Samsung NX Mini vs Sony A5100

Cameras
Compare Cameras
Samsung NX Mini vs Sony A5100

Leave Feedback

1 inch 116.2mm²
20.5 megapixels
ISO 160 - 12,800

Go in depth with our full Samsung NX Mini Review.
See real-world photos taken with the NX Mini.

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

Go in depth with our full Sony A5100 Review.
How does it shoot? Sony A5100 in the real world.
See real-world photos taken with the A5100.
Compare Sony A5100 image quality against competitors.
What’s the bottom line? Read our Sony A5100 conclusion.

Buy From

Differences

Samsung NX Mini advantages over Sony A5100

Longer stills battery life
More info

Longer stills battery life

Cameras with longer battery life can take more photos before exhausting their batteries.

Special note: The measurement standard for battery life stipulates that if a camera has an internal flash, it must be used for 50% of photos taken. For this reason, comparisons of one camera with an internal flash to another without will not be comparable

530 vs 400 shots
Capture more photos
Thinner
22 mm vs 35 mm
Thinner
Lighter weight
269g vs 399g
Lighter weight
Hot shoe
Hot shoe vs None
Off-camera flashes open new possibilities
Faster shutter
1/16000 vs 1/4000 sec
Shoot wide open in bright light

Sony A5100 advantages over Samsung NX Mini

Focus peaking
Peaker vs Non-peaker
Your camera will highlight what's in focus
Larger sensor
APS-C vs 1 inch
More sensor area. Bigger is (generally) better.
Bigger pixels
~ 3.92 vs 2.41 microns
Better low-light and dynamic range (all else equal)
On-sensor phase detect
Yes vs No
Usually improves live view and video AF performance
Shoots 24p video
Yes vs No
Gives your movies a big-screen feel
Higher-res screen
230k vs 154k pixels
More detail on the screen lets you judge focus and composition
Less shutter lag
0.23 vs 0.35 sec
Focus and take a photo quickly (wide angle)
More pixels
24.3 vs 20.5 megapixels
Higher resolution photos
Shoots 60p video
Yes vs No
A faster framerate can give you more editing options
Bigger JPEG buffer
67 vs 11 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

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
Internal flash
Both provide
Useful in a pinch for fill flash
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

Amazon
Adorama
Read NX Mini User Reviews

Amazon
Adorama
Read A5100 User Reviews

Buy From

Your purchases support this site

Buy the Samsung NX Mini

Samsung NX Mini

All NX Mini Deals

Your purchases support this site

Buy the Sony A5100

Body Only (Black)

Body Only (Black)
Kit with 16-50mm Lens (Black)
Kit with 16-50mm Lens (White)

All A5100 Deals

Review Excerpt

We haven’t finished our review of the Samsung NX Mini, but we have extensive sample photos and a hands-on report.
Read our Samsung NX Mini Shooter's Report

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.
Read our Sony A5100 Review

The Competition

Compared to Nikon J3

Samsung NX Mini

Nikon J3

$600
1 inch

Touchscreen
In-camera panoramas

$617
1 inch

Bigger pixels
On-sensor phase detect

Compare Samsung NX Mini vs Nikon J3

Sony A5100

Nikon J3

$348
APS-C

Lens selection
Focus peaking

$617
1 inch

Faster JPEG shooting
Slow-motion videos

Compare Sony A5100 vs Nikon J3

Compared to Samsung NX1100

Samsung NX Mini

Samsung NX1100

$600
1 inch

Touchscreen
In-camera panoramas

$450
APS-C

Larger sensor
Bigger pixels

Compare Samsung NX Mini vs Samsung NX1100

Sony A5100

Samsung NX1100

$348
APS-C

Lens selection
Focus peaking

$450
APS-C

Higher-res screen
Hot shoe

Compare Sony A5100 vs Samsung NX1100

Compared to Sony A5000

Samsung NX Mini

Sony A5000

$600
1 inch

Touchscreen
Longer stills battery life

$298
APS-C

Focus peaking
Larger sensor

Compare Samsung NX Mini vs Sony A5000

Sony A5100

Sony A5000

$348
APS-C

Touchscreen
Higher effective ISO

$298
APS-C

Less expensive

Compare Sony A5100 vs Sony A5000

Compared to Nikon J4

Samsung NX Mini

Nikon J4

$600
1 inch

Less expensive
Tiltable Screen

$350
1 inch

On-sensor phase detect
Higher-res screen

Compare Samsung NX Mini vs Nikon J4

Sony A5100

Nikon J4

$348
APS-C

Lens selection
Focus peaking

$350
1 inch

Higher-res screen
Lacks anti-aliasing filter

Compare Sony A5100 vs Nikon J4

Compared to Nikon J5

Samsung NX Mini

Nikon J5

$600
1 inch

Longer stills battery life
Thinner

$497
1 inch

Shoot 4K video
On-sensor phase detect

Compare Samsung NX Mini vs Nikon J5

Sony A5100

Nikon J5

$348
APS-C

Lens selection
Focus peaking

$497
1 inch

Shoot 4K video
Higher-res screen

Compare Sony A5100 vs Nikon J5

Compare Other Cameras?