• APS-C 369.0mm2
  • 20.3 megapixels
  • ISO 100 - 25,600
  • 35mm 847.3mm2
  • 24.2 megapixels
  • ISO 100 - 51,200

Buy From

Differences

Samsung NX30 advantages over Panasonic S5 II

  • Less expensive
    $1000 vs $2000 (MSRP)
    Save money for lenses or accessories
  • In-camera panoramas
    Yes vs No
    Stitches multiple shots into a panoramic photo
  • 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
  • Internal flash
    Internal flash vs None
    Useful in a pinch for fill flash
  • Thinner
    41 mm vs 81 mm
    Thinner

Panasonic S5 II advantages over Samsung NX30

  • Larger sensor
    35mm vs APS-C
    More sensor area. Bigger is (generally) better.
  • Slower slow-motion
    180 fps vs 120 fps
    Supports slower slow-mo
  • In-Camera Image Stabilization
    Yes vs No
    Reduces the effects of camera shake at slower shutter speeds
  • Bigger pixels
    ~ 5.93 vs 4.29 microns
    Better low-light and dynamic range (all else equal)
  • Shoot 4K video
    5.9K 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
  • Built-in Bluetooth
    Yes vs No
    Always-on wireless connectivity
  • Top deck display
    Yes vs No
    Check settings with a screen on top of the camera
  • Newer
    2 years vs 11 years old
    Newer cameras often support more advanced features
  • Higher-res screen
    613k vs 346k pixels
    More detail on the screen lets you judge focus and composition
  • More pixels
    24.2 vs 20.3 megapixels
    Higher resolution photos
  • 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
    30.0 fps vs 8.9 fps
    Faster JPEG shooting (burst mode)
  • Bigger JPEG buffer
    200 vs 21 shots
    Take more JPEG shots before waiting (burst mode)
  • Higher extended ISO
    204800 vs 25600 ISO
    Higher extended ISO can give more low-light flexibility

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

Buy From

Your purchases support this site

Buy the Samsung NX30

Your purchases support this site

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.

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
Panasonic S5 II
Fujifilm X-E2
  • $2000
  • 35mm
  • Larger sensor
  • Tilt-swivel screen
  • $899
  • APS-C
  • In-camera panoramas
  • On-sensor phase detect

Compared to Fujifilm X-T1

Samsung NX30
Fujifilm X-T1
  • $899
  • APS-C
  • Tilt-swivel screen
  • Touchscreen
  • $1299
  • APS-C
  • Lens selection
  • More viewfinder magnification
Panasonic S5 II
Fujifilm X-T1
  • $2000
  • 35mm
  • Larger sensor
  • Tilt-swivel screen
  • $1299
  • APS-C
  • In-camera panoramas
  • On-sensor phase detect

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
Panasonic S5 II
Fujifilm X-T10
  • $2000
  • 35mm
  • Larger sensor
  • Tilt-swivel screen
  • $1099
  • APS-C
  • In-camera panoramas
  • On-sensor phase detect

Compared to Nikon Z5

Samsung NX30
Nikon Z5
  • $899
  • APS-C
  • Tilt-swivel screen
  • In-camera panoramas
  • $1097
  • 35mm
  • Larger sensor
  • In-Camera Image Stabilization
Panasonic S5 II
Nikon Z5
  • $2000
  • 35mm
  • Tilt-swivel screen
  • High resolution composite
  • $1097
  • 35mm
  • On-sensor phase detect
  • Has anti-aliasing filter

Compared to Panasonic S5 IIX

Samsung NX30
Panasonic S5 IIX
  • $899
  • APS-C
  • Less expensive
  • In-camera panoramas
  • $2200
  • 35mm
  • Larger sensor
  • Slower slow-motion
Panasonic S5 II
Panasonic S5 IIX
  • $2000
  • 35mm
  • $2200
  • 35mm
Compare Other Cameras?