• APS-C 369.0mm2
  • 20.3 megapixels
  • ISO 100 - 25,600
  • 4/3 226.2mm2
  • 20.4 megapixels
  • ISO 200 - 25,600

Buy From

Differences

Samsung NX30 advantages over Olympus E-M1 II

  • Larger sensor
    APS-C vs 4/3
    More sensor area. Bigger is (generally) better.
  • Bigger pixels
    ~ 4.29 vs 3.36 microns
    Better low-light and dynamic range (all else equal)
  • In-camera panoramas
    Yes vs No
    Stitches multiple shots into a panoramic photo
  • NFC
    Yes vs No
    Simplifies pairing your camera with supported phones
  • Internal flash
    Internal flash vs None
    Useful in a pinch for fill flash
  • Thinner
    41 mm vs 68 mm
    Thinner
  • Slow-motion videos
    Yes vs No
    Shoot slow-motion videos

Olympus E-M1 II 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 (DCI) vs 1080p
    Make sure you have a fast computer
  • High resolution composite
    Yes vs No
    Combine multiple shots to form a super hi-res version
  • Higher effective ISO
    1,312 vs 1,014 iso
    Take photos in low light with less noise
  • Longer stills battery life
    More info 440 vs 360 shots
    Capture more photos
  • More viewfinder magnification
    0.74x vs 0.64x
    Get a bigger view of the scene through the eye-level viewfinder
  • Dual card slots
    Yes vs No
    Gives you more storage flexibility
  • Headphone jack
    Yes vs No
    Monitor audio recording while you shoot video
  • Longer exposure
    60 vs 30 sec
    Long exposures for night shots
  • Faster JPEG shooting
    60.6 fps vs 8.9 fps
    Faster JPEG shooting (burst mode)
  • Bigger JPEG buffer
    51 vs 21 shots
    Take more JPEG shots before waiting (burst mode)
  • Faster RAW shooting
    60.6 fps vs 8.8 fps
    Faster RAW shooting in burst mode
  • Bigger RAW buffer
    51 vs 12 shots
    Larger buffer for RAW shots (burst mode)
  • Faster shutter
    1/32000 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
  • 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
  • On-sensor phase detect
    Both provide
    Usually improves live view and video AF performance
  • 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

  • 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

User reviews

Buy From

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.

  • Excellent image quality; Very good dynamic range & high ISO performance; Fantastic C-AF performance; Incredible burst rates, even with RAW; 4K UHD & Cinema 4K (DCI) video; Clean HDMI; Dual SD card slots.

  • Expensive; Menus still confusing; UHS-II support only on one card slot; No optical low-pass filter means greater risk of moire; No built-in flash.

The Competition

Compared to Fujifilm X-T2

Samsung NX30
Fujifilm X-T2
  • $899
  • APS-C
  • Tilt-swivel screen
  • Touchscreen
  • $999
  • APS-C
  • Lens selection
  • Shoot 4K video
Olympus E-M1 II
Fujifilm X-T2
  • $899
  • 4/3
  • Lens selection
  • Less expensive
  • $999
  • APS-C
  • Larger sensor
  • Bigger pixels

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
Olympus E-M1 II
Fujifilm X-E2
  • $899
  • 4/3
  • Tilt-swivel screen
  • Lens selection
  • $899
  • APS-C
  • Larger sensor
  • Bigger pixels

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
Olympus E-M1 II
Fujifilm X-T1
  • $899
  • 4/3
  • Lens selection
  • Less expensive
  • $1099
  • APS-C
  • Larger sensor
  • Bigger pixels

Compared to Panasonic G7

Samsung NX30
Panasonic G7
  • $899
  • APS-C
  • Larger sensor
  • Fast startup
  • $498
  • 4/3
  • Lens selection
  • Shoot 4K video
Olympus E-M1 II
Panasonic G7
  • $899
  • 4/3
  • In-Camera Image Stabilization
  • High resolution composite
  • $498
  • 4/3
  • Less expensive
  • In-camera panoramas

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
Olympus E-M1 II
Fujifilm X-T10
  • $899
  • 4/3
  • Lens selection
  • Less expensive
  • $1099
  • APS-C
  • Larger sensor
  • Bigger pixels
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