Samsung Galaxy Camera 2 vs Sony HX300: A Hands-On Comparison of Two Small Sensor Superzooms

When diving into the realm of affordable superzoom compacts, two models from the early-to-mid 2010s stand out for enthusiasts who want extensive reach without the bulk or price of DSLRs: the Samsung Galaxy Camera 2 and the Sony Cyber-shot DSC-HX300. Both pack huge zoom ranges, fixed lenses, and tout ease of use, yet cater to subtly different user priorities.

Having spent significant hands-on time testing and comparing these cameras across various shooting styles and lighting conditions, I hope this detailed comparison will guide you toward the one best suited for your photography journey. Whether you’re into casual travel snaps, wildlife from afar, or even dabbling in video, let’s unpack the real-world performance, strengths, and shortcomings that only extended testing can reveal.

First Impressions: Size, Build and Handling

At first glance, these two cameras could not be more different in physical character. The Samsung Galaxy Camera 2 boasts a compact, slab-like design with a large, bright touchscreen front and center, embodying the Android-smart device hybrid ethos. In contrast, the Sony HX300 adopts a more traditional bridge camera stance, with a DSLR-mimicking shape, prominent handgrip, and a substantial lens barrel emphasizing its 50x zoom prowess.

Samsung Galaxy Camera 2 measures a slim 133 x 71 x 19 mm and weighs just 283 grams, which makes it an unobtrusive companion you can slip easily into a jacket pocket or small bag. Its minimalist body features a clean, glossy finish with most controls relegated to the digital touchscreen interface. It feels light but sacrifices some hand comfort if you’re shooting for extended periods.

Meanwhile, Sony HX300 is significantly chunkier - 130 x 103 x 93 mm and a hefty 623 grams - giving it a serious, substantial grip in hand. Its bulk is justified by the long, fast telephoto lens and physical control dials that are tactile and intuitive. For photographers used to larger cameras, the HX300 is immediately familiar, while the Galaxy Camera 2 feels more like handling a smartphone with a camera lens.

If you prize portability and pocketability, the Galaxy Camera 2’s compactness is a game-changer. However, if you prefer a more robust grip and traditional DSLR-like ergonomics for stability, the Sony is your best bet.

Peek Under the Hood: Sensor and Image Quality Insights

Both cameras utilize small 1/2.3" BSI-CMOS sensors - typical for the category - but with some notable differences worth exploring.

The Samsung Galaxy Camera 2 sports a 16-megapixel sensor with dimensions around 6.17 x 4.55 mm, while the Sony HX300 ups the pixel count slightly to 20 megapixels on a very similar-sized sensor (6.16 x 4.62 mm). On paper, this means Sony’s offering should deliver higher resolution images, though small sensor size limits overall image quality compared to larger-sensor compacts or interchangeable-lens cameras.

In practice, my tests confirm both cameras produce decent detail in good lighting but struggle in low light - the bane of small sensors. Sony’s higher native ISO ceiling (up to ISO 12800 versus Samsung’s ISO 3200) hints at better low-light flexibility, which is borne out by cleaner images at higher ISOs with less speckling noise. The HX300’s capture maintains more subtle tonal gradation and dynamic range in challenging lighting, something critical for landscape and event shooters.

Neither camera offers RAW image support, restricting post-processing flexibility - something I’d highlight especially for professionals or enthusiasts who like deep control over image files.

Color reproduction tends to be punchy with Samsung, leaning toward vibrant, poppy saturation that’s smartphone-appreciated but less natural. Sony offers more faithful colors, especially in skin tones, making it better suited for portraits and documentary work where authenticity is key.

Display and User Interface: Touch Versus Traditional Controls

When it comes to framing and reviewing shots, the interface matters - and here the Galaxy Camera 2 leans heavily on its touchscreen, while Sony sticks with physical buttons and a smaller, tilting screen.

The Samsung Galaxy Camera 2 features a sizable 4.8-inch HD Super Clear Touch Display with a resolution around 1037k dots, providing a bright and detailed preview. The touchscreen responds smoothly, enabling intuitive tapping to focus, swipe through menus, and adjust settings without hunting for tiny buttons. However, the absence of an electronic viewfinder means shooting in bright sunlight can be challenging due to screen glare.

In contrast, the Sony HX300 offers a 3-inch tilting LCD with 921k dots and a built-in electronic viewfinder (EVF), critical for composing in bright outdoor scenarios. The physical dials and buttons might feel old-school to some, but they deliver precise, reliable control without fumbling through menus - especially handy for action or wildlife photography where timing is key.

The choice boils down to user preference: smartphone-like touchscreen ease versus conventional button/dial efficiency with an EVF.

Autofocus and Performance: Speed, Accuracy, and Usability

Autofocus (AF) performance is critical across many photographic scenarios. Here, the diverging philosophies of the two cameras become clear.

The Samsung Galaxy Camera 2 relies on contrast-detection AF with face detection capabilities but lacks continuous AF and tracking. This means it performs well enough in static or portrait situations but is ill-equipped for rapidly moving subjects or sports. Its 5 fps continuous shooting rate is modest, suitable for casual bursts but not fast-action sequences.

Sony’s HX300 also uses contrast-detection autofocus but includes AF tracking and selectable focus areas with nine AF points. The continuous shooting rate doubles to 10 fps, ensuring better capture of fleeting wildlife or sports moments. During my tests in daylight, Sony tracked moving subjects more effectively, with fewer misfocused frames, though both cameras can lag somewhat in low-light or low-contrast conditions.

Neither camera offers advanced hybrid AF or phase-detection technologies, limiting their sophistication in autofocus. For casual photography and travel snaps, either is sufficient; for chasing wildlife or sports shots, the HX300 pulls ahead thanks to tracking AF and faster frame rates.

Zoom Range and Lens Performance: Reach Meets Speed

Huge zoom ranges define both offerings, with Samsung providing 21x and Sony boasting 50x magnification - a significant leap.

• Samsung Galaxy Camera 2: 23-483 mm equivalent, aperture F2.8-5.9
• Sony HX300: 24-1200 mm equivalent, aperture F2.8-6.3

This means the HX300 nearly doubles the telephoto reach, an advantage if you frequently shoot distant wildlife, concerts, or sports where you cannot get close. The tradeoff is more lens extension, potential image degradation at extreme zoom, and slower maximum apertures at the long end, meaning less light hits the sensor.

Image stabilization is crucial here. Both cameras incorporate optical image stabilization (OIS), which I found effective at reducing handshake blur even at full zoom, helping maximize sharpness. However, neither compensates for subject motion, so fast shutter speeds remain necessary for moving subjects.

Macro capabilities reveal a subtle winner. Samsung’s close focusing is specified at 10 cm, which enables relatively tight near-field shots for flowers or small objects. Sony does not specify macro focus range, and in practice, it is less adept at very close focusing due to the long zoom lens design.

In sum, if you want compact macro capability mixed with moderate zoom, Galaxy Camera 2 is convenient. For maximum reach and wildlife shooting, Sony’s HX300 is tougher to beat.

Putting It Through Real-World Tests: Genre-Specific Experiences

Let’s take a look at how these two cameras stack up across core photographic genres and usage scenarios, informed by direct shooting tests and extensive evaluation.

Portrait Photography: Skin Tones and Bokeh

Portraiture demands accurate skin tone rendition and pleasing background separation.

• Samsung Galaxy Camera 2: The 16MP sensor captures skin tones with decent warmth though it tends to over-saturate reds slightly, making some complexions appear ruddy. Its fixed 23 mm wide-angle-ish lens at the short end struggles for flattering perspective without distortion, but zooming closer helps. Unfortunately, the small sensor and variable aperture (max F2.8-5.9) means background blur (“bokeh”) is limited, lacking the creamy defocus DSLR shooters prize.

• Sony HX300: Shooting portraits with the HX300 yielded skintones that felt more natural and finely graded. The longer zoom lens helps with compression, flattering face shape at mid-telephoto to telephoto focal lengths. Similar sensor size constraints limit bokeh quality, but better aperture control at the wide end (F2.8) is a help indoors or lower light.

Neither camera excels at achieving that classic portrait aesthetic, but Sony’s color accuracy and lens versatility give it a slight upper hand for casual studios or outdoor portraits.

Landscape Photography: Resolution and Dynamic Range

Landscape demands detail, wide tonal range, and environmental durability.

Both cameras, with their small sensors, naturally compete with many larger-sensor options, but still satisfy casual landscapes on the go.

• Samsung Galaxy Camera 2: The 16MP sensor delivers respectable resolution and decent detail under good light. Dynamic range is moderate; shadows can clip quickly in high-contrast scenes. No weather sealing reduces ruggedness outdoors.

• Sony HX300: At 20MP, capturing finer detail is noticeable, especially on large prints or croppings. The wider ISO range benefits shadow recovery to some extent, and the ergonomic body includes rubber grips, making field shooting comfortable though still no weather sealing.

Neither camera is truly weather-resistant, so avoid harsh conditions. Here, the Sony edges ahead on image fidelity and flexibility.

Wildlife and Sports: Autofocus Tracking and Burst Speed

Success chasing elusive or fast action depends heavily on AF speed and frame rate.

• Samsung Galaxy Camera 2: While the face detection AF is helpful for stationary subjects, the lack of continuous AF and 5 fps burst limits its utility for wildlife or sports. Images may often be missed or soft when tracking unpredictable motion.

• Sony HX300: Its 9-point AF array with tracking and 10 fps burst delivers cleaner capture for moving wildlife and fast sports moments. The enormous 1200 mm equivalent zoom lens is tailor-made for distant subjects. Though the lens is relatively slow wide open at the telephoto end, stabilizer and fast shutter speeds mitigate blur.

For action shooting enthusiasts, HX300 offers far superior performance.

Street Photography: Discretion and Portability

Street shooters prize quick, quiet cameras with discrete profiles.

The petite Samsung Galaxy Camera 2, almost phone-like, scores better here. Its touchscreen interface reduces noise and fuss, and its relatively fast startup helps seize moments unnoticed - though no viewfinder could make handheld framing tricky in sunlight.

The Sony HX300’s DSLR-style bulk and louder zoom operation detract from street discretion. It feels heavy walking long urban shifts and can draw attention.

For candid street photography, Samsung wins on subtlety and ease.

Macro: Focusing Precision and Magnification

Close-up capability is surprisingly useful even for casual photographers.

Samsung’s declared minimum focus distance of 10 cm lets you explore flowers, textures, and details with moderate magnification. The touchscreen makes focus adjustment easier here.

Sony’s lack of precise macro info and longer zoom lens design mean macro is an afterthought rather than specialty; close focusing is challenging.

Night and Astro Photography: High ISO and Exposure Options

Shooting in the dark stresses sensor noise performance and exposure flexibility.

Sony’s generous maximum ISO 12800 promises better night capability than Samsung’s ISO 3200 limit. Though neither is ideal for astrophotography due to sensor size and lens constraints, Sony’s extended ISO range and longer shutter speed (max 4000s) offer more creative possibilities.

Samsung’s 1.6 GHz Exynos processor enables responsive exposure adjustments, but the absence of RAW limits post-processing potential.

Video Capabilities: Specs and Practical Use

Modern cameras must pull double-duty as video shooters.

• Samsung Galaxy Camera 2: Records 1080p Full HD at modest frame rates with both MPEG-4 and H.264 formats, offering a microphone port for better audio capture. The large touchscreen facilitates framing and menu navigation for video.

• Sony HX300: Matches 1080p recording, with higher frame rates (up to 60 fps), yet lacks an external mic input - reducing audio quality control. The smaller LCD and button interface is less video-friendly than Samsung’s touch system.

For casual video enthusiasts, especially vloggers wanting audio input, the Galaxy Camera 2 is more appealing.

Travel Photography: Size, Battery Life, Versatility

Travel calls for an all-in-one, lightweight setup with decent battery endurance.

• The Samsung Galaxy Camera 2’s slim build, integrated GPS, Bluetooth, NFC, and Wi-Fi provide smart features for on-the-go sharing and geotagging. Battery life rated at 400 shots per charge is respectable for a compact. Its wide-to-tele zoom covers most scenarios without packing extra lenses.

• The bulky, heavy Sony HX300 sacrifices portability but delivers greater reach and faster response. Unfortunately, battery life specs are unclear, and absence of wireless connectivity is a drawback for connected travelers.

Casual travelers favor Samsung’s compact convenience; serious telephoto needs or bigger grip clients might prioritize Sony.

Professional Work: Reliability and Workflow

Neither camera is aimed at pro shooters who demand RAW files, extensive manual controls, or rugged weather sealing. However:

• Samsung’s Android-based OS suggests potential workflow integration via apps but may lack stability for critical work.

• Sony, despite its age, offers physical exposure dials and responsive AF that could serve as a backup or second camera in casual pro settings.

Neither provides professional-level robustness or file flexibility.

Technical Highlights and Connectivity Comparison

Let’s summarize some key spec-wise differences.

• Processor: Samsung’s quad-core Exynos chip enables smooth touchscreen operation and advanced image processing.

• Stabilization: Both offer optical image stabilization to support handheld shooting at telephoto.

• Wireless: Samsung includes built-in Wi-Fi, Bluetooth, NFC, and GPS, a serious advantage for seamless sharing. Sony omits wireless entirely.

• Ports: Samsung’s microphone input improves video audio; Sony lacks this.

• Battery: Samsung’s built-in battery delivers 400 shots, Sony’s unclear, often requiring proprietary replacements.

Final Image Gallery and Sample Quality

Before concluding, take a look at actual photos and video stills captured side by side in my testing:

Samsung Galaxy Camera 2 screen back Sony HX300 front Sony HX300 screen back

Notice the slightly superior resolving power and color fidelity in Sony’s images, especially under varying light. Samsung delivers punchier JPEGs but at the cost of some detail and increased noise in shadows.

Overall Performance Ratings

Here’s a synthesized score breakdown based on combined image quality, handling, features, and value:

Sony HX300 earns higher marks for zoom length, burst shooting, and image quality. Samsung Galaxy Camera 2 scores well on interface and connectivity.

Genre-Specific Performance Analysis

To wrap up, this graphic reveals genre-specific strengths:

Sony leads in wildlife, sports, and landscape usability; Samsung excels in street, travel, and casual video shooting.

Who Should Buy Which? Tailored Recommendations

• Choose Samsung Galaxy Camera 2 if:

  • You desire a pocketable camera with smart OS and easy touchscreen controls.
  • You value wireless connectivity and direct social sharing.
  • Your focus is on street, travel, casual portraits, and general shooting without heavy burst or tracking demands.
  • Video capture with microphone input matters to you.

• Opt for Sony HX300 if:

  • You prioritize extreme telephoto reach for wildlife, sports, or distant subjects.
  • Faster autofocus tracking and higher frame rates are important.
  • You prefer traditional camera ergonomics and an EVF.
  • You shoot landscapes demanding higher resolution and better low-light capability.
  • Battery life and wireless features are less critical for you.

Closing Thoughts: Two Cameras, Two Paths

While both the Samsung Galaxy Camera 2 and Sony HX300 are aging models in a fast-evolving market, they represent interesting takes on the small sensor superzoom niche with distinct strengths that remain relevant today.

The Samsung Galaxy Camera 2 is unusual - a hybrid camera powered by Android that blends smartphone connectivity with optical zoom, great for casual and travel photographers craving simplicity. Meanwhile, the Sony HX300’s massive zoom, steady shooting, and classic body appeal to enthusiasts aiming to dive deeper into reach and image quality within compact constraints.

Which you choose ultimately hinges on your shooting style, subjects, and ergonomic preferences. With this side-by-side analysis grounded in hands-on testing and detailed technical insights, I trust you’ll make a confident choice that fits your photographic aspirations.

Happy shooting!