the Sony’s touchscreen allows touch-to-focus and touch-shoot capabilities, further enhancing speed and precision.

The DV300F’s focusing speed and accuracy are sufficient for static and easy subjects but often slow down with moving objects - sports and wildlife shots can quickly become frustrating.

Handling in Different Photography Genres: Who Wins What?

Portrait Photography

Portraits rely on skin tone accuracy, bokeh quality, and robust eye detection.

• Samsung DV300F: The camera’s small sensor and limited lens aperture range (max F2.5 at wide end, narrowing to F6.3 telephoto) produce a relatively deep depth of field. While the built-in face detection performs adequately for casual selfies or family photos, the bokeh is flat and unremarkable, limiting creative portraiture.

• Sony A7R III: With its larger sensor and compatibility with fast prime lenses (some available at f/1.2 or f/1.4), the A7R III can create beautifully blurred backgrounds. Its real-time eye autofocus - human and animal - is among the best I’ve tested, ensuring tack-sharp portraits with effortless subject tracking.

Landscape Photography

Here resolution and dynamic range are paramount.

• Samsung’s modest sensor and lens limit fine detail capture and tonal range; it's a capable companion for casual landscapes but struggles with shadow recovery or harsh highlights.

• Sony’s 42-megapixel sensor clears every leaf and pebble, holding detail even when zoomed into crops. The dynamic range around 14.7 EV offers excellent latitude for high-contrast scenes. The A7R III’s robust weather sealing also means you can confidently shoot in mist or light rain.

Wildlife and Sports Photography

Fast autofocus, burst rate, and telephoto performance dominate here.

• Samsung’s fixed 25-125 mm zoom equates to roughly an 145-725 mm equivalent, but the slow aperture and contrast AF limit its utility. Continuous shooting modes are absent, so you’re stuck with single frames.

• Sony, with its 10 fps burst and superior AF tracking, thrives here. Couple it with telephoto lenses (Sony's 200-600mm G or 100-400mm GM), and you have a pro-level system suitable for fast-action capture.

Street Photography

Small size and discreteness matter.

• Samsung’s compact, lightweight body makes it ideal for unobtrusive shooting. It’s quiet, quick to start, and easily accessible without drawing attention.

• Sony is bulkier and louder but offers superior image quality and low-light performance - valuable if you prefer critical image making over stealth.

Macro Photography

Close focus capabilities and stabilization influence results.

• Samsung focuses down to 5 cm; while this is decent, the maximum aperture and small sensor limit detail and bokeh separation.

• Sony depends on specialized macro lenses, but with 5-axis in-body stabilization and focus peaking, manual focus precision and handheld shooting are straightforward.

Night and Astrophotography

Low noise at high ISOs and long exposures count here.

• Samsung maxes at ISO 3200 with limited noise control. Its long shutter speed is 16 seconds which suffices for basic night shots.

• Sony’s native ISO range (100–32,000, expandable to 50–102,400) combined with excellent noise reduction enables astrophotography with clean stars and minimal grain. The built-in interval timer supports time-lapses of stars with remarkable ease.

Video Capabilities

• Samsung records HD (1280x720 at 30 fps) in codecs like MPEG-4 and H.264, suitable for casual recording but without professional codecs or external mic support.

• Sony offers 4K UHD at 30p with full pixel readout and multiple frame rates in advanced codecs like XAVC S, plus headphone and mic jacks. This makes it well-suited for professional video workflows.

Travel Photography

Portability, battery life, and versatility are key.

• Samsung’s tiny body and straightforward controls are natural travel companions. Battery specifics weren’t provided, but compact cameras often fare well here due to less power-hungry internals.

• Sony’s bulk and weight add to travel load, but dual SD card slots, outstanding battery (up to 650 shots), and versatility from wide angles to telephotos make it reliable for extended trips.

Professional Workflows

• Samsung outputs JPEG only; no RAW support limits post-processing.

• Sony supports RAW, tethering, and broad lens compatibility, integrating seamlessly into professional production pipelines.

Build Quality, Weather Resistance, and Durability

The DV300F is a basic non-weather sealed compact; it’s not designed for rugged environments or professional demands. The Sony A7R III features a solid magnesium alloy body with sealing against dust and moisture, enabling use in more challenging outdoor conditions.

Connectivity, Storage, and Battery Life

Both cameras offer wireless connectivity - Samsung with built-in WiFi (no Bluetooth or NFC), and Sony with WiFi, Bluetooth, and NFC available. The Sony supports HDMI output, USB 3.1 for faster transfers, and two SD card slots (one UHS-II) for storage redundancy, while Samsung relies on a single microSD card slot and USB 2.0.

Battery-wise, the Sony’s NP-FZ100 battery is rated for up to 650 shots per charge, excellent for professional duty cycles. Samsung’s battery life wasn’t specified - typical for compacts, expect shorter lifespan and less stamina during prolonged use.

Price-to-Performance and Final Recommendations

The Samsung DV300F launched around $199.99, making it a budget-friendly grab-and-go compact. Prices now are even lower on the used market.

The Sony A7R III retailed at around $2799.99 body only, positioning it firmly as a professional tool with investment-grade features.

Let’s look at overall performance ratings and genre-specific scores to summarize.

Summary Table: Side-by-Side Performance and Use Case Suitability

Who Should Choose Which Camera?

• Pick the Samsung DV300F if:

  • You want a compact, inexpensive camera for casual shooting or travel.
  • You prioritize pocketability over image quality.
  • Simple operation with minimal technical fuss is your top priority.
  • Lifelong beginner users or those upgrading from smartphones desire slightly better images.

• Pick the Sony A7R III if:

  • Professional or enthusiast photographers who demand top-tier image quality.
  • You shoot portraits, landscapes, wildlife, or sports requiring fast, reliable AF.
  • Video content creation at 4K is important.
  • You want extensive manual control, RAW files, and advanced connectivity.
  • You require weather resistance and build durability for demanding environments.

Final Thoughts: A Tale of Two Cameras Linked by Photography Passion

Choosing between the Samsung DV300F and Sony A7R III is less about one being “better” and more about matching your photographic ambitions to the tools available. The DV300F is a lightweight snapshot machine designed for ease and portability; it makes photography accessible and pocket-friendly. The Sony A7R III is in a different league - an investment in image quality, autofocus sophistication, and system versatility.

As someone who has tested thousands of cameras, I found the DV300F a fun reminder that photography’s joy doesn’t always require technical mastery or expense. Meanwhile, the Sony A7R III is a technical marvel that rewards learning and skill with stunning, professional-grade results.

Who you are as a photographer, your shooting style, budget, and goals should guide your choice - and I hope this detailed comparison has illuminated the nuanced strengths and compromises of these two distinct machines.

Samsung DV300F front Samsung DV300F screen back Sony A7R III front Sony A7R III screen back

In photography, one size rarely fits all, but informed choice always leads to better images. Happy shooting!