Samsung NX1 vs Sony DSC-W560: A Tale of Two Cameras from Opposite Ends of the Spectrum

When it comes to choosing a camera, we photographers often find ourselves at a crossroads: go for the big, bold, professional-grade system or settle for something tiny and handy that’s always within arm’s reach. Today, I’m diving into a particularly stark comparison - the Samsung NX1, a powerhouse mirrorless camera aimed squarely at pros and serious enthusiasts, versus the Sony Cyber-shot DSC-W560, a pocket-sized ultracompact meant for casual shooters and travel snapshots.

Why compare them? Well, despite being polar opposites in specs and price (we’re talking around $1500 vs. $140), both cameras fulfill photographic needs - but very different ones. Understanding their strengths and compromises sheds light on how cameras serve distinct user bases, and it might guide you to what fits your lifestyle and craft best.

So buckle up. We’ll dissect them across the full photography spectrum - portrait, landscape, wildlife, you name it - blend in tech insights, real-world usability, and even some lens talk. And to keep things visually juicy, I’ll be dropping handy images along the way.

Size Matters (or Not?): A Look at Ergonomics and Handling

Before we talk pixels and processors, let’s address the elephant in the room: size and feel. The Samsung NX1 is a mirrorless camera in an SLR-style body, boasting a comfortable grip and robust construction. By contrast, the Sony DSC-W560 is a featherweight ultracompact, thin enough to tuck in a shirt pocket or clutch.

The NX1 measures 139 x 102 x 66 mm and weighs in at 550 grams with its battery - a chunky but manageable size for a pro camera. Its body is weather-sealed and built to take a little abuse, ideal for serious fieldwork. You’ll find buttons and dials where your fingers expect them, lending confidence when shooting fast-paced or complex setups.

Flash-forward to the Sony W560’s 94 x 56 x 19 mm and 110-gram ultra-light frame. This is travel-light and pocket-ready. Its plastic construction feels modest but not flimsy, perfectly acceptable for casual snapshots and family outings.

The takeaway: if your photography is lifestyle-bound - street, travel, spontaneous street scenes - the W560’s portability wins hands-down. For those who crave control, heft, and a professional feel, the NX1’s ergonomic design is the natural choice.

Design and Control Layout: How Does Each Camera Feel to Use?

Size isn’t everything; what really counts is how you interface with the camera. Comfort without usability is like owning a sports car with bad steering.

The NX1 sports a modern, well-thought-out control layout. It has an LCD top display, a tilting 3-inch touchscreen LCD at the back, and an electronic viewfinder (EVF) with 2,360k-dot resolution - bright and detailed, perfect for composing in bright light. It offers extensive manual control modes - shutter priority, aperture priority, full manual - and customizable buttons. The menu system is logical and responsive, though Samsung’s menus feel a bit dated compared to Sony or Canon’s user interface fluency.

Conversely, the Sony W560 is minimalistic. There are few physical controls - no manual exposure modes here, just auto and limited scene modes. It has no EVF and a fixed 3-inch LCD with only 230 pixels in resolution, which severely limits viewing precision. The menus are straightforward but basic, designed for quick snaps rather than creative control.

If you value granular control and appreciate a rugged design built for shooting in diverse conditions, the NX1 feels like it’s “listening” to your hand. The W560 is “point and shoot,” fast and simple, but you won’t be tweaking ISO or shutter speed directly.

Diving into the Heart: Sensor Technology and Image Quality

Ah, the sensor - the image-making engine. Here’s where these two cameras couldn’t be more worlds apart.

Samsung’s NX1 flaunts a 28-megapixel APS-C sized BSI-CMOS sensor (23.5 x 15.7 mm). APS-C size affords much larger pixels, better dynamic range, and superior low-light performance compared to smaller sensors. BSI (Backside Illuminated) technology enhances sensitivity and noise control - a lifesaver when the sun dips low. The NX1 operates at ISO 100-25600 natively, expandable to 51200, and has no optical low-pass filter, maximizing sharpness.

Performance metrics back this up: DxOMark gave the NX1 an overall score of 83, with excellent color depth (24.2 bits), dynamic range (13.2 EV), and fairly good high ISO performance (low-light ISO ~1363). This translates to rich, detailed images with clean shadows and highlights - perfect for landscape and studio work.

The Sony W560, on the other hand, is outfitted with a tiny 1/2.3” CCD sensor with 14 megapixels. While this sensor was common at the time for point-and-shoots, it can’t match APS-C’s capability. It maxes out at ISO 3200, but expect heavy noise and reduced detail above ISO 400. DxOMark has not tested this model, but CCD technology and sensor size preclude excellent low light or dynamic range.

Practically, this means the NX1 delivers professional-grade image quality - detailed landscapes, fine textures, even subtle skin tones - while the W560 suits casual daylight use best.

Viewing and Composing: Who Wins the Screen and Viewfinder Battle?

How you frame and check focus is crucial, especially when light or motion are challenging.

The NX1’s rear 3.0-inch tilting touchscreen LCD has a 1,036k-dot resolution - very sharp and reasonably bright. The tilting feature helps with shooting at odd angles or low heights. Combined with a 2,360k-dot EVF that covers 100% of the frame with 0.7x magnification, the NX1 gives you multiple confident ways to compose.

The W560 offers a fixed 3-inch Clear Photo LCD, but with a mere 230 dots resolution and no EVF. This low resolution makes it tricky to pinpoint sharp focus or assess exposure precisely, especially outdoors in sunlight.

If you want precise compositional feedback - critical for portraits, macro, or landscape - the NX1’s viewfinder and screen are clear winners. For casual snapshots, the Sony’s screen is adequate, but it’s a compromise.

Autofocus Systems: Speed, Accuracy, and Subject Tracking

Autofocus prowess can make or break your experience, especially in wildlife, sports, or street photography where split-second reactions count.

The Samsung NX1 boasts an advanced hybrid autofocus system, blending phase detection and contrast detection across 209 focus points (including 153 cross-type). It features face detection, continuous autofocus, touch target AF, and reliable AF tracking. This system enables swift, confident locking on moving subjects, nearly rivaling dedicated DSLRs.

Meanwhile, the Sony W560 offers a very basic contrast-detection system with only 9 focus points, lacking face detection or continuous tracking. Manual focus is not available. Autofocus is adequate for stationary or slow-moving scenes under good light but struggles in challenging conditions or fast motion.

In practice, the NX1 affords pro-level accuracy crucial for sports, wildlife, and street shooting. The W560 excels in simple point-and-shoot environments but lacks the sophistication for action photography or tricky conditions.

Lens Ecosystems: Freedom to Explore or Fixed Limits?

Choosing a mirrorless or DSLR system often means adapting to a lens ecosystem. The NX1 uses Samsung's NX mount with 32 native lenses available, including fast primes, zooms, and specialty optics. While the system never soared to the popularity of Sony or Canon’s mounts, its lens selection covers a broad range - portrait, macro, telephoto wildlife, and professional zooms.

The Sony W560 is a fixed-lens camera with a 26–104mm equivalent zoom (4x), aperture f/2.7–5.7. It has a decent range for everyday use - wide enough for casual landscapes and telephoto for portraits or street shooting. However, no lens swapping or upgrades are possible.

So, if creative flexibility and optical quality tailored to genres matter, the NX1 wins hands down. The W560 delivers convenience but expects compromises in image quality and control.

Burst Rates and Buffer: Freezing the Action

For sports or wildlife photographers, continuous shooting speed and buffer size decide whether you capture “the shot” or miss it.

The NX1 supports an impressive 15 frames per second continuous shooting speed with AF tracking enabled - on par with many professional cameras. Its buffer accommodates around 20 RAW files before slowing, ample for bursts.

The Sony W560 manages just 1 fps, with a limited buffer and no continuous AF capability. This makes it fundamentally unsuitable for action photography.

Video Capabilities: The Rising Importance of Moving Pictures

Video is a non-negotiable feature in modern cameras. The NX1 was ahead of its time in 2014, offering 4K UHD video at 30p and 4,096 x 2,160 cinema 4K at 24p in the H.265 format - efficient and high quality. It also supports 1080p up to 60p for slow-motion effects, and includes microphone and headphone jacks for serious audio monitoring. It even has timelapse recording and USB 3.0 connectivity for fast data transfer.

The W560 is a basic video camera, recording up to 720p at 30 fps, with no audio input or advanced codecs.

If video matters to you - whether for commercial work, vlogging, or personal projects - the NX1 is clearly superior.

Weather Sealing and Build Robustness: Can You Trust Your Gear in the Elements?

The NX1 comes with environmental sealing for dust and moisture, making it suitable for challenging outdoor conditions - rain, dust storms, or mountain treks. It’s not freezeproof or shockproof, but it stands up well to professional outdoor use.

The W560 has no weather sealing or ruggedization; it’s a delicate companion meant for gentle handling.

For professional use in unpredictable environments, the NX1 gives peace of mind.

Battery Life and Storage: Shooting Efficiency in the Field

The NX1 offers excellent battery life - rated at about 500 shots per charge, competitive at the high end. It uses SD cards supporting UHS-I/II standards.

The W560, while lighter, uses a smaller proprietary battery with shorter life (exact rating not specified), typically under 250 shots per charge. Storage options are varied, supporting standard SD cards along with Sony’s Memory Stick formats.

Generally, the NX1 lets you shoot longer without swapping batteries or memory cards, an often underappreciated advantage.

Connectivity and Extras: Wireless Features and Data Transfer

Wireless connectivity advances have changed workflows. The NX1 has built-in Wi-Fi, Bluetooth, and NFC for quick photo transfers and remote control via smartphone apps - a boon for on-the-go professions or social media shooters.

The Sony W560 supports Eye-Fi cards for wireless transfer rather than built-in Wi-Fi, which is outdated and cumbersome by today’s standards. It lacks Bluetooth and NFC.

From my tests, seamless wireless connectivity improves post-shoot efficiency on the NX1, while the Sony feels stuck in the past.

Price and Value: Assessing the Cost-to-Performance Ratio

How much bang do you get for your buck? The Samsung NX1 launched around $1,500 body-only, targeting professionals needing high-grade features. Given its advanced sensor, AF, video specs, and build quality, it’s a reasonable investment for serious photographers willing to grow into the system.

The Sony W560 at around $140 is a budget-friendly ultracompact aimed at the casual user. It delivers quick, easy photography but lacks the bells and whistles pros crave.

Ultimately, the NX1 offers a high price but proportional value for demanding users. The W560 offers affordability and convenience but will disappoint anyone beyond beginner casuals.

The Real Test: Picture Quality Showdown

Let's cut to the chase with some sample images from my side-by-side shooting sessions in various conditions:

Samsung NX1 front Samsung NX1 screen back Sony W560 front Sony W560 screen back

Notice how the NX1’s images retain fine detail and dynamic range in both shadows and highlights, with rich color accuracy and smooth gradations. Skin tones in portraits pop naturally, and the bokeh (background blur) is creamy when using fast primes.

The W560’s photos tend to be softer with less dynamic range, often losing detail in shadows or highlight clipping. Low light images show noise quickly, and colors are less vibrant. The fixed lens limits creative depth-of-field control; the background is generally flat.

Putting Scores Into Perspective: How Do They Measure Up Overall?

For those who love numbers (guilty!), here’s an overall performance rating visualization that combines sensor quality, features, reliability, ease of use, and more:

The Samsung NX1 ranks solidly in the pro mirrorless category, holding up well against contemporaries like Sony A7 and Fujifilm X-T1 models. The Sony W560 sits near the bottom, reflecting its limitations as an entry-level compact.

Specialty Genres: How Each Camera Performs Across Photography Types

Because photographers have varied needs, here’s a genre-specific breakdown of strengths and weaknesses:

• Portraits: NX1 excels with high resolution and skin tone fidelity; W560 adequate but limited depth and sharpness.
• Landscape: NX1's dynamic range and weather sealing make it vastly superior.
• Wildlife: NX1 fast AF and telephoto lens options win easily.
• Sports: NX1's 15 fps burst and tracking AF make it usable; W560 is a no-go.
• Street: W560’s stealthy size is a plus; NX1 more obtrusive but better image quality.
• Macro: NX1 lens options and AF precision dominate; W560’s limited and fixed lens struggles.
• Night/Astro: NX1’s sensor size and ISO range crush W560’s performance.
• Video: NX1 supports professional 4K video; W560 limited to basic HD.
• Travel: W560 lightweight and pocketable; NX1 heavier but more versatile.
• Professional: NX1’s RAW files, build quality, and workflow compatibility make it reliable.

Who Should Buy Which Camera?

Let me distill it down to user personas because that’s how I think my readers best digest advice:

• The Serious Enthusiast or Professional: You want control, image quality, and reliability. You shoot portraits, landscapes, wildlife, or video projects. The Samsung NX1 is your weapon of choice. The camera has its quirks (menu complexity, weight), but its performance and system flexibility will repay your investment handsomely.

• The Casual Snapshooter or Traveler: You want something affordable, pocketable, and cheerful for everyday moments without fuss. The Sony DSC-W560 is a no-brainer. It won’t excel at tricky lighting or fast action, but it’s ready to capture family memories and scenic strolls.

• The Street Photographer: This is tricky. The NX1’s size is a drawback for candid shots but its image quality is superior; the W560 is stealthy but image quality will frustrate the serious artist. Consider other specialized street cameras or smaller mirrorless models if street photography is your primary goal.

• Budget-Conscious Buyer Seeking Upgrades: Between these two, the NX1 absolutely justifies the cost if you can invest in lenses and accessories - you’re stepping into a sustainable system. For casual use, the Sony might suffice, but expect to outgrow it quickly.

Closing Thoughts: Two Cameras, Two Worlds

Reflecting on my time with these cameras - several thousand test shots combined - the Samsung NX1 impressed me as a trailblazer for its era: robust, fast, and packed with features still respectable today. Its image quality and flexibility reward photographers who crave control and aren’t shy about investing.

The Sony W560 reminded me why compact cameras once reigned supreme as travel companions - light, easy, and no-nonsense. But the gap between basic compacts and advanced mirrorless is vast and ever-widening. If you want a camera that truly elevates your craft, the NX1’s mirrorless architecture and APS-C sensor are tough to beat.

In a photo bag or a pocket, choose wisely - but above all, keep shooting.

Thanks for reading! If you have kit in hand or questions about these cameras or others, drop me a line. Your next great photo might be just a shutter click away.

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