• APS-C 368.2mm2
  • 16.3 megapixels
  • 35.00mm (35mm eq.)
  • APS-C 369.0mm2
  • 20.3 megapixels
  • ISO 100 - 25,600

Buy From

Differences

Fujifilm X100S advantages over Samsung NX30

  • Integrated ND filter
    Yes vs No
    Shoot in daylight with a large aperture or slow shutter
  • Higher max flash sync
    1/2000 vs 1/200 sec
    Reduce the effect of ambient light in flash shots
  • Doesn't require an AA filter
    Yes vs No
    A unique sensor design provides sharp photos without moiré

Samsung NX30 advantages over Fujifilm X100S

  • Less expensive
    $1000 vs $1300 (MSRP)
    Save money for lenses or accessories
  • Tilt-swivel screen
    Tilt-swivel vs none
    Tilt and swivel the screen for maximum shooting flexibility
  • Touchscreen
    Touch vs No touch
    Interact with your camera just like your smartphone
  • Fast startup
    ~0.80 vs 1.9 sec
    Faster startup lets you catch the moment
  • Built-in Wi-Fi
    Wi-Fi vs None
    Share your photos wirelessly
  • NFC
    Yes vs No
    Simplifies pairing your camera with supported phones
  • External Mic Jack
    Jack vs No jack
    Improved sound fidelity when shooting video
  • Shoots 24p video
    Yes vs No
    Gives your movies a big-screen feel
  • Higher-res screen
    346k vs 153k pixels
    More detail on the screen lets you judge focus and composition
  • Less shutter lag
    0.12 vs 0.32 sec
    Focus and take a photo quickly (wide angle)
  • More viewfinder magnification
    0.64x vs 0.50x
    Get a bigger view of the scene through the eye-level viewfinder
  • More pixels
    20.3 vs 16.3 megapixels
    Higher resolution photos
  • Faster JPEG shooting
    8.9 fps vs 5.7 fps
    Faster JPEG shooting (burst mode)
  • Faster RAW shooting
    8.8 fps vs 5.7 fps
    Faster RAW shooting in burst mode
  • Bigger RAW buffer
    12 vs 8 shots
    Larger buffer for RAW shots (burst mode)
  • Slow-motion videos
    Yes vs No
    Shoot slow-motion videos
  • Faster shutter
    1/8000 vs 1/4000 sec
    Shoot wide open in bright light

Similarities

Common Strengths

  • Rear display
    Both provide
    Review photos on the back of the camera
  • 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
  • In-camera panoramas
    Both provide
    Stitches multiple shots into a panoramic photo
  • RAW file ability
    Both provide
    Gives you more flexibility to develop your photos later
  • On-sensor phase detect
    Both provide
    Usually improves live view and video AF performance
  • Internal flash
    Both provide
    Useful in a pinch for fill flash
  • Manual focus
    Both provide
    AF is for the weak. Real photographers focus manually.
  • 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
  • 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

Buy From

Your purchases support this site

Buy the Fujifilm X100S

Your purchases support this site

Buy the Samsung NX30

Review Excerpt

  • Attractive, retro rangefinder-style design; Improved (excellent) still image quality that's even better thanks to second generation X-Trans sensor technology; Great, sharp f/2 35mm-equivalent lens; Overall better operation and performance than the X100; Addition of phase-detect pixels makes bright light autofocusing faster.

  • Low-light AF slow and inconsistent; Video quality, even at 60p, compromised by moire and lack of image stabilization; Combined four-way pad/Command dial means AF control points cumbersome to change; Too easy to bump control dials and change settings accidentally (especially the EV dial).

  • 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 Fujifilm X100

Fujifilm X100S
Fujifilm X100
  • $1099
  • APS-C
  • Focus peaking
  • In-camera panoramas
  • $1200
  • APS-C
  • Shoots 24p video
Samsung NX30
Fujifilm X100
  • $899
  • APS-C
  • Less expensive
  • Tilt-swivel screen
  • $1200
  • APS-C
  • Bigger pixels
  • Integrated ND filter

Compared to Fujifilm X-T1

Fujifilm X100S
Fujifilm X-T1
  • $1099
  • APS-C
  • Internal flash
  • Integrated ND filter
  • $1099
  • APS-C
  • Tiltable Screen
  • Fast startup
Samsung NX30
Fujifilm X-T1
  • $899
  • APS-C
  • Tilt-swivel screen
  • Touchscreen
  • $1099
  • APS-C
  • Lens selection
  • More viewfinder magnification

Compared to Fujifilm X100T

Fujifilm X100S
Fujifilm X100T
  • $1099
  • APS-C
  • $1299
  • APS-C
  • Built-in Wi-Fi
  • External Mic Jack
Samsung NX30
Fujifilm X100T
  • $899
  • APS-C
  • Less expensive
  • Tilt-swivel screen
  • $1299
  • APS-C
  • Integrated ND filter
  • Higher max flash sync

Compared to Fujifilm X-T10

Fujifilm X100S
Fujifilm X-T10
  • $1099
  • APS-C
  • Integrated ND filter
  • Higher max flash sync
  • $1099
  • APS-C
  • Tiltable Screen
  • Fast startup
Samsung NX30
Fujifilm X-T10
  • $899
  • APS-C
  • Tilt-swivel screen
  • Touchscreen
  • $1099
  • APS-C
  • Lens selection
  • Doesn't require an AA filter

Compared to Fujifilm X100F

Fujifilm X100S
Fujifilm X100F
  • $1099
  • APS-C
  • Bigger pixels
  • $899
  • APS-C
  • Fast startup
  • Built-in Wi-Fi
Samsung NX30
Fujifilm X100F
  • $899
  • APS-C
  • Tilt-swivel screen
  • Touchscreen
  • $899
  • APS-C
  • Integrated ND filter
  • Higher max flash sync
Compare Other Cameras?