• APS-C 369.0mm2
  • 20.3 megapixels
  • ISO 100 - 25,600
  • 35mm 861.6mm2
  • 36.4 megapixels
  • ISO 100 - 819,200

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Differences

Samsung NX30 advantages over Pentax K-1 II

  • Tilt-swivel screen
    Tilt-swivel vs tilt-only
    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
  • Fast startup
    ~0.80 vs 1.4 sec
    Faster startup lets you catch the moment
  • 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 85 mm
    Thinner
  • Faster JPEG shooting
    8.9 fps vs 4.5 fps
    Faster JPEG shooting (burst mode)
  • Faster RAW shooting
    8.8 fps vs 4.6 fps
    Faster RAW shooting in burst mode
  • Slow-motion videos
    Yes vs No
    Shoot slow-motion videos

Pentax K-1 II advantages over Samsung NX30

  • Lens selection
    Excellent vs Limited
    Better lens selection gives you more options
  • Larger sensor
    35mm vs APS-C
    More sensor area. Bigger is (generally) better.
  • In-Camera Image Stabilization
    Yes vs No
    Reduces the effects of camera shake at slower shutter speeds
  • High resolution composite
    Yes vs No
    Combine multiple shots to form a super hi-res version
  • Built-in GPS
    GPS vs None
    Geotag your photos
  • Longer stills battery life
    More info 670 vs 360 shots
    Capture more photos
  • More telephoto lens reach
    105 mm vs 84 mm
    Capture objects farther away with the kit lens
  • Top deck display
    Yes vs No
    Check settings with a screen on top of the camera
  • Newer
    7 years vs 11 years old
    Newer cameras often support more advanced features
  • More viewfinder magnification
    0.70x vs 0.64x
    Get a bigger view of the scene through the eye-level viewfinder
  • More pixels
    36.4 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
  • Optional anti-aliasing filter
    Optional vs None
    Lets you choose sharper photos or reduced moiré
  • Bigger JPEG buffer
    77 vs 21 shots
    Take more JPEG shots before waiting (burst mode)
  • Bigger RAW buffer
    17 vs 12 shots
    Larger buffer for RAW shots (burst mode)
  • Higher extended ISO
    819200 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
  • Eye-level viewfinder
    Both provide
    You'll be able to frame photos even when the sun is out
  • 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

Common Weaknesses

  • Built-in Bluetooth
    Neither provide
    Always-on wireless connectivity

User reviews

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Buy the Samsung NX30
Kit with 18-55mm Lens
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Your purchases support this site

Buy the Pentax K-1 II
Body Only
  • Body Only
  • Kit with 28-105mm Lens
All K-1 II 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

  • Excellent build and comfortable handling; Bright, roomy viewfinder and articulated LCD; Great image quality; Good performance for the class; In-camera stabilization, GPS and Wi-Fi; Incredibly feature-rich design.

  • Bulkier than APS-C DSLRs; Top ISOs are for the spec sheet, not the real world; JPEGs are a bit punchy by default; Slow startup; Below-average battery life; Only a relatively modest update to the K-1.

  • Read our Pentax K-1 II 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

Pentax K-1 II
Fujifilm X-E2
  • $1747
  • 35mm
  • Lens selection
  • Larger sensor
  • $899
  • APS-C
  • In-camera panoramas
  • On-sensor phase detect

Compare Pentax K-1 II 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

Pentax K-1 II
Fujifilm X-T1
  • $1747
  • 35mm
  • Lens selection
  • Larger sensor
  • $1099
  • APS-C
  • Less expensive
  • In-camera panoramas

Compare Pentax K-1 II 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

Pentax K-1 II
Fujifilm X-T10
  • $1747
  • 35mm
  • Lens selection
  • Larger sensor
  • $1099
  • APS-C
  • Less expensive
  • In-camera panoramas

Compare Pentax K-1 II vs Fujifilm X-T10

Compared to Canon 5D Mark IV

Samsung NX30
Canon 5D Mark IV
  • $899
  • APS-C
  • Tilt-swivel screen
  • Focus peaking
  • $2099
  • 35mm
  • Lens selection
  • Larger sensor

Compare Samsung NX30 vs Canon 5D Mark IV

Pentax K-1 II
Canon 5D Mark IV
  • $1747
  • 35mm
  • Less expensive
  • Focus peaking
  • $2099
  • 35mm
  • Shoot 4K video
  • Touchscreen

Compare Pentax K-1 II vs Canon 5D Mark IV

Compared to Nikon D850

Samsung NX30
Nikon D850
  • $899
  • APS-C
  • Tilt-swivel screen
  • In-camera panoramas
  • $2464
  • 35mm
  • Lens selection
  • Larger sensor

Compare Samsung NX30 vs Nikon D850

Pentax K-1 II
Nikon D850
  • $1747
  • 35mm
  • In-Camera Image Stabilization
  • High resolution composite
  • $2464
  • 35mm
  • Shoot 4K video
  • Touchscreen

Compare Pentax K-1 II vs Nikon D850

Compare Other Cameras?