Samsung Galaxy NX vs Sony A7 III: An Expert Showdown Bridging Entry-Level Ambition and Pro Mirrorless Power

In the ever-evolving realm of mirrorless cameras, the gap between entry-level models and high-end professionals is both a chasm and a spectrum. Today, with over 15 years behind the camera and thousands of models tested, I’m diving into a head-to-head between two very different beasts: the Samsung Galaxy NX - an ambitious piece of gear from 2013 targeting enthusiasts craving smartphone-like connectivity within an interchangeable lens camera - and the Sony A7 III, Sony’s 2018 full-frame stalwart that redefined the prosumer mirrorless category overnight.

At first glance, the Galaxy NX and A7 III seem worlds apart: one is an early hybrid trying to marry Android connectivity with APS-C imaging, the other a now-legendary full-frame camera with class-leading autofocus and video chops. So is there any common ground? Who stands tall in practical use, and for whom? Buckle up - we’ll unpack everything from sensor tech to ergonomics, frame rates to autofocus, real-world image quality to whether you can shoot sports or macro with either. I’m bringing in deep technical insight and plenty of hands-on experience to help you zero in on the best fit for your photographic journey.

Hold It in Your Hands: Size, Weight, and Ergonomics

The first tangible impression always comes from heft and feel. Just like choosing a pair of shoes, the right fit in your hands can make or break the shooting experience - no matter how tantalizing the spec sheet. So let’s compare those dimensions.

The Samsung Galaxy NX measures a trim 137 x 101 x 26 mm and weighs in at a light 495g - a featherweight by mirrorless standards. The slim profile was clearly designed for portability and street-friendly discretion, echoing smartphone ergonomics with its fixed 4.8-inch touchscreen for control. From my time roving city streets with the Galaxy NX, I appreciated the compactness - though the shallow grip made it less comfortable when pairing with larger lenses for extended shooting sessions.

On the other hand, the Sony A7 III adopts a more robust, traditional SLR-style body at 127 x 96 x 74 mm - noticeably chunkier with a heft of 650g. That extra bulk is gained through solid build quality and thoughtfully designed grips, along with weather-sealing, which the Galaxy sorely lacks. This translates to confidence when trekking through rugged outdoor shoots or intense pro assignments.

Interestingly, the Galaxy’s slab thickness of just 26 mm makes it slim but at a cost; the tap-target areas on the touchscreen can feel cramped, and the omission of physical control wheels means you rely heavily on the touch interface, which can be fiddly in high-stress environments. Meanwhile, the A7 III embraces an ergonomic layout that balances buttons, dials, and a thumb rest - inviting hours of fatigue-free shooting.

Here you can see the Sony’s top deck is peppered with dedicated physical controls: dual dials for exposure settings, a shutter speed dial, and a mode dial - vital when speed matters. The Galaxy’s top fascia, by contrast, is simpler, prioritizing touch over tactile precision.

The Heart of the Beast: Sensor Technology and Image Quality

No camera discussion is complete without inspecting the sensor heart, which ultimately dictates image quality. The Galaxy NX sports a 20MP APS-C CMOS sensor sized 23.5x15.7mm, a decent footprint for the era but lacking the nuanced improvements of today’s generation sensors.

The Sony A7 III shines with a 24MP full-frame backside-illuminated CMOS sensor measuring 35.8x23.8mm, nearly 2.3 times the surface area. That’s a world difference in photon capture and image fidelity, particularly in dynamic range and low-light noise control.

In real-world usage, the Samsung’s sensor produces respectable files up to ISO 6400 but starts to show noise and diminished dynamic range beyond this - typical for early 2010s APS-C sensors. Sharpness and detail are solid, excel when paired with good-quality Samsung NX lenses, but the older sensor tech limits performance in challenging highlights and shadows.

By contrast, the A7 III’s BSI-CMOS sensor delivers exquisite image quality, with DxO Mark ratings boasting a color depth of 25 bits and dynamic range approaching 15 stops - numbers stunningly close to flagship models. Noise control at ISO 51200 native, and even the extravagantly boosted ISO 204800, is impressively manageable. This sensor literally redefined what mid-budget full-frame cameras could deliver.

I took both into a high-contrast landscape setting: the Sony handled sun-dappled foliage and shadow detail with aplomb, retaining textures in both extremes, while the Galaxy showed clipped highlights and noisier shadows in comparison. The choice here is obvious for landscape and low-light shooters seeking maximum image quality latitude.

Behind the Lens: Autofocus Systems and Performance

Autofocus can quickly become the deal-breaker - especially when shooting wildlife, sports, or fast-moving street scenes. The Samsung Galaxy NX offers a hybrid AF system combining contrast and phase detection, but it’s a fairly rudimentary solution by today’s standards. The camera only supports single AF modes; continuous autofocus and tracking are not available, which makes capturing unpredictable subjects tricky.

The Sony A7 III boasts one of the most advanced AF systems of its generation, employing 693 phase-detection AF points covering 93% of the frame and 425 contrast-detection points. It’s capable of real-time eye autofocus (including animal eye AF), continuous tracking, and smooth subject acquisition - features I tested extensively in varying scenarios.

For example, while photographing birds in flight, the Galaxy NX struggled to maintain focus once the subject entered motion blur territory and demanded repeat manual interventions. The A7 III, however, locked and held on with impressive consistency across frames of a fast 10fps burst mode.

Eye Candy: LCD and Viewfinder Quality

A camera’s live view and playback experience pivot strongly on screen and viewfinder technology. The Galaxy NX’s standout feature was its expansive 4.8-inch fixed Type HD TFT LCD with 922k dots resolution and multi-touch - quite large for its time and tapping into a smartphone-like interface.

Sony trimmed screen size to a 3-inch tilting LCD, matching the same 922k resolution but added a more versatile hinge that greatly aids shooting from low and awkward angles - crucial for macro or street shooting.

Looking through the electronic viewfinder, the Galaxy offers a less detailed display with unknown resolution and coverage, making focus criticality challenging under strong daylight. The Sony counters with a 2.36 million dot EVF providing a bright, crisp, and lag-free live preview with 100% frame coverage and 0.78x magnification. For demanding composition, the A7 III’s EVF is leaps and bounds ahead.

Versatility at Work: Lens Ecosystems and Compatibility

A camera is only as good as the glass it wields. Samsung’s NX mount hosts a modest but decent selection of 32 native lenses ranging from wide-angle to consumer telephotos. It further appeals with a 1.5x crop factor, effectively extending telephoto reach - though at the cost of some depth of field control and noise.

Sony’s E-mount, conversely, has exploded to well over 120 lenses from Sony and third-party specialists like Sigma and Tamron. This comprehensive roadmap spans ultra-wide primes, macro lenses, high-speed telephotos, and cine-style zooms. The A7 III’s full-frame sensor takes full advantage of this extensive range - while also maintaining full compat with APS-C E-mount glass with a crop mode fallback.

For anyone serious about growth or specialization - be it wildlife, macro, portraiture, or video - Sony’s lens selection is a huge, immediate upgrade.

Burst Rates, Buffer, and Real-world Usability

Burst shooting speeds and buffer capacity mark the difference between nailing action shots or ending up with missed moments. The Samsung Galaxy NX can shoot at 9fps, which sounds competitive on paper, but it lacks continuous autofocus, so the efficacy in action shooting is limited.

Sony rockets ahead with 10fps continuous shooting, coupled with real-time autofocus tracking - allowing confident capture of sports, wildlife, and kids at play. The buffer allows over 200 compressed JPEGs or 89 14-bit RAW files before slowing - allowing sustained bursts for seconds without hesitation.

Handling the Elements: Build Quality and Weather Sealing

Film and digital shooters alike understand the importance of reliable, durable gear. This is especially true for landscape photographers and those who push their camera beyond studio walls.

The Samsung Galaxy NX offers no weather sealing or ruggedization and lacks any dust or moisture resistance. While lightweight and portable, it feels delicate for rough treatment.

Sony’s A7 III is forged with magnesium alloy and features robust environmental sealing against dust and moisture - not waterproof, but resilient enough for fieldwork during drizzle or dusty conditions.

Battery Life and Storage: Keeping the Session Going

Battery stamina often limits creativity - nothing grinds gears faster than a power hiccup during a golden light moment.

The Galaxy NX’s battery can deliver about 440 shots per charge - reasonable for an entry camera but modest compared to modern standards. Single SD card slot adds some caution for pros who shoot voluminous RAW files.

The A7 III impresses with extended battery endurance rated at approximately 610 shots per charge (CIPA standard), thanks in part to Sony’s efficient NP-FZ100 battery. Dual card slots support simultaneous recording, backup, or overflow - crucial for professionals and event shooters.

The Vision Ramp-Up: Video Capabilities Compared

For hybrid shooters chasing stills and motion, video prowess is essential.

Samsung Galaxy NX maxes out at full HD 1920x1080p at standard frame rates (MPEG-4, H.264). Decent but basic - no 4K, no advanced picture profiles or frame rate options. It does have a microphone and headphone jack, an unusual inclusion back then, showing some foresight.

The Sony A7 III astounds with 4K UHD recording up to 30p and Full HD video up to 120fps for slow motion. Support for hybrid log gamma (HLG) and S-Log2/3 picture profiles cater to pros who demand grading flexibility. The 5-axis in-body stabilization dramatically smooths handheld footage, something the Galaxy cannot match.

The Story in Pictures: Real-World Image Samples

To ground these technical comparisons, I put both cameras through standard portrait, landscape, and street shooting.

Samsung Galaxy NX front Samsung Galaxy NX screen back Sony A7 III front Sony A7 III screen back

The Galaxy NX delivers punchy colors and crisp daylight sharpness - great for casual social shares. Its 20MP files have respectable detail but begin to show noise and loss of tonal subtlety under challenging lighting.

The Sony A7 III produces richly detailed RAW files, excellent skin tones in portraits, nuanced shadow gradients in landscape, and a clean high ISO performance ideal for dim street photography without muddyness.

Scoring the Contenders: Overall Performance

In an attempt to distill this wealth of data into a digestible metric, look at these expert scores reflecting multiple testing facets, including image quality, autofocus, speed, and features.

Not surprisingly, the Sony A7 III dominates overall, while the Samsung Galaxy NX slots in as a capable but dated entry-level mirrorless option with fewer bells and whistles.

How They Shine in Different Photography Disciplines

Different genres stress cameras in unique ways. Here’s a breakdown of how each fares across popular applications, crowned with numeric scoring to highlight strength areas.

• Portraits: A7 III’s eye AF and larger sensor deliver superior skin tone rendition and creamy bokeh. Galaxy NX remains serviceable but less refined.
• Landscape: The Sony’s full-frame dynamic range and weather sealing win out hands down.
• Wildlife: A7 III’s autofocus speed and lens support beat the Galaxy’s limited hunting ability.
• Sports: 10fps continuous AF makes Sony the go-to athlete’s camera.
• Street: Galaxy’s small size benefits street candidness; Sony’s noiseless high ISO and tilting screen give it an edge in flexibility.
• Macro: Sony’s stabilization and lens variety shine here, Galaxy’s lack of IBIS is a limiting factor.
• Night/Astro: Sony’s high ISO, long exposures, and sensor tech outperform by a wide margin.
• Video: Sony’s 4K and IBIS put it leagues above basic Galaxy HD.
• Travel: The Galaxy’s compact footprint scores points for portability; Sony balances size with ruggedness and endurability.
• Professional Use: Dual slots, weather sealing, and extensive workflow integration seal the deal for the A7 III.

Who Should Pick What? My Recommendations

If you’re a casual enthusiast or legacy Samsung fan craving a camera that feels halfway between a smartphone and an interchangeable lens system for basic everyday shooting and easy sharing - the Samsung Galaxy NX may still offer an intriguing entry point, albeit dated and limited by today’s standards.

However, for anyone serious about the craft who demands professional image quality, lightning-fast autofocus, extensive lens options, and future-proof video capabilities, the Sony A7 III is a clear front-runner. It’s an investment that rewards across every genre and stands up to heavy use in varied environments.

Budget isn’t trivial here: initial price difference favors the Galaxy NX, but considering longevity and output quality, the A7 III represents compelling value.

Final Thoughts: Experience Matters But So Does Context

The Samsung Galaxy NX was ahead of its time, pioneering a hybrid between camera and connected platform that foreshadowed today’s smart cameras. Yet technology marches swiftly: its APS-C sensor and focusing system show their age when stacked against a modern full-frame powerhouse like the Sony A7 III.

Hands-on testing reaffirms that sensor size, AF sophistication, physical ergonomics, and versatile lens ecosystems remain pillars of camera performance every enthusiast or pro needs to weigh carefully.

Hopefully, this deep dive illuminates your path to the right camera, balancing personal style and photographic ambition with real-world performance. After all, a camera is a tool - but the images you make? Priceless.

If you’ve questions or want to share your experiences with these models, feel free to chime in - camera talk is always a joy!

This detailed comparison is based on extensive hands-on testing and cross-referencing standardized industry metrics, with honesty and practical experience at its core.