• APS-C 369.0mm2
  • 20.3 megapixels
  • ISO 100 - 25,600
  • 1/2.3 inch 28.1mm2
  • 18.2 megapixels
  • 24.00mm - 720.00mm (35mm eq.)

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Differences

Samsung NX30 advantages over Sony HX99

  • Larger sensor
    APS-C vs 1/2.3 inch
    More sensor area. Bigger is (generally) better.
  • Tilt-swivel screen
    Tilt-swivel vs tilt-only
    Tilt and swivel the screen for maximum shooting flexibility
  • Bigger pixels
    ~ 4.29 vs 1.26 microns
    Better low-light and dynamic range (all else equal)
  • Fast startup
    ~0.80 vs 2.3 sec
    Faster startup lets you catch the moment
  • 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
  • Hot shoe
    Hot shoe vs None
    Off-camera flashes open new possibilities
  • Less shutter lag
    0.12 vs 0.25 sec
    Focus and take a photo quickly (wide angle)
  • More viewfinder magnification
    0.64x vs 0.50x
    Get a bigger view of the scene through the eye-level viewfinder
  • Bulb shutter
    Bulb vs No bulb
    Hold the shutter open manually for long exposures
  • Faster shutter
    1/8000 vs 1/2000 sec
    Shoot wide open in bright light
  • Higher extended ISO
    25600 vs 12800 ISO
    Higher extended ISO can give more low-light flexibility

Sony HX99 advantages over Samsung NX30

  • In-Camera Image Stabilization
    Yes vs No
    Reduces the effects of camera shake at slower shutter speeds
  • Shoot 4K video
    4K (UHD) vs 1080p
    Make sure you have a fast computer
  • Built-in Bluetooth
    Yes vs No
    Always-on wireless connectivity
  • Higher max flash sync
    1/2000 vs 1/200 sec
    Reduce the effect of ambient light in flash shots
  • Newer
    6 years vs 11 years old
    Newer cameras often support more advanced features
  • Faster JPEG shooting
    10.0 fps vs 8.9 fps
    Faster JPEG shooting (burst mode)
  • Bigger JPEG buffer
    103 vs 21 shots
    Take more JPEG shots before waiting (burst mode)
  • Faster RAW shooting
    10.0 fps vs 8.8 fps
    Faster RAW shooting in burst mode
  • Bigger RAW buffer
    50 vs 12 shots
    Larger buffer for RAW shots (burst mode)

Similarities

Common Strengths

  • Rear display
    Both provide
    Review photos on the back of the camera
  • 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
  • In-camera panoramas
    Both provide
    Stitches multiple shots into a panoramic photo
  • RAW file ability
    Both provide
    Gives you more flexibility to develop your photos later
  • Built-in Wi-Fi
    Both provide
    Share your photos wirelessly
  • NFC
    Both provide
    Simplifies pairing your camera with supported phones
  • Internal flash
    Both provide
    Useful in a pinch for fill flash
  • Manual focus
    Both provide
    AF is for the weak. Real photographers focus manually.
  • HDMI out
    Both provide
    Use HDMI output to monitor or review video
  • 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
  • Integrated ND filter
    Neither provide
    Shoot in daylight with a large aperture or slow shutter
  • Dual card slots
    Neither provide
    Gives you more storage flexibility
  • Headphone jack
    Neither provide
    Monitor audio recording while you shoot video

User reviews

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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

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

Compare Samsung NX30 vs Fujifilm X-E2

Sony HX99
Fujifilm X-E2
  • $473
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • Less expensive
  • In-Camera Image Stabilization
  • $899
  • APS-C
  • Larger sensor
  • Bigger pixels

Compare Sony HX99 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

Sony HX99
Fujifilm X-T1
  • $473
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • Less expensive
  • In-Camera Image Stabilization
  • $1099
  • APS-C
  • Larger sensor
  • Bigger pixels

Compare Sony HX99 vs Fujifilm X-T1

Compared to Sony HX90V

Samsung NX30
Sony HX90V
  • $899
  • APS-C
  • Larger sensor
  • Tilt-swivel screen
  • $448
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • In-Camera Image Stabilization
  • Built-in GPS

Compare Samsung NX30 vs Sony HX90V

Sony HX99
Sony HX90V
  • $473
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • Shoot 4K video
  • Touchscreen
  • $448
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • Built-in GPS
  • Longer video battery life

Compare Sony HX99 vs Sony HX90V

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

Sony HX99
Fujifilm X-T10
  • $473
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • Less expensive
  • In-Camera Image Stabilization
  • $1099
  • APS-C
  • Larger sensor
  • Bigger pixels

Compare Sony HX99 vs Fujifilm X-T10

Compared to Sony HX80

Samsung NX30
Sony HX80
  • $899
  • APS-C
  • Focus peaking
  • Larger sensor
  • $368
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • In-Camera Image Stabilization
  • Higher max flash sync

Compare Samsung NX30 vs Sony HX80

Sony HX99
Sony HX80
  • $473
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • Focus peaking
  • Shoot 4K video
  • $368
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • Less expensive

Compare Sony HX99 vs Sony HX80

Compare Other Cameras?