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Samsung NX mini vs Sony A7

Portability
93
Imaging
51
Features
68
Overall
57
Samsung NX mini front
 
Sony Alpha A7 front
Portability
78
Imaging
70
Features
80
Overall
74

Samsung NX mini vs Sony A7 Key Specs

Samsung NX mini
(Full Review)
  • 20.5MP - 1" Sensor
  • 3" Tilting Screen
  • ISO 160 - 12800 (Expand to 25600)
  • 1/16000s Max Shutter
  • 1920 x 1080 video
  • Samsung NX-M Mount
  • 196g - 110 x 62 x 23mm
  • Introduced March 2014
Sony A7
(Full Review)
  • 24MP - Full frame Sensor
  • 3" Tilting Screen
  • ISO 50 - 25600
  • 1/8000s Max Shutter
  • 1920 x 1080 video
  • Sony E Mount
  • 474g - 127 x 94 x 48mm
  • Announced January 2014
  • Updated by Sony A7 II
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Samsung NX mini vs Sony A7 Overview

On this page, we will be reviewing the Samsung NX mini and Sony A7, one is a Entry-Level Mirrorless and the latter is a Pro Mirrorless by manufacturers Samsung and Sony. The resolution of the NX mini (20.5MP) and the A7 (24MP) is relatively similar but the NX mini (1") and A7 (Full frame) offer different sensor size.

Photography Glossary

The NX mini was released 2 months after the A7 and they are of a similar generation. Both cameras have different body design with the Samsung NX mini being a Rangefinder-style mirrorless camera and the Sony A7 being a SLR-style mirrorless camera.

Before going into a in depth comparison, here is a simple view of how the NX mini grades against the A7 in the way of portability, imaging, features and an overall score.

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Reasons to pick Samsung NX mini over the Sony A7

 NX mini A7 
Touch screen Quickly navigate

Reasons to pick Sony A7 over the Samsung NX mini

 A7 NX mini 
Screen resolution1230k461kClearer screen (+769k dot)

Common features in the Samsung NX mini and Sony A7

 NX mini A7 
AnnouncedMarch 2014January 2014Similar generation
Manual focus Dial accurate focusing
Screen typeTiltingTiltingTilting screen
Screen dimensions3"3"Equal screen size
Selfie screen Neither provides selfie screen

Samsung NX mini vs Sony A7 Physical Comparison

If you are planning to carry around your camera, you have to consider its weight and size. The Samsung NX mini provides physical measurements of 110mm x 62mm x 23mm (4.3" x 2.4" x 0.9") and a weight of 196 grams (0.43 lbs) and the Sony A7 has specifications of 127mm x 94mm x 48mm (5.0" x 3.7" x 1.9") with a weight of 474 grams (1.04 lbs).

Look at the Samsung NX mini and Sony A7 in the new Camera and Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Take into account, the weight of an Interchangeable Lens Camera will vary based on the lens you choose at that moment. Below is a front view overall size comparison of the NX mini versus the A7.

Samsung NX mini vs Sony A7 size comparison

Factoring in dimensions and weight, the portability grade of the NX mini and A7 is 93 and 78 respectively.

Samsung NX mini vs Sony A7 top view buttons comparison

Samsung NX mini vs Sony A7 Sensor Comparison

Typically, it is very difficult to visualize the difference between sensor sizes only by reading technical specs. The pic below should provide you a stronger sense of the sensor measurements in the NX mini and A7.

As you can tell, both of those cameras provide different megapixels and different sensor sizes. The NX mini featuring a tinier sensor is going to make getting bokeh tougher and the Sony A7 will deliver greater detail as a result of its extra 3.5 Megapixels. Higher resolution will also let you crop shots more aggressively.

Samsung NX mini vs Sony A7 sensor size comparison

Samsung NX mini vs Sony A7 Screen and ViewFinder

Samsung NX mini vs Sony A7 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Samsung NX mini as a Portrait photography camera
Sony A7 as a Portrait photography camera
70
focusing manually
decent MP (20.5 megapixels)
nice sensor size (1")
offers face detect autofocus
supports RAW formats
82
you can focus manually
decent megapixels (24MP)
sensor size is big (Full frame)
has face detection focus
delivers RAW formats
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Street Comparison

Samsung NX mini Street photography details
Sony A7 Street photography details
81
has a tilting screen
nice sensor size (1")
supports RAW formats
has touch focus
lighter than competition in class (196g)
does not have image stabilization
79
tilting screen
sensor size is big (Full frame)
delivers RAW formats
environment sealing
lighter than competition (474g)
above average ISO range (25,600)
does not have image stabilization
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Sports Comparison

Samsung NX mini as a Sports photography camera
Sony A7 as a Sports photography camera
54
maximum shutter speed is high (1/16,000 seconds)
decent MP (20.5 megapixels)
nice sensor size (1")
great battery pack (650 CIPA)
continuous shooting slow (6.0 fps)
does not have image stabilization
no phase detect autofocus
66
high shutter speed (1/8,000s)
decent megapixels (24MP)
sensor size is big (Full frame)
environment sealing
sensor has phase detect auto focus
low frames per second (5.0 fps)
does not have image stabilization
not so great battery life (340 per charge)
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Travel Comparison

Samsung NX mini Travel photography factors
Sony A7 Travel photography factors
75
great battery pack (650 CIPA)
lighter than competition in class (196 grams)
has touch focus
decent MP (20.5 megapixels)
built-in flash
does not have Timelapse mode
screen is not selfie friendly
69
lighter than competition (474 grams)
environment sealing
decent megapixels (24MP)
not so great battery life (340 CIPA)
screen is not selfie friendly
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Landscape Comparison

Samsung NX mini Landscape photography details
Sony A7 Landscape photography details
68
focusing manually
change lenses (Samsung NX-M mount)
screen size is decent (3 inch)
decent MP (20.5 megapixels)
nice sensor size (1")
supports RAW formats
great battery pack (650 per charge)
does not have image stabilization
does not have Timelapse mode
75
you can focus manually
change lenses (Sony E mount)
pretty good screen size (3 inches)
decent megapixels (24MP)
sensor size is big (Full frame)
above average ISO range (25,600)
delivers RAW formats
environment sealing
does not have image stabilization
not so great battery life (340 CIPA)
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Vlogging Comparison

Samsung NX mini Vlogging features
Sony A7 Vlogging features
37
touchscreen enabled
offers face detect autofocus
high quality video (1920 x 1080 pixels)
has microphone socket
lighter than competition in class (196g)
screen is not selfie friendly
does not have image stabilization
35
has face detection focus
high quality video (1920 x 1080 resolution)
includes external microphone socket
lighter than competition (474 grams)
screen is not selfie friendly
does not have image stabilization
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Samsung NX mini vs Sony A7 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Samsung NX mini and Sony A7
 Samsung NX miniSony Alpha A7
General Information
Manufacturer Samsung Sony
Model type Samsung NX mini Sony Alpha A7
Class Entry-Level Mirrorless Pro Mirrorless
Introduced 2014-03-19 2014-01-22
Physical type Rangefinder-style mirrorless SLR-style mirrorless
Sensor Information
Chip - Bionz X
Sensor type BSI-CMOS CMOS
Sensor size 1" Full frame
Sensor measurements 13.2 x 8.8mm 35.8 x 23.9mm
Sensor surface area 116.2mm² 855.6mm²
Sensor resolution 20.5MP 24MP
Anti alias filter
Aspect ratio 1:1, 3:2 and 16:9 3:2 and 16:9
Max resolution 5472 x 3648 6000 x 4000
Max native ISO 12800 25600
Max enhanced ISO 25600 -
Minimum native ISO 160 50
RAW images
Minimum enhanced ISO 100 -
Autofocusing
Manual focusing
Autofocus touch
Continuous autofocus
Single autofocus
Tracking autofocus
Autofocus selectice
Center weighted autofocus
Autofocus multi area
Live view autofocus
Face detection autofocus
Contract detection autofocus
Phase detection autofocus
Total focus points 21 117
Cross type focus points - 25
Lens
Lens mount type Samsung NX-M Sony E
Amount of lenses 2 121
Focal length multiplier 2.7 1
Screen
Screen type Tilting Tilting
Screen sizing 3" 3"
Resolution of screen 461k dots 1,230k dots
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch display
Screen tech TFT-LCD (180 degree tilt) Xtra Fine LCD
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder None Electronic
Viewfinder resolution - 2,359k dots
Viewfinder coverage - 100 percent
Viewfinder magnification - 0.71x
Features
Minimum shutter speed 30 seconds 30 seconds
Fastest shutter speed 1/16000 seconds 1/8000 seconds
Continuous shutter rate 6.0 frames per sec 5.0 frames per sec
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Manual mode
Exposure compensation Yes Yes
Change white balance
Image stabilization
Integrated flash
Flash distance - no built-in flash
Flash options Smart Flash, auto, auto + redeye reduction, fill-in, fill-in + redeye reduction, 1st curtain, 2nd curtain no built-in flash
External flash
AE bracketing
White balance bracketing
Fastest flash synchronize 1/200 seconds 1/250 seconds
Exposure
Multisegment
Average
Spot
Partial
AF area
Center weighted
Video features
Supported video resolutions 1920 x 1080, 1280 x 720, 640 x 480, 320 x 240 (all 30 fps) 1920 x 1080 (60p, 60i, 24p), 1440 x 1080 (30p), 640 x 480 (30p)
Max video resolution 1920x1080 1920x1080
Video format MPEG-4, H.264 MPEG-4, AVCHD
Microphone port
Headphone port
Connectivity
Wireless Built-In Built-In
Bluetooth
NFC
HDMI
USB USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec) USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec)
GPS None None
Physical
Environmental sealing
Water proofing
Dust proofing
Shock proofing
Crush proofing
Freeze proofing
Weight 196g (0.43 lbs) 474g (1.04 lbs)
Physical dimensions 110 x 62 x 23mm (4.3" x 2.4" x 0.9") 127 x 94 x 48mm (5.0" x 3.7" x 1.9")
DXO scores
DXO Overall rating not tested 90
DXO Color Depth rating not tested 24.8
DXO Dynamic range rating not tested 14.2
DXO Low light rating not tested 2248
Other
Battery life 650 pictures 340 pictures
Form of battery Battery Pack Battery Pack
Battery ID B740 NP-FW50
Self timer Yes (2-30 sec) Yes (2 or 10 sec; continuous (3 or 5 exposures))
Time lapse feature With downloadable app
Storage type microSD/microSDHC/microSDXC SD/SDHC/SDXC, Memory Stick Duo/Pro Duo/Pro-HG Duo
Card slots 1 1
Cost at release $530 $798