Nikon D90 vs Samsung NX30

Cameras
Compare Cameras
Nikon D90 vs Samsung NX30

APS-C 372.9mm²
12.3 megapixels
ISO 200 - 3200

Go in depth with our full Nikon D90 Review.
See real-world photos taken with the D90.

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.

Succeeded by the Nikon D7000
Compare D90 vs D7000
Compare Nikon D7000 vs Samsung NX30

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Differences

Nikon D90 advantages over Samsung NX30

Lens selection
Excellent vs Limited
Better lens selection gives you more options
Bigger pixels
~ 5.50 vs 4.29 microns
Better low-light and dynamic range (all else equal)
Fast startup
~0.30 vs 0.8 sec
Faster startup lets you catch the moment
Longer stills battery life
More info

Longer stills battery life

Cameras with longer battery life can take more photos before exhausting their batteries.

Special note: The measurement standard for battery life stipulates that if a camera has an internal flash, it must be used for 50% of photos taken. For this reason, comparisons of one camera with an internal flash to another without will not be comparable

850 vs 360 shots
Capture more photos
More telephoto lens reach
158 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
Has anti-aliasing filter
Filter vs No Filter
Reduces unsightly moiré in photos
Bigger JPEG buffer
Unlimited vs 21 shots
Take more JPEG shots before waiting (burst mode)

Samsung NX30 advantages over Nikon D90

Focus peaking
Peaker vs Non-peaker
Your camera will highlight what's in focus
Less expensive
$1000 vs $1300 (MSRP)
Save money for lenses or accessories
Tilt-swivel screen
Tilt-swivel vs none
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
Built-in Wi-Fi
Wi-Fi vs None
Share your photos wirelessly
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
Thinner
41 mm vs 77 mm
Thinner
External Mic Jack
Jack vs No jack
Improved sound fidelity when shooting video
Newer
10 years vs 16 years old
Newer cameras often support more advanced features
Lighter weight
654g vs 1133g
Lighter weight
Shoots 1080p video
Yes vs No
You'll want this if you shoot video
Less shutter lag
0.12 vs 0.21 sec
Focus and take a photo quickly (wide angle)
More pixels
20.3 vs 12.3 megapixels
Higher resolution photos
Shoots 60p video
Yes vs No
A faster framerate can give you more editing options
Lacks anti-aliasing filter
No Filter vs Filter
Enjoy sharper photos
Faster JPEG shooting
8.9 fps vs 4.5 fps
Faster JPEG shooting (burst mode)
Faster RAW shooting
8.8 fps vs 4.1 fps
Faster RAW shooting in burst mode
Slow-motion videos
Yes vs No
Shoot slow-motion videos
Faster shutter
1/8000 vs 1/4000 sec
Shoot wide open in bright light
Higher extended ISO
25600 vs 6400 ISO
Higher extended ISO can give more low-light flexibility

Similarities

Common Strengths

Eye-level viewfinder
Both provide
You'll be able to frame photos even when the sun is out
Internal flash
Both provide
Useful in a pinch for fill flash
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

In-Camera Image Stabilization
Neither provide
Reduces the effects of camera shake at slower shutter speeds
Built-in Bluetooth
Neither provide
Always-on wireless connectivity
Built-in GPS
Neither provide
Geotag your photos
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 D90 User Reviews

Amazon
Adorama
Read NX30 User Reviews

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Buy the Nikon D90

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Buy the Samsung NX30

Kit with 18-55mm Lens

Review Excerpt

Read our Nikon D90 Full Review

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 Sony DSLR-A550

Nikon D90

Sony DSLR-A550

$1300
APS-C

Lens selection
Fast startup

$859
APS-C

Less expensive
In-Camera Image Stabilization

Compare Nikon D90 vs Sony DSLR-A550

Samsung NX30

Sony DSLR-A550

$899
APS-C

Tilt-swivel screen
Focus peaking

$859
APS-C

Lens selection
In-Camera Image Stabilization

Compare Samsung NX30 vs Sony DSLR-A550

Compared to Sony DSLR-A500

Nikon D90

Sony DSLR-A500

$1300
APS-C

Lens selection
Fast startup

$850
APS-C

Less expensive
In-Camera Image Stabilization

Compare Nikon D90 vs Sony DSLR-A500

Samsung NX30

Sony DSLR-A500

$899
APS-C

Focus peaking
Tilt-swivel screen

$850
APS-C

Less expensive
Lens selection

Compare Samsung NX30 vs Sony DSLR-A500

Compared to Pentax K-5

Nikon D90

Pentax K-5

$1300
APS-C

Less expensive
Fast startup

$800
APS-C

In-Camera Image Stabilization
Higher effective ISO

Compare Nikon D90 vs Pentax K-5

Samsung NX30

Pentax K-5

$899
APS-C

Less expensive
Tilt-swivel screen

$800
APS-C

Lens selection
In-Camera Image Stabilization

Compare Samsung NX30 vs Pentax K-5

Compared to Fujifilm X-E2

Nikon D90

Fujifilm X-E2

$1300
APS-C

Lens selection
Longer stills battery life

$1059
APS-C

Focus peaking
In-camera panoramas

Compare Nikon D90 vs Fujifilm X-E2

Samsung NX30

Fujifilm X-E2

$899
APS-C

Less expensive
Tilt-swivel screen

$1059
APS-C

Lens selection
Doesn't require an AA filter

Compare Samsung NX30 vs Fujifilm X-E2

Compared to Fujifilm X-T1

Nikon D90

Fujifilm X-T1

$1300
APS-C

Lens selection
Fast startup

$1299
APS-C

Focus peaking
In-camera panoramas

Compare Nikon D90 vs Fujifilm X-T1

Samsung NX30

Fujifilm X-T1

$899
APS-C

Tilt-swivel screen
Touchscreen

$1299
APS-C

Lens selection
More viewfinder magnification

Compare Samsung NX30 vs Fujifilm X-T1

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