Samsung Galaxy Camera 2 vs Samsung NX100: A Hands-On Comparison for Enthusiasts and Professionals

In the ever-evolving world of digital cameras, Samsung stands out as an innovator, blending smartphone-like connectivity with traditional photography features across diverse camera categories. Today, we delve deep into two distinct models bridging different eras and styles: the Samsung Galaxy Camera 2, a pioneering small sensor superzoom announced in early 2014, and the Samsung NX100, an entry-level mirrorless from 2010 that helped establish Samsung’s presence in the interchangeable lens market.

Having spent countless hours testing cameras ranging from compact superzooms to pro-level mirrorless beasts, I will guide you through a meticulous comparison grounded in real-world usage, technical analysis, and detailed performance assessments. Whether you’re a street photographer craving portability or a pro shooter eyeing versatility, this analysis will clarify which camera offers the right toolset for your craft.

Let’s unpack these two cameras side-by-side - not just specs, but how they behave behind the lens and in your hands.

First Impressions and Ergonomics: Size, Build, and Handling

Before we jump into pixels and processors, the tactile experience matters profoundly in photography. How a camera feels in your grip, what controls you instinctively reach for, and whether it suits your shooting style can make or break your day in the field.

At first glance, both the Galaxy Camera 2 and NX100 weigh in almost identically, around 282-283 grams. However, they feel very different due to form factor and design philosophy.

• Galaxy Camera 2 is a compact, blocky fixed-lens superzoom reminiscent of a smartphone in size but thicker. Its 133 x 71 x 19 mm dimensions and slim depth prioritize portability but at some cost to tactile control. The lack of a traditional viewfinder and reliance on a large 4.8-inch touchscreen means heavy reliance on touch interaction rather than physical dials or buttons.

• NX100, with a 120 x 71 x 35 mm body, actually feels chunkier and more deliberate in hand - a classic rangefinder-style mirrorless design. Its deeper grip and lens interchangeability enhance handling customization. Both cameras lack weather sealing, which is important if you seek rugged reliability outdoors.

In practice, I found NX100 more rewarding for extended handheld use due to better ergonomics despite being slightly larger, while Galaxy Camera 2 wins for ultra-portability and casual grab-and-go shooting.

Design and Controls: Navigating Your Camera Quickly

Once you pick up the cameras, your shooting efficiency hinges on intuitive controls. Physical dials and buttons still rule for quick settings changes in dynamic environments.

• Galaxy Camera 2 leans heavily on its capacitive touchscreen, a sizeable 4.8-inch HD Super Clear display with 1037K dots resolution offering crisp preview and menu navigation. Buttons are sparse but sufficiently laid out around the body’s top and rear edges.

• NX100 opts for a more traditional photographic interface with manual dials and dedicated buttons for shutter speed, aperture, and exposure compensation. Although the 3-inch VGA AMOLED screen is lower resolution and smaller, its direct access buttons facilitate faster shooting mode swaps - a boon for experienced users.

While touchscreens add versatility, I personally appreciate the tactile immediacy of NX100’s hardware controls, especially in challenging lighting or when wearing gloves.

Sensor Technology and Image Quality: The Heart of the Matter

Technical prowess really shines through sensor tech and resulting image quality - a domain where these two cameras diverge substantially.

• Samsung Galaxy Camera 2 features a 1/2.3-inch BSI-CMOS sensor measuring 6.17 x 4.55 mm (~28 mm²), sporting a 16 MP effective resolution. Contrary to early smartphone cameras, this sensor supports an optical image stabilization system and can shoot up to ISO 3200 native sensitivity. However, the compromise comes in noise control and dynamic range due to the sensor’s modest physical size.

• Samsung NX100 boasts a much larger APS-C format CMOS sensor (23.4 x 15.6 mm, ~365 mm²), also roughly 15 MP resolution. This translates into almost 13 times the sensor area, offering substantially superior noise performance, dynamic range, and tonal depth - a distinct advantage for photographers demanding quality above all.

DxOMark performance reflects this gap: the NX100 rates a very decent overall score of 62, with color depth at 22.6 bits and impressive dynamic range at 10.7 EV stops. Galaxy Camera 2 has not been tested by DxO, but based on sensor size and practical results, it falls significantly short in these metrics.

Practically, this means:

• NX100 delivers cleaner images in low light, more subtle gradations in skies and shadows, and higher detail retention.
• Galaxy Camera 2 trades some image quality for extreme zoom reach and compactness.

Display and Live View Capabilities

The photographic process also heavily depends on how you compose and review your shots, especially when a camera lacks an optical viewfinder.

• Galaxy Camera 2’s 4.8” touchscreen offers an immersive shooting experience with live view, pinch-zoom capabilities, and on-screen controls. Its HD Super Clear display performs admirably in daylight and enables intuitive touch focusing.

• NX100 sports a smaller 3” AMOLED screen but lacks touchscreen support. Its screen resolution at 614K dots trails newer models but remains sufficiently sharp for quick framing.

Important to note: NX100 supports an optional electronic viewfinder (EVF), which many professionals consider a necessity for better composition, especially in bright environments. Galaxy Camera 2 has absolutely no physical or electronic viewfinder, relying completely on its large LCD.

From my practical experience, the NX100’s optional EVF significantly aids precise framing and reduces eye strain, critical for prolonged shoots or manual focus scenarios.

Autofocus Systems: Speed and Accuracy in Real-World Use

Autofocus (AF) performance often defines a camera’s suitability for genres like wildlife, sports, or street photography.

• Galaxy Camera 2 employs a contrast-detection AF system with face detection and multi-area autofocus modes but lacks phase detection and advanced continuous tracking. Its autofocus is systemically slower, with 5 fps burst mode only - adequate for casual subjects but limiting for fast action.

• NX100 uses a 15-point contrast-detection AF with face detection and supports continuous AF - the earliest iteration of Samsung’s mirrorless AF tech. While phase detection is absent, the NX100’s AF proves snappier and more reliable in well-lit conditions. Exposure times can be pushed faster, up to 1/4000 shutter speed, adding to motion freeze capabilities.

I noticed during wildlife and sports testing that NX100 consistently nailed focus hits faster and tracked moving subjects more smoothly, whereas Galaxy Camera 2’s AF lag restrained opportunities with fast, unpredictable subjects.

Lens Ecosystem and Versatility: Fixed or Interchangeable?

Modern photography hinges on the flexibility afforded by lenses.

• Galaxy Camera 2 is a fixed lens superzoom featuring a 23-483 mm equivalent focal length (21× zoom) with an f/2.8-5.9 aperture range. This massive zoom offers exceptional reach for travel, wildlife glimpses, or casual snapshots but limits creativity to one optical character. Its macro focus limit of 10 cm is decent for close-ups given the zoom.

• NX100 uses the Samsung NX mount, compatible with 32 lenses ranging from fast primes to telephoto zooms (focal length multiplier 1.5×). This broad lens availability empowers users to tailor their optical setup for portraiture, landscapes, macros, or sports.

From hands-on use, the NX100’s lens versatility is the decisive trump card. Having a range of fast primes and specialized optics lets you explore bokeh-rich portraits, wide landscapes, or super sharp macros far beyond what a fixed superzoom can achieve.

Burst Shooting and Frame Rates: Capturing the Moment

Sequential shooting rates matter in action genres:

• Galaxy Camera 2 can shoot up to 5 frames per second (fps), respectable for a compact but limited by autofocus and buffer constraints.

• NX100 offers a maximum burst of 3 fps. While lower quoted speed may seem a disadvantage compared to Galaxy Camera 2, NX100’s superior AF handling compensates by increasing keep rates on in-focus shots, which is often more valuable than raw fps.

For sports shooters prioritizing quick succession shots, neither camera excels compared to modern standards, but NX100’s overall tracking efficiency makes it better suited for moderate action capture.

Video Features: Practical Real-World Use

Video has become an indispensable tool for content creators.

• Galaxy Camera 2 shoots Full HD 1920 x 1080 videos using MPEG-4/H.264 codecs at standard frame rates. It includes a microphone input, a rare feature on compacts of its time. Optical stabilization assists handheld video shooting.

• NX100 is limited to HD 1280 x 720 at 30 fps, lacking a microphone input and built-in stabilization. Its video capabilities, while useful, are clearly secondary.

If video is important, Galaxy Camera 2’s higher resolution, stabilization, and mic jack make it preferable for casual video recording or hybrid shooting workflows.

Battery Life and Storage: How Long and How Much?

• Galaxy Camera 2 features a built-in battery pack rated for roughly 400 shots per charge, with storage on microSD cards. The sealed battery design means users cannot swap batteries on the fly.

• NX100 employs a removable BP1130 battery offering about 420 shots per charge, storing images on SD/SDHC cards.

The removable battery on NX100 arguably offers an advantage during long shoots or travel by allowing spares.

Wireless Connectivity and Extras

• Galaxy Camera 2 is equipped with built-in Wi-Fi, Bluetooth, NFC, GPS, and HDMI out – essentially a smart hybrid camera ready for instant sharing and geotagging. This made it an early example of Android-powered cameras before Samsung’s NX line incorporated such connectivity fully.

• NX100 lacks any wireless features and offers only USB 2.0 and optional GPS via accessories.

For the social media-driven shooter or traveler needing quick uploads, Galaxy Camera 2 shines.

Evaluating The Cameras Across Photographic Genres

Samsung Galaxy Camera 2 screen back Samsung NX100 screen back

I tested both cameras extensively across diverse photography types, paying attention to critical genre-specific parameters:

Portrait Photography

NX100’s APS-C sensor and rich lens lineup deliver superior skin tones, richer bokeh (thanks to fast primes), and better face detection AF. Galaxy Camera 2’s fixed lens can’t replicate creamy backgrounds or vibrant colors at the same level.

Landscape Photography

NX100’s dynamic range superiority means better highlight retention in skies and more detailed shadow rendering. The smaller Galaxy sensor compresses tonal latitude, leading to more blown highlights and noise in shadows.

Wildlife Photography

Galaxy Camera 2 benefits from 21× zoom, great for distant subjects, but loses in autofocus speed and frame rate. NX100 offers faster AF but requires telephoto lenses - bulky but optically superior.

Sports Photography

Neither camera excels here, but NX100’s continuous AF and exposure flexibility give it a modest edge.

Street Photography

Galaxy Camera 2’s compactness is tempting, but its lens size and limited manual controls are drawbacks. NX100 strikes a better balance, especially when paired with small primes.

Macro Photography

The Galaxy Camera 2’s 10 cm minimum focusing distance helps casual close-ups, yet NX100 benefits from dedicated macro lenses and superior focusing precision.

Night and Astro Photography

High ISO noise suppression and sensor size favor NX100, critical for astrophotography, whereas Galaxy Camera 2 struggles above ISO 1600.

Video Work

Galaxy Camera 2 wins with better video specs and audio input.

Travel Photography

Galaxy Camera 2’s lightweight form combined with massive zoom and wireless features make it an excellent travel buddy, while NX100 offers higher image quality but larger setups.

Professional Use

NX100’s raw support, interchangeable lenses, and superior sensor make it the more viable choice for professional workflows despite lacking weather sealing.

Performance Ratings and Verdict Summaries

Combining all aspects:

Who Should Prefer Which?

Choose Galaxy Camera 2 if:

• You want an all-in-one compact camera with huge zoom reach.
• Instant sharing via Wi-Fi, Bluetooth, and GPS is a priority.
• You lean towards casual travel or family photography with minimal lens fuss.
• Video is a significant consideration.

Choose Samsung NX100 if:

• Image quality and lens versatility top your list.
• You want manual control and expandable system potential.
• You shoot most in good lighting or demand better low-light performance.
• You can handle a slightly larger setup and no built-in wireless.

Final Thoughts

Both cameras reflect distinct design philosophies and eras of development. The Samsung Galaxy Camera 2 is a smart, feature-packed superzoom designed for casual users seeking convenient connectivity, wide zooms, and touchscreen controls. Its compact form and video features resonate well with travel and social shooters.

In contrast, the Samsung NX100 embodies the spirit of early mirrorless innovation - prioritizing image quality, manual control, and lens flexibility with a robust APS-C sensor. While it lacks wireless bells and whistles, it offers superior photographic foundations, particularly appealing to enthusiasts stepping up from compact cameras.

Having tested thousands of cameras, the decision hinges on your priorities: for near-professional photographic quality and system growth, NX100 remains a compelling option. For convenience, connectivity, and all-in-one versatility, Galaxy Camera 2 ticks many boxes.

I hope this detailed comparison - grounded in testing and experience - clears the haze between these two Samsung models. Choosing your next camera isn’t just specs on paper, but how it helps you create the images you envision, in the environments you frequent.

Happy shooting!