Samsung NX1100 vs Sony RX100 IV: An Expert Comparison for the Discerning Photographer

Choosing between the Samsung NX1100 and Sony RX100 IV calls for a close look at how each stacks up across the board - from sensor technology and image quality to handling, autofocus, and versatility under diverse photographic conditions. Having rigorously tested both cameras extensively, I’m diving deep into their real-world performance, not just spec sheets, with an eye towards what really matters for photographers considering either as a serious tool.

I’ll walk you through each aspect of these two very different cameras - an entry-level APS-C mirrorless versus a large-sensor premium compact - and chart out which will best serve your shooting style, budget, and creative ambitions.

Getting to Know Your Cameras: Design and Handling in the Hand

Let’s start with the basics: how these cameras feel in your grip. The Samsung NX1100 is a rangefinder-style mirrorless with an APS-C sensor, tipping the balance toward traditional controls and expandable lens ecosystems. Meanwhile, the Sony RX100 IV embraces a pocketable, large-sensor compact design with a fixed zoom lens, optimized for instant readiness and stealth.

From my hands-on experience, the NX1100 measures 114x63x37mm and weighs a lean 222g - not bulky, but with a modest grip and enough heft to feel balanced with its interchangeable lenses. The Sony RX100 IV is smaller still (102x58x41mm) but slightly heavier at 298g, owing to its all-metal chassis and dense internals packed into tight quarters.

The NX1100’s rangefinder-style body offers better ergonomics for prolonged shooting sessions, with tactile aperture and shutter dials easily accessed by feel - a boon in fast-paced environments. The RX100 IV, by design, sacrifices some of that for compactness but compensates with a tilting screen and built-in EVF that’s surprisingly bright and detailed given its size.

My takeaway: If you prioritize comfort and traditional shooting controls, the NX1100 is the better companion. For pocket carry and quick grabs, the RX100 IV wins hands down.

Control Layout and Interface: Navigating Your Shooting Settings

What about how you interact with each camera day-to-day? Quick access to settings - and how intuitive that access is - can fundamentally affect your shooting experience.

The Samsung NX1100 keeps it simple with dedicated manual exposure modes, a traditional shutter speed dial with values up to 1/4000s, and logical exposure compensation buttons. However, it lacks some advanced customization; for example, no dedicated AF joystick or touchscreen input means focusing adjustments require a bit more menu diving.

Sony’s RX100 IV leans into modern hybrid control, with a somewhat crowded but logically arranged top deck. The tilting 3-inch screen (more later) offers no touchscreen, but menu navigation is responsive via a rear control wheel and function buttons. Unique to the RX100 IV is the electronic viewfinder with high resolution, enabling crisp framing flexibility not possible on the NX1100, which lacks any EVF or optical viewfinder.

For photographers who demand quick-focus tweaks and rapid exposure changes in demanding conditions, the RX100 IV’s interface is arguably more refined despite its compact form.

Under the Hood: Sensor Technology and Image Quality

This is the crux of any camera comparison, and from sensor size and technology to output quality, these two diverge significantly.

The NX1100 packs a 20MP APS-C CMOS sensor measuring 23.5 x 15.7 mm, offering a native ISO range of 100-12800. APS-C sensors excel in dynamic range, noise control, and shallow depth of field opportunities, critical for creative portraiture and detailed landscapes.

The RX100 IV features a 20MP 1-inch BSI-CMOS sensor sized 13.2 x 8.8 mm, with a native ISO of 125-12800 and boost options up to 25600. As a backside-illuminated sensor, it is engineered for improved low-light performance despite the smaller size.

DxOMark scores underline these differences: The NX1100 scores slightly better overall (73 vs 70), with superior color depth (23.0 bits vs 22.9) and comparable dynamic range (~12.5 stops). However, RX100 IV shines with better noise handling in low-light scenarios due to advanced BSI technology, though the smaller sensor will inherently have less signal-to-noise advantage than APS-C.

In my tests shooting raw files and comparing detail retention, the NX1100 delivers superior resolution and tonal nuance - especially handy for landscape and portrait work where print quality or cropping latitude matter. The RX100 IV’s strength lies in versatility and clean high-ISO results with a high-quality zoom.

Viewing and Composition: Screens and Viewfinders Compared

Framing and reviewing shots is an essential part of photographic workflow. Here, the RX100 IV gains a clear edge.

Both cameras have 3-inch LCDs, but the NX1100’s fixed TFT LCD panel clocks in at 921k dots, routinely adequate for composition and menu navigation, yet fixed in position limiting shooting angles.

The Sony RX100 IV sports a 1229k-dot tilting screen, allowing low and high-angle shots with ease - a crucial advantage if you’re into street, macro, or awkward perspectives. Moreover, it packs a 2.35M-dot OLED electronic viewfinder with 100% coverage and 0.59x magnification, elevating your ability to shoot in bright sunlight and track subjects precisely.

For outdoor shooters and those who rely heavily on manual tasks, the EVF’s responsiveness and resolution on the RX100 IV offer an immersive framing experience the NX1100 simply cannot match.

Autofocus: Accuracy Meets Speed Meets Reliability

How well and how fast your camera locks focus often defines your shoot’s outcome - especially in sports, wildlife, or candid street work.

The NX1100 uses contrast-detection autofocus with 15 focus points, including face detection. This offers reasonable accuracy in good light but can struggle with moving subjects or lower-contrast scenes. There is no phase-detection AF or eye-detection for enhanced subject tracking.

Conversely, the RX100 IV employs a hybrid autofocus system featuring 25 contrast-detection points and phase-detection pixels on the sensor. This combination allows fast, reliable focus with advanced AF tracking and eye detection capabilities in live view, making it easier to shoot dynamic street scenes or quick wildlife encounters.

In real-world tests, the RX100 IV consistently nails focus faster and maintains it under challenging shooting situations, such as low light or erratic movement. The NX1100 remains competent for portraits or landscape autofocus but is less dependable when speed is essential.

Continuous Shooting and Burst Rates: Capturing the Action

If you shoot sports, wildlife, or any fast-moving subject, burst rate isn’t just a number; it can be the difference between missed opportunity and keeper image.

The Samsung NX1100 delivers an 8 fps burst rate, respectable for an entry-level APS-C mirrorless. However, its buffer size and writing speed to SD cards limit extended burst shooting before slowdowns occur.

Sony’s RX100 IV doubles that speed at 16 fps, with an electronic shutter that reaches up to 1/32000s slit speeds - suitable for capturing fleeting action even in bright environments. Its buffer manages to sustain these frames slightly longer, though still limited by compact camera constraints.

For sports and wildlife shooters who need high frame rates in a compact form, RX100 IV’s burst capability is a significant advantage.

Optics in the Mix: Lens Ecosystem and Prime vs Zoom Tradeoffs

Lens compatibility often swings buying decisions for mirrorless systems versus compacts.

The Samsung NX1100, with its native Samsung NX mount, supports 32 lenses ranging from wide-angle primes to telephoto zooms from various third-party brands. This lens selection permits creative breadth - macro, portraits with creamy bokeh, landscapes with sharp wide lenses - giving photographers flexibility to dial in optimum optical quality for each use.

Sony RX100 IV comes with a fixed 24-70mm equivalent F1.8-2.8 zoom lens. The lens is optically excellent, with sharpness across the frame, fast aperture for subject separation, and a close focusing distance of 5 cm enabling decent macro work.

However, you’re constrained to this single lens, which limits long telephoto reach critical for distant wildlife and sports, or specialized primes for portraits.

So, if lens versatility and future-proofing are priorities, the NX1100’s interchangeable lens system is your friend. For convenience and all-in-one portability, the RX100 IV lens punches well above its weight.

Build Quality and Weather Resistance: Toughness Under Fire

Neither the NX1100 nor RX100 IV sports weather sealing or ruggedized frames. Both are designed more for casual shooting in controlled environments rather than extreme travel or inclement weather photography.

The RX100 IV’s metal body conveys more robust build quality, lending confidence for outdoor travel shoots, albeit still not sealed.

In my tenure testing cameras, I advise treating both with care outdoors, but the RX100 IV stands firm thanks to its premium construction.

Battery Life and Storage Options

Neither camera impresses hugely on battery life, but here’s the breakdown from hands-on use:

• Samsung NX1100: Rated for about 320 shots per charge using the standard BC1030 battery pack. Real use might edge lower with continuous AF and live view.

• Sony RX100 IV: Rated at approximately 280 shots on a full charge with the NP-BX1 battery. Given its EVF and higher-res screen, this is expected.

Both use single SD/SDHC/SDXC memory card slots, but the RX100 IV also supports Sony’s proprietary Memory Stick formats - a minor quirk if you stockpile cards.

For intensive travel shooting, these batteries require spares or on-the-go charging solutions.

Versatile Video Capabilities: How Do They Stack Up?

Video is increasingly integral to hybrid shooters, so I tested both for quality and usability.

• Samsung NX1100 captures Full HD 1080p video at 30 fps with MPEG-4/H.264 encoding. Video features are basic - no 4K, no external mic input, no advanced stabilization.

• Sony RX100 IV upgrades to 4K UHD at 30p/25p/24p alongside smooth 1080p 60 fps and super slow-motion video at 120 fps (720p). Optical image stabilization offers steadier handheld footage. The RX100 IV lacks microphone/headphone jacks, a known limitation for professional video workflows, but its internal stabilization and 4K resolution compensate for many uses.

If you prioritize a strong all-rounder with solid video specs, RX100 IV takes the cake. For stills-focused users dabbling in occasional HD video, the NX1100 suffices.

When Size and Portability Matter Most: The Travel Photographer’s Perspective

Going hand in hand with ergonomics, battery, and image quality, the travel photographer demands compactness, versatility, and reliability.

The NX1100 offers better image quality potential and lens options but demands carrying extra lenses, with bulkier kits.

The RX100 IV’s compactness, tilting screen, built-in EVF, and 4K video make it perfect for travelers wanting “one device that does it all.” Its pocketable form means you’re more likely to take it everywhere.

One caveat: The RX100 IV’s higher price point may sway budget-minded travelers.

Portraits, Landscapes, Wildlife, and Beyond: Photography Genre Suitability at a Glance

To sum up where each excels, here’s a distillation of real-world capabilities.

Real-World Image Gallery: Seeing Is Believing

To really appreciate these differences, consider the sample images below taken under controlled conditions, comparing exposure latitude, color reproduction, detail, and noise.

Samsung NX1100 front Samsung NX1100 screen back Sony RX100 IV front Sony RX100 IV screen back

Notice the NX1100’s superior detail in foliage textures and nuanced skin tones. However, RX100 IV shines in low-light scenes with less noise and smoother gradients. The RX100’s lens also offers sharper corners on average, despite sensor size handicap.

Final Scores: How Do They Rank?

After extensive tests, scoring in categories like autofocus, image quality, handling, and video capabilities, here’s an overall performance synthesis:

The Samsung NX1100 edges out slightly in still image quality and lens versatility, while the RX100 IV tops autofocus responsiveness, burst speed, EVF utility, and video performance.

Wrapping Up: Which Camera Should You Pick?

If your priority is photographic image quality, creative control, and a growing system of lenses, the Samsung NX1100 stands as a compelling entry-level mirrorless option - even in this era of advanced compacts. Its APS-C sensor and manual controls cater well to portrait and landscape enthusiasts willing to work with interchangeable optics.

However, if you seek maximum portability, exceptional autofocus speed, video versatility (including 4K), and a strong all-in-one package for travel, street, or casual wildlife, the Sony RX100 IV is an extraordinary compact camera that punches well beyond its class - albeit with less optical flexibility and a heftier price tag.

My personal advice:

• Choose Samsung NX1100 if you value interchangeable lenses, superior sensor size, and are mostly shooting stills where image quality and manual control matter.

• Pick Sony RX100 IV if you demand a pocketable powerhouse with excellent autofocus, 4K video, built-in EVF, and quick responsiveness for fast action or mixed shooting conditions.

Ultimately, both cameras shine in their niches, and understanding your specific needs will guide you to the best purchase - because no camera fits all uses perfectly.

If you want, I’m happy to share further sample images, hands-on video reviews, or deeper technique guides for either. Just reach out! Meanwhile, safe shooting and happy clicking!