• APS-C 328.6mm2
  • 12.2 megapixels
  • ISO 100 - 1600
  • APS-C 369.7mm2
  • 14.6 megapixels
  •  

Buy From

Differences

Canon XSi advantages over Samsung NX100

  • Lens selection
    Excellent vs Limited
    Better lens selection gives you more options
  • Eye-level viewfinder
    Eye-level vs Rear display only
    You'll be able to frame photos even when the sun is out
  • Fast startup
    ~0.40 vs 1.1 sec
    Faster startup lets you catch the moment
  • Higher effective ISO
    692 vs 563 iso
    Take photos in low light with less noise
  • Internal flash
    Internal flash vs None
    Useful in a pinch for fill flash
  • Less shutter lag
    0.16 vs 0.43 sec
    Focus and take a photo quickly (wide angle)
  • Faster JPEG shooting
    3.5 fps vs 2.9 fps
    Faster JPEG shooting (burst mode)
  • Bigger JPEG buffer
    53 vs 8 shots
    Take more JPEG shots before waiting (burst mode)

Samsung NX100 advantages over Canon XSi

  • Larger sensor
    APS-C vs APS-C
    More sensor area. Bigger is (generally) better.
  • Less expensive
    $600 vs $900 (MSRP)
    Save money for lenses or accessories
  • Thinner
    34 mm vs 61 mm
    Thinner
  • HDMI out
    HDMI out vs None
    Use HDMI output to monitor or review video
  • More dots on screen
    614k vs 230k dots
    Can mean greater resolution or a brighter screen
  • More pixels
    14.6 vs 12.2 megapixels
    Higher resolution photos
  • Higher extended ISO
    6400 vs 1600 ISO
    Higher extended ISO can give more low-light flexibility

Similarities

Common Strengths

  • Hot shoe
    Both provide
    Off-camera flashes open new possibilities
  • Bulb shutter
    Both provide
    Hold the shutter open manually for long exposures

Common Weaknesses

  • Focus peaking
    Neither provide
    Your camera will highlight what's in focus
  • Tilt-swivel screen
    Neither provide
    Tilt and swivel the screen for maximum shooting flexibility
  • In-Camera Image Stabilization
    Neither provide
    Reduces the effects of camera shake at slower shutter speeds
  • Touchscreen
    Neither provide
    Interact with your camera just like your smartphone
  • In-camera panoramas
    Neither provide
    Stitches multiple shots into a panoramic photo
  • Tiltable Screen
    Neither provide
    Tilt the screen for shooting flexbility
  • Built-in Wi-Fi
    Neither provide
    Share your photos wirelessly
  • Built-in Bluetooth
    Neither provide
    Always-on wireless connectivity
  • Built-in GPS
    Neither provide
    Geotag your photos
  • On-sensor phase detect
    Neither provide
    Usually improves live view and video AF performance
  • 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

Buy From

Your purchases support this site

Buy the Canon XSi

Your purchases support this site

Buy the Samsung NX100

Review Excerpt

The Competition

Compared to Nikon D60

Canon XSi
Nikon D60
  • $649
  • APS-C
  • Higher effective ISO
  • Less shutter lag
  • $700
  • APS-C
  • Less expensive
  • Larger sensor

Compare Canon XSi vs Nikon D60

Samsung NX100
Nikon D60
  • $799
  • APS-C
  • Less expensive
  • Thinner
  • $700
  • APS-C
  • Lens selection
  • Eye-level viewfinder

Compare Samsung NX100 vs Nikon D60

Compared to Pentax K2000

Canon XSi
Pentax K2000
  • $649
  • APS-C
  • More pixels
  • More AF points
  • $556
  • APS-C
  • Less expensive
  • Larger sensor

Compare Canon XSi vs Pentax K2000

Samsung NX100
Pentax K2000
  • $799
  • APS-C
  • Less expensive
  • Thinner
  • $556
  • APS-C
  • Lens selection
  • Eye-level viewfinder

Compare Samsung NX100 vs Pentax K2000

Compared to Canon T1i

Canon XSi
Canon T1i
  • $649
  • APS-C
  • Longer stills battery life
  • $900
  • APS-C
  • Fast startup
  • HDMI out

Compare Canon XSi vs Canon T1i

Samsung NX100
Canon T1i
  • $799
  • APS-C
  • Larger sensor
  • Less expensive
  • $900
  • APS-C
  • Lens selection
  • Eye-level viewfinder

Compare Samsung NX100 vs Canon T1i

Compared to Sony NEX-5

Canon XSi
Sony NEX-5
  • $649
  • APS-C
  • Lens selection
  • Eye-level viewfinder
  • $700
  • APS-C
  • Less expensive
  • Larger sensor

Compare Canon XSi vs Sony NEX-5

Samsung NX100
Sony NEX-5
  • $799
  • APS-C
  • Less expensive
  • Longer stills battery life
  • $700
  • APS-C
  • Lens selection
  • In-camera panoramas

Compare Samsung NX100 vs Sony NEX-5

Compared to Sony NEX-5N

Canon XSi
Sony NEX-5N
  • $649
  • APS-C
  • Lens selection
  • Eye-level viewfinder
  • $700
  • APS-C
  • Less expensive
  • Larger sensor

Compare Canon XSi vs Sony NEX-5N

Samsung NX100
Sony NEX-5N
  • $799
  • APS-C
  • Less expensive
  • Fast startup
  • $700
  • APS-C
  • Lens selection
  • In-camera panoramas

Compare Samsung NX100 vs Sony NEX-5N

Compare Other Cameras?