Samsung Galaxy NX vs Sony Cyber-shot W570: A Real-World Comparison for Photography Enthusiasts

In the vast realm of digital cameras, two models from very different eras and design philosophies sometimes get lumped together for comparison: the Samsung Galaxy NX and the Sony Cyber-shot DSC-W570. One is an early hybrid mirrorless camera featuring an APS-C sensor and interchangeable lenses; the other is a true ultracompact point-and-shoot designed primarily for casual use. On paper, these cameras could hardly be more different, yet both competed in overlapping entry-level user segments.

Having spent years testing cameras across genres, from amateur travel rigs to professional studio setups, I’ve always found value in juxtaposing devices that seem mismatched at first glance. This often reveals hidden strengths and clarifies who each camera best serves. So, let’s dive in with a measured, real-world approach to understand how the Samsung Galaxy NX and Sony W570 shape up across key photographic use cases.

First Impressions: Size, Build, and Ergonomics

Nothing sets your shooting experience like a camera’s physical feel and handling. The Galaxy NX, with its SLR-style mirrorless body and APS-C sensor, obviously takes a more traditional approach than the sleek, diminutive Sony W570 ultracompact.

You can see here that the Galaxy NX is significantly larger and heavier at 495g compared to the W570’s walk-in-your-pocket 116g. The Samsung’s SLR-style chassis, complete with a substantial grip and dedicated control dials, facilitates a robust, two-handed hold and lets you dial in manual settings fluidly. This is ideal if you come from a DSLRs or enthusiast background.

By contrast, the Sony offers extreme portability at the cost of tactile control - only a handful of buttons and no manual focus support at all (more on that later). It’s the kind of camera you can slip into a small bag or even a jacket pocket without noticing, perfect for casual day-to-day snaps.

Both bodies lack any kind of weather sealing, so you’ll need to keep either model out of rain or dust-heavy environments. Build quality feels solid but unsurprisingly, the Galaxy NX - with its more ambitious design - has a heft and sturdiness the Sony simply cannot match.

A Tale of Two Displays and Interfaces

Given that your interface choices dictate how efficiently you alter settings and review images, display technology is critical. The Galaxy NX boasts a 4.8-inch HD TFT touchscreen (922k dots), a standout feature for its time, especially in a mirrorless body.

Meanwhile, the Sony W570 sports a modest 2.7-inch Clear Photo LCD with a resolution of just 230k dots, lacking touchscreen capability. This smaller, lower-res screen limits the clarity of image review and hampers quick navigation through menus.

Samsung’s touchscreen enables a more natural interaction with AF points, manual focus overshoot correction, and quick ISO or exposure adjustments. The Galaxy NX’s UI is undeniably more versatile - which aligns with its status as an enthusiast camera.

Meanwhile, Sony’s physical interface suits beginner users or those wanting point-and-shoot simplicity, though it falls short for anyone seeking speed or creative control.

Sensor Size and Image Quality: The Heart of the Matter

At the core of any camera’s imaging performance is its sensor - a metric that directly impacts noise levels, dynamic range, depth-of-field control, and ultimately, image clarity.

Here, the Samsung Galaxy NX wields a large APS-C CMOS sensor measuring 23.5 x 15.7 mm with a 20MP resolution (5472 x 3648 pixels). This sensor area (about 369 mm²) far outstrips the Sony W570’s tiny 1/2.3-inch CCD sensor of only 6.17 x 4.55 mm delivering 16MP (4608 x 3456 pixels).

What does this mean practically? The larger APS-C sensor in the Galaxy NX produces significantly better image quality, especially in low light, with less noise and higher dynamic range. It also allows shallower depth-of-field effects for more pleasing subject separation in portraits.

The Sony’s tiny sensor is the budget-friendly choice, adequate for bright, daylight snaps but prone to noise and color shifts at ISOs beyond 800 or under dim conditions.

Autofocus and Handling Speed: Chasing the Moment

Are you shooting wildlife, sports, or street action? Autofocus speed and accuracy become crucial.

The Samsung Galaxy NX deploys a hybrid autofocus system combining phase detection and contrast detection, supplemented by face detection. However, it lacks continuous AF tracking which limits its burst shooting versatility somewhat. Its max continuous shooting speed clocks in at a respectable 9 FPS, great for casual sports sequences or wildlife bursts.

Sony W570, with only contrast-detection autofocus across 9 focus points, doesn’t support manual focus or face detection and maxes out at just 1 FPS continuous shooting. That’s adequate for everyday snapshots but poor for fast-paced subjects.

In practice, I found Samsung’s AF to be faster, more precise, and more reliable in moderate light; the Sony W570 struggles with focus hunting in low light or detailed scenes. For wildlife or sports photography, there’s simply no contest.

Comprehensive Imaging Across Genres: What Works Best?

Let’s take a practical look at how each camera performs across major photography types to match you with the right tool.

Portrait Photography

• Samsung Galaxy NX: The APS-C sensor provides excellent skin tone rendition and creamy bokeh when using Samsung NX lenses at wide apertures. Face detection AF aids with sharp eyes, crucial for portraits. However, lens choice and skill influence final results heavily.

• Sony W570: Limited by small sensor and fixed lens aperture ranging from f/2.6 to f/6.3, backgrounds tend to stay in focus, producing less distinctive subject separation. The lack of face detection means slightly more manual framing effort.

Conclusion: For portraits, the Galaxy NX is your winner, offering more control over depth of field and sharper skin details, particularly with dedicated portrait lenses.

Landscape Photography

• Samsung Galaxy NX: Thanks to its 20MP APS-C sensor and RAW file support, the NX excels here. Wide-angle NX lenses combined with good dynamic range capture detail-rich landscapes. No weather sealing restricts outdoor use in harsh conditions.

• Sony W570: The ultracompact is decent in daylight landscape scenes, but limited resolution, small sensor, and lack of RAW data limit editing flexibility. Zoom range up to 125mm equivalent adds composition options but sensor size reduces tonal depth.

Conclusion: For serious landscape shooters wanting quality and latitude in post-processing, the Galaxy NX is more capable.

Wildlife Photography

Burst speed and autofocus performance are vital here.

• Samsung Galaxy NX: Offers 9 FPS continuous shooting with hybrid AF, though lacking advanced tracking AF. Lens choice includes several telephoto options to reach distant subjects.

• Sony W570: 1 FPS max burst and slower contrast-detect AF limit ability to capture animals in motion, plus a fixed lens maxing at 125mm equivalent - less reach.

Conclusion: The Galaxy NX better suits amateur wildlife work by combining higher frame rates and better AF with telephoto lenses.

Sports Photography

Fast autofocus, frame rates, and low-light capability come into play.

• Samsung Galaxy NX: 9 FPS burst and shutter speeds up to 1/6000s make for flexible sports capture in daylight. However, no continuous AF tracking limits sustained focus on moving athletes. ISO up to 25600 is impressive but real-world noise performance starts to degrade at high ISOs.

• Sony W570: Maximum shutter speed of 1/1600s and 1 FPS burst hinders freezing fast action, also struggles in low light.

Conclusion: For quicker sports action, Galaxy NX remains more viable, albeit with some limitations.

Street Photography

Compactness, discreetness, and quick operation count.

• Sony W570: Small size, silent operation, and quick ready times excel here. The 25mm wide end helps capture scenes easily. Lack of manual focus might displease some but beginners may appreciate simplicity.

• Samsung Galaxy NX: Larger and more conspicuous, but touchscreen AF targeting and manual modes allow creative street shots.

Conclusion: Sony W570 is a better grab-and-go for street shooters favoring portability over advanced controls.

Macro Photography

Focusing precision and magnification matter most.

• Samsung Galaxy NX: Dependent on lens choice; some NX lenses offer close focusing but no in-body stabilization means handheld macro requires care.

• Sony W570: 5cm macro focus is decent for casual close-ups; optical stabilization helps reduce blur.

Conclusion: Sony provides easier casual macro shots out of the box; for higher quality or specialized macro work, use Galaxy NX with dedicated macro lenses.

Night and Astro Photography

High ISO noise and long exposure modes matter here.

• Samsung Galaxy NX: Native ISO starts at 100, boosts to 25600, allowing more flexibility in low light. Bulb mode and manual shutter speeds up to 30 seconds support nightscapes and astrophotography. Lack of in-body stabilization makes tripod essential.

• Sony W570: ISO tops at 3200 with shorter max exposure 2s to 1/1600s shutter speed range. Limited for serious night shooting.

Conclusion: Galaxy NX is far better suited for night and astro work thanks to sensor size, exposure range, and RAW support.

Video Capabilities

• Samsung Galaxy NX: Supports Full HD 1080p at variable frame rates, with H.264 encoding, plus a microphone and headphone jack for audio monitoring - a boon for videographers.

• Sony W570: Limited to 720p recording at 30fps, no external mic input.

Conclusion: Serious casual video users will prefer Galaxy NX’s superior video specs and audio options.

Travel Photography

Size, weight, flexibility, and battery life rule here.

• Sony W570: Super compact and lightweight, versatile zoom lens, optical stabilization, and support for multiple media types make for easy travel use.

• Samsung Galaxy NX: Heavier and bulkier but offers lens interchangeability and far better image quality. Battery life rated around 440 shots is decent for an APS-C mirrorless.

Conclusion: If you prioritize portability and ease, Sony W570 is attractive; for higher image quality and system expandability, Galaxy NX is preferred.

Professional Work and Workflow Integration

• Samsung Galaxy NX: Raw support, manual exposure modes, lens ecosystem of 32 lenses, and standard USB/HDMI connectivity align with professional workflows. However, relatively small user base and Samsung’s later exit from camera support may limit long-term reliability.

• Sony W570: No raw support, fixed lens, aimed strictly at casual shooters.

Conclusion: Only the Galaxy NX fits serious amateur or semi-pro photographic workflows. The Sony is too limited.

Diving Deeper into Technical Details

Let's examine core tech dimensions that often separate good from great cameras.

Sensor Technology and Image Output

The Samsung’s DRIMe IV processor paired with a 20MP APS-C CMOS sensor offers richer colors, deeper bit depth, and higher dynamic range than the Sony’s older CCD sensor. Though neither model is DXO Mark tested officially, field experience confirms spectacular noise suppression and tonal smoothness advantages for the Galaxy NX.

Lens Ecosystem and Compatibility

Samsung’s NX mount supports over 30 native lenses, ranging from wide primes to telephoto zooms, macro, and portrait optics. This breadth enables photographers to tailor their kit precisely.

Sony W570’s fixed lens lacks flexibility - 5x zoom 25-125mm equivalent but maximum aperture variability limits creative options.

Autofocus System and Accuracy

The Galaxy NX’s hybrid AF with phase detection points yields fast, contrast-driven focus accuracy but no continuous tracking limits fast subject follow-up. Sony relies solely on 9-point contrast AF with no manual override.

Build Quality and Weather Resistance

Neither camera has environmental sealing. Samsung’s build is more robust, reflecting its enthusiast design, while Sony emphasizes lightness over ruggedness.

Ergonomics and User Interface

Samsung’s touchscreen plus dedicated buttons improve efficiency in demanding shooting scenarios. The Sony’s simple button layout favors users new to photography but lacks speed for advanced tasks.

Battery Life and Storage

Samsung claims 440 shots per charge, adequate for mirrorless. Sony’s NP-BN1 battery life is unspecified but known to be modest due to small cell size. Both use SD memory cards; Sony supports Memory Stick variants as well.

Connectivity

Galaxy NX includes built-in Wi-Fi and GPS for geo-tagging, useful on travel shoots. Sony offers Eye-Fi card compatibility but no onboard GPS or Bluetooth.

Price-to-Performance Analysis

At launch, the Galaxy NX was over $1,200, reflecting its advanced sensor and lens system. The Sony W570’s $159 price tag made it an entry-level travel or casual camera.

Given today’s market, neither is cutting edge yet they serve different pricing expectations still - with the Samsung delivering much greater value for serious hobbyists willing to invest in lenses and learning curves.

Looking at the top view comparison confirms Samsung’s mode dial, customizable buttons, and well-placed shutter, zoom, and playback controls versus Sony’s minimal array.

Sample Image Comparison

Seeing is believing.

Samsung Galaxy NX front Samsung Galaxy NX screen back Sony W570 front Sony W570 screen back

In daylight, the Sony delivers punchy snaps but with limited depth and muted low light fidelity. The Samsung produces cleaner, more nuanced shots with better dynamic range and background separation. Noise performance differences become obvious beyond ISO 800.

Objective Ratings and Scores

Based on my testing rig, factoring sensor quality, ergonomics, AF speed, and image output, here is a summarized scorecard:

Samsung Galaxy NX scores higher in almost every category, except portability and simplicity where Sony W570 shines.

This genre-level breakdown highlights Galaxy NX’s superiority from portraits to night photography, with Sony W570 modestly competitive only in street and travel convenience.

Final Thoughts and Recommendations

Who should consider the Samsung Galaxy NX?

If image quality, creative control, and expansive lens options matter to you - and you don’t mind a bulkier kit plus a steeper learning curve - the Galaxy NX remains compelling even today for enthusiasts and semi-pro users. Its large APS-C sensor, touchscreen, video support, and Wi-Fi connectivity set it apart in the entry-level mirrorless category.

Who is the Sony Cyber-shot DSC-W570 best for?

If you want a strictly pocketable, user-friendly camera for casual shooting, travel snapshots, and easy macro images at a very affordable price, the W570 remains relevant. Its optical stabilization and compact zoom lend practicality to everyday use - though don’t expect DSLR-like quality or advanced controls.

Personal Closing

Having used both cameras extensively, I find the Galaxy NX to be a camera with great ambition for its time. It represents a bridge between smartphone ease and mirrorless capabilities, although Samsung’s limited long-term system support is a caution. The Sony W570 is simply a point-and-shoot with no pretense, reliable for quick photos but limited if you want to grow as a photographer.

If you’re serious about stepping up your photography, I suggest investing in the Galaxy NX system and exploring its NX lens lineup. For casual users or backup cameras, the Sony W570 still holds value as a lightweight, beginner-friendly option.

Any new gear purchase should balance desire, budget, and intended use. Hopefully, this comparison enlightens your choice between these distinct cameras and helps you find the perfect fit for your photographic journey.

If you have any questions on specific photo scenarios or want my hands-on video demonstrations, feel free to ask - sharing my expert experience helps you get the best shot every time!