Samsung NX100 vs Sony WX300: A Detailed Comparison for Enthusiasts and Professionals

When exploring your next camera purchase, understanding how each model performs in real-world scenarios is crucial. The Samsung NX100 and Sony Cyber-shot DSC-WX300 represent two distinct approaches to photography, catering to different user preferences and photographic disciplines. Drawing upon years of rigorous camera testing and hands-on experience, this comprehensive comparison will guide you through their technical nuances, practical features, and suitability across various photography genres.

Whether you are a budding enthusiast or a seasoned professional, understanding these cameras’ strengths and limitations will empower you to choose the right tool for your creative journey.

Design and Ergonomics: Handling and Portability in Focus

The Samsung NX100 is a rangefinder-style mirrorless camera with a thoughtfully designed compact body measuring 120 x 71 x 35 mm and weighing approximately 282 grams. In contrast, the Sony WX300 is a compact superzoom, smaller and lighter, with dimensions of 96 x 55 x 25 mm and a weight of just 166 grams.

• Samsung NX100

  • Offers a more substantial grip suitable for extended shooting sessions
  • Fixed 3-inch VGA AMOLED screen (614k dots) without touch capabilities
  • Optional electronic viewfinder available separately
  • Provides manual focus and exposure capabilities, allowing precise control

• Sony WX300

  • Pocketable and discreet, perfect for travel and street photography
  • Fixed 3-inch non-touchscreen with a resolution of 460k dots
  • No viewfinder, relying solely on the rear LCD
  • Fully automatic with limited manual controls

The ergonomic design of the NX100 supports more deliberate shooting styles, appealing to those who want to engage creatively with settings and manual focus. The WX300 is optimized for quick, casual shooting, with an emphasis on convenience over tactile control.

The top control layouts reinforce these philosophies. The NX100 features dedicated buttons for exposure modes (shutter/aperture priority), exposure compensation, and customizable settings, reflecting its semi-pro orientation. The WX300 prioritizes compactness and simplicity, with fewer physical controls and no manual exposure options.

Sensor Technology and Image Quality: APS-C vs Small Sensor

One of the most significant differences lies in the sensor technology, which directly impacts image quality, dynamic range, and low-light capabilities.

What This Means for You

• The Samsung NX100’s APS-C sensor is over 13 times larger in area than that of the WX300. This large sensor translates to:

  • Superior image quality, with greater color depth (22.6 bits color depth measured by DXO)
  • Better dynamic range (~10.7 EV), capturing shadow and highlight details more faithfully
  • Improved low-light performance, allowing cleaner images at higher ISO settings (native up to 6400)

• The Sony WX300’s 1/2.3-inch sensor has a higher pixel count nominally (18MP), however, its small size limits noise control and dynamic range. This makes it suitable for general daylight shooting and snapshots but less ideal for demanding image quality scenarios.

If you prioritize image quality, landscape detail, and low-light versatility, the NX100’s sensor is a significant advantage.

Autofocus and Shooting Performance: Balance Between Speed and Precision

The NX100 offers contrast-detection autofocus with 15 focus points and face detection, which provides precise focusing but is slower than modern phase-detection systems. Manual focus is available, ideal for creative macro or portrait work requiring accuracy.

The WX300 offers faster burst shooting at 10 fps, which benefits quick action moments in casual environments. It uses continuous autofocus with face detection and subject tracking but lacks manual focus options, limiting precision in challenging focus scenarios.

For wildlife and sports photography, where speed and tracking matter, the WX300’s faster continuous shooting and tracking are favorable but compromised by its lens and sensor limitations. The NX100 is more suited to portrait, macro, and landscape where exact focus control and image quality dominate.

Lens Ecosystem and Versatility: Expand Your Creative Horizons with NX100

The Samsung NX100 employs the Samsung NX mount system, boasting around 32 available lenses across primes, zooms, and specialty optics, from 2010 era native optics to modern third-party adapters.

Key benefits:

• You can select fast primes for portraits that excel in background blur and sharpness.
• Wide-angle lenses enable expansive landscapes and architecture captures, maximizing the APS-C sensor performance.
• Telephoto zoom lenses serve wildlife and sports shooters, expanding reach and composition flexibility.

In contrast, the Sony WX300 features a fixed built-in 25-500mm (35mm equivalent) zoom lens - impressive for its compact size but with a relatively slow variable aperture (F3.5–6.5), limiting low light and depth of field control.

With no option to change lenses, creative versatility is inherently limited, and optical quality is compromised somewhat by compact zoom design.

If your creative ambitions include exploring different genres and optics, the NX100 system offers a more future-proof platform.

Display and Interface: Viewing Experience Matters

The NX100’s AMOLED screen offers vivid colors and excellent contrast, enhancing image review and menu navigation. Although it lacks touch, the physical controls help smooth operation.

The WX300’s screen is smaller in resolution and less vibrant, with no viewfinder to supplement. This may challenge framing precision in bright outdoor light.

Practical Impact:

• For portrait and landscape photographers, accurate on-screen image review is critical, favoring the NX100.
• For casual shooting and quick snaps, the WX300’s display suffices and adds to streamlined portability.

Build Quality and Weather Resistance: Durability in the Field

Neither camera features weather or environmental sealing, which is typical for entry-level mirrorless and compact superzoom cameras of their time.

• Samsung NX100 feels resilient with solid plastics and metals in the mount and chassis but careful use in adverse weather is necessary.
• Sony WX300 is lightweight and compact, designed for everyday casual use rather than demanding environments.

If ruggedness or weatherproofing is vital for your outdoor or travel shoots, consider additional protective accessories rather than relying on these bodies alone.

Battery Life and Storage: Staying Powered and Ready

The NX100 comes with the BP1130 battery pack, rated at about 420 shots per charge based on CIPA standards - satisfactory for most shooting days.

The WX300 uses the proprietary NP-BX1 battery, with manufacturer-rated capacity around 350 shots. Exact tested usage varies but generally runs shorter than DSLR and mirrorless counterparts due to small compact design.

Both cameras feature a single card slot, compatible with SD/SDHC cards. The Sony also supports Memory Stick formats, broadening storage options.

If extended shooting sessions or travel practicality is a priority, the NX100’s higher battery capacity and more standard battery style offer advantages.

Video Capabilities: A Look at Moving Images

The WX300 leads in video with full HD at 60fps, providing smoother motion and better compatibility with up-to-date sharing standards. Its optical image stabilization also aids in handheld shooting.

The NX100’s 720p video is serviceable for basic clips but lacks advanced frame rates and stabilization options. Neither camera supports external microphones, limiting professional audio input capability.

For casual video, the WX300 is preferable. Serious videographers might seek dedicated mirrorless or DSLR cameras with more extensive video options.

Genre-Specific Performance: Matching Cameras to Photography Styles

Let’s explore how these cameras stack up across key photography disciplines based on hands-on testing and performance metrics:

Portrait Photography

• Samsung NX100

  • Larger APS-C sensor captures natural skin tones with greater nuance
  • Ability to use fast prime lenses creates smooth bokeh for professional-grade portraits
  • 15-point AF with face detection aids in tracking subjects

• Sony WX300

  • Decent face detection for snapshots but limited blurring capability due to small sensor and slower lens aperture
  • Less control over depth of field

Recommendation: NX100 shines for portraits where control and creative quality matter.

Landscape Photography

• NX100 excels thanks to its 15MP APS-C sensor and wide native lenses, delivering detailed, dynamic-range rich images.
• WX300, with its compact zoom, is convenient but limited in wide-angle ability and sensor performance, which restricts image quality in challenging lighting.

Recommendation: NX100 is preferable for serious landscape work.

Wildlife and Sports

• WX300’s 25-500mm zoom lens and 10fps burst speed offer reach and capture speed suitable for casual wildlife or sports moments.
• NX100’s lower burst (3fps) and manual focusing limit its utility for fast action, though telephoto lenses are available.

Recommendation: For occasional fast action shooting, WX300 is more practical; professionals might look elsewhere.

Street Photography

• WX300 benefits from compact size and silent operation, facilitating discretion and portability.
• NX100 is though still compact, less discreet and slower to react due to manual settings reliance.

Recommendation: For street photographers favoring a blend of control and size, NX100 offers image quality; for minimalism and speed, WX300 is better.

Macro Photography

• NX100’s lens options and manual focus offer significant advantages in macro work, enabling focus bracketing strategies absent in the WX300.

Samsung NX100 screen back Sony WX300 front Sony WX300 screen back

Our side-by-side test images underscore these points: The NX100 captures richer colors and detail, especially in portraits and landscapes, while the WX300 performs adequately in daylight snaps with a useful zoom range.

Price and Value Proposition: Getting the Most for Your Investment

At a similar price point, the NX100 provides more photographic capability and higher image quality for those interested in creative control and future system growth. The WX300 delivers convenience and zoom flexibility, ideal for snapshot and travel use.

When evaluating technical performance and versatility, the NX100 generally scores higher in image quality, dynamic range, and usability for creative photography. The WX300 appeals to users prioritizing pocketability and fast zoom. Neither excels in professional video or weather sealing but serve their target markets well.

Final Verdict: Choosing Based on Your Photography Goals

• Choose Samsung NX100 if:

  • You want better image quality with an APS-C sensor
  • Manual control over exposure and focus matters
  • You envision expanding your lens collection
  • Your focus includes portraits, landscapes, and creative photography

• Choose Sony WX300 if:

  • You prioritize portability and long zoom reach
  • You want straightforward, mostly automatic shooting
  • Video recording at full HD 60fps is important
  • You need a travel-friendly compact camera for everyday snapshots

Both cameras represent valuable entry points into their respective categories. Ultimately, your choice rests on balancing image quality, shooting control, and portability tailored to your photographic ambitions.

Getting Started and Accessorizing Your Camera

To maximize your investment:

• For the NX100, explore quality prime lenses like a 30mm f/2 lens for beautiful portraits, and wide-angle zooms for landscapes. Get a sturdy tripod and consider external flash units for greater lighting control.
• For the WX300, invest in extra memory cards and batteries to not miss a moment while traveling. A comfortable wrist strap and a small protective case enhance usability.

Try to handle both cameras in person if you can - it’s the best way to be sure the ergonomics and menus suit your style.

By understanding the Samsung NX100 and Sony WX300’s unique strengths, you can confidently pick the camera that propels your photography forward. No matter which you choose, both models offer enjoyable ways to capture moments and express creativity.

Happy shooting!