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Nikon 1 J3 vs Samsung Galaxy Camera 2

Portability
92
Imaging
45
Features
63
Overall
52
Nikon 1 J3 front
 
Samsung Galaxy Camera 2 front
Portability
90
Imaging
40
Features
60
Overall
48

Nikon 1 J3 vs Samsung Galaxy Camera 2 Key Specs

Nikon 1 J3
(Full Review)
  • 14MP - 1" Sensor
  • 3" Fixed Screen
  • ISO 160 - 6400
  • 1920 x 1080 video
  • Nikon 1 Mount
  • 201g - 101 x 61 x 29mm
  • Introduced November 2013
  • Succeeded the Nikon 1 J2
  • Updated by Nikon 1 J4
Samsung Galaxy Camera 2
(Full Review)
  • 16MP - 1/2.3" Sensor
  • 4.8" Fixed Screen
  • ISO 100 - 3200
  • Optical Image Stabilization
  • 1920 x 1080 video
  • 23-483mm (F2.8-5.9) lens
  • 283g - 133 x 71 x 19mm
  • Announced January 2014
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Nikon 1 J3 vs Samsung Galaxy Camera 2 Overview

On this page, we will be matching up the Nikon 1 J3 vs Samsung Galaxy Camera 2, former being a Entry-Level Mirrorless while the latter is a Small Sensor Superzoom by competitors Nikon and Samsung. The sensor resolution of the 1 J3 (14MP) and the Galaxy Camera 2 (16MP) is pretty comparable but the 1 J3 (1") and Galaxy Camera 2 (1/2.3") offer different sensor sizing.

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The 1 J3 was announced within a month of the Galaxy Camera 2 and they are both of a similar age. Each of these cameras have different body design with the Nikon 1 J3 being a Rangefinder-style mirrorless camera and the Samsung Galaxy Camera 2 being a Compact camera.

Before we go straight to a complete comparison, here is a short highlight of how the 1 J3 matches up vs the Galaxy Camera 2 in terms of portability, imaging, features and an overall rating.

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Reasons to pick Nikon 1 J3 over the Samsung Galaxy Camera 2

 1 J3 Galaxy Camera 2 

Reasons to pick Samsung Galaxy Camera 2 over the Nikon 1 J3

 Galaxy Camera 2 1 J3 
Screen dimensions4.8"3"Bigger screen (+1.8")
Screen resolution1037k921kClearer screen (+116k dot)
Touch friendly screen Quickly navigate

Common features in the Nikon 1 J3 and Samsung Galaxy Camera 2

 1 J3 Galaxy Camera 2 
AnnouncedNovember 2013January 2014Same age
Manually focus Very accurate focus
Screen typeFixed Fixed Fixed screen
Selfie screen Missing selfie screen

Nikon 1 J3 vs Samsung Galaxy Camera 2 Physical Comparison

If you're aiming to carry your camera often, you are going to need to take into account its weight and measurements. The Nikon 1 J3 offers external measurements of 101mm x 61mm x 29mm (4.0" x 2.4" x 1.1") and a weight of 201 grams (0.44 lbs) and the Samsung Galaxy Camera 2 has proportions of 133mm x 71mm x 19mm (5.2" x 2.8" x 0.7") accompanied by a weight of 283 grams (0.62 lbs).

Take a look at the Nikon 1 J3 vs Samsung Galaxy Camera 2 in our completely new Camera & Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Remember that, the weight of an ILC will change dependant on the lens you are employing during that time. Following is a front view overall size comparison of the 1 J3 and the Galaxy Camera 2.

Nikon 1 J3 vs Samsung Galaxy Camera 2 size comparison

Considering dimensions and weight, the portability score of the 1 J3 and Galaxy Camera 2 is 92 and 90 respectively.

Nikon 1 J3 vs Samsung Galaxy Camera 2 top view buttons comparison

Nikon 1 J3 vs Samsung Galaxy Camera 2 Sensor Comparison

Sometimes, it is difficult to imagine the difference in sensor sizing just by going through specs. The photograph underneath may give you a better sense of the sensor sizing in the 1 J3 and Galaxy Camera 2.

All in all, both of these cameras provide different resolutions and different sensor sizing. The 1 J3 having a bigger sensor is going to make achieving shallow DOF less difficult and the Samsung Galaxy Camera 2 will provide more detail with its extra 2MP. Higher resolution will also make it easier to crop photographs more aggressively.

Nikon 1 J3 vs Samsung Galaxy Camera 2 sensor size comparison

Nikon 1 J3 vs Samsung Galaxy Camera 2 Screen and ViewFinder

Nikon 1 J3 vs Samsung Galaxy Camera 2 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Nikon 1 J3 Portrait photography advice
Samsung Galaxy Camera 2 Portrait photography advice
59
manual focus
decent sensor resolution (14 megapixels)
sensor size is good (1")
saves RAW formats
cannot use external flash
44
focusing manually
MP count decent (16 megapixels)
includes face detect autofocus
can't use external flash
tiny sensor size (1/2.3")
doesn't have RAW files
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Street Comparison

Nikon 1 J3 as a Street photography camera
Samsung Galaxy Camera 2 as a Street photography camera
70
sensor size is good (1")
saves RAW formats
lighter than competitors in class (201g)
screen does not articulate
lack of image stabilization
65
built in image stabilization (Optical)
provides touch to focus
lighter than competitors in class (283g)
screen is fixed
tiny sensor size (1/2.3")
doesn't have RAW files
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Sports Comparison

Sports photography with Nikon 1 J3
Sports photography with Samsung Galaxy Camera 2
58
silent shutter (1/16,000 seconds)
decent sensor resolution (14MP)
sensor size is good (1")
comes with tracking autofocus
sensor has phase detect autofocus
lack of image stabilization
not so great battery (220 CIPA)
48
amazing zoom range (23-483mm 21.0 x zoom)
built in image stabilization (Optical)
MP count decent (16MP)
great battery life (400 shots)
very slow continuous shooting (5.0 fps)
tiny sensor size (1/2.3")
doesn't have phase detect autofocus
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Travel Comparison

Nikon 1 J3 Travel photography factors
Samsung Galaxy Camera 2 Travel photography factors
69
lighter than competitors in class (201 grams)
decent sensor resolution (14 megapixels)
has built in flash
not so great battery (220 CIPA)
doesn't offer selfie friendly screen
73
great battery life (400 per charge)
lighter than competitors in class (283g)
has bluetooth
provides touch to focus
MP count decent (16 megapixels)
built-in flash
reasonably wide (23mm)
long reach (483mm)
doesn't have Timelapse mode
does not have selfie friendly screen
somewhat slow maximum aperture (f2.8)
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Landscape Comparison

Nikon 1 J3 Landscape photography details
Samsung Galaxy Camera 2 Landscape photography details
64
manual focus
change lenses (Nikon 1 mount)
screen is a decent size (3 inch)
decent sensor resolution (14MP)
sensor size is good (1")
saves RAW formats
lack of image stabilization
not so great battery (220 per charge)
52
focusing manually
reasonably wide (23mm)
lovely big screen (4.8 inch)
built in image stabilization (Optical)
MP count decent (16 megapixels)
great battery life (400 shots)
can't switch lenses (fixed lens mount)
somewhat slow maximum aperture (f2.8)
tiny sensor size (1/2.3")
doesn't have RAW files
doesn't have Timelapse mode
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Vlogging Comparison

Nikon 1 J3 as a Vlogging camera
Samsung Galaxy Camera 2 as a Vlogging camera
30
video res high (1920 x 1080 resolution)
lighter than competitors in class (201g)
doesn't offer selfie friendly screen
lack of image stabilization
missing external mic socket
37
reasonably wide (23mm)
screen is touchscreen
built in image stabilization (Optical)
includes face detect autofocus
high res video (1920 x 1080 resolution)
does have microphone jack
lighter than competitors in class (283 grams)
somewhat slow maximum aperture (f2.8)
does not have selfie friendly screen
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Nikon 1 J3 vs Samsung Galaxy Camera 2 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Nikon 1 J3 and Samsung Galaxy Camera 2
 Nikon 1 J3Samsung Galaxy Camera 2
General Information
Brand Name Nikon Samsung
Model type Nikon 1 J3 Samsung Galaxy Camera 2
Category Entry-Level Mirrorless Small Sensor Superzoom
Introduced 2013-11-30 2014-01-02
Body design Rangefinder-style mirrorless Compact
Sensor Information
Processor - 1.6GHz Quad-Core Exynos
Sensor type CMOS BSI-CMOS
Sensor size 1" 1/2.3"
Sensor measurements 13.2 x 8.8mm 6.17 x 4.55mm
Sensor surface area 116.2mm² 28.1mm²
Sensor resolution 14 megapixel 16 megapixel
Anti alias filter
Aspect ratio 3:2 and 16:9 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9
Max resolution 4608 x 3072 4608 x 3456
Max native ISO 6400 3200
Lowest native ISO 160 100
RAW photos
Autofocusing
Manual focusing
Touch to focus
Continuous AF
Single AF
Tracking AF
AF selectice
AF center weighted
AF multi area
Live view AF
Face detection AF
Contract detection AF
Phase detection AF
Total focus points 135 -
Cross type focus points 41 -
Lens
Lens support Nikon 1 fixed lens
Lens zoom range - 23-483mm (21.0x)
Maximal aperture - f/2.8-5.9
Macro focusing range - 10cm
Available lenses 13 -
Crop factor 2.7 5.8
Screen
Range of screen Fixed Type Fixed Type
Screen diagonal 3 inch 4.8 inch
Screen resolution 921k dot 1,037k dot
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch functionality
Screen tech TFT LCD HD Super Clear Touch Display
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder type None None
Features
Minimum shutter speed 30s 16s
Fastest shutter speed 1/4000s 1/2000s
Fastest silent shutter speed 1/16000s -
Continuous shutter speed 15.0 frames/s 5.0 frames/s
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Manual exposure
Exposure compensation Yes Yes
Set WB
Image stabilization
Inbuilt flash
Flash distance 5.00 m 3.80 m
Flash options Auto, On, Off, Red-eye, Slow sync, Rear curtain Auto, auto w/redeye reduction, fill-in, slow sync, flash off, redeye fix
External flash
AE bracketing
White balance bracketing
Fastest flash sync 1/60s -
Exposure
Multisegment metering
Average metering
Spot metering
Partial metering
AF area metering
Center weighted metering
Video features
Supported video resolutions 1920 x 1080 (60, 30 fps), 1280 x 720 (60 fps), 1072 x 720 (60 fps) 640 x 240 (400), 320 x 120 (1200) 1920 x 1080
Max video resolution 1920x1080 1920x1080
Video file format MPEG-4, H.264 MPEG-4, H.264
Microphone input
Headphone input
Connectivity
Wireless Optional Built-In
Bluetooth
NFC
HDMI
USB USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec) USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec)
GPS None BuiltIn
Physical
Environment seal
Water proofing
Dust proofing
Shock proofing
Crush proofing
Freeze proofing
Weight 201g (0.44 lbs) 283g (0.62 lbs)
Physical dimensions 101 x 61 x 29mm (4.0" x 2.4" x 1.1") 133 x 71 x 19mm (5.2" x 2.8" x 0.7")
DXO scores
DXO Overall rating 52 not tested
DXO Color Depth rating 20.4 not tested
DXO Dynamic range rating 11.0 not tested
DXO Low light rating 420 not tested
Other
Battery life 220 images 400 images
Battery format Battery Pack Battery Pack
Battery ID EN-EL20 Built-in
Self timer Yes Yes (2, 5, or 10 sec)
Time lapse shooting
Storage media SD/SDHC/SDXC card microSD/microSDHC/microSDXC
Storage slots Single Single
Price at release $170 $400