• APS-C 369.0mm2
  • 20.3 megapixels
  • ISO 100 - 25,600
  • APS-C 366.6mm2
  • 24.3 megapixels
  • ISO 100 - 25,600

Buy From

Differences

Samsung NX300 advantages over Sony A5100

  • Fast startup
    ~1.20 vs 2.0 sec
    Faster startup lets you catch the moment
  • Higher-res screen
    384k vs 230k pixels
    More detail on the screen lets you judge focus and composition
  • Hot shoe
    Hot shoe vs None
    Off-camera flashes open new possibilities
  • Less shutter lag
    0.12 vs 0.23 sec
    Focus and take a photo quickly (wide angle)
  • Faster JPEG shooting
    8.1 fps vs 6.0 fps
    Faster JPEG shooting (burst mode)
  • Faster RAW shooting
    7.1 fps vs 6.0 fps
    Faster RAW shooting in burst mode
  • Faster shutter
    1/6000 vs 1/4000 sec
    Shoot wide open in bright light

Sony A5100 advantages over Samsung NX300

  • Lens selection
    Good vs Limited
    Better lens selection gives you more options
  • Higher effective ISO
    1,347 vs 942 iso
    Take photos in low light with less noise
  • Longer stills battery life
    More info 400 vs 320 shots
    Capture more photos
  • Internal flash
    Internal flash vs None
    Useful in a pinch for fill flash
  • Lighter weight
    399g vs 549g
    Lighter weight
  • More pixels
    24.3 vs 20.3 megapixels
    Higher resolution photos
  • Wider angle kit lens
    24 mm vs 28 mm
    Capture more of the scene with the included lens
  • Bigger JPEG buffer
    67 vs 14 shots
    Take more JPEG shots before waiting (burst mode)
  • Bigger RAW buffer
    25 vs 5 shots
    Larger buffer for RAW shots (burst mode)

Similarities

Common Strengths

  • Focus peaking
    Both provide
    Your camera will highlight what's in focus
  • Touchscreen
    Both provide
    Interact with your camera just like your smartphone
  • In-camera panoramas
    Both provide
    Stitches multiple shots into a panoramic photo
  • Tiltable Screen
    Both provide
    Tilt the screen for shooting flexbility
  • Built-in Wi-Fi
    Both provide
    Share your photos wirelessly
  • NFC
    Both provide
    Simplifies pairing your camera with supported phones
  • On-sensor phase detect
    Both provide
    Usually improves live view and video AF performance
  • HDMI out
    Both provide
    Use HDMI output to monitor or review video
  • Bulb shutter
    Both provide
    Hold the shutter open manually for long exposures

Common Weaknesses

  • Tilt-swivel screen
    Neither provide
    Tilt and swivel the screen for maximum shooting flexibility
  • Eye-level viewfinder
    Neither provide
    You'll be able to frame photos even when the sun is out
  • In-Camera Image Stabilization
    Neither provide
    Reduces the effects of camera shake at slower shutter speeds
  • Built-in Bluetooth
    Neither provide
    Always-on wireless connectivity
  • Built-in GPS
    Neither provide
    Geotag your photos
  • Top deck display
    Neither provide
    Check settings with a screen on top of the camera
  • External Mic Jack
    Neither provide
    Improved sound fidelity when shooting video
  • Dual card slots
    Neither provide
    Gives you more storage flexibility
  • Headphone jack
    Neither provide
    Monitor audio recording while you shoot video
  • Slow-motion videos
    Neither provide
    Shoot slow-motion videos

User reviews

Buy From

Your purchases support this site

Buy the Samsung NX300

Your purchases support this site

Buy the Sony A5100

Review Excerpt

  • Stylish "retro modern" design in two color schemes; attractive 3.3-inch AMOLED tilting touchscreen; new APS-C CMOS sensor with on-chip phase detection AF; better image quality, particularly in low light at high ISOs; faster all-around performance; improved Wi-Fi connectivity.

  • Camera feels more plasticky than expected when you pick it up; slower shot-to-speeds compared to rivals; poor buffer depth with raw files; aggressive anti-noise processing destroys detail in high ISO shots; display smudges easily and is rather dim; no EVF support.

  • Very small and comfortable form factor; Very good image quality for its class; New dual video record function; Quick autofocus and good dynamic range.

  • Lacks an EVF and external mode dial; No hot shoe; JPEG processing at higher ISOs not as good as some competing mid-level models.

The Competition

Compared to Sony NEX-7

Samsung NX300
Sony NEX-7
  • $1200
  • APS-C
  • Less expensive
  • Touchscreen
  • $1248
  • APS-C
  • Lens selection
  • Eye-level viewfinder
Sony A5100
Sony NEX-7
  • $348
  • APS-C
  • Touchscreen
  • Built-in Wi-Fi
  • $1248
  • APS-C
  • Eye-level viewfinder
  • Fast startup

Compared to Fujifilm X-E1

Samsung NX300
Fujifilm X-E1
  • $1200
  • APS-C
  • Less expensive
  • Touchscreen
  • $1299
  • APS-C
  • Lens selection
  • Eye-level viewfinder
Sony A5100
Fujifilm X-E1
  • $348
  • APS-C
  • Touchscreen
  • Tiltable Screen
  • $1299
  • APS-C
  • Eye-level viewfinder
  • Bigger pixels

Compared to Samsung NX1100

Samsung NX300
Samsung NX1100
  • $1200
  • APS-C
  • Focus peaking
  • Touchscreen
  • $450
  • APS-C
  • Less expensive
  • Lighter weight
Sony A5100
Samsung NX1100
  • $348
  • APS-C
  • Lens selection
  • Focus peaking
  • $450
  • APS-C
  • Higher-res screen
  • Hot shoe

Compared to Fujifilm X-E2

Samsung NX300
Fujifilm X-E2
  • $1200
  • APS-C
  • Less expensive
  • Touchscreen
  • $1059
  • APS-C
  • Lens selection
  • Eye-level viewfinder
Sony A5100
Fujifilm X-E2
  • $348
  • APS-C
  • Touchscreen
  • Tiltable Screen
  • $1059
  • APS-C
  • Eye-level viewfinder
  • Bigger pixels

Compared to Sony A5000

Samsung NX300
Sony A5000
  • $1200
  • APS-C
  • Touchscreen
  • Fast startup
  • $298
  • APS-C
  • Lens selection
  • Higher effective ISO
Sony A5100
Sony A5000
  • $348
  • APS-C
  • Touchscreen
  • Higher effective ISO
  • $298
  • APS-C
  • Less expensive
Compare Other Cameras?