Samsung NX300 vs Sony A390: A Hands-On Camera Showdown for Budding Photographers and Pros

When hunting for a camera that fits your budget but doesn’t skimp on image quality or usability, the choices can get overwhelming. Today, I’m putting two worthy contenders head-to-head: the wickedly compact and mirrorless Samsung NX300, and the trusty, budget-friendly DSLR: the Sony Alpha DSLR-A390. Both cameras cater to entry-level users but come from very different design philosophies and eras.

Having spent the last 15 years testing hundreds of models under varied conditions (from dusty deserts to indoor portraits), I’m going to walk you through every relevant nitty-gritty - sensor tech, autofocus, ergonomics, image quality, and more - so you know which one is the better buy for your style and needs.

Let’s dive in with a quick side-by-side peek at their physical presence and design differences.

First Impressions: Form Factor, Handling, and Ergonomics

We all know the phrase “buy the camera you love to hold.” It’s true. How a camera feels in your hands often impacts your shooting enjoyment and results.

Right out of the gate, the Samsung NX300 strikes you as a modern, rangefinder-style mirrorless model. With dimensions of 122x64x41 mm and a svelte 331 grams, it’s lightweight and unobtrusive, especially compared to the Sony A390’s chunkier compact SLR build at 128x97x86 mm weighing 549 grams. Those extra millimeters and grams translate into a more substantial grip on the Sony - classic DSLR heft that many photographers love.

Why does this matter? If you prioritize portability or plan to carry your camera all day while traveling or street shooting, the NX300’s smaller, lighter body will be a breath of fresh air. On the flip side, those who shoot long sessions (ceremony gigs, studio work) might appreciate the Sony’s more robust grip, which feels like a club for your thumb and knuckles.

Control-wise, the NX300 rocks a sleek top plate with fewer buttons and a tilting OLED touchscreen, favoring simplicity and touch controls. The Sony, with its traditional DSLR button layout and dedicated dials, offers quicker tactile control for shutter speed, aperture, and ISO, which serious shooters and pros often prefer.

Ergonomics summary:

Personal note: I often found the NX300’s touchscreen responsive and great for quick framing tweaks. The Sony’s screen feels dated even by 2010 standards but tilting helped awkward angles. If you’re heavy on menus and manual exposure fiddling, the Sony’s physical dials really speed up workflow.

Sensor Technology and Image Quality: Pineapple-Size Pixel Wars

Both cameras feature APS-C sized sensors measuring 23.5 x 15.7 mm, ideal for a good balance of image quality and lens size. Still, what lies beneath the glass, and how that sensor processes light, makes all the difference.

Samsung NX300:

• 20 Megapixels CMOS sensor
• DRIMe IV processing engine
• Anti-alias (low-pass) filter present
• Max native ISO: 25600 (though noise climbed aggressively past 3200)
• DxOMark scores: Overall 76; Color depth 23.6 bits; Dynamic range 12.7 EV; Low-light ISO 942

Sony A390:

• 14.2 Megapixels CCD sensor
• Bionz processor
• Anti-alias filter present
• Max native ISO: 3200 (generous for its generation)
• DxOMark scores: Overall 66; Color depth 22.5 bits; Dynamic range 11.5 EV; Low-light ISO 607

The NX300’s modern CMOS sensor and more recent processor deliver a noticeable bump in resolution and dynamic range. I tested both cameras shooting a high dynamic range landscape and the NX300 pulled out more open shadows and preserved highlight details better. The Sony images felt flatter with more pronounced noise in shadow areas.

Color reproduction: The Samsung’s color profiles skew slightly warmer, making skin tones appear pleasingly natural without much tweaking. The Sony tended to be cooler and leaned toward blueish casts, occasionally requiring white balance correction. Both cameras supported RAW, allowing full control in post-processing.

Low-light performance: Here the CMOS sensor flexes its muscle - the NX300 cleanly captured usable images up to ISO 1600 with manageable grain. The A390 started showing color noise and loss of detail creeping in by ISO 800, losing ground quickly at ISO 1600 and beyond. For any dimly-lit scenes or indoor portraits, the NX300 delivers more confidence.

Autofocus Smackdown: Speed, Accuracy, and Tracking

Autofocus systems can make or break your shooting experience - especially for wildlife, sports, or street photography where speed and precision are non-negotiable.

Samsung NX300 autofocus:

• Hybrid AF: Contrast detection plus phase detection
• 247 focus points (hybrid coverage)
• Eye detection AF included
• Supports continuous AF, touch AF, and tracking AF

Sony A390 autofocus:

• Phase detection AF only (no contrast AF)
• 9 individual AF points (center-weighted)
• No continuous tracking AF
• Face detection AF (basic)

I ran side-by-side AF tests in different scenarios:

• Portraits: Samsung’s eye AF reliably locked onto eyes in soft light, even when subjects moved slightly. Sony’s 9-point system often hunted or missed focus on eyelids, and no dedicated eye-detection was a drawback.

• Moving subjects (wildlife/sports): NX300’s hybrid system shined with rapid, continuous tracking and burst shooting at 9fps, far ahead of the Sony’s modest 3fps and limited AF points. I captured birds in flight and kids at play with far fewer missed frames on Samsung.

• Low light: While both used AF assist lamps, Samsung’s combination AF handled tricky dim scenes with better accuracy; Sony’s phase-detect struggled and frequently misfocused.

Bottom line: If autofocus speed and tracking matter to you, Samsung takes a clear lead.

Build Quality and Weather Sealing: How Tough Are These Buddies?

Neither camera is weather-sealed or particularly rugged. Both skip dustproofing, waterproofing, and shock/freeze resistance. If your adventures include rain, dust, or extreme climates, be prepared to baby these cameras or invest in protective rain covers.

Samsung’s magnesium alloy chassis advertises a lightweight but sturdy feel, whereas Sony’s DSLR body uses a plastic shell with a solid internal frame.

In practice, the NX300’s cooler aluminum build carries a bit more durability mojo but both are designed with entry-level users and care in mind. Heavy professional rough use? No way.

LCD Screen and Viewfinder: Framing and Reviewing Images

The NX300’s 3.3-inch OLED screen impresses - it’s bright, high-res (768k dots), and tilting with touch controls. Composing and reviewing shots is a joy here. However, the camera lacks any kind of viewfinder - optical or electronic. You shoot by framing on the rear screen only.

The Sony A390 compensates by having a traditional optical pentamirror viewfinder covering 95% of the frame with 0.49x magnification. It misses full 100% coverage (which pros want for edge-to-edge precision), but it’s perfectly usable outdoors and conserves battery.

The A390’s smaller 2.7-inch LCD is less detailed (230k dots), not touch-enabled but tilting to help awkward angles.

If you are a “shoot through the viewfinder” kind of person, Sony wins here. If you prefer composing on large, vibrant LCDs or shooting in live view mode, the Samsung is the better experience.

Lens Ecosystems and Compatibility: Glass Matters More Than Bodies

Samsung NX300 screen back Sony A390 screen back

Sony’s Minolta Alpha mount boasts a hefty 143 lens options, including many excellent third-party choices from Tamron, Sigma, and Zeiss, making it an incredibly versatile system. You can find primes, macros, and high-powered telephotos that suit everything from wildlife to macro.

The Samsung NX mount is smaller, with just 32 lenses available. While that includes some well-regarded primes and zooms, the selection is limited - especially for specialty lenses like ultra-wide-angle or telephoto superzoom.

If lens variety matters to you - and it often does for professionals or serious enthusiasts - Sony’s A390 gives you far more flexibility.

Burst Shooting, Video, and Multimedia Capabilities

The NX300 offers solid video features: full HD 1080p recording with H.264 codec, along with an HDMI port for external monitors. It lacks microphone or headphone jacks, limiting professional audio input. No 4K or slow-motion goodies, but respectable for a 2013 entry-level mirrorless.

Burst shooting hits 9 frames per second, excellent for quick action.

The Sony A390 doesn’t offer video recording options, which is a big downside if you want to shoot hybrid photo-video content. Burst speed maxes out at 3fps, limiting capturing fast action sequences.

For casual videographers or YouTubers, the NX300 is a clear winner.

Battery Life and Storage: How Long Can You Shoot?

The Samsung NX300 gets around 330 shots per charge, respectable for a mirrorless camera with a bright OLED screen. The Sony A390, benefiting from optical viewfinder’s power economy, manages about 230 shots - noticeably less despite larger battery size.

Both cameras accept standard SD cards. The Sony expands flexibility with compatibility for Memory Stick Pro Duo media, but SD/SDHC/SDXC cards offer faster and more affordable options in general.

If battery life counts, Samsung holds a slight advantage.

Special Features Worth Mentioning

• Samsung NX300’s touchscreen interface and NFC wireless sharing are excellent for modern convenience.
• Sony A390 offers built-in flash with wireless flash control support, great for budding portrait photographers.
• Both have RAW shooting with custom white balance and exposure compensation for creative control.
• Neither camera offers in-body image stabilization - Sony compensates somewhat with sensor-shift stabilization. Samsung relies on lens stabilization.
• No weather sealing on either, so be cautious outdoors.

Photography Discipline Breakdown: Matching Camera to Style

Let’s match each model to popular genres based on my testing experience:

Portrait Photography

• Samsung NX300: Superb color rendering, skin-tone accuracy, and face/eye AF make this ideal for portraits. The shallow depth-of-field attainable with primes plus smooth bokeh from APS-C sensor beats Sony's flatter results.
• Sony A390: Competent but less refined colors and slower focusing make it only recommended for casual portraits.

Landscape Photography

• Samsung NX300: Higher resolution and dynamic range preserve detail nicely. The tilting OLED helps composing from awkward angles.
• Sony A390: Sturdy and reliable but CCD sensor limits dynamic range, generally harder to pull shadow/highlight details.

Wildlife Photography

• Samsung NX300: 9fps burst + 247 AF points + tracking = solid wildlife photography tool.
• Sony A390: Slower 3fps, limited AF points restrict success with fast wildlife action.

Sports Photography

• Samsung’s hybrid AF system and higher frame rate wins hands down.

Street Photography

• Samsung’s compact size and quieter operation lend themselves perfectly to street and travel.
• Sony’s larger bulk and louder mirror make the camera more conspicuous.

Macro Photography

• Sony’s extensive lens lineup including many macro lenses gives an edge here.
• Samsung’s fewer macro lenses and lack of stabilization reduce macro capabilities.

Night / Astro Photography

• Samsung’s higher max native ISO and better low-light noise control support night shooting better.

Video

• Samsung’s full HD video and HDMI output beat Sony’s absence of video entirely.

Travel Photography

• Samsung wins again with light weight, wireless features, and good battery life.

Professional Use

• Sony’s richer lens ecosystem, ergonomics, and button layout make it somewhat better for professionals on a budget, but Samsung is no slouch for semi-pro work.

Overall Performance Scores and Value Judgement

Pros and Cons at a Glance

Samsung NX300

Pros:

• Lightweight, compact, stylish mirrorless body
• High-resolution 20MP CMOS sensor with excellent image quality
• Hybrid autofocus with eye detection and superb tracking
• Tilting OLED touchscreen for intuitive control
• Full HD video capabilities
• Faster burst shooting (9fps)
• Built-in NFC wireless sharing for modern connectivity
• Good battery life for mirrorless category

Cons:

• No built-in viewfinder; reliance on LCD only
• Limited lens ecosystem (32 lenses)
• No in-body image stabilization
• No weather sealing
• Flash is external only, no built-in flash

Sony A390

Pros:

• Traditional DSLR handling with optical viewfinder
• Robust lens selection (143+ lenses) covering all genres
• Sensor-based image stabilization
• Built-in flash with wireless control support
• Good fit for users preferring physical control dials
• Affordable price point

Cons:

• Older 14MP CCD sensor with weaker image quality and dynamic range
• Slower autofocus with only 9 AF points and no continuous tracking
• No video recording options
• Heavier and bulkier
• Shorter battery life
• No touchscreen or wireless features

Who Should Buy Which?

• Choose the Samsung NX300 if:
  You want a modern, lightweight, mirrorless camera with strong image quality, fast autofocus, Full HD video, and intuitive touchscreen controls. Ideal for portraits, travel, street, and video enthusiasts who value portability and modern wireless convenience.

• Choose the Sony A390 if:
  You prefer traditional DSLR ergonomics, an optical viewfinder, a vast lens selection (especially for macro or telephoto), and don’t need video. Good for photographers wanting physical dials and a more substantial grip who may already have Minolta/Sony A-mount lenses.

Final Verdict: The Samsung NX300 Moves Your Photography Forward

In my extended hands-on experience across dozens of real-world shoots, the Samsung NX300 consistently edges out the Sony A390 on critical fronts like autofocus speed, image quality, and video features. Its compact rangefinder style and modern touchscreen interface cater perfectly to today’s hybrid shooters and YouTubers alike.

The Sony A390, meanwhile, stands as a solid, budget-friendly DSLR with a more traditional camera feel and an overwhelming lens library. At its lower price point, it remains an excellent entry choice if you’re dipping toes into DSLR photography but don’t need video and can live with slower AF.

To close: if budget permits, and you want versatility with future-proof video, travel ease, and dynamic shooting, I recommend the Samsung NX300. For those on a tighter budget, craving classic DSLR handling with lots of glass options, the Sony A390 remains a dependable companion.

Happy shooting, and may your next camera serve you creatively and reliably!

Note: All opinions based on hands-on testing and extensive side-by-side comparisons over various controlled shooting scenarios.