Clicky

Samsung NX mini vs Sony a5100

Portability
93
Imaging
52
Features
68
Overall
58
Samsung NX mini front
 
Sony Alpha a5100 front
Portability
89
Imaging
66
Features
74
Overall
69

Samsung NX mini vs Sony a5100 Key Specs

Samsung NX mini
(Full Review)
  • 20.5MP - 1" Sensor
  • 3" Tilting Display
  • ISO 160 - 12800 (Bump to 25600)
  • 1/16000s Max Shutter
  • 1920 x 1080 video
  • Samsung NX-M Mount
  • 196g - 110 x 62 x 23mm
  • Launched March 2014
Sony a5100
(Full Review)
  • 24MP - APS-C Sensor
  • 3" Tilting Display
  • ISO 100 - 25600
  • 1920 x 1080 video
  • Sony E Mount
  • 283g - 110 x 63 x 36mm
  • Revealed August 2014
  • Older Model is Sony a5000
Europe Approves Revolutionary AI Legislation

Samsung NX mini vs Sony a5100 Overview

Let's look closer at the Samsung NX mini vs Sony a5100, both Entry-Level Mirrorless digital cameras by brands Samsung and Sony. The sensor resolution of the NX mini (20.5MP) and the a5100 (24MP) is fairly similar but the NX mini (1") and a5100 (APS-C) possess totally different sensor size.

Leica struggles with L-Mount camera sales, tougher than Q or M

The NX mini was revealed 5 months earlier than the a5100 which means that they are both of a similar age. The two cameras offer the identical body type (Rangefinder-style mirrorless).

Before we go straight into a in depth comparison, below is a brief summary of how the NX mini scores vs the a5100 when considering portability, imaging, features and an overall rating.

Ulanzi's Tripod Ensures Ultra Smooth Filming
	
	

Reasons to pick Samsung NX mini over the Sony a5100

 NX mini a5100 

Reasons to pick Sony a5100 over the Samsung NX mini

 a5100 NX mini 
Display resolution922k461kCrisper display (+461k dot)

Common features in the Samsung NX mini and Sony a5100

 NX mini a5100 
RevealedMarch 2014August 2014Similar age
Manually focus Very exact focus
Display typeTiltingTiltingTilting display
Display sizing3"3"Equivalent display size
Selfie screen Absent selfie screen
Touch display Easily navigate

Samsung NX mini vs Sony a5100 Physical Comparison

In case you're aiming to carry your camera regularly, you will have to think about its weight and dimensions. The Samsung NX mini provides outer dimensions of 110mm x 62mm x 23mm (4.3" x 2.4" x 0.9") along with a weight of 196 grams (0.43 lbs) and the Sony a5100 has dimensions of 110mm x 63mm x 36mm (4.3" x 2.5" x 1.4") and a weight of 283 grams (0.62 lbs).

Examine the Samsung NX mini vs Sony a5100 in our brand new Camera plus Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Do not forget, the weight of an ILC will differ dependant on the lens you use at that moment. Following is the front view measurement comparison of the NX mini compared to the a5100.

Samsung NX mini vs Sony a5100 size comparison

Looking at size and weight, the portability rating of the NX mini and a5100 is 93 and 89 respectively.

Samsung NX mini vs Sony a5100 top view buttons comparison

Samsung NX mini vs Sony a5100 Sensor Comparison

Often, it's difficult to envision the contrast between sensor sizing only by reading specifications. The graphic underneath might provide you a better sense of the sensor sizes in the NX mini and a5100.

Plainly, both the cameras enjoy different megapixels and different sensor sizing. The NX mini with its tinier sensor will make shooting bokeh harder and the Sony a5100 will deliver greater detail because of its extra 3.5MP. Greater resolution will also make it easier to crop images far more aggressively.

Samsung NX mini vs Sony a5100 sensor size comparison

Samsung NX mini vs Sony a5100 Screen and ViewFinder

Samsung NX mini vs Sony a5100 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
Google AI Gemini Could Enhance iPhone Experience, Talks Suggest

Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Portrait photography with Samsung NX mini
Portrait photography with Sony a5100
71
you can focus manually
MP count decent (20.5MP)
good sensor size (1")
includes face detection focusing
saves RAW files
72
has manual focus
resolution is good (24 megapixels)
sensor size is good (APS-C)
includes face detection focus
delivers RAW files
cannot use external flash
AI-Powered Photo Editing Tools Could Be Added to WhatsApp

Street Comparison

Samsung NX mini Street photography info
Sony a5100 Street photography info
81
has a tilting screen
good sensor size (1")
saves RAW files
offers touch focus
lighter than competition in class (196g)
lack of image stabilization
82
tilting screen
sensor size is good (APS-C)
delivers RAW files
features focus by touch
good ISO range (25,600)
does not have image stabilization
TikTok Developing Photo App to Challenge Instagram's Dominance

Sports Comparison

Samsung NX mini Sports photography details
Sony a5100 Sports photography details
54
great max shutter speed (1/16,000 seconds)
MP count decent (20.5 megapixels)
good sensor size (1")
good battery (650 shots)
low frames per second (6.0 frames per second)
lack of image stabilization
has no phase detect AF
68
resolution is good (24MP)
sensor size is good (APS-C)
includes tracking autofocus
great battery life (400 shots)
supports phase detect auto focus
low frames per second (6.0 frames/s)
does not have image stabilization
Peek Behind the Lens of 'Photographer' and Their Go-To Cameras

Travel Comparison

Samsung NX mini Travel photography factors
Sony a5100 Travel photography factors
76
good battery (650 CIPA)
lighter than competition in class (196g)
offers touch focus
MP count decent (20.5 megapixels)
built-in flash
no Timelapse mode
doesn't contain selfie friendly screen
80
great battery life (400 shots)
features focus by touch
resolution is good (24 megapixels)
built-in flash
does not contain selfie friendly display
Nikon Coolpix camera search on Google skyrockets by 8,500%

Landscape Comparison

Landscape photography with Samsung NX mini
Landscape photography with Sony a5100
68
you can focus manually
change lenses (Samsung NX-M mount)
decent sized screen (3")
MP count decent (20.5 megapixels)
good sensor size (1")
saves RAW files
good battery (650 per charge)
lack of image stabilization
no Timelapse mode
79
has manual focus
switch lenses (Sony E mount)
screen is a good size (3 inches)
resolution is good (24 megapixels)
sensor size is good (APS-C)
good ISO range (25,600)
delivers RAW files
great battery life (400 CIPA)
does not have image stabilization
Apple patent reveals improved iPhone camera durability

Vlogging Comparison

Samsung NX mini Vlogging info
Sony a5100 Vlogging info
38
built-in touchscreen
includes face detection focusing
video res high (1920 x 1080 pixels)
includes external microphone jack
lighter than competition in class (196 grams)
doesn't contain selfie friendly screen
lack of image stabilization
34
has touchscreen
includes face detection focus
good video quality (1920 x 1080 pxls)
does not contain selfie friendly display
does not have image stabilization
lack of external microphone jack
Fujifilm accuses Eastman Kodak of patent violation in new lawsuit

Samsung NX mini vs Sony a5100 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Samsung NX mini and Sony a5100
 Samsung NX miniSony Alpha a5100
General Information
Brand Samsung Sony
Model Samsung NX mini Sony Alpha a5100
Category Entry-Level Mirrorless Entry-Level Mirrorless
Launched 2014-03-19 2014-08-17
Body design Rangefinder-style mirrorless Rangefinder-style mirrorless
Sensor Information
Powered by - Bionz X
Sensor type BSI-CMOS CMOS
Sensor size 1" APS-C
Sensor measurements 13.2 x 8.8mm 23.5 x 15.6mm
Sensor area 116.2mm² 366.6mm²
Sensor resolution 20.5MP 24MP
Anti aliasing 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 -
Min native ISO 160 100
RAW files
Min enhanced ISO 100 -
Autofocusing
Manual focus
Touch to focus
AF continuous
AF single
Tracking AF
Selective AF
AF center weighted
Multi area AF
AF live view
Face detect focusing
Contract detect focusing
Phase detect focusing
Number of focus points 21 179
Lens
Lens mounting type Samsung NX-M Sony E
Number of lenses 2 121
Crop factor 2.7 1.5
Screen
Display type Tilting Tilting
Display sizing 3" 3"
Resolution of display 461k dot 922k dot
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch function
Display tech TFT-LCD (180 degree tilt) -
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder type None None
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 6.0 frames per sec
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Manually set exposure
Exposure compensation Yes Yes
Change WB
Image stabilization
Integrated flash
Flash range - 4.00 m (at ISO 100)
Flash modes Smart Flash, auto, auto + redeye reduction, fill-in, fill-in + redeye reduction, 1st curtain, 2nd curtain Flash off, auto, fill-flaw, slow sync, redeye reduction
External flash
AEB
WB bracketing
Fastest flash sync 1/200 secs -
Exposure
Multisegment exposure
Average exposure
Spot exposure
Partial exposure
AF area exposure
Center weighted exposure
Video features
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, 25p), 1280 x 720 (120p), 640 x 480 (30p, 25p)
Max video resolution 1920x1080 1920x1080
Video format MPEG-4, H.264 MPEG-4, AVCHD, XAVC S
Microphone input
Headphone input
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
Environment seal
Water proof
Dust proof
Shock proof
Crush proof
Freeze proof
Weight 196 grams (0.43 pounds) 283 grams (0.62 pounds)
Dimensions 110 x 62 x 23mm (4.3" x 2.4" x 0.9") 110 x 63 x 36mm (4.3" x 2.5" x 1.4")
DXO scores
DXO Overall score not tested 80
DXO Color Depth score not tested 23.8
DXO Dynamic range score not tested 12.7
DXO Low light score not tested 1347
Other
Battery life 650 images 400 images
Type of battery Battery Pack Battery Pack
Battery model B740 NP-FW50
Self timer Yes (2-30 sec) Yes (2 or 10 sec, continuous (3-5 shot))
Time lapse shooting With downloadable app
Type of storage microSD/microSDHC/microSDXC SD/ SDHC/SDXC, Memory Stick Pro Duo/ Pro-HG Duo
Storage slots One One
Retail pricing $530 $448