Sony A3000 vs Samsung NX1

Cameras
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Sony A3000 vs Samsung NX1

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APS-C 357.3mm²
20.1 megapixels
ISO 100 - 16,000

Go in depth with our full Sony A3000 Review.
How does it shoot? Sony A3000 in the real world.
See real-world photos taken with the A3000.
What’s the bottom line? Read our Sony A3000 conclusion.

APS-C 369.0mm²
28.2 megapixels
ISO 100 - 25,600

Go in depth with our full Samsung NX1 Review.
How does it shoot? Samsung NX1 in the real world.
See real-world photos taken with the NX1.
Compare Samsung NX1 image quality against competitors.
What’s the bottom line? Read our Samsung NX1 conclusion.

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Differences

Sony A3000 advantages over Samsung NX1

Lens selection
Good vs Limited
Better lens selection gives you more options
Less expensive
$400 vs $2800 (MSRP)
Save money for lenses or accessories
Bigger pixels
~ 4.25 vs 3.63 microns
Better low-light and dynamic range (all else equal)
Lighter weight
616g vs 1290g
Lighter weight
Has anti-aliasing filter
Filter vs No Filter
Reduces unsightly moiré in photos

Samsung NX1 advantages over Sony A3000

Shoot 4K video
4K (DCI) vs 1080p
Make sure you have a fast computer
Touchscreen
Touch vs No touch
Interact with your camera just like your smartphone
Tiltable Screen
Tiltable vs Fixed
Tilt the screen for shooting flexbility
Fast startup
~0.70 vs 2.2 sec
Faster startup lets you catch the moment
Built-in Wi-Fi
Wi-Fi vs None
Share your photos wirelessly
NFC
Yes vs No
Simplifies pairing your camera with supported phones
Built-in Bluetooth
Yes vs No
Always-on wireless connectivity
Higher effective ISO

Higher effective ISO

Maximum effective ISO is an estimate of the highest sensitivity at which a camera can capture excellent quality photos.

Cameras with higher effective ISO will be better choices for indoor photography, night shooting, and indoor sports photography, especially if you intend to make large prints.

You can learn more at our glossary entry.

Maximum effective ISO test data courtesy of DxO Mark.
NX1 test data on DxO Mark A3000 test data on DxO Mark

1,363 vs 1,068 iso
Take photos in low light with less noise
On-sensor phase detect
Yes vs No
Usually improves live view and video AF performance
Top deck display
Yes vs No
Check settings with a screen on top of the camera
External Mic Jack
Jack vs No jack
Improved sound fidelity when shooting video
Higher max flash sync
1/250 vs 1/160 sec
Reduce the effect of ambient light in flash shots
HDMI out
HDMI out vs None
Use HDMI output to monitor or review video
Higher-res screen
346k vs 77k pixels
More detail on the screen lets you judge focus and composition
More viewfinder magnification
0.69x vs 0.47x
Get a bigger view of the scene through the eye-level viewfinder
More pixels
28.2 vs 20.1 megapixels
Higher resolution photos
Shoots 60p video
Yes vs No
A faster framerate can give you more editing options
Headphone jack
Yes vs No
Monitor audio recording while you shoot video
Lacks anti-aliasing filter
No Filter vs Filter
Enjoy sharper photos
Faster JPEG shooting
15.2 fps vs 3.5 fps
Faster JPEG shooting (burst mode)
Bigger JPEG buffer
53 vs 11 shots
Take more JPEG shots before waiting (burst mode)
Slow-motion videos
Yes vs No
Shoot slow-motion videos
Faster shutter
1/8000 vs 1/4000 sec
Shoot wide open in bright light
Higher extended ISO
51200 vs 16000 ISO
Higher extended ISO can give more low-light flexibility

Similarities

Common Strengths

Focus peaking
Both provide
Your camera will highlight what's in focus
Eye-level viewfinder
Both provide
You'll be able to frame photos even when the sun is out
In-camera panoramas
Both provide
Stitches multiple shots into a panoramic photo
Internal flash
Both provide
Useful in a pinch for fill flash
Hot shoe
Both provide
Off-camera flashes open new possibilities
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
In-Camera Image Stabilization
Neither provide
Reduces the effects of camera shake at slower shutter speeds
Built-in GPS
Neither provide
Geotag your photos
Dual card slots
Neither provide
Gives you more storage flexibility

User reviews

Amazon
Adorama
Read A3000 User Reviews

Amazon
Adorama
Read NX1 User Reviews

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Buy the Sony A3000

Kit with 18-55mm Lens

All A3000 Deals

Your purchases support this site

Buy the Samsung NX1

Body Only

Body Only
Kit with 16-50mm f/2-2.8 S Lens
Kit with 16-50mm f/3.5-5.6 PZ Lens

All NX1 Deals

Review Excerpt

Absolutely incredible value; Includes a stabilized kit lens; More versatile than a fixed-lens bridge camera; Comfortable body with good ergonomics; Great image quality; Good autofocus performance; Decent battery life.
Feels a bit plasticky; Slow burst shooting with limited buffer; Sluggish to power on or switch modes; Low-res EVF and LCD monitor; Can't review images using EVF; No video output; Weak flash; Battery charges in-camera.
Read our Sony A3000 Review

Very good, high-resolution image quality; Excellent high ISO performance with RAW files; Very good dynamic range; Blazing fast 15fps full-res burst mode; Deep buffer; Great build quality & comfortable ergonomics; Lots of physical controls; Great battery life; Fast single-shot AF.
Continuous AF performance still not as robust as competing DSLRs; Aggressive JPEG noise reduction at high ISOs; JPEG colors and saturation less pleasing at higher ISOs; H.265 video codec can be difficult to work with.
Read our Samsung NX1 Review

The Competition

Compared to Pentax K-01

Sony A3000

Pentax K-01

$500
APS-C

Less expensive
Eye-level viewfinder

$359
APS-C

Lens selection
In-Camera Image Stabilization

Compare Sony A3000 vs Pentax K-01

Samsung NX1

Pentax K-01

$1797
APS-C

Eye-level viewfinder
Shoot 4K video

$359
APS-C

Less expensive
Lens selection

Compare Samsung NX1 vs Pentax K-01

Compared to Sigma sd Quattro

Sony A3000

Sigma sd Quattro

$500
APS-C

Lens selection
In-camera panoramas

$699
APS-C

On-sensor phase detect
HDMI out

Compare Sony A3000 vs Sigma sd Quattro

Samsung NX1

Sigma sd Quattro

$1797
APS-C

Shoot 4K video
Touchscreen

$699
APS-C

Bigger pixels
More dots on screen

Compare Samsung NX1 vs Sigma sd Quattro

Compared to Fujifilm X-T2

Sony A3000

Fujifilm X-T2

$500
APS-C

Longer stills battery life
Internal flash

$999
APS-C

Shoot 4K video
Tiltable Screen

Compare Sony A3000 vs Fujifilm X-T2

Samsung NX1

Fujifilm X-T2

$1797
APS-C

Touchscreen
Fast startup

$999
APS-C

Lens selection
Thinner

Compare Samsung NX1 vs Fujifilm X-T2

Compared to Canon EOS M5

Sony A3000

Canon EOS M5

$500
APS-C

Lens selection
In-camera panoramas

$787
APS-C

Touchscreen
Tiltable Screen

Compare Sony A3000 vs Canon EOS M5

Samsung NX1

Canon EOS M5

$1797
APS-C

Larger sensor
Shoot 4K video

$787
APS-C

Lighter weight
Higher-res screen

Compare Samsung NX1 vs Canon EOS M5

Compared to Fujifilm X-T3

Sony A3000

Fujifilm X-T3

$500
APS-C

Longer stills battery life
Internal flash

$1299
APS-C

Shoot 4K video
Touchscreen

Compare Sony A3000 vs Fujifilm X-T3

Samsung NX1

Fujifilm X-T3

$1797
APS-C

Fast startup
NFC

$1299
APS-C

Lens selection
Newer

Compare Samsung NX1 vs Fujifilm X-T3

Compare Other Cameras?