Samsung NX100 vs Sony HX80: A Hands-On Comparison for Practical Photographers

Choosing the right camera can feel like navigating a labyrinth of specs, marketing jargon, and noise. I’ve spent the last 15+ years diving deep into cameras’ guts and testing them across myriad genres - so you don’t have to. Today, I’m putting two very different cameras head-to-head: the Samsung NX100, an entry-level mirrorless released back in 2010, and the Sony Cyber-shot DSC-HX80, a compact superzoom from 2016.

Though these cameras come from different eras and classes, I’ll explore their real-world performance, strengths, and weaknesses in a way that helps you decide which fulfills your photography needs or curiosity. Whether you’re a beginner trying to avoid a costly mistake or a pro weighing a secondary camera option, my detailed review - backed by years of rigorous hands-on experience - will help illuminate the differences.

Let’s begin with the ergonomics and form factor, which hugely affect the shooting experience.

Feeling the Cameras in Hand: Size, Weight, and Control Layout

Getting a camera that feels comfortable is partly overlooked in specs list but makes a mountain of difference in practice.

The Samsung NX100 sports a classic rangefinder-style mirrorless body. Measuring 120 x 71 x 35 mm and weighing 282 grams, it’s compact but still substantial enough to grip confidently. This body style lends well to photographers who appreciate physical dials and buttons, especially with manual focus rings available on compatible lenses. The Samsung uses the proprietary Samsung NX mount, supporting 32 lenses - a respectable ecosystem for its time.

In contrast, the Sony HX80 is a small sensor superzoom pocket powerhouse with a compact 102 x 58 x 36 mm body, weighing just 245 grams. It’s designed for travelers and casual shooters who want to carry minimal gear but still get a massive zoom reach. The HX80’s fixed 24–720 mm (30x) lens offers insane versatility without swapping lenses, but at the expense of manual focus control (no manual focusing capability here).

Looking at controls, the NX100 offers traditional mode dials and exposure wheels. The HX80 takes a simpler route with fewer physical controls, leaning heavily on menu-driven adjustments and a small tilting screen - which we’ll see in detail shortly.

Bottom line: If you like having clubs for thumbs (nice chunky controls), the NX100 feels more ‘camera-like.’ If you want pocket portability and zoom flexibility, HX80 is a better fit.

Sensor Technology and Image Quality: The Heartbeat of Photography

This is where their fundamental differences start to show.

The Samsung NX100 features a 15 MP APS-C CMOS sensor measuring 23.4 x 15.6 mm, giving it a sensor area over 13 times larger than the HX80’s sensor. The larger sensor size translates into better light-gathering capabilities, improved dynamic range, and cleaner images at higher ISO - key metrics for any serious photographer.

Samsung’s DRIMe engine processor drives the NX100’s image rendition. According to DXOMark metrics, the NX100 scores an overall 62, showing good color depth (22.6 bits), dynamic range (10.7 EV), and a fair low-light ISO capability of 563. This sensor isn’t cutting edge by today’s standards, but it produces rich images with solid detail and tonal gradations, especially when paired with quality glass.

On the flip side, the Sony HX80 runs a 1/2.3” BSI CMOS sensor with an 18 MP resolution. With a tiny sensor area of just 28.07 mm², the HX80 struggles more in low light and dynamic range than the NX100. Although Sony’s Bionz X processor helps squeeze good performance out of the little sensor, noise creeps in quickly as you push ISO above 400 or 800.

The HX80 tops out at ISO 3200 natively and can boost to 12800 (though the latter is only useful in dire emergencies). Because of the rank sensor size, expect softer details and less creamy background separation.

In practice, I found the NX100’s images feel more robust and cleaner for demanding lighting conditions and when enlarging photos - ideal for prints or heavy editing.

LCD and Viewfinder: How You Frame and Review Your Shots

I always emphasize usability here because it’s frustrating to shoot with poor displays.

Both cameras have a 3-inch screen, but the NX100’s VGA AMOLED screen offers 614k dots resolution, while the HX80’s is sharper at 921k dots but uses a tilting mechanism perfect for selfies or awkward angles - hence, it gets the ‘selfie-friendly’ tag the NX100 lacks.

A notable usability win for the HX80 is its built-in electronic viewfinder (EVF) with 100% coverage. The NX100 doesn’t ship with an EVF; it’s optional, and none comes bundled, which affects outdoor usability, especially in bright sunlight. I often found myself squinting at the AMOLED when trying to compose shots in harsh light.

For spontaneous shooting and quick framing, the HX80’s EVF is a game-changer for a compact! The NX100’s fixed viewing setup means you’ll most rely on the rear screen, which isn’t ideal outdoors.

Autofocus and Performance in Action

Autofocus can make or break decisive moments, especially for wildlife and sports shooters.

• The NX100 uses contrast-detection autofocus with 15 AF points and face detection but lacks phase detection or advanced tracking. The autofocus is somewhat sluggish by modern standards, and continuous focus tracking is basic, roughly maxing at 3 frames per second. No animal eye AF to speak of.

• The HX80, despite admitting no phase detection autofocus either, offers a smarter contrast-detection AF with continuous AF tracking, better suited for moving subjects. It boasts 10 fps burst shooting, giving you more frames to catch fleeting action.

In my experience, the HX80’s autofocus feels nimbler and more reliable for casual sports and wildlife. The NX100’s AF, while precise for static subjects and portraits, can struggle to keep pace in action or low light, which leans on the larger sensor but slower processing trade-off.

Portraits, Bokeh, and Skin Tone Rendering

For portrait lovers, these cameras target wildly different needs.

The NX100’s APS-C sensor and interchangeable lenses system easily wins the bokeh (background blur) battle. Pair it with a fast prime lens (say a 30mm f/1.4), and you get creamy, buttery backgrounds and smooth skin tone gradation with rich files ready for retouching. Face detection autofocus is built-in and works well once locked.

On the other hand, the HX80’s tiny sensor with slower max aperture (F3.5-6.4) locks you into more limited shallow depth of field. Portraits tend to have more noise and less background separation. However, it incorporates good face detection AF and even a selfie-friendly screen whip-out for casual portraits.

If you want professional-grade portraits, the NX100 with its lens flexibility is the easy call.

Landscape and Travel Photography

Landscape photographers value resolution, dynamic range, and durability for outdoor work. Travel photographers prize versatility and portability.

The Samsung NX100 scores well for landscapes thanks to:

• Larger APS-C sensor with 15 MP resolution
• Solid dynamic range for sky and shadow recovery
• Interchangeable lenses including wide-angle primes
• Good battery life (approx. 420 shots per charge)

However, the NX100 lacks weather sealing, so caution is required in rainy or dusty environments.

The Sony HX80, meanwhile, comes with:

• An impressively versatile 30x zoom lens (24–720 mm)
• Compact, pocketable size ideal for travel
• Built-in optical image stabilization critical for handheld long-zoom shots
• Nearly comparable battery life (~390 shots)

But the HX80’s small sensor limits image quality for large prints or heavy cropping, and there’s no weather sealing either.

For travel, I can wholeheartedly recommend the HX80 to casual photographers wanting one gear piece with huge zoom range. For serious landscape shooters, the NX100’s larger sensor, native lenses, and better dynamic range make it a more capable tool.

Sports and Wildlife Photography: Tracking Fast Action

For wildlife and sports, fast autofocus and high burst rates are vital.

The NX100 can’t keep up with the HX80’s 10 fps, though the latter’s small sensor hampers low light and distant subject resolution. That said, the HX80’s 720 mm equivalent reach allows you to get closer in the field without lugging telephoto primes.

If you shoot birds or sports casually, the HX80 is a convenient option. But if ultimate image quality and custom lens selection for wildlife is your goal, the NX100 paired with a fast telephoto zoom or prime is the way to go - as long as you accept slower continuous shooting.

Macro Photography and Close-Ups

True macro lovers will note neither camera is a macro specialist, but…

• The HX80 can focus as close as 5 cm, aided by optical stabilization, making it a good casual macro for flowers or insects.
• The NX100 depends on the lens you mount, and Samsung’s NX lens lineup includes some decent macro lenses.

Neither camera has focus bracketing or stacking features. For critical macro shots, the NX100 with a dedicated macro lens will deliver better detail and control.

Night and Astro Imaging

Low light sensitivity leans heavily on sensor size and ISO performance.

The NX100’s APS-C sensor and better ISO performance (up to native ISO 6400) make it superior for night scenes, astrophotography, and long exposures. Noise is manageable at ISO 1600 and even 3200, with careful post-processing.

The HX80’s smaller sensor and aggressive noise reduction introduce artifacts and softness at anything above ISO 400-800, restricting its night use mostly to well-lit urban scenes.

Neither offers bulkastro-friendly long exposure features or intervalometers built-in, so astrophotography enthusiasts will depend on external triggers regardless.

Video Capabilities: Which Records Better?

Video is no afterthought for many buyers, so here are the facts:

The HX80 clearly outshines the NX100 in video specs, offering Full HD at 60 fps for smooth, high-quality footage, plus optical image stabilization to reduce shake in handheld video.

The NX100 is essentially snapshot HD video with no external mic input - adequate for casual video but unsuitable for serious videography.

Battery Life and Storage

Both cameras use proprietary battery packs. The NX100 uses the BP1130 battery, delivering about 420 shots per charge, whereas the HX80’s NP-BX1 battery yields roughly 390 shots. This translates to similar endurance, though I found in practice the HX80’s compact size invites more continuous shooting, resulting in quicker battery drain.

Storage-wise, both offer single card slots - NX100 with SD/SDHC, and the HX80 supports Memory Stick Pro Duo as well as SD/SDHC/SDXC cards, offering some flexibility.

Connectivity and Extras

Connectivity is where the HX80 gains a clear edge for casual shooters.

• The HX80 has built-in Wi-Fi and NFC (near-field communication) for effortless pairing with smartphones for instant sharing.
• The NX100 lacks any wireless connectivity, relying solely on USB 2.0 and optional GPS.
• Both share a micro HDMI port for connection to external displays.
• Flash-wise, HX80 has a built-in pop-up flash, whereas NX100 lacks a built-in flash but has a hot shoe for external flashes.

Real-World Image Samples and Performance Scores

Seeing is believing, so let’s look at some real samples.

Samsung NX100 screen back Sony HX80 front Sony HX80 screen back

From my test shoots, the NX100 delivers cleaner, sharper images with richer colors, especially in low light and daylight portraits - head and shoulders above the HX80’s more compressed, higher noise images.

The NX100 scores higher for image quality and color depth, while HX80 shines for portability, zoom versatility, and video.

• Portraits: NX100 leads strongly with larger sensor and lens options.
• Landscape: NX100 offers better detail and dynamic range, but HX80’s zoom excels for distant views.
• Wildlife: HX80’s faster burst and zoom reach, but lower image quality.
• Sports: HX80 better for casual use due to fps and tracking.
• Street: HX80 wins on discreteness and portability.
• Macro: NX100 offers better detail with dedicated lenses.
• Night: NX100 clear winner with better ISO handling.
• Video: HX80 superior with Full HD 60p and stabilization.
• Travel: HX80 is more convenient to carry.
• Professional: NX100’s raw support and lens system wins.

Pros & Cons Summary

Who Should Buy Which?

• Choose the Samsung NX100 if…

  • You want a solid entry into interchangeable lens APS-C mirrorless with a nod to manual control.
  • You prioritize image quality, especially for portraits, landscapes, and night shooting.
  • You want access to raw files and lens swapping versatility on a budget.
  • You don’t mind the lack of wireless connectivity or built-in viewfinder and can work around it.

• Choose the Sony HX80 if…

  • You want a compact, all-in-one travel zoom camera that fits easily in your pocket.
  • You often shoot family events, street photos, or casual wildlife with fast burst and zoom.
  • You value built-in Full HD 60p video recording and instant connectivity.
  • You prefer simplicity over manual controls and just need a solid everyday camera.

Final Verdict: Expanding Your Gear Horizons

The Samsung NX100 is a testament to the value and photographic potential of larger sensor mirrorless cameras, even from a decade ago. Its image quality and lens system remain impressively capable for portrait, landscape, and thoughtful photography. It’s a great starter APS-C mirrorless if you want to learn and grow with manual settings and raw files, especially if you can find it at a good price.

The Sony HX80 punches above its weight as a feature-packed compact superzoom offering excellent portability and versatility for casual shooters and travelers more focused on convenience than fine image quality. It’s a perfect grab-and-go camera for those who want a simple, no-fuss solution with great zoom reach and decent video.

Choosing between them boils down to your priorities. If image quality and creative lens options are paramount, the NX100 still holds its own in today’s entry-level market. If convenience, zoom range, and video are more important - and you’re a cheapskate on the go - the HX80 is hard to beat.

I hope this detailed comparison helps you make a confident choice. Feel free to weigh in or ask questions - after all, selecting gear should always be grounded in your photographic journey and needs!