Blog Exploring the Innovative Samsung NX30 Camera: A Comprehensive ReviewBlog

Discover the advanced features and functionalities of Samsung NX30 Camera that has taken the photography world by storm. This comprehensive guide will help you navigate through its intuitive design, user-friendly interface, and superior performance. Blog

Written by Victor Chan | Updated: Mon May 01 2023

Samsung NX30 article cover photo

Key Features

Jan 03 2014

Announced

20 megapixels

Resolution

BrandSamsung
Sensor TypeAPS-C
SensorCMOS
Weight375g
MSRP$1399USD

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Overview of the NX30

Samsung NX30 is a versatile and innovative camera that has earned accolades from both amateur and professional photographers. Its lightweight body and ergonomic handling make it the perfect pick for outdoor adventures. The Samsung NX30 camera comes packed with advanced features and technologies that make photography an effortless and enjoyable task. In this blog, we will take a closer look at Samsung NX30, examining all its notable features, its interface and how it performs to assess its value for money. Whether you are a beginner or an experienced photographer, you will find this blog helpful in understanding how Samsung NX30 could enhance your photography journey.

Samsung NX30 Pros and Cons

Now, we will look more closely at our review of the Samsung NX30 camera. We will see what it can do and compare it to other cameras like it. We will tell you what's good about it and what's not so good. This way, you'll know if it's the camera for you!

Pros

High resolution (20.3MP)
Fast autofocus (105 points)
Large OLED tilting display (3")

Cons

Discontinued product, limited availability
Smaller sensor than some competitors (APS-C)
Limited lens selection compared to other brands.

Build and Construction

Body and dimensions

Samsung NX30

Weather sealed
Dimensions127 x 96 x 58mm
Weight375g
Thickness58mm
Weight
Min
Avg
This
Max
Thickness
Min
Avg
This
Max

Weather Sealing

The Samsung NX30 is not sealed against water and dust, so it's important to be careful when using it in such conditions. If you often shoot in environments with water or dust, it's recommended to check out another camera with weather sealing.

Design and Handling

Main design features

View FinderElectronic
Screen TypeFully Articulated
Screen Resolution1,036k dots
Body typeSLR-style mirrorless

Suitable for:

PhotographyAbove Avg.
VideographyAbove Avg.
TravelAbove Avg.

LCD Screen

This camera has a fully articulated 3.00" screen, with a display resolution of 1,036k dots. This makes the Samsung NX30 very suitable for those looking for a vlogging camera as you can view yourself while shooting selfies. The camera also features a touch screen, which adds to its ease of use.

Viewfinder

NX30 includes a electronic viewfinder with 2,359k dots of resolution with a coverage of 100% and a magnification of 0.66x. This feature enhances the camera's suitability for outdoor photography in bright conditions.

Image Quality

Samsung NX30 has a 20MP sized CMOS sensor. You can shoot at maximum resolution of 20 pixels. Samsung NX30 has a native ISO range of 100 - 25600 which can be boosted to null - null. It can also save files in RAW format which gives you a wider room for post processing.

Key Features

Jan 03 2014

Announced

100 - 25600

ISO Range

SensorAPS-C
Extended ISOnull - null
Max resolution5472 x 3648 pixels

DXO Sensor Scores

Overall

77 / 102

Color Depth

23.5 / 26.5

Dynamic Range

12.4 / 14.8

Low Light ISO

1014 / 4505

DXO mark sensor scores

The DXOmark rankings indicate that the Samsung NX30 camera has above average color depth performance, which refers to the number of colors the sensor can distinguish. Additionally, its dynamic range is also above average, allowing it to retain low amounts of details in both bright and dark areas of a scene. The camera's low light ISO performance is poor, which is an important factor to consider if you plan to use it in dimly lit indoor environments or at night. Overall the image quality of the NX30 is average

Crop Factor

Camera crop factor (or focal length multiplier) refers to how a camera's sensor size affects the apparent field of view of a lens. Crop factor is determined by comparing the size of a camera's sensor to that of a full-frame sensor, which is a standard reference size for camera sensors.

Size comparison

Medium FormatFull FrameAPS-C (Sony, Nikon)

Crop factor calculator

Crop factor

1.5x

Full frame equivalent

36mm

This camera: APS-C

24mm

850100150200

Connectivity, storage, battery

StorageSD, SDHC, SDXC
Battery Life360 shots
Battery ModelBP1410
HDMI
USD
Wireless Connectivity

Storage

The Samsung NX30 supports SD, SDHC, SDXC with 1 slots for storage. This may suffice for everyday use. However, for professional applications such as wedding photography, it is not recommended as a memory card malfunction could lead to the loss of all footage.

Battery

The Samsung NX30 uses the BP1410 model of battery pack. This is rated for 360 shots shots which is high. If you intend to take photos or record videos for an extended period, it might be a good idea to bring along additional batteries.

Photography Features

Flash

The Samsung NX30 has built in flash which is great for event photography and in low light situations. It also offers a flash shoe that allows you to attach external flashes. This provides more versatility in your lighting choices.

Shutter

The Samsung NX30 boasts a maximum mechanical shutter speed of 1/8000s, which is ideal for shooting fast-moving subjects in bright environments, such as in sports photography. Faster shutter speeds enable you to freeze the action and capture every detail, making it easier to get the perfect shot.

With a continuous mechanical shutter speed of n/a or an electronic shutter speed of n/a, this camera is not capable of capturing the perfect moment more easily, making it not as suited for wedding, sports, and wildlife photography. Higher shutter speeds make it easier to capture fast-paced action, ensuring that you never miss the perfect shot.

Autofocus

The Samsung NX30 includes two autofocus (AF) systems: contrast detection and phase detection, with 247 number of focus points.

While contrast detection is generally more accurate and precise, phase detection autofocus is faster and more effective in most situations, particularly when photographing moving subjects.

Phase detection autofocus works by dividing the incoming light into pairs and then analyzing how they intersect on the camera's sensor. This method allows the camera to determine not only if a subject is in focus but also the direction and distance needed to adjust the focus to achieve perfect sharpness.

On the other hand, contrast detection autofocus works by analyzing the contrast of an image and adjusting the focus until the highest contrast is detected. While this method is very accurate, it can be slow, especially in low light conditions or when photographing moving subjects.

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FAQ

What is the sensor size of the Samsung NX30?

The Samsung NX30 features a CMOS sensor

Is the Samsung NX30 weather sealed?

No the NX30 does not have weather sealing.

When was the Samsung NX30 announced?

The Samsung NX30 was announced on Jan 03 2014

Does the Samsung NX30 have in-body image stabilization?

No the NX30 does not have in-body image stabilization that can compensate for camera shake, making it easier to shoot handheld in low light conditions.

What is the ISO range of the Samsung NX30?

The NX30 has a native ISO range of 100-25600, which can be expanded to ISO null-null for even greater sensitivity in low light conditions.

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