Sony a5100 Vs Samsung NX300 – Detailed Comparison

In this review, we will be looking at how two entry level cameras, Sony a5100 Vs Samsung NX300, fare in comparison with each other. The idea is aimed at guiding you on the choice of camera. It has been observed that some cameras are well suited for photography while some are best suited for video coverage.

As a result of this, we have placed the different features of one camera against those of the other camera. This is the basis of this comparison review.

However, we know some people do not have enough time to spare to read through the whole article. It is with this in mind that we ensured our comparison overview and comparison table sections contain concise information that it will not take you time to go through it.

However, we recommend, that you read through the entire article. We also recommend that you check out some of our other comparison articles, like this one, for a wider frame of reference.

Comparison Overview — Sony a5100 Vs Samsung NX300

Here is a quick overview of the basic idea in this article

Overall Review of the Sony a5100 Vs Samsung NX300

Firstly, we would say that both the Sony a5100 and the Samsung NX300 are great cameras. We would love to point out that the Sony a5100 and Samsung NX300 are two entry level mirrorless cameras. The cameras being entry level cameras have really wowed us as a result of their wide array of interesting features.

From the detailed comparison of the two cameras done in the latter part of this review, we’ll see that the two cameras do not really have that much to separate them in terms of quality (although the Sony a5100 is the better of the two).

Comparing the two cameras, the Sony a5100 has an in built flash while the Samsung NX300 does not have that feature. Instead the Samsung NX300 has an external flash adapter. In terms of sensor resolution also, the Sony a5100 beats the Samsung NX300 by a difference in sensor resolution of 4 megapixels (Sony a5100 has 24 megapixels while the Samsung NX300 has 20 megapixels).

The Samsung NX300 and the Sony a5100 cameras have good shutter speeds (even though the 1/6000 seconds of the Samsung NX300 is superior to the 1/4000 seconds rating of the Sony a5100). However, the Sony has a higher low ISO rating (1347) than that of the Samsung NX300 (942).

The two cameras also have a very good auto focus point rating. As a result of differences in Focus points, continuous shooting, ISO rating (low), dynamic range, color depth and sensor pixel area, we would say that the Sony a5100 is the better camera for photography overall.

Also, for video operations, the Sony a5100 is the better of the two cameras. However, we would like to point out that they are almost on the same level when it comes to the video coverage aspect. The fact that they have close values in terms of color depth, video resolution, sensor resolution and dynamic range is testament to this.

Which has the better price-value ratio: a5100 or NX300?

The Samsung NX300 has a better price-value ratio than the Sony a5100. The Sony a5100 is actually the better functioning camera of the two, but not by a landslide. However, the NX300 is the more affordable of the two, and by some. This is the reason we say you will be getting better value for your money with the Samsung camera. However, on their own, they both give great value for their prices.

About The Brands

Sony

Sony Corporation is a Japanese multinational company. It has a diversified business system which includes consumer and professional electronics, entertainment and gaming. The company also offers financial services.

Sony is one of the leading manufacturers of electronic products for both consumer and professional markets. It is a leading player in the film industry that has a reputation of producing standard products such as lenses and cameras.

Samsung

Samsung is a South Korean multinational company that specializes in a wide variety of affiliated businesses, some of which include advertisement, construction, entertainment, financial services, hospitality, information and communications technology, retail, ship building, medical and healthcare services.

For the course of our review, Samsung also manufactures imaging and optical products, including photocopiers, camcorders, computer printers, medical equipment, home appliances, chemicals, automotives, electronic equipments and most importantly for the sake of this article cameras. Samsung is gradually making a name for themselves in the film industry.

Comparison Table — Sony a5100 Vs Samsung NX300

	Sony a5100	Samsung NX300
Announcement Date	17-08-14	24-11-13
Body Type	Rangefinder Style mirrorless	Rangefinder Style mirrorless
Max Sensor Resolution	24 MP – APS – CMOS sensor	20 MP  APS – CMOS sensor
Weight	283g	331g
Dimensions	(110 x 63 x 36)mm	(122 x 64 x 41)mm
ISO	100 to 25600	100 to 25600
Continuous Shooting	6 Frames Per Second	9 Frames Per Second
Focus Points	179	247
LCD Screen Resolution	922k dots	768kdots
Low Light ISO	1347	942
Battery Life	400 shots	330 shots
External Flash Shoe	No	Yes
Maximum Shutter Speed	1/4000 seconds	1/6000 seconds
LCD Screen Size	3 inches	3.3 inches
Color Depth	23.8	23.6
Sensor Pixel Area	15.28 micro squared meters	18.48 micro squared meters
Smartphone Remote Control	Yes	No
Built-in Flash	Yes	No
Max Resolution	6000 x 4000	5472 x 3600
Auto Focus Tracking	Yes	No
Time-lapse Recording	With downloadable app	No
GPS	None	Optional
Number of Focus Points	179	247
DxO Overall Score	80	76
Max Flash Synchronization	None	1/180 seconds
AF center	Yes	No
Available lenses	102	32
Smartphone Remote Control	Yes	No

Which Is Better Under What Circumstance — Sony a5100 Vs Samsung NX300?

Sony a5100	Samsung NX300
The Sony a5100 camera has an in built flash. This helps you to deal with light exposure and balance properly. It helps improve image quality.	The Samsung a5100 camera has a really fast shutter speed at 1/6000 seconds. This enables the camera to be suitable for  photography types where freezing of action is needed, e.g. sporting activities like football, basketball, etc.
The Sony a5100 is the more affordable of the two cameras. It is easily affordable for people who want a blend of quality features and price flexibility.	The Samsung NX300 has very good focus points. This camera dwarfs the Sony a5100 in this aspect as there is a huge 68 focus point difference in the focus point of the two cameras. With this feature, the Samsung NX300 is the more reliable camera to use when it comes to focusing on targeted objects.  This feature ensures a better imaging quality in the Samsung NX300 camera. This helps in photography types like wildlife photography or portrait photography.
The Sony a5100 is the lighter of the two cameras. At a weight of 243 grams, the Samsung NX300 is considerably lighter than the Samsung NX300 (which has a weight of 331 grams). So, you could consider getting this one if you’ll be handling your camera a lot.	The Samsung NX300 has a larger sensor pixel area than the Sony a5100. The Sony a5100 has a sensor pixel area of 15.28 micro squared meters while the Samsung NX300 has a sensor pixel area of 18.48 micro squared meters. This larger sensor pixel area gives the Samsung NX300 camera the edge over the Sony a5100 in the aspect of portrait photography.
The Sony a5100 has a better sensor resolution. With a sensor resolution 0f 24 megapixels, the Sony a5100 is more relevant in landscape photography.	The Samsung NX300 also has a very fast continuous shooting when compared to the Sony a5100. It has a continuous rating of 9 fps. This features enables users to obtain clear and quality images when shooting in situations where the objects are rapidly moving. This is one of the reasons why the camera is very good at sports photography.

Common Features — Sony a5100 Vs Samsung NX300

Here are things the Sony a5100 and the Samsung NX300 have in common:

i. Good sensor resolution

ii. Articulating screen

iii. RAW support

iv. Battery life

v. Auto exposure bracketing

vi. Fast mechanical shutter

vii. Weight

viii. Built-in Wi-Fi

ix. Face detection focus

x. Touch screen

xi. Flash sync port

xii. Continuous shooting

xiii. Near field communication

xiv. Mirrorless

xv. Full HD video

xvi. 100 – 25600 ISO range

Let us now look at each of them in detail here…

1. Sensor Resolution

The Sony a5100 and Samsung NX300 both possess good sensor resolution. Sensor resolution is a property of the camera sensor, which determines the quality of your output image.

Sensor resolutions are measured in pixels. The higher the megapixels a camera possesses, the higher the resolution of photos it will produce.

This feature is a very important factor as it affects the rate at which you can crop pictures. For instance, if a photographer notices an element in the background of a picture say a flower, and he wishes to emphasize the element. All he would need to do is to use the crop tool and he would have that element isolated.

This is done to the detriment of the photo resolution as cropping reduces it. However, if your camera has a lot, cropping can take some of the resolution out and you’d still have enough left for a nice photo.

The megapixels also come into play when it comes to the aspect of portrait photography, where users tend to make use of larger prints. A high sensor resolution allows you to achieve this without losing image sharpness also.

The Sony a5100 has a sensor resolution of 24 megapixels while the Samsung NX300 camera has a sensor resolution of 20 megapixels.

As we can see, there is really not so much difference between the two cameras in this aspect as the Sony a5100 is only slightly better off than the Samsung NX300 by 4 megapixels.

2.   Articulating Screen

The articulating screen feature is another feature that is common to both the Sony a5100 and the Samsung NX300.  An articulating screen is an LCD screen which is adjustable, hence, it can be repositioned in different angles. The presence of a pivot for the screen enables this repositioning.

The articulated screen allows the user to shoot and preview photos in positions that could be difficult otherwise such as waist level and above head level; positions which makes shooting almost impossible when using the cameras with fixed screens.

An articulating screen can also be reversed so that it is protected against the camera. The interesting thing is that all this can be done whilst the camera is in its original position.

3.   RAW Support

Furthermore, the Sony a5100 and the Samsung NX300 can both shoot in RAW format. The RAW format contains unprocessed data from the image sensor of a digital camera or motion picture.

For the cause of this review, when we say that a camera can shoot RAW, we imply that the camera has the ability to save photographs in their unprocessed form.

As a result of the different challenges that are encountered when editing pictures saved in JPEG format, such as the loss of the original data and the visible degradation of the image when compressing files, we recommend that you have a life saver in the RAW format.  

The RAW format allows you enlarge your pictures without stress. The fact that the files are saved in their original forms contributes largely to this.

Also, a major benefit of shooting RAW is the fact that when you shoot in RAW, you record all of the data from the sensor. This enables you to have a high quality file. We believe no one will pass up an opportunity to have high quality and awesome images when shooting.

We have varying types of RAW formats when it comes to photography. Your choice of RAW format is totally dependent on the camera you use to carry out the photography operation.

4. Battery Life

Another similarity between these two cameras is their battery life. The battery life of cameras is an important feature that we must always beam our searchlight on as the battery life goes a long way in determining how much the user will enjoy it for periods at a time.

This is no different with the Sony a5100 and Samsung NX300, as we have to consider their battery life ratings.

The Sony a5100 has a battery life of 400 shots while the Samsung NX300 has a battery life of 330 shots.  The difference in battery life is an obvious 70 frames (even though it is not massive).

It is obvious that the two cameras have a low (if not terrible) battery life. This low battery rating does come with a lot of consequences, one of which is the fact that the photographer will find himself spending top heavy on extra batteries. This is especially true for commercial photographers who do a lot of volume shooting.

5. Auto Exposure Bracketing

The Sony a5100 and the Samsung NX300 both have the Auto Exposure (AE) Bracketing feature. In photography, AE bracketing is the technique of taking three varying shots with slightly different settings of the same targeted object using cameras that are AE bracketing enabled.  

Exposure Bracketing is a technique where the camera is used to take three or more photos that have different exposure levels instead of taking a single photo.

When the camera is set in the AE bracketing mode, it automatically takes several categorized shots, thereby resulting in a situation where the photographer does not have to manually alter the settings of the camera between each shot.

Bracketing means that you capture a sequence of photos while changing your camera settings from shot to shot. This means that you end up with two or more photos of the same scene with only a few differences in each one.

We recommend Automatic Bracketing when you have to work in poorly lit areas or extremely low light conditions.

6. Maximum Shutter Speed

The Sony a5100 and Samsung NX300 both have good maximum shutter speed. Shutter speed is the duration for which the camera’s shutter remains open as a user takes a picture. The faster the shutter speed, the lesser the duration of the exposure time.

The shutter speed, together with the aperture, controls how much light the sensor gets. Shutter speed is expressed as seconds.

The higher the shutter speed, the lesser the amount of light that enters the camera. Hence, the need to shoot at high ISO to compensate for the small amount of light that is coming into the camera through the shutter.

The Sony a5100 camera has a maximum shutter speed of 1/4000 seconds while the Samsung NX300 has a maximum shutter speed of 1/6000 seconds. It can be said that both cameras have a decent shutter speed as these shutter speed ratings are what is needed by most typical users.

These two cameras are suitable for different photography types (especially ones that involve a lot of movement) because of their fast shutter speed. This further justifies the fact that the cameras are great for wildlife and sport photography.

7.   Weight

Another important similarity between the Sony a5100 and the Samsung NX300 is their weight. For the different photography types, especially ones in which outdoor shooting is involved like street photography, much attention has to be given to the weight of a camera.

It is important we point out that the Sony a5100 and the Samsung NX300 are first and foremost mirrorless cameras. Mirrorless cameras tend to be lighter than their DSLR counterparts. This is so because they do not have the added weight of the mirror which is always the case in the DSLR cameras.

The Sony a5100 weighs 283 grams while the Samsung NX300 weighs 331 grams. And we could say that one of the strengths of both these cameras is their weight.

This is the reason why users are more likely to use the cameras when it comes to street, daily and sports photography where they do not need the added weight that comes with heavy cameras.

8.  Built-in Wi-Fi

Another feature that the Sony a5100 and the Samsung NX300 share is inbuilt wireless connection. The wireless connection is a means by which internet connection is secured.

A camera that is Wi-Fi enabled has the ability to connect to internet networks.  Cameras that are wireless enabled can send files to other devices over a secured connection without any hassle.

It is one thing to snap pictures, it is another thing to transfer the files to the appropriate devices for the necessary printing and editing operations.

It is with this in mind that we say that the wireless connection is a very important feature (pretty much invaluable) when it comes to seamless file upload or transfer of files from the camera to another device.

With in-built wireless connection, the use of wires, cables or ports for transfer of files is not needed. This also is a technological shift that is aimed at giving users a better experience when it comes to quality file transfer.

9. Face Detection Focus

Furthermore, the Sony a5100 and the Samsung NX300 possess the face detection feature. Face detection refers to the ability of the cameras to detect human faces.

By virtue of this feature, the camera is enable to focus easily on targeted human faces in a congested environment which might contain other elements. This feature is also called the face-priority auto focus.

The presence of this feature in cameras allows for the possibility of taking more precise shots like never before. With the targeted faces in perspective, the camera is better positioned to leave out other unnecessary details or elements in their captured shot.

This helps to also eliminate the unnecessary stress photographers undergo when they have to isolate the targeted face on captured shot by cropping endlessly. That action alone could lead to a reduction in the image quality.

This feature is one of the reasons why the Sony a5100 and Samsung NX300 are good for taking portrait pictures and landscape features.

10. Touch Screen

The Sony a5100 and the Samsung NX300 both have another common feature in the touch screen. The touch screen is a recent technology that enables the screen of a device to respond to touch in going through the camera settings and menu.

The touch screen has a lot of advantages, one of which is the area of auto focusing. With the touch screen, a user can tap on the screen to focus on its target. One can also take shots just by tapping on the screen.

It also allows the user preview the captured images more, as he can quickly go through the array of captured images with quick swipes on the screen.

11. Flash Synchronization Port

Another common feature these two cameras share is the flash synchronization port. Flash synchronization refers to the synchronizing of the firing of a photographic flash to coincide with the opening of the shutter admitting light to the electronic image sensor.

The flash synchronization is also referred to as the flash sync.  It helps shoot faster, particularly when the flash synchronization speed is fast.

12. Continuous Shooting

Furthermore, the Sony a5100 and the Samsung NX300 both have a good continuous shooting feature. The Sony a5100 has a continuous shooting rating of 6 frames per second shooting while the Samsung NX300 has a continuous shooting rating of 9 frames per second.

Continuous shooting is a feature that allows still cameras shoot several photographs in just a single click of the shutter button. Its relevance can never be overstated as it could be the deciding factor in some aspects of photography like wildlife coverage, athletics sport coverage and street photography.

This feature gives the photographer the choice of selecting the best image as he has a wide variety of pictures to pick from.

13.  Near Field Communication Connection

Another similarity between the Sony a5100 and the Samsung NX300 is the presence of the Near Field Communication (NFC) feature. The NFC transfer is one that allows for the transfer of files from the camera to another NFC enabled device without physical contact. Once the devices are brought in close proximity to establish connection between them, the files will be transferred.

The NFC connection has proven to be an alternative to the inbuilt wireless connection as camera producers can now afford to leave out the in built wireless feature on their devices and still offer quality file transfer just as a result of the presence of the Near Field Communication feature.

14. Mirrorless

Another similarity between the Sony a5100 and the Samsung NX300 is the fact that they are both mirrorless cameras. Mirrorless cameras do not use a mirror to reflect images into the viewfinder or LCD screen as the case may be.

Mirrorless cameras are usually lighter than their DSLR counterparts. That said, we need to point out that the Sony a5100 and Samsung NX300 also do not have viewfinders. As a result, you’ll be making do with the LCD screen.

15. Video Resolution

Another similarity in features between the Soy a5100 and the Samsung NX300 is their video resolution. Resolution of a camera means the number of distinct pixels in each dimensions that can be displayed. It is dependent on the aspect ratio of a video.

This feature affects the image quality of the output videos produced by the cameras. The two cameras both have a video resolution of 1920 x 1080 which is kinda the regular video resolution.

16. ISO

The final similarity we’ll be pointing out between the Sony a5100 and the Samsung NX300 is the high ISO rating.

ISO stands for international organization for standardization. It is used, in digital photography, to measure the sensitivity of an image sensor of a camera to light.

For the purpose of freezing fast motion when shooting, fast shutter speeds are required, and in most cases High ISOs are required to be used alongside the fast shutter speed in order to maintain an even exposure.

ISO is one of the fundamental parameters that affect image quality in photography. The other two parameters are shutter speed and the aperture.

The higher the ISO rating, the higher the exposure to light and the more the finer grain in the shots you are taking. High ISO allows the user shoot without difficulty in low lit areas where shooting would ordinarily be a problem.

The Sony a5100 and the Samsung NX300 both possess an ISO rating of 100 –25600. We can deduce from this, that the Sony a5100 and the Samsung NX300 cameras both have high ISOs. This further reinforces the claim that these two cameras have a great low light performance.

A Sony a5100 Demonstration Video

Unique Features — Sony a5100 Vs Samsung NX300

Which has more autofocus points: a5100 or NX300?

A major difference between the Sony a5100 and the Samsung NX300 is in the number of autofocus points. Autofocus points are the tools with which the camera focuses on a subject. They are easily noticed once you press the shutter halfway. The Sony a5100 has 179 focus points while the Samsung NX300 has 247. That is a staggering 68-focus point difference. This gives the NX300 the advantage in the area of portrait photography where autofocus plays a vital role.

The Autofocus points are also relevant for object tracking in sports and wildlife photography. It helps the photographer’s point of view by giving him a clearer and precise position of the targeted objects. This way, the photographer does not have the issue of blurry pictures.

Which comes with a built-in flash: a5100 or NX300?

The Sony a5100 comes with a built-in flash but the NX300 does not. A built-in flash, as the name implies, is the flash which originally comes with the camera; it is integrated into the camera. The most important factor in photography is the light. As a result of this, much importance is placed on the control of lighting. This is why this feature is a pretty important one.

The built-in flash will suffice for the normal daily and conventional photography. It gives you the convenience and ability to take fast pictures on vacations and nigh outs with friends. The fact that they come at no additional price (unlike the external flash) is a very good advantage also.

Which is better for flash photography: a5100 or NX300?

The Samsung NX300 has an external flash hot shoe while the Sony a5100 does not. Now, in spite of the fact that the NX300 does not come with a built-in flash — and the a5100 does — it being compatible with external flashes makes it the better camera for flash photography. Not by so much, however, as both cameras are compatible with off-camera flashes.

The external flash shoe is a flash bulb that is built into the body of a camera. It is also popularly referred to as the hot shoe.

The flash-to-subject distance of an external flash is higher than that an built-in flash. By virtue of this, the external flash can be used to ensure adequate lighting on images that are located far away from the camera (to an acceptable standard of 10 metres).

Also, the external flash has a shorter recovery time than the built-in flash. And the fact that the external flash has its own designated battery is responsible for this. This helps the photographer not to miss out on any photo opportunity that might present itself at those points.

Considering the above stated points, you will agree with us that having an external flash port (to which you can attach an external flash) is kinda a better idea than just having just a built-in flash.

Which can be remote controlled: a5100 or NX300?

The Sony a5100 comes with the smartphone remote control feature. When we say a camera has a smartphone control feature, we mean it can be operated using a smartphone. For this to be achieved, though, the smartphone and the camera must be connected to the same network or Wi-Fi and the smartphone has to have the camera apps installed on it.

Once the connection is established between the camera and the smartphone over the Wi-Fi, the smartphone can then be used to operate the cameras from a distance through the help of the camera apps installed on it.

This feature allows the user have almost unlimited access to his camera. It is a provision for flexibility in terms of usage and operation of the cameras. You get to operate your camera from a distance without giving anything away in terms of performance level.

A Samsung NX300 Demonstration Video

Unique Pros — Sony a5100 Vs Samsung NX300

Pros of the Sony a5100

• The Sony a5100 has a tough body build. This makes it a very durable option for various purposes such as outdoor and indoor photography purposes.
• Furthermore, the Sony a5100 camera has a better color depth than the Samsung NX300. The Sony a5100 camera has a color depth of 23.8.
• Also, the Sony a5100 has more lenses available to it than the Samsung NX300 camera. The Sony a5100 has 102 lenses compared to the 32 lenses of the Samsung NX300.
• The Sony a5100 has an excellent Auto focus feature. With 179 focus points, the camera is well designed to zoom in on target images. This helps to ensure that quality imaging is assured when the camera is used for photography purposes.
• The Sony a5100 camera has a wide array of downloadable camera apps. This is an advantage that the Sony has over the Samsung brand.
• The Sony a5100 camera has an autofocus center.  This allows for improved precision when using the auto focus feature of the camera.
• The Sony a5100 camera has a smartphone remote control feature. This gives the user flexibility in controlling the camera without necessarily using manual controls provided the camera application is installed on the smartphone.
• The Sony a5100 camera comes with an inbuilt flash. This gives the photographer the control over light exposure when shooting (especially in poorly lit areas).
• Finally, the Sony a5100 camera has a good low light performance. With a low light rating of 1347, the Sony a5100 camera performs better in poorly lit areas than the Samsung NX300 which has a low light rating of 942.

Pros of the Samsung NX300

• To start with, the Samsung NX300 camera has a high quality 3.3” screen size. This helps users to view and access the image captured better as they can see the details of the picture in a clearer way.
• You can attach an external flash to this camera because of its flash shoe. And in our opinion, the external flash is a better light source than the inbuilt flash.
• The Samsung NX300 camera has a good continuous shooting rating. At 9 frames per second, the camera is well suited for situations that will warrant freezing of actions such as sports and street photography.
• The Samsung NX300 has a good number of focus points. With 247 focus points, the camera is better positioned to take quality shots.
• The Samsung NX300 has a wide sensor pixel area. This ensures better imaging quality.
• The Samsung NX300 has creative controls such as smart modes and smart filters. These controls help to achieve better user experience as the users have improved controls which, when properly utilized, result in better image quality.
• The Samsung NX300 camera has high quality 1855mm kit lens. High quality lenses like the 1855mm lens helps users to obtain improved photo quality.
• The Samsung NX300 has GPS tagging feature. This makes it easy for the user to remember the locations where the pictures were shot.

Unique Cons — Sony a5100 Vs Samsung NX300

Cons of the Sony a5100

• The Sony a5100 camera has no external flash feature. The consequence of this is the reduction in the level of control that the user has over the camera’s exposure to light.
• In addition, the Sony a5100 camera has fewer focus points than the Samsung NX300. This results in the users of this camera having a lower focusing and tracking experience than the users of the Samsung NX300.

Cons of the Samsung NX300

• Firstly, the Samsung NX300 camera has fewer lenses that are compatible with it than the Sony a5100. There are 32 lenses available for the Samsung NX300 and this results in less flexibility for users as regards the choice of lens for the different camera purposes.
• The Samsung NX300 camera has a not so good low light ISO rating.
• The Samsung NX300 camera has a 3D lens feature and these lenses are not available at a moderate price. This sometimes deters users from choosing this camera.
• The Samsung NX300 camera has no flash synchronization port. This could result in the user shooting at a shutter speed which might bring about pictures with poor image quality.
• Finally, the Samsung NX300 camera does not have a smartphone remote control.

Check out these other articles:

• Sony a6300 vs Sony RX100 iii – Detailed Comparison
• Sony a5000 Vs Nex 7 – Detailed Comparison
• Sony a5000 Vs Canon 60D – Detailed Comparison
• Sony a5100 Vs Nikon D3200 – Detailed Comparison
• Sony a68 vs Nikon D5200 – A Detailed Comparison
• Sony a7S Vs Nikon DF – What Camera Is Better?

Common Pros — Sony a5100 Vs Samsung NX300

	Sony a5100	Samsung NX300
Near Field Communication Connection	The Sony a5100 camera has the Near Field Communication connection feature. This serves as avenue for the easy transfer of files from the camera to NFC enabled devices. The feature will further help the user avoid spending on adapters that one would have needed to make those transfers, barring the presence of a wireless transfer feature.	Same as the Sony a5100
Auto Exposure Bracketing	The Sony a5100 has the Auto Exposure (AE) Bracketing feature also. With the AE bracketing feature, the photographer does not need to manually change the frame settings between shots. This feature comes in handy in landscape photography as it allows the user to take a number of shots and then pick the best out of his numerous shots.	Same as the Sony a5100
Face Detection	In addition, the Sony a5100 has the face detection feature. This feature enables the photographer to accurately detect the faces of the targeted objects in an environment where there are other elements (which are not needed) in close contact with the desired object. This helps to achieve quality imaging.	Same as the Sony a5100.
Articulating screen	The Sony a5100 comes with an articulating screen. This implies that the screen is not restricted in terms of movement in any direction as it has a pivot. This allows for unobtrusive shooting   from various perspectives without the user having to change the position of the camera.	Same as the Sony a5100
RAW Support	The Sony a5100 can shoot in RAW. This format saves files in their uncompressed form and size. It does not compress files as is the case in other formats like JPEG. This ensures the production of   quality images that would not have been recoverable if they had been shot in the JPEG format.	Same as the Sony a5100.
Shutter Speed	The Sony a5100 camera has a good shutter speed at 1/4000 seconds. This feature enables it to be able to take quality pictures. It will definitely come in handy in covering events or activities that involve freezing of fast moving objects like wildlife discovery, sporting activities and street photography.	Same as the Sony a5100. The only difference is that the Samsung NX300 has a faster shutter speed at 1/6000 seconds rating.
Continuous shooting	The Sony a5100 has a good continuous shooting feature. At a continuous shooting rate of 6 frames per second, the camera is enabled to capture astonishing images. This feature is relevant in different fields of photography where still cameras are majorly utilized and speed is of the essence like street photography and sports photography.	Same as the Sony a5100. The only difference is that the Samsung NX300 has a higher continuous shooting (9 frames per seconds) rate.
Wireless Connection	The Sony a5100 has an inbuilt wireless connection. This allows for the quick and easy transfer of files between this camera and other wireless enabled devices without the use of cords and cables.	Same as the Sony a5100.
High ISO	The Sony a5100 has a high ISO rating. At an ISO rating of 100 – 25600, the camera is enabled to give proper image quality.	Same as the Sony a5100.
Max Sensor Resolution	The Sony a5100 has a high sensor resolution. At 24 mega pixels, you have more room to crop out unnecessary details without compromising on details. The high sensor resolution allows the photographer to have bigger prints which are more detailed.	Same as the Sony a5100. The slight difference been that the Samsung NX300 has a sensor resolution of 20 mega pixels.
Weight	The Sony a5100 camera is a lightweight camera. This camera comes in handy in events such as street photography, shooting at picnics or on tourist trips and the likes as it isn’t just light but also pretty portable. It can practically fit anywhere	Same as the Sony a5100. The only difference is that the Samsung NX300 is heavier at a  weight rating of 331 grams.

Common Cons — Sony a5100 Vs Samsung NX300

	Sony a5100	Samsung NX300
Image stabilization	The Sony a5100 does not have an in body image stabilization feature. The purpose of image stabilization is to help avoid having blurry pictures if the camera is jostled mid-shot. The absence of this feature poses a threat to the image quality in areas where the shaking of the hand might realistically not be possible. Thankfully, though, you can prevent this by getting an optical stabilization lens.	Same as the Sony a5100.
Headphone port	The Sony a5100 camera doesn’t have a headphone port. As a result, you’ll have to rely in the inbuilt headphone which, in all honestly, will not offer you the best quality audio feedback.	Same as the Sony a5100.
Viewfinder	The Sony a5100 does not have a viewfinder. A viewfinder allows a photographer to compose and focus on images conveniently. With the lack of a viewfinder, there will be no eye level shooting option for the user and one will have to rely on the LCD screen. The LCD screen isn’t all bad. However, if you’ll be shooting in a place that is too brightly it, you’ll have difficulties seeing what’s on the screen.	Same as the Sony a5100.
Microphone port	The Sony a5100 does not have a microphone port. As a result, you’ll have to rely on the inbuilt microphone which doesn’t offer good quality audio. Add to this the fact that this camera does not have a headphone port and we’d be hard pressed to call this a decent video camera.	Same as the Sony a5100.
Silent Shutter options	The Sony a5100 camera does not have a silent shutter option. Putting in mind the fact that cameras with silent shutter options are needed for discrete shooting. Since the Sony a5100 has a relatively fast shutter speed at 1/4000s, the shutter will tend to produce noise when clicked.	Same as the Sony a5100.
Battery life	The Sony a5100 has a major blip which is the poor battery life. This could be a major turn off for users. At a battery life of 400 shots, the camera can be used for a limited period. The only remedy to this issue is to get extra batteries. This comes as an added expense though.	Same as the Sony a5100. The only difference is that its battery life of 330 shots is worse than that of the Sony a5100.
Environmental Sealing	The Sony a5100 camera does not have the environmental sealing feature. Weather sealing of cameras is proving to be more relevant in photography like never before. When we say a camera is weather sealed, we mean that parts of the camera are shielded against unfavorable weather conditions such as rain, humidity, dust etc. Cameras that do not have this feature cannot be used in tough conditions. Another limitation is the limit to times when one can shoot outdoor for fear of weather conditions. This could prolong the time frame spent in completing a shoot.	Same as the Sony a5100.

What People Think About Both — Sony a5100 Vs Samsung NX300

Sony a5100	Samsung NX300
The Sony a5100 actually has received good reviews by users. To start with, people like the fact that the Sony a5100 is a mirrorless camera. Secondly, many photographers love the fact that the camera has a moderate shutter speed as it helps them to cover street events or events that involve fast moving images such as documentary. They also seem impressed with the camera’s ability to take quality videos. Apparently, the Sony a5100’s 1080 pixel video quality has proven to be good enough. The camera also possesses a great continuous shooting rating. This ensures that the camera gives quality imaging in the different photography types. In addition, users like the fact that the Sony a5100 has a very good low ISO rating. Finally, the smartphone control has been a welcome development by users, they consider it a form of flexibility in the handling of the camera.	The Samsung NX300 actually has also gotten good reviews by users. To start with, people like that the camera has good auto focusing features. This allows the user focus with more precision. Many photographers actually like the fact that the camera has a considerably fast shutter speed. They also seem pretty impressed by the camera’s ability to also do 1080-pixel video shooting. The wireless connection is also another thing to love about this camera. Files are transferred without any hassle. Finally, the touch screen feature has really been embraced by all categories of users ranging from the rookies to the professionals.
The major shortcoming of the Sony a5100 which does not bode well with the users is its lack of an external flash.	The major complain that photographers have concerning the Samsung NX300 is the fact that the camera has a poor live view performance. Another letdown is the terrible battery life of this camera as this has led to the users spending top heavy on extra batteries.

Our Take — Sony a5100 Vs Samsung NX300

Sony a5100	Samsung NX300
We consider this camera a decent camera for beginners. You can carry it about because it is very light. Let us also not forget the numerous quality features the camera possesses. Some of which are the; sensor resolution, high continuous shooting, the presence of a flash synchronization port, high ISO rating, Low ISO rating and so on. The camera is also reputable when it comes to photography and video covering. The camera is our preferred choice for forms of photography like street photography, landscape photography and street photography. Finally, putting the price into perspective, the Sony a5100 is the more affordable of the two cameras.	We also consider the Samsung NX300 is a decent entry-level camera. And of the two cameras, we actually consider this a camera that could be suitable for people of different classes (rookies, semi –pro and professionals); maybe as backup for the higher professional levels. This camera has a wide range of auto focus points. And that gives the camera an advantage when it comes to portrait photography. This camera also has a high continuous shooting and this helps to get quality imaging. Also, the Samsung NX300 can also hold its own when it comes to video coverage as it has a good video resolution. When it comes to sport photography, this is the camera for the occasion, due to its fast shutter speed. It is also our preferred choice for portrait photography.
A major shortcoming that we have noticed in the Sony a5100 is its lack of an external flash port. The lack of a headphone port and a microphone port could be a turn off for videographers and vloggers as the sound quality of the videos that this camera will shoot will be greatly compromised.	The major shortcoming of the Samsung NX300 is its lack of a good and durable battery. We would also like to point out that the camera is not as affordable as the Sony a5100; not by a long shot.

Sony a5100 Vs Samsung NX300 — FAQs

Is the Samsung NX300 a professional camera?

The Samsung NX300 is not a professional camera, in fact far from it. This camera belongs on the other end of the spectrum. A look at the features and specifications this camera comes with — and those it doesn’t come with — will show you that it surely was not designed for professionals.

768k dots of screen resolution, no viewfinder, no image stabilization, no weather sealing, average ISO maximum; these are just some of the specifications of the NX300 that can never be heard of a professional camera.

Does the Samsung NX300 have wireless connection?

The Samsung NX300 comes with a healthy dose of wireless connectivity. This camera comes with built-in Wi-Fi. With this, you can create wireless connections with compatible devices nearby and transfer files easily and swiftly.

Now, even more swiftly, you can connect the NX300 with compatible devices just with one touch, thanks to the near field communication this camera comes with.

Anyway, the bad news is that, in spite of these features, you will not be able to connect your smartphone and use it as a remote controlling device for the NX300.

Is the Samsung NX300 good for sports photography?

The Samsung NX300 is a pretty good camera for sports photography. At 9 frames per second, its continuous shooting is pretty fast, and it follows that up with an equally fast mechanical shutter (1/6000s). These together will be getting you the best images of the players constantly moving.

The NX300 also has 247 focus points which will be helping you get well focused images. However, the lack of a viewfinder and a weather sealing can be a little setback if it is an outdoor sport.

How long does the Samsung NX300’s battery last?

The Samsung NX300 comes with a battery that can get only 330 shots per full charge. Of course, this is not impressive, but it is also not very surprising. This camera is a mirrorless one, and it is common knowledge that mirrorless cameras usually have short battery life spans.

In addition to that, the NX300 is not a professional camera, so, one would not even have expected Samsung to show off with this one. Basically, if you will get this camera, just make sure to get extra batteries along with it. You will surely need them.

Is the Samsung NX300 good for beginners?

The Samsung NX300 is such a great camera to get if you are just starting out in the photography world. It is pretty easy to use. With the touch screen, you will be able to find your way around this camera’s menu and functions pretty easily.

Furthermore, it is a lightweight camera; one that won’t be an encumbrance if you want to take it with you anywhere and everywhere.

The icing on the cake, perhaps, is the price. The Samsung NX300 can be gotten for less than 300 bucks, and for all it does, that is such a steal.

Is the Samsung NX300 good for street photography?

In spite of the Samsung NX300’s lack of a viewfinder and weather sealing — which surely make it not a very good choice for any form of outdoor photography — this camera will not be doing too badly in street photography.

It has a tilting screen which will be helping you get shots from different angles (just pray that the sun isn’t out), live view, and a large enough sensor to get you great images.

So, sure this is not the best street photography camera, but it most definitely is far from the worst.