Samsung NX30 vs Sony RX100 III

Cameras
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Samsung NX30 vs Sony RX100 III

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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.

1 inch 116.2mm²
20.2 megapixels
24.00mm - 70.00mm (35mm eq.)

Go in depth with our full Sony RX100 III Review.
How does it shoot? Sony RX100 III in the real world.
See real-world photos taken with the RX100 III.
Compare Sony RX100 III image quality against competitors.
What’s the bottom line? Read our Sony RX100 III conclusion.

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Differences

Samsung NX30 advantages over Sony RX100 III

Larger sensor
APS-C vs 1 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 2.41 microns
Better low-light and dynamic range (all else equal)
Touchscreen
Touch vs No touch
Interact with your camera just like your smartphone
Fast startup
~0.80 vs 2.0 sec
Faster startup lets you catch the moment
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 RX100 III test data on DxO Mark

1,014 vs 495 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
Hot shoe
Hot shoe vs None
Off-camera flashes open new possibilities
More viewfinder magnification
0.64x vs 0.59x
Get a bigger view of the scene through the eye-level viewfinder
Lacks anti-aliasing filter
No Filter vs Filter
Enjoy sharper photos
Faster RAW shooting
8.8 fps vs 6.7 fps
Faster RAW shooting in burst mode
Faster shutter
1/8000 vs 1/2000 sec
Shoot wide open in bright light

Sony RX100 III advantages over Samsung NX30

In-Camera Image Stabilization
Yes vs No
Reduces the effects of camera shake at slower shutter speeds
Integrated ND filter
Yes vs No
Shoot in daylight with a large aperture or slow shutter
Higher max flash sync
1/2000 vs 1/200 sec
Reduce the effect of ambient light in flash shots
Has anti-aliasing filter
Filter vs No Filter
Reduces unsightly moiré in photos
Faster JPEG shooting
10.0 fps vs 8.9 fps
Faster JPEG shooting (burst mode)
Bigger JPEG buffer
48 vs 21 shots
Take more JPEG shots before waiting (burst mode)
Bigger RAW buffer
26 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
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
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 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

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Buy the Samsung NX30

Kit with 18-55mm Lens

All NX30 Deals

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Buy the Sony RX100 III

Sony RX100 Mark III

All RX100 III 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

Pocket-friendly design; Popup electronic viewfinder; Bright lens across the zoom range; Great performance with very fast autofocus; Very high resolution gives lots of detail in good light; High ISO noise levels much better than most pocket camera rivals; Wi-Fi wireless networking
Feels a little unbalanced without an accessory grip; Not as much telephoto reach as its siblings; Noise processing is heavier-handed than in earlier models; Quite pricey for a fixed-lens camera
Read our Sony RX100 III Review

The Competition

Compared to Sony RX100

Samsung NX30

Sony RX100

$899
APS-C

Larger sensor
Tilt-swivel screen

$1095
1 inch

Less expensive
In-Camera Image Stabilization

Compare Samsung NX30 vs Sony RX100

Sony RX100 III

Sony RX100

$748
1 inch

Eye-level viewfinder
Tiltable Screen

$1095
1 inch

More telephoto lens reach
Faster RAW shooting

Compare Sony RX100 III vs Sony RX100

Compared to Sony RX100 II

Samsung NX30

Sony RX100 II

$899
APS-C

Larger sensor
Tilt-swivel screen

$598
1 inch

In-Camera Image Stabilization
Higher max flash sync

Compare Samsung NX30 vs Sony RX100 II

Sony RX100 III

Sony RX100 II

$748
1 inch

Eye-level viewfinder
Fast startup

$598
1 inch

Less expensive
More telephoto lens reach

Compare Sony RX100 III vs Sony RX100 II

Compared to Canon G7X

Samsung NX30

Canon G7X

$899
APS-C

Tilt-swivel screen
Larger sensor

$1239
1 inch

Less expensive
In-Camera Image Stabilization

Compare Samsung NX30 vs Canon G7X

Sony RX100 III

Canon G7X

$748
1 inch

Eye-level viewfinder
In-camera panoramas

$1239
1 inch

Touchscreen
More telephoto lens reach

Compare Sony RX100 III vs Canon G7X

Compared to Panasonic LX100

Samsung NX30

Panasonic LX100

$899
APS-C

Larger sensor
Tilt-swivel screen

$598
4/3

In-Camera Image Stabilization
Shoot 4K video

Compare Samsung NX30 vs Panasonic LX100

Sony RX100 III

Panasonic LX100

$748
1 inch

Tiltable Screen
Internal flash

$598
4/3

Less expensive
Larger sensor

Compare Sony RX100 III vs Panasonic LX100

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

Sony RX100 III

Fujifilm X-E2

$748
1 inch

In-Camera Image Stabilization
Tiltable Screen

$899
APS-C

Larger sensor
Bigger pixels

Compare Sony RX100 III vs Fujifilm X-E2

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