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Samsung NX mini vs Sony A550

Portability
93
Imaging
52
Features
68
Overall
58
Samsung NX mini front
 
Sony Alpha DSLR-A550 front
Portability
63
Imaging
54
Features
65
Overall
58

Samsung NX mini vs Sony A550 Key Specs

Samsung NX mini
(Full Review)
  • 20.5MP - 1" Sensor
  • 3" Tilting Display
  • ISO 160 - 12800 (Push to 25600)
  • 1/16000s Max Shutter
  • 1920 x 1080 video
  • Samsung NX-M Mount
  • 196g - 110 x 62 x 23mm
  • Launched March 2014
Sony A550
(Full Review)
  • 14MP - APS-C Sensor
  • 3" Tilting Display
  • ISO 200 - 12800
  • Sensor based Image Stabilization
  • No Video
  • Sony/Minolta Alpha Mount
  • 632g - 137 x 104 x 84mm
  • Released December 2009
  • Earlier Model is Sony A100
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Samsung NX mini vs Sony A550 Overview

Its time to take a more detailed look at the Samsung NX mini versus Sony A550, one being a Entry-Level Mirrorless and the other is a Entry-Level DSLR by brands Samsung and Sony. There is a sizeable difference between the resolutions of the NX mini (20.5MP) and A550 (14MP) and the NX mini (1") and A550 (APS-C) boast totally different sensor size.

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The NX mini was unveiled 4 years later than the A550 and that is quite a large gap as far as tech is concerned. Both of the cameras feature different body design with the Samsung NX mini being a Rangefinder-style mirrorless camera and the Sony A550 being a Compact SLR camera.

Before going into a thorough comparison, here is a brief highlight of how the NX mini matches up against the A550 for portability, imaging, features and an overall grade.

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Reasons to pick Samsung NX mini over the Sony A550

 NX mini A550 
ReleasedMarch 2014December 2009More recent by 53 months
Touch display Easily navigate

Reasons to pick Sony A550 over the Samsung NX mini

 A550 NX mini 
Display resolution922k461kCrisper display (+461k dot)

Common features in the Samsung NX mini and Sony A550

 NX mini A550 
Focus manually More accurate focus
Display typeTiltingTiltingTilting display
Display size3"3"Same display size
Selfie screen Lack of selfie screen

Samsung NX mini vs Sony A550 Physical Comparison

For anyone who is aiming to lug around your camera regularly, you will have to consider its weight and measurements. The Samsung NX mini has got exterior measurements of 110mm x 62mm x 23mm (4.3" x 2.4" x 0.9") having a weight of 196 grams (0.43 lbs) whilst the Sony A550 has proportions of 137mm x 104mm x 84mm (5.4" x 4.1" x 3.3") along with a weight of 632 grams (1.39 lbs).

Check out the Samsung NX mini versus Sony A550 in the all new Camera and Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Take into consideration, the weight of an Interchangeable Lens Camera will vary depending on the lens you have chosen at the time. Here is a front view sizing comparison of the NX mini against the A550.

Samsung NX mini vs Sony A550 size comparison

Considering size and weight, the portability grade of the NX mini and A550 is 93 and 63 respectively.

Samsung NX mini vs Sony A550 top view buttons comparison

Samsung NX mini vs Sony A550 Sensor Comparison

Often, it is tough to envision the gap between sensor measurements merely by looking at specifications. The photograph below will provide you a much better sense of the sensor sizing in the NX mini and A550.

Plainly, both cameras come with different megapixels and different sensor measurements. The NX mini with its tinier sensor will make getting shallower DOF harder and the Samsung NX mini will resolve more detail having an extra 6.5 Megapixels. Greater resolution will also let you crop photos a good deal more aggressively. The younger NX mini is going to have a benefit when it comes to sensor tech.

Samsung NX mini vs Sony A550 sensor size comparison

Samsung NX mini vs Sony A550 Screen and ViewFinder

Samsung NX mini vs Sony A550 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Samsung NX mini Portrait photography highlights
Sony A550 Portrait photography highlights
71
focusing manually
decent MP (20.5 megapixels)
good sensor size (1")
supports face detection focusing
delivers RAW files
72
you can focus manually
good megapixels (14 megapixels)
nice sensor size (APS-C)
includes face detection focusing
delivers RAW files
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Street Comparison

Street photography with Samsung NX mini
Street photography with Sony A550
81
has a tilting screen
good sensor size (1")
delivers RAW files
offers touch focus
lighter than competition (196g)
does not have image stabilization
74
screen tilts
built in image stabilization (Sensor based)
nice sensor size (APS-C)
delivers RAW files
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Sports Comparison

Samsung NX mini Sports photography advice
Sony A550 Sports photography advice
54
maximum shutter speed is high (1/16,000s)
decent MP (20.5 megapixels)
good sensor size (1")
good battery life (650 shots)
low frames per second (6.0 fps)
does not have image stabilization
lack of phase detect AF
67
built in image stabilization (Sensor based)
good megapixels (14 megapixels)
nice sensor size (APS-C)
sensor has phase detect AF
low battery life (480 CIPA)
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Travel Comparison

Samsung NX mini Travel photography info
Sony A550 Travel photography info
76
good battery life (650 shots)
lighter than competition (196 grams)
offers touch focus
decent MP (20.5 megapixels)
built-in flash
no Timelapse function
does not have a selfie friendly screen
52
good megapixels (14 megapixels)
built-in flash
does not have Time Lapse recording
low battery life (480 CIPA)
does not have selfie friendly display
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Landscape Comparison

Samsung NX mini Landscape photography details
Sony A550 Landscape photography details
68
focusing manually
swap lenses (Samsung NX-M mount)
screen size is good (3 inch)
decent MP (20.5 megapixels)
good sensor size (1")
delivers RAW files
good battery life (650 per charge)
does not have image stabilization
no Timelapse function
66
you can focus manually
switch lenses (Sony/Minolta Alpha mount)
screen size is good (3 inches)
built in image stabilization (Sensor based)
good megapixels (14 megapixels)
nice sensor size (APS-C)
delivers RAW files
low battery life (480 per charge)
does not have Time Lapse recording
Photography Glossary

Vlogging Comparison

Samsung NX mini Vlogging advice
Sony A550 Vlogging advice
38
touchscreen functionality
supports face detection focusing
video resolution high (1920 x 1080 pixels)
includes external microphone support
lighter than competition (196g)
does not have a selfie friendly screen
does not have image stabilization
9
no video shooting
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Samsung NX mini vs Sony A550 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Samsung NX mini and Sony A550
 Samsung NX miniSony Alpha DSLR-A550
General Information
Brand Samsung Sony
Model Samsung NX mini Sony Alpha DSLR-A550
Class Entry-Level Mirrorless Entry-Level DSLR
Launched 2014-03-19 2009-12-09
Body design Rangefinder-style mirrorless Compact SLR
Sensor Information
Chip - Bionz
Sensor type BSI-CMOS CMOS
Sensor size 1" APS-C
Sensor dimensions 13.2 x 8.8mm 23.4 x 15.6mm
Sensor area 116.2mm² 365.0mm²
Sensor resolution 20.5 megapixels 14 megapixels
Anti aliasing filter
Aspect ratio 1:1, 3:2 and 16:9 3:2 and 16:9
Peak resolution 5472 x 3648 4592 x 3056
Highest native ISO 12800 12800
Highest enhanced ISO 25600 -
Lowest native ISO 160 200
RAW pictures
Lowest enhanced ISO 100 -
Autofocusing
Manual focus
AF touch
AF continuous
AF single
AF tracking
Selective AF
Center weighted AF
Multi area AF
AF live view
Face detect AF
Contract detect AF
Phase detect AF
Number of focus points 21 9
Lens
Lens mounting type Samsung NX-M Sony/Minolta Alpha
Amount of lenses 2 143
Focal length multiplier 2.7 1.5
Screen
Range of display Tilting Tilting
Display size 3 inch 3 inch
Display resolution 461 thousand dot 922 thousand dot
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch screen
Display technology TFT-LCD (180 degree tilt) -
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder None Optical (pentamirror)
Viewfinder coverage - 95%
Viewfinder magnification - 0.53x
Features
Minimum shutter speed 30 secs 30 secs
Fastest shutter speed 1/16000 secs 1/4000 secs
Continuous shutter speed 6.0 frames per sec 7.0 frames per sec
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Manual exposure
Exposure compensation Yes Yes
Set WB
Image stabilization
Integrated flash
Flash range - 12.00 m
Flash settings Smart Flash, auto, auto + redeye reduction, fill-in, fill-in + redeye reduction, 1st curtain, 2nd curtain Auto, On, Off, Red-Eye, Slow Sync, High Speed Sync, Rear Curtain, Fill-in, Wireless
Hot shoe
AEB
WB bracketing
Fastest flash sync 1/200 secs 1/160 secs
Exposure
Multisegment
Average
Spot
Partial
AF area
Center weighted
Video features
Video resolutions 1920 x 1080, 1280 x 720, 640 x 480, 320 x 240 (all 30 fps) -
Highest video resolution 1920x1080 None
Video file format MPEG-4, H.264 -
Mic input
Headphone input
Connectivity
Wireless Built-In None
Bluetooth
NFC
HDMI
USB USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec) USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec)
GPS None None
Physical
Environmental seal
Water proof
Dust proof
Shock proof
Crush proof
Freeze proof
Weight 196g (0.43 lb) 632g (1.39 lb)
Physical dimensions 110 x 62 x 23mm (4.3" x 2.4" x 0.9") 137 x 104 x 84mm (5.4" x 4.1" x 3.3")
DXO scores
DXO Overall score not tested 66
DXO Color Depth score not tested 21.9
DXO Dynamic range score not tested 11.8
DXO Low light score not tested 807
Other
Battery life 650 images 480 images
Type of battery Battery Pack Battery Pack
Battery model B740 NP-FM500H
Self timer Yes (2-30 sec) Yes (2 or 10 sec)
Time lapse shooting
Type of storage microSD/microSDHC/microSDXC SD/ SDHC, Memory Stick Pro Duo/ Pro-HG Duo
Storage slots Single Single
Cost at release $530 $749