Samsung NX210 vs Sony A9 II

Samsung NX210 vs Sony A9 II: An Expert Comparison of Entry-Level and Pro Mirrorless Cameras

In this detailed technical comparison, we examine the Samsung NX210, an entry-level mirrorless camera from 2012, against the Sony Alpha A9 Mark II, a flagship professional mirrorless announced in 2019. While at first glance these models sit at opposite ends of the camera hierarchy, analyzing their features, performance, and practical usability sheds light on how camera technology has evolved over the past decade and which users each is best suited for. This article draws from extensive hands-on testing experience across numerous camera systems and offers practical, experience-based evaluation focused on real-world photographic applications.

Overview: Form Factor and Ergonomics

The Samsung NX210 embraces a rangefinder-style compact mirrorless design aimed at beginners and casual enthusiasts. Its small footprint (117 x 63 x 37 mm) and light weight (222g) reflect a camera built for portability and ease of use. The absence of an electronic viewfinder (EVF) consolidates its compact size but compromises stability for some users, especially in bright outdoor conditions.

Conversely, the Sony A9 II exemplifies a professional-grade SLR-style mirrorless body with substantial dimensions (129 x 96 x 76 mm) and hefty weight (678g). Its robust construction with extensive weather sealing (dust and moisture resistant) caters to demanding environments and rigorous professional use, while providing a comprehensive control layout and sophisticated ergonomics optimized for prolonged shooting sessions.

Sony’s more substantial body allows for a denser concentration of physical controls, including an illuminated top panel and customizable function buttons - which contrast with the NX210’s minimalist interface lacking dedicated AF-ON controls or dual command dials. The Sony’s articulating, touchscreen rear LCD with high resolution further enhances operational flexibility, whereas NX210’s fixed 3.0-inch OLED screen is limited to 614k-dot resolution and lacks touch input.

Sensor Technology and Image Quality

Sensor Size and Resolution

The Samsung NX210 utilizes a 20-megapixel APS-C CMOS sensor measuring 23.5 x 15.7 mm, featuring a conventional Bayer color filter and an anti-aliasing filter to reduce moiré effects. While respectable for its release period, this sensor’s readout speed and noise control are outclassed in modern terms.

In stark contrast, the Sony A9 II sports a larger 35.6 x 23.8 mm full-frame back-illuminated CMOS sensor with 24 megapixels. The BSI technology optimizes light capture efficiency, providing superior dynamic range and significantly improved low-light performance. The A9 II’s sensor also supports extremely fast readout speeds enabling advanced features like blackout-free continuous shooting and silent electronic shutter modes.

Image Quality Metrics

DxOMark data confirms the technological gap:

• NX210 overall score: 71
• NX210 color depth: 22.8 bits
• NX210 dynamic range: 12.5 EV
• Sony A9 II not formally tested by DxOMark but anticipated to outperform significantly based on sensor and processor benchmarks, especially in dynamic range (approx 14+ EV), low-light ISO performance, and color fidelity.

This translates to more nuanced tonal gradation, cleaner shadows, and greater versatility in harsh light for the Sony.

Autofocus Systems

Focus Point Coverage and Accuracy

The NX210 employs a contrast-detection autofocus system with 15 focus points and built-in face detection. However, it lacks phase-detection pixels on the sensor, limiting its performance in tracking fast-moving subjects and making it more prone to focus hunting in low contrast or low light.

The Sony A9 II features an advanced hybrid autofocus system incorporating 693 phase-detection points covering approximately 93% of the frame along with 425 contrast-detection points. The inclusion of Real-time Eye AF for both humans and animals facilitates precision tracking in portrait and wildlife scenarios. Continuous autofocus with reliable subject tracking at high frame rates (20fps) ensures capture of decisive moments in fast-paced action.

Practical Autofocus Performance

During practical testing, the NX210 autofocus system proved competent for static or slow subjects such as portraits or landscapes but showed noticeable lag and inaccuracy with moving subjects or in low-light indoor shooting. The Sony A9 II, in contrast, delivered professional-grade focus consistency in challenging sports and wildlife environments, rarely requiring manual recomposition or refocusing.

Burst Shooting and Buffer

In continuous shooting, the NX210 offers a maximum 8fps burst rate, with a limited buffer capacity sufficient for roughly a second of full-resolution JPEG or RAW shooting before performance declines.

The Sony A9 II supports an astounding 20fps blackout-free silent shooting with an extended buffer that accommodates hundreds of RAW frames. This responsiveness caters directly to professional sports and wildlife photographers needing high-speed capture without viewfinder blackout or buffer-induced delays.

Viewfinder and Rear Screen

The NX210 does not include an EVF, relying solely on its fixed, non-touch 3-inch OLED display with modest resolution (614k dots). This restricts compositional flexibility in bright environments and complicates precise manual focus confirmation in varied lighting.

Conversely, the Sony A9 II provides a high-resolution (3.68m-dot), 0.78x magnification OLED EVF delivering excellent detail and accurate real-time exposure previews. Its three-way tilting 3-inch touchscreen LCD (1.44m dots) offers intuitive menu navigation, touch-focus, and live-view shooting from diverse angles.

Build Quality, Weather Sealing, and Reliability

While the NX210’s plastic chassis is light and comfortable for casual handling, it lacks environmental sealing, rendering it vulnerable to dust, moisture, and extreme conditions. This limits its suitability for outdoor, travel, or professional applications where durability is crucial.

The Sony A9 II boasts a magnesium alloy frame with extensive weather sealing against dust and moisture, designed for professional reliability in challenging environments - key for nature and sports photographers frequently working in adverse conditions.

Lens Ecosystem and Compatibility

The Samsung NX mount features a relatively limited ecosystem with 32 compatible lenses, predominantly from Samsung and a few third-party manufacturers. While lenses cover common focal lengths appropriate for entry-level users, advanced optical designs including specialized telephoto, macro, or ultra-wide lenses are scarce, restricting creative and professional applications.

Sony’s E-mount system supports over 120 lenses spanning wide-angle primes, specialized macro and tilt-shift lenses, premium telephoto optics from Sony and third-party brands like Sigma and Tamron. It offers a versatile kit for portrait, landscape, wildlife, sports, and macro uses, with excellent optical performance and autofocus integration.

Stabilization

The NX210 does not incorporate any form of in-body image stabilization (IBIS), relying solely on optically stabilized lenses if available. This reduces flexibility, especially in low-light or telephoto shooting where stabilization is critical.

The A9 II incorporates a sophisticated 5-axis sensor-shift IBIS system effective across all compatible lenses, delivering up to 5 stops of shake reduction. This feature greatly enhances handheld low-light and telephoto shooting stability, expanding creative latitude without resorting to tripods or gimbals.

Video Capabilities

The Samsung NX210 provides Full HD 1080p video recording at 30 fps with basic H.264 compression and standard stereo microphones. However, it lacks advanced features such as log gamma profiles, high frame rate options, external mic/headphone ports, or 4K capabilities.

In contrast, the Sony A9 II offers Ultrahigh-Definition 4K video recording at 30p with high bitrate (100 Mbps) XAVC S codec, and advanced features like S-Log3 picture profiles for improved post-production grading, internal 8-bit 4:2:0 recording, plus external audio input and headphone monitoring ports. These additions meet pro video production standards, making the A9 II suitable for hybrid photo-video professionals.

Connectivity and Storage

Both cameras feature integrated wireless connectivity for image transfer and remote control, but the A9 II includes Bluetooth and NFC alongside Wi-Fi, enhancing connectivity options with modern smartphones and accessories.

Storage-wise, the NX210 supports a single SD card slot compatible with SD/SDHC/SDXC standards, limiting redundancy options critical for professional work. The A9 II provides dual UHS-II SD card slots, supporting simultaneous backup or flexible overflow storage to safeguard valuable content in professional workflows.

Battery Life and Portability

The lightweight NX210 offers moderate battery life rated at approximately 330 shots per charge, suitable for casual or travel users.

The Sony A9 II’s larger NP-FZ100 battery supports extended shooting with official ratings up to 690 frames, complemented by fast USB charging and power management features suited to long professional sessions.

Samsung NX210 screen back Sony A9 II front Sony A9 II screen back

Performance Across Photography Disciplines

Portrait Photography

Sony A9 II excels due to its superior autofocus with eye and animal eye detection, full-frame sensor producing shallow depth of field bokeh, expansive lens choices (85mm f/1.4, 135mm f/1.8), and excellent skin tone rendition. The NX210 can produce acceptable portraits but suffers from less refined AF, smaller sensor depth effects, and limited lens options.

Landscape Photography

The A9 II’s broad dynamic range, high resolution, and robust weather sealing favor landscape shooters, especially under challenging lighting and inclement weather. The NX210’s APS-C sensor and less extensive build quality limit its efficacy in this demanding genre.

Wildlife and Sports Photography

The A9 II’s blistering 20fps burst rate, sophisticated tracking AF, and extensive telephoto lens availability (400mm f/2.8, 600mm f/4) make it a go-to choice for these fast-action fields. The NX210’s 8fps burst and contrast-detection AF limit its applicability to static or slower wildlife subjects.

Street Photography

While the NX210’s compactness appeals for discretion and mobility, the A9 II’s size and noise from mechanical shutter may be less inconspicuous. However, the A9 II’s silent electronic shutter and excellent low-light performance still make it viable for serious street photographers prioritizing speed and image quality.

Macro Photography

The Sony benefits from dedicated macro lenses and IBIS for precision, whereas NX210 users are constrained by fewer lens options and lack of stabilization, making handheld macro difficult.

Night and Astro Photography

The low noise floor, extended ISO up to 204800 (boosted), and 5-axis stabilization on the Sony dramatically outperform the NX210’s ISO ceiling of 12800 and basic sensor, enabling superior long-exposure performance.

Video Use

Professionals and hybrid shooters will favor the Sony’s 4K UHD, high bitrate recording, and audio interfaces. The NX210 suffices for basic HD video but lacks the quality and features expected for serious videography.

Travel Photography

NX210’s compact size, light weight, and simplicity offer travel-friendly convenience for casual photographers on a budget. The A9 II provides a versatile, rugged, and capable all-rounder for professional travel photographers requiring one system for nearly all categories.

Professional Workflows

The Sony A9 II supports RAW formats compatible with major professional software, dual card backups, fast high-speed USB 3.1 transfers, tethered shooting, and robust durability. The NX210’s limited raw support, single card slot, and older USB 2.0 interface impose workflow constraints.

Price-to-Performance and Value Assessment

At an MSRP of approximately $625, the Samsung NX210 delivers basic, entry-level mirrorless features appropriate for hobbyists, students, and casual shooters. Its affordability is a key advantage, but it implies significant compromises in speed, image quality, and versatility relative to modern standards.

The Sony A9 II, priced near $4,500 in body-only configuration at launch, targets professionals demanding uncompromising speed, autofocus, image quality, and system reliability. High initial investment is balanced by the camera’s longevity, rapid workflow, and capacity to handle demanding shooting conditions unseen on the NX210.

Conclusions and Recommendations

Both cameras serve well-defined markets and photographic needs:

• Choose the Samsung NX210 if you are:

  • A beginner or enthusiast seeking an affordable, light camera for general-purpose photography.
  • Primarily interested in casual portraits, landscapes, or travel photography with limited budget.
  • Willing to accept operational and image-quality limitations inherent in older entry-level systems.
  • Prioritizing compactness over advanced features like fast autofocus or 4K video.

• Choose the Sony A9 II if you are:

  • A professional or advanced enthusiast requiring elite autofocus, speed, and full-frame image quality.
  • Engaged in sports, wildlife, portrait, or event photography demanding high burst rates and tracking.
  • A hybrid shooter needing robust video capability with audio controls.
  • Seeking a resilient system with extensive lens options, weather sealing, dual storage, and fast connectivity for rigorous shooting environments and workflows.

In sum, this comparison highlights profound technological leaps in mirrorless camera design over the past decade. The NX210 admirably served the entry-level market at its introduction but lacks features and performance necessary for serious or professional use today. The Sony A9 II embodies modern professional mirrorless standards: high-speed, versatile, and durable, yet at a price point commensurate with its capabilities. Choosing between these cameras should be firmly grounded in the intended photographic disciplines, workflow demands, and budgetary constraints.

This analysis is grounded in extensive professional testing and comparative evaluation methodologies incorporating real-world performance metrics across diverse photographic genres, ensuring an authoritative guide for discerning photographers evaluating these two representative mirrorless cameras.