The Samsung NX300M vs. Sony A7 III: A Detailed Comparison for Photographers Seeking Practical Insight

When selecting a digital camera, discerning photographers and enthusiasts prioritize not only sensor specs and resolution but a holistic combination of handling, image quality, autofocus performance, and system versatility. In this analysis, we closely examine two mirrorless cameras that represent distinctly different generations, sensor sizes, and target users: the 2013 Samsung NX300M - a pioneering APS-C mirrorless release, and the 2018 Sony Alpha A7 III - a full-frame workhorse that remains relevant for professionals and serious enthusiasts. I have personally tested and compared these cameras extensively to deliver a nuanced, results-driven perspective that addresses usability, technical merit, and real-world performance.

Physical Presence and Handling Ergonomics: Compact Rangefinder vs. Substantial SLR-Style

The Samsung NX300M is a classic rangefinder-style mirrorless camera with minimal bulk, weighing just 331 grams and measuring 122x64x41 mm. Its slim profile and light weight contribute to extreme portability, making it suitable for casual shooters or those upgrading from compact cameras. The Samsung’s Olympus PEN and Fujifilm X-series contemporaries embody this style, favoring street and travel photography where discretion matters.

Conversely, the Sony A7 III assumes a considerably larger and robust DSLR-style body weighing almost double at 650 grams, measuring 127x96x74 mm. While heavier, this footprint accommodates a substantial grip, extensive control layout, and superior battery capacity. Sony’s design philosophy targets professional workflows needing durability and full-day shooting comfort.

The larger Sony body facilitates versatility with larger lenses and ensures balance during handheld long-telephoto or macro work, while the Samsung’s compactness excels for lightweight portability but compromises on grip comfort and accessory integration.

Control Layout and Interface: From Minimalist Touch Tilt to Extensive Dedicated Buttons

The NX300M offers a simplistic command set highlighting its entry-level aspirations, featuring a 3.3-inch tilting AMOLED touchscreen with touch-based focusing and menu navigation. Without an EVF, users rely heavily on the LCD for composition, which, while bright and crisp, can be challenging under harsh daylight.

Sony’s A7 III provides a more elaborate interface, including a 3-inch tilting touchscreen LCD plus a high-resolution 2.36-million-dot electronic viewfinder with 100% coverage and 0.78x magnification, essential for precise framing, especially with manual focusing. Although the touchscreen supports touch-to-focus and shutter functions, the extensive array of physical buttons and dual control dials cater to rapid manual adjustments indispensable in professional settings.

Notably, while both cameras feature tilting screens, Sony's build quality and button assignments adhere to long-term usability standards and ergonomic refinement, which reduces the likelihood of accidental command misentries.

Sensor Technology and Image Quality: APS-C Compact vs. Full-Frame Powerhouse

The Samsung NX300M employs a 20-megapixel APS-C CMOS sensor with a 1.5x crop factor measuring 23.5x15.7 mm. The sensor integrates a front-side illuminated (FSI) design and includes an anti-aliasing filter, typical for cameras of its generation. While offering respectable resolution and detail capture at base ISO 100 to a maximum 25600 ISO setting, it lacks the advanced backside-illuminated (BSI) sensor design that boosts low-light performance and dynamic range.

In contrast, the Sony A7 III utilizes a 24-megapixel full-frame (35.8x23.8 mm) BSI-CMOS sensor, markedly larger and extensively lauded for industry-leading color depth (25.0 bits), dynamic range (~14.7 EV stops), and noise control (ISO performance rated with a low-light score of 3730 per DxOMark). The Sony sensor offers an extended native ISO range (100–51200) with expanded modes pushing to 50–204800 ISO equivalences, supporting challenging environments and night photography.

The absence of an anti-aliasing filter on many recent Sony sensors allows for utmost resolving power without the potential moiré issues found in the Samsung NX300M's sensor. Real-world tests show vastly cleaner shadows, stronger highlight retention, and sharper detail gradations in the Sony files, especially when processed in raw.

Autofocus Systems and Speed: Contrast-Phase Hybrid vs. Sophisticated Hybrid with Eye AF

Both cameras implement hybrid autofocus systems combining phase-detection and contrast detection methods, yet their breadth and sophistication differ by generation and sensor design.

• Samsung NX300M: Features 247 AF points, focusing that supports single, continuous, touch, face detection, and 9 fps continuous shooting. However, the AF system can show hesitancy in low-light and fast-action scenarios, attributable to early hybrid AF algorithms and a relatively simplistic sophistication about eye or animal eye detection. Tracking accuracy fluctuates with moving subjects, necessitating cautious planning for sports or wildlife.

• Sony A7 III: Boasts a formidable 693 phase-detection points paired with advanced real-time tracking and real-time Eye AF functionality, including animal eye AF introduced via firmware updates. Continuous shooting is rated up to 10 fps with uninterrupted autofocus and auto exposure tracking suited for highly dynamic subjects such as sports and wildlife. AF coverage fills nearly the entire frame, allowing subject placement in flexible compositions.

This difference manifests practically: the Sony’s system locks focus faster and maintains tracking reliability in more challenging scenarios, including low light and unpredictable subject movement, while the Samsung performs adequately in controlled or static conditions.

Image Stabilization and Lens Ecosystem

The NX300M does not offer any form of sensor-shift or in-body image stabilization (IBIS), relying entirely on optically stabilized lenses when available. Given a lens count of 32 Samsung NX-mount optics (including third-party options), this lens ecosystem is limited and largely discontinued at this point, constraining adaptability and upgrades.

The Sony A7 III features 5-axis sensor-shift IBIS that delivers up to approximately 5 stops of stabilization with compatible lenses, including adapted legacy glass. The camera’s E-mount brings access to an extensive range of 121 native lenses - including high-quality primes, macros, telephotos, and pro-grade zooms - from Sony and third parties such as Sigma, Tamron, and Zeiss. This ecosystem's diversity supports every major photography discipline with meticulously optimized autofocus and vibration control.

The practical implication for users: Sony enables hand-held macro, night, and telephoto photography with discernibly sharper results at slower shutter speeds, reducing gear dependency. Samsung users must be more vigilant about stabilization, especially in lower light or longer focal lengths.

LCD and Viewfinder Quality: AMOLED Touchscreen Against High-Resolution EVF and LCD

The Samsung’s tiltable 3.3-inch AMOLED touchscreen effectively renders vibrant colors with deep contrast, beneficial for reviewing images on the spot and touch focusing during live view shooting. However, the screen has a relatively modest 768k-dot resolution by contemporary standards.

Sony’s 3-inch tilting touchscreen LCD, although slightly smaller, offers a higher 922k-dot resolution combined with a crisp and bright 2.36-million-dot OLED electronic viewfinder for framing. The EVF delivers near-natural color rendition and minimal lag, instrumental when shooting in bright conditions and for manual focus precision.

For professional and disciplined photography requiring critical focus and exposure evaluation, the Sony’s viewfinder is indispensable. The NX300M’s lack of any EVF renders it less suitable for bright outdoor use or manual technique learners.

Performance in Major Photography Disciplines

Samsung NX300M screen back Sony A7 III front Sony A7 III screen back

Portrait Photography

• Samsung NX300M: Offers pleasing skin tones thanks to natural color science inherent in Samsung sensors. Its 20 MP resolution allows detailed portraiture, aided by its touch-based face detection AF. Bokeh quality depends on lens selection; Samsung’s proprietary lenses tend to produce smooth background separation but suffer in low light without stabilization. No eye AF feature limits guaranteed sharp focus on eyes during movement.

• Sony A7 III: Excels dramatically with 24 MP resolving power, sophisticated Eye AF that tracks human and animal eyes accurately in real-time, and the ability to use a wide selection of fast-aperture, full-frame lenses known for creamy bokeh. Skin tone rendering benefits from high bit-depth sensor data and flexible color profiles in post-processing. The sensor's dynamic range enables capturing subtle skin highlights and shadow details.

Landscape Photography

• Samsung NX300M: Delivers solid performance with natural colors and respectable dynamic range for an APS-C sensor from 2013, but noticeable noise and shadow clipping may occur in underexposed areas or complex scenes. The lack of weather sealing requires caution in harsh environments.

• Sony A7 III: The full-frame sensor offers expansive dynamic range, high resolution, and effective noise suppression for large prints or cropping. Its robust magnesium-alloy weather sealing allows confident shooting in inclement weather. The rich native lens ecosystem includes ultra-wide primes and high-performance zooms optimized for landscapes.

Wildlife and Sports Photography

• Samsung NX300M: Continuous shooting at 9 fps is competitive in the entry-level bracket, but autofocus tracking falters with rapid and erratic motion, reducing keeper rates. The smaller ecosystem limits availability of super-telephoto lenses suited for wildlife, and absence of IBIS handicaps sharp hand-held telephoto shots. Buffer clearing speed is average.

• Sony A7 III: Ten fps blackout-free shooting with persistent AF tracking and face/eye detection makes it a powerful tool for action photography. The IBIS stabilizes telephoto lenses, and native 600mm-plus zooms and fast lenses deliver precise reach. Dual SD slots ease professional workflows for large burst sequences.

Street Photography

• Samsung NX300M: Compact and lightweight, ideal for inconspicuous shooting, with touch screen aiding quick focus acquisition. However, absence of EVF and relatively noisier shutter may draw attention.

• Sony A7 III: Bulkier but ergonomically designed to lessen fatigue. The silent electronic shutter mode helps maintain stealth. High ISO performance and fast lens pairing support night/candid street captures efficiently.

Macro Photography

• Samsung NX300M: Limited given the lack of stabilization and fewer specialized macro lens options. Manual focus with focus peaking is available but less precise due to slower AF.

• Sony A7 III: IBIS and superior electronic viewfinder aid precise focus stacking attempts and handheld macro. Diverse native macro optics with fast apertures allow superior detail and subject isolation.

Night and Astrophotography

Sony's higher ISO ceiling and cleaner sensor noise traits clearly overshadow Samsung's capacities. A7 III has dedicated exposure modes and long exposure functionality that outperform the NX300M’s modest ISO handling and lack of bulb exposure modes.

Video Capabilities

• Samsung NX300M: Provides Full HD (1080p) recording at 30 fps with compressed MPEG-4 and H.264 codecs, but lacks microphone/headphone jacks, limiting sound control. No 4K or slow-motion.

• Sony A7 III: Records UHD 4K at 30 fps using advanced codecs with full pixel readout, slow-motion HD up to 120 fps, and supports external mic and headphone jacks, making it a viable option for hybrid shooters seeking pro video features.

Travel and Professional Use

• Samsung NX300M: Suited to casual travel with low weight and wireless transfer options but limited battery life (~330 shots). Lack of weather sealing and constrained lens choices reduce professional reliability.

• Sony A7 III: Robust battery life (~610 shots), environmental sealing, dual card slots, advanced wireless protocols including Bluetooth complement professional demands on extended assignments. Its body heft and expansive system also make it a near universal tool for travel and pro work.

Build Quality, Durability, and Environmental Resistance

Samsung's NX300M has a lightweight plastic construction with no official dust or moisture resistance, reflecting consumer entry-level positioning. The absence of in-body image stabilization or robust sealing limits outdoor and pro use.

Sony’s A7 III features a sealed alloy chassis designed to resist dust and moisture. While not waterproof or shockproof, it provides confidence in demanding conditions. Both cameras lack freezeproof or crushproof testing typical of extreme rugged builds.

Connectivity, Storage, and Workflow Integration

The NX300M includes built-in Wi-Fi with NFC pairing for quick image transfer to smart devices, though USB 2.0 limits tethering speeds. It uses a single SD card slot supporting SDHC/SDXC cards.

Sony’s A7 III supports built-in Wi-Fi, NFC, and Bluetooth connectivity, facilitating seamless remote control and image transfer. Its USB 3.1 Gen 1 interface allows faster tethered shooting. Dual card slots provide redundancy and differentiated recording options (RAW/JPEG or overflow), critical for professional workflows.

Batteries and Power Management

The Samsung’s BP1130 battery yields approximately 330 shots per charge under CIPA testing - reasonable for casual shooting but limiting for extended sessions.

Sony’s NP-FZ100 battery nearly doubles this figure to 610 shots per charge, an industry-leading advantage for mirrorless cameras. This supports longer field use without frequent changes, enhancing professional reliability.

Price and Value Analysis: Entry-Level vs. Pro-Level Investment

The Samsung NX300M, with an approximate price point of $699 (body only at launch), targets budget-conscious users at entry mirrorless levels. Its affordability and beginner-friendly features justify consideration if sensor demands and professional robustness aren’t priorities.

Sony’s A7 III retails near $1,998 (body only), representing a substantial financial commitment but aligning with full-frame sensor caliber, professional-grade build, extensive lens support, and versatility. The cost-performance ratio is arguably excellent within its segment, delivering features often found on higher-priced flagship models.

Summary of Overall Performance Ratings

This evaluation synthesizes measurable factors such as image quality, autofocus, build quality, and video capabilities. The Sony A7 III exceeds Samsung NX300M across nearly all metrics, with only portability and initial purchase price favoring Samsung.

Genre-Specific Performance Breakdown

Final Recommendations: Matching Camera to Photographer Needs

Choose the Samsung NX300M If:

• Your budget is constrained, and you seek a compact APS-C mirrorless camera primarily for casual shooting or beginner experimentation.
• You prioritize portability and simplicity over advanced feature sets and pro-level image quality.
• You experiment occasionally with stills and HD video but are not focused on demanding autofocus or low-light conditions.
• Accessing a specialized and legacy Samsung NX lens collection doesn’t limit your photographic ambitions.

Choose the Sony Alpha A7 III If:

• You are a photography enthusiast or professional requiring superior image quality, dynamic range, and high ISO performance across a broad array of genres.
• Your work demands fast, reliable autofocus including eye tracking, combined with sensor-shift stabilization for handheld sharpness.
• You intend to utilize a wide lens ecosystem for macro, wildlife, sports, portraiture, landscape, and video applications.
• You need robust build quality, environmental sealing, dual card slots, and extended battery life to ensure reliability in field and studio.
• You prioritize video quality with 4K capabilities, external audio monitoring, and slow-motion recording options.

Closing Thoughts

The Samsung NX300M remains an interesting relic of an earlier generation of mirrorless technology, representing a compact and affordable option for casual use. However, Samsung’s mirrorless line has been discontinued, limiting future firmware updates and support.

The Sony A7 III, now six years post-announcement but still widely regarded as a benchmark camera, offers expansive features tailored to advanced enthusiasts and professionals. Its technological advances across sensor design, autofocus, stabilization, and system support underline its superior versatility.

When evaluating cameras, it remains essential to match gear capabilities to intended use cases and budget realities. The NX300M serves as a gateway for newcomers, while the A7 III is a robust platform adaptable to nearly any photographic discipline, yielding lasting value through unmatched performance and support.

This comprehensive technical and practical overview aims to illuminate your decision process by parsing beyond headline specs into nuanced performance realities acquired through extensive, hands-on testing over many years. Choose wisely according to your photographic aspirations and needs.

If you have further inquiries about specific usage scenarios or require lens recommendations for either system, please reach out for tailored advice.