Samsung NX100 vs Sony W560

Samsung NX100 vs Sony Cyber-shot DSC-W560: An Exhaustive Comparative Review for Serious Photographers

In the diverse landscape of digital cameras, selecting the right tool for your photographic ambitions demands a rigorous, experience-based comparison. Today we analyze two fundamentally different cameras: the Samsung NX100, a rangefinder-style entry-level mirrorless offering introduced in 2010, and the Sony Cyber-shot DSC-W560, an ultracompact point-and-shoot launched in early 2011. Both models address distinct user segments and photographic styles. Through hands-on testing, careful sensor and system evaluation, and real-world field use, this comparison will elucidate their advantages, constraints, and suitability for a wide spectrum of photographic disciplines.

Design and Ergonomics: Mirrorless Versus Compact Convenience

The physical dimensions and body style fundamentally inform usability and shooting comfort. The Samsung NX100 - measuring 120 x 71 x 35 mm and weighing approximately 282 grams - presents a rangefinder-style mirrorless body with a pronounced grip conducive to extended handheld shooting sessions. The build accommodates interchangeable lenses within Samsung’s NX mount system, offering a tactile experience with manual focus rings and ergonomically placed control dials.

Conversely, the Sony W560’s dimensions (94 x 56 x 19 mm) reflect a pure ultracompact philosophy oriented toward portability and discretion. Weighing only 110 grams, it slides effortlessly into a pocket, yet its slim profile compromises on grip comfort and handling precision during protracted shoots or in challenging conditions.

While Samsung’s NX100 favors manual control and versatility, Sony’s Cyber-shot W560 emphasizes straightforward usability and mobility, fulfilling different photographic necessities.

Layout and Control Systems: Intuitive Handling for Varied User Expertise

The top control layout on the Samsung NX100 includes dedicated dials for shutter speed, exposure compensation, and manual exposure modes (shutter and aperture priority), offering a professional-style experience. Its DRIMe engine powers swift operational responsiveness, and tactile feedback from buttons is reassuring during active shooting. Absence of touchscreen technology limits interaction to physical controls, but this can enhance precision, especially in adverse lighting.

The Sony W560 lacks manual exposure controls entirely, reflecting its more limited operation spectrum. The top plate houses a modest shutter release and zoom lever, relying on menu-driven exposure settings. This limits creative control but serves well for casual users prioritizing point-and-shoot simplicity.

This clear dichotomy – manual-centric controls versus button-reliant compact operation – represents a critical factor for photographers seeking either creative flexibility or uncomplicated rapid deployment.

Sensor Technology and Image Quality: The Heart of Photographic Performance

Sensor technology defines foundational image quality. The Samsung NX100 employs a 15-megapixel APS-C CMOS sensor (23.4 x 15.6 mm), substantially larger than the Sony W560’s 14-megapixel 1/2.3-inch CCD sensor (6.17 x 4.55 mm). This size difference (365 mm² vs. 28 mm²) offers the NX100 significant advantages in light gathering, noise control, and dynamic range.

Measured metrics from DxOMark offer empirical evidence:

• NX100’s overall score is 62,
• Color depth at 22.6 bits,
• Dynamic range near 10.7 EV,
• ISO low-light threshold around 563.

Sony’s sensor benchmarks are unlisted in proprietary databases, but typical 1/2.3” CCDs at similar resolutions underperform relative to APS-C sensors, manifesting lower signal-to-noise ratios, reduced dynamic range, and reduced usable ISO ranges.

Practically, with the Samsung NX100, photographers experience cleaner images at high ISO, better shadow recovery for landscapes, and finer detail rendition useful for crops or large prints.

Live View and Rear LCD Screens: Critical for Composition and Review

Both cameras feature fixed 3-inch rear LCD displays but differ notably in resolution and panel technology. The Samsung’s VGA AMOLED screen delivers a 614k-dot resolution, providing vivid color reproduction with excellent brightness and viewing angles. This supports critical framing, focus assessment, and menu navigation in mixed lighting environments.

Sony’s Clear Photo LCD offers 230k dots, a markedly lower resolution, resulting in coarser previews and potentially compromised usability for critical tasks like checking fine focus or subtle tonal gradations.

Neither model includes touchscreen capability, which affects rapid parameter adjustments but ensures durability and straightforward input for users comfortable with classic button interfaces.

Autofocus Performance and Versatility: Responsiveness Across Scenarios

Samsung’s NX100 provides contrast-detection autofocus via 15 discrete AF points, with additional face detection. The system incorporates single and continuous AF modes, but lacks phase-detection autofocus, limiting speed and tracking precision compared to more modern mirrorless systems.

Sony’s W560 employs 9-point contrast-detection AF without face detection. It lacks continuous autofocus and manual focus capability entirely, emphasizing simplicity over performance. The fixed lens means lens-related focus speed variances are minimal but constrained by mechanical and sensor limitations.

In practical use, NX100’s autofocus is sufficiently responsive for portraits and still subjects but falls short for fast-moving wildlife or sports capture. W560’s AF may lag when tracking movement, suitable mostly for casual snapshots or static compositions.

Lens Ecosystem and Optical Performance: Flexibility vs. Convenience

A vital advantage of the Samsung NX100 is the Samsung NX mount, supporting an expanding range of 32 native lenses covering wide-angle, telephoto, prime, macro, and zoom varieties. This established ecosystem promotes specialization for different genres such as portraiture requiring sharp fast-aperture lenses for pleasing bokeh, or telephoto lenses for wildlife.

Sony’s W560 possesses a fixed 26-104mm equiv. F2.7-5.7 zoom lens. While optically competent for its class, macro performance is limited to a minimum focusing distance of 5 cm, and there is no lens interchangeability.

For photographers aspiring to evolve their creative expression with tailored optics and manual focus control, Samsung’s system is clearly superior.

Burst Speed and Continuous Shooting: Capturing Critical Moments

Samsung NX100 supports a modest continuous shooting speed of approximately 3 frames per second. This frame rate proves adequate for everyday action, street photography, and some wildlife bursts, although professional sports photographers require faster systems (often 10 fps+) for decisive moment capture.

Sony’s single-shot approach (1 fps continuous shooting) reflects its point-and-shoot design ethos, restricting its utility for subjects demanding rapid sequences.

Consequently, NX100 has a practical edge for moderately paced action situations whereas W560 is positioned for static or casual shooting.

Flash Capabilities: Exposure Assistance in Varied Light

Samsung NX100 lacks a built-in flash but accommodates external flash units with versatile modes including red-eye reduction and curtain sync. This arrangement allows advanced lighting setups beneficial for portraits or macro photography in controlled environments.

Sony W560 includes a small built-in flash with up to 3.8 m effective range and a handful of automatic modes. Its fixed lens and no external flash support constrain lighting creativity.

Photographers requiring extensive flash control or supplementary lighting instruments will significantly prefer the NX100’s expandability.

Video Recording and Multimedia Features

Both cameras record HD video capped at 1280x720 at 30 fps using different codecs: Samsung utilizes H.264 while Sony employs MPEG-4.

Neither model supports external microphone inputs or headphone jacks, limiting audio control fidelity. The NX100’s video capabilities are basic and without advanced autofocus tracking during recording. Similarly, the Sony W560’s video is functional and straightforward, suitable for casual use.

Neither camera offers 4K recording or high-frame-rate slow-motion options, expected given their era and categories.

Connectivity and Storage: Modern Standards vs. Convenience

Samsung NX100 has no integrated wireless connectivity such as Wi-Fi or Bluetooth, with image transfer relying on USB 2.0 or optional GPS modules. It utilizes standard SD/SDHC cards.

Sony W560 supports Eye-Fi card compatibility, permitting wireless transfer through Eye-Fi cards but lacks native Wi-Fi. Its storage compatibility extends beyond SD cards to Sony’s proprietary Memory Stick formats, enhancing versatility for users embedded in Sony’s ecosystem.

Neither camera offers NFC features or advanced wireless remote control.

Battery Performance and Endurance

The Samsung NX100’s BP1130 lithium-ion battery offers an official rating of approximately 420 shots per charge - respectable given its sensor size and interface demands.

Sony W560’s battery statistics are unspecified but compact form and CCD sensor are generally less power hungry. However, ultra-compacts often have smaller capacity due to size constraints, typically necessitating more frequent recharging under heavy use.

Professional workflows or extended outdoor use benefit from the NX100’s longer endurance and spare battery options.

Use-Case Summary Across Photography Disciplines

Samsung NX100 screen back Sony W560 front Sony W560 screen back

Portrait Photography:
The NX100 excels due to APS-C sensor providing high resolution and dynamic range, facilitating natural skin tones and selective focus with appropriate lenses. Face detection AF assists eye tracking but autofocus may struggle in low light or complex scenes.

Sony W560’s small sensor and limited AF features restrict portrait quality and bokeh potential, though casual snapshots suffice.

Landscape Photography:
NX100’s wide dynamic range enables effective highlight and shadow recovery. Lens interchangeability supports ultra-wide primes essential for expansive views. Lack of weather sealing is a caveat on challenging terrain.

W560’s tiny sensor limits detail capture and dynamic range. Compact body favours portability but optical constraints reduce landscape versatility.

Wildlife and Sports:
NX100’s 3 fps burst and contrast-detect AF limit shooting fast-moving subjects. However, long telephoto NX lenses partially mitigate. The Sony W560 is insufficient due to slow AF and limited zoom reach.

Street Photography:
Samsung NX100’s size and weight hamper absolute discretion but manual controls allow deliberate composition. Sony’s W560 is ideal for stealth, rapid point-and-shoot street capture.

Macro Photography:
Only NX100 supports dedicated macro lenses and manual focusing precision, essential for controlled macro work. Sony's fixed lens offers only limited close-up ability.

Night and Astrophotography:
NX100’s APS-C sensor with better high ISO performance is significantly advantageous. Samsung’s manual exposure modes and longer shutter speeds further empower night photography. W560’s sensor noise and lack of manual controls impose substantial limitations.

Video Use:
Both cameras provide basic HD footage; however, neither excels in video-centric features. Absence of external audio inputs and advanced AF tracking limit professional usability.

Travel and Everyday Shooting:
Sony W560’s featherweight size and moderate zoom are advantageous for casual travel photography. NX100 trades portability for better image quality and creative control, suited for deliberate photography during travel.

Professional Workflows:
NX100 supports RAW capture, vital for post-processing flexibility. Lens ecosystem and manual controls fulfill many professional demands within an entry-level mirrorless context. Sony W560 lacks RAW, fixed lens, and manual exposure, excluding it from serious professional work.

Technical Performance Breakdown

• Image Quality: Samsung Nx100 leads clearly due to sensor size, dynamic range, and color fidelity.
• Autofocus: Both limited by contrast detection only, NX100 offers more flexibility and better responsiveness.
• Control & Customization: NX100's physical dials and manual modes are superior to Sony W560's menu-driven exposure.
• Portability: Sony W560 is unmatched in pocketability and lightness.
• Video: Basic in both; NX100 marginally better codec and file versatility.
• Connectivity: Neither excels, although Sony’s Eye-Fi compatibility adds wireless convenience.
• Battery: NX100 provides greater shot life but is heavier.
• Lens Options: Countless for NX100; fixed lens limits Sony W560 to a "one size fits all" approach.

Practical Recommendations by User Type

• Advanced Enthusiasts & Hobbyists: The Samsung NX100 is unequivocally the more capable system, providing a solid foundation for deliberate photography, manual control, and system growth via lenses. Ideal for enthusiasts learning to master photographic technique. However, buyers must accept its modest AF performance and missing weather sealing.

• Casual Photographers & Beginners: The Sony W560’s ultracompact form, simplistic operation, and affordable price point cater well for casual users seeking an everyday carry camera without the complexity of interchangeable lenses or advanced shooting modes.

• Professional Photographers Needing Backup or Specialized Capabilities: The NX100’s RAW support, manual controls, and lens flexibility offer a viable lightweight secondary system, especially for travel or experimental shooting. The Sony W560 does not meet professional-grade standards.

• Travel Photographers: Prioritize portability? Sony W560 excels. Emphasize image quality and creative control? NX100 is preferable, albeit bulkier.

• Macro, Night, and Specialized Shooting: Samsung NX100 dominates due to sensor quality and manual mode access.

(re-inserted for emphasis in portability conclusions)

Final Considerations on Value and Longevity

At the time of their respective releases, the NX100’s $385 price signaled a considerable investment into mirrorless innovation, presenting an entry point to system cameras with advanced features. Despite now being superseded by successors like the NX200, its technical fundamentals remain well suited for image quality-focused photography within budget constraints.

The Sony W560, retailing near $139, aimed squarely at the budget-conscious, compact camera consumer valuing portability over performance or creative control. It remains relevant only if mobility and snapshot simplicity dominate priorities.

Conclusion: Informed Choice Based on Photographic Priorities

The Galaxy of digital cameras spans from ultracompacts to mirrorless systems and DSLRs. Within this spectrum, the Samsung NX100 and Sony DSC-W560 represent distinctly different design philosophies and photographic ambitions.

Only the NX100 can satisfy enthusiasts and semi-professionals requiring substantial control, superior sensor technology, versatile optics, and flexible shooting modes essential for multiple photography genres and workflows.

The Sony W560’s utility lies in convenience and rapid point-and-shoot accessibility, sacrificing critical image quality, control, and expandability.

For serious photographers focused on quality, creative freedom, and longer-term investment, the Samsung NX100 emerges as the superior choice, notwithstanding its age and modest autofocus. Conversely, those requiring minimal fuss, exceptional portability, and low cost will find the Sony W560 an acceptable, if technically limited, companion camera.

By grounding this comparison in extensive hands-on evaluation, sensor analysis, and functional testing across photographic disciplines, photographers can confidently select the model best aligned with their shooting style, technical expectations, and operational priorities.

If you have further questions about specific lenses compatible with the NX100 or require workflow integration advice for your photographic projects, feel free to inquire. Our goal is to empower your photographic journey through detailed, measured insights.