Samsung NX1000 vs Sony Cyber-shot DSC-H90: A Practical Comparison for Today’s Photography Enthusiast

In the world of digital photography, it’s often tempting to be dazzled by headline specs or flashier features. To truly understand the nuances between two cameras, a close examination of how they perform across genres, their usability, and the technologies under the hood is critical. Today, we put the Samsung NX1000, an entry-level mirrorless announced in 2012, head-to-head with Sony’s compact powerhouse, the Cyber-shot DSC-H90 from roughly the same era. Though from different categories - mirrorless versus superzoom compact - their overlapping capabilities and price points make this comparison surprisingly relevant for hobbyists and budget-conscious pros alike.

Over years of camera testing, evaluating sensor technologies, autofocus systems, ergonomics, and real-world usage, I’ve learned there’s no one-size-fits-all “winner.” Instead, it’s about fit for purpose: what you shoot, how you shoot, and your workflow expectations. So, let’s delve into the strengths and trade-offs of the NX1000 and Sony H90, across the full photography spectrum, supported by technical insights and field experience.

Form Factor and Handling: Ergonomics Matter

At first glance, both cameras occupy distinct design philosophies. The NX1000 is a compact, rangefinder-style mirrorless, while the H90 is a traditional pocket superzoom, resembling a high-end compact camera.

Comparing size and weight helps us understand comfort and portability:

The Samsung NX1000 measures 114x63x37 mm and weighs 222g, identical in weight to Sony’s H90 but slightly larger in length and width. The mirrorless design naturally demands more grip room to accommodate the larger lens mount and sensor, whereas the H90’s compact dimensions favor true pocketability.

Physically, the NX1000’s grip and button placement give better handling for prolonged shooting sessions or lens changes. In contrast, the H90, with its smaller grip, excels in casual, grab-and-go scenarios. If I were shooting street or travel photography where size is paramount, the H90’s form factor wins for unobtrusiveness and convenience. But for something like portrait or landscape shoots, the NX1000’s ergonomics provide solid stability.

Looking at the top view, the NX1000 sports dedicated exposure controls including shutter and aperture priority, along with exposure compensation - essential for more advanced shooting. The H90 is simpler but lacks such granular exposure modes, which limits creative control somewhat.

Sensor Technology and Image Quality: The Core Difference

Now to the heart of the matter - the sensor. This is where the huge gap between cameras really emerges.

The Samsung NX1000 features an APS-C sized CMOS sensor (23.5x15.7 mm, 20MP). By contrast, the Sony H90 uses a much smaller 1/2.3-inch CCD sensor (6.17x4.55 mm, 16MP). The size difference here is not subtle - APS-C sensors generally yield superior image quality, especially in dynamic range, resolution, and noise control.

RAW Support & Workflow Integration

Samsung's support for RAW files is a critical advantage for photographers who want post-processing flexibility. The Sony H90 shoots only JPEG, limiting editing versatility. Having tested the NX1000 RAW files, the 20MP resolution delivers excellent detail retention, especially when paired with quality lenses from Samsung’s NX mount lineup.

Dynamic Range and Low Light

According to DxO Mark measurements, the NX1000 scores a 72 overall, with a color depth of 22.8 bits and dynamic range of 12.4 EV stops. Low-light ISO performance peaks near 840 ISO - modest by today’s standards but respectable for entry-level APS-C circa 2012.

The Sony H90, unfortunately, has no DxO testing, but given the small CCD sensor and physics, we expect lower dynamic range and significantly more noise at higher ISOs. In practice, the H90’s max ISO tops out at 3200 but image quality above 800 ISO degrades quickly.

Sharpness and Lens Influence

Samsung's interchangeable lens system, with 32 lenses available, allows for tailored optics to maximize sharpness and bokeh, vital in portraits and macro. On the other hand, the Sony’s fixed 24-384mm equivalent zoom lens trades sharpness for versatility, which manifests as less crisp images at the telephoto end.

Autofocus Systems: Speed, Accuracy, and Tracking

Autofocus performance is critical, especially for wildlife, sports, and candid street photography.

• NX1000: Contrast detection AF with 15 focus points, including face detection.
• H90: Contrast detection with face detection but number of points unspecified.

Samsung’s mirrorless design allows faster autofocus than typical compacts on paper. In the field, the NX1000’s AF locks quickly under good lighting but can hunt slightly in dimmer conditions due to contrast-detection limits. It does support continuous AF and some selective area AF modes, giving some creative control.

The Sony H90, despite the smaller sensor, offers face detection and tracking, but the single continuous shooting rate of 1 fps severely limits action photography potential. Its shutter speed cap of 1/1600 also restricts freezing fast motion.

For tracking sports or wildlife, the NX1000’s 8 fps burst rate combined with continuous AF offers a distinct advantage. In fast-paced shooting, I found the NX1000 much more responsive and predictable.

Displays and Viewfinders: Composing Your Shot

Neither camera includes an electronic viewfinder, relying entirely on rear LCDs.

The NX1000’s 3-inch, 921k-dot TFT LCD outclasses the Sony H90’s 3-inch 461k-dot ClearPhoto LCD. This difference translates into finer detail, improved color accuracy, and better visibility under strong sunlight. For manual focusing or precise composition, the NX1000 screen is more forgiving.

The absence of tilt or touch functionality on both is notable, but typical for cameras in this price range and era.

Build Quality and Weather Resistance

Neither camera offers environmental sealing, waterproofing, dustproofing, or shockproof features.

Build quality favors the Samsung, with its metal alloy body and more robust construction. The H90, designed as a compact, uses lightweight polycarbonate materials, making it less demanding to carry but also less rugged for heavy-duty professional use.

Specialized Shooting Scenarios Evaluated

Portrait Photography

Skin tone reproduction, bokeh smoothness, and eye detection are crucial here.

The NX1000, leveraged by interchangeable lenses with wide apertures, provides creamy background blur unmatched by the H90’s fixed f/3.3-5.9 lens. Face detection autofocus on the NX1000 is reliable, though lack of advanced eye-detection autofocus - not yet widespread in 2012 cameras - limits precision on subjects with erratic movement.

The H90’s smaller sensor yields flatter portraits with less subject separation. The limited maximum aperture constrains low-light or shallow depth-of-field effects.

Landscape Photography

Landscape demands high resolution, dynamic range, and preferably weather resistance.

The NX1000’s superior sensor size and maximum resolution of 5472x3648 (“20MP”) outclass the H90 (4608x3456). Its dynamic range allows better recovery of highlights and shadows in varied lighting.

Samsung’s rangefinder style encourages tripod use and manual focus capabilities desirable in landscape work. Unfortunately, the lack of weather sealing could concern those shooting in harsh environments.

The H90’s extensive zoom can reach tight perspectives, but the image quality trade-off and lower dynamic range limit final print quality.

Wildlife and Sports Photography

Fast AF, high burst rates, and low-light performance are key.

The NX1000’s 8 fps continuous shooting with continuous AF provides a decent platform for mid-level wildlife/sports photographers. Its maximum shutter speed of 1/4000s also allows capturing rapid movement without blur.

The H90’s solitary 1 fps burst and limited shutter speed (1/1600s) are major constraints. Its powerful zoom might help composition, but image quality at 384mm equivalent is less sharp, partly due to lens and sensor constraints.

Street Photography

Discretion and portability matter most. The H90’s compact body and quiet operation are helpful for candid shots, though slower AF response can hinder quick shots.

The NX1000, while compact for a mirrorless, is larger and more conspicuous, which could intimidate street subjects. However, its faster AF and superior image quality help capture decisive moments more reliably.

Macro Photography

Neither camera features dedicated macro modes or focus stacking/post-focus options. The H90 offers a close focus range of 5 cm, providing some fun macro potential in a compact form.

The NX1000 depends on compatible macro lenses from the NX system for high-quality close-up work, which greatly surpasses the H90 in sharpness and bokeh control.

Video Capabilities: A Candid Lens on Moving Pictures

The NX1000 offers 1080p Full HD (1920x1080) at 30 fps, with H.264 compression and HDMI output. Despite lacking microphone or headphone jacks, the video quality surpasses the H90’s limited 720p (1280x720) at 30 fps. The NX1000’s larger sensor ensures better low-light video and shallower depth of field.

The H90’s lack of HDMI output and external audio support limits serious video work. Optical image stabilization is a plus for steady handheld footage, especially at telephoto, which the NX1000 lacks.

Battery Life and Storage

The NX1000 uses the BC1030 battery, rated for approximately 320 shots per charge. The H90’s NP-BG1 battery handles about 290 shots.

While neither endurance figure impresses for extended outdoor shooting, the NX1000’s slightly better life is a plus when paired with quality rechargeable batteries.

Storage options are similar - SD/SDHC/SDXC compatible for both, with the Sony supporting Memory Stick as well.

Connectivity and Extras

The Samsung NX1000 includes built-in WiFi for wireless image transfer, a significant usability advantage in the modern workflow.

The H90 offers no wireless features, limiting its integration for quick sharing or remote control.

Price and Value: What You Get for Your Money

At launch, the NX1000 retailed around $388, with the Sony H90 approximately $230.

The substantial price gap is reflected in features: sharper sensor, better AF performance, RAW shooting, and video capabilities all point to the NX1000 as the better investment for enthusiasts who want to grow.

The H90, however, represents a superb value for casual photographers seeking a simple point-and-shoot with a versatile zoom.

Samsung NX1000 screen back Sony H90 front Sony H90 screen back

Comprehensive Performance Ratings and Genre-Specific Scores

A fair performance overview confirms these impressions:

Here, the Samsung NX1000 shows superior scores in image quality, autofocus, and video, whereas the Sony H90 excels slightly in portability and zoom range.

• Portrait: NX1000 dominant
• Landscape: NX1000 dominant
• Wildlife: NX1000 clear favorite
• Sports: NX1000 strong
• Street: H90 marginally preferred due to size
• Macro: NX1000 (with lenses) dominates
• Night/Astro: NX1000 better noise control
• Video: NX1000 superior quality
• Travel: H90 lighter, more zoom
• Professional Work: NX1000 preferable due to RAW and lens ecosystem

Final Thoughts: Which Camera Fits Your Photography Journey?

After rigorous hands-on testing and comparing across multiple disciplines, here’s how I would recommend:

• Choose the Samsung NX1000 if:

  • You want a stepping stone into mirrorless interchangeable lens systems.
  • You prioritize image quality, RAW shooting, and advanced exposure modes.
  • You shoot portraits, landscapes, wildlife, or video with more control.
  • You don’t mind slightly larger body size in exchange for better handling and performance.
  • Wireless features and HDMI output are important in your workflow.

• Choose the Sony H90 if:

  • Your budget is tight and you want a lightweight, zoom-rich compact camera.
  • You mostly photograph casual street, travel, or family events without raw editing needs.
  • Portability and extended zoom (16x) are your highest priorities.
  • Video and advanced exposure controls are less important to you.

Testing Methodology Notes

Throughout my evaluation, I employed standardized test charts and in-field shooting scenarios simulating portraits under controlled lighting, landscapes in high dynamic range sunlight, and action sequences demanding fast focus. Video clips were analyzed on calibrated displays for sharpness and noise. Battery life tests followed CIPA standards to ensure fairness.

The real-world shooting confirmed that while specs are instructive, handling and lens ecosystems can make or break a camera’s suitability.

In conclusion, while the Samsung NX1000, nearly a decade old, still stands proud for enthusiasts entering mirrorless cameras, the Sony H90 delivers surprising punch in a compact form - ideal for casual shooters. Your choice hinges mostly on your photography goals and how much creative control you desire.

Choosing a camera is ultimately personal - I hope this detailed side-by-side gives you confidence as you decide on your next photographic companion.

Happy shooting!