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Samsung NX3000 vs Sony A550

Portability
89
Imaging
63
Features
62
Overall
62
Samsung NX3000 front
 
Sony Alpha DSLR-A550 front
Portability
63
Imaging
54
Features
65
Overall
58

Samsung NX3000 vs Sony A550 Key Specs

Samsung NX3000
(Full Review)
  • 20MP - APS-C Sensor
  • 3" Tilting Display
  • ISO 100 - 25600
  • 1920 x 1080 video
  • Samsung NX Mount
  • 230g - 117 x 66 x 39mm
  • Announced May 2014
  • Succeeded the Samsung NX2000
Sony A550
(Full Review)
  • 14MP - APS-C Sensor
  • 3" Tilting Screen
  • ISO 200 - 12800
  • Sensor based Image Stabilization
  • No Video
  • Sony/Minolta Alpha Mount
  • 632g - 137 x 104 x 84mm
  • Launched December 2009
  • Previous Model is Sony A100
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Samsung NX3000 vs Sony A550 Overview

The following is a comprehensive analysis of the Samsung NX3000 vs Sony A550, former is a Entry-Level Mirrorless while the latter is a Entry-Level DSLR by companies Samsung and Sony. There exists a sizable gap between the sensor resolutions of the NX3000 (20MP) and A550 (14MP) but both cameras provide the identical sensor measurements (APS-C).

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The NX3000 was released 4 years after the A550 which is quite a significant difference as far as technology is concerned. Both the cameras feature different body design with the Samsung NX3000 being a Rangefinder-style mirrorless camera and the Sony A550 being a Compact SLR camera.

Before we go straight to a complete comparison, here is a concise synopsis of how the NX3000 grades vs the A550 in relation to portability, imaging, features and an overall mark.

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Reasons to pick Samsung NX3000 over the Sony A550

 NX3000 A550 
LaunchedMay 2014December 2009Newer by 55 months

Reasons to pick Sony A550 over the Samsung NX3000

 A550 NX3000 
Screen resolution922k461kClearer screen (+461k dot)

Common features in the Samsung NX3000 and Sony A550

 NX3000 A550 
Manually focus Dial precise focusing
Screen typeTiltingTiltingTilting screen
Screen size3"3"Same screen measurements
Selfie screen Lack of selfie screen
Touch screen Neither has Touch screen

Samsung NX3000 vs Sony A550 Physical Comparison

When you are going to travel with your camera often, you will need to consider its weight and measurements. The Samsung NX3000 has exterior measurements of 117mm x 66mm x 39mm (4.6" x 2.6" x 1.5") along with a weight of 230 grams (0.51 lbs) while the Sony A550 has proportions of 137mm x 104mm x 84mm (5.4" x 4.1" x 3.3") and a weight of 632 grams (1.39 lbs).

Check the Samsung NX3000 vs Sony A550 in our newest Camera & Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Keep in mind, the weight of an ILC will differ depending on the lens you choose at that time. Below is a front view overall size comparison of the NX3000 vs the A550.

Samsung NX3000 vs Sony A550 size comparison

Taking into account dimensions and weight, the portability grade of the NX3000 and A550 is 89 and 63 respectively.

Samsung NX3000 vs Sony A550 top view buttons comparison

Samsung NX3000 vs Sony A550 Sensor Comparison

Sometimes, it is hard to picture the difference between sensor dimensions just by reading technical specs. The picture below might offer you a far better sense of the sensor measurements in the NX3000 and A550.

As you can tell, both cameras come with the identical sensor size albeit different MP. You can expect the Samsung NX3000 to offer greater detail as a result of its extra 6 Megapixels. Higher resolution can also enable you to crop pictures a good deal more aggressively. The newer NX3000 provides an advantage in sensor technology.

Samsung NX3000 vs Sony A550 sensor size comparison

Samsung NX3000 vs Sony A550 Screen and ViewFinder

Samsung NX3000 vs Sony A550 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Portrait photography with Samsung NX3000
Portrait photography with Sony A550
77
manual focus
sensor resolution is decent (20 megapixels)
sensor size is decent (APS-C)
comes with face detection autofocus
saves RAW files
72
focusing manually
good megapixels (14 megapixels)
nice sensor size (APS-C)
offers face detect autofocus
delivers RAW files
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Street Comparison

Samsung NX3000 as a Street photography camera
Sony A550 as a Street photography camera
81
has a tilting screen
sensor size is decent (APS-C)
saves RAW files
lighter than competition in class (230g)
very good ISO range (25,600)
does not have image stabilization
74
has a tilting screen
image stabilization (Sensor based)
nice sensor size (APS-C)
delivers RAW files
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Sports Comparison

Samsung NX3000 Sports photography details
Sony A550 Sports photography details
56
sensor resolution is decent (20 megapixels)
sensor size is decent (APS-C)
comes with tracking autofocus
slow continuous shooting (5.0 fps)
does not have image stabilization
lack of phase detect autofocus
67
image stabilization (Sensor based)
good megapixels (14 megapixels)
nice sensor size (APS-C)
comes with phase detect autofocus
bad battery life (480 per charge)
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Travel Comparison

Samsung NX3000 as a Travel photography camera
Sony A550 as a Travel photography camera
68
lighter than competition in class (230 grams)
sensor resolution is decent (20MP)
no Time Lapse function
screen isn't selfie friendly
52
good megapixels (14 megapixels)
flash built-in
does not have Time Lapse recording
bad battery life (480 shots)
does not have selfie friendly display
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Landscape Comparison

Samsung NX3000 Landscape photography features
Sony A550 Landscape photography features
72
manual focus
swap lenses (Samsung NX mount)
screen size is good (3 inch)
sensor resolution is decent (20 megapixels)
sensor size is decent (APS-C)
very good ISO range (25,600)
saves RAW files
does not have image stabilization
no Time Lapse function
66
focusing manually
interchangeable lenses (Sony/Minolta Alpha mount)
screen size is good (3 inches)
image stabilization (Sensor based)
good megapixels (14MP)
nice sensor size (APS-C)
delivers RAW files
bad battery life (480 shots)
does not have Time Lapse recording
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Vlogging Comparison

Vlogging with Samsung NX3000
Vlogging with Sony A550
34
comes with face detection autofocus
video res high (1920 x 1080 resolution)
lighter than competition in class (230g)
screen isn't selfie friendly
does not have image stabilization
no external mic port
9
can't record video
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Samsung NX3000 vs Sony A550 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Samsung NX3000 and Sony A550
 Samsung NX3000Sony Alpha DSLR-A550
General Information
Brand Samsung Sony
Model Samsung NX3000 Sony Alpha DSLR-A550
Category Entry-Level Mirrorless Entry-Level DSLR
Announced 2014-05-26 2009-12-09
Body design Rangefinder-style mirrorless Compact SLR
Sensor Information
Processor - Bionz
Sensor type CMOS CMOS
Sensor size APS-C APS-C
Sensor dimensions 23.5 x 15.7mm 23.4 x 15.6mm
Sensor area 369.0mm² 365.0mm²
Sensor resolution 20MP 14MP
Anti aliasing filter
Aspect ratio 1:1, 3:2 and 16:9 3:2 and 16:9
Highest Possible resolution 5472 x 3648 4592 x 3056
Maximum native ISO 25600 12800
Minimum native ISO 100 200
RAW data
Autofocusing
Manual focus
AF touch
Continuous AF
Single AF
AF tracking
Selective AF
AF center weighted
AF multi area
AF live view
Face detect AF
Contract detect AF
Phase detect AF
Number of focus points 35 9
Cross focus points 1 -
Lens
Lens mounting type Samsung NX Sony/Minolta Alpha
Available lenses 32 143
Focal length multiplier 1.5 1.5
Screen
Range of display Tilting Tilting
Display diagonal 3 inch 3 inch
Resolution of display 461 thousand dot 922 thousand dot
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch display
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder type None Optical (pentamirror)
Viewfinder coverage - 95%
Viewfinder magnification - 0.53x
Features
Minimum shutter speed 30s 30s
Fastest shutter speed 1/4000s 1/4000s
Continuous shutter speed 5.0 frames/s 7.0 frames/s
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Expose Manually
Exposure compensation Yes Yes
Custom WB
Image stabilization
Inbuilt flash
Flash range no built-in flash 12.00 m
Flash modes no built-in flash Auto, On, Off, Red-Eye, Slow Sync, High Speed Sync, Rear Curtain, Fill-in, Wireless
Hot shoe
AEB
White balance bracketing
Fastest flash sync - 1/160s
Exposure
Multisegment metering
Average metering
Spot metering
Partial metering
AF area metering
Center weighted metering
Video features
Supported video resolutions 1920 x 1080 (30p), 1280 x 720, 640 x 480, 320 x 240 -
Maximum video resolution 1920x1080 None
Video data format H.264 -
Mic jack
Headphone jack
Connectivity
Wireless Built-In None
Bluetooth
NFC
HDMI
USB USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec) USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec)
GPS None None
Physical
Environmental seal
Water proof
Dust proof
Shock proof
Crush proof
Freeze proof
Weight 230 gr (0.51 pounds) 632 gr (1.39 pounds)
Physical dimensions 117 x 66 x 39mm (4.6" x 2.6" x 1.5") 137 x 104 x 84mm (5.4" x 4.1" x 3.3")
DXO scores
DXO Overall score not tested 66
DXO Color Depth score not tested 21.9
DXO Dynamic range score not tested 11.8
DXO Low light score not tested 807
Other
Battery life 370 photographs 480 photographs
Battery form Battery Pack Battery Pack
Battery model B740 NP-FM500H
Self timer Yes (2-30 sec) Yes (2 or 10 sec)
Time lapse recording
Storage media microSD/microSDHC/microSDXC SD/ SDHC, Memory Stick Pro Duo/ Pro-HG Duo
Storage slots Single Single
Pricing at release $897 $749