Samsung NX1 vs Sony A9 II: A Deep Dive into Two Pro Mirrorless Contenders

In the realm of pro-level mirrorless cameras, the Samsung NX1 and Sony A9 II stand as ambitious implementations of cutting-edge technology from their respective eras. Announced five years apart - the NX1 in late 2014 and the A9 II in 2019 - each has cultivated a loyal following among enthusiasts and professionals. I’ve put both through rigorous testing across a spectrum of photographic demands, from the quiet alleyways of street shooting to the adrenaline-pumping world of wildlife and sports. This article will dissect their core attributes, performance nuances, and real-world usability, arming you with the insights needed to pick your ideal tool.

Getting a Feel for the Gear: Design, Build, and Ergonomics

The aesthetic and physical interface between photographer and camera is often underestimated but critical. Handling can dictate how seamlessly you capture fleeting moments or settle into contemplative landscapes.

Starting with size and weight, the Samsung NX1 is notably lighter, weighing in at 550 grams with dimensions approximately 139 x 102 x 66 mm, compared to Sony A9 II’s heftier 678 grams and slightly more compact footprint (129 x 96 x 76 mm). The NX1’s modest bulk and SLR-style shape hint at an approachable, travel-friendly build without sacrificing sturdiness.

In handling, the NX1 impresses with a well-contoured grip and a thoughtfully positioned tilting 3.0-inch touchscreen offering 1,036k dots resolution. The Sony A9 II ups the ante with a slightly larger screen - also tilting and touchscreen-enabled - boasting 1,440k dots for crisper information visibility. If you often work under harsh sunlight or prefer detailed live view composition, the Sony’s screen clarity is a tangible benefit.

Top-mounted controls exhibit Sony’s mastery of ergonomics: two command dials, an optimized shutter button, and a well-laid-out exposure compensation dial promote intuitive adjustments even under time pressure. Samsung’s layout is respectable, though control placement is less refined with smaller dials and fewer physical buttons. The A9 II’s illuminated buttons might be missing but the tactile feedback is excellent, ideal for shoot-from-the-hip scenarios in noisy environments.

Weather and dust sealing are present on both cameras, but Samsung’s seal extends to dustproofing, boosting durability in harsh field conditions. Neither is shock- or freezeproof, so extreme environments require caution.

Imaging Heart: Sensor and Image Quality Comparison

Diving under the hood, these two are differentiated most clearly by their sensor format and performance envelope.

The Samsung NX1 sports a 28-megapixel APS-C BSI-CMOS sensor sized 23.5 x 15.7 mm with no anti-aliasing filter, an important detail that enhances sharpness but can make moiré a concern in intricate patterns. This sensor provides a healthy resolution of 6,480 x 4,320 pixels and a native ISO range of 100–25,600 (extendable to 51,200). The DRIMe 5 image processor complements the sensor, delivering good dynamic range (~13.2 EV) and colour depth (~24.2 bits). Its DxO Mark score of 83 signals solid overall image quality, particularly impressive for the APS-C segment at release.

On the flip side, the Sony A9 II wields a larger, full-frame 24-megapixel BSI-CMOS sensor (35.6 x 23.8 mm) with a native ISO range that's significantly more expansive: 100 to 51,200 with extended sensitivity up to ISO 204,800 for ultra-low light. Equipped with an anti-aliasing filter (AA filter), the Sony sensor trades some raw textural sharpness for moiré suppression and smoother image rendition, a compromise many professionals appreciate. Though DxO Mark hasn't tested the A9 II specifically, the original A9 scored impressively in dynamic range and low-light figures, and the successor maintains or improves upon these characteristics.

Practically speaking, the Sony’s full-frame advantage grants higher image quality in low-light, better highlight retention, and more pleasing bokeh qualities at wider apertures thanks to the larger sensor area.

Autofocus Wars: Speed, Accuracy, and Flexibility

For action photography or fleeting candid moments, autofocus performance is king.

The Samsung NX1 is equipped with an impressive hybrid AF system with 209 focus points, of which 153 are cross-type. Phase-detection and contrast detection work in concert for smooth and reliable AF in live view and EVF modes. For 2014 technology, 15 FPS continuous shooting paired with dependable AF tracking was a standout feature.

Sony’s A9 II escalates this with a staggering 693 phase-detection focus points, distributed densely over nearly the entire frame, allowing unrivaled tracking capabilities. Real-time Eye AF for humans and animals - absent in the NX1 - is a game changer for portraiture and wildlife. The continuous shooting speed jumps to 20 FPS with blackout-free shooting, minimizing missed moments significantly in sports or wildlife settings.

In real-world trials, the Sony exhibits superior tracking fluidity, especially under challenging light or with erratically moving subjects. The NX1 remains capable but tends to lag behind in ultra-fast sports or wildlife action, particularly where precise eye-tracking matters.

The Viewfinder and Display: Critical Windows to Creativity

Electronic viewfinders (EVFs) and LCDs are vital for framing and reviewing shots.

The NX1’s EVF resolution stands at 2.36 million dots with a 0.7x magnification and 100% coverage, adequate for precise composition but showing contrast and refresh rate limitations under rapid movement.

Contrast this with Sony’s OLED EVF boasting 3.686 million dots and a slightly higher 0.78x magnification, delivering a crisp, bright, and highly responsive view - critical when tracking fast-moving subjects or shooting in dim environments.

On the rear, both systems offer 3-inch touchscreen LCDs with tilting mechanisms for flexible shooting angles. The Sony’s higher resolution screen is noticeably sharper and more vibrant, reflective in both photo review and menu navigation.

The tactile responsiveness of the touchscreens is comparable, though Sony’s interface tends to feel more polished and intuitive, thanks partially to years of iterative firmware upgrades post-launch.

Real-World Image Gallery: Samples Speak Louder Than Specs

Let’s look at representative photographs from both cameras to contextualize these attributes across genres.

Samsung NX1 front Samsung NX1 screen back Sony A9 II front Sony A9 II screen back

Portraits: The A9 II’s full-frame sensor yields beautifully rendered skin tones and creamy bokeh, further enhanced by its eye-detection AF ensuring tack-sharp eyes even in dynamic poses. NX1 performs admirably too, with the anti-AA filter providing razor-sharp detail but lacking eye AF, making focus acquisition slightly more manual-dependent.

Landscapes: Both cameras excel with their APS-C (NX1) and full-frame (A9 II) sensors, though the Sony delivers superior dynamic range allowing for more recovery in shadow and highlight areas. Weather sealing in the NX1 provides an edge for field robustness in challenging conditions.

Wildlife and Sports: The Sony A9 II’s advanced AF system and 20 FPS shooting widely outperform the NX1’s 15 FPS and more modest AF capabilities, making it a preferred choice for professionals chasing fast action.

Street Photography: Here, the NX1's lighter weight and smaller footprint offer greater discretion and maneuverability. The Sony, though more capable, may feel bulkier for casual street candidure.

Macro and Night: The NX1 lacks in-body stabilization and focus stacking features, areas where newer Sony offerings shine with sensor-shift stabilization improving handheld macro and astrophotography.

Performance Ratings and Genre Breakdown

To neatly summarize their strengths and weaknesses, I turn to comprehensive performance analyses scored across categories.

The NX1 scores high overall (83 DxOMark), performing well in color fidelity and dynamic range for its class and age. The Sony A9 II, while untested by DxOMark officially, is widely acknowledged to outperform the NX1 particularly in low light and speed-oriented categories.

Breaking down by photographic genre:

• Portraits: Sony A9 II leads with superior AF and full-frame image quality.
• Landscape: Sony’s dynamic range and ISO versatility win, though NX1’s weather sealing is notable.
• Wildlife: Sony’s relentless AF prowess dominates.
• Sports: Sony leads due to tracking speed and continuous shooting specs.
• Street: NX1’s lightness offers stealthy portability; Sony’s AF and image quality help in challenging scenarios.
• Macro: Sony edges ahead with stabilization and focusing precision.
• Night/Astro: Sony’s ISO performance shines through.
• Video: Sony’s stable 4K at 30p with advanced codecs and 5-axis stabilization deliver superior results.
• Travel: NX1’s compactness and decent battery life (~500 shots) help; Sony offers higher battery endurance (~690 shots) but with a larger body.
• Professional Work: Sony’s dual card slots, broader lens ecosystem, and refined workflow features give it the upper hand.

Video Capabilities: Where Motion Meets Quality

Video shooters should note the differences here closely.

Samsung’s NX1 offers 4K UHD up to 30p and 4K DCI at 24p in the efficient HEVC (H.265) codec - progressive and modern for its time. Support for 1080p60 and microphone and headphone ports position it as a solid hybrid option. However, stabilization is lacking, so relying on stabilized lenses or gimbals is necessary.

Sony’s A9 II records 4K UHD (3840 x 2160) at 30p, using XAVC S codec, with simultaneous microphone and headphone jacks. Crucially, it features sensor-based 5-axis stabilization, smoothing handheld footage noticeably. Though it lacks 4K at 60p or higher framerates, the image quality and steady handling remain benchmarks in professional mirrorless video.

Lens Ecosystem and Mount Compatibility

Samsung’s NX mount accommodates 32 native lenses, a respectable but relatively small lineup compared to Sony’s vast E-mount offering with well over 120 native lenses, plus access to many adapted lenses due to the mount’s large diameter and short flange distance.

If building a versatile kit with specialty lenses (telephoto for sports/wildlife, primes for portraits, macro, or tilt-shift for architecture), Sony’s richer ecosystem provides significant advantages. Samsung’s range, though quality, is confined and likely harder to source today.

Battery Life and Storage Solutions

Battery life is a practical consideration for any serious shooter.

Samsung NX1’s BP1900 battery delivers around 500 shots per charge - respectable but can fall short on longer excursions. The Sony A9 II uses the NP-FZ100 battery, pushing endurance to about 690 shots, convenient for professionals in the field.

Storage-wise, Samsung offers a single SD/SDHC/SDXC card slot compatible with UHS-I/II speeds, whereas Sony equips dual SD card slots, both UHS-II compatible, enabling overflow or backup options - a critical feature for professional reliability and workflow continuity.

Connectivity and Workflow Integration

Wireless connectivity is built-in on both models, including Bluetooth and NFC, enabling straightforward image transfer or tethering. Sony edges ahead here with USB 3.1 Gen 1 over NX1’s USB 3.0, allowing potentially faster wired transfers.

Neither offers built-in GPS, which some travelers or geographers might lament.

Sony’s extensive software support and firmware updates maintain strong ecosystem integration, facilitating smoother post-processing workflows.

Putting It All Together: Who Wins and When?

Every camera has its story, its strengths, and its compromises. After extensive hands-on use and side-by-side testing, here’s my summation stratified by user type:

• Enthusiast and Hobbyist Photographer: The Samsung NX1 remains a compelling option for those valuing compactness, solid APS-C imaging, and solid weather-sealing at a more accessible price (~$1,500). Its touch interface and competent 4K video supplement stills nicely.

• Wildlife and Sports Professionals: The Sony A9 II is the clear choice for high-speed AF, blackout-free 20 FPS shooting, better low-light performance, and a truly versatile lens ecosystem, despite the premium investment (~$4,500).

• Portrait and Studio Photographers: Sony’s eye and animal eye AF, combined with full-frame sensor advantages, yield superior portrait results with less technical hassle.

• Landscape and Travel Photographers: Sony leads on image quality and dynamic range, but Samsung’s lighter weight and weather sealing keep it in contention for travel use where bulk and robustness matter.

• Video Content Creators: Sony’s superior codec support, sensor-based stabilization, and complete audio input/output options make it an easier platform for hybrid shooting.

Final Thoughts

The Samsung NX1 was ahead of its time during its 2014 debut, packing formidable imaging chops into a lightweight, weather-sealed body. Yet, technology waits for no one, and by 2019, Sony had raised the bar significantly with the Alpha A9 Mark II, focusing on speed, autofocus refinement, and full-frame excellence.

If you prize raw speed and cutting-edge AF for professional work or demanding action subjects, the A9 II is the unquestioned heavyweight champion. Alternatively, if you value a balance of affordability, stellar image quality within the APS-C format, and a compact package with weather resistance, the NX1 remains a surprisingly potent contender.

Neither camera is “obsolete” but rather tailored for distinct priorities and budgets. Knowing their strengths and caveats helps you pick not merely a camera, but a trusted partner for your photographic journey.

Summary Chart for Quick Reference

If you want to explore images, detailed specs, or performance charts referenced in this article, take a moment to view the integrated visuals, which showcase how each camera excels or reveals its limits in real-world shooting scenarios.

Samsung NX1 front Samsung NX1 screen back Sony A9 II front Sony A9 II screen back

Choosing between these two means weighing years of photographic advancements against budget and specific needs. I hope this deep dive assists you in navigating those trade-offs with clarity and confidence. Happy shooting!