Samsung NX30 vs Panasonic GX9

Cameras
Compare Cameras
Samsung NX30 vs Panasonic GX9

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

Go in depth with our full Samsung NX30 Review.
How does it shoot? Samsung NX30 in the real world.
See real-world photos taken with the NX30.
Compare Samsung NX30 image quality against competitors.
What’s the bottom line? Read our Samsung NX30 conclusion.

4/3 224.9mm²
20.3 megapixels
ISO 200 - 25,600

Go in depth with our full Panasonic GX9 Review.
How does it shoot? Panasonic GX9 in the real world.
See real-world photos taken with the GX9.
Compare Panasonic GX9 image quality against competitors.
What’s the bottom line? Read our Panasonic GX9 conclusion.

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Differences

Samsung NX30 advantages over Panasonic GX9

Tilt-swivel screen
Tilt-swivel vs tilt-only
Tilt and swivel the screen for maximum shooting flexibility
Larger sensor
APS-C vs 4/3
More sensor area. Bigger is (generally) better.
Bigger pixels
~ 4.29 vs 3.34 microns
Better low-light and dynamic range (all else equal)
NFC
Yes vs No
Simplifies pairing your camera with supported phones
On-sensor phase detect
Yes vs No
Usually improves live view and video AF performance
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

360 vs 260 shots
Capture more photos
External Mic Jack
Jack vs No jack
Improved sound fidelity when shooting video
Slow-motion videos
Yes vs No
Shoot slow-motion videos

Panasonic GX9 advantages over Samsung NX30

Lens selection
Excellent vs Limited
Better lens selection gives you more options
In-Camera Image Stabilization
Yes vs No
Reduces the effects of camera shake at slower shutter speeds
Shoot 4K video
4K (UHD) vs 1080p
Make sure you have a fast computer
Built-in Bluetooth
Yes vs No
Always-on wireless connectivity
More telephoto lens reach
120 mm vs 84 mm
Capture objects farther away with the kit lens
Newer
6 years vs 10 years old
Newer cameras often support more advanced features
More viewfinder magnification
0.70x vs 0.64x
Get a bigger view of the scene through the eye-level viewfinder
Wider angle kit lens
24 mm vs 27 mm
Capture more of the scene with the included lens
Longer exposure
60 vs 30 sec
Long exposures for night shots
Bigger JPEG buffer
140 vs 21 shots
Take more JPEG shots before waiting (burst mode)
Bigger RAW buffer
32 vs 12 shots
Larger buffer for RAW shots (burst mode)
Faster shutter
1/16000 vs 1/8000 sec
Shoot wide open in bright light

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
Touchscreen
Both provide
Interact with your camera just like your smartphone
In-camera panoramas
Both provide
Stitches multiple shots into a panoramic photo
Built-in Wi-Fi
Both provide
Share your photos wirelessly
Internal flash
Both provide
Useful in a pinch for fill flash
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

Built-in GPS
Neither provide
Geotag your photos
Top deck display
Neither provide
Check settings with a screen on top of the camera
Dual card slots
Neither provide
Gives you more storage flexibility
Headphone jack
Neither provide
Monitor audio recording while you shoot video

User reviews

Amazon
Adorama
Read NX30 User Reviews

Amazon
Adorama
Read GX9 User Reviews

Buy From

Your purchases support this site

Buy the Samsung NX30

Kit with 18-55mm Lens

Your purchases support this site

Buy the Panasonic GX9

Kit with 12-60mm lens (Black)

Kit with 12-60mm lens (Black)
Kit with 12-60mm lens (Silver)

Review Excerpt

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.
Read our Samsung NX30 Review

Great image quality; Good high ISO performance for its class; Improved JPEG processing; Fast autofocus; Fast ~9fps burst mode.
Smallish field-sequential EVF; Below average battery life; No mic/headphone jacks; Noticeable crop on 4K video.
Read our Panasonic GX9 Review

The Competition

Compared to Fujifilm X-E2

Samsung NX30

Fujifilm X-E2

$899
APS-C

Less expensive
Tilt-swivel screen

$1059
APS-C

Lens selection
Doesn't require an AA filter

Compare Samsung NX30 vs Fujifilm X-E2

Panasonic GX9

Fujifilm X-E2

$898
4/3

Lens selection
In-Camera Image Stabilization

$1059
APS-C

Larger sensor
Bigger pixels

Compare Panasonic GX9 vs Fujifilm X-E2

Compared to Fujifilm X-T1

Samsung NX30

Fujifilm X-T1

$899
APS-C

Tilt-swivel screen
Touchscreen

$1299
APS-C

Lens selection
More viewfinder magnification

Compare Samsung NX30 vs Fujifilm X-T1

Panasonic GX9

Fujifilm X-T1

$898
4/3

Lens selection
Less expensive

$1299
APS-C

Larger sensor
Bigger pixels

Compare Panasonic GX9 vs Fujifilm X-T1

Compared to Fujifilm X-T10

Samsung NX30

Fujifilm X-T10

$899
APS-C

Tilt-swivel screen
Touchscreen

$599
APS-C

Lens selection
Doesn't require an AA filter

Compare Samsung NX30 vs Fujifilm X-T10

Panasonic GX9

Fujifilm X-T10

$898
4/3

Lens selection
In-Camera Image Stabilization

$599
APS-C

Larger sensor
Bigger pixels

Compare Panasonic GX9 vs Fujifilm X-T10

Compared to Panasonic GX85

Samsung NX30

Panasonic GX85

$899
APS-C

Larger sensor
Tilt-swivel screen

$598
4/3

Lens selection
In-Camera Image Stabilization

Compare Samsung NX30 vs Panasonic GX85

Panasonic GX9

Panasonic GX85

$898
4/3

Built-in Bluetooth
More telephoto lens reach

$598
4/3

Less expensive
Lighter weight

Compare Panasonic GX9 vs Panasonic GX85

Compared to Olympus E-M10 III

Samsung NX30

Olympus E-M10 III

$899
APS-C

Tilt-swivel screen
Larger sensor

$549
4/3

Lens selection
In-Camera Image Stabilization

Compare Samsung NX30 vs Olympus E-M10 III

Panasonic GX9

Olympus E-M10 III

$898
4/3

In-camera panoramas
Built-in Bluetooth

$549
4/3

Longer stills battery life
Lighter weight

Compare Panasonic GX9 vs Olympus E-M10 III

Compare Other Cameras?