Samsung NX1 vs Sony A7 II

Cameras
Compare Cameras
Samsung NX1 vs Sony A7 II

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.

35mm 855.6mm²
24.3 megapixels
ISO 100 - 25,600

Go in depth with our full Sony A7 II Review.
How does it shoot? Sony A7 II in the real world.
See real-world photos taken with the A7 II.
Compare Sony A7 II image quality against competitors.
What’s the bottom line? Read our Sony A7 II conclusion.

Succeeded by the Sony A7 III
Compare A7 II vs A7 III
Compare Samsung NX1 vs Sony A7 III

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Differences

Samsung NX1 advantages over Sony A7 II

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
Fast startup
~0.70 vs 1.7 sec
Faster startup lets you catch the moment
Built-in Bluetooth
Yes vs No
Always-on wireless connectivity
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

500 vs 350 shots
Capture more photos
Internal flash
Internal flash vs None
Useful in a pinch for fill flash
Top deck display
Yes vs No
Check settings with a screen on top of the camera
More pixels
28.2 vs 24.3 megapixels
Higher resolution photos
Lacks anti-aliasing filter
No Filter vs Filter
Enjoy sharper photos
Wider angle kit lens
25 mm vs 28 mm
Capture more of the scene with the included lens
Faster JPEG shooting
15.2 fps vs 5.0 fps
Faster JPEG shooting (burst mode)
Faster RAW shooting
15.1 fps vs 5.0 fps
Faster RAW shooting in burst mode
Slow-motion videos
Yes vs No
Shoot slow-motion videos

Sony A7 II advantages over Samsung NX1

Lens selection
Good vs Limited
Better lens selection gives you more options
Larger sensor
35mm vs APS-C
More sensor area. Bigger is (generally) better.
In-Camera Image Stabilization
Yes vs No
Reduces the effects of camera shake at slower shutter speeds
Bigger pixels
~ 5.97 vs 3.63 microns
Better low-light and dynamic range (all else equal)
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.
A7 II test data on DxO Mark NX1 test data on DxO Mark

2,449 vs 1,363 iso
Take photos in low light with less noise
Lighter weight
930g vs 1290g
Lighter weight
Has anti-aliasing filter
Filter vs No Filter
Reduces unsightly moiré in photos

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
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
External Mic Jack
Both provide
Improved sound fidelity when shooting video
HDMI out
Both provide
Use HDMI output to monitor or review video
Hot shoe
Both provide
Off-camera flashes open new possibilities
Headphone jack
Both provide
Monitor audio recording while you shoot 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
Built-in GPS
Neither provide
Geotag your photos
Dual card slots
Neither provide
Gives you more storage flexibility

User reviews

Amazon
Adorama
Read NX1 User Reviews

Amazon
Adorama
Read A7 II User Reviews

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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

Your purchases support this site

Buy the Sony A7 II

Body Only

Body Only
Kit with 28-70mm Lens

All A7 II Deals

Review Excerpt

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

Excellent 5-axis sensor-shift image stabilization; Sensor-shift IS brings stabilization to nearly any lens; Much-improved ergonomics and top-deck control layout; 'Mark II' maintains same impressive image quality, dynamic range and high ISO performance; XAVC S 50Mbps video format; Faster start-up time; Hybrid AF performs well with good continuous AF.
(Similar to A7): Loud shutter (but electronic first-curtain helps); Battery life could be better; Low-light AF still not as good as most DSLRs; High ISO JPEGs look over-processed; Slow buffer clearing; Limited selection of native Sony FE lenses (but it's getting better).
Read our Sony A7 II Review

The Competition

Compared to Sony A7

Samsung NX1

Sony A7

$1797
APS-C

Shoot 4K video
Touchscreen

$748
35mm

Lens selection
Larger sensor

Compare Samsung NX1 vs Sony A7

Sony A7 II

Sony A7

$1148
35mm

In-Camera Image Stabilization

$748
35mm

Less expensive

Compare Sony A7 II vs Sony A7

Compared to Fujifilm X-T1

Samsung NX1

Fujifilm X-T1

$1797
APS-C

Shoot 4K video
Touchscreen

$1299
APS-C

Lens selection
Bigger pixels

Compare Samsung NX1 vs Fujifilm X-T1

Sony A7 II

Fujifilm X-T1

$1148
35mm

Less expensive
Larger sensor

$1299
APS-C

More telephoto lens reach
Less shutter lag

Compare Sony A7 II vs Fujifilm X-T1

Compared to 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

Sony A7 II

Fujifilm X-T2

$1148
35mm

Larger sensor
In-Camera Image Stabilization

$999
APS-C

Shoot 4K video
Fast startup

Compare Sony A7 II vs Fujifilm X-T2

Compared to Sony A7 III

Samsung NX1

Sony A7 III

$1797
APS-C

In-camera panoramas
Fast startup

$1865
35mm

Lens selection
Larger sensor

Compare Samsung NX1 vs Sony A7 III

Sony A7 II

Sony A7 III

$1148
35mm

Less expensive
In-camera panoramas

$1865
35mm

Shoot 4K video
Touchscreen

Compare Sony A7 II vs Sony A7 III

Compared to 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

Sony A7 II

Fujifilm X-T3

$1148
35mm

Larger sensor
Less expensive

$1299
APS-C

Shoot 4K video
Touchscreen

Compare Sony A7 II vs Fujifilm X-T3

Compare Other Cameras?