Samsung NX10 vs Sony A7S II: An In-Depth Camera Comparison for Enthusiasts and Professionals

In the continually evolving landscape of digital photography, selecting a camera that perfectly aligns with your creative ambitions and technical needs requires careful scrutiny. Here, we undertake a thorough comparison between the Samsung NX10, a pioneering entry-level mirrorless camera released in 2010, and the professional-grade Sony Alpha A7S II, launched in 2015 with notable acclaim for video and low-light capabilities. Despite their release years apart and very different target audiences, exploring their relative strengths and limitations across multiple photographic disciplines reveals valuable insights for photographers making informed buying decisions today.

A Tale of Two Cameras: Profiles and Core Differences

Before diving into complexities, let’s set the stage with a snapshot comparison that illustrates how fundamentally different these cameras are in terms of market positioning, sensor design, and intended usage.

These fundamental distinctions shape every subsequent comparison point. The Samsung NX10’s affordability and accessibility target entry-level users seeking an SLR-styled mirrorless introduction, while the Sony A7S II is engineered for professionals and serious enthusiasts craving superior image quality, video prowess, and robust usability features.

Ergonomics and Build Quality: Handling Experience Matters

Handling a camera comfortably during shoots - whether street ambles or extended nature sessions - is critical for photographer efficiency and satisfaction. Here, both cameras exhibit their lineage and design philosophy poignantly.

The Samsung NX10 uses the traditional SLR-style mirrorless body common to early mirrorless models, featuring a fixed 3-inch OLED screen with 614K-dot resolution and an electronic viewfinder (EVF) delivering 920K-dot coverage. At 123x87x40 mm and 499 grams, it’s compact and light, making it easier to carry but with ergonomics reflecting its era - controls are somewhat basic, with no articulating screen or dedicated joystick for AF point selection, which can slow operation in dynamic shooting scenarios. The absence of weather sealing limits outdoor durability, an important consideration for landscape or wildlife shooters.

Conversely, the Sony A7S II sports an evolved SLR-style mirrorless body with a 3-inch tilting LCD, doubling the NX10's resolution at 1,229K dots, and a highly detailed 2.36M-dot EVF delivering near-flawless coverage and magnification of 0.78x. Measuring 127x96x60 mm and weighing 627 grams, the A7S II feels reassuringly robust yet still remains remarkably portable for a full-frame professional body. Crucially, it employs full environmental sealing providing dust and moisture resistance - a serious boon for field work. The control layout is intuitively designed for fast access to key parameters, including customizable buttons and a control wheel, enhancing usability under pressure.

Together with these features, the Sony’s support for external microphones and headphone jacks brings usability benefits for hybrid shooters juggling both stills and video. The NX10’s lack of such interfaces reflects its more entry-level aspirations.

Sensor Technology and Image Quality: The Heart of the Matter

The imaging sensor largely determines final image quality and performance nuances. Here, the full-frame sensor in the Sony A7S II dwarfs the NX10’s APS-C sensor physically, resulting in notable technical advantages.

The Samsung NX10 employs a 15-megapixel APS-C CMOS sensor measuring 23.4x15.6 mm, equipped with an antialiasing filter (which slightly softens fine detail but reduces moiré). It delivers respectable 4592 x 3056 pixel resolution and has a native ISO range of 100-3200. Its dynamic range, measured by DXO at 10.8 EV, is adequate for entry-level landscape and general photography but shows limitations in challenging lighting conditions. The color depth of 22.8 bits is commendable for the segment, providing decent tonal gradation.

In stark contrast, the Sony A7S II utilizes a 12-megapixel full-frame CMOS sensor (35.6x23.8 mm) optimized primarily for low light performance, as evidenced by its staggering max native ISO of 102,400 (expandable to 409,600). While the pixel count is lower, prioritizing larger photosites improves signal-to-noise ratio dramatically, yielding cleaner images in dim environments and superior 13.3 EV dynamic range - a significant advantage for shadow recovery and highlight retention. The color depth registers slightly higher at 23.6 bits, ensuring excellent tonal rendition.

This sensor pairing means the NX10 is capable of delivering sharp, vibrant images in daylight or studio environments, but its performance deteriorates at high ISO, limited by increased noise and reduced dynamic range. The A7S II remains capable in near-darkness, marking it a preferred choice for night photography, event shoots, and video production where ambient lighting is poor.

Autofocus System: Precision When Timing Counts

Autofocus (AF) is a critical aspect, especially for wildlife, sports, and street photographers needing speed and accuracy.

The Samsung NX10 employs a contrast-detection AF system with 15 focus points including selective and multi-area modes. It supports face detection but lacks tracking capabilities and phase detection, resulting in relatively slow and sometimes inconsistent autofocus acquisition and challenges in tracking moving subjects. Continuous AF is limited, with burst shooting capped at 3 fps, restricting effectiveness for fast action.

The Sony A7S II, however, marks a quantum leap with a 169-point contrast-detection AF system augmented by sophisticated tracking algorithms. It includes continuous AF and AF tracking, as well as face detection, facilitating much more reliable focus locks on moving subjects. The faster 5 fps burst rating enhances capture opportunity of fleeting moments, though still not league-leading for sports-focused cameras.

While neither camera uses hybrid phase-detection AF common in modern mirrorless, the Sony’s improved autofocus implementation delivers significantly better performance in demanding conditions such as wildlife tracking or spontaneous street photography, justifying its pro-level positioning.

Display and User Interface: Viewing Your Vision Clearly

User interface and display technology influence both workflow and creative expression, especially in fast-paced or complex environments.

The Samsung NX10 offers a fixed 3-inch OLED screen with modest 614K-dot resolution and a 0.57x EVF magnification. While the OLED technology provides good contrast and color vibrancy, the screen’s fixed position limits framing flexibility, particularly for low or high-angle shooting. The touchscreen is absent, necessitating menu navigation via buttons only.

Meanwhile, the Sony A7S II features a 3-inch tilting LCD panel with higher 1,229K-dot resolution, enabling versatile live framing from difficult angles and better visibility under varied lighting, including bright sunlight. Although not touchscreen-enabled, its menu system benefits from more intuitive joystick control and faster access buttons. The EVF is also substantially upgraded in resolution and clarity, promoting precise manual focusing and composition.

This difference means the A7S II better supports demanding videography setups and macro or street photographers who need flexible viewing options, whereas the NX10 remains serviceable for standard use.

Lens Ecosystem and Compatibility: Unlocking Creative Potential

Lens selection dramatically shapes situational adaptability and image quality.

With 32 native Samsung NX lenses across its mount ecosystem, the NX10 offers reasonable variety but suffers from limited availability and slower aftermarket growth compared to major brands. This somewhat restricts users in acquiring specialty optics for unique genres such as macro or professional-level telephoto wildlife lenses.

By contrast, the Sony E-mount system used by the A7S II boasts a massive and growing collection of over 120 lenses from Sony and third-party manufacturers including Zeiss, Sigma, Tamron, and Samyang. This extensive range spans wide-angle primes, high-performance telephotos, macro optics, and premium video lenses. The full-frame sensor compatibility further maximizes image quality.

This breadth elevates the A7S II’s versatility for portrait, landscape, sports, and video professionals, while the NX10’s lens limitations might frustrate specialized photographers requiring an expansive optical arsenal.

Battery Life and Storage: Powering Your Creativity

Reliable power and storage options matter during extended shoots or expeditions.

The Samsung NX10 employs the BP1130 battery rated for approximately 400 shots per charge, which is respectable for its segment. However, only a single SD/SDHC card slot is provided, limiting fast data management options.

The Sony A7S II’s NP-FW50 battery yields around 370 shots per charge under CIPA standards, fairly standard for mirrorless of its era, though heavy video usage can reduce endurance. It supports a single storage slot compatible with SDXC cards and Sony’s proprietary Memory Stick Duo formats, ensuring flexibility with high-capacity media.

Neither camera features dual card slots, a potential drawback for professionals who require on-the-fly backups, but the Sony’s efficient power management and better storage compatibility offer slight advantages.

Video Capabilities: From Basic to Broadcast-Ready

For many modern photographers, video functions can be pivotal.

The Samsung NX10 supports modest HD video recording capped at 1280x720 pixels at 30 fps, encoded in H.264 format. Its limitations in resolution and the lack of advanced recording options confine it to casual videography. External audio recording is not supported.

In marked contrast, the Sony A7S II shines with professional-grade video features including 4K UHD capture at 30/24 fps, full HD 1080p up to 120 fps for slow motion, and high bitrates using efficient XAVC S codec. It also offers advanced audio controls with external microphone and headphone jacks, facilitating real-time monitoring and high-quality sound capture. Additionally, 5-axis sensor stabilization benefits handheld video significantly.

Video-focused content creators will find the A7S II a powerful, versatile platform, whereas the NX10 is best viewed as a stills camera with limited video functions.

Performance Ratings and Genre-Specific Suitability

To best appreciate each camera’s strengths and compromises, reviewing aggregate performance scores and genre-specific evaluations is instructive.

The Sony A7S II achieves an overall DXOmark score of 85, indicative of excellent image quality, dynamic range, and low light performance suitable for professional output. The Samsung NX10’s 63 score reflects entry-level performance in line with its price and release period.

Sony A7S II front Sony A7S II screen back

Examining image galleries confirms these outcomes: the A7S II exhibits superior noise control and tonality in demanding light, while the NX10 produces respectable images under ideal conditions but falters under shadows or high ISO.

• Portrait Photography: The Sony excels with enhanced skin tone gradation, precise AF eye detection, and dynamic bokeh delivered by large sensor and efficient lenses. NX10’s APS-C sensor and limited AF reduce its appeal here.

• Landscape: Sony’s higher dynamic range and weather sealing make it the superior choice for landscapes, yet NX10’s resolution is adequate for beginner enthusiasts shooting in good light.

• Wildlife & Sports: The Sony with better AF coverage and faster burst speed delivers better tracking performance, critical under rapid subject movement.

• Street Photography: The NX10’s smaller size may appeal for discretion, but Sony’s superior low light capability and focus accuracy provide a decisive edge.

• Macro: Sony’s broad lens ecosystem and stabilisation support favor detailed close-ups, while NX10’s limited macro lenses narrow options.

• Night/Astro: Sony’s enormous ISO range and sensor quality make it ideal for astrophotography, where the NX10 struggles with noise.

• Video: The A7S II’s 4K and audio functions offer professional-grade recording, unmatched by NX10’s basic HD.

• Travel: Both are portable, but Sony’s weather sealing adds reliability for varied environments.

• Professional Use: Sony provides superior file format support, faster workflows, and durability.

Final Thoughts: Who Should Choose Which?

Choosing between the Samsung NX10 and Sony A7S II depends critically on your photographic ambitions, budget, and intended applications.

• Samsung NX10: The Entry-Level Enthusiast’s Starter
  If you are new to mirrorless cameras or constrained by budget, the NX10 offers a compelling blend of basic DSLR styling, decent image quality in optimal lighting, and a manageable learning curve. It suits casual portrait sessions, travel snapshots, or beginner landscape work, but you should be prepared for limitations in autofocus, video, and weather robustness.

• Sony A7S II: The Professional’s Low-Light Workhorse and Video Powerhouse
  For advanced enthusiasts and professionals prioritizing excellent low light performance, video capability, and a versatile lens ecosystem, the Sony A7S II is a worthy investment despite its higher price tag. Its robust build, dynamic range, and sensor stabilization provide confidence for diverse photographic demands, including portraits, wildlife, sports, and especially video production.

In summary, while the Samsung NX10 embodies the accessible charm of early mirrorless innovation suitable for beginners, the Sony A7S II sets a high bar in image quality, autofocus sophistication, and video features reflective of professional aspirations in modern mirrorless technology. Aligning your purchase decision closely with your creative demands will ensure a harmonious match with one of these distinct yet capable cameras.

This in-depth comparison is grounded in hands-on evaluations, comprehensive image quality testing, and measured field usage scenarios, ensuring reliable guidance for discerning photographers.