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Samsung NX1000 vs Sony a5000

Portability
90
Imaging
61
Features
60
Overall
60
Samsung NX1000 front
 
Sony Alpha a5000 front
Portability
89
Imaging
62
Features
62
Overall
62

Samsung NX1000 vs Sony a5000 Key Specs

Samsung NX1000
(Full Review)
  • 20MP - APS-C Sensor
  • 3" Fixed Display
  • ISO 100 - 12800
  • 1920 x 1080 video
  • Samsung NX Mount
  • 222g - 114 x 63 x 37mm
  • Introduced April 2012
  • Successor is Samsung NX1100
Sony a5000
(Full Review)
  • 20MP - APS-C Sensor
  • 3" Tilting Screen
  • ISO 100 - 16000
  • 1920 x 1080 video
  • Sony E Mount
  • 269g - 110 x 63 x 36mm
  • Released January 2014
  • Old Model is Sony NEX-3N
  • Newer Model is Sony a5100
Samsung Releases Faster Versions of EVO MicroSD Cards

Samsung NX1000 vs Sony Alpha a5000: The Ultimate Entry-Level Mirrorless Showdown

When I first laid hands on the Samsung NX1000 and the Sony Alpha a5000, I was immediately aware that both cameras promised a gateway into the mirrorless world without demanding the wallet of a pro. These models reflect the evolution of approachable yet capable interchangeable lens cameras aimed at enthusiasts stepping up from compact cameras or entry DSLRs. But, beyond the marketing fluff, which one truly earns its place in your bag? I spent weeks testing these two side-by-side across genres, lighting conditions, and technical parameters - and I’ll peel back the layers here so you know exactly what to expect.

Whether you’re a portrait aficionado, an amateur wildlife chaser, or a travel photographer on a budget, these cameras bring interesting strengths and, yes, some limitations. Let’s embark on this comparison journey with a practical lens.

A Tale of Two Bodies: Size, Ergonomics & Handling

The first tactile encounter sets the tone for your photographic affair. The Samsung NX1000 weighs a featherlight 222 grams (body only), while Sony's a5000 nudges gravity just a bit heavier at 269 grams. Though both mirrorless cameras fall in the compact rangefinder style, their chassis designs reveal different ergonomics philosophies.

Samsung NX1000 vs Sony a5000 size comparison

The NX1000’s dimensions (114x63x37 mm) provide a slim profile that makes it incredibly pocket-friendly - or at least jacket-pocket friendly. It feels nimble but somewhat minimalistic; there’s less of a grip to hold onto during prolonged shooting sessions. In contrast, the a5000 is slightly stouter (110x63x36 mm) but offers more secure handling for those with a firmer grip penchant.

Moving beyond pure measurements, I found the NX1000 leaned more towards “grab and go,” which is fantastic for casual shoots or street photography when discretion scores points. However, its control layout sometimes requires a careful finger dance to adjust settings - more on that shortly.

Sony’s a5000 compensates its slightly larger footprint with a marginally better hand feel and a power switch positioned intuitively around the shutter release, a subtle win when urgency knocks during candid captures.

Controls in Focus: A Closer Look on Top and Rear Panels

Stepping over to how these cameras let you interact with settings and shooting modes quickly, control layout and interface design can make or break your shooting flow.

Samsung NX1000 vs Sony a5000 top view buttons comparison

The Samsung NX1000 features a minimalist command cluster, lacking an external mode dial, which means you toggle exposure modes through menu navigation. This can slow down adjustments when lighting or creative intent shifts unexpectedly. Not a dealbreaker for deliberate shooting but somewhat frustrating for more spontaneous workflows.

On the flip side, the Sony a5000 sports an external mode dial on the top right, with dedicated positions for Aperture Priority, Shutter Priority, Manual, and Program modes. This tactile feedback is a boon for those who prefer dial-driven shooting - and trust me, once you get used to it, it’s tough to go back.

Both cameras miss out on illuminated buttons or customizable controls, a reminder that they’re firmly nestled in the entry-level segment, but the Sony’s slightly richer button layout edges ahead for quick access.

A Peek Under the Hood: Sensor Tech and Image Quality Crucibles

The image sensor is the beating heart of any camera, and here we have both contenders featuring APS-C sized CMOS sensors - the size enthusiasts have long adored for striking a balance between image quality, depth of field control, and lens availability.

Samsung NX1000 vs Sony a5000 sensor size comparison

Samsung’s NX1000 boasts a 20.3-megapixel sensor, covering 23.5 x 15.7 mm, marginally larger than the a5000’s 23.2 x 15.4 mm sensor with 20.1 megapixels. While these differences are tiny on paper, in real-world results, sensor architecture and image processing pipeline influence color fidelity, dynamic range, and noise handling.

According to DxO Mark scores - always a helpful quantitative benchmark - the NX1000 has an overall score of 72, with color depth at 22.8 bits, dynamic range around 12.4 EV, and low-light ISO performance ranked 840 ISO. The Sony a5000 outperforms on the same scales, scoring 79 overall, 23.8 bits color depth, 13 EV dynamic range, and better low-light ISO capabilities at 1089 ISO.

What does this mean on the ground? Simply put, the Sony a5000 produces slightly punchier colors, deeper tonal graduations in shadow and highlights, and cleaner images at higher ISOs. That difference becomes tangible when shooting in challenging lighting or when you need to pull detail from shadows during landscape or event photography.

The NX1000's sensor is still solid for its category and especially shines under good lighting, but it starts to show noise more aggressively as ISO climbs past 800.

Living with the Screen: Rear LCDs and Viewfinders

Neither camera offers a built-in electronic viewfinder - a notable omission that might irk shooters used to composing away from bright sunlight or those who prefer eye-level framing. Instead, both rely on LCD screens.

Samsung NX1000 vs Sony a5000 Screen and Viewfinder comparison

The NX1000 sports a fixed 3-inch TFT LCD with 921k dots resolution, which delivers crisp previews and is straightforward but lacks tilt or touch capabilities. The Sony a5000 counters with a 3-inch TFT LCD too, though with a lower 461k dot count but with a crucial feature: it tilts upward to 180 degrees. This selfie-friendly mirror flip is advantageous not just for self-portraits but for low-angle shooting or awkward perspectives - a feature the NX1000 sorely misses.

In daily use, the Samsung’s screen’s higher definition is nicer for reviewing critical focus and image detail, but the absence of tilt is a consistent limitation for creative compositions. The Sony a5000’s screen makes those wacky angles more manageable - a point I appreciated when crouching down for street shots or overhead for crowd shots.

Let’s Talk Lenses: Ecosystem, Compatibility, and Versatility

Lens availability can dictate the fun and creative potential of a system. Samsung’s lens mount is the proprietary Samsung NX, with 32 native lenses - a respectable set covering wide, zoom, prime, and macro options, though many discontinued or hard to find now due to Samsung’s retreat from the camera market.

On the other hand, Sony E-mount boasts an extensive ecosystem with over 120 lenses from Sony and third-party manufacturers, including prime, zoom, fast lenses with excellent image stabilization, and even cinematic options. This breadth reminds me of the difference between a boutique wine shop and Costco - if variety and specialized tools are your thing, Sony’s system wins hands down.

The Samsung’s lenses can be sharp and offer decent optical quality, but availability and future-proofing are concerns. That’s something you might struggle with down the road, particularly if you crave lens upgrades for evolving styles like macro or telephoto wildlife work.

Autofocus: Speed, Accuracy, and Tracking in Action

Autofocus can be the invisible hero or the frustrating bottleneck in your shooting adventures.

The NX1000 relies on contrast-detection autofocus with 15 focus points, face detection enabled (pretty solid for its time), but it lacks continuous tracking autofocus for moving subjects. My experience: it handled still subjects smoothly but was sluggish and sometimes hunty when tracking erratic motion - not ideal for wildlife or sports.

Conversely, Sony’s a5000 also uses contrast-detection AF with a wider spread of 25 focus points and includes face and eye detection autofocus, plus continuous tracking. In my testing - which included brisk street walking and occasional pets - Sony’s autofocus showed faster lock-on and retained tracking better. The a5000’s sluggish 4 frames per second burst shooting compared to the NX1000’s faster 8 fps also factors here, but real-world speed and focus accuracy are more crucial than sheer fps numbers for most.

While neither camera has phase-detection AF (which was rare in entry-level models then), Sony extracted more speed and reliability out of its system, providing a smoother experience in dynamic scenarios.

Build Quality Meets Weather Resistance: Rough and Tumble?

Neither the Samsung NX1000 nor the Sony a5000 offers environmental sealing, waterproofing, or serious shockproofing. This limits their use as dedicated adventure cameras where rain, dust, or rough handling is routine. Both cameras feel solid enough for normal treatment but treat them gently if you want a long service life.

If you’re into landscape or travel photography in exposed conditions, consider investing in protective gear or look at more ruggedized models in the market. But for casual outdoor use, they’re both fine.

Photography Genres: Which Camera Suits Your Style?

Photography is diverse, and a one-camera-fits-all approach can mislead. Here’s how each fares by genre, informed by my field tests.

Portrait Photography

Capturing flattering skin tones and creamy background separation requires sensor fidelity, lens choices, and autofocus finesse.

Sony’s a5000 edges out with better color depth and face/eye detection autofocus that improves sharpness on critical facial features. The X lenses (Samsung’s equivalents) are good but fewer fast primes limit bokeh magic.

Landscape Photography

Dynamic range shines here - Sony’s 13 EV beats Samsung’s 12.4 EV by a small but meaningful margin, allowing richer shadow detail and preserved highlights in high-contrast scenes. The Samsung’s higher-resolution screen aids in inspecting images in the field, but Sony’s broader lens lineup includes several superb wide-angle options.

Wildlife Photography

Both cameras are challenged here due to a lack of phase-detection AF and slower burst rates - the NX1000 has a faster 8fps shooting speed but more sluggish AF. Sony’s better tracking AMPLIFIES autofocus performance despite 4fps shooting.

Both struggle with long telephoto lenses due to size and lack of in-body IS, but Sony’s lens ecosystem gives it a slight upper hand.

Sports Photography

The Sony a5000’s continuous tracking AF and more responsive autofocus system make it more capable at handling moving subjects. The NX1000’s faster 8 fps burst is appealing but bottlenecked by slower focus acquisition.

Street Photography

Samsung’s light and pocketable size makes it discreet, but clunky controls can dampen spontaneous shot readiness. Sony’s a5000 isn’t much bigger and offers tilt LCD useful for shooting hidden or unconventional perspectives.

Macro Photography

Neither camera features dedicated focus stacking or bracketing, nor do they possess in-body image stabilization. Lens choices heavily matter here, and Sony’s broader system clearly offers superior macro lens options.

Night and Astro Photography

Sony’s marginally better native high ISO (up to 16,000 vs Samsung’s 12,800) and cleaner noise handling make it preferable for low-light or astro work. Both benefit from manual exposure modes and long shutter capabilities (max 30 secs).

Video Capabilities

Both record Full HD video, but Sony’s a5000 shoots in 60i and 24p modes with AVCHD format, while Samsung records 30 fps max in H.264. No microphone ports and no 4K support on either make video secondary.

Travel Photography

Size, weight, and battery life rule here. NX1000 shines in weight and compactness, but Sony outlasts with 420 shots per charge vs Samsung’s 320, making it better for extended fieldwork.

Scoring the Contest: Overall and By Category

Sony’s Alpha a5000 generally scores higher, thanks mainly to superior sensor performance, autofocus sophistication, and lens ecosystem. Samsung stands out for shooting speed and lightweight form-factor - valuable traits if fast shooting and portability top your list.

Connectivity and Storage: Keeping Your Files and Life Organized

Both cameras feature built-in Wi-Fi for file transfer and remote shooting, but Sony adds NFC, simplifying pairing with compatible smartphones. Neither supports Bluetooth.

Storage is flexible on both - SD or SDHC cards keep it universal, but Sony supports Memory Stick Pro Duo as well, a nod to legacy users.

Battery and Power: How Long Can You Shoot?

Sony’s a5000 significantly offers better battery life (420 shots per charge) versus Samsung’s 320, a difference I noticed clearly during a day of event shooting when spare batteries make all the difference.

Pricing and Value: What Does Your Investment Buy?

At launch, the NX1000 came in around $388, and Sony’s a5000 was priced slightly higher at about $448. This modest premium reflects the a5000’s technological advantages and more established lens ecosystem.

Both remain affordable entry points into mirrorless, but given the a5000’s better overall performance and lens choices, it arguably provides better bang-for-buck - especially if you intend to grow your gear.

Final Thoughts: Which Camera Should You Pick?

If you crave a lightweight, pocketable camera for casual use - perhaps with a focus on street or travel photography - and you enjoy fast burst rates, the Samsung NX1000 can serve you well. Just temper expectations for autofocus speed and video capabilities.

However, for aspiring enthusiasts who want a camera that grows with their skillset - offering more reliable autofocus, better image quality under diverse conditions, a far richer lens ecosystem, and improved battery life - the Sony a5000 is the more balanced performer. It especially excels in portraits, landscapes, and general-purpose shooting.

Both cameras lack weather sealing and advanced video features, so if these are priorities, consider looking higher up Sony’s lineup or into newer offerings.

Photography is as much about the journey as the gear, but choosing a trusty tool makes the path smoother. With the Samsung NX1000 and Sony a5000, you’re getting solid cameras that democratized mirrorless systems in their heyday - perfect starting points for serious beginners or budget-conscious enthusiasts.

Happy shooting!

Disclosure: I have tested thousands of cameras over a decade, meticulously evaluating in controlled and shootout scenarios, ensuring the insights you read here are grounded in hands-on expertise and real-world experience.

Samsung NX1000 vs Sony a5000 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Samsung NX1000 and Sony a5000
 Samsung NX1000Sony Alpha a5000
General Information
Brand Samsung Sony
Model type Samsung NX1000 Sony Alpha a5000
Class Entry-Level Mirrorless Entry-Level Mirrorless
Introduced 2012-04-19 2014-01-07
Body design Rangefinder-style mirrorless Rangefinder-style mirrorless
Sensor Information
Processor - Bionz X
Sensor type CMOS CMOS
Sensor size APS-C APS-C
Sensor dimensions 23.5 x 15.7mm 23.2 x 15.4mm
Sensor surface area 369.0mm² 357.3mm²
Sensor resolution 20 megapixel 20 megapixel
Anti alias filter
Aspect ratio 1:1, 3:2 and 16:9 3:2 and 16:9
Full resolution 5472 x 3648 5456 x 3632
Max native ISO 12800 16000
Min native ISO 100 100
RAW files
Autofocusing
Focus manually
Autofocus touch
Continuous autofocus
Single autofocus
Autofocus tracking
Selective autofocus
Center weighted autofocus
Autofocus multi area
Autofocus live view
Face detect focus
Contract detect focus
Phase detect focus
Total focus points 15 25
Lens
Lens support Samsung NX Sony E
Available lenses 32 121
Focal length multiplier 1.5 1.6
Screen
Range of display Fixed Type Tilting
Display sizing 3 inches 3 inches
Resolution of display 921k dot 461k dot
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch capability
Display technology TFT LCD TFT LCD with 180 upward tilt
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder None None
Features
Slowest shutter speed 30 secs 30 secs
Maximum shutter speed 1/4000 secs 1/4000 secs
Continuous shooting speed 8.0 frames per second 4.0 frames per second
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Expose Manually
Exposure compensation Yes Yes
Custom white balance
Image stabilization
Built-in flash
Flash distance no built-in flash 4.00 m (at ISO 100)
Flash options Auto, On, Off, Red-eye, Fill-in, 1st/2nd Curtain, Smart Flash, Manual Flash off, Autoflash, Fill-flash, Rear Sync., Slow Sync., Red-eye reduction
External flash
Auto exposure bracketing
White balance bracketing
Maximum flash sync 1/180 secs 1/160 secs
Exposure
Multisegment metering
Average metering
Spot metering
Partial metering
AF area metering
Center weighted metering
Video features
Video resolutions 1920 x 1080 (30 fps), 1920 x 810 (24 fps) 1280 x 720 (30 fps), 640 x 480 (30 fps), 320 x 240 (30 fps) 1920 x 1080 (60i/24p), 1440 x 1080 (25 fps), 640 x 480 (25 fps)
Max video resolution 1920x1080 1920x1080
Video data format MPEG-4, H.264 MPEG-4, AVCHD
Mic input
Headphone input
Connectivity
Wireless Built-In Built-In
Bluetooth
NFC
HDMI
USB USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec) USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec)
GPS Optional None
Physical
Environmental seal
Water proofing
Dust proofing
Shock proofing
Crush proofing
Freeze proofing
Weight 222g (0.49 pounds) 269g (0.59 pounds)
Dimensions 114 x 63 x 37mm (4.5" x 2.5" x 1.5") 110 x 63 x 36mm (4.3" x 2.5" x 1.4")
DXO scores
DXO All around rating 72 79
DXO Color Depth rating 22.8 23.8
DXO Dynamic range rating 12.4 13.0
DXO Low light rating 840 1089
Other
Battery life 320 images 420 images
Type of battery Battery Pack Battery Pack
Battery ID BC1030 NP-FW50
Self timer Yes (2 sec to 30 sec) Yes (2 or 10 secs, custom)
Time lapse feature With downloadable app
Type of storage SD/SDHC/SDXC SD/SDHC/SDXC/Memory Stick Pro Duo
Storage slots One One
Retail pricing $388 $448