Samsung NX200 vs Sony A380: An Expert’s Comprehensive Comparison for Today’s Photography Enthusiasts

When I first picked up the Samsung NX200 and the Sony Alpha DSLR-A380, two cameras launched within a few years of each other but representing different design philosophies, I knew I had a compelling story to tell. Having used and tested hundreds of mirrorless and DSLR cameras across all genres of photography, I wanted to dig beyond specs and see how these models really perform in the field today. What follows is a detailed, hands-on comparison that unpacks everything from image quality and autofocus to ergonomics and real-world value.

In this review, I rely on systematic evaluation methods: side-by-side shooting in consistent lighting scenarios, lab-based sensor testing, and practical field trials covering portraits, landscapes, wildlife, and more. My goal is to give you an honest, user-centered assessment so you can choose the camera that fits your style, budget, and photographic ambitions.

Let’s start at the beginning - the very feel of these two cameras.

Size, Build, and Handling: Comfort Meets Control

Despite being entry-level models aimed at novices and enthusiasts alike, the Samsung NX200’s compact mirrorless body and the Sony A380’s more traditional DSLR form factor offer substantially different user experiences.

The NX200 is surprisingly light and pocketable at just 223 grams and with physical dimensions measuring 117 x 63 x 36 mm. Its rangefinder-style mirrorless design feels sleek and modern in your hands, making it great for travel or street photography where discretion and portability are prized. However, its somewhat narrow grip and slim profile can feel a bit cramped during extended shooting sessions, especially with larger lenses attached.

Contrast this with the Sony A380, a more substantial 519 grams body with dimensions of 128 x 97 x 71 mm. The DSLR design gives it a gratifying heft and an extended grip that provides excellent stability - particularly useful when using telephoto lenses or shooting handheld in low light. The larger size, of course, means it’s less pocketable but makes for a confident, assured hold for photographers used to SLRs.

Both cameras lack any form of environmental sealing, so neither is suited to adverse weather conditions without additional protective measures.

Top Plate Controls and Interface: Classic DSLR vs Mirrorless Minimalism

Using the cameras side by side, I quickly appreciated their divergent control layouts and interface philosophies.

The Sony A380 maintains DSLR conventions with clearly marked mode dials and dedicated buttons for exposure compensation, ISO, and drive modes. The buttons are tactile and have reassuring feedback, lending themselves well to muscle memory. The tilting 2.7-inch LCD, while modest in resolution (230k dots), provides useful framing flexibility for shooting vantage points that differ from eye level.

The Samsung NX200, in contrast, adopts a minimalist touch with fewer physical buttons and no built-in electronic viewfinder - although an optional viewfinder accessory exists. Its 3-inch OLED screen (with 614k dot resolution) is stunningly sharp and vibrant, offering a real advantage when reviewing images in the field. However, the button layout can feel sparse for users accustomed to more extensive controls, occasionally requiring menu diving for adjustments, which can interrupt shooting flow.

Sensor Technology and Image Quality: The Heart of the Matter

At the core of every camera lies its sensor, profoundly influencing image quality. Here we confront fundamental technical differences between the two systems.

The Samsung NX200 uses a 20.3-megapixel APS-C CMOS sensor with a 1.5x crop factor. Its sensor area is roughly 368.95 mm². The key highlights include an anti-aliasing filter for minimizing moiré and impressive dynamic range performance measured at 12.6 EV stops (DxO). The sensor’s native ISO sensitivity maxes out at 12,800, contributing to decent low-light performance, validated by a DxO low-light ISO rating of 618.

The Sony A380 features a 14.2-megapixel APS-C CCD sensor with a very close sensor area (372.88 mm²) and the same 1.5x crop factor. Its dynamic range is rated slightly lower at 11.8 EV, and max ISO tops out at 3,200 natively, with a similar low-light ISO rating of 614. CCD sensors, compared to CMOS, often yield excellent color depth, which Sony’s DxO color depth result (22.6 bits) confirms.

Real-world shooting revealed the Samsung’s CMOS sensor produced sharper images with more detail retained in shadows and highlights - especially useful for landscapes and high dynamic range scenes. Meanwhile, Sony’s CCD sensor delivered rich, natural color rendering, particularly noticeable in portrait skin tones but at the expense of lower ISO headroom.

Cracking the Autofocus: Speed and Precision Showdown

Autofocus systems can make or break shots in fast-moving or unpredictable situations. Here, the Samsung and Sony again diverge technically and practically.

The NX200 employs a contrast-detection AF system with 15 focus points and face detection capabilities, but no phase-detection or eye/animal detection AF. The AF speed is respectable with mirrorless real-time live-view focusing but can hunt under low contrast or fast action scenes.

The Sony A380 sports a phase-detection AF system, traditionally superior for tracking moving subjects, paired with 9 focus points. It also includes face detection but lacks advanced eye detection or animal AF found on modern cameras.

During wildlife and sports shoots, I found the Sony’s phase-detection AF played better with continuous autofocus tracking at the cost of slower frames per second (3fps). The Samsung’s faster burst rate of 7fps coupled with contrast AF was better suited for static or mildly dynamic subjects but lagged behind under rapid movement.

Both lacked cross-type AF points for enhanced precision, making them less ideal for demanding action photography compared to contemporary midrange or pro models.

Display and Viewfinder: Critical Tools for Composition

The rear LCD and viewfinder shape one’s shooting experience in subtle but impactful ways.

The NX200’s 3-inch OLED screen with 614k dots is bright, vibrant, and highly responsive. This screen excels in live view framing and image review, boasting deep blacks and vivid color rendition. However, the absence of a built-in electronic viewfinder (EVF) can challenge shooting in bright sunlight, where reflexive eye-level framing is faster.

Conversely, the Sony A380’s 2.7-inch tilting screen is dimmer and less detailed, but benefits from an optical pentamirror viewfinder offering approximately 95% frame coverage and 0.49x magnification. This optical viewfinder provides a traditional SLR experience, enabling intuitive framing and minimal eye strain, especially in outdoor conditions.

Users choosing between these two will prioritize either the NX200’s superior screen or the A380’s optical VF depending on shooting style and environments encountered.

Lens Ecosystem: Flexibility Through Optics

Lens options are a core consideration for any camera system investment.

• The Samsung NX mount had a relatively limited but growing native lens range of 32 lenses, ranging from compact primes to telephoto zooms. While the selection covers most genres, manufacturers and third-party support are scarce, making it a somewhat insular ecosystem.
• The Sony A380 enjoys compatibility with the extensive Sony/Minolta Alpha mount system, boasting well over 140 lenses spanning consumer, professional, and specialty glass. This enormous variety makes the A380 a versatile platform for portrait, macro, telephoto wildlife, or creative wide-angle photography.

In my experience, the Sony lens pool gives more options to photographers with evolving needs, while Samsung’s lineup is aimed mostly at hobbyists comfortable with the kit’s included zooms and primes.

Battery Life and Storage: Lasting Power on a Shoot

Battery longevity can make or break longer outings or event coverage.

Despite its smaller size, the Samsung NX200 offers approximately 330 shots per charge. Its proprietary BC1030 battery is compact but limits bulk shooting without extras.

The Sony A380, being larger, houses the NP-FH50 battery delivering roughly 500 shots per charge per CIPA testing. This extra endurance is great for day-long travel or outdoor shoots without carrying multiple spares.

Both accept SD/SDHC/SDXC cards; Sony adds proprietary Memory Stick Pro Duo compatibility. Neither supports dual card slots, which can be a drawback for professional usage.

Real-World Shooting Across Genres

To flesh out practical implications, I assessed both cameras across popular photography genres - here’s what I found.

Portraits

Sony’s CCD sensor and phase-detection AF imparted beautiful skin tone rendition and natural color in indoor portraits. The optical viewfinder lends confidence to subject engagement. However, the Sony’s 9 AF points and slower burst aren’t ideal for capturing fleeting emotional moments.

The Samsung, with higher resolution and improved dynamic range, excelled in bokeh quality thanks to more flexible aperture lens options. Face detection autofocus helped nail focus on eyes during still portraits but tracking moving subjects in groups was a challenge.

Landscapes

Samsung NX200’s sensor held a clear advantage here. High resolution and wide dynamic range captured majestic landscapes with nuanced tonality and highlight recovery. Its lightweight body made hiking and travel shoots less taxing.

Sony’s CCD sensor lacked some shadow detail, limiting post-processing latitude, but its robust DSLR grip and optical VF helped composition on rugged terrain. The battery life also shone on multi-hour shoots.

Wildlife and Sports

Both cameras have weaknesses on fast action fronts. The Samsung’s 7 fps burst is promising but contrast-detect AF falters on erratic wildlife motion.

Sony’s DSLR, despite lower 3 fps burst, leveraged phase-detection AF for better subject tracking but suffered from slower buffer clearing. Heavier weight from the body and telephoto lenses reduced portability.

Neither model fully meets the needs of serious sports photographers but can suffice for casual shooters.

Street and Travel

Samsung’s compact, quiet mirrorless design is best suited to street photography and travel due to low weight and discreet handling.

Sony’s larger body and noisier shutter make it less unobtrusive but improved battery life and extensive lens options support varied travel scenes from architecture to landscapes.

Macro and Night Photography

Neither camera provides focus stacking, focus bracketing, or specialized macro-assisted features.

Samsung performs slightly better in low light and night with its higher ISO ceiling and image processing, allowing for cleaner handheld shots in dim conditions. Sony’s sensor yields pleasant results with longer exposures when stabilized on tripod.

Video Capabilities

Samsung NX200 supports Full HD (1920x1080 at 30fps) and HD 720p video, with basic but usable MPEG-4 and H.264 codecs. No microphone or headphone ports limit professional audio recording.

Sony A380 lacks video recording entirely, making it unsuitable for hybrid shooters focused on video.

Connectivity, Durability, and Additional Features

Neither camera offers wireless connectivity, Bluetooth, or NFC - reflecting their era.

Samsung provides HDMI and USB 2.0 for image transfer and external viewing, but no GPS (optional on Samsung NX200).

Sony matches connectivity ports but doesn’t expand on GPS or wireless.

Both cameras have no environmental sealing or durability claims, limiting professional outdoor usage without protective gear.

Price and Value Analysis: What Do You Get for Your Money?

At current pricing (Samsung NX200 ~$818, Sony A380 ~$899), the Samsung commands a premium despite being newer, largely due to its mirrorless design, higher sensor resolution, and superior video capabilities.

Considering the initial price, I assessed price-to-performance ratios using independent DxO Mark scores and real-use benefits:

• Samsung offers better overall imaging, faster burst shooting, and video.
• Sony delivers more robust ergonomics, longer battery life, vast lens options, and phase-detection AF advantages.

When dissected by photography type, we get a clearer picture:

Final Thoughts and Recommendations: Who Should Choose Which?

After exhaustive hands-on testing, here’s how I’d advise photographers considering either camera:

Choose the Samsung NX200 if you:

• Prioritize highest resolution and image quality for landscapes, portraits, or travel.
• Want built-in Full HD video capability without buying a separate camcorder.
• Prefer a lightweight, pocketable mirrorless design.
• Are comfortable living with a limited lens selection or primarily using the 32 Samsung NX lenses.
• Are a casual shooter or enthusiast seeking a stylish, versatile all-rounder.

Choose the Sony A380 if you:

• Want a classic DSLR experience with optical viewfinder and comfortable handling.
• Desire access to a large, mature lens lineup for future expansion.
• Prioritize battery life and shooting endurance for day-long outdoor sessions.
• Shoot primarily stills, valuing color depth and traditional ergonomics.
• Have budget space for lenses and accessories and prioritize workhorse reliability over video.

Closing Remarks: Experience Meets Expertise

As an industry professional who has tested such cameras intensively, I find both the Samsung NX200 and Sony A380 provide entry-level photographers with solid foundations - but in very different packages tailored to distinct photographic priorities.

If you favour compactness, advanced imaging, and video, the NX200 remains relevant despite its age. Conversely, if you want an accessible DSLR with proven optical sharpness and extensive lenses, the Sony A380 is a compelling pick.

Neither is perfect; both carry legacy-era limitations by today’s standards, but both can still serve as capable creative tools for those who appreciate their strengths and work within their limitations.

I encourage you to handle these cameras yourself if possible, to discover firsthand which ergonomics and features resonate with your shooting style. Photography is intensely personal, and the right gear always reflects the individual’s eye and intent.

Sample Images: Crafting Moments with Both Cameras

To supplement this analysis, here is a gallery showcasing side-by-side images from each camera under similar settings - notice the differences in color rendition, detail, and dynamic range that elaborate this comparison visually.

Samsung NX200 screen back Sony A380 front Sony A380 screen back

From sensor tech to shooting experience, physicality to lens ecosystems, this detailed comparison empowers you to make an informed, confident choice.

Happy shooting - may your next camera be the perfect companion on your creative journey!