Samsung NX30 vs Olympus E-M10

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Samsung NX30 vs Olympus E-M10

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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.

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

Go in depth with our full Olympus E-M10 Review.
How does it shoot? Olympus E-M10 in the real world.
See real-world photos taken with the E-M10.
Compare Olympus E-M10 image quality against competitors.
What’s the bottom line? Read our Olympus E-M10 conclusion.

Succeeded by the Olympus E-M10 II
Compare E-M10 vs E-M10 II
Compare Samsung NX30 vs Olympus E-M10 II

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Differences

Samsung NX30 advantages over Olympus E-M10

Larger sensor
APS-C vs 4/3
More sensor area. Bigger is (generally) better.
Tilt-swivel screen
Tilt-swivel vs tilt-only
Tilt and swivel the screen for maximum shooting flexibility
In-camera panoramas
Yes vs No
Stitches multiple shots into a panoramic photo
Fast startup
~0.80 vs 1.3 sec
Faster startup lets you catch the moment
NFC
Yes vs No
Simplifies pairing your camera with supported phones
Higher effective ISO

Higher effective ISO

Maximum effective ISO is an estimate of the highest sensitivity at which a camera can capture excellent quality photos.

Cameras with higher effective ISO will be better choices for indoor photography, night shooting, and indoor sports photography, especially if you intend to make large prints.

You can learn more at our glossary entry.

Maximum effective ISO test data courtesy of DxO Mark.
NX30 test data on DxO Mark E-M10 test data on DxO Mark

1,014 vs 884 iso
Take photos in low light with less noise
On-sensor phase detect
Yes vs No
Usually improves live view and video AF performance
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
Less shutter lag
0.12 vs 0.23 sec
Focus and take a photo quickly (wide angle)
More viewfinder magnification
0.64x vs 0.58x
Get a bigger view of the scene through the eye-level viewfinder
More pixels
20.3 vs 16.1 megapixels
Higher resolution photos
Shoots 60p video
Yes vs No
A faster framerate can give you more editing options
Faster JPEG shooting
8.9 fps vs 8.1 fps
Faster JPEG shooting (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

Olympus E-M10 advantages over Samsung NX30

Less expensive
$800 vs $1000 (MSRP)
Save money for lenses or accessories
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
Longer exposure
60 vs 30 sec
Long exposures for night shots

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
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 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

User reviews

Amazon
Adorama
Read NX30 User Reviews

Amazon
Adorama
Read E-M10 User Reviews

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Kit with 18-55mm Lens

All NX30 Deals

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Buy the Olympus E-M10

Body Only

Body Only
Kit with 14-42mm Lens

All E-M10 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 especially from RAW files; Excellent dynamic range for a Four Thirds sensor; Very good high ISO performance; Realistic colors and excellent hue accuracy; Built-in Wi-Fi with remote control and sharing features; Improved HD video; Lightweight and very portable; Built-in pop-up flash; Minimal EVF lag time.
Contrast-Detect AF struggles with small and low-contrast subjects; Mediocre battery life; No external microphone or headphone jack; Mediocre burst speed with continuous AF; No weather sealing; Heavy-handed high ISO noise reduction.
Read our Olympus E-M10 Review

The Competition

Compared to Panasonic GX7

Samsung NX30

Panasonic GX7

$899
APS-C

Tilt-swivel screen
Larger sensor

$648
4/3

Lens selection
In-Camera Image Stabilization

Compare Samsung NX30 vs Panasonic GX7

Olympus E-M10

Panasonic GX7

$399
4/3

Less expensive
Higher effective ISO

$648
4/3

In-camera panoramas
Fast startup

Compare Olympus E-M10 vs Panasonic GX7

Compared to Fujifilm X-E2

Samsung NX30

Fujifilm X-E2

$899
APS-C

Less expensive
Tilt-swivel screen

$899
APS-C

Lens selection
Doesn't require an AA filter

Compare Samsung NX30 vs Fujifilm X-E2

Olympus E-M10

Fujifilm X-E2

$399
4/3

Lens selection
Less expensive

$899
APS-C

Larger sensor
Bigger pixels

Compare Olympus E-M10 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

Olympus E-M10

Fujifilm X-T1

$399
4/3

Lens selection
In-Camera Image Stabilization

$1099
APS-C

Larger sensor
Bigger pixels

Compare Olympus E-M10 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

Olympus E-M10

Fujifilm X-T10

$399
4/3

Lens selection
In-Camera Image Stabilization

$1099
APS-C

Larger sensor
Bigger pixels

Compare Olympus E-M10 vs Fujifilm X-T10

Compared to Olympus E-M10 II

Samsung NX30

Olympus E-M10 II

$899
APS-C

Tilt-swivel screen
Larger sensor

$349
4/3

Lens selection
In-Camera Image Stabilization

Compare Samsung NX30 vs Olympus E-M10 II

Olympus E-M10

Olympus E-M10 II

$399
4/3

$349
4/3

Fast startup
Shoots 24p video

Compare Olympus E-M10 vs Olympus E-M10 II

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