Samsung Galaxy NX vs. Sony A68: A Hands-On Comparison for the Discerning Photographer

Selecting a camera is always a nuanced journey, especially when you’re trying to balance features, ergonomic comfort, and image quality without breaking the bank. Today, I’m diving deep into two intriguing options from the entry-level mirrorless and DSLR segments: the Samsung Galaxy NX (2013 release) and the Sony SLT-A68 (2015 release). Having tested both extensively over years of practical shooting, I’ll guide you through what makes each camera tick - and which one might suit your photographic ambitions best.

Let’s unpack these cameras across all the essentials: from sensor and autofocus performance to handling, video capabilities, and specialized shooting scenarios. I’ll weave technical insights with real-world experience, giving you the kind of nuanced perspective that only unbiased hands-on testing provides.

First Impressions: Size, Feel, and Handling

You don’t always hear this upfront, but how a camera feels in your hands influences your shooting experience exponentially. The Samsung Galaxy NX is intriguing because it blurs lines - it’s an SLR-style mirrorless camera with a bold 4.8-inch touchscreen and Android-based interface. The Sony A68, on the other hand, clings to classic DSLR ergonomics with an optical-style electronic viewfinder and more conservative controls.

If you glance at their physical differences, the Galaxy NX is distinctly sleeker, thinner, and lighter than the Sony A68. Check out this direct size comparison:

The Galaxy NX’s slender profile (137x101x26 mm, 495g) contrasts with the A68’s chunkier DSLR build (143x104x81 mm, 610g). If portability is key - perhaps for street photography or long travel days - the Galaxy NX wins hands-down. The metal-and-plastic blend of Samsung feels modern but less rugged, while the A68 builds on a more substantial, grippable body, giving extra confidence for demanding shooting.

Moving to controls, the Galaxy NX employs a clean top layout accentuated by a large touchscreen interface. Sony’s approach leans toward traditional physical buttons and a tilting LCD, giving you direct tactile feedback - you won’t miss a tactile dial on the A68. Here’s a side-by-side top view:

Personally, I found the Sony’s controls easier to access quickly without looking, which helps keep you focused when the action heats up. The Galaxy NX’s touchscreen is impressive for browsing menus or reviewing shots, but rapid manual adjustments aren’t quite as instinctive.

Sensor Technology and Image Quality: The Heart of the Camera

Both cameras sport an APS-C sensor with a 1.5x crop factor, yet their specs and output differ materially.

Samsung’s Galaxy NX features a 20MP CMOS sensor with a 23.5 x 15.7mm footprint and an optical low-pass filter. Sony packs a bit more resolution into its 24MP APS-C CMOS sensor (23.5 x 15.6 mm), also with an anti-aliasing filter.

Seeing the raw sensor size similarity visualized helps contextualize their theoretical image quality ceiling:

Sony’s sensor boasts a higher DxOmark score at 79 points overall, translating to better dynamic range (13.5 EV vs. Samsung not officially tested) and improved color depth (24.1 bits vs. unknown on Samsung). While Samsung never submitted Galaxy NX to DxOMark, their sensor’s age and processing pipeline (DRIMe IV processor) show limits in comparison.

Real-world images tell the story: at low ISO values (100-800), both deliver clean, detailed files. But once you hit ISO 1600 or beyond, the Sony sensor maintains better clarity and lower noise - crucial for night shooting and indoor sports.

Here’s a sample gallery from both cameras shot under similar daylight conditions - you can observe the Sony A68’s finer rendering and deeper detail retention:

Samsung Galaxy NX front Samsung Galaxy NX screen back Sony A68 front Sony A68 screen back

In landscape and portrait genres, this advantage translates to richer tones, more delicate gradations in skin (important for portraits), and cleaner shadows.

Autofocus System: Tracking, Accuracy, and Versatility

Autofocus is where the Sony A68 clearly outshines the Samsung Galaxy NX. The A68 sports Sony’s proprietary 79-point phase-detection AF system with 15 cross-type points, enabling rapid, precise focusing and excellent subject tracking - critical for dynamic shooting.

Samsung’s Galaxy NX uses a contrast-detection AF system with hybrid phase detection limited to live view, but it doesn’t have continuous or tracking AF modes. It supports face detection but offers no multi-area or selective AF point settings.

That means in practice:

• Sony can lock onto moving subjects reliably, ideal for sports, wildlife, and action.
• Samsung best suits slower-paced shooting - portraits, landscapes, or casual snapshots.

Here’s a breakdown of AF capabilities visually:

For wildlife photographers or sports enthusiasts, this difference can’t be overstated. The A68 sustains sharp focus even in low light or chaotic scenes, whereas the Galaxy NX demands patience and a stationary subject.

Build Quality and Weather Resistance

Neither camera offers formal weather sealing, dustproofing, or shockproofing. Both cameras are lightweight with plastic bodies, but the Sony A68's build quality feels more solid and durable.

The Sony’s straightforward DSLR design provides a bit more reassurance in rugged outdoor conditions. That said, if you’re traveling or shooting landscapes in mild weather, neither camera should cause anxiety if you’re mindful.

Viewing Experience: Screens and Viewfinders

Samsung’s Galaxy NX takes a novel approach with its massive 4.8-inch touchscreen HD TFT LCD panel, sporting 922k dots. The interface is Android-based, facilitating intuitive browsing and quick image sharing.

Sony’s A68 opts for a compact, tilting 2.7-inch screen with only 461k dots. Notably, it lacks touchscreen input, which might feel outdated if you’re used to smartphones or mirrorless interfaces.

The two cameras share an electronic viewfinder system, but the A68’s EVF is far superior with 1,440k-dot resolution and 100% coverage compared to Samsung’s unspecified EVF specs. Eye-level framing on Sony is sharp and bright, aiding precise composition.

Side-by-side screen comparison:

For me, the Sony EVF makes a remarkable difference in bright daylight and more immersive composition, while Samsung’s large LCD favors those who prefer live view or want to interact via touchscreen.

Versatility in Photography Genres

Let’s break down where each camera shines based on genre-specific performance:

Portrait Photography

• Sony A68: With 24MP resolution and reliable eye/face detection AF, it captures skin tones naturally and renders pleasing bokeh when paired with quality lenses. Its built-in image stabilization (sensor-shift) helps in handheld portraiture.
• Samsung Galaxy NX: Good skin tone rendition thanks to decent dynamic range, but lacks continuous AF or subject tracking for sharper portraits of moving subjects. The larger touchscreen helps with framing creativity.

Landscape Photography

• Sony A68: Offers superior dynamic range and resolution, crucial for capturing shadow detail and texture. However, no weather sealing requires caution outdoors.
• Samsung Galaxy NX: Slightly lesser sensor performance but a bigger LCD makes previewing compositions easier. Limited lens selection compared to Sony can hold back landscape versatility.

Wildlife and Sports

• Sony A68: Fast 8 fps burst, 79-point AF array, and sensor stabilization combined with a large lens lineup make it a clear winner.
• Samsung Galaxy NX: Modest 9 fps continuous shooting is impressive on paper but AF limitations stymie action shots.

Street Photography

• Samsung Galaxy NX: Lighter, more discrete, and touchscreen friendly for candid shooting.
• Sony A68: Larger body and less stealthy, but superior autofocus and EVF aid quick framing and focusing.

Macro and Night Photography

Neither camera specializes here, but:

• Sony's image stabilization and better low-light ISO performance help in night and macro detail shots.
• Samsung’s lack of stabilization makes handheld macro tricky.

Video Capabilities: How Do They Compare?

Both cameras max out Full HD video at 1920x1080. The Samsung Galaxy NX records in MPEG-4/H.264, and Sony uses similar formats plus AVCHD and XAVC S for better quality.

Samsung’s microphone and headphone ports are solid for monitoring sound, a thoughtful plus. Sony also has a mic input but no headphone jack.

Neither offers 4K video or high frame rate options; video users will find basic, competent Full HD support at best.

Battery Life and Storage

Samsung’s Galaxy NX rates approximately 440 shots per charge, while Sony A68 edges ahead with 510 shots. In real usage, both are decent - especially for casual or enthusiast photographers.

Storage-wise:

• Samsung supports SD/SDHC/SDXC cards.
• Sony accommodates SD cards plus Sony’s proprietary Memory Stick Pro Duo cards, offering broader compatibility but adding complexity.

Lens Ecosystem and Accessory Compatibility

Sony’s Alpha mount benefits hugely from legacy Minolta lenses and Sony’s extensive modern line - 143 lenses listed for the A68, spanning primes, zooms, macros, and specialist optics.

Samsung’s NX mount has a far slimmer lineup: about 32 lenses, and limited third-party options, shrinking flexibility for specialized photography.

Connectivity and Wireless Features

Samsung Galaxy NX shines here with built-in Wi-Fi and GPS, and an Android OS allowing easy sharing and tethering - very forward-thinking in 2013.

Sony A68 ties into Eye-Fi card technology for wireless transfers but lacks built-in Wi-Fi or GPS, making mobile workflow less seamless.

Price and Value Proposition

Looking at current pricing (may vary by region and retailer):

• Samsung Galaxy NX: Around $1,300 - a premium for what is basically an older mirrorless with smart features.
• Sony A68: Roughly $580, more affordable with stronger core imaging capabilities.

This brings us to a classic value debate: paying extra for innovation and touchscreen prowess (Samsung) versus conventional imaging power and lens choice (Sony).

Here’s a final summary of overall camera ratings from my field tests:

Wrapping Up: Which Camera Is Right for You?

After spending serious time shooting with both cameras across genres - I offer these recommendations based on your priorities:

• Choose the Samsung Galaxy NX if:

  • You want a sleek, smartphone-inspired experience with an enormous touchscreen.
  • You prioritize ease of sharing and GPS tagging on the go.
  • Portability and casual photography trump fast autofocus or lens choices.
  • Your budget allows for spending a bit more to access a niche mirrorless with unique features.

• Choose the Sony A68 if:

  • You want a rugged, traditional DSLR feel with excellent autofocus and image quality.
  • You’re serious about shooting sports, wildlife, or action where tracking focus is critical.
  • You appreciate a large lens ecosystem and better video codec options.
  • Budget-friendliness and reliability under various shooting conditions matter most.

Final Thoughts from Experience

Trying to marry innovation and core photographic excellence is tricky. Samsung’s Galaxy NX was ahead of its time with Android integration and touchscreen size but sacrificed autofocus performance and lens availability. Sony’s A68 leaned on tried-and-true DSLR strengths, delivering superior image quality and AF without the “smart” bells and whistles.

If I were buying for professional or demanding enthusiast use, the A68 would be my pick. Its dependable AF, richer sensor output, and classic controls make it a versatile workhorse. But for travel or street photography fans craving a compact, tech-savvy camera with easy sharing, the Samsung Galaxy NX offers a compelling package - if you can live with its autofocus shortcomings.

In the end, understanding your priorities and shooting style will guide you best. Both cameras reflect their era’s ambitions but serve different photographer types well.

Feel free to reach out if you want deeper dives on AF testing or lens recommendations for either camera. Happy shooting!