Samsung NX3000 vs Sony Cyber-shot DSC-H300: An In-Depth Comparison for Photographers in 2024

Choosing the right camera can be a quest lined with technical jargon, brand loyalties, and a flood of specs. But it really boils down to how a camera performs in the real-world scenarios you care about. Today, I’m diving deep into two entry-level cameras from 2014 - the Samsung NX3000 mirrorless and the Sony DSC-H300 bridge zoom - to see which holds up better for various photography passions. Despite their age, these cameras still pop up in budget-conscious discussions, and I’ll explain both their strengths and limitations from a practical, hands-on vantage point.

Let’s start by laying out the playing field.

A Tale of Two Cameras: Style, Size & Handling

Before you get lost in pixels and frames per second, ergonomics often dictates your shooting comfort and creativity. The Samsung NX3000 sports a sleek “rangefinder-style” mirrorless body while Sony’s H300 embraces the chunky “bridge camera” SLR-like aesthetic with a whopping superzoom.

When you hold them side by side, there’s no contest on portability. The NX3000 weighs a featherlight 230g with dimensions of 117x66x39 mm. In contrast, the Sony H300 packs in extra bulk at 590g and measures 130x95x122 mm. For travel and street shooters valuing stealthiness, that size and weight difference is significant.

The NX3000 offers a minimalist approach with no built-in viewfinder but a tilting 3-inch LCD. The Sony requires you to hold it like a DSLR with a built-in electronic viewfinder (albeit low-res). If you prefer shooting with your eye to the finder to stabilize shots in bright light, that’s one point for the H300, yet its cramped controls and exaggerated heft may tire your hand quickly.

Speaking of controls…

The NX3000 sports the expected mirrorless simplicity with a clean top-plate and simplified dial that beginners can quickly grasp. Sony’s bridge body exposes more buttons, but many advanced controls like shutter priority or focus area customization are missing, hindering experience for serious amateurs.

Sensor & Image Quality: The Foundation of Your Image

If there’s one spec to prioritize, it’s the sensor - the more capable, the better the image quality and creative latitude. Samsung’s NX3000 earns top marks here with its classic APS-C sensor measuring 23.5 x 15.7 mm, while the Sony H300’s 1/2.3” sensor is minuscule in comparison at only 6.17 x 4.55 mm.

The implications are profound. Larger sensors like the APS-C deliver better dynamic range, improved noise performance at higher ISOs, and superior depth-of-field control for subject separation. Conversely, tiny sensors like the Sony’s struggle in low light, suffer from noise at moderate ISOs, and deliver flatter, noisier images with less subtlety in skin tones and texture.

Both cameras tout a 20MP resolution, but pixel count isn’t everything. The NX3000’s bigger sensor offers punchier details, more highlight retention, and smoother gradations. Despite the NX3000 not having an anti-shake sensor, its higher-grade lens options help maintain sharpness.

If you’re chasing image quality for portraits, landscapes, or low-light shooting - the NX3000 is the hands-down pick.

Autofocus and Shooting Performance: Speed and Accuracy Count

Your camera’s autofocus system is its brain when chasing fleeting moments - critical for wildlife, sports, or street photographers who cannot afford missed focus.

The Samsung NX3000 uses a contrast-detection AF system with 35 focus points, including face detection and continuous AF modes, enabling decent speed for its category, though it lacks phase detection autofocus. In my hands-on tests, it performed well in moderate light but slowed under dim conditions or complex, erratic movement.

The Sony H300, with its older tech and less impressive processor, offers contrast-detection AF but only in single AF mode without continuous tracking - a big limitation. The approximate AF points are unknown but definitely more primitive. Sony’s lack of touch focus and no face tracking translate to struggling with fast or unpredictable subjects.

Burst rates tell a similar story: the NX3000’s 5 fps offers a semi-serious sports / wildlife shooting experience. The H300 maxes at a sluggish 1 fps, making it a poor choice for action-heavy situations.

Bottom line, for subjects in motion or fast-paced environments:

• NX3000 is far more capable and satisfying
• H300 is best reserved for casual, static shooting

Display and Viewfinder: Eye on the Prize

Display usability greatly influences your shooting style and composition.

The NX3000’s 3” tilting LCD has a resolution of 461k dots. Its versatile tilt design allows shooting from high or low angles, handy in street and macro photography where awkward positions are common.

The Sony H300 also sports a 3” LCD at 460k dots but fixed and non-touch, limiting flexibility. It includes a low-resolution electronic viewfinder (201k dots) - which might save battery and help in bright sun, but the small size hampers detailed composition checking and quick focus confirmation.

I personally prefer the NX3000’s tilting screen, which encourages more creative angles and framing. The Sony’s viewfinder was more of a nostalgic nod - usable but rudimentary.

Lens Choices and System Compatibility

Purchasing a camera is often committing to a lens ecosystem.

Samsung’s NX mount - though discontinued - still supports a modest but well-regarded line of 32 lenses, including primes for portraits, wide zooms for landscapes, and macro options. The availability of manual focus lenses and adapters expands creative possibilities.

The Sony H300 has a fixed 27x superzoom lens ranging from 25-875 mm (35mm equivalent), which is convenient but sacrifices optical quality at the extremes. Maximum apertures f/3-5.9 put limits on depth of field control and low-light capability. Plus, you are locked into this single lens with no upgrade path.

I’ve tested the NX3000 often with sharper primes and faster zooms, and optical results are noticeably crisper and better controlled than the H300’s generalist lens.

Handling Specialized Genres: How They Stack Up

Let’s break down typical photographic disciplines to see which camera fits where.

Portrait Photography

Samsung’s NX3000 offers better skin tone rendition thanks to its APS-C sensor, and the option to pair with fast primes produces creamier bokeh - a must for flattering portraits.

Sony’s smaller sensor and fixed zoom result in shallow depth of field only at long focal lengths but image noise and artifacting degrade the overall impression.

Landscape Photography

Dynamic range is a critical factor in landscapes. NX3000’s bigger sensor handles highlight retention and shadow detail much better. The absence of weather sealing is a downside for outdoor shooting, but many entry-level mirrorless cameras share this limitation.

Sony’s sensor size restricts tonal breadth dramatically, often resulting in flat, noisy skies and muted greens.

Wildlife Photography

Here, autofocus speed and burst rate dominate. Samsung’s 5 fps and AF tracking give some hunting power, but still below professional standards.

Sony’s 1 fps and sluggish AF make it frustrating. The 27x zoom is a bonus, but optical compromises at telephoto lengths reduce sharpness noticeably.

Sports Photography

Similar to wildlife demands, sports shooters will struggle with Sony. NX3000 is a tentative option for casual sports snapshots but lacks the pro-level focus systems and high-speed bursts characteristic of modern mirrorless cameras.

Street Photography

For unobtrusive shooting, the slim, light Samsung is advantageous. Tilting LCD aids creative framing. The Sony is bulkier and less discreet.

Both have limited high ISO performance compared to newer models, but Samsung’s APS-C sensor has the edge in low light.

Macro Photography

Neither camera excels in macro by default - Samsung has access to specialized lenses; Sony’s fixed lens includes some close-focus ability but limited magnification.

Both lack in-body stabilization, meaning tripod use is recommended for critical macro work.

Night/Astro Photography

Silent shutter modes don’t exist on either, but Samsung’s higher ISO ceiling (25600 vs Sony’s 3200 max) and better noise control make it the preferred choice for astro shooters on a budget.

Video Capabilities

Samsung shoots full HD 1080p at 30fps with H.264 encoding - respectable but no 4K option or microphone port.

Sony handles 720p HD only, also at 30fps, restricting video quality.

Neither have advanced video stabilization; Samsung has no sensor stabilizer, while Sony’s optical IS is limited by sensor size and lens optics.

Travel Photography

Given size and weight advantages coupled with image quality, Samsung is the more versatile travel companion.

Sony’s all-in-one zoom is enticing, but the fairness of image quality and size tradeoff must be considered carefully.

Professional Work

Both are clearly entry-level and outmatched by modern pro-level gear. The Samsung’s RAW support and APS-C sensor give it some legroom for semi-pro work, while Sony H300’s fixed lens, limited ISO, and JPEG-only recording rule it out.

Build Quality and Reliability: Is This A Camera You Can Rely On?

Neither camera features weather sealing or rugged construction. Both have plastic builds aimed at affordability over durability.

Samsung NX3000’s lighter chassis feels more solid in hand, while Sony’s bulkier plastic feels slightly more cumbersome but well assembled.

Battery life is comparable (Samsung 370 shots vs Sony 350), both respectable for entry-level devices. Samsung uses a proprietary B740 battery, whereas Sony uses common AA alternatives or proprietary batteries depending on the region.

Connectivity and Storage

The NX3000 includes built-in Wi-Fi and NFC for easy sharing and remote control - features hardly found on Sony H300, which has zero wireless capabilities.

Storage options differ - NX3000 accepts microSD cards; Sony uses full-size SD or Memory Stick formats. For long shoots, microSD can be a convenient compact storage method.

Putting It All Together: Where Does Each Camera Shine?

Samsung NX3000 front Samsung NX3000 screen back Sony H300 front Sony H300 screen back

Seeing side-by-side samples, you notice Samsung’s cleaner, sharper images, better color fidelity, and superior depth rendering. Sony images appear softer, noisier in shadows, and less true to life.

Rating these cameras on core attributes - image quality, autofocus, ergonomics - clearly favors Samsung’s NX3000 across the board. Sony H300’s appeal lies mainly in zoom convenience for beginners not ready to invest in lens systems.

Segmenting by genre further confirms that Samsung suits enthusiasts interested in portraits, landscapes, and general photography, while Sony H300 is more tailored to casual shooters who prize long zoom but aren’t demanding on image quality.

Final Verdict: Which One Should You Buy in 2024?

If you’re after image quality, creative control, and future growth, the Samsung NX3000 delivers far more bang for your buck even a decade after launch. Its APS-C sensor, RAW shooting, better autofocus, and lens compatibility allow you to hone your craft and expand system capabilities.

On the other hand, if you want an all-in-one compact superzoom without fussing with lenses, and your budget is tight (~$250 vs Samsung’s near $900), the Sony H300 can serve as a decent casual companion for snapshots, travel, and family photos - with the caveats of limited ISO, slow autofocus, and less refined images.

Recommendations by Use Case

• Aspiring Enthusiasts & Hobbyists: Samsung NX3000. The investment in an APS-C mirrorless system pays off with superior images and greater versatility.
• Casual Snapshooters / Travel Buddies on a Budget: Sony H300. Convenience of zoom and slr-style handling, with the acceptance of image compromises.
• Portrait & Event Photographers: Samsung NX3000. Better bokeh, skin tones, and manual controls.
• Vloggers / Video Hobbyists: Samsung NX3000 (for full HD video); Sony’s 720p video is limited.
• Wildlife & Sports Shooters: Neither is perfect, but Samsung NX3000 edges out with faster burst and better autofocus.
• Street and Street-Style Travel: Samsung NX3000, lightweight and discreet tilting screen.

Wrapping Up: Experience Matters in Your Camera Choice

While both these cameras reflect their era, having handled thousands of cameras over 15+ years, I emphasize that sensor size, lens options, and AF system are at the heart of satisfying photography today. The Samsung NX3000 strikes a rare balance between beginner simplicity and creative furrowing, whereas the Sony H300 trades many of these essentials for zoom reach and convenience.

If you can stretch your budget for the NX3000 (or a modern APS-C mirrorless equivalent), you’ll thank yourself in image quality and shooting pleasure. But for those who crave simplicity with the widest zoom range baked in, the Sony H300 still answers that niche modestly.

Still on the fence? Try to get hands-on time with both. Feel their menus, grips, and test shoot them outdoors. Your photographic style, patience for learning, and future goals should steer your final decision more than specs sheets ever could.

Happy shooting! And remember - a great photo is more about the eye behind the camera than the gadget itself.

Disclosure: All testing was carried out under controlled conditions using standardized methodology focusing on real-world scenarios. Images shown are unedited except for standard resizing.

Images included in this review:

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5. Samsung NX3000 front Samsung NX3000 screen back Sony H300 front Sony H300 screen back