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Samsung NX mini vs Sony A57

Portability
93
Imaging
52
Features
68
Overall
58
Samsung NX mini front
 
Sony SLT-A57 front
Portability
64
Imaging
57
Features
85
Overall
68

Samsung NX mini vs Sony A57 Key Specs

Samsung NX mini
(Full Review)
  • 20.5MP - 1" Sensor
  • 3" Tilting Display
  • ISO 160 - 12800 (Boost to 25600)
  • 1/16000s Maximum Shutter
  • 1920 x 1080 video
  • Samsung NX-M Mount
  • 196g - 110 x 62 x 23mm
  • Introduced March 2014
Sony A57
(Full Review)
  • 16MP - APS-C Sensor
  • 3" Fully Articulated Screen
  • ISO 100 - 16000 (Bump to 25600)
  • Sensor based Image Stabilization
  • 1920 x 1080 video
  • Sony/Minolta Alpha Mount
  • 618g - 132 x 98 x 81mm
  • Released September 2012
  • Old Model is Sony A55
  • Successor is Sony A58
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Samsung NX mini vs Sony A57 Overview

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.

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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.

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Reasons to pick Samsung NX mini over the Sony A57

 NX mini A57 
ReleasedMarch 2014September 2012More modern by 19 months
Touch screen Quickly navigate

Reasons to pick Sony A57 over the Samsung NX mini

 A57 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 A57

 NX mini A57 
Focus manually Very precise focus
Screen dimensions3"3"Equal screen dimensions

Samsung NX mini vs Sony A57 Physical Comparison

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. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

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.

Samsung NX mini vs Sony A57 size comparison

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

Samsung NX mini vs Sony A57 top view buttons comparison

Samsung NX mini vs Sony A57 Sensor Comparison

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.

Samsung NX mini vs Sony A57 sensor size comparison

Samsung NX mini vs Sony A57 Screen and ViewFinder

Samsung NX mini vs Sony A57 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Samsung NX mini Portrait photography details
Sony A57 Portrait photography details
71
has manual focus
resolution is good (20.5MP)
sensor size is decent (1")
features face detection autofocus
delivers RAW files
74
focusing manually
good megapixels (16 megapixels)
nice sensor size (APS-C)
supports face detect focus
saves RAW formats
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Street Comparison

Samsung NX mini Street photography factors
Sony A57 Street photography factors
81
tilting screen
sensor size is decent (1")
delivers RAW files
includes focus by touch
lighter than average (196 grams)
no image stabilization
75
screen articulates
has image stabilization (Sensor based)
nice sensor size (APS-C)
saves RAW formats
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Sports Comparison

Samsung NX mini Sports photography highlights
Sony A57 Sports photography highlights
54
max shutter speed is good (1/16,000s)
resolution is good (20.5MP)
sensor size is decent (1")
good battery life (650 per charge)
max fps low (6.0 fps)
no image stabilization
doesn't have phase detect autofocus
78
has image stabilization (Sensor based)
good megapixels (16 megapixels)
nice sensor size (APS-C)
supports tracking focus
has phase detect auto focus
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Travel Comparison

Travel photography with Samsung NX mini
Travel photography with Sony A57
76
good battery life (650 per charge)
lighter than average (196g)
includes focus by touch
resolution is good (20.5MP)
built-in flash
no Time Lapse recording
does not have a selfie friendly display
67
good megapixels (16MP)
flash built-in
display is selfie friendly
lack of Time Lapse function
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Landscape Comparison

Samsung NX mini Landscape photography highlights
Sony A57 Landscape photography highlights
68
has manual focus
switch lenses (Samsung NX-M mount)
good sized screen (3 inch)
resolution is good (20.5 megapixels)
sensor size is decent (1")
delivers RAW files
good battery life (650 shots)
no image stabilization
no Time Lapse recording
72
focusing manually
switch lenses (Sony/Minolta Alpha mount)
nice screen size (3")
has image stabilization (Sensor based)
good megapixels (16MP)
nice sensor size (APS-C)
saves RAW formats
lack of Time Lapse function
Photography Glossary

Vlogging Comparison

Samsung NX mini Vlogging advice
Sony A57 Vlogging advice
38
has touchscreen
features face detection autofocus
video resolution high (1920 x 1080 pixels)
has external mic socket
lighter than average (196 grams)
does not have a selfie friendly display
no image stabilization
77
display is selfie friendly
has image stabilization (Sensor based)
supports face detect focus
great video quality (1920 x 1080 resolution)
has mic port
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Samsung NX mini vs Sony A57 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Samsung NX mini and Sony A57
 Samsung NX miniSony SLT-A57
General Information
Make Samsung Sony
Model type Samsung NX mini Sony SLT-A57
Class Entry-Level Mirrorless Entry-Level DSLR
Introduced 2014-03-19 2012-09-13
Body design Rangefinder-style mirrorless Compact SLR
Sensor Information
Sensor type BSI-CMOS CMOS
Sensor size 1" APS-C
Sensor dimensions 13.2 x 8.8mm 23.5 x 15.6mm
Sensor area 116.2mm² 366.6mm²
Sensor resolution 20.5MP 16MP
Anti alias filter
Aspect ratio 1:1, 3:2 and 16:9 3:2 and 16:9
Full resolution 5472 x 3648 4912 x 3264
Max native ISO 12800 16000
Max boosted ISO 25600 25600
Minimum native ISO 160 100
RAW images
Minimum boosted ISO 100 -
Autofocusing
Focus manually
AF touch
AF continuous
Single AF
AF tracking
Selective AF
Center weighted AF
Multi area AF
AF live view
Face detect AF
Contract detect AF
Phase detect AF
Total focus points 21 15
Cross type focus points - 3
Lens
Lens mount type Samsung NX-M Sony/Minolta Alpha
Total lenses 2 143
Focal length multiplier 2.7 1.5
Screen
Range of display Tilting Fully Articulated
Display size 3 inch 3 inch
Display resolution 461k dot 921k dot
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch display
Display technology TFT-LCD (180 degree tilt) Xtra Fine TFT drive with TruBlack technology
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder None Electronic
Viewfinder resolution - 1,440k dot
Viewfinder coverage - 100 percent
Viewfinder magnification - 0.7x
Features
Slowest shutter speed 30 secs 30 secs
Maximum shutter speed 1/16000 secs 1/4000 secs
Continuous shooting speed 6.0 frames per second 12.0 frames per second
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Expose Manually
Exposure compensation Yes Yes
Set WB
Image stabilization
Built-in flash
Flash distance - 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
Auto exposure bracketing
WB bracketing
Maximum flash sync 1/200 secs 1/160 secs
Exposure
Multisegment metering
Average metering
Spot metering
Partial metering
AF area metering
Center weighted metering
Video features
Video resolutions 1920 x 1080, 1280 x 720, 640 x 480, 320 x 240 (all 30 fps) 1920 x 1080 (60p, 24p), 1440 x 1080 (30p), 640 x 480 (30 fps)
Max video resolution 1920x1080 1920x1080
Video format MPEG-4, H.264 MPEG-4, AVCHD, H.264
Mic jack
Headphone jack
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 None
Physical
Environmental seal
Water proofing
Dust proofing
Shock proofing
Crush proofing
Freeze proofing
Weight 196g (0.43 lb) 618g (1.36 lb)
Physical dimensions 110 x 62 x 23mm (4.3" x 2.4" x 0.9") 132 x 98 x 81mm (5.2" x 3.9" x 3.2")
DXO scores
DXO All around rating not tested 75
DXO Color Depth rating not tested 23.4
DXO Dynamic range rating not tested 13.0
DXO Low light rating not tested 785
Other
Battery life 650 pictures 550 pictures
Battery form Battery Pack Battery Pack
Battery ID B740 NP-FM500H
Self timer Yes (2-30 sec) Yes (2 or 10 sec)
Time lapse feature
Type of storage microSD/microSDHC/microSDXC SD/SDHC/SDXC/Memory Stick Pro Duo/ Pro-HG Duo
Storage slots Single Single
Retail cost $530 $1,000