Samsung EX2F vs Sony HX200V: A Hands-On Comparison for Photography Enthusiasts in 2024

Choosing a compact camera that suits your photographic ambitions can be a minefield, especially when faced with two intriguing offerings like the Samsung EX2F and the Sony Cyber-shot DSC-HX200V. Both hail from the early 2010s but have earned respect for unique features that still appeal to photographers today - whether you're looking for pocket-friendly convenience or a superzoom powerhouse. Drawing on my years of field testing and comparisons, I’m going to take you through a detailed, no-nonsense comparison of these two cameras, breaking down how they perform across various photography disciplines, and which one might be the better fit for your needs and budget.

First Impressions and Handling: Size Isn’t Just a Number

Before diving into specs and image quality, handling can make or break your shooting experience. The Samsung EX2F is a compact, pocketable camera weighing just 294 grams with dimensions of 112 x 62 x 29 mm. It’s designed for photographers who value portability but still desire creative control.

In contrast, the Sony HX200V is a classic bridge camera - SLR-like in appearance, chunky, and robust at 583 grams and a substantial 122 x 87 x 93 mm size. This heft comes from its versatile 30x zoom lens and controls that cater to enthusiasts comfortable with a more serious grip and heft.

From an ergonomic perspective, the EX2F feels like a sleek tool for those who prefer snapping and shooting without lugging a camera bag everywhere. The fully articulated AMOLED screen is a standout here, great for creative angles and selfie compositions.

Meanwhile, the HX200V boasts more traditional control dials and a classic bridge camera layout. The larger body affords better clusters of dedicated buttons, which for some photographers improve working speed and tactile confidence (clubs for thumbs, anyone?). If you enjoy deliberate control over settings without diving into menus, the Sony leans toward a more satisfying experience.

Sensor Size and Image Quality: Bigger Isn’t Always Better

Central to image quality is sensor size and resolution. The EX2F sports a 1/1.7” BSI-CMOS sensor measuring 7.44 x 5.58 mm (41.5 mm²) with 12 megapixels, while the HX200V relies on a smaller 1/2.3” 6.17 x 4.55 mm (28.1 mm²) sensor but cranks up the resolution to 18 megapixels.

While resolution matters for cropping or large prints, sensor area directly correlates to noise performance, depth of field control, and dynamic range. The EX2F, with its larger and back-illuminated sensor, produces richer colors and better low-light results despite fewer megapixels. In my lab tests and real-world shooting, the EX2F’s images have a noticeable advantage in color depth and shadow detail, especially critical for portraits and landscapes.

The Sony’s higher pixel count can yield sharper fine detail in bright conditions, but with tradeoffs: noise creep above ISO 400 becomes more apparent, and dynamic range shows weakness in challenging lighting.

Screens and Viewfinders: Where You Frame Matters

Both cameras have 3-inch displays, but the technologies differ dramatically. The EX2F sports a fully articulated AMOLED screen without touchscreen functionality, excellent for vivid color rendition and outdoor visibility.

The HX200V uses a tilting XtraFine TruBlack TFT LCD with 922k-dot resolution, sharper on pixel count but less vivid and not articulated fully. If you routinely shoot at awkward angles, the EX2F’s screen flexibility offers more compositional freedom.

Sony’s HX200V comes with an electronic viewfinder - handy for bright daylight shooting - whereas the EX2F lacks a built-in EVF but offers an optional electronic viewfinder accessory. I find the EVF on the Sony adequate for framing but not as crisp or lag-free as modern mirrorless cameras.

Zoom and Lens Versatility: Reach Versus Speed

This is where these two cameras diverge sharply.

The Samsung EX2F features a fast 24-80 mm (35mm equivalent) zoom with an impressive aperture range of f/1.4 to f/2.7. This bright lens is an ace in low light and offers dreamy shallow depth of field for portraits, while the moderate zoom range suits street, portrait, and travel shooters alike.

Conversely, the Sony HX200V boasts a whopping 27-810 mm equivalent (30x optical zoom) lens, significantly extending reach into telephoto territory for wildlife and sports. However, the variable aperture of f/2.8-f/5.6 means less light-gathering ability at the long end and a shallower depth of field control.

If you crave a walkaround camera with sharp portraits and smooth bokeh, the EX2F’s lens excels. If you’re a “reach freak” who loves wildlife or sports photography without swapping lenses, the HX200V’s superzoom is your friend, albeit with some compromises in optical speed and image quality at telephoto extremes.

Autofocus and Shooting Speed

Both cameras incorporate contrast-detection autofocus systems. The EX2F, however, does not support continuous AF or AF tracking - its autofocus is primarily single-shot, occasionally slow to lock focus in low contrast conditions.

The HX200V offers a more sophisticated AF system with face detection, center-weighted and spot metering, and AF tracking capabilities. It also offers a faster continuous shooting speed of up to 10 frames per second, which can be invaluable for action, sports, or wildlife photography.

In my field tests, the Sony’s AF tracking proved sufficiently reliable for moderate-speed subjects, while the Samsung struggled with quick-moving targets and lacked the burst shooting performance to compensate.

Image Stabilization and Low-Light Capability

Both cameras feature optical image stabilization, a necessity with the HX200V’s extended telephoto reach and the EX2F’s low-light ambitions.

Thanks to its bright lens and larger sensor, the EX2F handles higher ISOs cleaner (ISO 3200 max native) than the Sony (ISO up to 12800, but with noise). However, the Sony’s image at ISO 1600 and above is noticeably softer and grainier - a factor to consider if low-light shooting is your priority.

Video Performance: Full HD, But Which One Wins?

Both cameras record Full HD 1080p video but differ in codecs and frame rates.

The Samsung EX2F shoots 1080p in H.264 format but is limited to 30 frames per second, with no mic input or headphone jack.

Sony’s HX200V provides 1080p video at 60 fps (also 1440 x 1080 and 720p options), encoded in MPEG-4 and AVCHD formats. Although it lacks mic or headphone ports too, the higher frame rate enables smoother motion capture for action video enthusiasts.

Neither camera has advanced video features like 4K recording or in-body stabilization beyond optical lens IS.

Battery Life and Storage

The HX200V shines with a robust battery life of around 450 shots, using a Sony NP-FH50 Battery Pack, suitable for long shooting days. The EX2F, meanwhile, offers more modest endurance with its SLB-10A battery (around 300 shots), which might require spares for extended use.

Storage-wise, both rely on SD/SDHC/SDXC cards. Sony adds compatibility with Memory Stick Duo formats, expanding some flexibility.

Connectivity and Extras

Samsung EX2F includes built-in wireless connectivity (Wi-Fi), enabling image transfers to smartphones and PCs - a handy convenience for casual sharing or travel shooting.

The Sony HX200V does not offer Wi-Fi but supports Eye-Fi card compatibility and built-in GPS for geotagging, a boon for travel photographers who want location metadata embedded automatically.

Neither camera includes Bluetooth or NFC, which is typical for their era.

Durability and Build Quality

Neither camera features weather sealing or rugged protections. The Samsung’s compact build naturally isn’t waterproof or dustproof, while the Sony’s bridge-style body is sturdier but still vulnerable to harsh environments.

Real-World Performance Across Photography Genres

Let me walk you through how both cameras stack up across disciplines - attention, landscape shooters, wildlife chasers, and everyone in between.

Portrait Photography

With its bright f/1.4 lens and larger sensor, the Samsung EX2F offers superior skin tone rendition and creamy bokeh, contributing to subject isolation. However, the lack of face-detection AF and eye detection means you’ll need to rely on manual or center-spot focusing. Still, the EX2F’s IQ here is a highlight.

The Sony HX200V, despite the smaller sensor and slower lens, offers face detection AF which helps with keeping portraits sharp, although the deeper depth of field hurts bokeh quality.

Landscape and Travel Photography

The EX2F’s excellent dynamic range and crisp image quality work well here, matched with compactness that suits travel. However, limited zoom range means you might need to get physically closer.

The HX200V’s massive zoom and built-in GPS make it a versatile travel lens, although dynamic range is more constrained - expect some shadow clipping in tricky light. Battery longevity benefits longer exploration days.

Wildlife and Sports Photography

Sony takes a clear lead here with its telephoto reach (up to 810 mm equivalent), 10 fps burst shooting, and AF tracking. While image quality isn’t match-grade with dedicated cameras, for casual wildlife and sports shooters seeking convenience, the HX200V delivers well.

Samsung’s EX2F fizzles here - limited zoom and slower focusing mean less utility for fast action.

Street and Macro Photography

Samsung’s compact, quiet design and fast lens excel at discreet street photography and low-light scenarios - plus its macro focusing isn’t specified but offers reasonable proximity for close-ups.

Sony’s HX200V macro focusing is impressive, with a minimum focus distance of 1 cm, useful for nature and creative shots, but its size and bulk hinder quick street candid shots.

Night and Astro Photography

EX2F’s BSI-CMOS sensor and brighter lens grant cleaner high ISO performance and better shadow detail in low light, key for night and astro shooting. Sony's smaller sensor struggles with noise at high ISOs.

Neither camera offers long-exposure modes or bulb shooting beyond standard shutter ranges.

Video Recording

Sony edges out with higher frame rate (60fps) video and more codec options, but neither integrates mic/headphone inputs or manual video controls, making both relatively basic for serious videographers.

Hands-On Scores and Summary Table

To give you a quick overview, here’s a distillation of my hands-on assessments based on my shooting experience and lab tests.

Photography Genres: Who Shines Where?

• Portraits: Samsung wins with superior bokeh and color tonality.
• Landscape: Samsung edges out due to sensor & dynamic range.
• Wildlife: Sony’s telephoto and burst shooting are decisive.
• Sports: Sony, thanks to tracking AF and frame rate.
• Street: Samsung’s compact size and fast lens preferred.
• Macro: Sony’s 1 cm macro focus wins.
• Night/Astro: Samsung better ISO & lens speed benefit.
• Video: Sony’s 60fps and codec options have slight edge.
• Travel: Depends on priority - compact EX2F or versatile HX200V.
• Professional: Neither classed as pro-level, but EX2F’s RAW format offers more post-processing latitude.

Final Thoughts and Recommendations

Ending this detailed comparison, here’s how I see these cameras shaping up in 2024’s photography landscape and who should consider each model.

Why Choose the Samsung EX2F?

• You want compactness and portability, perfect for urban explorers or travelers who hate lugging gear.
• Your focus is portrait, street, or low-light photography, where sensor size and lens speed matter.
• You desire RAW shooting capability and enhanced post-processing flexibility.
• Wireless transfer is a plus for quick social media sharing.
• You’re willing to trade zoom reach for better image quality and low-light performance.

Why Go for the Sony HX200V?

• You crave a single "do-it-all" superzoom that can go from wide landscapes to distant wildlife without changing lenses.
• You need burst mode and AF tracking to capture quick action.
• Battery life is a priority for extended shooting sessions.
• Geotagging photos during travel is a helpful feature.
• You prioritize video recording options with higher frame rates.

Samsung EX2F front Samsung EX2F screen back Sony HX200V front Sony HX200V screen back

In practice, I've seen the EX2F deliver stunning portraits and vibrant landscapes with a softness and character that many small sensor compacts cannot touch, while the HX200V is a reliable companion for zoom-hungry hobbyists who enjoy mixed photography genres and demand decent action shooting.

Pros and Cons Summaries

Samsung EX2F Pros:

• Bright, fast lens (f/1.4-2.7)
• Larger sensor with good low-light IQ
• Fully articulated AMOLED screen
• RAW support for editing flexibility
• Compact and lightweight design
• Built-in Wi-Fi connectivity

Samsung EX2F Cons:

• Limited zoom range (24-80mm equivalent)
• Lack of continuous AF and AF tracking
• No built-in EVF (optional accessory)
• Modest battery life
• Video limited to 1080p/30fps

Sony HX200V Pros:

• Massive 30x optical zoom (27-810 mm equiv.)
• Built-in electronic viewfinder
• Face detection and AF tracking
• Fast continuous shooting (10 fps)
• Better battery life
• Built-in GPS for geotagging
• 1080p 60fps video capability

Sony HX200V Cons:

• Smaller sensor yields noisier images at high ISO
• Slower, variable aperture lens (f/2.8-f/5.6)
• No RAW support
• Bulky and heavy for portability
• Limited touchscreen and articulation

Who Should Skip Both?

If you are a professional content creator or need flagship mirrorless speed, autofocus efficiency, and modern codec support (4K video, external mics), both cameras show their age here. It’s worth stepping up to recent mirrorless or DSLR models. However, if your budget is tight or you want an affordable backup for travel, these remain capable companions.

Wrapping Up

Choosing between the Samsung EX2F and Sony HX200V boils down to what you value most: image quality and portability versus zoom reach and action performance.

For photographers focused on creative control, better image quality, and street or portrait work - the Samsung EX2F remains a gem with its bright lens and larger sensor.

For those who want everything in one camera to capture faraway details, wildlife, or action shots, the Sony HX200V is a versatile, feature-packed bridge camera - just remember you’ll compromise a bit on image cleanliness and portability.

I hope this hands-on comparison helps you cut through the specs jungle to find your best match. Happy shooting!

Appendix: Image Credits

• Size and ergonomics:
• Control layout:
• Sensor and IQ:
• Screens:
• Sample shots:
  Samsung EX2F front Samsung EX2F screen back Sony HX200V front Sony HX200V screen back
• Overall scores:
• Genre-specific scores:

Written based on hands-on testing, data analysis, and over 15 years of evaluating cameras spanning the digital photography spectrum.