Samsung NX1 vs Sony A57: A Hands-On Comparison for Discerning Photographers

As someone who's handled hundreds of cameras over the years, I know how daunting it can be to parse through spec sheets and decide which model fits your photography style - especially when the cameras come from different generations and categories like the Samsung NX1 and Sony A57. Both stand out in their own ways, but how do they stack up in real-world conditions? And who is each camera truly for?

In this detailed comparison, I’ll leverage firsthand experience testing both models, peppering in technical insights and practical observations to help you navigate this decision. Whether you’re a portrait shooter, landscape adventurer, wildlife tracker, or a video hobbyist, I’ll unpack the strengths and compromises baked into each camera - with recommendations tailored to budgets and use cases.

Let’s kick off by looking at the big picture before we zoom into key photography genres, technical features, and usage scenarios.

Getting to Know the Contenders: Overview and Ergonomics

Before glazing over with technical gobbledygook, it pays to start with how these cameras feel and fit in your hands - ergonomics often make or break the experience.

The Samsung NX1 is a pro mirrorless camera introduced in 2014, boasting a solid SLR-style mirrorless body designed for advanced users. The Sony A57, on the other hand, is an entry-level DSLR from 2012 with a compact SLR-type form factor. Both use APS-C sensors with a 1.5x crop factor, but the NX1 is a more recent design with updated internals.

Looking at the physical size and feel, the NX1 is somewhat beefier but thoughtfully sculpted to enhance grip comfort for long shooting sessions - no clubs for thumbs here. The Sony A57 is lighter and slightly smaller, which favors portability, though the grip isn’t as aggressive or cushioned.

From a top-down perspective, their control layouts show interesting differences:

The NX1 sports more customizable buttons and a sleek top LCD readout - great for quick exposure checks without looking away from the viewfinder. The A57’s simpler interface is approachable for beginners but doesn’t offer the same tactile immediacy for pros juggling complex scenes.

Sensor and Image Quality: The Heart of the Matter

At the heart, a camera’s sensor determines the quality canvas on which your images are painted.

The Samsung NX1 packs a 28-megapixel BSI-CMOS APS-C sensor without an anti-aliasing filter. The backside-illuminated (BSI) design enhances low-light performance and overall image quality, translating into higher resolution details and better high ISO usability. This sensor area is 368.95mm².

Contrast this with the Sony A57’s 16-megapixel CMOS APS-C sensor with a traditional Bayer pattern and an anti-aliasing filter. Its sensor measures about 366.6mm², close in size but lower in resolution.

The NX1 delivers richer color depth, improved dynamic range (13.2 stops vs. 13.0 for Sony), and better noise handling at high ISOs, scoring well on DxOmark benchmarks for its era (83 overall versus 75 for the A57). Practically, that means sharper details and cleaner shadows, especially in demanding scenes like low-light portraits or twilight landscapes.

For pixel peepers or those who want larger prints without upscaling, the NX1’s higher resolution offers a real advantage. The lack of an anti-aliasing filter allows for crisper, more detailed files but also risks moiré in certain textures - something to be mindful of depending on your subjects (architecture or patterned fabrics).

The Rear LCD and Viewfinder: Your Window to the World

User interface and viewing options can make or break your shooting flow.

Samsung went bold with a tilting 3-inch touchscreen featuring 1,036k dots on the NX1, enabling intuitive focus selection and menu navigation. The A57 offers a fully articulating 3-inch screen with 921k dots, but without touchscreen functionality. For video shooters especially, the articulated screen offers more flexible angles, while touch-capability speeds up focus adjustments on the NX1.

Both cameras have electronic viewfinders, however…

• NX1’s EVF sports a 2,360k-dot resolution covering 100% frame with 0.7x magnification - delivering a crisp, bright, and accurate vision that outclasses many competitors of its time.
• Sony’s EVF clocks in at 1,440k dots with the same coverage and magnification but falls short in clarity and refresh rate compared to Samsung’s advanced EVF.

The EVF difference is tangible in fast-moving scenarios (sports, wildlife), where the NX1’s more responsive and higher-res finder helps keep subjects tracked precisely - more on that in autofocus below.

Autofocus and Performance: Chasing the Action

Let’s talk about speed and accuracy because autofocus is the lifeblood of many photography genres, from sports to street.

The NX1 excels with a 209-point hybrid AF system, combining phase-detection and contrast-detection AF for coverage that practically blankets the frame. Out of those, 153 points are cross-type sensors, which are adept at locking onto complex subjects and retaining focus during motion.

The Sony A57 is relatively humble with a 15-point AF system (3 cross-type points) using phase-detection through the translucent mirror. While solid for an entry-level DSLR, it struggles in continuous AF tracking, especially at wider apertures and lower light, compared to the NX1.

For continuous shooting speeds:

• NX1 offers a blazing 15 fps burst rate with focus and exposure locked, and 7 fps with continuous AF - remarkable for its generation.
• Sony A57 delivers up to 12 fps, which is impressive, but autofocus lag reduces the number of keepers in rapid sequences.

Practically, if your photography involves birds in flight, sports action, or kids running around, the NX1 would rarely let you miss a critical moment, while the A57 may require more patience and luck.

Build Quality and Durability: Can They Take a Beating?

Outdoor photographers and pros need confidence in their gear - it must withstand the elements.

The Samsung NX1 delivers weather-sealed magnesium alloy construction, dustproofing elements, and rugged design cues that suggest readiness for fieldwork in less-than-ideal conditions. While not waterproof or freezeproof, it’s built to resist dust and splashes, which adds peace of mind when shooting landscapes, wildlife, or traveling.

Conversely, the Sony A57 lacks any official environmental sealing - so you’ll need to be more cautious when shooting in dusty or rainy environments.

Lens Ecosystem: Choices Shape Creativity

Having a healthy lens lineup impacts everything from sharpness to creative flexibility.

Samsung’s NX mount lens ecosystem is relatively limited - around 32 native lenses from ultra-wide to long telephoto - many of which are quality optics but fewer in variety compared to giants like Sony.

Sony’s Alpha mount (Minolta legacy) shines with 143 compatible lenses, ranging from affordable primes to pro zooms, thanks to decades of development and third-party support. This gives the A57 buyer more options to experiment with macro, tilt-shift, or specialty fast glass without shoehorning adapters.

That said, if you’re brand loyal or drawn to Samsung’s specific lens lineups (like their fast primes or compact zooms), it may sway your choice.

Battery Life and Storage: Running the Numbers

Neither camera will leave you stranded in a typical day, but there are nuances.

• The NX1 uses the BP1900 battery, rated for about 500 shots per charge, which holds up well for mirrorless stamina.
• The Sony A57’s NP-FM500H battery boasts approximately 550 shots, slightly edging the NX1.

Both use single card slots supporting SD/SDHC/SDXC, but the NX1 supports UHS-II cards for faster write speeds - a plus if you shoot lots of 4K video or burst sequences.

Video Highlights: Beyond Stills

Samsung’s NX1 is a serious contender for hybrid shooters with 4K video (4096×2160 @ 24p, 3840×2160 @ 30p) encoded in the efficient H.265 format. It also offers full HD at 60, 50, 30 fps with microphone and headphone jacks for professional monitoring and audio input.

Sony’s A57 tops out at Full HD (1920×1080) 60p with older codecs (AVCHD, MPEG-4), and though it includes a mic input, it lacks a headphone jack, limiting sound monitoring.

For videographers or content creators wanting future-proof 4K workflows, the NX1 is the clear winner here.

Genre-Specific Performance Breakdown

Let’s dissect how each camera performs across different popular genres. The following graph summarizes grades I’ve assigned based on hands-on shooting, testing focus, and image analysis software tools:

Portrait Photography

The NX1’s high resolution, lack of anti-aliasing filter, and robust eye detection provide supremely detailed skin textures and natural skin tones with pleasingly smooth bokeh from fast lenses. Face detection is responsive, though it lacks dedicated animal eye AF.

The A57 performs well with smoother, less detailed rendering due to lower megapixels and AA filter. Its bokeh is decent using compatible fast glass but less refined. Face detection is present but less agile.

Winner: Samsung NX1 for pro portrait work.

Landscape Photography

Dynamic range and resolution serve landscapes, and the NX1’s cleaner shadows and wider tonal latitude shine here. Weather sealing allows shooting in rough conditions.

Sony holds its ground with good colors and solid dynamic range, but resolution and weather sealing are weaker points.

Winner: Samsung NX1 for demanding landscapes; Sony A57 fairs well for casual shooters.

Wildlife Photography

Tracking speed and autofocus coverage make the NX1 dominate here, swiftly locking moving animals in varying light. High burst rates capture fleeting action.

Sony struggles with limited AF points and slower tracking but may suffice for casual wildlife enthusiasts.

Winner: Samsung NX1 hands down.

Sports Photography

Those fast shutter speeds and AF points pay dividends – the NX1 captures razor-sharp motion bursts. Lower light AF also helps indoors and evenings.

Sony’s autofocus and shutter speed limits show more hesitation and missed frames.

Winner: Samsung NX1.

Street Photography

Sony’s smaller, lighter body with fully articulating screen edges out for casual street shooters valuing discretion and portability.

NX1’s bulk makes it less pocketable but provides superior image quality.

Winner: Sony A57 for street portability; NX1 for image quality-focused street shooters.

Macro Photography

Sony benefits from the extensive lens lineup including several dedicated macros, and sensor-based stabilization helps close-up clarity.

Samsung lacks sensor stabilization; while macro lenses exist, fewer options limit creative reach.

Winner: Sony A57.

Night and Astro Photography

NX1’s lower noise at high ISOs and higher dynamic range make longer exposures cleaner and starry skies pop.

Sony's higher noise floor restricts quality at boosted ISOs.

Winner: Samsung NX1.

Video Capabilities

Samsung provides 4K video, advanced codecs, and headphone jack, catering to hybrid shooters producing serious content.

Sony’s HD video is competent but falls short for modern standards.

Winner: Samsung NX1.

Travel Photography

Sony’s lighter weight, flip screen, and comprehensive lens options make it a better travel companion despite lower image quality.

NX1’s battery life is competitive, but bulk and lenses weigh down portability.

Winner: Sony A57 for casual travelers; NX1 for those prioritizing ultimate image quality.

Professional Workflows

NX1’s 28MP RAWs with wide color depth and USB3 connectivity streamline professional pipelines.

Sony supports RAW but smaller files and slower data ports limit throughput.

Winner: Samsung NX1.

Real-World Sample Gallery: Images Speak Louder Than Words

Here’s a side-by-side look at photos taken with both cameras under varied conditions - portraits, landscapes, wildlife, and low light. Notice the finer details and higher clarity from the NX1’s sensor versus the Sony’s smoother but less detailed images.

Samsung NX1 front Samsung NX1 screen back Sony A57 front Sony A57 screen back

Scoring the Cameras: Overall Performance Ratings

The final word from benchmarks combined with hands-on testing:

Samsung NX1 demonstrates a robust score of 83, placing it firmly in the pro mirrorless category, while Sony A57’s 75 reflects solid but dated entry-level DSLR performance.

Decision Time: Which Camera Should You Buy?

Why choose the Samsung NX1?

• You’re a serious enthusiast or pro who values image quality above all.
• Your work demands fast, accurate autofocus - sports, wildlife, events.
• You want cutting-edge video (4K) alongside stills.
• You need weather sealing for tough environments.
• You’re comfortable investing $1500 for a camera built for longevity and versatility.
• You appreciate advanced touchscreen and EVF tech.

Who it suits: Wedding photographers, wildlife shooters, hybrid content creators, landscape professionals.

Why choose the Sony A57?

• Your budget caps near $1000 and you still want a capable DSLR.
• You’re starting out or upgrading from a compact.
• You prefer a lightweight, portable design for travel or street shooting.
• You want a broad lens ecosystem for varied photography.
• You shoot mostly Full HD video or stills.
• You appreciate an articulated screen for vlogging or awkward angles.

Who it suits: Enthusiast beginners, travel photographers, budget-conscious hobbyists.

Summing It Up

For those who can spare the extra money and want a future-proof, feature-packed camera that punches above its weight even years after release, the Samsung NX1 remains a stellar choice.

If, instead, you want a sensible mix of value, lens options, and ease of use - without splurging - the Sony A57 is a trusty workhorse that holds up well for many use cases despite its age.

Final Notes from Someone Who’s Tested Both

I often say that the camera you bring to a shoot is more important than the one you dream about. In hands-on tests, the NX1 was consistently faster, sharper, and more dependable for critical moments, but the Sony A57 rewarded cautious, deliberate shooting with solid files and dependable ergonomics.

Both cameras have quirks - Samsung’s lack of in-body stabilization may irk macro and low-light shooters, while Sony’s smaller AF array can frustrate fast action chasers. The key is matching strengths to your specific shooting style and budget.

If you want me to eyeball your use and recommend hard, drop me a line anytime. Choosing the right camera isn’t about specs alone - it’s about how the tool empowers your creative vision.

Happy shooting!