Samsung NX mini vs Sony A57

Lets look a bit more closely at the Samsung NX mini vs Sony A57, one is a Entry-Level Mirrorless and the latter is a Entry-Level DSLR by rivals Samsung and Sony. There exists a significant gap between the resolutions of the NX mini (20.5MP) and A57 (16MP) and the NX mini (1") and A57 (APS-C) offer different sensor sizes.

Pentax 17 Pre-Orders Outperform Expectations by a Landslide

The NX mini was revealed 19 months after the A57 which makes them a generation away from one another. The two cameras have different body design with the Samsung NX mini being a Rangefinder-style mirrorless camera and the Sony A57 being a Compact SLR camera.

Before diving into a more detailed comparison, here is a short summation of how the NX mini scores against the A57 for portability, imaging, features and an overall score.

This is a preview of the gallery images for Samsung NX mini and Sony SLT-A57. The full galleries are provided at Samsung NX mini Gallery and Sony A57 Gallery.

If you are going to carry around your camera frequently, you have to factor in its weight and size. The Samsung NX mini provides outside measurements of 110mm x 62mm x 23mm (4.3" x 2.4" x 0.9") with a weight of 196 grams (0.43 lbs) while the Sony A57 has specifications of 132mm x 98mm x 81mm (5.2" x 3.9" x 3.2") having a weight of 618 grams (1.36 lbs).

Analyze the Samsung NX mini vs Sony A57 in the new Camera and Lens Size Comparison Tool.

Always remember, the weight of an Interchangeable Lens Camera will vary based on the lens you are using at that moment. Underneath is a front view measurement comparison of the NX mini against the A57.

Using dimensions and weight, the portability grade of the NX mini and A57 is 93 and 64 respectively.

Sometimes, it's hard to picture the contrast between sensor sizes only by reviewing technical specs. The image underneath may give you a clearer sense of the sensor sizing in the NX mini and A57.

As you have seen, the 2 cameras provide different resolutions and different sensor sizes. The NX mini using its tinier sensor is going to make getting bokeh trickier and the Samsung NX mini will offer extra detail because of its extra 4.5 Megapixels. Higher resolution can also help you crop shots more aggressively. The younger NX mini should have an advantage when it comes to sensor innovation.