Samsung NX30 vs Canon SL2

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Samsung NX30 vs Canon SL2

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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.

APS-C 332.3mm²
24.2 megapixels
ISO 100 - 25,600

Go in depth with our full Canon SL2 Review.
How does it shoot? Canon SL2 in the real world.
See real-world photos taken with the SL2.
Compare Canon SL2 image quality against competitors.
What’s the bottom line? Read our Canon SL2 conclusion.

Succeeded by the Canon SL3
Compare SL2 vs SL3
Compare Samsung NX30 vs Canon SL3

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Differences

Samsung NX30 advantages over Canon SL2

Focus peaking
Peaker vs Non-peaker
Your camera will highlight what's in focus
Larger sensor
APS-C vs APS-C
More sensor area. Bigger is (generally) better.
Bigger pixels
~ 4.29 vs 3.72 microns
Better low-light and dynamic range (all else equal)
In-camera panoramas
Yes vs No
Stitches multiple shots into a panoramic photo
Thinner
41 mm vs 69 mm
Thinner
More viewfinder magnification
0.64x vs 0.54x
Get a bigger view of the scene through the eye-level viewfinder
Lacks anti-aliasing filter
No Filter vs Filter
Enjoy sharper photos
Faster JPEG shooting
8.9 fps vs 5.0 fps
Faster JPEG shooting (burst mode)
Faster RAW shooting
8.8 fps vs 5.1 fps
Faster RAW shooting in burst mode
Bigger RAW buffer
12 vs 5 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

Canon SL2 advantages over Samsung NX30

Lens selection
Excellent vs Limited
Better lens selection gives you more options
Fast startup
~0.60 vs 0.8 sec
Faster startup lets you catch the moment
Built-in Bluetooth
Yes vs No
Always-on wireless connectivity
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

650 vs 360 shots
Capture more photos
Newer
7 years vs 11 years old
Newer cameras often support more advanced features
More pixels
24.2 vs 20.3 megapixels
Higher resolution photos
Has anti-aliasing filter
Filter vs No Filter
Reduces unsightly moiré in photos
Higher extended ISO
51200 vs 25600 ISO
Higher extended ISO can give more low-light flexibility

Similarities

Common Strengths

Tilt-swivel screen
Both provide
Tilt and swivel the screen for maximum shooting flexibility
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
Built-in Wi-Fi
Both provide
Share your photos wirelessly
NFC
Both provide
Simplifies pairing your camera with supported phones
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
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 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 SL2 User Reviews

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Buy the Samsung NX30

Kit with 18-55mm Lens

All NX30 Deals

Your purchases support this site

Buy the Canon SL2

Body Only (Black)

Body Only (Black)
Kit with 18-55mm IS STM lens (Black)
Kit with 18-55mm IS STM lens (White)

All SL2 Deals

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

Higher resolution and better image quality than SL1; Much improved dynamic range; Excellent Dual Pixel CMOS AF; Compact body with improved ergonomics; Articulating touchscreen; Full HD movies up to 60p; Better battery life.
Shallow buffer depth with RAW files; Dynamic range and high ISO performance still not as good as leading competitors; No 4K video option; OVF only offers 9 AF points.
Read our Canon SL2 Review

The Competition

Compared to Fujifilm X-E2

Samsung NX30

Fujifilm X-E2

$899
APS-C

Tilt-swivel screen
Touchscreen

$899
APS-C

Lens selection
Doesn't require an AA filter

Compare Samsung NX30 vs Fujifilm X-E2

Canon SL2

Fujifilm X-E2

$549
APS-C

Lens selection
Less expensive

$899
APS-C

Focus peaking
Larger sensor

Compare Canon SL2 vs Fujifilm X-E2

Compared to Fujifilm X-T1

Samsung NX30

Fujifilm X-T1

$899
APS-C

Tilt-swivel screen
Touchscreen

$1099
APS-C

Lens selection
More viewfinder magnification

Compare Samsung NX30 vs Fujifilm X-T1

Canon SL2

Fujifilm X-T1

$549
APS-C

Lens selection
Less expensive

$1099
APS-C

Focus peaking
Larger sensor

Compare Canon SL2 vs Fujifilm X-T1

Compared to Fujifilm X-T10

Samsung NX30

Fujifilm X-T10

$899
APS-C

Tilt-swivel screen
Touchscreen

$1099
APS-C

Lens selection
Doesn't require an AA filter

Compare Samsung NX30 vs Fujifilm X-T10

Canon SL2

Fujifilm X-T10

$549
APS-C

Lens selection
Less expensive

$1099
APS-C

Focus peaking
Larger sensor

Compare Canon SL2 vs Fujifilm X-T10

Compared to Nikon D3500

Samsung NX30

Nikon D3500

$899
APS-C

Focus peaking
Tilt-swivel screen

$623
APS-C

Lens selection
Fast startup

Compare Samsung NX30 vs Nikon D3500

Canon SL2

Nikon D3500

$549
APS-C

Tilt-swivel screen
Touchscreen

$623
APS-C

Larger sensor
Fast startup

Compare Canon SL2 vs Nikon D3500

Compared to Canon SL3

Samsung NX30

Canon SL3

$899
APS-C

Focus peaking
Larger sensor

$632
APS-C

Lens selection
Shoot 4K video

Compare Samsung NX30 vs Canon SL3

Canon SL2

Canon SL3

$549
APS-C

Less expensive
NFC

$632
APS-C

Shoot 4K video
Longer stills battery life

Compare Canon SL2 vs Canon SL3

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