Samsung NX300 vs Sony Cyber-shot DSC-H20: An In-Depth Hands-On Comparison for Enthusiasts and Pros

Choosing the right camera can be a perplexing task, especially when weighing options across vastly different categories. Today, we put two very distinct cameras head to head - the Samsung NX300, a 2013-era APS-C, entry-level mirrorless camera with interchangeable lenses, and the Sony Cyber-shot DSC-H20, a 2009 compact bridge camera with an integrated 10x zoom lens and small sensor.

Though they occupy different niches - one a more serious interchangeable-lens mirrorless system and the other a versatile compact superzoom - examining them side-by-side offers useful insight into how sensor size, autofocus, ergonomics, and other features influence real-world photographic experience. Over many hours of hands-on testing with both cameras, alongside thousands of other cameras in my career, I’ll break down the technical performance and practical usability of these two models across major photography genres and use cases.

Let’s dive in beginning with the physical and user experience aspects, then layer in sensor and image quality, autofocus, and more for a well-rounded verdict.

First Impressions: Size, Handling, and Ergonomics Matter

One of the first physical distinctions between these cameras leaps out immediately when handling.

The Samsung NX300 is a rangefinder-style mirrorless camera measuring 122 x 64 x 41 mm, weighing 331 grams, and with a clean, modern design. The Sony H20, by contrast, is a compact bridge-style camera measuring 107 x 69 x 47 mm and weighs 250 grams. Despite the larger sensor, Samsung keeps the NX300 surprisingly portable and lightweight for an APS-C mirrorless.

In field use, the NX300 feels more substantial and offers a firmer grip, partly thanks to its slightly larger thickness and textured body surfaces. The Sony H20’s smaller size and lens integration make it pocketable, but the grip is less ergonomic - you feel more like you’re holding a point-and-shoot with a long zoom than a serious tool.

Looking at the top, the NX300’s control layout is slick and easy to navigate for beginners yet robust enough for enthusiasts.

The NX300 sports dedicated dials and buttons for mode selection, exposure compensation, and quick access, while the H20 is more limited, with mode dials and fewer physical controls, reflecting its simpler intent. The lack of an electronic viewfinder on both means you rely on LCD for composition, but the NX300 has a tilting 3.3-inch Active Matrix OLED touchscreen with a high 768k resolution that’s both sharp and versatile. The H20 lags behind with a smaller, fixed 3-inch LCD at 230k resolution that feels dim in bright conditions.

In practice, the Samsung’s touchscreen responsiveness - combined with the tilting mechanism - makes framing at awkward angles and focus control easier, which is a marked benefit for dynamic shooting scenarios. The Sony's fixed screen lowers usability in such cases.

Bottom line: NX300 wins on ergonomics and controls for users who want a camera built to grow with their ambitions.

Sensor and Image Quality: The APS-C Advantage versus Small Sensor Convenience

A typical critical distinction between your mainline mirrorless and a compact bridge camera is sensor size and technology. And here we see exactly why the NX300 was an important step forward in mid-2010s entry-level mirrorless.

The Samsung NX300 employs a 20MP APS-C CMOS sensor measuring 23.5 x 15.7 mm with an effective sensor area around 369 mm². The Sony H20’s sensor is a traditional compact 1/2.3-inch CCD sensor at 6.17 x 4.55 mm for only about 28 mm² of photosensitive area, and just 10 megapixels.

This difference in sensor real estate directly translates into image quality gaps you'll notice, especially in dynamic range, low light, color depth, and detail.

Drawing from standardized DXOMark scores and real-world testing:

• The NX300 scores a DXO overall 76 points, with color depth at 23.6 bits, dynamic range at 12.7 EV, and low-light ISO performance rated up to ISO 942.
• The H20 was not formally tested by DXOMark due to its compact sensor, but from experience, small sensor cameras of this era deliver noisier images at moderate ISOs with reduced dynamic range and color fidelity.

What does this mean in practice?

• Portraits: The NX300’s larger sensor delivers smoother skin tones, shallow depth-of-field effects with interchangeable lenses, and less noise under moderate indoor lighting. The H20 struggles to isolate subjects with its smaller sensor and smaller aperture lenses, resulting in flatter, more uniform images.
• Landscapes: At low ISO, the NX300 yields richer tonal gradations and better preservation of shadows and highlights. The H20’s limited dynamic range constrains detail retention in bright skies or contrasty scenes.
• Night / Astro: Nikon serious astro shooters dream of APS-C or larger sensors; the H20’s sensor noise and lower maximum ISO of 3200 means compromised handheld night shots with visible grain and color shifts.

Alongside sensor size, the Samsung’s CMOS sensor benefits from DRIMe IV image processor technology, enabling faster readout, better noise reduction, and better live view performance. The Sony uses a CCD sensor, which while delivering reasonable color reproduction in daylight, does not lend itself well to fast shooting or low light.

To clear the picture:

Samsung NX300 screen back Sony H20 front Sony H20 screen back

Looking through RAW and JPEG samples illuminated these traits - the NX300’s files have more latitude for post-processing, superior detail retention, and truer color reproduction, while the H20’s images appear softer with visible noise at anything above ISO 100.

Autofocus Systems: Speed, Accuracy, and Versatility on the Go

For many photographers, autofocus performance defines usability more than specs. When shooting moving subjects or capturing decisive moments, sluggish or inaccurate AF can ruin a shot.

The NX300 uses a hybrid autofocus system - combining contrast-detection with phase-detection AF - boasting an impressive 247 AF points, a substantial upgrade over its predecessor and an advanced design for the era. This enables fast, smooth focusing along with face detection and real-time tracking.

In contrast, the H20 relies on a modest 9-point contrast-detection AF system without face detection, tracking, or phase detection assistance.

Technically this means:

• NX300: Capable of continuous AF during burst shooting at 9 fps, reliable eye detection (albeit no animal eye AF), and accurate multi-area focus. The hybrid AF helps lock focus quickly even in complex scenes.
• H20: Slower AF acquisition times, no continuous AF during burst (only 2 fps max), and less accurate subject tracking.

In wildlife or sports shooting, such responsive AF can make the difference between capturing an eagle in flight or a blurred bird silhouette.

Thus, for autofocus-critical genres like wildlife and sports photography, the Samsung NX300 emerges as the clear winner.

Burst Shooting and Frame Rates: Catch the Moment

Each camera’s maximum continuous shooting speed also reflects its handling of action.

• NX300 offers 9 fps continuous shooting - impressive for the entry-level mirrorless class at its release date.
• H20 offers just 2 fps burst shooting, a limitation imposed by its processor and sensor readout speeds.

In fast-action scenarios - say sports events or wildlife behavior - 9 fps means a larger buffer of shots to choose from with sharper focus.

Build Quality, Durability, and Weather Resistance

Neither camera offers advanced environmental sealing, waterproofing, dustproofing, or shockproofing. Both have plastic bodies with metal elements but are intended primarily for fair-weather shooting conditions.

The Samsung is more substantial with slightly better build feel and industry-standard dimensions making it easier to find compatible accessories.

Lens Ecosystem and Versatility: Interchangeable vs Fixed Lens

Here, the Samsung NX300 shines brilliantly. It features the Samsung NX lens mount, compatible with over 30 lenses ranging from ultra-wide to super-telephoto primes and zooms.

This drastically broadens photographic possibilities - from portraiture with bright-prime lenses creating gorgeous bokeh to macro work and fast tele lenses for wildlife.

The Sony H20’s fixed 38-380mm equivalent (10x zoom) F3.5-4.4 lens gives a versatile everyday zoom range but compromises aperture speed and sharpness in some focal ranges.

This limitation hinders:

• Shallow depth-of-field work.
• Ultra-wide angle landscape shots.
• Use of specialized glass (macro, tilt-shift, fast primes).
• Future upgrades in lens quality or optical specialty.

For evolving skill sets or specialized fields (portrait, macro), NX300’s lens system is a fundamental advantage.

Battery Life and Storage

Battery life often surprises buyers - it can cripple or empower a session.

• Samsung NX300: Rated for approximately 330 shots per battery, using a proprietary BP1130 battery pack.
• Sony H20: Battery life not officially published, but the NP-BG1 lithium-ion battery typically provides around 300 shots per charge in similar compact cameras of that generation.

In practice, I found the NX300’s battery management to be more efficient when using the screen due to newer technology. The Sony tends to drain quickly during prolonged use of zoom and image stabilization.

Both cameras use a single storage slot:

• NX300 uses SD/SDHC/SDXC cards.
• H20 uses Memory Stick Duo/Pro Duo cards and internal memory.

SD cards are more affordable and commonly available, giving Samsung better future compatibility.

Connectivity and Extras

Connectivity options are another area Samsung prioritized on the NX300:

• Built-in Wi-Fi and NFC for simple image sharing and wireless remote control.
• USB 2.0 and HDMI ports for tethering and viewing.
• Optional GPS module support.

The Sony H20 lacks wireless connectivity altogether, limiting ease of transfer and remote shooting. Both cameras offer HDMI for live output but without microphone inputs or headphone outputs, limiting video workflow.

Video Capabilities: HD, Stabilization, and Audio

Both cameras offer HD video:

• Samsung NX300 shoots up to 1920x1080 (Full HD) at standard frame rates with H.264 encoding.
• Sony H20 maxes out at 1280x720 (HD Ready) video.

Neither offers 4K or high frame rate video modes.

Importantly, the H20 has optical image stabilization built into the lens - advantageous for handheld video. The NX300 lacks in-body image stabilization, relying on stabilized lenses when available.

The NX300 does not have microphone or headphone ports, limiting advanced audio options. The H20 similarly lacks these.

For casual video, NX300 produces better image quality owing to the larger sensor and better processing despite lack of stabilization, while H20 gains in steadiness due to optical IS.

Real-World Photography Genre Performance and Suitability

To further distill practical recommendations, we can examine each camera’s behavior by photographic discipline.

• Portrait Photography: NX300 excels with accurate skin tone rendering, natural bokeh with prime lenses, and face detection AF. H20, limited by small sensor and lens aperture, delivers flatter images - not ideal for professional portraits but fine for casual snaps.

• Landscape Photography: NX300’s dynamic range and resolution outperform H20’s tiny sensor. The H20’s zoom range is versatile, but image quality drops towards telephoto.

• Wildlife Photography: Fast AF and burst rate favor NX300 for capturing fast-moving subjects. H20’s slower AF and 2 fps limit yield fewer keepers.

• Sports Photography: Again, NX300’s responsiveness and focus tracking overwhelm H20’s capabilities.

• Street Photography: H20’s smaller size and zoom give discretion, but NX300’s compact mirrorless design and silent shutter option (up to 1/6000s) lend some stealth. The NX300’s touchscreen focusing and faster startup aid street shooters.

• Macro Photography: NX300 with dedicated macro lenses will yield superior results; H20’s manual focus and macro mode at 2 cm give some flexibility but lower detail.

• Night and Astro Photography: NX300’s larger sensor, ISO range, and noise handling provide better results; H20 struggles with noise and limited long exposure control.

• Video: NX300’s 1080p with better sensor trumps H20’s 720p, though lack of optical stabilization is a drawback.

• Travel Photography: H20’s smaller size and extensive zoom range appeal for vacations; NX300’s lens-swapping adds bulk but higher quality.

• Professional Use: NX300’s RAW support, lens ecosystem, and controls fit prosumers; H20 is strictly casual.

Summary Scores and Final Recommendations

Samsung NX300

• Strengths: Large APS-C sensor, hybrid fast autofocus, interchangeable lenses, tilting OLED touchscreen, Full HD video, Wi-Fi & NFC, solid ergonomics.
• Weaknesses: No built-in viewfinder (electronic or optical), no stabilization, moderate battery life, no weather sealing.
• Price when announced: ~$750

Sony Cyber-shot DSC-H20

• Strengths: Compact with 10x zoom, optical image stabilization, built-in flash, affordable (~$250), simple user interface.
• Weaknesses: Small sensor limiting image quality and noise, slow autofocus and limited burst, no RAW, no Wi-Fi, fixed lens limits versatility.
• Price when introduced: ~$250

Tailored Buying Advice for Different Users

• Beginner / Enthusiast with Growth Plans: Samsung NX300 offers room to grow - interchangeable lens system and advanced AF provide creative flexibility and learning opportunities. The screen and Wi-Fi connectivity boost ease of use. If budget allows, this is the more future-proof choice.

• Budget Casual Shooter / Travel Tourist: If you want an all-in-one pocketable camera with zoom range and basic features mainly for snapshots and family documentation, the Sony H20 is a decent, inexpensive option. Ideal if you don’t plan extensive post-processing or advanced photography.

• Portrait, Landscape, Wildlife or Sports Practitioners: Samsung’s image quality, autofocus, and lens options strongly outperform the Sony compact. For users targeting demanding genres or professional results, NX300 is the clear pick.

• Video Hobbyists: While neither is a dedicated video camera, NX300’s Full HD sensor and processor produce better image fidelity; however, lack of stabilization means you’ll need a tripod or stabilized lenses.

• Street and Travel Photographers: Both have merits; H20 excels in discretion and zoom reach, NX300 in image quality and controls. Consider your style - quiet, fast shooting or zoom convenience.

Conclusion: Which Camera Deserves Your Trust?

Both Samsung NX300 and Sony H20 cameras are products of their times and target audiences - the NX300 pushing mirrorless innovation, the H20 offering compact zoom convenience.

After extensive hands-on testing, I confidently recommend the Samsung NX300 as a well-rounded mirrorless camera for enthusiasts and semi-pros who crave image quality, autofocus performance, and creative flexibility at a reasonable price point.

The Sony Cyber-shot DSC-H20 holds merit as a simple, affordable superzoom compact for casual users but falls short if image quality or speed matters.

Your final choice hinges on priorities: If image quality, manual control, and future-proofing matter - go NX300. If portability, ease, and budget win - Sony DSC-H20 is an accessible stepping stone into digital photography.

Choosing a camera is a deeply personal journey - knowing each tool’s strengths and compromises brings you one step closer to capturing your photographic vision.

Happy shooting!

All technical data and insights are derived from hands-on evaluations, vendor specs, and DXOMark benchmarks to provide an authoritative and practical resource for discerning photographers.