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Samsung NX300M vs Sony A550

Portability
86
Imaging
62
Features
73
Overall
66
Samsung NX300M front
 
Sony Alpha DSLR-A550 front
Portability
63
Imaging
54
Features
65
Overall
58

Samsung NX300M vs Sony A550 Key Specs

Samsung NX300M
(Full Review)
  • 20MP - APS-C Sensor
  • 3.3" Tilting Display
  • ISO 100 - 25600
  • 1/6000s Max Shutter
  • 1920 x 1080 video
  • Samsung NX Mount
  • 331g - 122 x 64 x 41mm
  • Announced January 2013
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
  • Revealed December 2009
  • Earlier Model is Sony A100
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Samsung NX300M vs Sony A550 Overview

In this write-up, we will be contrasting the Samsung NX300M versus Sony A550, one being a Entry-Level Mirrorless and the latter is a Entry-Level DSLR by rivals Samsung and Sony. There exists a sizeable gap between the image resolutions of the NX300M (20MP) and A550 (14MP) but they possess the same exact sensor size (APS-C).

Photography Glossary

The NX300M was unveiled 3 years later than the A550 and that is quite a large gap as far as technology is concerned. The two cameras offer different body type with the Samsung NX300M being a Rangefinder-style mirrorless camera and the Sony A550 being a Compact SLR camera.

Before diving in to a comprehensive comparison, below is a quick introduction of how the NX300M grades vs the A550 with respect to portability, imaging, features and an overall grade.

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Reasons to pick Samsung NX300M over the Sony A550

 NX300M A550 
RevealedJanuary 2013December 2009More recent by 38 months
Screen sizing3.3"3"Bigger screen (+0.3")
Touch screen Quickly navigate

Reasons to pick Sony A550 over the Samsung NX300M

 A550 NX300M 
Screen resolution922k768kClearer screen (+154k dot)

Common features in the Samsung NX300M and Sony A550

 NX300M A550 
Manually focus Dial precise focus
Screen typeTiltingTiltingTilting screen
Selfie screen Neither provides selfie screen

Samsung NX300M vs Sony A550 Physical Comparison

In case you're planning to lug around your camera regularly, you should think about its weight and volume. The Samsung NX300M provides physical dimensions of 122mm x 64mm x 41mm (4.8" x 2.5" x 1.6") and a weight of 331 grams (0.73 lbs) whilst the Sony A550 has sizing of 137mm x 104mm x 84mm (5.4" x 4.1" x 3.3") having a weight of 632 grams (1.39 lbs).

Compare the Samsung NX300M versus Sony A550 in the latest Camera with Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Don't forget, the weight of an Interchangeable Lens Camera will vary based on the lens you choose during that time. Underneath is the front view dimensions comparison of the NX300M versus the A550.

Samsung NX300M vs Sony A550 size comparison

Taking into account dimensions and weight, the portability score of the NX300M and A550 is 86 and 63 respectively.

Samsung NX300M vs Sony A550 top view buttons comparison

Samsung NX300M vs Sony A550 Sensor Comparison

Typically, it is very difficult to picture the contrast between sensor measurements only by checking specifications. The photograph underneath will help provide you a more clear sense of the sensor sizes in the NX300M and A550.

Plainly, the two cameras enjoy the same exact sensor sizing albeit different resolution. You should expect the Samsung NX300M to resolve greater detail having an extra 6MP. Higher resolution will make it easier to crop shots far more aggressively. The more recent NX300M provides an advantage with regard to sensor technology.

Samsung NX300M vs Sony A550 sensor size comparison

Samsung NX300M vs Sony A550 Screen and ViewFinder

Samsung NX300M vs Sony A550 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Samsung NX300M Portrait photography advice
Sony A550 Portrait photography advice
77
has manual focus
decent sensor resolution (20MP)
decent sensor size (APS-C)
comes with face detection focus
delivers RAW files
72
you can focus manually
good megapixels (14MP)
nice sensor size (APS-C)
offers face detect autofocus
exports RAW files
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Street Comparison

Samsung NX300M Street photography highlights
Sony A550 Street photography highlights
80
screen tilts up and down
decent sensor size (APS-C)
delivers RAW files
features touch to focus
good ISO range (25,600)
no image stabilization
74
screen tilts
has image stabilization (Sensor based)
nice sensor size (APS-C)
exports RAW files
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Sports Comparison

Sports photography with Samsung NX300M
Sports photography with Sony A550
72
great max shutter speed (1/6,000 seconds)
decent sensor resolution (20 megapixels)
decent sensor size (APS-C)
comes with tracking autofocus
supports phase detect auto focus
no image stabilization
67
has image stabilization (Sensor based)
good megapixels (14 megapixels)
nice sensor size (APS-C)
supports phase detect autofocus
not so great battery power (480 CIPA)
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Travel Comparison

Travel photography with Samsung NX300M
Travel photography with Sony A550
66
features touch to focus
decent sensor resolution (20MP)
doesn't have Timelapse recording
screen isn't selfie friendly
52
good megapixels (14MP)
has built in flash
does not have Time Lapse mode
not so great battery power (480 CIPA)
doesn't posses selfie friendly display
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Landscape Comparison

Samsung NX300M as a Landscape photography camera
Sony A550 as a Landscape photography camera
72
has manual focus
change lenses (Samsung NX mount)
screen is a decent size (3.3 inch)
decent sensor resolution (20 megapixels)
decent sensor size (APS-C)
good ISO range (25,600)
delivers RAW files
no image stabilization
doesn't have Timelapse recording
66
you can focus manually
switch lenses (Sony/Minolta Alpha mount)
pretty good screen size (3")
has image stabilization (Sensor based)
good megapixels (14MP)
nice sensor size (APS-C)
exports RAW files
not so great battery power (480 CIPA)
does not have Time Lapse mode
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Vlogging Comparison

Samsung NX300M Vlogging details
Sony A550 Vlogging details
33
screen is touchscreen
comes with face detection focus
video resolution high (1920 x 1080 pixels)
screen isn't selfie friendly
no image stabilization
doesn't have external microphone jack
9
can't shoot video
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Samsung NX300M vs Sony A550 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Samsung NX300M and Sony A550
 Samsung NX300MSony Alpha DSLR-A550
General Information
Make Samsung Sony
Model Samsung NX300M Sony Alpha DSLR-A550
Category Entry-Level Mirrorless Entry-Level DSLR
Announced 2013-01-03 2009-12-09
Physical type Rangefinder-style mirrorless Compact SLR
Sensor Information
Processor Chip DRIMe IV Bionz
Sensor type CMOS CMOS
Sensor size APS-C APS-C
Sensor dimensions 23.5 x 15.7mm 23.4 x 15.6mm
Sensor surface 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
Full resolution 5472 x 3648 4592 x 3056
Max native ISO 25600 12800
Lowest native ISO 100 200
RAW support
Autofocusing
Focus manually
Touch focus
Continuous AF
Single AF
Tracking AF
AF selectice
Center weighted AF
AF multi area
Live view AF
Face detect focusing
Contract detect focusing
Phase detect focusing
Number of focus points 247 9
Lens
Lens mounting type Samsung NX Sony/Minolta Alpha
Total lenses 32 143
Crop factor 1.5 1.5
Screen
Display type Tilting Tilting
Display sizing 3.3 inches 3 inches
Display resolution 768k dots 922k dots
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch function
Display technology Active Matrix OLED screen -
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder None Optical (pentamirror)
Viewfinder coverage - 95 percent
Viewfinder magnification - 0.53x
Features
Lowest shutter speed 30 seconds 30 seconds
Highest shutter speed 1/6000 seconds 1/4000 seconds
Continuous shooting rate 9.0fps 7.0fps
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 Auto, On, Off, Red-eye, Fill-in, 1st/2nd Curtain, Smart Flash, Manual Auto, On, Off, Red-Eye, Slow Sync, High Speed Sync, Rear Curtain, Fill-in, Wireless
Hot shoe
AEB
White balance bracketing
Highest flash synchronize - 1/160 seconds
Exposure
Multisegment metering
Average metering
Spot metering
Partial metering
AF area metering
Center weighted metering
Video features
Video resolutions 1920 x 1080, 1280 x 720, 640 x 480, 320 x 240 -
Max video resolution 1920x1080 None
Video format MPEG-4, H.264 -
Mic support
Headphone support
Connectivity
Wireless Built-In None
Bluetooth
NFC
HDMI
USB USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec) USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec)
GPS Optional None
Physical
Environment sealing
Water proof
Dust proof
Shock proof
Crush proof
Freeze proof
Weight 331 grams (0.73 pounds) 632 grams (1.39 pounds)
Dimensions 122 x 64 x 41mm (4.8" x 2.5" x 1.6") 137 x 104 x 84mm (5.4" x 4.1" x 3.3")
DXO scores
DXO All around 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 330 photos 480 photos
Type of battery Battery Pack Battery Pack
Battery model BP1130 NP-FM500H
Self timer Yes (2 sec to 30 sec) Yes (2 or 10 sec)
Time lapse shooting
Type of storage SD/SDHC/SDXC SD/ SDHC, Memory Stick Pro Duo/ Pro-HG Duo
Card slots Single Single
Cost at launch $699 $749