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Samsung NX mini vs Sony A55

Portability
93
Imaging
52
Features
68
Overall
58
Samsung NX mini front
 
Sony SLT-A55 front
Portability
67
Imaging
56
Features
80
Overall
65

Samsung NX mini vs Sony A55 Key Specs

Samsung NX mini
(Full Review)
  • 20.5MP - 1" Sensor
  • 3" Tilting Screen
  • ISO 160 - 12800 (Raise to 25600)
  • 1/16000s Max Shutter
  • 1920 x 1080 video
  • Samsung NX-M Mount
  • 196g - 110 x 62 x 23mm
  • Launched March 2014
Sony A55
(Full Review)
  • 16MP - APS-C Sensor
  • 3" Fully Articulated Screen
  • ISO 100 - 12800 (Raise to 25600)
  • Sensor based Image Stabilization
  • 1920 x 1080 video
  • Sony/Minolta Alpha Mount
  • 500g - 124 x 92 x 85mm
  • Announced August 2010
  • Replacement is Sony A57
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Samsung NX mini vs Sony A55 Overview

The following is a in depth review of the Samsung NX mini versus Sony A55, former is a Entry-Level Mirrorless while the latter is a Entry-Level DSLR by competitors Samsung and Sony. There exists a noticeable gap between the image resolutions of the NX mini (20.5MP) and A55 (16MP) and the NX mini (1") and A55 (APS-C) have totally different sensor dimensions.

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The NX mini was introduced 3 years after the A55 which is quite a sizable difference as far as technology is concerned. Both of these cameras feature different body design with the Samsung NX mini being a Rangefinder-style mirrorless camera and the Sony A55 being a Compact SLR camera.

Before delving right into a in-depth comparison, here is a quick introduction of how the NX mini grades vs the A55 when considering portability, imaging, features and an overall mark.

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Reasons to pick Samsung NX mini over the Sony A55

 NX mini A55 
AnnouncedMarch 2014August 2010Newer by 44 months
Touch friendly screen Quickly navigate

Reasons to pick Sony A55 over the Samsung NX mini

 A55 NX mini 
Screen typeFully ArticulatedTiltingFully Articulating screen
Screen resolution921k461kClearer screen (+460k dot)
Selfie screen Take selfies

Common features in the Samsung NX mini and Sony A55

 NX mini A55 
Manual focus Very exact focus
Screen size3"3"Same screen sizing

Samsung NX mini vs Sony A55 Physical Comparison

For those who are intending to travel with your camera, you'll have to think about its weight and volume. The Samsung NX mini features outer dimensions of 110mm x 62mm x 23mm (4.3" x 2.4" x 0.9") having a weight of 196 grams (0.43 lbs) while the Sony A55 has sizing of 124mm x 92mm x 85mm (4.9" x 3.6" x 3.3") and a weight of 500 grams (1.10 lbs).

Take a look at the Samsung NX mini versus Sony A55 in our newest Camera plus Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Do not forget, the weight of an ILC will differ based on the lens you are using at that moment. Underneath is a front view sizing comparison of the NX mini compared to the A55.

Samsung NX mini vs Sony A55 size comparison

Taking into consideration dimensions and weight, the portability grade of the NX mini and A55 is 93 and 67 respectively.

Samsung NX mini vs Sony A55 top view buttons comparison

Samsung NX mini vs Sony A55 Sensor Comparison

More often than not, it is difficult to see the difference between sensor dimensions only by reading specs. The image below will provide you a far better sense of the sensor dimensions in the NX mini and A55.

As you can plainly see, the two cameras feature different megapixels and different sensor dimensions. The NX mini using its tinier sensor will make shooting shallow depth of field more difficult and the Samsung NX mini will offer you extra detail using its extra 4.5MP. Higher resolution can also enable you to crop pictures way more aggressively. The fresher NX mini will have an advantage in sensor innovation.

Samsung NX mini vs Sony A55 sensor size comparison

Samsung NX mini vs Sony A55 Screen and ViewFinder

Samsung NX mini vs Sony A55 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Samsung NX mini as a Portrait photography camera
Sony A55 as a Portrait photography camera
71
focusing manually
decent sensor resolution (20.5 megapixels)
decent sensor size (1")
comes with face detect focusing
exports RAW formats
73
has manual focus
decent MP (16 megapixels)
sensor size is good (APS-C)
comes with face detection focusing
supports RAW files
Photography Glossary

Street Comparison

Street photography with Samsung NX mini
Street photography with Sony A55
81
screen tilts
decent sensor size (1")
exports RAW formats
boasts focus via touch
lighter than competition (196g)
no image stabilization
77
screen can move to multiple angles
has image stabilization (Sensor based)
sensor size is good (APS-C)
supports RAW files
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Sports Comparison

Samsung NX mini Sports photography information
Sony A55 Sports photography information
54
great max shutter speed (1/16,000s)
decent sensor resolution (20.5 megapixels)
decent sensor size (1")
good battery power (650 per charge)
continuous shooting slow (6.0 frames per second)
no image stabilization
lack of phase detect AF
68
has image stabilization (Sensor based)
decent MP (16MP)
sensor size is good (APS-C)
supports phase detect AF
low battery pack (380 shots)
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Travel Comparison

Samsung NX mini Travel photography advice
Sony A55 Travel photography advice
76
good battery power (650 shots)
lighter than competition (196 grams)
boasts focus via touch
decent sensor resolution (20.5MP)
built-in flash
doesn't have Timelapse mode
screen is not selfie friendly
62
decent MP (16 megapixels)
built-in flash
display is selfie friendly
missing Timelapse mode
low battery pack (380 per charge)
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Landscape Comparison

Landscape photography with Samsung NX mini
Landscape photography with Sony A55
68
focusing manually
change lenses (Samsung NX-M mount)
screen size is good (3 inch)
decent sensor resolution (20.5 megapixels)
decent sensor size (1")
exports RAW formats
good battery power (650 CIPA)
no image stabilization
doesn't have Timelapse mode
67
has manual focus
change lenses (Sony/Minolta Alpha mount)
screen is a decent size (3 inches)
has image stabilization (Sensor based)
decent MP (16MP)
sensor size is good (APS-C)
supports RAW files
low battery pack (380 CIPA)
missing Timelapse mode
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Vlogging Comparison

Vlogging with Samsung NX mini
Vlogging with Sony A55
38
touch screen
comes with face detect focusing
video resolution high (1920 x 1080 resolution)
includes microphone socket
lighter than competition (196g)
screen is not selfie friendly
no image stabilization
78
display is selfie friendly
has image stabilization (Sensor based)
comes with face detection focusing
video resolution high (1920 x 1080 pixels)
comes with external microphone support
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Samsung NX mini vs Sony A55 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Samsung NX mini and Sony A55
 Samsung NX miniSony SLT-A55
General Information
Brand Name Samsung Sony
Model Samsung NX mini Sony SLT-A55
Type Entry-Level Mirrorless Entry-Level DSLR
Launched 2014-03-19 2010-08-24
Physical type Rangefinder-style mirrorless Compact SLR
Sensor Information
Chip - Bionz
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 20.5 megapixels 16 megapixels
Anti aliasing filter
Aspect ratio 1:1, 3:2 and 16:9 3:2 and 16:9
Max resolution 5472 x 3648 4912 x 3264
Max native ISO 12800 12800
Max enhanced ISO 25600 25600
Lowest native ISO 160 100
RAW support
Lowest enhanced ISO 100 -
Autofocusing
Manual focus
Touch to focus
Continuous autofocus
Autofocus single
Autofocus tracking
Autofocus selectice
Center weighted autofocus
Autofocus multi area
Live view autofocus
Face detection autofocus
Contract detection autofocus
Phase detection autofocus
Number of focus points 21 15
Cross focus points - 3
Lens
Lens mounting type Samsung NX-M Sony/Minolta Alpha
Amount of lenses 2 143
Crop factor 2.7 1.5
Screen
Screen type Tilting Fully Articulated
Screen size 3 inch 3 inch
Screen resolution 461k dots 921k dots
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch capability
Screen tech TFT-LCD (180 degree tilt) -
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder type None Electronic
Viewfinder resolution - 1,150k dots
Viewfinder coverage - 100 percent
Viewfinder magnification - 0.73x
Features
Min shutter speed 30 secs 30 secs
Max shutter speed 1/16000 secs 1/4000 secs
Continuous shutter rate 6.0fps 10.0fps
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Manual mode
Exposure compensation Yes Yes
Change white balance
Image stabilization
Inbuilt flash
Flash range - 10.00 m (@ ISO 100)
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
External flash
AE bracketing
White balance bracketing
Max flash synchronize 1/200 secs 1/160 secs
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 (60, 29.97 fps), 1440 x 1080 (30fps), 640 x 424 (29.97 fps)
Max video resolution 1920x1080 1920x1080
Video data format MPEG-4, H.264 MPEG-4, AVCHD, H.264
Microphone support
Headphone support
Connectivity
Wireless Built-In Eye-Fi Connected
Bluetooth
NFC
HDMI
USB USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec) USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec)
GPS None BuiltIn
Physical
Environment sealing
Water proof
Dust proof
Shock proof
Crush proof
Freeze proof
Weight 196 gr (0.43 pounds) 500 gr (1.10 pounds)
Physical dimensions 110 x 62 x 23mm (4.3" x 2.4" x 0.9") 124 x 92 x 85mm (4.9" x 3.6" x 3.3")
DXO scores
DXO Overall score not tested 73
DXO Color Depth score not tested 23.0
DXO Dynamic range score not tested 12.4
DXO Low light score not tested 816
Other
Battery life 650 shots 380 shots
Battery style Battery Pack Battery Pack
Battery model B740 NP-FW50
Self timer Yes (2-30 sec) Yes (2 or 10 sec)
Time lapse shooting
Storage type microSD/microSDHC/microSDXC SD/SDHC/SDXC/Memory Stick Pro Duo/ Pro-HG Duo
Card slots One One
Launch price $530 $800