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Samsung NX5 vs Sony a5100

Portability
80
Imaging
55
Features
50
Overall
53
Samsung NX5 front
 
Sony Alpha a5100 front
Portability
89
Imaging
66
Features
74
Overall
69

Samsung NX5 vs Sony a5100 Key Specs

Samsung NX5
(Full Review)
  • 15MP - APS-C Sensor
  • 3" Fixed Display
  • ISO 100 - 3200
  • 1280 x 720 video
  • Samsung NX Mount
  • 499g - 123 x 87 x 40mm
  • Introduced June 2010
Sony a5100
(Full Review)
  • 24MP - APS-C Sensor
  • 3" Tilting Display
  • ISO 100 - 25600
  • 1920 x 1080 video
  • Sony E Mount
  • 283g - 110 x 63 x 36mm
  • Launched August 2014
  • Superseded the Sony a5000
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Samsung NX5 vs Sony a5100 Overview

On this page, we are reviewing the Samsung NX5 vs Sony a5100, both Entry-Level Mirrorless cameras by manufacturers Samsung and Sony. There exists a considerable gap among the sensor resolutions of the NX5 (15MP) and a5100 (24MP) but both cameras offer the same sensor measurements (APS-C).

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The NX5 was announced 5 years earlier than the a5100 and that is a fairly large difference as far as camera technology is concerned. Both of the cameras have different body design with the Samsung NX5 being a SLR-style mirrorless camera and the Sony a5100 being a Rangefinder-style mirrorless camera.

Before going right into a full comparison, here is a simple synopsis of how the NX5 scores vs the a5100 with respect to portability, imaging, features and an overall grade.

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Reasons to pick Samsung NX5 over the Sony a5100

 NX5 a5100 

Reasons to pick Sony a5100 over the Samsung NX5

 a5100 NX5 
LaunchedAugust 2014June 2010More recent by 51 months
Display typeTiltingFixed Tilting display
Display resolution922k230kClearer display (+692k dot)
Touch friendly display Easily navigate

Common features in the Samsung NX5 and Sony a5100

 NX5 a5100 
Manual focus More exact focus
Display dimensions3"3"Equal display measurements
Selfie screen Neither comes with selfie screen

Samsung NX5 vs Sony a5100 Physical Comparison

If you're intending to lug around your camera regularly, you have to take into account its weight and measurements. The Samsung NX5 comes with outer dimensions of 123mm x 87mm x 40mm (4.8" x 3.4" x 1.6") and a weight of 499 grams (1.10 lbs) and the Sony a5100 has proportions of 110mm x 63mm x 36mm (4.3" x 2.5" x 1.4") and a weight of 283 grams (0.62 lbs).

Check the Samsung NX5 vs Sony a5100 in our completely new Camera plus Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Always remember, the weight of an ILC will differ dependant on the lens you are working with during that time. Here is a front view measurements comparison of the NX5 versus the a5100.

Samsung NX5 vs Sony a5100 size comparison

Considering dimensions and weight, the portability rating of the NX5 and a5100 is 80 and 89 respectively.

Samsung NX5 vs Sony a5100 top view buttons comparison

Samsung NX5 vs Sony a5100 Sensor Comparison

Sometimes, it is very hard to visualize the difference in sensor measurements just by checking out a spec sheet. The graphic underneath should give you a far better sense of the sensor sizes in the NX5 and a5100.

Clearly, both of these cameras have the same sensor dimensions but different megapixels. You can expect to see the Sony a5100 to provide greater detail with its extra 9MP. Greater resolution can also enable you to crop images a bit more aggressively. The older NX5 will be disadvantaged when it comes to sensor tech.

Samsung NX5 vs Sony a5100 sensor size comparison

Samsung NX5 vs Sony a5100 Screen and ViewFinder

Samsung NX5 vs Sony a5100 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Samsung NX5 Portrait photography advice
Sony a5100 Portrait photography advice
73
has manual focus
decent sensor resolution (15 megapixels)
sensor size is nice (APS-C)
provides face detect focusing
exports RAW formats
72
manual focus
megapixel count good (24 megapixels)
sensor size is nice (APS-C)
supports face detect focusing
delivers RAW formats
can't use external flash
Photography Glossary

Street Comparison

Samsung NX5 Street photography information
Sony a5100 Street photography information
60
sensor size is nice (APS-C)
exports RAW formats
screen does not articulate
lack of image stabilization
heavier than competitors (499 grams)
82
screen tilts
sensor size is nice (APS-C)
delivers RAW formats
includes focus via touch
great high ISO (25,600)
does not have image stabilization
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Sports Comparison

Sports photography with Samsung NX5
Sports photography with Sony a5100
52
decent sensor resolution (15 megapixels)
sensor size is nice (APS-C)
good battery power (400 CIPA)
low frames per second (3.0 frames/s)
lack of image stabilization
has no phase detect AF
68
megapixel count good (24 megapixels)
sensor size is nice (APS-C)
supports tracking focus
good battery life (400 shots)
has phase detect AF
painfully slow continuous shooting (6.0 frames/s)
does not have image stabilization
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Travel Comparison

Samsung NX5 Travel photography advice
Sony a5100 Travel photography advice
63
good battery power (400 CIPA)
decent sensor resolution (15 megapixels)
has built in flash
missing Time Lapse recording
heavier than competitors (499 grams)
doesn't posses selfie friendly screen
80
good battery life (400 shots)
includes focus via touch
megapixel count good (24MP)
has built in flash
display is not selfie friendly
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Landscape Comparison

Samsung NX5 Landscape photography advice
Sony a5100 Landscape photography advice
68
has manual focus
swap lenses (Samsung NX mount)
nice screen size (3 inch)
decent sensor resolution (15 megapixels)
sensor size is nice (APS-C)
exports RAW formats
good battery power (400 per charge)
lack of image stabilization
missing Time Lapse recording
79
manual focus
interchangeable lenses (Sony E mount)
screen is a good size (3")
megapixel count good (24MP)
sensor size is nice (APS-C)
great high ISO (25,600)
delivers RAW formats
good battery life (400 per charge)
does not have image stabilization
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Vlogging Comparison

Samsung NX5 Vlogging details
Sony a5100 Vlogging details
24
provides face detect focusing
doesn't posses selfie friendly screen
lack of image stabilization
low quality video (1280 x 720 pixels)
missing mic support
heavier than competitors (499 grams)
34
has touchscreen
supports face detect focusing
video res high (1920 x 1080 pxls)
display is not selfie friendly
does not have image stabilization
no microphone support
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Samsung NX5 vs Sony a5100 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Samsung NX5 and Sony a5100
 Samsung NX5Sony Alpha a5100
General Information
Company Samsung Sony
Model type Samsung NX5 Sony Alpha a5100
Type Entry-Level Mirrorless Entry-Level Mirrorless
Introduced 2010-06-01 2014-08-17
Physical type SLR-style mirrorless Rangefinder-style mirrorless
Sensor Information
Processor Chip DRIM Engine Bionz X
Sensor type CMOS CMOS
Sensor size APS-C APS-C
Sensor measurements 23.4 x 15.6mm 23.5 x 15.6mm
Sensor area 365.0mm² 366.6mm²
Sensor resolution 15 megapixel 24 megapixel
Anti alias filter
Aspect ratio 3:2 and 16:9 3:2 and 16:9
Max resolution 4592 x 3056 6000 x 4000
Max native ISO 3200 25600
Minimum native ISO 100 100
RAW photos
Autofocusing
Focus manually
Autofocus touch
Autofocus continuous
Autofocus single
Autofocus tracking
Autofocus selectice
Center weighted autofocus
Multi area autofocus
Live view autofocus
Face detect focus
Contract detect focus
Phase detect focus
Total focus points 15 179
Lens
Lens mount type Samsung NX Sony E
Total lenses 32 121
Crop factor 1.5 1.5
Screen
Display type Fixed Type Tilting
Display sizing 3 inch 3 inch
Resolution of display 230k dots 922k dots
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch display
Display tech Active Matrix OLED screen -
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder type Electronic None
Viewfinder coverage 100 percent -
Viewfinder magnification 0.57x -
Features
Minimum shutter speed 30s 30s
Fastest shutter speed 1/4000s 1/4000s
Continuous shutter rate 3.0fps 6.0fps
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Manually set exposure
Exposure compensation Yes Yes
Custom white balance
Image stabilization
Inbuilt flash
Flash distance 11.00 m 4.00 m (at ISO 100)
Flash settings Auto, On, Off, Red-eye, Fill-in, 1st/2nd Curtain, Smart Flash, Manual Flash off, auto, fill-flaw, slow sync, redeye reduction
Hot shoe
Auto exposure bracketing
WB bracketing
Fastest flash synchronize 1/180s -
Exposure
Multisegment metering
Average metering
Spot metering
Partial metering
AF area metering
Center weighted metering
Video features
Video resolutions 1280 x 720 (30 fps), 640 x 480 (30 fps), 320 x 240 (30 fps) 1920 x 1080 (60p, 60i, 24p), 1440 x 1080 (30p, 25p), 1280 x 720 (120p), 640 x 480 (30p, 25p)
Max video resolution 1280x720 1920x1080
Video file format H.264 MPEG-4, AVCHD, XAVC S
Microphone support
Headphone support
Connectivity
Wireless None Built-In
Bluetooth
NFC
HDMI
USB USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec) USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec)
GPS Optional None
Physical
Environment sealing
Water proofing
Dust proofing
Shock proofing
Crush proofing
Freeze proofing
Weight 499g (1.10 pounds) 283g (0.62 pounds)
Physical dimensions 123 x 87 x 40mm (4.8" x 3.4" x 1.6") 110 x 63 x 36mm (4.3" x 2.5" x 1.4")
DXO scores
DXO Overall rating not tested 80
DXO Color Depth rating not tested 23.8
DXO Dynamic range rating not tested 12.7
DXO Low light rating not tested 1347
Other
Battery life 400 pictures 400 pictures
Type of battery Battery Pack Battery Pack
Battery ID BP1130 NP-FW50
Self timer Yes (2 sec to 30 sec) Yes (2 or 10 sec, continuous (3-5 shot))
Time lapse feature With downloadable app
Type of storage SD/SDHC SD/ SDHC/SDXC, Memory Stick Pro Duo/ Pro-HG Duo
Card slots 1 1
Price at release $499 $448