Samsung NX100 vs Sony QX1: A Hands-On Dive into Two Clever APS-C Contenders

When you peel back the marketing gloss, the 2010 Samsung NX100 and the 2014 Sony QX1 are both clever takes on the APS-C mirrorless format - but from vastly different design philosophies and eras. I’ve spent weeks shooting with both, putting them through their paces across portraits, landscapes, wildlife, and (yes) some impromptu nightscape experiments. The result? A nuanced look at what each camera brings to the table for the enthusiast who values image quality but demands versatility on real shoots.

So whether you’re hunting for a vintage-rangefinder-style mirrorless or a bold lens-style camera to marry with your smartphone, expect to find details here to help demystify their performance and value.

First Impressions and Handling: Old School Meets Gadget Chic

Straightaway, the difference in form factor is the most obvious contrast: Samsung’s NX100 starts as a compact rangefinder-style mirrorless, while the Sony QX1 is a lens-style camera module designed to slot in with smartphones.

Take a look below - and you’ll see the Samsung NX100 holds its own as a traditional camera, compact but with a comfortable grip and a tactile, if minimalistic, control layout:

The NX100 measures a neat 120 x 71 x 35mm and weighs 282g - a size and heft that strikes a nice balance between portability and sturdy feel. I appreciated the classic rangefinder vibe here, with physical dials and buttons that invite manual control without overwhelming first-timers. The fixed 3” AMOLED screen feels retro-modern, responsive but non-touch (more on that later).

The Sony QX1, on the other hand, is a radically minimal slice of hardware - essentially a lens-plus-sensor assembly, 74 x 70 x 53mm, weighing only 216g. It’s meant to be paired with your smartphone, which becomes the viewfinder and controls. The small size is great for travel or ultralight setups, but getting used to this working “ecosystem” takes a little adjustment if you’re accustomed to dedicated cameras.

For those wondering how the control layouts stack up head-to-head, the top views offer a quick summary:

Samsung opted for a traditional mode dial and physical shutter release, while the QX1 cleanly sidesteps physical controls in favor of touchscreen interaction - which can be a mixed blessing depending on your shooting scenario. If you prefer buttons under your fingers rather than tapping glass, NX100 feels immediately familiar.

Sensor and Image Quality: APS-C Heartbeats in Different Bodies

At their core, both cameras sport APS-C CMOS sensors, a sweet spot for enthusiasts balancing resolution, noise performance, and lens options. But there are some meaningful differences that play out in image quality and usability.

Samsung’s NX100 features a 15MP sensor (23.4 x 15.6mm, ~365 mm²), which was quite respectable for 2010. Its 1.5x crop factor and DRIMe Engine yielded pleasing colors and sharpness in daylight, but struggled a bit in low light with max ISO up to 6400. The sensor’s anti-aliasing filter tempers moiré nicely, but at the expense of a touch of resolution finesse.

Sony’s QX1 steps up the game with a 20MP APS-C CMOS sensor (23.2 x 15.4mm, ~357 mm²) and a slightly tighter 1.6x crop. Packing a much newer Bionz X processor and an impressive max ISO of 16,000, the QX1 offers excellent detail retention and low-noise images well beyond the NX100’s limits - a boon for astrophotographers and night shooters. Here’s a pictorial putting sensor sizes and image quality potential side by side:

In practical daylight shooting on a bright lens, the NX100 delivers colorful, contrasty images with nuanced skin tones and decent dynamic range (DXO scores: 22.6 color depth, 10.7 stops dynamic range). Lens choices here significantly impact image character - the Samsung NX mount has a healthy 32-lens lineup, including some sharp primes that deliver creamy bokeh, ideal for portraits.

Sony QX1’s 20MP sensor translates to noticeably tighter cropping options and finer detail resolution, especially when paired with ultra-sharp Sony E-mount lenses. The color depth is strong, with good tonality in both RAW and JPEG, though JPEG sharpening required dialing down raw output a bit in post for natural results.

Display and Interface: AMOLED vs. Nonexistent

One of the QX1’s clearest compromises is the total absence of a built-in screen - you’re tethered to your smartphone for live view and controls, which can be both liberating and a bit nerve-wracking. Samsung’s NX100 features a traditional 3” VGA AMOLED fixed screen with 614k dots, which offers great clarity and vibrant colors for composing or reviewing shots in varied light.

Here’s how that looks for handy comparison:

Personally, shooting the NX100 feels more like classic photography - instant access to settings and an elegant interface reduce downtime. The QX1 depends heavily on your phone’s app, which suffered from lag and occasional connectivity hiccups. For street or fast shooting where quick framing is vital, this was an intermittent source of frustration.

Autofocus and Shooting Speed: Planning for Action

Neither camera boasts cutting-edge AF, but their differing approaches mean contrasting usability.

The NX100 uses a contrast-detection AF system with 15 points and face detection - the firmware feels responsive for portraits and static subjects, though continuous AF and tracking aren’t stellar. Burst shooting tops out at 3 fps, manageable for casual sports or wildlife snapshots but no speed demon.

Sony QX1 offers 25 contrast-detection points, touch AF via the phone app, and a slightly quicker 4 fps continuous burst. Although it lacks phase detection and face detection is less integrated, the autofocus is surprisingly zippy once you master the interface. Manual focus via the app was finicky, requiring patience or a shift to manual lenses.

Build Quality and Weather Sealing: Bring Your Umbrella

While both cameras skimp on environmental sealing, the NX100 feels reassuringly solid for a 2010 design - its body handles moderate scout work without complaint but isn’t rated weather resistant.

The QX1’s plastic lens-style form feels lightweight and clean but less robust, and there’s minimal protection against dust or moisture. Neither model is your choice for extreme conditions or serious adventure photography.

Lens Ecosystem and Compatibility: The Mounts that Bind

Lens availability is often the unsung hero of camera usability. Samsung’s NX mount, although discontinued, boasts about 32 lenses, including excellent primes and zooms covering everything from ultra-wide to moderate telephoto. This gives the NX100 excellent versatility across genres, especially portraiture where bokeh and sharpness count.

Sony’s QX1 uses the popular Sony E-mount, which has grown dramatically. While the QX1 doesn’t come with lenses, pairing it with native E-mount lenses (including some stellar primes and zooms) expands creative potential - but beware: some autofocus features may be limited given the QX1’s app-reliant interface.

Battery, Connectivity, and Storage: Staying Powered and Linked

In my tests, both cameras offered respectable battery life: the NX100’s BP1130 powers roughly 420 shots per charge, while QX1’s NP-FW50 edges slightly ahead at about 440 shots. Neither is marathon-level, so carrying spares is advisable for longer days.

Connectivity diverges sharply. Samsung NX100 sticks to basics with no wireless options - just USB 2.0 and HDMI output (cool but not game-changing). The QX1 innovates here with built-in WiFi and NFC support for seamless smartphone pairing and remote operation - a boon for travel and social shooters.

Storage-wise, the NX100 uses standard SD/SDHC cards, widely compatible and affordable. The QX1 opts for microSD cards and Sony’s proprietary Memory Stick Micro, which can be a bit trickier (and pricier) to source, but it's hardly a deal-breaker.

Real-World Performance: Testing Across Photography Disciplines

I shot the two side-by-side across several photographic niches, to see who stood where firm - and where each camera reveals its quirks.

Portraits: Capturing Character and Smooth Bokeh

Samsung’s NX100 impressed me with pleasing skin tones and reliable face detection, thanks to its 15 contrast-driven AF points and solid prime lenses. The APS-C sensor size and 1.5x crop gave a decent background compression, though the anti-aliasing filter did smooth some fine texture.

Sony QX1 edged ahead in detail capture, especially resolving eyelashes and hair strands when paired with a fast prime. But the AF via smartphone interface slowed the flow somewhat, and no in-camera natural skin tone presets nudged me towards a bit more editing labor.

Landscapes: Dynamic Range and Detail for Scenic Captures

The NX100’s dynamic range (~10.7 EV) and 15MP resolution was enough for layered mountain vistas and rich skies, but highlight preservation relied heavily on careful exposure.

QX1’s 20MP sensor with 14-bit RAW support handled complex scenes better, delivering excellent tonal gradations and shadow detail. The lack of weather sealing meant cautious field use, though.

Wildlife and Sports: Tracking the Fast and Furry

Neither camera crashes the party for serious wildlife or sports pros. The 3 fps burst on the NX100 and 4 fps on QX1 lag seriously behind modern competitors.

AF tracking is rudimentary on both, so expect manual skill to compensate. However, the QX1’s touch AF and responsive shutter made for better casual “grab shots,” especially when paired with a telephoto E-mount lens.

Street Photography: Blending In and Staying Ready

Surprisingly, the NX100’s modest size and silent operation were pluses for discrete shooting. Its quiet shutter and intuitive controls help capture candid moments unobtrusively.

The QX1’s reliance on phone tethering made it less stealthy, with a tendency to draw attention when any lag occurred. However, for minimalists wanting interchangeable lens image quality with smartphone convenience, it’s an intriguing compromise.

Macro Photography: Close and Personal

Neither camera has specialized macro features, but the NX100’s lens lineup includes a few decent macro options, plus image stabilization to steady handheld shots.

The QX1’s lack of built-in stabilization and app-controlled focus made macro shooting an exercise in patience - and manual focusing challenges.

Night and Astro: Low Light Challenges and High ISO Dreams

The NX100 pushes ISO up to 6400, which yields usable results but with notable noise and detail loss.

Sony’s QX1, maxing at ISO 16,000, shines here. Cleaner noise profiles allowed surprisingly detailed astro shots - a rarity in this class. The absence of built-in stabilization forces careful tripod use, though.

Video Capabilities: When Moving Pictures Matter

Samsung NX100 offers HD 720p at 30fps, quite basic by today’s standards but decent for casual clips in 2010. No mic inputs limit audio recording finesse.

QX1 ups this to Full HD 1080p at 30fps with MPEG-4 format, still modest but a significant step up. No microphone port again signals a limitation for pros, but built-in flash can help illuminate scenes in a pinch.

Travel and Professional Use: The Practical Camera Checklist

NX100’s classic ergonomics, solid battery, and lens options make it a solid travel companion for hobbyists. The lack of weather sealing and wireless features reduces prep flexibility.

QX1’s ultra-compact, modular build and wireless connectivity are standout for travel photographers wanting something lighter than a full system - if you’re comfortable working off your phone and managing a chunkier lens lineup on the side.

Professionally, neither camera is a primary workhorse nowadays. NX100’s RAW support and decent file quality remain assets, but workflow integration is dated. The QX1’s smartphone tie-in and superior resolution may suit social media creatives who prioritize quick sharing over DSLR-like reliability.

How These Scores Add Up: Objective Meets Subjective

For those who love data, here’s an overall performance synthesis from my tests plus DXO Mark references:

And diving further, here’s a breakdown within different photographic genres:

Wrapping Up: Which Camera Deserves Your Hard-Earned Bucks?

Here’s the bottom line after my hands-on scrutiny, seasoned with both affection and pragmatism:

Samsung NX100

• Strengths: Classic camera feel, strong ergonomics, good color reproduction, solid lens selection, manual controls that encourage learning.
• Weaknesses: Outdated autofocus, limited ISO range, no wireless, small sensor resolution by today’s standards.
• Best for: Entry-level mirrorless lovers wanting an affordable, tactile experience; portraits, landscapes, casual travel; photographers favoring traditional setups without smartphone dependence.
• Current price: Approximately $385 new (rare); used market prices vary.

Sony QX1

• Strengths: Outstanding 20MP APS-C image quality, built-in WiFi/NFC, modular and compact form ideal for travel or smartphone synergy, higher max ISO.
• Weaknesses: Lacks built-in controls and screen, autofocus limited by phone app, physical build less rugged, no stabilization.
• Best for: Tech enthusiasts who embrace smartphone integration, travel and street photographers wanting lightweight interchangeable lens gear, and night shooters looking for high ISO performance.
• Current price: Around $500 new (rare), more often found secondhand.

Final Thoughts: Camera Choice Is More Than Specs

After clocking hundreds of shots with each, I can say the NX100 feels like meeting an old friend comfortable to handle, rich with the tactile presence classicists appreciate. The QX1 is more of a wild new experiment - innovative and fresh, but with quirks that might frustrate purists.

If you prioritize traditional controls, decent battery life, and effortless framing, the NX100 edges ahead. But if image quality and wireless convenience win your heart - and you aren’t deterred by app-reliance - the QX1 might be the stealthy partner in your pocket.

Either way, both represent fascinating chapters in mirrorless photography’s evolution. Choose based on your shooting style, readiness to compromise, and the fun factor you want from your gear.

Gallery: See Them in Action

Because nothing replaces real images, here’s a curated selection of sample shots captured on both cameras in varied light and subjects - check out those details and color nuances:

Samsung NX100 screen back Sony QX1 front Sony QX1 screen back

Choosing between them is a bit like picking between two beloved characters in a photo story: it depends on which voice and pace resonate more with your personal creative journey. Whichever you pick, you’re welcoming genuine APS-C image quality into your photographic toolkit with distinct personality and charm.

Happy shooting!