Choosing Between the Samsung NX100 and Sigma DP1x: A Hands-On, In-Depth Comparison

When stepping into the world of mirrorless and large-sensor compacts, the Samsung NX100 and Sigma DP1x are two intriguing relics from the early 2010s that still offer valuable lessons for photography enthusiasts today. Each represents a slice of technological ambition - a rangefinder-style mirrorless offering versatile lenses from Samsung versus a fixed-lens large-sensor compact from Sigma renowned for its Foveon sensor. In this detailed comparison, I will dig beneath specs and marketing hype to reveal which camera best suits different users, shooting styles, and photography budgets. Let’s jump beyond the surface and inspect how these cameras perform in everyday photographic scenarios, including portraits, landscapes, wildlife, and more.

Getting a Feel: Size, Handling, and Ergonomics

Before we dive into sensor performance and image quality, how a camera feels in your hands can decisively influence your shooting experience. Having tested both extensively in handheld and tripod scenarios, I can attest that size and ergonomics matter.

The Samsung NX100 adopts a rangefinder-style mirrorless body measuring 120×71×35mm and tipping the scales at 282 grams. It strikes an appealing balance for entry-level users and enthusiasts easing into the mirrorless ecosystem - light enough to carry all day yet substantial enough to invoke confidence in your grip. Meanwhile, the Sigma DP1x is notably compact and slightly chunkier in depth (113×60×50mm, 250 grams). Its form factor screams “travel pocketability” but with a trade-off in ergonomics; its slim profile limits comfortable extended use, especially without a substantial grip.

Looking from the top, the NX100 sports a traditional control layout with dedicated dials and buttons, which Samsung lays out thoughtfully. The Sigma, more minimalist, offers fewer direct controls, relying heavily on menu navigation.

This difference isn’t superficial. The NX100’s design ethos aligns with those seeking a tactile shooting experience, with aperture priority and shutter priority dials that delight enthusiasts. The Sigma DP1x risks feeling like a point-and-shoot, soothing casual shooters but likely frustrating those craving more manual command.

Recommendation: If control ergonomics and physical shooting enjoyment top your list, the NX100 takes the lead. For discreet, pocket-friendly outings with a lean interface, the DP1x delivers.

Diving Into the Heart: Sensor Technology and Image Quality

When it comes to image quality, the sensor is king. Both cameras feature APS-C sized sensors, but with starkly different technologies.

The Samsung NX100 sports a 15-megapixel standard Bayer CMOS sensor measuring 23.4×15.6mm, utilizing the DRIMe Engine image processor. This gives it solid 4624×3056 pixel files, a respectable resolution for the era, with modest improvements in dynamic range (~10.7 EV) and decent color depth (22.6 bits). The sensor includes an antialias filter, mitigating moiré patterns but slightly compromising micro-detail resolution.

In contrast, the Sigma DP1x wields a Foveon X3 CMOS sensor with three layers capturing red, green, and blue data in each pixel - a radical departure from the traditional Bayer array. This sensor measures slightly smaller at 20.7×13.8mm yet produces only a 5-megapixel output (2640×1760). What feels like a downside on paper belies its unique way of rendering colors and details - thanks to full-color data on every pixel layer - which often results in punchy, painterly images with extraordinary color fidelity and sharpness in many real-world scenarios.

On the downside, the DP1x's sensor is notorious for giving slower ISO performance and limited dynamic range compared to contemporary Bayer sensors. The Samsung, conversely, can push ISO 6400 and preserve decent image quality down to ISO 800–1600.

Real-World Insight: I rarely found the Samsung's images lacking in overall quality for portraits and landscapes - its richer ISO latitude made night and indoor shooting more forgiving. The Sigma’s color fidelity shone for static subjects with controlled light, like studio portraits or fine art landscapes, but suffered under low light or high-contrast scenes.

Viewing Your World: Display and Viewfinder Experience

How you compose and review your photos profoundly affects your workflow.

The NX100 offers a bright 3-inch fixed AMOLED screen with 614K dots of resolution. That AMOLED technology results in vivid colors and deep blacks, a noticeable advantage over the DP1x’s 2.5-inch, 230K pixel TFT display - a far dimmer, less detailed panel. This difference impacted my confidence with exposure and color assessment in the field. Samsung's AMOLED screen is easier to read in sunshine and offers better live view detail.

Neither camera sports a built-in electronic viewfinder (EVF); Samsung offers an optional EVF accessory, which improves precision for outdoor use but adds to cost and bulk. Sigma’s DP1x omits a viewfinder altogether, which pushes you toward using the rear LCD exclusively.

For me, shooting outdoors on bright days or tracking fast-moving subjects, the lack of a quality viewfinder hurts the Sigma more than the NX100.

Lens Flexibility Versus Fixed Focal Length: Making Your Optics Choices

The choice between interchangeable lens systems and fixed-lens compacts influences creative possibilities.

Samsung's NX mount supports a respectable lineup of 32 lenses - ranging from wide-angle primes to telephoto zooms, including dedicated macro optics. This opens creative avenues across genres - portraits benefit from fast 45mm f/1.8 lenses delivering luscious bokeh; wildlife and sports get reach from longer telephoto zooms; landscapes capture expansive vistas with ultra-wides.

The Sigma DP1x locks you into a single fixed 28mm f/4 lens, which at a 1.7× crop equivalent is effectively a 47mm “normal” focal length. While this focal length is versatile for everyday shooting and travel, it restricts deliberate artistic framing, especially for close-up subjects or distant wildlife.

In practice, the limitation forces you to “zoom with your feet,” a mantra I’ve championed - but it becomes untenable in certain scenarios, like wildlife or macro photography, where lens versatility reigns.

Autofocus: Speed, Accuracy, and Usability in the Real World

Autofocus performance is crucial, especially for dynamic genres like sports or wildlife.

The Samsung NX100 employs a contrast-detection AF system with 15 focus points and face detection. It supports AF single, continuous AF, and offers selective AF modes for flexible focusing. However, the contrast-detection system, typical of early mirrorless cameras, can feel sluggish and struggle under low light or fast-moving subjects but was reliable and accurate with stationary or slow scenes.

The Sigma DP1x relies on a simpler contrast-detection only AF, with a single center point - manual focus is well-supported but critical for precise work. No continuous AF mode means it isn’t suited for fast action.

In my tests, the NX100 comfortably outpaced the DP1x for sports and street shooting, thanks to continuous AF and faster acquisition, though still behind modern mirrorless standards. For static subjects or deliberate composition, the Sigma’s AF was adequate, if unremarkable.

Performance Under Pressure: Burst Shooting and Buffer Capacity

The Samsung NX100 supports continuous burst shooting at 3fps. This is modest but serviceable for casual action sequences, rapid candid portraits, or street moments.

The DP1x lacks continuous shooting modes, geared instead toward deliberate, considered shooting - even resulting in slower operation speeds in general. This tells us something about each camera’s philosophy: Samsung promoting versatility; Sigma favoring contemplative, “slow photography.”

If capturing fleeting moments is your priority, the NX100 has the clear edge here.

Portrayal of Skin and Subject Rendering: Portrait Photography

Portrait shooters know the importance of pleasing skin tones, depth rendition, and eye detection for sharp focus.

Samsung’s NX100 delivers smooth, natural skin tones with good tonal gradation, helped by its face detection AF. The wider lens ecosystem enables shooting with fast primes capable of beautiful bokeh, isolating subjects with soft backgrounds.

By contrast, Sigma’s DP1x, despite the slower f/4 aperture, produces images with faithful color adherence thanks to the Foveon sensor’s unique spectral response. The skin tones emerged rich and lifelike. Yet, the fixed focal length and slower max aperture limit bokeh potential, and the absence of face detection complicates critical focus on eyes.

Bottom line: For portraits demanding artistic depth and selective focus, the NX100’s lens flexibility combined with faster AF makes it more user-friendly and versatile.

Broad Horizons and Fine Details: Landscape Photography

Dynamic range and resolution dominate landscape work.

The Samsung NX100's solid 15MP Bayer sensor and dynamic range of roughly 10.7 EV offer sufficient latitude to capture high-contrast scenes with decent preservation in shadows and highlights. Combined with high-resolution output and a broad choice of wide-angle lenses, it’s quite capable.

The Sigma DP1x’s 5MP Foveon sensor provides remarkable color detail and midtone rendition, often praised in the landscape community despite its lower resolution and dynamic range. Though detailed, the slightly limited sensor area translates to narrower flexibility in post-processing exposure recovery.

One caveat: neither camera provides weather sealing, so protected shooting is advised in challenging environments.

Getting Up Close: Macro Photography Capabilities

Macro enthusiasts value magnification range, focusing precision, and stabilization.

Samsung’s NX lens lineup includes dedicated macro optics with close focusing distances and image stabilization, greatly aiding handheld macro work.

Sigma’s DP1x, with its fixed lens and no stabilization, falls short here. The minimum focus distance isn’t impressive, and without the ability to swap lenses, macro shooting feels severely limited.

The Speed Demons: Wildlife and Sports Photography

Here the Samsung NX100 shines with its interchangeable lens options - offering long telephoto zooms and 3fps burst speeds. Although early contrast-detect AF slows tracking of erratic motion compared to modern systems, it remains viable for wildlife photographers on a budget.

Sigma’s DP1x, being fixed lens and lacking continuous AF and high burst rates, is ill-suited for fast-action sports or wildlife. It’s a camera designed for deliberate framing, not chasing moving targets.

Street and Travel Photography: Lightweight, Discreet, and Ready to Roam

Street and travel photographers prize small size, discretion, low weight, and battery life.

Samsung NX100 screen back Sigma DP1x screen back

While the DP1x is more pocketable, its ergonomic compromises and slower responsiveness dampen shooting joy on bustling city streets. The Samsung NX100, despite being larger, still remains manageable in size and pairs with versatile lenses fit for travel - wide-angle for landscapes, standard for portraits, telephoto for moments afar.

Battery life is another consideration: the NX100’s 420-shot per charge stamina outmatches the nebulous endurance of the DP1x, whose battery life is unspecified but generally shorter due to older tech.

Night Owls and Astrophotographers: Low Light and Extended Exposure

Low-light capability and noise handling define cameras for these genres.

Samsung’s higher max ISO (6400) with functional image quality gives it a substantial advantage here over the DP1x’s ISO 3200 ceiling and limited dynamic range.

Moreover, NX100 supports longer shutter speeds up to 30 seconds, useful for night photography and some star trails, with quiet shutter options. The Sigma lags here with basic exposure options and minimal video.

Rolling Video: Capabilities for the Moving Image

Neither camera aims to be a video powerhouse, but some specs merit discussion.

The Samsung NX100 records 720p video at 30fps, sufficient for casual use but uninspired compared to modern HD offerings. It lacks microphone or headphone ports, limiting professional audio control.

The Sigma DP1x offers only 320x240 video, making video a non-feature for most users.

Build Quality and Weather Resistance

Neither camera features environmental sealing, dustproofing, or waterproofing. Handling care is required in challenging conditions.

Build quality-wise, Samsung’s NX100 feels more robust with magnesium alloy chassis components, while Sigma’s DP1x is compact with solid but lightweight plastics.

Connectivity and Workflow Integration

Both lag in connectivity: no Wi-Fi, Bluetooth, or NFC.

Samsung includes HDMI out and USB 2.0 for tethering and file transfer, while Sigma relies on slower USB 1.0 and lacks HDMI.

Storage-wise, they both accept SD cards, with the NX100 also compatible with SDHC standard.

Putting it All Together: Performance Ratings

After rigorous real-world testing and benchmarking via DxO Mark (where available), we can place the cameras in perspective.

Samsung NX100's overall DXO score sits at 62, with strong color depth and dynamic range for its class. Sigma DP1x lacks official DXO testing but based on user consensus excels in color rendering but trails behind in sensitivity and speed.

Genre-specific analysis:

• Portraits: Samsung favored for AF and bokeh; Sigma praised for color accuracy
• Landscape: Both capable; Sigma edges on color, Samsung on exposure latitude
• Wildlife/Sports: Samsung equipped; Sigma limited
• Street: Sigma favored for compactness; Samsung for responsiveness
• Macro: Samsung superior due to lenses and IS
• Night/astro: Samsung leads in sensitivity and exposure flexibility
• Video: Samsung passable; Sigma minimal
• Travel: Tie; size vs. versatility
• Professional workflow: Samsung better support for RAW and tethering

Who Should Buy the Samsung NX100?

If you’re venturing into mirrorless photography and want a camera that balances image quality, lens flexibility, and decent performance across multiple genres, the NX100 is a solid choice - especially at its historically mid-range price point (~$385). Its larger, more versatile sensor and support for interchangeable lenses broaden creative potential. Portrait, landscape, amateur wildlife, and everyday photography enthusiasts will find it rewarding.

Who Should Consider the Sigma DP1x?

The Sigma DP1x remains a niche but fascinating option for photographers who prioritize superb color fidelity from the unique Foveon sensor and prefer a beautifully compact form factor for street and travel photography focused on slower, more thoughtful shooting. Purists who cherish color and detail and are willing to sacrifice resolution, autofocus speed, and flexibility for the privilege may adore this camera. However, its limitations mean it’s less suited for fast-paced or varied shooting scenarios.

Final Thoughts and Takeaways from My Experience

Having personally used both cameras extensively over many shoots, I’m glad to have the Samsung NX100 in my bag when versatility and speed matter, and I adore the Sigma DP1x for deliberate scenes where color and mood trump all else. Neither camera is perfect - which is the fun reality of photographic tools - but understanding strengths and weaknesses lets you pick one that empowers your vision.

If forced to choose for a general photography enthusiast dipping toes into different styles or on a limited budget, the NX100’s balance of sensor performance, AF system, and lens options wins out hands down. But for collectors or color aficionados seeking a bespoke look and feel, the DP1x is a rare gem worth exploring.

May your next frame be your best frame - regardless of the gear!

If you have any questions about using these cameras today or want tips for maximizing their strengths, drop a comment below. Sharing honest experience is how we all grow as photographers.