Samsung NX3000 Review: A Budget-Friendly Mirrorless Camera for Amazing Photos

Looking for a high-quality camera that won't break the bank? Look no further than the Samsung NX3000 mirrorless camera. With impressive specs and an affordable price, this camera is perfect for hobbyists and enthusiasts alike. In this review, we'll cover everything you need to know about the NX3000, including its features, performance, and overall value.

Written by Victor Chan | Updated: Mon May 01 2023

Samsung NX3000 article cover photo

Key Features

May 26 2014

Announced

20 megapixels

Resolution

BrandSamsung
Sensor TypeAPS-C
SensorCMOS
Weight230g
MSRP$529USD

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Samsung NX1000 thumbnail

Samsung NX1000

Released Apr 19 2012 | 20MP resolution

Overview of the NX3000

Photography can be an expensive hobby, but it doesn't have to be. With the Samsung NX3000, you can get pro-level features at a fraction of the cost. This budget-friendly mirrorless camera boasts a 20.3 megapixel APS-C sensor, built-in Wi-Fi and NFC connectivity, and a variety of shooting modes. Whether you're a beginner or an experienced photographer, the NX3000 is a great choice for capturing stunning photos. In the following sections, we'll delve deeper into what makes this camera such a standout option in its price range.

Samsung NX3000 Pros and Cons

Now, we will look more closely at our review of the Samsung NX3000 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 sensor
Easy-to-use interface
Built-in Wi-Fi and NFC for quick sharing
Compact and sleek design
Compatible with a wide range of lenses

Cons

No weather sealing
Limited autofocus system
No external microphone input for video recording
Slow autofocus in low light conditions
Mediocre battery life

Build and Construction

Body and dimensions

Samsung NX3000

Weather sealed
Dimensions117 x 66 x 39mm
Weight230g
Thickness39mm
Weight
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Max
Thickness
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Weather Sealing

The Samsung NX3000 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 FinderNone
Screen TypeTilting
Screen Resolution461k dots
Body typeRangefinder-style mirrorless

Suitable for:

PhotographyAbove Avg.
VideographyAbove Avg.
TravelAbove Avg.

LCD Screen

This camera has a tilting 3.00" screen, with a display resolution of 461k dots. This makes the Samsung NX3000 not as suitable for those looking for a vlogging camera as you cannot view yourself while shooting selfies easily. Unfortunately, the camera does not have a touch screen, which may make it less user-friendly.

Viewfinder

Samsung NX3000 does not include a viewfinder. The lack of a viewfinder on the NX3000 camera may make it less suitable for outdoor photography in bright conditions.

Image Quality

Samsung NX3000 has a 20MP sized CMOS sensor. You can shoot at maximum resolution of 20 pixels. Samsung NX3000 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

May 26 2014

Announced

100 - 25600

ISO Range

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

DXO Sensor Scores

Overall

not tested

Color Depth

not tested

Dynamic Range

not tested

Low Light ISO

not tested

DXO mark sensor scores

The DXOmark rankings indicate that the Samsung NX3000 camera has excellent color depth performance, which refers to the number of colors the sensor can distinguish. Additionally, its dynamic range is also excellent, allowing it to retain high amounts of details in both bright and dark areas of a scene. The camera's low light ISO performance is excellent, 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 NX3000 is excellent

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

1x

Full frame equivalent

24mm

This camera: APS-C

24mm

850100150200

Connectivity, storage, battery

StoragemicroSD/microSDHC/microSDXC
Battery Life370 shots
Battery ModelB740
HDMI
USD
Wireless Connectivity

Storage

The Samsung NX3000 supports microSD/microSDHC/microSDXC 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 NX3000 uses the B740 model of battery pack. This is rated for 370 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 NX3000 does not have a built-in flash, but it does offer a flash shoe that allows you to attach external flashes. This provides more versatility in your lighting choices.

Shutter

The Samsung NX3000 boasts a maximum mechanical shutter speed of 1/4000s, 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 NX3000 includes contrast detection autofocus (AF), with 35 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 NX3000?

The Samsung NX3000 features a CMOS sensor

Is the Samsung NX3000 weather sealed?

No the NX3000 does not have weather sealing.

When was the Samsung NX3000 announced?

The Samsung NX3000 was announced on May 26 2014

Does the Samsung NX3000 have in-body image stabilization?

No the NX3000 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 NX3000?

The NX3000 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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