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Samsung NX3000 vs Sony S950

Portability
89
Imaging
63
Features
62
Overall
62
Samsung NX3000 front
 
Sony Cyber-shot DSC-S950 front
Portability
94
Imaging
33
Features
17
Overall
26

Samsung NX3000 vs Sony S950 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
  • Introduced May 2014
  • Succeeded the Samsung NX2000
Sony S950
(Full Review)
  • 10MP - 1/2.3" Sensor
  • 2.7" Fixed Screen
  • ISO 80 - 3200
  • Sensor-shift Image Stabilization
  • No Video
  • 33-132mm (F3.3-5.2) lens
  • 167g - 93 x 56 x 24mm
  • Released February 2009
Photography Glossary

Samsung NX3000 vs Sony S950 Overview

In this article, we will be evaluating the Samsung NX3000 and Sony S950, one is a Entry-Level Mirrorless and the latter is a Small Sensor Compact by rivals Samsung and Sony. There is a sizeable difference among the sensor resolutions of the NX3000 (20MP) and S950 (10MP) and the NX3000 (APS-C) and S950 (1/2.3") feature different sensor dimensions.

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The NX3000 was brought out 5 years after the S950 which is a fairly large gap as far as camera tech is concerned. Both of the cameras offer different body type with the Samsung NX3000 being a Rangefinder-style mirrorless camera and the Sony S950 being a Compact camera.

Before getting straight into a complete comparison, below is a concise introduction of how the NX3000 grades versus the S950 for portability, imaging, features and an overall score.

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Reasons to pick Samsung NX3000 over the Sony S950

 NX3000 S950 
ReleasedMay 2014February 2009More modern by 65 months
Screen typeTiltingFixed Tilting screen
Screen sizing3"2.7"Bigger screen (+0.3")
Screen resolution461k230kClearer screen (+231k dot)

Reasons to pick Sony S950 over the Samsung NX3000

 S950 NX3000 

Common features in the Samsung NX3000 and Sony S950

 NX3000 S950 
Focus manually More accurate focusing
Selfie screen Neither comes with selfie screen
Touch friendly screen Lack of Touch friendly screen

Samsung NX3000 vs Sony S950 Physical Comparison

For anyone who is looking to carry around your camera frequently, you will want to consider its weight and dimensions. The Samsung NX3000 comes with physical dimensions of 117mm x 66mm x 39mm (4.6" x 2.6" x 1.5") and a weight of 230 grams (0.51 lbs) and the Sony S950 has dimensions of 93mm x 56mm x 24mm (3.7" x 2.2" x 0.9") having a weight of 167 grams (0.37 lbs).

Compare the Samsung NX3000 and Sony S950 in the new Camera with Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Remember, the weight of an Interchangeable Lens Camera will vary dependant on the lens you have chosen at that moment. Below is the front view scale comparison of the NX3000 versus the S950.

Samsung NX3000 vs Sony S950 size comparison

Factoring in size and weight, the portability rating of the NX3000 and S950 is 89 and 94 respectively.

Samsung NX3000 vs Sony S950 top view buttons comparison

Samsung NX3000 vs Sony S950 Sensor Comparison

Usually, it's hard to imagine the contrast in sensor sizes merely by viewing a spec sheet. The picture here might give you a clearer sense of the sensor sizes in the NX3000 and S950.

As you can see, both cameras enjoy different megapixel count and different sensor sizes. The NX3000 because of its bigger sensor is going to make achieving shallower depth of field easier and the Samsung NX3000 will result in more detail having its extra 10 Megapixels. Higher resolution will allow you to crop pictures far more aggressively. The more recent NX3000 should have an advantage with regard to sensor innovation.

Samsung NX3000 vs Sony S950 sensor size comparison

Samsung NX3000 vs Sony S950 Screen and ViewFinder

Samsung NX3000 vs Sony S950 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Samsung NX3000 Portrait photography highlights
Sony S950 Portrait photography highlights
77
has manual focus
good MP (20 megapixels)
sensor size is decent (APS-C)
supports face detection autofocus
saves RAW formats
26
manual focus
lack of manual mode
cannot use external flash
MP count low (10 megapixels)
sensor size is very small (1/2.3")
lack of RAW files
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Street Comparison

Samsung NX3000 Street photography highlights
Sony S950 Street photography highlights
81
screen tilts up and down
sensor size is decent (APS-C)
saves RAW formats
lighter than competition (230g)
above average ISO range (25,600)
no image stabilization
56
has image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
no articulating screen
sensor size is very small (1/2.3")
lack of RAW files
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Sports Comparison

Samsung NX3000 as a Sports photography camera
Sony S950 as a Sports photography camera
56
good MP (20MP)
sensor size is decent (APS-C)
supports tracking autofocus
max frames per second very slow (5.0 frames/s)
no image stabilization
does not have phase detect autofocus
24
has image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
max fps very slow (1.0 fps)
lack of shutter priority mode
MP count low (10MP)
sensor size is very small (1/2.3")
lack of phase detect auto focus
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Travel Comparison

Samsung NX3000 as a Travel photography camera
Sony S950 as a Travel photography camera
68
lighter than competition (230 grams)
good MP (20MP)
missing Time Lapse mode
doesn't have a selfie friendly display
50
flash built-in
missing Time Lapse mode
MP count low (10 megapixels)
display is not selfie friendly
wide angle not fantastic (33mm)
sluggish maximum aperture (f3.3)
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Landscape Comparison

Samsung NX3000 Landscape photography information
Sony S950 Landscape photography information
72
has manual focus
interchangeable lenses (Samsung NX mount)
nice screen size (3 inches)
good MP (20MP)
sensor size is decent (APS-C)
above average ISO range (25,600)
saves RAW formats
no image stabilization
missing Time Lapse mode
31
manual focus
has image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
can't swap lens (fixed lens mount)
wide angle not fantastic (33mm)
sluggish maximum aperture (f3.3)
tiny screen (2.7")
lack of manual mode
MP count low (10MP)
sensor size is very small (1/2.3")
lack of RAW files
missing Time Lapse mode
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Vlogging Comparison

Samsung NX3000 Vlogging highlights
Sony S950 Vlogging highlights
34
supports face detection autofocus
high quality video (1920 x 1080 pxls)
lighter than competition (230 grams)
doesn't have a selfie friendly display
no image stabilization
missing external mic socket
9
no video shooting
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Samsung NX3000 vs Sony S950 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Samsung NX3000 and Sony S950
 Samsung NX3000Sony Cyber-shot DSC-S950
General Information
Manufacturer Samsung Sony
Model type Samsung NX3000 Sony Cyber-shot DSC-S950
Category Entry-Level Mirrorless Small Sensor Compact
Introduced 2014-05-26 2009-02-17
Body design Rangefinder-style mirrorless Compact
Sensor Information
Sensor type CMOS CCD
Sensor size APS-C 1/2.3"
Sensor dimensions 23.5 x 15.7mm 6.17 x 4.55mm
Sensor surface area 369.0mm² 28.1mm²
Sensor resolution 20 megapixels 10 megapixels
Anti alias filter
Aspect ratio 1:1, 3:2 and 16:9 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9
Maximum resolution 5472 x 3648 4000 x 3000
Maximum native ISO 25600 3200
Minimum native ISO 100 80
RAW pictures
Autofocusing
Focus manually
AF touch
Continuous AF
Single AF
AF tracking
AF selectice
Center weighted AF
AF multi area
Live view AF
Face detect focusing
Contract detect focusing
Phase detect focusing
Total focus points 35 9
Cross type focus points 1 -
Lens
Lens mount type Samsung NX fixed lens
Lens zoom range - 33-132mm (4.0x)
Largest aperture - f/3.3-5.2
Macro focusing range - 10cm
Total lenses 32 -
Focal length multiplier 1.5 5.8
Screen
Display type Tilting Fixed Type
Display size 3" 2.7"
Display resolution 461 thousand dot 230 thousand dot
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch display
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder type None None
Features
Lowest shutter speed 30 seconds 2 seconds
Highest shutter speed 1/4000 seconds 1/1600 seconds
Continuous shooting speed 5.0fps 1.0fps
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Manually set exposure
Exposure compensation Yes -
Change WB
Image stabilization
Integrated flash
Flash distance no built-in flash 3.50 m
Flash settings no built-in flash Auto, On, Off, Red-Eye reduction, Slow Sync
Hot shoe
AE bracketing
White balance bracketing
Exposure
Multisegment metering
Average metering
Spot metering
Partial metering
AF area metering
Center weighted metering
Video features
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 Motion JPEG
Mic input
Headphone input
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 proofing
Dust proofing
Shock proofing
Crush proofing
Freeze proofing
Weight 230 gr (0.51 lbs) 167 gr (0.37 lbs)
Dimensions 117 x 66 x 39mm (4.6" x 2.6" x 1.5") 93 x 56 x 24mm (3.7" x 2.2" x 0.9")
DXO scores
DXO All around rating not tested not tested
DXO Color Depth rating not tested not tested
DXO Dynamic range rating not tested not tested
DXO Low light rating not tested not tested
Other
Battery life 370 photographs -
Style of battery Battery Pack -
Battery ID B740 -
Self timer Yes (2-30 sec) Yes (2 or 10 sec)
Time lapse feature
Type of storage microSD/microSDHC/microSDXC Memory Stick Duo / Pro Duo, Internal
Storage slots Single Single
Cost at launch $897 $130