Samsung NX1100 vs Sony DSC-H70: The Definitive Hands-On Mirrorless and Compact Camera Comparison

Selecting a camera today isn’t just about megapixels or price tags. It’s about understanding the nuances - how sensor size influences image quality, what autofocus system suits your shooting style, and how ergonomics affect long shooting sessions. I’ve spent decades testing cameras across genres, from landscape vistas under blazing skies to fast-paced wildlife moments at dawn. Today, I’ll walk you through a detailed head-to-head evaluation of two distinctly different cameras targeted at entry-level users: the Samsung NX1100, an APS-C mirrorless from 2013, and the Sony Cyber-shot DSC-H70, a 2011 compact with a long zoom.

Both cameras are affordable options, yet they serve dramatically different photographic needs. Which one excels for portraits, landscapes, sports, or casual travel? Read on, and by the end, you’ll have a clear idea which device deserves a spot in your camera bag.

Getting to Know the Contenders: Mirrorless vs Compact

Before diving into performance, it’s crucial to understand the fundamental architectural differences - Samsung’s NX1100 is a rangefinder-style mirrorless camera, while Sony’s H70 is a small sensor compact with a fixed zoom lens. Here’s a side-by-side sneak peek at their physical design and build for context:

At just over 220g, the NX1100 is slightly heavier but also larger and more robust, catering to enthusiasts who prefer interchangeable lenses and manual controls. The Sony H70 is ultra-portable, a pocket-friendly compact that favors convenience over advanced manual features.

Body, Controls & Interface: Who’s Easier to Shoot With?

Exploring the ergonomics and user interface is essential, especially for entry-level photographers whose workflow habits are still developing. I often find that cameras with thoughtfully arranged controls decrease the learning curve dramatically.

Checking the top view of each camera reveals their design philosophies:

The NX1100 sports dedicated dials for shutter and aperture priority modes, alongside a well-placed mode dial - a feature typically reserved for more advanced models. This gives photographers comfortable access to manual control, facilitating creative experimentation.

The Sony H70, designed for simplicity, removes most manual controls. It compensates with a broad 10x zoom lens, appealing to photographers who want an all-in-one package without fuss.

If you lean toward hands-on photography with manual exposure adjustments, the NX1100 clearly has the edge here; the H70’s straightforward approach makes it more suitable for casual point-and-shoot use.

Sensor Technology and Image Quality: Much More Than Megapixels

The sensor plays a pivotal role, impacting image detail, dynamic range, and noise performance. Samsung’s NX1100 boasts a large APS-C CMOS sensor measuring 23.5 x 15.7 mm with an effective 20 MP resolution, while Sony’s H70 uses a tiny 1/2.3” CCD sensor at 16 MP.

Let’s visualize their sensor size difference:

That vast size disparity (368.95 mm² vs. 28.07 mm² sensor area) translates to pronounced differences in image quality, especially when shooting in challenging lighting conditions.

The NX1100’s APS-C sensor facilitates:

• Superior low-light capability with an ISO range of 100 to 12800.
• Improved depth of field control, enhancing creative bokeh in portraiture.
• Higher dynamic range (~12.5 EV recorded by DXO), crucial for retaining details in highlights and shadows.

On the other hand, the Sony’s compact sensor limits low-light performance, and its native ISO maxes out at 3200 with more visible noise beyond ISO 400.

Detailed Look at Autofocus and Shooting Speeds

The camera’s ability to focus quickly and track subjects accurately is vital for genres like wildlife and sports. The NX1100 employs contrast-detection autofocus with 15 focus points, including face detection. Its continuous shooting rate peaks at an impressive 8 frames per second (fps) - rare in this price bracket.

Contrast that with the Sony H70’s 9-point contrast autofocus system and a modest 1 fps continuous shooting rate, which severely restricts burst photography.

For stationary subjects or landscapes, focusing speed differences might be negligible, but wildlife and action shooters will appreciate the NX1100’s responsiveness and higher frame rate.

Screen and Viewfinder: Monitoring Your Shots in Real-Time

An LCD screen is an indispensable interface for framing and reviewing images. Both cameras offer fixed 3-inch screens, but the quality varies significantly.

The NX1100’s 921k-dot TFT LCD offers crisp color and clarity, helping fine-tune composition and exposure. By contrast, Sony’s H70 features a 230k-dot “Clear Photo” LCD, resulting in a much less detailed and sometimes grainy preview - especially under bright sunlight.

Neither camera includes a built-in viewfinder, which can hamper shooting in bright outdoor conditions. However, the NX1100’s larger size might allow you to better shade the screen.

Image Samples: Seeing is Believing

Technical specs mean little without practical image quality examples. During our controlled tests, I shot the same scenes with both cameras to gauge real-world performance differences:

Samsung NX1100 front Samsung NX1100 screen back Sony H70 front Sony H70 screen back

• Landscape shots with the NX1100 exhibited cleaner shadows and preserved highlight details due to its superior dynamic range.
• Portraits from the NX1100 showed natural skin tones and pleasing background blur, thanks to its larger sensor and interchangeable fast lenses.
• The H70’s images are more prone to compression artifacts, with noticeable noise creeping in at higher ISO settings.
• The compact’s zoom lens flexibility was a boon for distant subjects, but sharpness dropped significantly towards the telephoto end.

Scoring Their Overall Performance

Let’s summarize the measured performance with DXO Mark-based assessments and independent lab results:

The NX1100’s score of 73 positions it comfortably above many other entry-level mirrorless models of its time, particularly due to its excellent color depth (23 bits) and dynamic range.

The Sony H70, unfortunately, lacks DXO Mark data but leaves a clear impression as expected for a 1/2.3” sensor compact in terms of noise and resolution.

How They Match Up Across Photography Genres

Every camera shines in certain areas while struggling in others. Here’s a breakdown based on hands-on testing and feature analysis:

Portrait Photography

The NX1100 leads with its better color fidelity, larger sensor for shallow DOF, and face detection autofocus. The Sony H70’s slower AF and smaller sensor limit its portrait potential; expect flatter skin tones and less attractive bokeh.

Landscape

Both cameras capture detailed landscapes, but the Samsung’s wider dynamic range preserves the sky and shadows beautifully. The H70’s smaller sensor hampers overall tonal quality.

Wildlife

For fast-moving animals, NX1100’s burst speed and AF reliability are superior. The Sony’s long zoom is handy, but the 1 fps rate misses key moments.

Sports

Tracking is better on the NX1100, but neither camera is a dedicated sports machine. The Sony can’t compete in frame rates or focus precision.

Street

Sony H70, being smaller and more discreet, suits street photographers valuing portability. The NX1100’s mirrorless form may be bulkier but allows more manual creativity.

Macro

Samsung’s interchangeable lenses enable better macro setups. Sony’s fixed lens macro mode works for casual close-ups but lacks focusing precision.

Night/Astro

High ISO noise and lack of advanced exposure modes limit both, but Samsung’s sensor gives it a slight advantage for night shots.

Video

Samsung supports full HD 1080p at 30 fps, with H.264 encoding; Sony maxes out at 720p, limiting video quality. Neither has mic input or in-body stabilization, but Sony’s lens stabilization helps somewhat.

Travel

Sony’s compactness and zoom range make it a travel-friendly option, while the NX1100 requires carrying multiple lenses but yields superior image quality.

Professional Work

The NX1100 supports RAW files and manual exposure, better suited for semi-pro workflows. Sony only outputs JPEGs, narrowing post-processing flexibility.

Ergonomics, Construction, and Durability

No weather sealing or ruggedness claims for either model; both are best kept away from harsh environments. However, the Samsung features a solid build with a confident grip, whereas the Sony’s plastic shell risks wear over time.

Battery life favors Samsung with 320 shots per charge, versus Sony’s unspecified but likely lower endurance, common in compact cameras.

Storage options are identical (SD/SDHC/SDXC), but Samsung supports faster USB 2.0 transfers and HDMI output, offering smoother workflow integration.

Lens Ecosystem and Expandability

A crucial advantage of the NX1100 is the Samsung NX mount, compatible with 32 lenses ranging from wide-angle to telephoto primes and zooms. For a beginner wanting to explore creative photography, this flexibility is invaluable.

Conversely, the Sony H70’s fixed lens lacks upgrade potential, a trade-off for portability.

Wireless Connectivity and Extras

Samsung impressively includes built-in Wi-Fi (2013 standards) for easy image sharing and remote control, a standout in this class.

Sony relies on Eye-Fi card connectivity - now deprecated - limiting wireless usefulness.

Pricing and Value - What Gets You More Bang for Your Buck?

At launch, the Samsung NX1100 retailed at around $600 USD, reflecting its advanced features. The Sony DSC-H70 came in at roughly $200, consistent with a basic compact.

If ultimate image quality and manual controls matter, the NX1100 justifies the price. If you need a pocketable camera for casual snapshots, the cheaper H70 delivers reasonable performance on a tight budget.

My Final Verdict: Which Camera Should You Choose?

Hands-down, for photographers dedicated to image quality, creative control, and future growth, the Samsung NX1100 is the clear winner. It offers a much more capable APS-C sensor, faster autofocus, richer manual mode support, and the ability to swap lenses for different shooting disciplines.

If your priority is ultimate portability, zoom flexibility, or a no-frills point-and-shoot experience, the Sony DSC-H70 makes a compelling budget-friendly compact - especially for travel or casual everyday photography.

Recommended Use Cases at a Glance

Closing Thoughts

Ultimately, the Samsung NX1100 represents a thoughtful entry into the photography enthusiast world, balancing cost with potent performance. Its larger sensor and manual controls allow photographers to expand their skills and creative horizons.

The Sony H70 is a capable travel companion and quick grab-and-go shooter but cannot match the NX1100’s imaging quality or professional features. Its simplicity, however, is its greatest strength for absolute beginners or casual image makers.

My advice: invest in the camera that best aligns with your photographic ambitions. For enthusiasts aiming to elevate their craft, the NX1100 will reward patience and experimentation. For everyday snapshots without complexity, the H70 holds a distinct charm.

Appendix: Technical Summary

Samsung NX1100

• Sensor: APS-C 20 MP CMOS (23.5 x 15.7 mm)
• ISO: 100-12800
• AF Points: 15 (contrast detection); Face detection
• Continuous Shooting: 8 fps
• Video: 1080p30 H.264
• Display: 3", 921k dots TFT LCD
• Lens Mount: Samsung NX mount, 32 lenses
• Weight: 222g
• Connectivity: Wi-Fi, HDMI, USB 2.0
• Battery Life: 320 shots

Sony DSC-H70

• Sensor: 16 MP 1/2.3” CCD (6.17 x 4.55 mm)
• ISO: 80-3200
• AF Points: 9 (contrast detection)
• Continuous Shooting: 1 fps
• Video: 720p30 MPEG-4
• Display: 3”, 230k dots Clear Photo LCD
• Lens: Fixed 25-250 mm (10x zoom) F3.5-5.5
• Weight: 194g
• Connectivity: Eye-Fi Compatible, HDMI, USB 2.0
• Battery Life: Unspecified

I hope this extensive comparison gives you the insight needed to make an informed decision. As someone who has handled thousands of cameras and tested them across every imaginable scenario, I find that no single camera fits all photographers. Choose your tool with an eye on your shooting style, and you’ll enjoy your photography journey immensely.

If you have questions about other cameras or need further advice, feel free to reach out - I’m always eager to help fellow photography enthusiasts navigate the ever-evolving technology landscape.