Samsung NX30 vs Sony NEX-3
The Samsung NX30 and the Sony Alpha NEX-3 are two digital cameras that were announced, respectively, in January 2014 and May 2010. Both the NX30 and the NEX-3 are mirrorless interchangeable lens cameras that are equipped with an APS-C sensor. The Samsung has a resolution of 20 megapixels, whereas the Sony provides 14 MP.
Below is an overview of the main specs of the two cameras as a starting point for the comparison.
Going beyond this snapshot of core features and characteristics, what are the differences between the Samsung NX30 and the Sony Alpha NEX-3? Which one should you buy? Read on to find out how these two cameras compare with respect to their body size, their imaging sensors, their shooting features, their input-output connections, and their reception by expert reviewers.
Body comparison
An illustration of the physical size and weight of the Samsung NX30 and the Sony NEX-3 is provided in the side-by-side display below. The two cameras are presented according to their relative size. Three consecutive views from the front, the top, and the rear side are shown. All size dimensions are rounded to the nearest millimeter.
The NEX-3 can be obtained in three different colors (black, silver, red), while the NX30 is only available in black.
If the front view area (width x height) of the cameras is taken as an aggregate measure of their size, the Sony NEX-3 is considerably smaller (41 percent) than the Samsung NX30. Moreover, the NEX-3 is markedly lighter (21 percent) than the NX30. In this context, it is worth noting that neither the NX30 nor the NEX-3 are weather-sealed.
The above size and weight comparisons are to some extent incomplete since they do not consider the interchangeable lenses that both of these cameras require. Hence, you might want to study and compare the specifications of available lenses in order to get the full picture of the size and weight of the two camera systems.
The power pack in the NX30 can be charged via the USB port, so that it is not always necessary to take the battery charger along when travelling.
The following table provides a synthesis of the main physical specifications of the two cameras and other similar ones. If you would like to visualize and compare a different camera combination, you can navigate to the CAM-parator app and make your selection from a broad list of cameras there.
# | Camera Model |
Camera Width |
Camera Height |
Camera Depth |
Camera Weight |
Battery Life |
Weather Sealing |
Camera Launch |
Launch Price (USD) |
Street Price |
|
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
1. | Samsung NX30 | 127 mm | 96 mm | 58 mm | 375 g | 360 | n | Jan 2014 | 999 | ebay.com | |
2. | Sony NEX-3 | 117 mm | 62 mm | 33 mm | 297 g | 330 | n | May 2010 | 599 | ebay.com | |
3. | Canon M5 | 116 mm | 89 mm | 61 mm | 427 g | 295 | n | Sep 2016 | 979 | ebay.com | |
4. | Canon M3 | 111 mm | 68 mm | 44 mm | 366 g | 250 | n | Feb 2015 | 679 | ebay.com | |
5. | Canon T6s | 132 mm | 101 mm | 78 mm | 565 g | 440 | n | Feb 2015 | 649 | ebay.com | |
6. | Fujifilm X-E3 | 121 mm | 74 mm | 43 mm | 337 g | 350 | n | Sep 2017 | 899 | ebay.com | |
7. | Nikon D5500 | 124 mm | 97 mm | 70 mm | 470 g | 820 | n | Jan 2015 | 899 | ebay.com | |
8. | Nikon D3300 | 124 mm | 98 mm | 76 mm | 430 g | 700 | n | Jan 2014 | 499 | ebay.com | |
9. | Samsung NX500 | 120 mm | 64 mm | 43 mm | 287 g | 370 | n | Feb 2015 | 799 | ebay.com | |
10. | Sony A6400 | 120 mm | 67 mm | 50 mm | 403 g | 410 | Y | Jan 2019 | 899 | amazon.com | |
11. | Sony A5100 | 110 mm | 63 mm | 36 mm | 283 g | 400 | n | Aug 2014 | 549 | ebay.com | |
12. | Sony A6000 | 120 mm | 67 mm | 45 mm | 344 g | 360 | n | Feb 2014 | 599 | ebay.com | |
13. | Sony A3000 | 128 mm | 91 mm | 85 mm | 411 g | 470 | n | Aug 2013 | 329 | ebay.com | |
14. | Sony NEX-3N | 110 mm | 62 mm | 35 mm | 269 g | 480 | n | Feb 2013 | 499 | ebay.com | |
15. | Sony NEX-5R | 111 mm | 59 mm | 39 mm | 276 g | 330 | n | Aug 2012 | 749 | ebay.com | |
16. | Sony NEX-5N | 111 mm | 59 mm | 38 mm | 269 g | 460 | n | Aug 2011 | 699 | ebay.com | |
17. | Sony NEX-5 | 111 mm | 59 mm | 38 mm | 287 g | 330 | n | May 2010 | 699 | ebay.com | |
Note: Measurements and pricing do not include easily detachable parts, such as add-on or interchangeable lenses or optional viewfinders. | |||||||||||
Any camera decision will obviously take relative prices into account. The manufacturer’s suggested retail prices give an idea on the placement of the camera in the maker’s lineup and the broader market. The NEX-3 was launched at a markedly lower price (by 40 percent) than the NX30, which puts it into a different market segment. Usually, retail prices stay at first close to the launch price, but after several months, discounts become available. Later in the product cycle and, in particular, when the replacement model is about to appear, further discounting and stock clearance sales often push the camera price considerably down.
Sensor comparison
The size of the sensor inside a digital camera is one of the key determinants of image quality. All other things equal, a large sensor will have larger individual pixel-units that offer better low-light sensitivity, wider dynamic range, and richer color-depth than smaller pixels in a sensor of the same technological generation. Furthermore, a large sensor camera will give the photographer more possibilities to use shallow depth-of-field in order to isolate a subject from the background. On the downside, larger sensors are more costly to manufacture and tend to lead to bigger and heavier cameras and lenses.
Both cameras under consideration feature an APS-C sensor, but their sensors differ slightly in size. The sensor area in the NEX-3 is 1 percent smaller. They nevertheless have the same format factor of 1.5. Both cameras have a native aspect ratio (sensor width to sensor height) of 3:2.
With 20MP, the NX30 offers a higher resolution than the NEX-3 (14MP), but the NX30 has smaller individual pixels (pixel pitch of 4.30μm versus 5.11μm for the NEX-3). However, the NX30 is a much more recent model (by 3 years and 7 months) than the NEX-3, and its sensor will have benefitted from technological advances during this time that enhance the light gathering capacity of its pixels. Coming back to sensor resolution, it should be mentioned that the NX30 has no anti-alias filter installed, so that it can capture all the detail its sensor resolves.
The resolution advantage of the Samsung NX30 implies greater flexibility for cropping images or the possibility to print larger pictures. The maximum print size of the NX30 for good quality output (200 dots per inch) amounts to 27.4 x 18.2 inches or 69.5 x 46.3 cm, for very good quality (250 dpi) 21.9 x 14.6 inches or 55.6 x 37.1 cm, and for excellent quality (300 dpi) 18.2 x 12.2 inches or 46.3 x 30.9 cm. The corresponding values for the Sony NEX-3 are 23 x 15.3 inches or 58.3 x 38.8 cm for good quality, 18.4 x 12.2 inches or 46.7 x 31 cm for very good quality, and 15.3 x 10.2 inches or 38.9 x 25.9 cm for excellent quality prints.
The NX30 has on-sensor phase detect pixels, which results in fast and reliable autofocus acquisition even during live view operation.
The Samsung NX30 has a native sensitivity range from ISO 100 to ISO 25600. The corresponding ISO settings for the Sony Alpha NEX-3 are ISO 200 to ISO 12800 (no boost).
Technology-wise, both cameras are equipped with CMOS (Complementary Metal–Oxide–Semiconductor) sensors. Both cameras use a Bayer filter for capturing RGB colors on a square grid of photosensors. This arrangement is found in most digital cameras.
Consistent information on actual sensor performance is available from DXO Mark for many cameras. This service assesses and scores the color depth ("DXO Portrait"), dynamic range ("DXO Landscape"), and low-light sensitivity ("DXO Sports") of camera sensors, and also publishes an overall camera score. Of the two cameras under review, the NX30 has a notably higher overall DXO score than the NEX-3 (overall score 8 points higher), which gives it an advantage in terms of imaging quality. This advantage is based on 1.4 bits higher color depth, 0.4 EV in additional dynamic range, and 0.3 stops in additional low light sensitivity. The table below summarizes the physical sensor characteristics and sensor quality findings and compares them across a set of similar cameras.
# | Camera Model |
Sensor Class |
Resolution (MP) |
Horiz. Pixels |
Vert. Pixels |
Video Format |
DXO Portrait |
DXO Landscape |
DXO Sports |
DXO Overall |
|
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
1. | Samsung NX30 | APS-C | 20.0 | 5472 | 3648 | 1080/60p | 23.5 | 12.4 | 1014 | 76 | |
2. | Sony NEX-3 | APS-C | 14.0 | 4592 | 3056 | 720/30p | 22.1 | 12.0 | 830 | 68 | |
3. | Canon M5 | APS-C | 24.0 | 6000 | 4000 | 1080/60p | 23.4 | 12.4 | 1262 | 77 | |
4. | Canon M3 | APS-C | 24.0 | 6000 | 4000 | 1080/30p | 22.8 | 11.8 | 1169 | 72 | |
5. | Canon T6s | APS-C | 24.0 | 6000 | 4000 | 1080/30p | 22.6 | 12.0 | 915 | 70 | |
6. | Fujifilm X-E3 | APS-C | 24.0 | 6000 | 4000 | 4K/30p | 23.9 | 13.3 | 1764 | 82 | |
7. | Nikon D5500 | APS-C | 24.0 | 6000 | 4000 | 1080/60p | 24.1 | 14.0 | 1438 | 84 | |
8. | Nikon D3300 | APS-C | 24.0 | 6000 | 4000 | 1080/60p | 24.3 | 12.8 | 1385 | 82 | |
9. | Samsung NX500 | APS-C | 28.0 | 6480 | 4320 | 4K/30p | 24.8 | 13.9 | 1379 | 87 | |
10. | Sony A6400 | APS-C | 24.0 | 6000 | 4000 | 4K/30p | 24.0 | 13.6 | 1431 | 83 | |
11. | Sony A5100 | APS-C | 24.0 | 6000 | 4000 | 1080/60p | 23.8 | 12.7 | 1347 | 80 | |
12. | Sony A6000 | APS-C | 24.0 | 6000 | 4000 | 1080/60p | 24.1 | 13.1 | 1347 | 82 | |
13. | Sony A3000 | APS-C | 19.8 | 5456 | 3632 | 1080/60i | 23.7 | 12.8 | 1068 | 78 | |
14. | Sony NEX-3N | APS-C | 16.0 | 4912 | 3264 | 1080/60i | 22.8 | 12.5 | 1067 | 74 | |
15. | Sony NEX-5R | APS-C | 16.0 | 4912 | 3264 | 1080/60i | 23.7 | 13.1 | 910 | 78 | |
16. | Sony NEX-5N | APS-C | 16.0 | 4912 | 3264 | 1080/60i | 23.6 | 12.7 | 1079 | 77 | |
17. | Sony NEX-5 | APS-C | 14.0 | 4592 | 3056 | 1080/60i | 22.2 | 12.2 | 796 | 69 | |
Note: DXO values in italics represent estimates based on sensor size and age. |
Many modern cameras are not only capable of taking still images, but can also record movies. The two cameras under consideration both have sensors whose read-out speed is fast enough to capture moving pictures, but the NX30 provides a higher video resolution than the NEX-3. It can shoot video footage at 1080/60p, while the Sony is limited to 720/30p.
Feature comparison
Apart from body and sensor, cameras can and do differ across a range of features. For example, the NX30 has an electronic viewfinder (2359k dots), which can be very helpful when shooting in bright sunlight. In contrast, the NEX-3 relies on live view and the rear LCD for framing. That said, the NEX-3 can be equipped with an optional viewfinder – the FDA-SV1. The table below summarizes some of the other core capabilities of the Samsung NX30 and Sony NEX-3 in connection with corresponding information for a sample of similar cameras.
# | Camera Model |
Viewfinder (Type or 000 dots) |
Control Panel (yes/no) |
LCD Specifications (inch/000 dots) |
LCD Attach- ment |
Touch Screen (yes/no) |
Max Shutter Speed * |
Max Shutter Flaps * |
Built-in Flash (yes/no) |
Built-in Image Stab |
|
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
1. | Samsung NX30 | 2359 | n | 3.0 / 1036 | swivel | Y | 1/8000s | 9.0/s | Y | n | |
2. | Sony NEX-3 | optional | n | 3.0 / 920 | tilting | n | 1/4000s | 7.0/s | n | n | |
3. | Canon M5 | 2360 | n | 3.2 / 1620 | tilting | Y | 1/4000s | 9.0/s | Y | n | |
4. | Canon M3 | optional | n | 3.0 / 1040 | tilting | Y | 1/4000s | 4.2/s | Y | n | |
5. | Canon T6s | optical | Y | 3.0 / 1040 | swivel | Y | 1/4000s | 5.0/s | Y | n | |
6. | Fujifilm X-E3 | 2360 | n | 3.0 / 1040 | fixed | Y | 1/4000s | 8.0/s | n | n | |
7. | Nikon D5500 | optical | n | 3.2 / 1037 | swivel | Y | 1/4000s | 5.0/s | Y | n | |
8. | Nikon D3300 | optical | n | 3.0 / 921 | fixed | n | 1/4000s | 5.0/s | Y | n | |
9. | Samsung NX500 | none | n | 3.0 / 1036 | tilting | Y | 1/6000s | 9.0/s | Y | n | |
10. | Sony A6400 | 2359 | n | 3.0 / 922 | tilting | Y | 1/4000s | 11.0/s | Y | n | |
11. | Sony A5100 | none | n | 3.0 / 922 | tilting | Y | 1/4000s | 6.0/s | Y | n | |
12. | Sony A6000 | 1440 | n | 3.0 / 922 | tilting | n | 1/4000s | 11.0/s | Y | n | |
13. | Sony A3000 | 202 | n | 3.0 / 230 | fixed | n | 1/4000s | 2.5/s | Y | n | |
14. | Sony NEX-3N | optional | n | 3.0 / 460 | tilting | n | 1/4000s | 4.0/s | Y | n | |
15. | Sony NEX-5R | optional | n | 3.0 / 920 | tilting | Y | 1/4000s | 10.0/s | n | n | |
16. | Sony NEX-5N | optional | n | 3.0 / 920 | tilting | Y | 1/4000s | 10.0/s | n | n | |
17. | Sony NEX-5 | optional | n | 3.0 / 920 | tilting | n | 1/4000s | 7.0/s | n | n | |
Note: *) Information refers to the mechanical shutter, unless the camera only has an electronic one. |
One difference between the cameras concerns the presence of an on-board flash. The NX30 has one, while the NEX-3 does not. While the built-in flash of the NX30 is not very powerful, it can at times be useful as a fill-in light.
Both cameras have an articulated rear screen that can be turned to be front-facing. This feature will be particularly appreciated by vloggers and photographers who are interested in taking selfies.The Samsung NX30 has an intervalometer built-in. This enables the photographer to capture time lapse sequences, such as flower blooming, a sunset or moon rise, without purchasing an external camera trigger and related software.
The NX30 writes its imaging data to SDXC cards, while the NEX-3 uses SDXC or Memory Stick PRO Duo cards. The NX30 supports UHS-I cards (Ultra High Speed data transfer of up to 104 MB/s), while the NEX-3 cannot take advantage of Ultra High Speed SD cards.
Connectivity comparison
For some imaging applications, the extent to which a camera can communicate with its environment can be an important aspect in the camera decision process. The table below provides an overview of the connectivity of the Samsung NX30 and Sony Alpha NEX-3 and, in particular, the interfaces the cameras (and selected comparators) provide for accessory control and data transfer.
# | Camera Model |
Hotshoe Port |
Internal Mic / Speaker |
Microphone Port |
Headphone Port |
HDMI Port |
USB Port |
WiFi Support |
NFC Support |
Bluetooth Support |
|
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
1. | Samsung NX30 | Y | stereo / mono | - | - | micro | 2.0 | Y | Y | - | |
2. | Sony NEX-3 | Y | stereo / mono | - | - | mini | 2.0 | - | - | - | |
3. | Canon M5 | Y | stereo / mono | Y | - | mini | 2.0 | Y | Y | Y | |
4. | Canon M3 | Y | stereo / mono | Y | - | mini | 2.0 | Y | Y | - | |
5. | Canon T6s | Y | stereo / mono | Y | - | mini | 2.0 | Y | Y | - | |
6. | Fujifilm X-E3 | Y | stereo / mono | Y | - | micro | 2.0 | Y | - | Y | |
7. | Nikon D5500 | Y | stereo / mono | Y | - | mini | 2.0 | Y | - | - | |
8. | Nikon D3300 | Y | mono / mono | Y | - | mini | 2.0 | - | - | - | |
9. | Samsung NX500 | Y | stereo / mono | - | - | micro | 2.0 | Y | Y | Y | |
10. | Sony A6400 | Y | stereo / mono | Y | - | micro | 2.0 | Y | Y | Y | |
11. | Sony A5100 | - | stereo / mono | - | - | micro | 2.0 | Y | Y | - | |
12. | Sony A6000 | Y | stereo / mono | - | - | micro | 2.0 | Y | Y | - | |
13. | Sony A3000 | Y | stereo / mono | - | - | mini | 2.0 | - | - | - | |
14. | Sony NEX-3N | - | stereo / mono | - | - | micro | 2.0 | - | - | - | |
15. | Sony NEX-5R | Y | stereo / mono | - | - | mini | 2.0 | Y | - | - | |
16. | Sony NEX-5N | Y | stereo / mono | - | - | mini | 2.0 | - | - | - | |
17. | Sony NEX-5 | Y | stereo / mono | - | - | mini | 2.0 | - | - | - |
It is notable that the NX30 offers wifi support, while the NEX-3 does not. Wifi can be a very convenient means to transfer image data to an off-camera location.
Both the NX30 and the NEX-3 have been discontinued, but can regularly be found used on ebay. The NEX-3 was replaced by the Sony NEX-3N, while the NX30 does not have a direct successor. Further information on the features and operation of the NX30 and NEX-3 can be found, respectively, in the Samsung NX30 Manual (free pdf) or the online Sony NEX-3 Manual.
Review summary
So how do things add up? Is the Samsung NX30 better than the Sony NEX-3 or vice versa? A synthesis of the relative strong points of each of the models is listed below.
Reasons to prefer the Samsung NX30:
- More detail: Offers more megapixels (20 vs 14MP) with a 19% higher linear resolution.
- Maximized detail: Lacks an anti-alias filter to exploit the sensor's full resolution potential.
- Better image quality: Scores markedly higher (8 points) in the DXO overall assessment.
- Richer colors: Generates images with noticeably better colors (1.4 bits more color depth).
- Better video: Provides higher definition movie capture (1080/60p vs 720/30p).
- Better live-view autofocus: Features on-sensor phase-detection for more confident autofocus.
- Easier framing: Has an electronic viewfinder for image composition and settings control.
- More detailed LCD: Has a higher resolution rear screen (1036k vs 920k dots).
- More flexible LCD: Has a swivel screen for odd-angle shots in portrait or landscape orientation.
- Fewer buttons to press: Is equipped with a touch-sensitive rear screen to facilitate handling.
- Faster shutter: Has higher mechanical shutter speed (1/8000s vs 1/4000s) to freeze action.
- Faster burst: Shoots at higher frequency (9 vs 7 flaps/sec) to capture the decisive moment.
- Easier time-lapse photography: Has an intervalometer built-in for low frequency shooting.
- Easier travel charging: Can be conveniently charged via its USB port.
- Easier fill-in: Is equipped with a small onboard flash to brighten deep shadow areas.
- Easier file upload: Has wifi built in for automatic backup or image transfer to the web.
- Easier device pairing: Supports NFC for fast wireless image transfer over short distances.
- Faster buffer clearing: Has an SD card interface that supports the UHS-I standard.
- More modern: Reflects 3 years and 7 months of technical progress since the NEX-3 launch.
Advantages of the Sony Alpha NEX-3:
- Better moiré control: Has an anti-alias filter to avoid artificial patterns to appear in images.
- More compact: Is smaller (117x62mm vs 127x96mm) and will fit more readily into a bag.
- Less heavy: Has a lower weight (by 78g or 21 percent) and is thus easier to take along.
- More affordable: Was introduced into a lower priced category (40 percent cheaper at launch).
- More heavily discounted: Has been around for much longer (launched in May 2010).
If the number of relative strengths (bullet points above) is taken as a guide, the NX30 is the clear winner of the match-up (19 : 5 points). However, the pertinence of the various camera strengths will differ across photographers, so that you might want to weigh individual camera traits according to their importance for your own imaging needs before making a camera decision. A professional sports photographer will view the differences between cameras in a way that diverges from the perspective of a street photog, and a person interested in family portraits has distinct needs from a landscape shooter. Hence, the decision which camera is best and worth buying is often a very personal one.
How about other alternatives? Do the specifications of the Samsung NX30 and the Sony NEX-3 place the cameras among the top in their class? Find out in the latest Best Mirrorless Interchangeable Lens Camera listing whether the two cameras rank among the cream of the crop.
In any case, while the specs-based evaluation of cameras can be instructive in revealing their potential as photographic tools, it says little about, for example, the shooting experience and imaging performance of the NX30 and the NEX-3 in practical situations. At times, user reviews, such as those published at amazon, address these issues in a useful manner, but such feedback is on many occasions incomplete, inconsistent, and unreliable.
Expert reviews
This is why hands-on reviews by experts are important. The adjacent summary-table relays the overall verdicts of several of the most popular camera review sites (amateurphotographer [AP], cameralabs [CL], digitalcameraworld [DCW], dpreview [DPR], ephotozine [EPZ], photographyblog [PB]). As can be seen, the professional reviewers agree in many cases on the quality of different cameras, but sometimes their assessments diverge, reinforcing the earlier point that a camera decision is often a very personal choice.
# | Camera Model |
AP score |
CL score |
DCW score |
DPR score |
EPZ score |
PB score |
Camera Launch |
Launch Price (USD) |
Street Price |
|
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
1. | Samsung NX30 | 3/5 | .. | .. | 77/100 | 4.5/5 | 4.5/5 | Jan 2014 | 999 | ebay.com | |
2. | Sony NEX-3 | .. | .. | .. | 70/100 | 4.5/5 | 4/5 | May 2010 | 599 | ebay.com | |
3. | Canon M5 | 4/5 | + | 4/5 | 82/100 | 4/5 | 4/5 | Sep 2016 | 979 | ebay.com | |
4. | Canon M3 | 4/5 | o | .. | 75/100 | 4.5/5 | 4/5 | Feb 2015 | 679 | ebay.com | |
5. | Canon T6s | 5/5 | + | .. | 77/100 | 4.5/5 | 4.5/5 | Feb 2015 | 649 | ebay.com | |
6. | Fujifilm X-E3 | 4.5/5 | + | 4.5/5 | 84/100 | 4.5/5 | 4.5/5 | Sep 2017 | 899 | ebay.com | |
7. | Nikon D5500 | 5/5 | + | .. | 79/100 | 4.5/5 | 4.5/5 | Jan 2015 | 899 | ebay.com | |
8. | Nikon D3300 | 3/5 | + | .. | 77/100 | 4.5/5 | 4.5/5 | Jan 2014 | 499 | ebay.com | |
9. | Samsung NX500 | 4.5/5 | .. | .. | 81/100 | 5/5 | 4.5/5 | Feb 2015 | 799 | ebay.com | |
10. | Sony A6400 | 4/5 | + | 4/5 | 85/100 | 4.5/5 | 4/5 | Jan 2019 | 899 | amazon.com | |
11. | Sony A5100 | 4.5/5 | + | .. | .. | 4.5/5 | 5/5 | Aug 2014 | 549 | ebay.com | |
12. | Sony A6000 | 5/5 | + | 4.5/5 | 80/100 | 4.5/5 | 5/5 | Feb 2014 | 599 | ebay.com | |
13. | Sony A3000 | 3/5 | + | .. | .. | 4/5 | 4/5 | Aug 2013 | 329 | ebay.com | |
14. | Sony NEX-3N | 3/5 | .. | .. | .. | 4.5/5 | 4.5/5 | Feb 2013 | 499 | ebay.com | |
15. | Sony NEX-5R | .. | .. | .. | .. | 4.5/5 | 4.5/5 | Aug 2012 | 749 | ebay.com | |
16. | Sony NEX-5N | 3/5 | + + | .. | 79/100 | 4.5/5 | 4.5/5 | Aug 2011 | 699 | ebay.com | |
17. | Sony NEX-5 | 3/5 | + + | .. | 71/100 | 4.5/5 | 4/5 | May 2010 | 699 | ebay.com | |
Note: (+ +) highly recommended; (+) recommended; (o) reviewed; (..) not available. |
The review scores listed above should be treated with care, though. The ratings are only valid when referring to cameras in the same category and of the same age. Thus, a score needs to be put into the context of the launch date and the launch price of the camera, and comparing ratings of very distinct cameras or ones that are far apart in terms of their release date have little meaning. It should also be noted that some of the review sites have over time altered the way they render their verdicts.
Other camera comparisons
Did this review help to inform your camera decision process? In case you are interested in seeing how other cameras pair up, just make a corresponding selection in the search boxes below. There is also a set of direct links to comparison reviews that other users of the CAM-parator app explored.
- Canon 300D vs Samsung NX30
- Canon 4000D vs Samsung NX30
- Canon 40D vs Sony NEX-3
- Canon D60 vs Sony NEX-3
- Canon G16 vs Samsung NX30
- Canon SX720 vs Samsung NX30
- Canon SX730 vs Sony NEX-3
- Canon T7i vs Samsung NX30
- Nikon D800E vs Samsung NX30
- Panasonic GX1 vs Sony NEX-3
- Sony A68 vs Sony NEX-3
- Sony NEX-3 vs Sony NEX-5
Specifications: Samsung NX30 vs Sony NEX-3
Below is a side-by-side comparison of the specs of the two cameras to facilitate a quick review of their differences and common features.
Camera Model | Samsung NX30 | Sony NEX-3 |
---|---|---|
Camera Type | Mirrorless system camera | Mirrorless system camera |
Camera Lens | Samsung NX mount lenses | Sony E mount lenses |
Launch Date | January 2014 | May 2010 |
Launch Price | USD 999 | USD 599 |
Sensor Specs | Samsung NX30 | Sony NEX-3 |
Sensor Technology | CMOS | CMOS |
Sensor Format | APS-C Sensor | APS-C Sensor |
Sensor Size | 23.5 x 15.7 mm | 23.4 x 15.6 mm |
Sensor Area | 368.95 mm2 | 365.04 mm2 |
Sensor Diagonal | 28.3 mm | 28.1 mm |
Crop Factor | 1.5x | 1.5x |
Sensor Resolution | 20 Megapixels | 14 Megapixels |
Image Resolution | 5472 x 3648 pixels | 4592 x 3056 pixels |
Pixel Pitch | 4.30 μm | 5.11 μm |
Pixel Density | 5.41 MP/cm2 | 3.84 MP/cm2 |
Moiré control | no AA filter | Anti-Alias filter |
Movie Capability | 1080/60p Video | 720/30p Video |
ISO Setting | 100 - 25,600 ISO | 200 - 12,800 ISO |
Image Processor | DRIMe IV | BIONZ |
DXO Sensor Quality (score) | 76 | 68 |
DXO Color Depth (bits) | 23.5 | 22.1 |
DXO Dynamic Range (EV) | 12.4 | 12.0 |
DXO Low Light (ISO) | 1014 | 830 |
Screen Specs | Samsung NX30 | Sony NEX-3 |
Viewfinder Type | Electronic viewfinder | Viewfinder optional |
Viewfinder Field of View | 100% | |
Viewfinder Magnification | 0.64x | |
Viewfinder Resolution | 2359k dots | |
LCD Framing | Live View | Live View |
Rear LCD Size | 3.0inch | 3.0inch |
LCD Resolution | 1036k dots | 920k dots |
LCD Attachment | Swivel screen | Tilting screen |
Touch Input | Touchscreen | no Touchscreen |
Shooting Specs | Samsung NX30 | Sony NEX-3 |
Focus System | On-Sensor Phase-detect | Contrast-detect AF |
Manual Focusing Aid | Focus Peaking | no Peaking Feature |
Continuous Shooting | 9 shutter flaps/s | 7 shutter flaps/s |
Time-Lapse Photography | Intervalometer built-in | no Intervalometer |
Fill Flash | Built-in Flash | no On-Board Flash |
Storage Medium | SDXC cards | MS or SDXC cards |
Single or Dual Card Slots | Single card slot | Single card slot |
UHS card support | UHS-I | no |
Connectivity Specs | Samsung NX30 | Sony NEX-3 |
External Flash | Hotshoe | Hotshoe |
USB Connector | USB 2.0 | USB 2.0 |
HDMI Port | micro HDMI | mini HDMI |
Wifi Support | Wifi built-in | no Wifi |
Near-Field Communication | NFC built-in | no NFC |
Body Specs | Samsung NX30 | Sony NEX-3 |
Battery Type | Samsung BP1410 | Sony NP-FW50 |
Battery Life (CIPA) | 360 shots per charge | 330 shots per charge |
In-Camera Charging | USB charging | no USB charging |
Body Dimensions |
127 x 96 x 58 mm (5.0 x 3.8 x 2.3 in) |
117 x 62 x 33 mm (4.6 x 2.4 x 1.3 in) |
Camera Weight | 375 g (13.2 oz) | 297 g (10.5 oz) |
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