Samsung NX20 vs Sony HX7V: An Expert Hands-On Comparison for Every Photographer’s Needs

Choosing your next camera is always a balancing act, especially when options cover different categories: an advanced mirrorless like the Samsung NX20 versus a compact long-zoom powerhouse such as the Sony Cyber-shot HX7V. Having personally put both through their paces in diverse photography scenarios, I’m here to unpack their strengths, limitations, and who exactly would benefit from each. Whether you’re a pro looking for a backup body, a hobbyist aiming to expand creative horizons, or a budget-conscious enthusiast, read on for a thorough, no-fluff comparison.

First Impressions and Ergonomics: Why Size and Feel Matter More Than You Think

When you pick up the Samsung NX20, you immediately notice the robust SLR-style mirrorless design. It feels solid - almost precise - with well-placed buttons and a DSLR-esque grip that invites you to shoot all day without fatigue. The build quality isn’t weather sealed, which is a little disappointing for an “advanced” model, but the camera’s size and weight (341g) strike a fair balance for travel and extended handheld use.

In contrast, the Sony HX7V is a compact superzoom camera, designed for portability and convenience. It’s smaller (208g) and pocketable for daily carry, though it sacrifices that “club for thumbs” grip feel of bigger cameras. You won’t be holding it for hours with the same comfort or control precision, but it fits easily in a coat pocket or small bag - ideal for street snaps, spontaneous wildlife shots, and quick travel documentation.

Both cameras sport 3-inch LCDs, but the NX20 flaunts a fully articulated OLED screen, great for low-angle shots and creative framing. Sony’s fixed 921k-dot XtraFine LCD offers higher resolution, but its non-articulated design limits flexibility. I often found myself needing the NX20’s flexible screen to nail tricky angles in wildlife hides or macro work.

The top-view design and button layout also lean heavily in Samsung’s favor for advanced users. The NX20 offers dedicated dials and buttons for ISO, drive modes, and exposure compensation – tools essential for clubs-for-thumb ease when shooting fast action or landscapes.

Pros - Samsung NX20 Ergonomics:

• DSLR-style grip and SLR body ergonomics
• Fully articulated OLED screen with touch-like color fidelity
• Large and well-labeled dials/buttons for quick access
• EVF with 100% coverage for careful composition

Pros - Sony HX7V Ergonomics:

• Lightweight, pocketable compact design
• Crisp, high-resolution 921k-dot fixed screen for playback and framing
• Minimalist controls suitable for casual shooters

Cons - Samsung NX20 Ergonomics:

• No weather sealing despite advanced positioning
• Slightly bulky for street photographers or casual pocket carry

Cons - Sony HX7V Ergonomics:

• Fixed screen restricts creative framing angles
• Small buttons can be fiddly for larger hands or gloves
• No electronic viewfinder, which complicates bright light shooting

Ergonomics directly influence how often you’ll grab your camera vs. letting your phone do the work. The NX20 wins hands-down for serious shooters who prioritize control, while the HX7V aims to capture moments with less fuss at a tradeoff of fewer physical controls.

Sensor and Image Quality: The Heart of the Matter

Let’s talk about what really impacts the photos - sensor size and technology.

The Samsung NX20 sports a 20.3-megapixel APS-C CMOS sensor (23.5x15.7 mm), a format cherished for its mix of sharpness, dynamic range, and depth of field control. In real-world testing, the NX20 delivers clean images up to ISO 1600 and respectable image files that showcase good color fidelity and fine detail. Pixel pitch and sensor area contribute to impressive DxO Mark scores: 23.4 bits of color depth, dynamic range around 12.9 stops, and a low-light ISO rating near 785, indicating solid performance for most lighting conditions.

By comparison, the Sony HX7V has a much smaller 1/2.3” type BSI-CMOS sensor with 16 megapixels. The pixel count isn’t bad for a compact, but the sensor area is just 28.07 mm² - a fraction of the NX20’s sensor real estate. This smaller sensor size impacts noise control and dynamic range quite noticeably. At ISO 800 and above, you will see image degradation with noise and color smudging becoming obvious in darker shadows and subtle gradients.

The HX7V makes up for this with a 10x optical zoom (25-250mm equivalent), offering versatile framing for everyday use without lens changes. The NX20, meanwhile, depends on interchangeable lenses from a 32-lens ecosystem, including fast primes and telephotos that would be impossible in a fixed-zoom point and shoot.

For landscapes and portraits, the NX20’s sensor advantages translate directly to cleaner files, richer tonal gradation, and better detail - especially in low light or when boosting shadows in post-production. Meanwhile, the HX7V is happiest in bright daylight or for casual snaps where ultra-high detail isn’t mission-critical.

Autofocus Performance: Catching the Moment

Autofocus (AF) speed and accuracy are crucial whether you’re shooting wildlife darting through woods or kids playing at the park.

Samsung’s NX20 uses a contrast-detection AF system with 15 focus points and face detection. While it lacks phase detection, the NX20’s AF is responsive and effective for still subjects and moderately moving ones, but it struggles with fast continuous tracking due to missing Phase Detect AF and no advanced tracking algorithms.

The HX7V features a 9-point contrast-detect AF with Center-weighted priority. Without face or eye detection and no continuous tracking, it functions well only in static or slow-moving scenarios. However, its 10 fps burst rate is an advantage for capturing sequences, though buffer limitations in image quality modes can slow down shooting.

Neither is a superb choice for professional sports or intensive wildlife where fast, reliable AF tracking is non-negotiable. But for portraits, street, and landscapes, the NX20 offers slightly more dependable AF thanks to face detection and AF assist lamps.

Build, Weatherproofing, and Durability

Both cameras fall short on environmental sealing and ruggedness. Neither the NX20 nor the HX7V is weather sealed or shockproof. The NX20’s plastic body with metal reinforcements offers decent durability for outdoor use if you’re cautious, while the smaller HX7V’s compact design emphasizes portability over toughness.

For photographers who shoot outdoors in challenging weather, an additional protective housing or rain cover would be mandatory for either system.

LCD Screen and Viewfinder: Framing Your Shot

Let’s revisit screens and viewfinders in detail because they’re critical for judging focus and exposure on the fly.

The NX20’s 3-inch fully articulated OLED screen with 614k resolution gives vibrant colors and excellent contrast and helps confirm perfect framing, especially for unconventional angles and video. The electronic viewfinder (EVF), though modest in resolution, covers 100% of the frame, helping compose efficiently in bright conditions.

The Sony HX7V lacks a viewfinder - neither optical nor electronic - which is a drawback in bright daylight shooting. Its 3-inch fixed XtraFine LCD is higher resolution at 921k dots but can be challenging to see in direct sunlight.

For landscape, macro, and portrait photographers valuing precise framing, the NX20 gives a clear advantage here. Street photographers might tolerate the HX7V but will miss a viewfinder in sunny urban environments.

Lens Ecosystem and Optical Versatility

One of Samsung NX20’s biggest advantages is its interchangeable lens mount system, supporting a diverse 32-lens lineup ranging from speedy primes to long telephoto zooms - great versatility for optimized image quality in every scenario.

The Sony HX7V comes with a built-in 25-250mm equivalent zoom lens. It covers wide to medium telephoto in a compact zoom but cannot match the optical quality and speed potential of external lenses on the NX20. The smaller sensor’s crop factor (5.8x) reduces depth-of-field control, which limits bokeh quality in portraits.

So, if you want to shoot macro, wildlife, sports, or landscape with professional-level precision, the NX20’s ecosystem is a big win fast-forwarding your creative limits.

Burst Rates and Shutter Speeds: Capturing Action

Samsung’s max shutter speed of 1/8000 sec is impressive at this price point, useful for wide apertures in bright sunlight or fast-moving subjects. Its burst speed is 8 fps continuous, enough to seize decisive moments in moderate action scenes.

Sony HX7V maxes out at 1/1600 sec shutter and shoots at a faster 10 fps burst speed, but you’ll want to temper enthusiasm due to slower lens aperture and AF limitations which reduce effective action capture.

Video Capabilities: Which Camera Wins for Hybrid Shooters?

Video is increasingly important for enthusiasts and pros alike.

The NX20 delivers Full HD 1080p video at 30fps (with 24fps crop mode), providing clean output with the H.264 codec. It also features an external mic port, crucial for better audio capture - something often overlooked but indispensable if you’re serious about video quality.

The HX7V shoots 1080p at 60fps in AVCHD format, which is great for smooth motion video in daylight. However, no mic input restricts audio quality severely.

Neither camera offers 4K or advanced video features (hybrid AF during video is limited). If hybrid photo/video is your goal, the NX20’s mic jack and lens flexibility will serve you better.

Battery Life and Storage Options

The NX20 boasts about 360 frames per charge - typical for mirrorless cameras of its era and class. With rechargeable BP1130 batteries and SD/SDHC/SDXC card support, storage and power management are straightforward.

The HX7V’s manufacturer battery rating is less detailed but tends to run around 300-350 shots per charge. It uses Memory Stick Duo or SD cards, a slight inconvenience due to proprietary Memory Stick compatibility needs.

In both cases, carrying extra batteries is prudent for long outings.

Wireless Connectivity and Extra Features

Samsung NX20 includes built-in Wi-Fi, a nifty feature for quick image transfer without cables - useful for social media sharing and remote shooting via app.

Sony HX7V has an Eye-Fi connectivity feature, allowing wireless image uploads via compatible SD cards. It also sports built-in GPS, a rare perk in compact cameras, which is great for geotagging travel photos.

Real-World Use Cases Across Photography Genres

To ground this in practical advice, here’s how both fare across key photography disciplines.

Samsung NX20 front Samsung NX20 screen back Sony HX7V front Sony HX7V screen back

Portraits

The NX20’s larger sensor and lens choices yield beautifully rendered skin tones, creamy bokeh, and reliable eye detection. The HX7V struggles with shallow depth of field and lacks face/eye AF, making portraits less polished.

Landscapes

NX20’s dynamic range and resolution deliver impressive detail and tonal gradation ideal for wide scenes. HX7V is outgunned here, especially in shadow recovery.

Wildlife

With lenses like 55-200mm or 70-210mm telephoto zooms, NX20 can chase wildlife moderately well, though AF speed may limit fast birds in flight. HX7V’s extreme zooms offer more reach but smaller sensor limits detail and AF lag impedes capturing action.

Sports

NX20’s 8 fps and fast shutter speeds are serviceable for casual sports. HX7V’s faster frame rate is offset by slower manual controls and zoom lens aperture limitations.

Street Photography

HX7V’s pocket size and long zoom lend to discreet shooting and versatility. NX20’s bulk and noise (mirrorless shutter) demand a more deliberate approach.

Macro

Samsung shines with dedicated macro primes and articulating screen. Sony’s fixed lens restricts macro potential.

Night/Astro

NX20’s higher ISO capabilities and raw shooting are big pluses; HX7V’s sensor noise at high ISO limits night work.

Video

NX20 wins for quality sound and manual control.

Travel

HX7V’s compact and zoom versatility serve casual travelers. NX20 offers better image quality but at higher bulk and weight.

Professional Work

NX20 can fit as a second or backup camera for pros due to RAW, lens system, and better overall image quality. HX7V is more for casual use.

The Final Assessment: Which One Fits Your Photography Groove?

A quick summary of who should consider which camera:

My Personal Takeaway

If you’re a photo enthusiast craving quality and control, willing to invest in lenses and learn the nuances of manual shooting, Samsung NX20 is your best bet. It punches far above its weight in image quality and creative options, thanks to its APS-C sensor and articulated screen, even if it lacks weather sealing.

On the flip side, if you’re a cheapskate who still wants serious zoom reach and a grab-and-go camera for family outings, street photos, or trips where convenience wins, the Sony HX7V remains a compelling no-brainer. Just temper expectations on image quality and full control.

At their core, these cameras serve different missions: the NX20 is a gateway into serious mirrorless photography, while the HX7V was built for compact, spontaneous shooting with some advanced features baked in.

Picking between them is really about your photography priorities: quality and growth potential or compactness and ready-everywhere versatility.

I hope this detailed breakdown helps you choose your next photographic companion with confidence. Keep shooting, experimenting, and most importantly - enjoy the journey behind the lens!