Samsung NX1 vs Sony HX100V: A Deep Dive into Two Distinct Cameras for Your Creative Journey

When it comes to choosing your next camera, understanding the nuances between models is crucial - especially as a photography enthusiast or professional. Today, we’re comparing the Samsung NX1 and the Sony Cyber-shot DSC-HX100V, two very different but intriguing cameras. The NX1 targets prosumer and pro photographers seeking mirrorless precision, while the HX100V is a versatile bridge zoom friendly to travel and casual use.

Drawing upon extensive hands-on testing experience with thousands of cameras, this comparison will walk you through each system’s real-world performance, technical merits, and how well they fit different photographic disciplines. Let’s start by laying out the foundational differences.

First Impressions: Size, Build, and Handling

The physical attributes and ergonomics of cameras directly impact your shooting comfort and accessibility.

The Samsung NX1 sports a more compact, mirrorless body with a heft that feels solid yet manageable for long shoots. Its magnesium alloy chassis incorporates dust and splash resistance, which is a boon for outdoor and landscape photographers who demand durability.

Conversely, the Sony HX100V, despite being slightly heavier due to its substantial built-in superzoom, carries a bulkier profile to accommodate the extensive lens range. While its plastic-heavy body lacks weather sealing, it remains sturdy and balanced, ideal for travel and casual adventures.

Our take: If rugged build and weather resistance rank high in your priorities - especially for outdoor or professional work - the NX1’s design edges ahead. However, for those craving the convenience of a superzoom in an all-in-one package, the HX100V offers ergonomic simplicity.

Viewing and Control: Screen and Viewfinder Experience

A camera’s interface influences how quickly and intuitively you can frame shots and review images.

The NX1’s interface shines with a high-res tilting touchscreen that supports AF point selection and intuitive menu navigation - features appreciated by portrait and street photographers who need quick reflexes.

Sony’s HX100V offers a tilting screen but without touch capability. Its EVF is handy, though lacks detailed specifications, and its control layout is streamlined toward casual users. The HX100V omits a top status display, while the NX1’s top LCD gives immediate exposure info, useful during dynamic shooting scenarios like sports.

Practical advice: For working professionals keen on swift adjustments, the NX1’s interface is superior. If you prefer minimalism and don’t mind button-driven navigation, the HX100V remains user-friendly.

Sensor and Image Quality: The Heart of Each System

Here’s where the biggest differences lie - sensor size, resolution, and related image quality factors.

The APS-C sensor inside the NX1 dwarfs the HX100V’s small 1/2.3-inch chip by an order of magnitude - a difference you can see immediately in image quality. Larger sensors allow for better low-light sensitivity, higher dynamic range, and finer detail resolution. The NX1’s sensor produces rich 28MP files without the anti-aliasing filter, delivering sharper images ideal for landscapes and portraits that demand exquisite detail.

In contrast, the HX100V’s sensor is tiny to accommodate the superzoom lens. While its 16MP resolution is respectable, image quality degrades in low light, with noise becoming apparent above ISO 800. Its AA filter reduces moiré but softens fine patterns, which can limit sharpness.

Key takeaway: If your photography requires impeccable image quality with excellent noise performance and flexibility for large prints or cropping, the NX1 is the clear choice. The HX100V suits casual shooting and telephoto reach but at the expense of image fidelity.

Autofocus Systems: Precision vs. Practicality

Autofocus can make or break your shooting experience, particularly in fast-moving subjects like wildlife or sports.

The NX1 includes a sophisticated hybrid AF system with 209 points - 153 of them cross-type - offering rapid acquisition and reliable tracking. Its face and eye detection AF make it outstanding for portraits, wildlife, and sports where eye contact is vital. Continuous autofocus supports smooth video and action shooting.

On the other hand, the HX100V relies on a more basic 9-point contrast-detection system, which is slower and less accurate for tracking moving subjects. It’s effective for static and controlled scenes, like travel or snapshots, but doesn’t excel in fast-paced photography.

Bottom line: For action, wildlife, and professional portraiture, the NX1’s advanced autofocus will meet your needs. The HX100V’s AF is geared to casual photography with modest motion.

Lens Ecosystem and Zoom Reach: Flexibility vs. Convenience

Lens availability and optical versatility are major factors to consider.

The NX1 supports a dedicated, though limited, 32-lens lineup covering ultra-wide, standard primes, telephotos, and specialty optics. This flexibility empowers photographers to optimize for many genres - portrait, macro, or sports - by selecting appropriate optics, including fast lenses for low light and shallow depth of field.

Sony’s HX100V pairs with a fixed superzoom lens boasting a massive 30x optical zoom (27-810mm equivalent). This convenience enables everything from wide landscapes to distant wildlife without lens changes. Aperture varies from bright F2.8 at wide to F5.6 telephoto, which is decent but limits bokeh and low-light telephoto shots.

Practical tip: If budget and ease of use top your list, the HX100V is a compelling grab-and-go option. For creative control, superior optical quality, and future upgrades, the NX1’s lens ecosystem is a better investment.

Burst Shooting and Buffer: Capturing the Decisive Moments

Sports and wildlife enthusiasts crave high frame rates and robust buffer capacity.

With 15 frames per second and effective autofocus tracking, the NX1 excels at freezing high-speed action. Its generous buffer lets you shoot multiple raw frames before slowdown, critical for capturing peak moments.

The HX100V’s 10 fps is respectable but lacks tracking AF during bursts. Its buffer fills faster, necessitating pauses more often.

Conclusion: For dynamic sports, wildlife, or any fast-paced photography, the NX1 gives you a professional edge. The HX100V suits casual action shots but may miss decisive frames.

Image Stabilization and Shutter Speeds: Sharpness Assured

Samsung’s NX1 does not feature in-body stabilization, putting the onus on stabilized lenses or a tripod. It benefits from fast shutter speeds to freeze motion.

Sony HX100V uses optical image stabilization built into its long zoom lens. This reduces blur in telephoto and handheld shots - especially valuable for travel and wildlife photography.

Insight: If handheld telephoto shooting is your priority and you favor a simplified setup, HX100V’s stabilization is a plus. However, the NX1’s superior shutter range helps in varied lighting and action.

Video Features: Quality, Formats, and Audio

For multimedia creators, video performance is increasingly crucial.

Samsung’s NX1 was ahead of its time in 4K UHD capture using the efficient H.265 codec, producing crisp, professional-grade footage. The inclusion of mic and headphone ports offers full audio control - a boon for vloggers and documentarians.

Sony’s HX100V records Full HD video with solid frame rates but lacks external mic inputs or headphone monitoring, limiting audio quality control. Its optical stabilization helps steady handheld videos.

Advice: For professional-quality video and hybrid shooters, the NX1’s features outperform the HX100V hands down. The Sony is better suited to casual video content, family clips, or travel sequences.

Battery Life and Storage: Power for the Long Haul

The NX1 delivers generous battery stamina, capable of around 500 shots per charge, which should comfortably last a day of intensive shooting.

Sony’s HX100V battery endurance is undocumented but tends to be average for bridge cameras. Its multi-format storage (support for both SD cards and Sony Memory Sticks) grants flexible media options.

Tip: Always carry spare batteries when shooting extensively. The NX1’s proven endurance and faster card interfaces translate into fewer workflow interruptions.

Genre-Specific Usage and Final Recommendations

We’ve tested and broken down camera metrics, but how do these translate to your photographic passions? Here’s a summary that aligns each camera with popular photography genres.

Samsung NX1 front Samsung NX1 screen back Sony HX100V front Sony HX100V screen back

Portrait Photography

• Samsung NX1: Exceptional skin tones, fine detail, and excellent eye detection autofocus. Ideal for professional portraits requiring shallow depth of field and accurate tracking.
• Sony HX100V: Basic AF without face/eye detection makes portraits less precise. Nice zoom range for environmental portraits but limited shallow depth of field control.

Landscape Photography

• NX1: Large APS-C sensor provides wide dynamic range and sharp resolution with weather sealing. Reliable for challenging environments.
• HX100V: Good zoom for distant landscapes, but small sensor limits dynamic range and resolution for large prints.

Wildlife Photography

• NX1: Fast continuous AF, high burst rate, and telephoto lenses make it a strong choice.
• HX100V: Convenient 810mm reach but slower AF and lower ISO limits reduce success for animals in motion or low light.

Sports Photography

• NX1: 15 fps with AF tracking fits fast subjects perfectly.
• HX100V: 10 fps without AF tracking limits capturing fast-paced action effectively.

Street Photography

• NX1: Slightly bulkier but discreet thanks to mirrorless design; quick touchscreen AF aids candid shots.
• HX100V: Bridge camera style might draw attention; slower AF and no touch limit spontaneous shooting.

Macro Photography

• NX1: Lots of lens options and sensor resolution for detailed close-ups.
• HX100V: Limited macro capability with fixed lens.

Night and Astro Photography

• NX1: Superior ISO performance and sensor technology excel in low light.
• HX100V: Max ISO 3200 inadequate for astrophotography or dim scenes.

Video Capabilities

• NX1: 4K with professional audio support caters to video creators.
• HX100V: Full HD video for casual content, no external mic.

Travel Photography

• NX1: Weather sealing and battery life help, but lenses add bulk.
• HX100V: All-in-one superzoom simplifies travel without gear swaps.

Professional Work

• NX1: RAW support, durability, and workflow-friendly interface enable serious work.
• HX100V: Limited file formats and fixed lens reduce professional appeal.

Pricing and Value Assessment

Wrapping Up: Which Camera Matches Your Vision?

Choose the Samsung NX1 if:

• You want professional-level image quality and advanced autofocus.
• You shoot portraits, sports, wildlife, or video with high expectations.
• Durability, weather sealing, and lens flexibility matter.
• You plan to invest in a system that supports your growth as a serious photographer.

Select the Sony HX100V if:

• You prefer an all-in-one travel camera with extensive zoom.
• Low budget or simplicity in operation is key.
• Your photography is casual, travel-oriented, or just starting out.
• You don’t require RAW files or advanced video features.

Getting Started and Exploring Further

We encourage you to handle both cameras if possible, testing their fit in your hands and ease of use in your favorite shooting scenarios. Consider renting the NX1 to explore its professional features or the HX100V for travel simplicity before committing.

Finding the right camera is a journey, and both these models offer distinctive strengths depending on your creative goals. Check out compatible lenses and accessories to enhance your chosen system.

For those eager to step into mirrorless performance with pro-grade capabilities, the Samsung NX1 remains a compelling choice despite its 2014 launch, thanks to its pioneering features and build.

For casual explorers and photo adventurers, the Sony HX100V remains a solid, budget-friendly pick with phenomenal zoom versatility you won’t find in interchangeable lens systems.

Happy shooting, and may your next camera open new horizons in your photography story!