Samsung NX30 vs Panasonic GH5

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Samsung NX30 vs Panasonic GH5

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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
20.3 megapixels
ISO 200 - 25,600

Go in depth with our full Panasonic GH5 Review.
How does it shoot? Panasonic GH5 in the real world.
See real-world photos taken with the GH5.
Compare Panasonic GH5 image quality against competitors.
What’s the bottom line? Read our Panasonic GH5 conclusion.

Succeeded by the Panasonic GH5 II
Compare GH5 vs GH5 II
Compare Samsung NX30 vs Panasonic GH5 II

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Differences

Samsung NX30 advantages over Panasonic GH5

Larger sensor
APS-C vs 4/3
More sensor area. Bigger is (generally) better.
Bigger pixels
~ 4.29 vs 3.34 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
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 GH5 test data on DxO Mark

1,014 vs 807 iso
Take photos in low light with less noise
On-sensor phase detect
Yes vs No
Usually improves live view and video AF performance
Internal flash
Internal flash vs None
Useful in a pinch for fill flash
Thinner
41 mm vs 87 mm
Thinner

Panasonic GH5 advantages over Samsung NX30

Slower slow-motion
180 fps vs 120 fps
Supports slower slow-mo
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
Built-in Bluetooth
Yes vs No
Always-on wireless connectivity
Newer
8 years vs 11 years old
Newer cameras often support more advanced features
More viewfinder magnification
0.76x 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
11.9 fps vs 8.9 fps
Faster JPEG shooting (burst mode)
Bigger JPEG buffer
600 vs 21 shots
Take more JPEG shots before waiting (burst mode)
Faster RAW shooting
11.9 fps vs 8.8 fps
Faster RAW shooting in burst mode
Bigger RAW buffer
65 vs 12 shots
Larger buffer for RAW shots (burst mode)
Faster shutter
1/16000 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
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
Slow-motion videos
Both provide
Shoot slow-motion videos

Common Weaknesses

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

Amazon
Adorama
Read NX30 User Reviews

Amazon
Adorama
Read GH5 User Reviews

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Buy the Samsung NX30

Kit with 18-55mm Lens

All NX30 Deals

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Buy the Panasonic GH5

Body Only

Body Only
Filmmaking Kit
Kit with 12-60mm lens

All GH5 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

20MP sensor; Better per-pixel sharpness; Very good, slightly improved dynamic range and high ISOs; Stellar 4K video up to 60p with no crop; 6K Photo; Dual UHS-II SD slots; Good battery life for its class.
Buffer is deep, but slow to clear; Expensive; Menus still confusing; No optical low-pass filter means greater risk of moire; No built-in flash.
Read our Panasonic GH5 Review

The Competition

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

Panasonic GH5

Fujifilm X-E2

$1348
4/3

Tilt-swivel screen
Lens selection

$899
APS-C

Larger sensor
Bigger pixels

Compare Panasonic GH5 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

Panasonic GH5

Fujifilm X-T1

$1348
4/3

Lens selection
Less expensive

$1099
APS-C

Larger sensor
Bigger pixels

Compare Panasonic GH5 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

Panasonic GH5

Fujifilm X-T10

$1348
4/3

Lens selection
Tilt-swivel screen

$1099
APS-C

Larger sensor
Less expensive

Compare Panasonic GH5 vs Fujifilm X-T10

Compared to Panasonic G9

Samsung NX30

Panasonic G9

$899
APS-C

Larger sensor
Bigger pixels

$965
4/3

Slower slow-motion
Lens selection

Compare Samsung NX30 vs Panasonic G9

Panasonic GH5

Panasonic G9

$1348
4/3

Less expensive
Bigger JPEG buffer

$965
4/3

High resolution composite
Top deck display

Compare Panasonic GH5 vs Panasonic G9

Compared to Panasonic G95

Samsung NX30

Panasonic G95

$899
APS-C

Larger sensor
Bigger pixels

$848
4/3

Lens selection
In-Camera Image Stabilization

Compare Samsung NX30 vs Panasonic G95

Panasonic GH5

Panasonic G95

$1348
4/3

Slower slow-motion
Longer stills battery life

$848
4/3

Less expensive
In-camera panoramas

Compare Panasonic GH5 vs Panasonic G95

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