• APS-C 372.9mm2
  • 12.3 megapixels
  • ISO 200 - 3200
  • APS-C 369.0mm2
  • 20.3 megapixels
  • ISO 100 - 25,600

Buy From

Differences

Nikon D300S advantages over Samsung NX30

  • Lens selection
    Excellent vs Limited
    Better lens selection gives you more options
  • Bigger pixels
    ~ 5.50 vs 4.29 microns
    Better low-light and dynamic range (all else equal)
  • Fast startup
    ~0.30 vs 0.8 sec
    Faster startup lets you catch the moment
  • Longer stills battery life
    More info 950 vs 360 shots
    Capture more photos
  • Top deck display
    Yes vs No
    Check settings with a screen on top of the camera
  • Dual card slots
    Yes vs No
    Gives you more storage flexibility
  • Has anti-aliasing filter
    Filter vs No Filter
    Reduces unsightly moiré in photos
  • Bigger RAW buffer
    17 vs 12 shots
    Larger buffer for RAW shots (burst mode)

Samsung NX30 advantages over Nikon D300S

  • Tilt-swivel screen
    Tilt-swivel vs none
    Tilt and swivel the screen for maximum shooting flexibility
  • 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
  • In-camera panoramas
    Yes vs No
    Stitches multiple shots into a panoramic photo
  • Built-in Wi-Fi
    Wi-Fi vs None
    Share your photos wirelessly
  • NFC
    Yes vs No
    Simplifies pairing your camera with supported phones
  • Higher effective ISO
    1,014 vs 787 iso
    Take photos in low light with less noise
  • On-sensor phase detect
    Yes vs No
    Usually improves live view and video AF performance
  • Thinner
    41 mm vs 74 mm
    Thinner
  • Newer
    10 years vs 15 years old
    Newer cameras often support more advanced features
  • Shoots 1080p video
    Yes vs No
    You'll want this if you shoot video
  • Less shutter lag
    0.12 vs 0.23 sec
    Focus and take a photo quickly (wide angle)
  • More pixels
    20.3 vs 12.3 megapixels
    Higher resolution photos
  • Shoots 60p video
    Yes vs No
    A faster framerate can give you more editing options
  • Lacks anti-aliasing filter
    No Filter vs Filter
    Enjoy sharper photos
  • Faster JPEG shooting
    8.9 fps vs 7.1 fps
    Faster JPEG shooting (burst mode)
  • Faster RAW shooting
    8.8 fps vs 7.1 fps
    Faster RAW shooting in burst mode
  • Slow-motion videos
    Yes vs No
    Shoot slow-motion videos
  • Higher extended ISO
    25600 vs 6400 ISO
    Higher extended ISO can give more low-light flexibility

Similarities

Common Strengths

  • Eye-level viewfinder
    Both provide
    You'll be able to frame photos even when the sun is out
  • Internal flash
    Both provide
    Useful in a pinch for fill flash
  • 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
  • Bulb shutter
    Both provide
    Hold the shutter open manually for long exposures

Common Weaknesses

  • 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
  • Headphone jack
    Neither provide
    Monitor audio recording while you shoot video

User reviews

Buy From

Review Excerpt

  • Rugged construction; 51-point AF system capable of sophisticated AF tracking; Large, bright optical viewfinder; 7 fps JPEG or 12-bit RAW burst mode; HD Video capture.

  • 14-bit RAW mode slows continuous shooting from 7 fps to 2.7 fps; Somewhat slow AF for a camera at this level, especially in 51-point auto-area mode; Video capture tops out at 720p24.

  • Very good image quality at low to moderately high ISOs; Blazing fast single-shot autofocus; Fast 9fps burst with RAW and JPEG files; Built-in Wi-Fi with NFC; Good build quality; Tilting EVF; Articulating touchscreen monitor; Bundled with Adobe Lightroom 5 software; Excellent value.

  • Dynamic range not as good as the best APS-C models; Slow buffer clearing even with fast UHS-I cards; Buffer depth with RAW files is underwhelming; Native lens selection is still fairly limited.

The Competition

Compared to Nikon D90

Nikon D300S
Nikon D90
  • $1697
  • APS-C
  • External Mic Jack
  • More cross-type AF points
  • $1300
  • APS-C
  • Higher effective ISO
  • Bigger JPEG buffer
Samsung NX30
Nikon D90
  • $899
  • APS-C
  • Focus peaking
  • Less expensive
  • $1300
  • APS-C
  • Lens selection
  • Bigger pixels

Compared to Canon 50D

Nikon D300S
Canon 50D
  • $1697
  • APS-C
  • Higher effective ISO
  • Longer stills battery life
  • $1000
  • APS-C
  • Less shutter lag
  • More pixels
Samsung NX30
Canon 50D
  • $899
  • APS-C
  • Less expensive
  • Tilt-swivel screen
  • $1000
  • APS-C
  • Lens selection
  • Bigger pixels

Compared to Sony DSLR-A550

Nikon D300S
Sony DSLR-A550
  • $1697
  • APS-C
  • Lens selection
  • Fast startup
  • $859
  • APS-C
  • In-Camera Image Stabilization
  • Tiltable Screen
Samsung NX30
Sony DSLR-A550
  • $899
  • APS-C
  • Tilt-swivel screen
  • Focus peaking
  • $859
  • APS-C
  • Lens selection
  • In-Camera Image Stabilization

Compared to Fujifilm X-E2

Nikon D300S
Fujifilm X-E2
  • $1697
  • APS-C
  • Lens selection
  • Longer stills battery life
  • $1059
  • APS-C
  • Focus peaking
  • In-camera panoramas
Samsung NX30
Fujifilm X-E2
  • $899
  • APS-C
  • Less expensive
  • Tilt-swivel screen
  • $1059
  • APS-C
  • Lens selection
  • Doesn't require an AA filter

Compared to Fujifilm X-T1

Nikon D300S
Fujifilm X-T1
  • $1697
  • APS-C
  • Lens selection
  • Fast startup
  • $1299
  • APS-C
  • Focus peaking
  • In-camera panoramas
Samsung NX30
Fujifilm X-T1
  • $899
  • APS-C
  • Tilt-swivel screen
  • Touchscreen
  • $1299
  • APS-C
  • Lens selection
  • More viewfinder magnification
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