• APS-C 369.0mm2
  • 20.3 megapixels
  • ISO 100 - 25,600
  • APS-C 366.6mm2
  • 24.2 megapixels
  • ISO 100 - 25,600

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Differences

Samsung NX30 advantages over Nikon D3500

  • Focus peaking
    Peaker vs Non-peaker
    Your camera will highlight what's in focus
  • 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
  • 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
  • On-sensor phase detect
    Yes vs No
    Usually improves live view and video AF performance
  • Thinner
    41 mm vs 69 mm
    Thinner
  • External Mic Jack
    Jack vs No jack
    Improved sound fidelity when shooting video
  • Less shutter lag
    0.12 vs 0.21 sec
    Focus and take a photo quickly (wide angle)
  • More viewfinder magnification
    0.64x vs 0.57x
    Get a bigger view of the scene through the eye-level viewfinder
  • Faster JPEG shooting
    8.9 fps vs 5.1 fps
    Faster JPEG shooting (burst mode)
  • Faster RAW shooting
    8.8 fps vs 5.1 fps
    Faster RAW shooting in 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

Nikon D3500 advantages over Samsung NX30

  • Lens selection
    Excellent vs Limited
    Better lens selection gives you more options
  • Fast startup
    ~0.40 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 1550 vs 360 shots
    Capture more photos
  • Newer
    6 years vs 11 years old
    Newer cameras often support more advanced features
  • More pixels
    24.2 vs 20.3 megapixels
    Higher resolution photos
  • Bigger JPEG buffer
    100 vs 21 shots
    Take more JPEG shots before waiting (burst mode)

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
  • 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

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Your purchases support this site

Buy the Samsung NX30
Kit with 18-55mm Lens

Your purchases support this site

Buy the Nikon D3500
Kit with 18-55mm VR lens
  • Kit with 18-55mm VR lens
  • Kit with 18-55mm VR and 70-300mm lenses
All D3500 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

  • Great image quality for its class; Excellent high ISO performance for APS-C; Fast single-shot AF speeds; Compact, easy to use design; Incredible value at under $500 with lens.

  • 11-point AF system feels out-dated; Underwhelming C-AF performance; Below average viewfinder coverage accuracy; No touchscreen; Limited wireless features.

  • Read our Nikon D3500 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

Nikon D3500
Fujifilm X-E2
  • $623
  • APS-C
  • Lens selection
  • Less expensive
  • $899
  • APS-C
  • Focus peaking
  • Bigger pixels

Compare Nikon D3500 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

Nikon D3500
Fujifilm X-T1
  • $623
  • APS-C
  • Lens selection
  • Less expensive
  • $1099
  • APS-C
  • Focus peaking
  • Bigger pixels

Compare Nikon D3500 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

Nikon D3500
Fujifilm X-T10
  • $623
  • APS-C
  • Lens selection
  • Less expensive
  • $1099
  • APS-C
  • Focus peaking
  • Bigger pixels

Compare Nikon D3500 vs Fujifilm X-T10

Compared to Canon SL2

Samsung NX30
Canon SL2
  • $899
  • APS-C
  • Focus peaking
  • Larger sensor
  • $549
  • APS-C
  • Lens selection
  • Fast startup

Compare Samsung NX30 vs Canon SL2

Nikon D3500
Canon SL2
  • $623
  • APS-C
  • Larger sensor
  • Fast startup
  • $549
  • APS-C
  • Tilt-swivel screen
  • Touchscreen

Compare Nikon D3500 vs Canon SL2

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

Nikon D3500
Canon SL3
  • $623
  • APS-C
  • Less expensive
  • Larger sensor
  • $632
  • APS-C
  • Tilt-swivel screen
  • Shoot 4K video

Compare Nikon D3500 vs Canon SL3

Compare Other Cameras?