• APS-C 369.0mm2
  • 20.3 megapixels
  • ISO 100 - 25,600
  • 1 inch 116.2mm2
  • 20.8 megapixels
  • ISO 160 - 12,800

Buy From

Differences

Samsung NX30 advantages over Nikon J5

  • Focus peaking
    Peaker vs Non-peaker
    Your camera will highlight what's in focus
  • 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
  • Eye-level viewfinder
    Eye-level vs Rear display only
    You'll be able to frame photos even when the sun is out
  • Bigger pixels
    ~ 4.29 vs 2.37 microns
    Better low-light and dynamic range (all else equal)
  • Fast startup
    ~0.80 vs 2.0 sec
    Faster startup lets you catch the moment
  • Better color depth
    23.5 vs 21.1 bits
    Capture richer, more accurate colors
  • Higher effective ISO
    1,014 vs 479 iso
    Take photos in low light with less noise
  • Longer stills battery life
    More info 360 vs 250 shots
    Capture more photos
  • External Mic Jack
    Jack vs No jack
    Improved sound fidelity when shooting video
  • Higher max flash sync
    1/200 vs 1/60 sec
    Reduce the effect of ambient light in flash shots
  • Shoots 24p video
    Yes vs No
    Gives your movies a big-screen feel
  • Hot shoe
    Hot shoe vs None
    Off-camera flashes open new possibilities
  • Higher extended ISO
    25600 vs 12800 ISO
    Higher extended ISO can give more low-light flexibility

Nikon J5 advantages over Samsung NX30

  • Slower slow-motion
    1200 fps vs 120 fps
    Supports slower slow-mo
  • Shoot 4K video
    4K (UHD) vs 1080p
    Make sure you have a fast computer
  • Thinner
    31 mm vs 41 mm
    Thinner
  • Lighter weight
    345g vs 654g
    Lighter weight
  • Faster JPEG shooting
    59.4 fps vs 8.9 fps
    Faster JPEG shooting (burst mode)
  • Faster RAW shooting
    59.4 fps vs 8.8 fps
    Faster RAW shooting in burst mode
  • Bigger RAW buffer
    20 vs 12 shots
    Larger buffer for RAW shots (burst mode)
  • Faster shutter
    1/16000 vs 1/8000 sec
    Shoot wide open in bright light

Similarities

Common Strengths

  • Touchscreen
    Both provide
    Interact with your camera just like your smartphone
  • In-camera panoramas
    Both provide
    Stitches multiple shots into a panoramic photo
  • Built-in Wi-Fi
    Both provide
    Share your photos wirelessly
  • NFC
    Both provide
    Simplifies pairing your camera with supported phones
  • On-sensor phase detect
    Both provide
    Usually improves live view and video AF performance
  • Internal flash
    Both provide
    Useful in a pinch for fill flash
  • 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

  • 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
  • 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

Buy From

Your purchases support this site

Buy the Samsung NX30

Your purchases support this site

Buy the Nikon J5

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.

  • Photographer-friendly controls; Impressive dynamic range for its class; Very fast hybrid autofocus; Fast high-speed shooting capabilities; Tilting touchscreen display.

  • No hot shoe or viewfinder; Aggressive noise reduction, even at base ISO; 4K video is limited to 15fps.

The Competition

Compared to 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
Nikon J5
Fujifilm X-E2
  • $497
  • 1 inch
  • Shoot 4K video
  • Touchscreen
  • $1059
  • APS-C
  • Lens selection
  • Focus peaking

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
Nikon J5
Fujifilm X-T1
  • $497
  • 1 inch
  • Less expensive
  • Shoot 4K video
  • $1299
  • APS-C
  • Lens selection
  • Focus peaking

Compared to Samsung NX Mini

Samsung NX30
Samsung NX Mini
  • $899
  • APS-C
  • Tilt-swivel screen
  • Focus peaking
  • $600
  • 1 inch
  • Less expensive
  • Longer stills battery life
Nikon J5
Samsung NX Mini
  • $497
  • 1 inch
  • Shoot 4K video
  • On-sensor phase detect
  • $600
  • 1 inch
  • Longer stills battery life
  • Thinner

Compared to Nikon J4

Samsung NX30
Nikon J4
  • $899
  • APS-C
  • Focus peaking
  • Larger sensor
  • $350
  • 1 inch
  • Less expensive
  • Slower slow-motion
Nikon J5
Nikon J4
  • $497
  • 1 inch
  • Shoot 4K video
  • Tiltable Screen
  • $350
  • 1 inch
  • Longer stills battery life

Compared to Fujifilm X-T10

Samsung NX30
Fujifilm X-T10
  • $899
  • APS-C
  • Tilt-swivel screen
  • Touchscreen
  • $599
  • APS-C
  • Lens selection
  • Doesn't require an AA filter
Nikon J5
Fujifilm X-T10
  • $497
  • 1 inch
  • Less expensive
  • Shoot 4K video
  • $599
  • APS-C
  • Lens selection
  • Focus peaking
Compare Other Cameras?