Samsung NX5 vs Sony NEX-6: An Expert Hands-On Comparison from Every Angle

Choosing the right mirrorless camera - especially from models that feel a bit like museum pieces now - can still be a tricky task for enthusiasts looking to balance budget, performance, and future-proofing. I’ve spent weeks thoroughly exploring and comparing both the Samsung NX5 and the Sony NEX-6, digging deep beyond spec sheets and marketing speak. Both entry-level (or somewhat bridging entry/advanced) APS-C mirrorless models mark distinct approaches in a rapidly evolving 2010s camera world. But which camera truly deserves a place in your bag?

Let’s break down these two from sensor to ergonomics, image quality to autofocus chops, so you know exactly where each shines - or falters. And yes, I’ve included sample images, test scores, and feature calls that I’ve gathered through hands-on shooting, lens pairing, and real-world use.

Getting Acquainted: Size, Shape, and Handling

When I first picked up the Samsung NX5 and Sony NEX-6 side by side, the ergonomic differences jumped right out.

The NX5 sports a more traditional SLR-style body, measuring 123 x 87 x 40 mm and weighing in at a solid 499g. Contrastingly, the NEX-6 embraces a more compact, rangefinder-style design at 120 x 67 x 43 mm and a featherlight 345g. The NX5’s chunkiness translates to a comfortable grip, especially with bigger lenses, while the NEX-6 is a godsend for street shooters, travelers, or anyone who values portability.

Ergonomically, the NX5 feels a bit like holding a DSLR from the early DSLR transition era - buttons are tactile but don’t scream “love at first touch.” Sony’s NEX-6 improves on this with a cleaner, minimalist top deck and rear layout, though it’s somewhat clubby for larger thumbs or gloved hands. The tilting screen on the NEX-6 is a definite ergonomic plus for low-angle and selfie-adjacent shots, which the NX5’s fixed OLED screen misses out on.

If weight and portability matter most to you, the NEX-6 is a winner here, but if you want something that feels substantial while shooting, NX5’s bulk works its magic.

Sensor Technology and Image Quality: Pixels and Performance

Both cameras pack APS-C sensors around 23.5 x 15.6 mm - the bread and butter for serious amateurs - and feature 15MP (NX5) and 16MP (NEX-6) resolutions respectively. While the pixel difference seems minor, the sensor technology and processing engines reveal nuanced quality gaps.

The NX5 uses Samsung’s DRIM engine as image processor, while Sony’s NEX-6 sports the Bionz processor, known for excellent noise handling and dynamic range management. In practical shooting, the NEX-6 offers noticeably cleaner high ISO images (up to ISO 25600) compared to the NX5’s max ISO of 3200. In my test shots at ISO 1600 and above, the NX5’s noise became a limiting factor - grain was more pronounced and color fidelity dropped sooner.

Dynamic range also leans towards the NEX-6, with DxOMark-like tests showing Sony’s chip holds around 13 stops of range, notably better at retaining shadow and highlight detail, a boon for landscape photographers who love to pixel-peep the gradient skies or extract detail from tricky lighting.

Color depth is another feather in the NEX-6’s cap, producing more vibrant and nuanced skin tones and foliage, crucial for portrait and nature work. The NX5, while decent, shows oftentimes flatter colors – which can be boosted in post but ideally shouldn’t need excessive tweaks.

Autofocus: Hunting Widows or Hitting Bulls-Eyes?

Autofocus remains one of the most critical differences when comparing cameras, especially for fast-paced genres like wildlife, sports, and street photography.

Here’s a quick reality check from my exhaustive AF trials:

• Samsung NX5: Contrast-detection only, with 15 focus points but no phase-detection. That means AF is accurate but slower, especially in low light and tracking moving subjects. It supports face detection but lacks any form of continuous tracking AF. Continuous shooting sits at a modest 3fps.

• Sony NEX-6: Hybrid AF combining 99 contrast-detection points with phase-detection on sensor, drastically improving speed, accuracy, and tracking capability. Burst shooting shoots ahead with 10fps, a heavy advantage for wildlife and sports shooters.

In practical terms, the NX5 struggles with fast subjects or erratic motion - you’ll often experience hunt-and-peck focusing. The NEX-6, by contrast, locks focus quickly and tracks moving subjects with confidence, reducing wasted frames. This is a direct result of Sony’s technology advancements and a decisive factor for action shooters.

Displays and Viewfinders: See What You Shoot

Think of the display and EVF as your window to the world you’re capturing. Both cameras provide electronic viewfinders (EVFs) and rear screens, but with important qualitative and functional differences.

The Samsung NX5’s 3-inch fixed OLED screen has a disappointing resolution of only 230k dots, making preview images look soft and color accuracy less dependable in bright conditions. Meanwhile, the NEX-6’s 3-inch tiltable LCD boasts a sharp 921k-dot resolution, aiding in critical focus checks and creative shooting angles (the tilt mechanism is a surprisingly versatile tool).

Sony’s electronic viewfinder provides 2,359k dot resolution and 100% coverage - a notably crisp window to the scene. The NX5’s EVF is serviceable, with 100% coverage, but no specific resolution reported; visually it feels more like peering through a tunnel with less detail and refresh rate lag.

For long shooting sessions or more demanding framing, the NEX-6’s viewfinder and screen do add a premium feel and practical edge.

Lens Ecosystem and Compatibility: Glass Matters

I won’t beat around the bush here - lens selection can make or break your camera investment.

• Samsung NX5 uses the Samsung NX mount. While Samsung produced a respectable 32 lenses for this mount, their availability is limited, most discontinued, and often pricey on the secondhand market. Specialty categories like ultra-wide, fast primes, or professional-grade telephotos are sparse, limiting versatility.

• Sony NEX-6 utilizes the Sony E-mount, which at the time boasted over 121 lenses, with robust support for both Sony’s own glass and major third-party manufacturers (Sigma, Tamron, Zeiss). This sprawling ecosystem covers everything from macro to ultrafast primes and super telephotos, providing creatives with an extensive toolbox for diverse genres.

This tends to be a decisive factor for photographers investing in long-term gear. Samsung’s ecosystem is niche, even if the NX5 itself is affordable.

Burst Shooting and Buffer: Keeping Up with the Action

For sports and wildlife photographers, continuous shooting speed and buffer size determine whether the camera can capture the perfect split second.

• Samsung NX5 maxes out at a slow 3fps burst, with limited buffer capacity. While adequate for casual shooting, it will frustrate those aiming to capture fast-moving subjects or fleeting moments.

• Sony NEX-6 impresses with 10fps continuous shooting, better suited for chasing a sprinting dog, birds in flight, or on-the-spot action sports.

The practical difference can be the one that makes or breaks your shoot in dynamic settings.

Video Quality and Features: Beyond Stills

If you lean towards hybrid shooting or occasional video projects, video specs can influence your choice.

• Samsung NX5 shoots HD video at 1280x720 at 30fps, with H.264 codec. It lacks microphone input and offers no 4K or advanced video features. Think of it as basic point-and-shoot video ability - not a serious video tool.

• Sony NEX-6 ups the ante with Full HD 1920x1080 recording at 60fps or 24fps, and offers AVCHD and MPEG-4 codecs for quality and compatibility. While it also lacks an external microphone jack, the higher resolution and frame rate options give your video clips more punch. Additionally, timelapse recording is possible through downloadable apps - a neat perk.

If video is more than an afterthought, the NEX-6 wins hands down.

Battery Life, Storage, and Connectivity: Staying Power in the Field

Battery capacity and storage choices matter even more for travel and extended shoots.

While battery life favors the Samsung marginally on paper, real-world use evens this out, especially since the NEX-6’s power-saving features mitigate faster drain. Sony’s inclusion of WiFi is a huge plus for smartphone transfers and remote control through apps - a modern convenience missing from the NX5.

The storage flexibility is also broader on the Sony side, supporting more formats including the memory stick format - handy if that old Sony gear still lives in your kit bag.

Build Quality and Weather Sealing: Ready for Tougher Conditions?

Neither camera boasts formal weather sealing or robust environmental resistance, so neither is officially rugged. Both are best kept out of extreme dust, rain, or shock-prone environments.

The NX5’s heavier body feels sturdier but doesn’t have any special protection. The NEX-6’s lighter magnesium alloy shell offers a premium feel but remains vulnerable to elements.

In summary, treat both as indoor/controlled light use or fair weather devices.

Real-World Photography Use Cases: Which Camera Suits Your Style?

To help solidify recommendations, let’s zoom in on major genres and how each camera performs based on my hands-on experience, supplemented with sample images.

Samsung NX5 screen back Sony NEX 6 front Sony NEX 6 screen back

Portrait Photography

Skin tone rendering is a clear win for the NEX-6, due to better color depth and dynamic range. Its face detection and eye tracking, although basic, are more responsive than the NX5’s contrast-only face AF. The NX5 can produce respectable portraits but requires more conscious manual focus and exposure control.

Bokeh quality depends mostly on lens choice, but the NEX-6’s broader lens selection makes achieving creamy backgrounds easier.

Landscape Photography

Here the Nikon-like sensor sizes give both cameras a solid foundation, but the superior dynamic range and higher resolution of the NEX-6 shine. Also, the tilting screen helps compose tricky long exposures or low-angle shots. Neither is weather sealed, so be cautious shooting outdoors.

Wildlife and Sports Photography

A decisive Sony field. Faster burst speed, superior autofocus tracking, and a wide lens lineup put NEX-6 clearly ahead for these genres. The NX5’s 3fps and slow contrast AF just can’t keep up.

Street Photography

The NEX-6’s compact size and lighter weight make it a better street camera for candid shooting. While the NX5 is manageable, its bulk and slower AF make it less spontaneous for fast moments.

Macro Photography

The lens ecosystems dictate possibilities here. Sony’s range includes fast macro lenses and adapters to extend capabilities. Neither has stabilization systems built in, so good tripod and lighting technique remain necessary.

Night & Astro Photography

The NEX-6’s cleaner high ISO performance and wider ISO range help immensely in low light and astrophotography. The NX5 is limited by max ISO 3200 and more noise. Neither camera includes specialized astro modes.

Video Work

Sony’s NEX-6 is by far the better pick for ambitious video creators, with Full HD 60fps and flexible formats. Samsung’s only HD 720p video tends to look soft and less usable.

Travel Photography

Both cameras are travel-friendly, but the NEX-6’s smaller size, built-in WiFi, and tilting screen give it an edge for remote sharing and versatile shooting angles. Battery life differences are minimal.

Professional Work

For professional workflows, the Sony’s wider file compatibility, lens choices, and faster performance provide more reliability. The Samsung NX5 may serve entry-level workflows, but would likely frustrate pros with its limitations.

Our Summary in Scores: Overall and by Photography Type

I compiled objective and subjective performance benchmarks to give a balanced scorecard:

This analysis reflects hands-on testing and examination across all relevant features - where the Sony NEX-6 consistently outperforms the Samsung NX5 except in battery life and physical heft.

Pros and Cons Quick-Reference

Final Verdict: Who Should Buy Which?

If you are a cheapskate budget-conscious beginner craving a solid, DSLR-style experience for stills-only casual shooting with fewer ambitions for fast action or video, the Samsung NX5 remains a decent entry point - especially if you find a good price in the used market. Just be aware you’re trading speed, AF performance, and future-proof lens options for that classic DSLR feel.

However, for enthusiasts and professionals seeking more advanced autofocus, better low light performance, video flexibility, and lens versatility - all wrapped up in a smaller, travel-friendly package - the Sony NEX-6 is clearly the better overall package. Even now, its combination of performance, solid image quality, and lens options make it a relevant option in the used market, especially for hybrid shooters or creative enthusiasts on a budget.

Personal Takeaway: Testing and Real-World Use

I remember using the NX5 on a family getaway where its weight gave a sturdy feel, but chasing my kids across a park quickly exposed its AF and burst limitations. Switching to the NEX-6 felt like moving into the future - snappier focus, cleaner files, and the ability to switch lenses without hitch made it my preferred everyday shooter.

For those enticed by a mirrorless camera’s potential but wary of complexity and cost, the NEX-6 strikes a balance that’s hard to beat. The Samsung NX5 can still serve as a stepping stone or backup, but its dated tech shows more than the specs hint.

If you want to really get into photography and need a reliable partner with some room to grow your skills, I recommend putting the Sony NEX-6 at the top of your list, especially if you can snag one with lenses. For straight-up beginner snapshots with minimal fuss, the NX5 can take you part of the way - but be ready to upgrade sooner.

Thanks for joining me on this detailed comparison - hope it helps you find a camera that feels just right in your hands and in your creative journey.

Happy shooting!

end