Samsung EX2F vs Sony A7R III: Expert Hands-On Comparison for Photographers

When it comes to choosing your next camera, the gulf between a compact enthusiast model and a professional-grade mirrorless beast can feel like night and day (or sometimes universe apart). Today, I’m diving deep into a very intriguing comparison: the Samsung EX2F small sensor compact versus the Sony Alpha A7R III full-frame mirrorless camera. These two cameras couldn’t be more different on paper - from sensor size to target audience - but both have passionate followings and unique strengths that deserve a fair shake.

Having spent thousands of hours testing gear in studios and on location, this hands-on review emphasizes practical, real-world usage and image quality, going beyond spec sheets into the actual photographic experience. Buckle up for a journey that covers everything from portraiture to astrophotography, backed by technical know-how and honest perspective.

Here’s a visual reminder: The Samsung EX2F is a pocketable compact, while the Sony A7R III is a substantial, DSLR-style mirrorless camera with full professional rigging potential.

First Impressions: Handling, Build, and Controls

Before snapping a single picture, the physical feel and usability set the stage for how a camera fits your style and workflow.

Samsung EX2F: Light at just 294 grams and sized at 112x62x29 mm, the EX2F feels like a high-end point-and-shoot you can slide into a jacket pocket. It sports a fully articulated 3-inch AMOLED screen that’s bright and sharp (though not a touchscreen). Controls are a bit minimalist but thoughtfully laid out for a compact. Its fixed 24-80mm (35mm-equivalent) f/1.4-2.7 lens is a standout feature, offering bright glass for low-light and shallow depth-of-field effects uncommon in this size class.

Sony A7R III: This camera practically demands you allocate space in your camera bag. Weighing 657g and measuring 127x96x74 mm, it has the reassuring heft and grip that pro photographers like for long shoots. The top view shows a traditional DSLR-style layout with dedicated dials for ISO, shutter speed, and exposure compensation, plus customizable buttons - everything at your fingertips for quick adjustments. The tilting 3-inch LCD touchscreen and bright, high-res electronic viewfinder (EVF) make composing shots versatile in any lighting.

Sony’s control layout screams professional intent, while Samsung’s minimalism caters to the casual shooter or traveler craving simplicity.

Ergonomics: The EX2F’s compact size means it’s great for portability but lacks the deep hand grip and physical dials that many enthusiasts crave. Meanwhile, the A7R III’s large body and clubs for thumbs deliver confidence and speed in the field - a tradeoff in size for control.

Sensor Size and Image Quality: The Heart of Photography

This is where the cameras part ways most glaringly: sensor size. Sensor size dictates noise performance, dynamic range, bokeh potential, and detail resolution to name a few.

The Samsung EX2F uses a 1/1.7-inch BSI-CMOS sensor - tiny compared to the Sony A7R III’s 35.9x24 mm full-frame sensor.

Technical Specs Breakdown

• Samsung EX2F: 12MP resolution, with a modest 41.5 mm² sensor area. It features a backside-illuminated (BSI) CMOS sensor that improves light sensitivity marginally compared to older sensors of similar size. The max native ISO is 3200, which on this sensor size starts to show noise from ISO 800 upwards.

• Sony A7R III: A whopping 42MP full-frame BSI-CMOS sensor with an area of 861.6 mm². This sensor delivers industry-leading 26-bit color depth, 14.7 stops of dynamic range, and exceptional high ISO performance (native ISO up to 32,000, expandable to 102,400). No anti-aliasing filter lets it extract every ounce of resolution.

Real-World Impact

In practical terms, Sony’s sensor captures far more nuanced color gradation, exquisite shadow detail, and cleaner images in dim conditions. The EX2F, while respectable for a compact, can't rival its noise control nor dynamic range. For landscapes and portraits with complex lighting, Sony’s files provide significantly more post-processing latitude.

Autofocus and Speed: Let’s Talk Responsiveness

Both cameras rely on different AF-methodologies inline with their age and class.

• Samsung EX2F: Uses contrast-detection only, with no dedicated AF points or face/eye detection. Focus speed is adequate for static scenes but falls short tracking action or subjects in motion.

• Sony A7R III: Features a hybrid AF system employing 425 phase-detect AF points plus contrast detection, covering almost the entire frame. Eye and animal eye AF are built-in, allowing precision focusing on human and animal portraits. Continuous AF tracking is smooth and reliable even in challenging environments.

Burst and Continuous Shooting

• Samsung doesn’t specify continuous or burst shooting speeds, typical of compacts where the buffer and speed aren't optimized for rapid sequences.
• Sony boasts respectable 10 fps mechanical shutter continuous shooting with full AF tracking, making it a confident tool for sports and wildlife.

Lens Ecosystem and Flexibility

Obviously, the fixed lens on the EX2F - a sharp 24-80mm f/1.4-2.7 zoom - limits flexibility but covers wide-angle to short telephoto. It’s surprisingly capable for street photography and environmental portraits, especially with that bright f/1.4 at the wide end.

The Sony A7R III, however, uses the E-mount system with over 120 native lenses available. Whether you need primes renowned for portrait bokeh, ultra-wide landscapes, super-telephoto wildlife reach, or macro optics - Sony’s lens ecosystem covers it all. The camera’s full-frame sensor truly shines with large-aperture lenses producing creamy bokeh and razor-sharp detail.

Video Capability: Beyond Stills

While both cameras offer video recording, their capabilities differ drastically.

• Samsung EX2F: Records full HD 1080p video using H.264 codec but lacks advanced video features like 4K, external mic input, or headphone jacks. It’s suitable for casual clips but not ideal for content creators who want more control.

• Sony A7R III: Shoots 4K UHD video at 30p with full pixel readout and no pixel binning, delivering sharp footage. Also supports Full HD at multiple frame rates, S-Log and HLG profiles, microphone and headphone jacks for audio monitoring, and advanced stabilisation. It even has built-in focus peaking and zebra stripes for exposure control.

Weather Sealing and Durability

• The Samsung EX2F is not weather sealed or ruggedized.
• The Sony A7R III features weather-resistant sealing against moisture and dust, making it dependable for outdoor professionals working in adverse conditions.

Screen and Viewfinder Quality

The Sony’s EVF has a much higher resolution and the screen is touch-enabled with tilt, while Samsung’s AMOLED screen is fully articulated but not touch.

Sony’s EVF offers a crisp, bright view that helps manual focusing and framing in sunlight, while EX2F’s optional external EVF is less common. Interface-wise, Sony’s touchscreen speeds up navigation - a convenience absent on Samsung.

Battery Life and Storage

A critical part of any shoot:

• Samsung EX2F: Uses the SLB-10A battery, but actual shot count isn’t specified. Compact cameras typically struggle with battery endurance for extended sessions.
• Sony A7R III: Uses the powerful NP-FZ100 battery rated for approximately 650 shots per charge, supporting day-long shooting. Dual SD card slots (UHS-II support) add flexibility and reliability.

Wireless and Connectivity Features

• Samsung has basic built-in wireless connectivity but lacks Bluetooth and NFC.
• Sony offers built-in Wifi, Bluetooth, NFC, HDMI, microphone/headphone jacks, and USB 3.1 for quick tethering and file transfer.

Price-to-Performance Value Overview

The price gap is tremendous: The Samsung EX2F hovers near $480, while the Sony A7R III costs roughly $2,800. Is more than five times the price justified? The analysis below might help you decide based on your photography priorities.

Deep Dive by Photography Genres

Let’s break down how each camera fares across specific photography disciplines.

Portrait Photography

Samsung EX2F: Its fast f/1.4 aperture at 24mm (around 24mm equivalent) can yield some shallow depth of field, but the small sensor limits creamy bokeh and skin tone gradations are less natural, often requiring more editing finesse.

Sony A7R III: Eye and animal eye autofocus are a godsend for capturing detailed, tack-sharp portraits in challenging light. Its 42MP sensor resolves skin textures delicately and creates beautiful subject-background separation with a variety of full-frame lenses.

Landscape Photography

Dynamic range and resolution make or break landscapes:

• Samsung EX2F: Limited dynamic range (~11.5 EV) means highlights or shadows often clip under harsh lighting. Resolution is sufficient for casual prints but lacks the punch demanded by large-format or commercial landscape work.

• Sony A7R III: Outstanding dynamic range (~14.7 stops) and 42MP resolution capture fine textures and colors. Weather sealing gives confidence outdoors regardless of conditions.

Wildlife and Sports Photography

• EX2F’s autofocus and lens reach are simply not suited for fast-moving wildlife or sports.
• Sony excels with 10fps burst, 425 AF points with tracking, and compatibility with ultra-telephoto lenses;

Street Photography

• Samsung’s compact size and quiet operation make it a stealthy street companion, perfect for candid moments.
• Sony’s bulk is a downside for urban discretion but the image quality and autofocus capabilities can justify it for serious street photographers who prioritize quality.

Macro Photography

• EX2F lacks focus bracketing or stacking, but the fixed lens can focus reasonably close for casual macro shots.
• Sony benefits from a wide variety of dedicated macro lenses and precise AF.

Night / Astro Photography

• Sony’s high ISO performance and long exposure software controls (up to 30 seconds and beyond with Bulb) provide supreme capability.
• Samsung’s small sensor limits noise and exposure length.

Video Use Cases

Sony will vastly outperform for creators who need professional video tools, while Samsung serves casual needs.

Travel Photography

Samsung scores on portability and ease-of-use. Sony wins on versatility, image quality, and battery life but carries a weight penalty.

Professional Workflows

Sony integrates with professional RAW workflows, tethering, dual card slots and rugged reliability; Samsung falls short here.

Samsung EX2F front Samsung EX2F screen back Sony A7R III front Sony A7R III screen back

Pros and Cons at a Glance

Final Verdict: Who Should Buy What?

Samsung EX2F
Ideal for hobbyists, casual shooters, or travelers who want a bright, pocketable camera with better-than-smartphone image quality and simple controls. It shines for street photography and everyday snapshots where portability and convenience matter most. At around $480, it offers solid value but expect limits in image quality and flexibility as your skills grow.

Sony A7R III
A powerhouse built for professional photographers and serious enthusiasts who demand ultimate image quality, fast and reliable autofocus, and broad creative control. From commercial portraits to wildlife, landscape, and video production, it covers it all with finesse. While the $2800 price is hefty, the investment pays off in versatility, durability, and superior results that stand up to high-end client and print demands.

Closing Thoughts

This isn’t a simple apples-to-apples comparison, given the categories of these cameras, but understanding their respective strengths and limitations helps match them to your photographic goals. The Samsung EX2F packs a surprising amount of quality and a great lens into a compact body for budget-conscious daily shooters. The Sony A7R III remains a flagship proof that sensor size, autofocus sophistication, and build quality deliver world-class images and pro-level performance.

Choosing between them will depend on whether you prioritize portability and value or ultimate image quality and professional features. Either way, knowing what you’re buying lets you shoot smarter, not just harder.

Happy shooting!