Samsung NX5 vs Sony NEX-F3: An In-Depth Comparison for Photography Enthusiasts

Choosing the right mirrorless camera as an entry-level shooter or even a budget-conscious professional can be daunting. Two notable contenders from the early 2010s - Samsung’s NX5 and Sony’s NEX-F3 - offer similarly approachable feature sets but diverge significantly in technology, ergonomics, and overall usability. Having spent years testing both cameras across various photography styles, I bring you an authoritative comparison highlighting practical performance, technical strengths, and real-world value.

Whether you prioritize portraits, landscapes, wildlife, or video, this detailed look will help you decide which camera aligns better with your creative goals - and if either still holds up for today’s shooting demands.

Getting a Feel: Size, Build, and Ergonomics

Before diving into sensor specs and autofocus, as someone who often shoots handheld for long stretches, ergonomics really shape the user experience.

Samsung NX5 sports a traditional SLR-style mirrorless body that feels solid and reasonably compact at 123x87x40mm with a weight of 499g. The grip is comfortable for me, especially with medium-sized lenses, balancing well in hand without feeling bulky. Build quality leans towards the plastic end but remains sturdy enough for everyday casual use.

In contrast, the Sony NEX-F3 has a rangefinder-style design, smaller and lighter - 117x67x42 mm and only 314g. Its compactness and reduced weight made it a joy to carry all day, particularly for street or travel photography when you want to remain unobtrusive.

Examining the top view control layouts underscores the ergonomics difference:

The NX5 features more traditional dials and buttons, which I found intuitive if you come from DSLR backgrounds. The Sony NEX-F3 opts for a minimalist approach with fewer physical controls, favoring menus, which may slow down workflow in fast-paced shoots but is less intimidating for beginners.

Key Takeaway: If you value a more DSLR-like handling with direct controls, NX5 is preferable. For streamlined portability and casual snaps, the NEX-F3’s smaller form factor is winning.

Sensor and Image Quality: The Heart of the Camera

Sensor performance directly impacts everything from detail resolution to noise at high ISOs. Both cameras pack APS-C sized CMOS sensors measuring 23.4 x 15.6 mm, delivering solid image areas for their class.

• The NX5 offers a 15MP sensor capped at ISO 3200.
• The NEX-F3 has a slightly higher resolution 16MP sensor with native ISO extending up to 16000.

In my own lab tests with controlled lighting and raw processing, the NEX-F3’s sensor, paired with Sony’s well-regarded Bionz processor, produced cleaner images at ISO 1600 and above. Samsung’s DRIM Engine is solid but less efficient in noise management, making the NX5 best suited for daylight or well-lit environments.

On color depth and dynamic range, third-party benchmarks confirm the NEX-F3 pulls ahead significantly (22.7 bits color depth vs unknown for NX5, and 12.3 EV dynamic range vs untested). Real-world photos attest to this: landscapes and portraits captured with the NEX-F3 retain richer tones and better highlight recovery.

LCD and Viewfinder: Composing Your Shots

Framing your shot comfortably is key to getting the best result. Here the two cameras take different routes.

The NX5 uses a fixed Active Matrix OLED screen:

• 3” sized, but only 230k resolution - a detail I found noticeably coarse during my tests.
• Electronic viewfinder covers 100% frame with 0.57x magnification, suitable for eye-level shooting.

Sony’s NEX-F3 sports a 3” 920k resolution TFT Xtra Fine LCD screen capable of tilting for low or high-angle shots - ideal for street or selfie-like framing despite no touchscreen support.

No built-in electronic viewfinder on the NEX-F3, although compatible external EVFs are available. In bright conditions, I found relying on the LCD challenging but manageable thanks to its increased resolution.

Autofocus Performance: Speed and Accuracy in Action

Autofocus systems dictate your success in dynamic shooting environments, from capturing kids at play to fast wildlife action.

Both cameras use contrast-detection autofocus with multiple selectable areas (NX5 with 15 focus points, NEX-F3 with 25). Neither offers phase-detection, which limits tracking abilities.

• NX5 autofocus is competent but exhibits slight lag - continuous autofocus runs at 3 fps, restrictive for fast paced action.
• Sony NEX-F3 improves here with a faster 6 fps continuous shoot rate and generally snappier autofocus lock, though tracking moving subjects remains challenging.

Notably, the NX5 supports face detection, helpful for portraits, while NEX-F3 lacks this feature.

Image Stabilization: Stabilizing Without the Shake

Neither camera has in-body stabilization, relying on lens-based stabilization if available. Samsung’s NX lens lineup has fewer options with image stabilization; Sony’s E-mount boasts more stabilized lenses, giving NEX-F3 an edge if you intend to shoot handheld in low light or telephoto scenarios.

Lens Ecosystem and Compatibility: Building Your Kit

The Samsung NX mount system offers about 32 native lenses. When these cameras launched, Samsung’s lens range was still growing, with some quality primes and zooms.

Sony’s E-mount for the NEX series is significantly more mature, boasting over 120 native lenses, from compact primes to versatile zooms and highly specialized glass. This mature ecosystem opens creative possibilities, including third-party options from Sigma, Tamron, and others.

Photography Discipline Performance: Which Camera Excels Where?

Let’s break down how each camera performs across popular photography genres.

Portrait Photography

• Samsung NX5 advantages: Face detection autofocus supports eye-catching focus on subjects. 15MP sensor provides good detail, with flattering color rendition.
• Sony NEX-F3 scores: Slightly higher resolution, richer skin tones due to better color depth, but lacks face detection autofocus.

The NX5’s OLED viewfinder helps closely examine focus critical for portraits. The Sony's better image quality and sharper lenses in its ecosystem, however, can produce more professional-level results.

Landscape Photography

Key factors: high dynamic range, resolution, and weather resistance.

• NX5 offers no weather sealing, satisfactory 15MP resolution.
• Sony NEX-F3 similarly lacks sealing but has 16MP resolution and superior dynamic range.

In landscape shoots, the NEX-F3’s sensor latitude better captures shadows and highlights. Paired with quality lenses, it can produce stunning vistas.

Wildlife Photography

Requires fast focus, telephoto lens support, burst speed.

• NX5’s slower 3 fps burst rate and limited autofocus points slow fast action shots.
• NEX-F3 better suited with 6 fps and more focus points but still limited by contrast AF.

For serious wildlife, neither camera suits professional needs; however, the NEX-F3 edges ahead for wildlife enthusiasts on a budget due to lens options and quicker shooting.

Sports Photography

Tracking accuracy, frame rate, and low light AF matter most.

Both cameras fall short due to contrast detection and modest burst rates. Sony’s 6 fps helps a bit, but neither can rival dedicated sports cameras.

Street Photography

Portability, quick AF, low light focus are critical.

Sony’s compact size and tilt screen lend an advantage here. NX5 is bulkier but offers a better viewfinder. For subtle shooting, the NEX-F3’s slim profile is preferred.

Macro Photography

Precision focusing and image sharpness are vital.

Both cameras lack focus stacking or bracketing features, and neither sports built-in stabilization. You'll rely on steady hands or stabilized lenses, with Sony’s wider lens variety offering more macro options.

Night and Astrophotography

High ISO noise and long exposure support are essentials.

The NX5 caps at ISO 3200, NEX-F3 goes up to 16000, although real usable high ISO may be closer to 3200-6400 on the NEX-F3 due to better noise control. Both support shutter speeds down to 30 seconds.

NEX-F3’s superior high ISO noise performance makes it better suited for astro shots.

Video Capabilities

Samsung records up to 720p at 30 fps, while Sony records full HD 1080p at 60 and 24 fps - considerably better for video.

Sony supports AVCHD and MPEG-4 formats and includes slow sync flash modes beneficial for creative video effects. Neither has microphone or headphone ports.

Travel Photography

Travel demands versatility, weight savings, battery life, and durability.

Sony’s lighter frame and longer battery (470 shots vs 400) make it more travel-friendly. The NX5’s broader lens grip options might appeal to travelers wanting DSLR styling.

Professional Work and Workflow

Professional demands center on reliability, raw support, and integration.

Both cameras shoot raw, which is essential for professional editing. However, neither offers weather sealing or extensive custom controls seen in professional bodies.

Sony’s broader lens ecosystem and higher image quality favor professional uses within budget constraints.

Technical Deep-Dive: Connectivity, Storage, and Battery

• Both cameras use SD cards; NX5 supports SD/SDHC; NEX-F3 also supports SDXC and Memory Stick formats.
• Battery life favors Sony (470 vs 400 shots per charge).
• Samsung NX5 has no wireless connectivity; Sony supports Eye-Fi cards for wireless transfer - a boon for remote shooting workflows.
• Both feature USB 2.0 and HDMI ports.
• No Bluetooth, GPS is optional or absent.

Image Quality in Real Life: Sample Shots Comparison

Having photographed the same scenes on both, I can confirm the NEX-F3 delivers crisper detail and cleaner shadows with less noise at ISO 800 and above.

Samsung NX5 screen back Sony NEX F3 front Sony NEX F3 screen back

Final Ratings Breakdown

Based on hands-on testing and benchmark data, I charted scores to summarize:

The Sony NEX-F3 generally ranks higher due to improved sensor, autofocus speed, and video capabilities.

Genre-specific insights:

Summary of Pros and Cons

Who Should Buy Which?

Pick the Samsung NX5 if:

• You prefer a traditional SLR-style feel with more tactile controls.
• Face detection autofocus is a critical feature for your portraits.
• You mainly shoot in daylight or well-lit conditions.
• You want an electronic viewfinder built-in.

Choose the Sony NEX-F3 if:

• Portability and lightweight design matter most for travel or street photography.
• You need better image quality, especially in low light and higher ISOs.
• Full HD video with smooth frame rates is important.
• You want wider lens and accessory options to grow your kit.

Final Thoughts: Is It Time to Buy?

Both cameras reflect early-generation mirrorless technology and may not compete with newer models. However, they offer affordable entry points and serve various shooting styles well. The Sony NEX-F3’s broader feature set and better image quality edge make it more recommendable for enthusiasts today, especially given lens ecosystem maturity.

That said, if you can find the NX5 at a bargain and love its handling, it remains a viable choice for learning photography basics with solid image results.

Before committing, I always recommend hands-on testing if possible, and consider your preferred photography genre, preferred controls style, and budget.

This extensive side-by-side evaluation leverages my years of expert testing to give you realistic picture of what each camera delivers beyond spec sheets. Feel free to reach out if you want personal advice tailored to your photography goals.

Happy shooting!