Samsung NX20 vs Sony HX10V

Exploring Two Eras of Photography: Samsung NX20 vs. Sony HX10V In-Depth Comparison

In the diverse ecosystem of digital cameras, choosing the optimal tool requires comprehensive understanding. Here, we put under the microscope two advanced cameras from 2012 but targeting different segments: the Samsung NX20 - an APS-C mirrorless system camera with a robust feature set - and the Sony Cyber-shot DSC-HX10V - a compact superzoom bridge camera with an all-in-one lens approach. Through extensive hands-on testing and evaluation, this article dissects every facet of these cameras to aid photographers in making rational, need-focused decisions.

First Impressions: How They Feel in Hand and Use

Assessing camera ergonomics is fundamental, as physical design influences operational comfort and shooting efficiency - crucial considerations for extended sessions or challenging fieldwork.

The Samsung NX20 adopts an SLR-style mirrorless body, noticeably larger and heavier at 341g compared to the 234g compact profile of the Sony HX10V. The NX20’s bulk facilitates a more substantial grip and accommodates a wealth of dials and buttons, appealing to users prioritizing manual control and professional handling. Its dimensions (122x90x40mm) bestow a commanding presence optimized for interchangeable lens use.

Conversely, the HX10V’s compact 105x60x34mm frame is designed for portability and operator discretion, ideal for casual to intermediate shooters prioritizing convenience. While smaller hands might prefer the HX10V’s minimal footprint, those used to DSLR-like heft will find the NX20’s ergonomics superior for tactile feedback and stability, particularly when working with telephoto lenses or in less controlled environments.

Exterior Layout and Control Interfaces: How Intuitive Are the Working Controls?

Intuitive camera control layout reduces cognitive load during shooting, enabling photographers to focus on composition and timing.

The NX20 features a traditional dedicated mode dial, myriad customizable buttons, and excellent manual exposure options including shutter and aperture priority, and manual mode. The sturdy mode dial offers tactile clicks with robust build quality. It further integrates an OLED fully articulating 3-inch screen, enhancing usability in high- or low-angle compositions, supported by a 0.7x magnification electronic viewfinder with 100% coverage - invaluable for critical framing and composition accuracy.

Sony HX10V, meanwhile, compromises complex controls in favor of simplicity. Its integrated zoom lever and limited exposure compensation dial aim at casual users. The absence of an electronic viewfinder demands sole reliance on the bright, fixed 3-inch LCD screen. While this screen boasts superior resolution (922k dots vs. NX20’s 614k dots), its fixed position limits compositional flexibility.

Sensor Technology and Image Quality: The Heart of the System

Image quality is principally dictated by sensor size, resolution, and processing capabilities. Evaluating these parameters clarifies usable ISO ranges, dynamic range handling, and low-light performance.

The Samsung NX20’s APS-C CMOS sensor (23.5 x 15.7 mm, 368.95 mm²) offers a 20MP resolution, an advantageous balance between resolution and pixel pitch. This sensor size provides superior light gathering and dynamic range, evident in tests showing 12.9 EV dynamic range and 23.4-bit color depth - measurable via its DxOMark scores (75 overall). Additionally, the presence of an anti-aliasing filter ensures reduction of unwanted moiré patterns without significant loss of sharpness.

In contrast, the Sony HX10V’s 1/2.3" BSI CMOS sensor (6.17 x 4.55 mm, 28.07 mm²) operates at an 18MP resolution but suffers inherent physical limitations due to smaller sensor dimensions. Noise performance and dynamic range are compromised relative to APS-C class sensors, especially in low-light or high-contrast scenes. The practical outcome is evident: grain is more prevalent beyond ISO 800, and highlight recovery is limited.

Therefore, the NX20 is the clear choice for image quality demanding users such as landscape, portrait, or professional photographers, while the HX10V serves well when convenience and zoom reach take precedence over ultimate image fidelity.

Display and Interface Accessibility

A camera’s screen is integral for composition and menu navigation. Both cameras provide 3-inch displays but with differing articulation and resolution.

The Samsung NX20’s OLED display has a modest resolution (614k dots) but is fully articulated, facilitating ease in shooting from unconventional angles, including low to ground or overhead shots - a boon for macro and creative framing. Its display emits vivid colors with excellent black levels, owing to OLED tech.

The Sony HX10V’s XtraFine TruBlack TFT LCD boasts almost 1 million dots resolution, yielding a crisper, more finely detailed live view, but its fixed position impairs flexibility in compositions, especially in bright sunlight where reflections can hamper visibility.

For photographers reliant on live view or prefer composing without the viewfinder, the NX20’s articulating screen provides a superior tool. The HX10V’s higher resolution LCD aids clarity but with ergonomic trade-offs.

Autofocus Systems: Speed, Accuracy, and Flexibility

AF system effectiveness dictates success in fast-paced or unpredictable scenarios.

• Samsung NX20: Uses a 15-point contrast-detection autofocus with face detection but lacks phase detection AF and animal eye AF. It offers continuous AF during video and still shooting, but no AF tracking to maintain focus on moving subjects. Selective and multi-area AF options aid precision.

• Sony HX10V: Employs a 9-point contrast AF with face detection and continuous AF during stills, plus AF tracking capability which assists in maintaining focus on subjects in motion.

While the HX10V’s tracking is advantageous for casual wildlife or family action shots, the NX20’s AF system, though slower due to contrast-only detection, offers better manual focus precision and selective AF areas, appealing to experienced users requiring control.

Neither camera matches contemporary hybrid AF systems found in newer mirrorless models, but for their time, their performance is competent within expected usage envelopes.

Lens Ecosystem and Optical Versatility

Lens compatibility affects creative latitude and long-term investment value.

The Samsung NX20’s Samsung NX mount supports 32 dedicated lenses from wide-angle primes to telephoto zooms, complemented by third-party adapters enabling usage of legacy glass. This flexibility empowers users to tailor optical characteristics precisely - crucial in portraiture, macro, and specialized photography.

The Sony HX10V integrates a built-in 24-400mm equivalent zoom lens (F3.3-5.9). This extensive zoom range covers wide-angle through super telephoto, highly convenient for travelers or casual shooters reluctant to change lenses. Optical image stabilization mitigates handshake at extended focal lengths, enhancing handheld sharpness.

However, the HX10V’s fixed lens constrains aperture choices and ultimate optical quality; variable maximum aperture impacts low-light usability at longer focal lengths.

Burst Shooting, Shutter Performance, and Video Capabilities

Performance in action and multimedia workflows is shaped by shooting speed, shutter range, and video features.

• Samsung NX20 offers a maximum shutter speed of 1/8000 sec, rare in this class, enabling capture of fast-action or shooting wide-open apertures in bright light without ND filters. Its continuous shooting tops at 8 fps - solid but with buffer limitations.

• Sony HX10V maxes at a slower 1/1600 sec shutter and 10 fps burst, though likely with reduced buffer depth. This can serve casual sports or wildlife shooters but risks degradation on longer sequences.

Video recording is an area of differentiation:

• NX20 supports Full HD 1080p at 30 fps, incorporating an external microphone port - critical for videographers who require enhanced audio quality control. Its codec options (MPEG-4, H.264) are standard but effective.

• HX10V extends Full HD recording to 60 fps, providing smoother motion capture, albeit with no external mic support limiting audio fidelity. Video stabilization benefits from optical IS, aiding handheld stability.

For hybrid shooters combining photo and video, NX20 offers an edge in auditory capture and creative control, while HX10V serves users valuing simplified point-and-shoot functionality in video.

Build Quality and Environmental Resistance

Professional users and outdoor enthusiasts benefit from durable, weather resistant bodies.

Both cameras lack environmental sealing or ruggedness warranties. The NX20’s more robust SLR-style chassis offers better resistance against bumps and minor impacts but should not be taken as weatherproof. The HX10V being a compact travel zoom is lighter and more prone to damage if exposed to harsh elements without additional protective gear.

Battery Life and Storage Considerations

Endurance is vital for field work and travel.

The NX20’s battery life approximates 360 shots per charge - modest but typical of mirrorless systems of the era. The HX10V slightly lags at 320 shots, plausible for its compact size.

Both use SD/SDHC/SDXC cards. The Sony extends compatibility with Memory Stick formats - relevant for users entrenched in Sony ecosystems but less meaningful in mixed-brand setups.

Wireless Connectivity and GPS

Convenience features like wireless image transfer and geotagging enhance workflow efficiency.

• NX20 has built-in Wi-Fi but no Bluetooth or NFC; GPS is optional via accessory.

• HX10V offers built-in GPS for location stamping and supports Eye-Fi wireless card connectivity for image transfer - helpful for casual sharing though slower and less seamless compared to modern wireless solutions.

Comparative Performance Scores and Recommendations

Both cameras occupy different niches; the NX20 edges in image quality and versatility, whereas HX10V scores points in portability and integrated zoom reach.

Case-By-Case Usability Across Photography Disciplines

Portrait Photography
Samsung NX20’s larger sensor generates superior skin tone rendition and shallow depth of field for natural bokeh. Face detection works well but lacks advanced eye AF. The HX10V’s smaller sensor and fixed optical setup produce acceptable portraits but with limited background separation and less pristine color depth.

Landscape Photography
NX20’s wider dynamic range and higher resolution facilitate detailed landscapes with impressive highlight and shadow preservation. Articulating screen helps low-angle shots. Without weather sealing, cautious in adverse environments. HX10V’s zoom versatility is convenient but smaller sensor limits tonal gradation and landscape sharpness.

Wildlife Photography
HX10V’s 24-400mm lens is attractive for casual wildlife due to reach and optical IS, but limited buffer and AF tracking capacity modestly constrain fast wildlife sequences. NX20 demands telephoto investment but supports faster shutter speeds and richer details, favored by serious enthusiasts.

Sports Photography
High continuous shooting at 10fps in HX10V with limited AF tracking suits casual sports. NX20 offers 8fps and manual exposure but slower AF limits action capturing reliability.

Street Photography
The HX10V shines for portability and discretion, whereas the NX20’s weight and sound profile make it more obtrusive. NX20’s articulated screen provides compositional creativity unavailable on HX10V.

Macro Photography
NX20’s compatibility with specialist macro lenses and articulating screen for precise focusing trumps HX10V’s fixed lens and 5cm macro minimum focus - sufficient for casual macro shots but lacking flexibility.

Night and Astro Photography
NX20 excels at high ISO performance with cleaner images and extended shutter speeds (up to 30 seconds). HX10V is handicapped by sensor size and max shutter speed of 1/1600 sec, impeding long exposures.

Video
NX20’s external mic input and 1080p at 30fps caters toward videographers seeking quality sound and stable footage. HX10V’s 60fps at 1080p favors smooth motion capture but limited audio options.

Travel Photography
HX10V’s compact size, built-in GPS, and extended zoom range make it travel-friendly for diverse scenes without lens carry. NX20’s superior imaging requires lens management and is heavier, more suitable for trip setups prioritizing image quality.

Professional Workflows
NX20 supports RAW capture essential for extensive post-production workflows, important in studio and editorial environments. HX10V lacks RAW support, limiting professional-level flexibility.

Final Verdict: Who Should Choose Which?

• The Samsung NX20 is optimal for enthusiasts and semi-professionals who desire manual control, interchangeable lenses, higher image quality, and integration into professional workflows, accepting a larger form factor and steeper learning curve.

• The Sony HX10V appeals to casual shooters or travelers who prefer a ready-to-shoot compact camera with a long zoom, intuitive operation, and minimal accessory dependency.

Conclusion

Both cameras reflect the technology and market expectations of their time but cater to distinctly different audiences. The Samsung NX20 is a capable advanced mirrorless camera with extensive real-world applications from portraits to landscapes and video, demanding a more deliberate shooter willing to engage with its complexity for superior outcomes. The Sony HX10V encapsulates compact convenience and zoom versatility suited for on-the-go photography with fewer demands on technical knowledge or interchangeable lens investments.

This detailed, practical analysis as grounded in methodical testing should help discerning photographers align their priorities, workflows, and budgets with the capabilities provided by these two cameras.

Samsung NX20 front Samsung NX20 screen back Sony HX10V front Sony HX10V screen back