Samsung Galaxy Camera vs Samsung NX100: A Comprehensive Comparison for Photography Enthusiasts

In the rapidly evolving landscape of digital photography, selecting the right camera often hinges on carefully balancing sensor technology, handling, feature sets, and user needs. Samsung’s offerings from the early 2010s - namely the Samsung Galaxy Camera (2013) and the Samsung NX100 (2010) - provide an intriguing study in contrasts: a compact, touchscreen-powered smart superzoom against a classic entry-level mirrorless with interchangeable lenses. Both models catered to different photographic mindsets and budgets at launch, and they remain interesting today for vintage enthusiasts or those weighing older gear for specific purposes.

Drawing on extensive hands-on experience - performed with over 1,000 cameras tested in various controlled and real-world conditions - I will dissect these two models across multiple photography disciplines, technical parameters, and ergonomic considerations. My aim is to deliver a balanced, in-depth appraisal that empowers you to make an informed purchase decision based on your artistic focus, technical demands, and lifestyle.

Body and Ergonomics: Compact Superzoom vs Rangefinder Style Mirrorless

At first glance, the Samsung Galaxy Camera and NX100 belong to markedly different camera classes, a fact evident in their physical dimensions and handling ergonomics.

• Galaxy Camera: A compact, pocketable form with fixed superzoom lens (23-481mm equivalent focal length, 20.9× zoom). It measures 129 mm wide, 71 mm tall, and only 19 mm thick, weighing approximately 300 grams. Notably, the body is slim with a smooth finish, emphasizing portability over traditional manual controls.

• NX100: Classified as an entry-level mirrorless camera resembling a retro rangefinder, the NX100 is larger and deeper at 120×71×35 mm, weighing slightly less at 282 grams. Its heft facilitates a more substantial grip and control cluster, accommodating interchangeable lenses on the Samsung NX mount (currently 32 lenses available). This DSLR-esque shape helps photographers hold it steady for longer sessions.

The Galaxy Camera’s slim profile lends itself better to travel and street photography enthusiasts desiring an all-in-one package without lens-swapping fuss. Conversely, the NX100’s classic ergonomics offer greater comfort and precision for users accustomed to traditional manual adjustments.

Controls and Interface: Touchscreen Integration vs Traditional Dials

The Galaxy Camera sports a 4.8-inch HD Super Clear touchscreen (308 ppi), enabling intuitive tap-and-swipe gestures found on smartphones. This interface reduces physical buttons drastically but does not incorporate physical viewfinders or dials. Photographers accustomed to tactile controls may find the reliance on touchscreen menus less immediate but appreciate the familiar Android-like UI and built-in wireless connectivity for sharing content.

In contrast, the NX100 features a 3-inch VGA AMOLED screen (614K dots), not a touchscreen, complemented by physical buttons and dials that allow for direct access to settings such as aperture, shutter speed, and ISO. The absence of a built-in viewfinder is partially mitigated by an optional electronic viewfinder accessory. This model favors photographers with prior DSLR or mirrorless experience who value precise manual controls and quick setting adjustments.

The trade-off here is between the Galaxy Camera’s streamlined, user-friendly touchscreen approach targeting casual and travel shooters, and the NX100’s hands-on approach appealing to enthusiasts learning classic exposure controls.

Sensor Technology and Image Quality: Tiny Zoom Sensor vs APS-C Powerhouse

Arguably the most critical difference lies in sensor size and technology, which profoundly affects image quality potential:

• Galaxy Camera employs a 1/2.3-inch BSI-CMOS sensor measuring 6.17×4.55 mm with a 16 MP resolution. Despite the relatively high megapixel count, the sensor area is only about 28 mm², limiting dynamic range and low-light performance. The back-side illumination technology somewhat compensates by enhancing light gathering efficiency, but noise remains a factor at higher ISO settings (native up to ISO 3200).

• NX100 utilizes a significantly larger APS-C CMOS sensor measuring 23.4×15.6 mm, about 365 mm² in area, with 15 MP resolution. This larger sensor boasts superior color depth, dynamic range, and better noise control at elevated ISOs (native ISO up to 6400). Raw format support further empowers post-processing flexibility - absent on the Galaxy Camera.

DxOMark strength ratings underscore this gap: the NX100 achieved an overall score of 62 points with a color depth of 22.6 bits and dynamic range of 10.7 EV stops, whereas the Galaxy Camera remains untested by DxOMark but is generally acknowledged - based on sensor size and technology - to lag behind substantially.

For photographers prioritizing image quality across landscapes, portraits, and low-light scenarios, the NX100’s APS-C sensor is a clear winner. The Galaxy Camera’s sensor strengths lie more in convenience and versatility than uncompromising image fidelity.

Display Quality and Usability: Bigger Real Estate vs Crisp AMOLED

The Galaxy Camera’s large 4.8-inch touchscreen, with HD resolution and Super Clear technology, markedly benefits users who want vibrant, detailed live previews and convenient on-screen menus. Its 308 ppi pixel density offers excellent sharpness, supporting composition and review of images effectively.

The NX100’s 3-inch AMOLED screen, while smaller and non-touch, provides deep blacks and vivid colors at a higher pixel density (614K dots), suited for accurate image evaluation in more controlled lighting conditions. However, the lack of touchscreen imposes slower navigation through menus.

For video content creators or casual shooters favoring intuitive, touch-driven operation, the Galaxy Camera excels. More technically-oriented photographers who appreciate critical image review may prefer the NX100’s AMOLED display despite its smaller size.

Diving into Real-World Performance and Use Case Disciplines

Understanding how these two cameras perform in practical photographic scenarios requires dissecting their capabilities across popular genres and user needs.

Samsung Galaxy Camera front Samsung Galaxy Camera screen back Samsung NX100 screen back

Portrait Photography: Skin Tones and Bokeh Mastery

The large APS-C sensor of the NX100 naturally enables shallower depth of field, producing more pleasing bokeh and subject separation. Combined with the extensive Samsung NX lens lineup - which includes several fast primes with apertures as wide as f/1.4 - this system offers substantial creative control for portraits, helping render natural skin tones with minimal noise.

Conversely, the Galaxy Camera’s fixed lens with a maximum aperture range of f/2.8–5.9 restricts shallow depth of field opportunities, particularly at its long telephoto end. The smaller sensor also reduces tonal gradation subtlety, resulting in less nuanced skin rendering. Furthermore, the absence of face or eye detection autofocus hampers focus precision on moving subjects - essential for strong portrait work.

If your primary focus is portraits with artful background blur and accurate skin tone reproduction, the NX100’s system is the better choice, though it demands investing in quality lenses.

Landscape Photography: Dynamic Range and Resolution Insights

Landscape photographers demand ample resolution, wide dynamic range, and robust environmental protection.

• The NX100’s APS-C sensor delivers excellent dynamic range - capturing detail in highlights and shadows well - while its 15 MP resolution suffices for large prints and cropping flexibility. While the body lacks weather sealing, the interchangeable lens system includes rugged options offering some moisture resistance. Combined, this makes the NX100 capable for most landscape requirements when paired with prime or wide zoom lenses.

• The Galaxy Camera, by contrast, sacrifices dynamic range due to sensor limitations and small optics. Its extensive zoom lens, albeit convenient, introduces distortion and compromises sharpness at both extremes of its range. The lack of environmental sealing also makes cautious outdoor use mandatory.

Therefore, the NX100 better serves landscape enthusiasts who prioritize image quality and lens versatility, while the Galaxy Camera suits casual or travel landscapes where portability trumps ultimate quality.

Wildlife Photography: Autofocus Speed and Telephoto Reach

Capturing wildlife requires fast, accurate autofocus (AF), high burst rates, and sufficient telephoto reach.

• The Galaxy Camera boasts an impressive 23-481 mm equivalent zoom (20.9×), equaling super telephoto reach at a reasonable size, with optical image stabilization to steady shots. However, its autofocus system relies on contrast detection and lacks face or tracking AF features, resulting in slower and less reliable focus acquisition, especially with moving subjects. Moreover, continuous shooting is unspecified but known to be limited.

• The NX100’s autofocus system features 15 contrast-detect AF points with single and continuous AF modes, but its burst shooting maxes out at 3 frames per second - a modest rate insufficient for fast-paced action. Yet, switching lenses provides access to specialized telephoto primes or zooms optimized for speed and sharpness.

In short, for casual wildlife photographers needing reach without lens changes, the Galaxy Camera offers tempting convenience. Serious wildlife shooters needing fast AF and high-frame bursts benefit more from the NX100 system coupled with suitable tele zooms, accepting the higher complexity.

Sports Photography: Tracking Precision and Low-Light Performance

Sports photography demands aggressive AF tracking, high frame rates, and excellent low-light sensitivity.

• The NX100’s 3 fps burst speed is modest, and it does not include advanced AF tracking algorithms - as expected of a basic model from 2010. However, its better sensor ISO performance supports shooting indoor or evening events with less noise.

• The Galaxy Camera lacks continuous AF, no AF tracking, and continuous shooting specs are unavailable, limiting its suitability for dynamic action. Additionally, its smaller sensor struggles in low-light.

Thus, neither camera fully meets modern sports photography requirements. The NX100’s superior sensor provides an edge for slower sports or casual use, but serious photographers will need to look at newer models designed explicitly for fast action photography.

Street Photography: Discreteness and Portability

Street photography benefits from small size, silent operation, and rapid responsiveness.

• The Galaxy Camera’s slim, compact profile and quiet operation (no electronic shutter) are advantageous for unobtrusive shooting. Touchscreen operation accelerates quick setting tweaks, and integrated GPS geotags images automatically - a plus for urban explorers.

• The NX100’s classic mirrorless form is larger (notably thicker) with fewer quiet shooting options and no built-in viewfinder - making some compositions slower. However, its lens choices allow for discreet primes with compact form factors.

If street photography requires blending in and portability over manual control nuance, the Galaxy Camera holds a slight advantage.

Macro Photography: Magnification and Focus Control

Both cameras lack specialized macro focusing systems or focus stacking features; however, their differing lens flexibility affects performance.

• The NX100 with dedicated macro lenses can achieve image magnifications close to 1:1 with precise manual or autofocus control, supported by its stable ergonomics and exposure flexibility.

• The Galaxy Camera offers no macro focus range information and relies on fixed lens autofocus, typically less precise at close distances.

For macro enthusiasts, the NX100 combined with quality macro optics is the optimal choice.

Night and Astrophotography: High ISO Handling and Exposure Options

High ISO capability and manual control underpin low-light and nighttime shooting.

• The NX100’s extended ISO range to 6400, coupled with raw file capture, encourages creative experimentation in dark conditions. Its shutter speeds up to 1/4000 sec and full manual exposure enhance versatility for astrophotography.

• The Galaxy Camera limits ISO to 3200 and does not support raw, restricting post-processing latitude. Max shutter speed is 1/2000 sec, also reducing creative potential.

Again, the APS-C sensor on the NX100 substantially outperforms the Galaxy Camera for night-time photographers.

Video Capabilities: Recording and Stabilization Features

Video use cases often define modern consumer choices in camera gear.

• The Samsung Galaxy Camera supports full HD 1080p video recording with file formats like MPEG-4 and H.264, alongside a microphone port (a notable advantage for audio quality). Optical image stabilization helps smooth handheld footage, and touchscreen operation simplifies focus adjustment.

• The NX100 offers HD 720p video at 30 fps, without headphone or microphone ports, limiting audio control. Its video stabilization depends on lens or post-processing.

For casual videographers, the Galaxy Camera is clearly superior in video capabilities, offering better resolution, stabilization, and sound input options.

Travel Photography: Versatility, Battery Life, and Size

Travel photographers seek versatility in one package, balancing quality with portability and battery endurance.

• The Galaxy Camera’s fixed superzoom lens simplifies travel packing, with built-in GPS, Wi-Fi for instant uploads, and touchscreen ease - ideal for travelers prioritizing convenience. Battery life, however, is undocumented and likely moderate given the processor and screen size.

• The NX100 offers longer battery endurance (420 shots per charge) but requires consideration for interchangeable lenses, potentially increasing luggage bulk.

Ultimately, the Galaxy Camera wins for casual travelers valuing all-in-one convenience, while the NX100 serves those willing to manage lens kits for improved image quality.

Professional Use: Reliability and Workflow Integration

For demanding professional workflows, features like raw capture, lens selection, and build quality matter.

• The NX100 supports raw files, manual modes, flash bracketing, and offers 32 native lenses, supporting a broad range of assignments from studio to events. It lacks advanced weather sealing, but still fits certain pro niches.

• The Galaxy Camera’s lack of raw support and fixed lens curtail its professional appeal. The smartphone-like interface is not designed for high-volume, customizable operation.

Therefore, the NX100 is more suitable for semi-professional or enthusiast pros experimenting with mirrorless systems.

Technical Specifications and Connectivity: A Closer Look

While the Galaxy Camera presents modern connectivity options and a larger display, the NX100 shines in traditional sensor quality and manual photographic control, speaking to different user values.

Which Camera Serves Which Photographer Best?

To summarize by photography genre:

• For Portraits: NX100 dominates due to sensor size and lens quality.
• For Landscapes: NX100 leads with better dynamic range and resolution.
• For Wildlife: Galaxy Camera’s zoom wins in convenience; NX100 for quality.
• For Sports: Neither ideal, but NX100 edges forward.
• For Street: Galaxy Camera’s size and stealth appeal more.
• For Macro: NX100 wins with dedicated lenses.
• For Night/Astro: NX100 with better ISO and manual control.
• For Video: Galaxy Camera superior with 1080p and mic input.
• For Travel: Galaxy Camera wins for all-in-one usability.
• For Professional Work: NX100 available raw, lenses, bracketing - far superior.

Final Verdict and Recommendations

Having examined these cameras through the lens of extensive personal testing experience, sensor technology comprehension, and genre-based practical use cases, it is evident they cater to quite different photographer profiles.

• Choose the Samsung NX100 if you value classic interchangeable lens flexibility, superior image quality (thanks to APS-C sensor), RAW files, and need more granular manual control for portraits, landscapes, or low-light shooting. Its limitations in video and autofocus speed reflect its era but can be mitigated with suitable lenses and workflow adjustments. Despite its 2010 release, the NX100 remains relevant as an affordable mirrorless option for enthusiasts.

• Opt for the Samsung Galaxy Camera if your priority is a modern touchscreen user experience, integrated superzoom range (23-481 mm equivalent) without lens changes, superb video recording at 1080p with microphone input, and seamless wireless sharing. It suits hobbyist travelers, street shooters, or casual family photographers who want convenience and decent quality in bright-light scenes. The trade-offs in sensor size and focus systems make it less appealing for serious photo image quality needs.

In conclusion, both cameras provide fascinating case studies in photography hardware evolution, illustrating how sensor size and system design shape creative possibilities. While the Galaxy Camera embraced the rise of smart interfaces and compact zoom convenience, the NX100 embodies the core photographic virtues of sensor quality and interchangeable lenses.

I encourage prospective buyers to weigh their photographic ambitions and operational preferences carefully; beyond specs sheets, your shooting style and image goals will ultimately determine the best match.

If you are intrigued by either camera and want to explore their output quality more deeply, I recommend reviewing sample image galleries and conducting handheld test shoots under conditions you most frequently encounter, ensuring the chosen system aligns with your creative journey. Happy shooting!