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

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Differences

Samsung NX3000 advantages over Sony A5100

  • Hot shoe
    Hot shoe vs None
    Off-camera flashes open new possibilities
  • Slow-motion videos
    Yes vs No
    Shoot slow-motion videos

Sony A5100 advantages over Samsung NX3000

  • Lens selection
    Good vs Limited
    Better lens selection gives you more options
  • Focus peaking
    Peaker vs Non-peaker
    Your camera will highlight what's in focus
  • Touchscreen
    Touch vs No touch
    Interact with your camera just like your smartphone
  • On-sensor phase detect
    Yes vs No
    Usually improves live view and video AF performance
  • Internal flash
    Internal flash vs None
    Useful in a pinch for fill flash
  • 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
  • More pixels
    24.3 vs 20.3 megapixels
    Higher resolution photos
  • Shoots 60p video
    Yes vs No
    A faster framerate can give you more editing options
  • Faster JPEG shooting
    6.0 fps vs 5.2 fps
    Faster JPEG shooting (burst mode)
  • Bigger JPEG buffer
    67 vs 12 shots
    Take more JPEG shots before waiting (burst mode)
  • Faster RAW shooting
    6.0 fps vs 5.2 fps
    Faster RAW shooting in burst mode
  • Bigger RAW buffer
    25 vs 4 shots
    Larger buffer for RAW shots (burst mode)

Similarities

Common Strengths

  • 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
  • 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

User reviews

Buy From

Your purchases support this site

Buy the Samsung NX3000

Your purchases support this site

Buy the Sony A5100

Review Excerpt

  • 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 Samsung NX1100

Samsung NX3000
Samsung NX1100
  • $950
  • APS-C
  • In-camera panoramas
  • Tiltable Screen
  • $450
  • APS-C
  • Shoots 24p video
  • Higher-res screen
Sony A5100
Samsung NX1100
  • $348
  • APS-C
  • Lens selection
  • Focus peaking
  • $450
  • APS-C
  • Higher-res screen
  • Hot shoe

Compared to Fujifilm X-M1

Samsung NX3000
Fujifilm X-M1
  • $950
  • APS-C
  • Less expensive
  • In-camera panoramas
  • $993
  • APS-C
  • Lens selection
  • Focus peaking
Sony A5100
Fujifilm X-M1
  • $348
  • APS-C
  • Touchscreen
  • In-camera panoramas
  • $993
  • APS-C
  • Bigger pixels
  • Higher-res screen

Compared to Sony NEX-5T

Samsung NX3000
Sony NEX-5T
  • $950
  • APS-C
  • Less expensive
  • More pixels
  • $299
  • APS-C
  • Lens selection
  • Focus peaking
Sony A5100
Sony NEX-5T
  • $348
  • APS-C
  • Higher effective ISO
  • Longer stills battery life
  • $299
  • APS-C
  • Bigger pixels
  • Higher-res screen

Compared to Sony A5000

Samsung NX3000
Sony A5000
  • $950
  • APS-C
  • Hot shoe
  • Faster JPEG shooting
  • $298
  • APS-C
  • Lens selection
  • Focus peaking
Sony A5100
Sony A5000
  • $348
  • APS-C
  • Touchscreen
  • Higher effective ISO
  • $298
  • APS-C
  • Less expensive

Compared to Sony A6000

Samsung NX3000
Sony A6000
  • $950
  • APS-C
  • Slow-motion videos
  • $659
  • APS-C
  • Lens selection
  • Focus peaking
Sony A5100
Sony A6000
  • $348
  • APS-C
  • Less expensive
  • Touchscreen
  • $659
  • APS-C
  • Eye-level viewfinder
  • Higher-res screen
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