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Samsung NX mini vs Sony S950

Portability
93
Imaging
51
Features
68
Overall
57
Samsung NX mini front
 
Sony Cyber-shot DSC-S950 front
Portability
94
Imaging
33
Features
17
Overall
26

Samsung NX mini vs Sony S950 Key Specs

Samsung NX mini
(Full Review)
  • 20.5MP - 1" Sensor
  • 3" Tilting Display
  • ISO 160 - 12800 (Raise to 25600)
  • 1/16000s Maximum Shutter
  • 1920 x 1080 video
  • Samsung NX-M Mount
  • 196g - 110 x 62 x 23mm
  • Introduced March 2014
Sony S950
(Full Review)
  • 10MP - 1/2.3" Sensor
  • 2.7" Fixed Display
  • ISO 80 - 3200
  • Sensor-shift Image Stabilization
  • No Video
  • 33-132mm (F3.3-5.2) lens
  • 167g - 93 x 56 x 24mm
  • Introduced February 2009
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Samsung NX mini vs Sony S950 Overview

Here, we are analyzing the Samsung NX mini and Sony S950, one being a Entry-Level Mirrorless and the other is a Small Sensor Compact by competitors Samsung and Sony. There is a big difference between the image resolutions of the NX mini (20.5MP) and S950 (10MP) and the NX mini (1") and S950 (1/2.3") provide different sensor dimensions.

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The NX mini was launched 5 years later than the S950 and that is quite a big gap as far as tech is concerned. Both of these cameras feature different body design with the Samsung NX mini being a Rangefinder-style mirrorless camera and the Sony S950 being a Compact camera.

Before going into a complete comparison, here is a simple introduction of how the NX mini scores against the S950 in regards to portability, imaging, features and an overall rating.

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Reasons to pick Samsung NX mini over the Sony S950

 NX mini S950 
IntroducedMarch 2014February 2009Fresher by 62 months
Display typeTiltingFixed Tilting display
Display size3"2.7"Larger display (+0.3")
Display resolution461k230kClearer display (+231k dot)
Touch friendly display Easily navigate

Reasons to pick Sony S950 over the Samsung NX mini

 S950 NX mini 

Common features in the Samsung NX mini and Sony S950

 NX mini S950 
Manual focus Dial accurate focusing
Selfie screen Neither provides selfie screen

Samsung NX mini vs Sony S950 Physical Comparison

In case you're going to carry your camera frequently, you will want to factor its weight and measurements. The Samsung NX mini provides exterior dimensions of 110mm x 62mm x 23mm (4.3" x 2.4" x 0.9") and a weight of 196 grams (0.43 lbs) while the Sony S950 has proportions of 93mm x 56mm x 24mm (3.7" x 2.2" x 0.9") and a weight of 167 grams (0.37 lbs).

Check the Samsung NX mini and Sony S950 in the all new Camera and Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Don't forget, the weight of an Interchangeable Lens Camera will change based on the lens you are using at that time. Following is a front view sizing comparison of the NX mini against the S950.

Samsung NX mini vs Sony S950 size comparison

Taking into account size and weight, the portability grade of the NX mini and S950 is 93 and 94 respectively.

Samsung NX mini vs Sony S950 top view buttons comparison

Samsung NX mini vs Sony S950 Sensor Comparison

Oftentimes, its difficult to visualize the difference between sensor sizing simply by checking a spec sheet. The photograph below might give you a clearer sense of the sensor dimensions in the NX mini and S950.

As you can see, both cameras come with different megapixel count and different sensor sizing. The NX mini because of its larger sensor is going to make achieving shallower depth of field easier and the Samsung NX mini will give greater detail utilizing its extra 10.5MP. Greater resolution will allow you to crop pics a good deal more aggressively. The younger NX mini should have a benefit when it comes to sensor tech.

Samsung NX mini vs Sony S950 sensor size comparison

Samsung NX mini vs Sony S950 Screen and ViewFinder

Samsung NX mini vs Sony S950 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Samsung NX mini as a Portrait photography camera
Sony S950 as a Portrait photography camera
70
you can focus manually
MP count decent (20.5 megapixels)
nice sensor size (1")
comes with face detection focus
exports RAW formats
26
focusing manually
manual mode not possible
external flash not possible
low resolution (10MP)
sensor is very small (1/2.3")
doesn't have RAW support
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Street Comparison

Street photography with Samsung NX mini
Street photography with Sony S950
81
tilting screen
nice sensor size (1")
exports RAW formats
has focus by touch
lighter than others in class (196 grams)
does not have image stabilization
56
built in image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
screen is fixed
sensor is very small (1/2.3")
doesn't have RAW support
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Sports Comparison

Sports photography with Samsung NX mini
Sports photography with Sony S950
54
great max shutter speed (1/16,000 seconds)
MP count decent (20.5MP)
nice sensor size (1")
great battery power (650 per charge)
very slow continuous shooting (6.0 frames/s)
does not have image stabilization
lacks phase detect auto focus
24
built in image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
low fps (1.0 frames/s)
no shutter priority
low resolution (10 megapixels)
sensor is very small (1/2.3")
doesn't have phase detect autofocus
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Travel Comparison

Samsung NX mini Travel photography features
Sony S950 Travel photography features
75
great battery power (650 shots)
lighter than others in class (196g)
has focus by touch
MP count decent (20.5MP)
built-in flash
lack of Time Lapse function
screen is not selfie friendly
50
flash built-in
doesn't have Time Lapse mode
low resolution (10MP)
display isn't selfie friendly
wide angle not great (33mm)
somewhat slow maximum aperture (f3.3)
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Landscape Comparison

Samsung NX mini as a Landscape photography camera
Sony S950 as a Landscape photography camera
68
you can focus manually
swap lenses (Samsung NX-M mount)
screen size is decent (3")
MP count decent (20.5MP)
nice sensor size (1")
exports RAW formats
great battery power (650 per charge)
does not have image stabilization
lack of Time Lapse function
31
focusing manually
built in image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
fixed lens (fixed lens mount)
wide angle not great (33mm)
somewhat slow maximum aperture (f3.3)
small screen (2.7")
manual mode not possible
low resolution (10 megapixels)
sensor is very small (1/2.3")
doesn't have RAW support
doesn't have Time Lapse mode
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Vlogging Comparison

Samsung NX mini Vlogging info
Sony S950 Vlogging info
37
touchscreen enabled
comes with face detection focus
video res high (1920 x 1080 pixels)
has external mic support
lighter than others in class (196g)
screen is not selfie friendly
does not have image stabilization
9
no video shooting
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Samsung NX mini vs Sony S950 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Samsung NX mini and Sony S950
 Samsung NX miniSony Cyber-shot DSC-S950
General Information
Brand Samsung Sony
Model Samsung NX mini Sony Cyber-shot DSC-S950
Type Entry-Level Mirrorless Small Sensor Compact
Introduced 2014-03-19 2009-02-17
Physical type Rangefinder-style mirrorless Compact
Sensor Information
Sensor type BSI-CMOS CCD
Sensor size 1" 1/2.3"
Sensor dimensions 13.2 x 8.8mm 6.17 x 4.55mm
Sensor surface area 116.2mm² 28.1mm²
Sensor resolution 20.5 megapixels 10 megapixels
Anti aliasing filter
Aspect ratio 1:1, 3:2 and 16:9 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9
Maximum resolution 5472 x 3648 4000 x 3000
Maximum native ISO 12800 3200
Maximum boosted ISO 25600 -
Lowest native ISO 160 80
RAW data
Lowest boosted ISO 100 -
Autofocusing
Focus manually
Touch to focus
Continuous AF
AF single
Tracking AF
AF selectice
Center weighted AF
AF multi area
Live view AF
Face detect AF
Contract detect AF
Phase detect AF
Number of focus points 21 9
Lens
Lens mount Samsung NX-M fixed lens
Lens focal range - 33-132mm (4.0x)
Maximum aperture - f/3.3-5.2
Macro focus range - 10cm
Number of lenses 2 -
Crop factor 2.7 5.8
Screen
Display type Tilting Fixed Type
Display diagonal 3 inch 2.7 inch
Display resolution 461 thousand dots 230 thousand dots
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch screen
Display technology TFT-LCD (180 degree tilt) -
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder type None None
Features
Slowest shutter speed 30 secs 2 secs
Maximum shutter speed 1/16000 secs 1/1600 secs
Continuous shooting rate 6.0fps 1.0fps
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Expose Manually
Exposure compensation Yes -
Change WB
Image stabilization
Inbuilt flash
Flash range - 3.50 m
Flash options Smart Flash, auto, auto + redeye reduction, fill-in, fill-in + redeye reduction, 1st curtain, 2nd curtain Auto, On, Off, Red-Eye reduction, Slow Sync
External flash
AE bracketing
White balance bracketing
Maximum flash synchronize 1/200 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) -
Maximum video resolution 1920x1080 None
Video file format MPEG-4, H.264 Motion JPEG
Mic support
Headphone support
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
Environment sealing
Water proof
Dust proof
Shock proof
Crush proof
Freeze proof
Weight 196g (0.43 lbs) 167g (0.37 lbs)
Physical dimensions 110 x 62 x 23mm (4.3" x 2.4" x 0.9") 93 x 56 x 24mm (3.7" x 2.2" x 0.9")
DXO scores
DXO All around score not tested not tested
DXO Color Depth score not tested not tested
DXO Dynamic range score not tested not tested
DXO Low light score not tested not tested
Other
Battery life 650 photos -
Battery style Battery Pack -
Battery model B740 -
Self timer Yes (2-30 sec) Yes (2 or 10 sec)
Time lapse recording
Type of storage microSD/microSDHC/microSDXC Memory Stick Duo / Pro Duo, Internal
Card slots Single Single
Cost at launch $530 $130