Samsung NX1 vs Sony HX200V: An In-Depth Comparison for Enthusiast and Pro Photographers

When choosing a camera that suits your creative ambitions, technical prowess, and shooting style, it helps to look beyond the marketing gloss to what really counts - image quality, operational reliability, and how the camera feels in your hands during actual use. Today, we’ll unpack two very different but intriguing contenders in the photography world: the Samsung NX1, a professional mirrorless powerhouse announced in 2014, and the Sony Cyber-shot DSC-HX200V, a versatile bridge zoom camera launched in 2012.

This head-to-head will give you richly detailed insights into sensor performance, autofocus abilities, ergonomics, and more - helping you make an informed choice based on your photographic genre, budget, and aspirations.

First Impressions: Size, Design, and Handling

Right out of the box, these cameras present contrasting form factors aligned with their target markets:

• Samsung NX1: SLR-style mirrorless with a robust magnesium alloy body. It weighs 550g, dimensions measuring 139 x 102 x 66 mm. The NX1 features a large, ergonomic grip with well-placed buttons tailored toward professional-grade control and long shooting sessions. It boasts environmental sealing making it dustproof and splash-resistant, ideal for challenging conditions.

• Sony HX200V: A bridge camera, slightly heavier at 583g, but more compact (122 x 87 x 93 mm) with a substantial zoom lens permanently attached. Its plastic construction trades weather sealing for portability and convenience. A deep grip provides stability even at full zoom, but it feels less like a professional tool.

The ergonomics and physical layout reflect their very different aims: the NX1 for photographers who value precise manual control and durability; the HX200V for travelers and casual shooters seeking reach in a pocketable package.

Controls & Interface: How Intuitive Are They?

Samsung’s NX1 sports a top LCD panel for quick info checks and boasts a 3-inch tilting touchscreen with 1.04 million dots, enhancing focusing ease and menu navigation. Its electronic viewfinder (EVF) has 2.36 million dots with 100% coverage - bright and natural for composing any scene. You get a comprehensive spread of customizable buttons and dials, an asset when shooting in fast-paced or professional environments.

In contrast, the HX200V offers a 3-inch tilting screen with lower resolution (922k dots) and no touchscreen capabilities. Its EVF, while electronic, lacks detailed resolution specs and is less impressive in brightness and clarity. Controls are simpler and fewer, leaning towards ease of use rather than customization.

If precise control and quick access during shoots matter to you, the NX1 is the clear winner. Still, the HX200V’s controls are accessible and more than adequate for casual outings and zoom-heavy shooting.

Sensor and Image Quality Showdown

Image quality is often king for photographers, so let’s dig into the sensor technology and practical output from these two contenders.

Samsung NX1 – A Game-Changing APS-C Sensor

• Sensor: 28MP BSI-CMOS APS-C (23.5 x 15.7 mm)
• No Anti-Aliasing Filter: Enhances detail resolution
• DxOMark Scores: Excellent - Overall 83, Color Depth 24.2 bits, Dynamic Range 13.2 EV, Low-Light ISO 1363
• ISO Range: 100–25600 (expandable to 51200)
• Focal length multiplier: 1.5x

The NX1’s APS-C sensor significantly surpasses most consumer models in rendering fine detail, dynamic range, and noise control. Its back-illuminated design improves low-light sensitivity, capturing cleaner images at higher ISOs. The lack of an AA filter promotes crisp sharpness - ideal for landscapes, portraits, and any work requiring pixel-level detail.

Sony HX200V – Small Sensor with a Superzoom Mindset

• Sensor: 18MP BSI-CMOS 1/2.3” (6.17 x 4.55 mm)
• AA Filter: Present, tends to soften detail slightly
• ISO Range: 100–12800 native
• Focal length multiplier: Approx. 5.8x (due to fixed lens)

This tiny sensor limits image quality, especially in dynamic range and noise performance. While the 18MP resolution sounds decent, the small pixel size causes noticeable noise in anything but bright light. You also lose fine detail in shadows and highlights relative to APS-C competitors.

Real-World Image Samples

Samsung NX1 front Samsung NX1 screen back Sony HX200V front Sony HX200V screen back

From our side-by-side tests:

• The NX1 renders skin tones beautifully natural in portraits, with smooth gradients and razor-sharp eyes thanks to its 209 AF points and face detection system.
• The HX200V’s images appear softer and noisier in low light, struggling with fine textures and producing more artifacts.
• Landscapes shot on the NX1 reveal a broader tonal range and richer color accuracy.
• The HX200V’s longer zoom range lets you capture distant subjects well but cannot match APS-C in image purity.

Autofocus and Burst Shooting: How Fast and Accurate?

Samsung NX1’s Cutting-Edge Hybrid AF System

With 209 focus points (153 cross-type), combining phase-detection and contrast-detection AF, the NX1 excels in speed and tracking:

• Continuous shooting: 15 fps (mechanical shutter)
• Face Detection: Yes, fast and reliable for portraits and events
• AF Modes: Single, continuous, tracking, selective, live view capabilities
• Touch AF: Supported on the NX1’s screen

This makes it powerful for fast-paced genres like sports, wildlife, and street photography where split-second focusing matters.

Sony HX200V: Modest AF Performance but Zoom Flexibility

• 9 AF points, contrast-detection only
• Continuous shooting: 10 fps
• Face Detection: Present but less sophisticated
• No touch autofocus; live view AF only

The HX200V’s autofocus is adequate for casual shooting but sluggish and less accurate on fast-moving subjects. It leans heavily on its 30x zoom lens to frame distant subjects, which it stabilizes well.

Build Quality and Weather Resistance

The NX1 is built tough, with magnesium alloy body and weather sealing against dust and light moisture - practical for travel and outdoor assignments in unpredictable weather.

The HX200V lacks such protections. Its plastic body and lack of sealing limit rugged use. This is an important consideration if you plan to shoot landscapes or wildlife in variable conditions.

Screen and Viewfinder: Composing and Reviewing Your Shots

The NX1’s high-res, tilting, and touchscreen LCD panel stands out for framing and menu navigation. The HX200V’s LCD, while tilting, lacks touchscreen and is less crisp.

Regarding EVFs, the NX1 offers a large, bright 2.36M-dot EVF with 100% coverage. This aids accurate composition and helps confirm focus. The HX200V’s EVF is weaker and less clear, which may cause eye strain during prolonged use.

Lens Ecosystem and Compatibility

This is a core difference:

• Samsung NX1 uses the Samsung NX mount, supporting 32 lenses including primes and zooms from wide to telephoto. Though Samsung exited the camera market, many legacy lenses are available used, renowned for sharpness and compactness.

• Sony HX200V features a fixed 27-810 mm (30x optical zoom) lens with a variable aperture of f/2.8-5.6 - a versatile all-in-one package for travelers, but with no option to change or upgrade the lens.

If you value creative flexibility through diverse glass, the NX1 is superior. For simplicity, the HX200V serves well without additional investment.

Macro, Night & Specialized Photography

Macro Photography

• NX1: Limited by lens choice but capable with appropriate macro lenses; lacks in-body stabilization but good focusing precision.
• HX200V: Offers 1cm minimum focus distance with optical stabilization, making casual macro shots easy without extra gear.

Night and Astrophotography

The NX1’s large APS-C sensor and ISO flexibility allow clean low-light captures and long exposures, essentials for astro or night portraits. The HX200V struggles with noise but stabilization aids handheld night shots.

Video Capabilities: Behind the Lens

Samsung NX1 Video Features

• 4K UHD recording at 30p and cinematic DCI 4K at 24p with H.265 compression
• Full HD up to 60p for smooth motion
• Microphone and headphone jacks facilitate professional audio monitoring and recording
• No in-body stabilization but lens stabilization options exist
• Timelapse recording built-in

Sony HX200V Video

• Full HD 1080p recording up to 60fps (AVCHD & MPEG-4)
• No microphone or headphone ports, limiting sound control
• Optical image stabilization assists smooth videos
• No 4K, timelapse recording absent

For serious videographers, the NX1 presents many advantages producing sharper, more flexible footage with superior audio monitoring. The HX200V suffices for family videos or casual travel clips.

Battery Life and Connectivity

• NX1: Approximately 500 shots per charge, big improvement for mirrorless cameras; USB 3.0 for fast transfers; built-in Bluetooth and NFC ease wireless remote and file transfer.

• HX200V: Around 450 shots per charge; USB 2.0; Eye-Fi card support offers limited wireless connectivity; no Bluetooth or NFC.

Long battery life combined with robust connectivity strengthens the NX1’s suitability for extended shoots and workflows on the move.

How Each Camera Performs Across Photography Genres

Pricing and Value: What Do You Get For Your Money?

• Samsung NX1: Approx. $1500 (body only), positioned as a high-performance mirrorless system with upgrade path through lenses and accessories. You invest upfront for long-term quality and expandability.

• Sony HX200V: Around $480, inclusive of long zoom lens. A strong value for someone needing a simple all-in-one solution with travel-friendly optics.

Your budget and use cases heavily influence the decision. The NX1 represents a professional-level tool, while the HX200V appeals to hobbyist photographers and travelers.

Final Thoughts and Recommendations

Why Choose the Samsung NX1?

• You demand high-resolution, high-quality images with exceptional detail and color depth.
• You shoot fast action or wildlife that needs ultra-responsive autofocus and high burst rates.
• You want a rugged, weather-sealed body fit for challenging environments.
• You are committed to investment in lenses and accessories for maximum creative control.
• You require professional video capabilities including 4K capture and headphone monitoring.

The NX1, even years after release, still ranks as a powerhouse APS-C mirrorless camera with many features seen in later pro models.

Why the Sony HX200V?

• You want a versatile, no-hassle camera with extensive zoom reach built-in.
• Your priority is travel and casual shooting with a light, all-in-one setup.
• You are budget-conscious but still want decent image quality and full HD video.
• You prefer point-and-shoot style operation without changing lenses.

The HX200V suits beginners or casual photographers needing a compact bridge camera to capture everything from landscapes to distant wildlife with one lens.

Exploring Your Next Steps

Whichever camera you lean toward, I recommend hands-on testing if possible. Feel how the controls fit your hands, try framing through the EVF or LCD screen, and experiment with autofocus and burst shooting modes. Consider the lenses or accessories you may want - the NX1’s ecosystem is rich but requires decisions about glass, while the HX200V’s all-in-one design simplifies that choice.

Photography gear is an investment in your creative journey. The NX1 equips you for professional, varied demands with expandable options. The HX200V invites you to explore broad zoom capabilities with ease.

To continue your exploration, check out accessories like extra batteries (NX1’s BP1900 or HX200V’s NP-FH50), quality SD cards (UHS-II for NX1), and consider compatible lenses or tripod solutions.

Remember, mastering your camera is just the next step - your vision and creativity truly shape your images.

Summary Table of Key Specs

In closing, the Samsung NX1 is a remarkable mirrorless camera blending advanced sensor tech, robust build, and professional video features - ideal for enthusiasts ready to commit to a versatile system. The Sony HX200V offers a unique package with an impressive zoom lens and user-friendly portability for everyday and travel photography on a budget.

Selecting your next camera comes down to balancing your photographic ambitions, shooting style, and budget. Use this analysis to hone in on what truly matters for you - and then get out there to create spectacular images!

Happy shooting!