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Nikon S9500 vs Samsung NX30

Portability
92
Imaging
42
Features
37
Overall
40
Nikon Coolpix S9500 front
 
Samsung NX30 front
Portability
75
Imaging
62
Features
85
Overall
71

Nikon S9500 vs Samsung NX30 Key Specs

Nikon S9500
(Full Review)
  • 18MP - 1/2.3" Sensor
  • 3" Fixed Display
  • ISO 125 - 1600
  • Optical Image Stabilization
  • 1920 x 1080 video
  • 25-550mm (F) lens
  • 205g - 110 x 60 x 31mm
  • Revealed January 2013
  • Older Model is Nikon S9300
  • Successor is Nikon S9700
Samsung NX30
(Full Review)
  • 20MP - APS-C Sensor
  • 3" Fully Articulated Screen
  • ISO 100 - 25600
  • 1/8000s Max Shutter
  • 1920 x 1080 video
  • Samsung NX Mount
  • 375g - 127 x 96 x 58mm
  • Introduced January 2014
  • Superseded the Samsung NX20
Photography Glossary

Nikon S9500 vs Samsung NX30 Overview

Below, we will be reviewing the Nikon S9500 and Samsung NX30, one is a Small Sensor Superzoom and the latter is a Advanced Mirrorless by rivals Nikon and Samsung. The image resolution of the S9500 (18MP) and the NX30 (20MP) is relatively close but the S9500 (1/2.3") and NX30 (APS-C) enjoy totally different sensor sizes.

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The S9500 was announced 11 months prior to the NX30 which means that they are of a similar generation. Both of these cameras come with different body type with the Nikon S9500 being a Compact camera and the Samsung NX30 being a SLR-style mirrorless camera.

Before we go straight into a in-depth comparison, below is a quick overview of how the S9500 scores vs the NX30 in the way of portability, imaging, features and an overall mark.

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Reasons to pick Nikon S9500 over the Samsung NX30

 S9500 NX30 

Reasons to pick Samsung NX30 over the Nikon S9500

 NX30 S9500 
IntroducedJanuary 2014January 2013Newer by 11 months
Manual focus Very accurate focus
Screen typeFully ArticulatedFixed Fully Articulating screen
Screen resolution1036k614kCrisper screen (+422k dot)
Selfie screen Easy selfies
Touch friendly screen Quickly navigate

Common features in the Nikon S9500 and Samsung NX30

 S9500 NX30 
Screen dimension3"3"Identical screen dimensions

Nikon S9500 vs Samsung NX30 Physical Comparison

When you are going to travel with your camera frequently, you will have to factor its weight and size. The Nikon S9500 has got outside dimensions of 110mm x 60mm x 31mm (4.3" x 2.4" x 1.2") having a weight of 205 grams (0.45 lbs) while the Samsung NX30 has specifications of 127mm x 96mm x 58mm (5.0" x 3.8" x 2.3") with a weight of 375 grams (0.83 lbs).

See the Nikon S9500 and Samsung NX30 in the all new Camera and Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Bear in mind, the weight of an Interchangeable Lens Camera will change depending on the lens you are utilising at that moment. Below is the front view proportions comparison of the S9500 vs the NX30.

Nikon S9500 vs Samsung NX30 size comparison

Considering dimensions and weight, the portability rating of the S9500 and NX30 is 92 and 75 respectively.

Nikon S9500 vs Samsung NX30 top view buttons comparison

Nikon S9500 vs Samsung NX30 Sensor Comparison

Typically, it's difficult to see the difference in sensor dimensions purely by looking through a spec sheet. The picture here may offer you a more clear sense of the sensor sizes in the S9500 and NX30.

Clearly, both of these cameras posses different megapixels and different sensor dimensions. The S9500 with its smaller sensor will make getting shallow depth of field more difficult and the Samsung NX30 will result in extra detail with its extra 2 Megapixels. Higher resolution can also make it easier to crop shots somewhat more aggressively. The more aged S9500 will be disadvantaged with regard to sensor innovation.

Nikon S9500 vs Samsung NX30 sensor size comparison

Nikon S9500 vs Samsung NX30 Screen and ViewFinder

Nikon S9500 vs Samsung NX30 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Nikon S9500 Portrait photography advice
Samsung NX30 Portrait photography advice
31
good MP (18MP)
lack of manual focus
no manual control
no external flash support
sensor is tiny (1/2.3")
doesn't have RAW format
77
has manual focus
megapixel count good (20 megapixels)
sensor size is good (APS-C)
has face detect focusing
supports RAW formats
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Street Comparison

Nikon S9500 as a Street photography camera
Samsung NX30 as a Street photography camera
62
has image stabilization (Optical)
lighter than competition in class (205 grams)
screen is fixed
sensor is tiny (1/2.3")
doesn't have RAW format
75
screen can move to multiple angles
sensor size is good (APS-C)
supports RAW formats
boasts focus via touch
above average high ISO (25,600)
no image stabilization
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Sports Comparison

Sports photography with Nikon S9500
Sports photography with Samsung NX30
42
great zoom range (25-550mm 22.0 x zoom)
has image stabilization (Optical)
good MP (18 megapixels)
no shutter priority mode
sensor is tiny (1/2.3")
not so great battery (230 shots)
doesn't have phase detect auto focus
72
high shutter speed (1/8,000 seconds)
megapixel count good (20MP)
sensor size is good (APS-C)
has tracking focus
sensor has phase detect AF
no image stabilization
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Travel Comparison

Nikon S9500 Travel photography details
Samsung NX30 Travel photography details
71
lighter than competition in class (205 grams)
good MP (18MP)
flash built-in
quite wide (25mm)
long zoom (550mm)
great maximum aperture (f)
does not have Timelapse recording
not so great battery (230 CIPA)
display isn't selfie friendly
74
boasts focus via touch
megapixel count good (20MP)
has built in flash
selfie friendly screen
lack of Timelapse function
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Landscape Comparison

Nikon S9500 Landscape photography highlights
Samsung NX30 Landscape photography highlights
46
quite wide (25mm)
great maximum aperture (f)
screen size is good (3 inches)
has image stabilization (Optical)
good MP (18 megapixels)
lack of manual focus
cannot switch lens (fixed lens mount)
no manual control
sensor is tiny (1/2.3")
doesn't have RAW format
not so great battery (230 CIPA)
does not have Timelapse recording
71
has manual focus
interchangeable lenses (Samsung NX mount)
screen size is good (3 inch)
megapixel count good (20 megapixels)
sensor size is good (APS-C)
above average high ISO (25,600)
supports RAW formats
no image stabilization
lack of Timelapse function
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Vlogging Comparison

Nikon S9500 Vlogging info
Samsung NX30 Vlogging info
36
quite wide (25mm)
great maximum aperture (f)
has image stabilization (Optical)
high res video (1920 x 1080 resolution)
lighter than competition in class (205g)
display isn't selfie friendly
does not have microphone support
75
selfie friendly screen
touchscreen functionality
has face detect focusing
great video quality (1920 x 1080 pixels)
includes microphone socket
no image stabilization
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Nikon S9500 vs Samsung NX30 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Nikon S9500 and Samsung NX30
 Nikon Coolpix S9500Samsung NX30
General Information
Manufacturer Nikon Samsung
Model type Nikon Coolpix S9500 Samsung NX30
Category Small Sensor Superzoom Advanced Mirrorless
Revealed 2013-01-29 2014-01-03
Physical type Compact SLR-style mirrorless
Sensor Information
Processor Chip - DRIMeIV
Sensor type BSI-CMOS CMOS
Sensor size 1/2.3" APS-C
Sensor measurements 6.16 x 4.62mm 23.5 x 15.7mm
Sensor area 28.5mm² 369.0mm²
Sensor resolution 18 megapixels 20 megapixels
Anti alias filter
Aspect ratio - 1:1, 3:2 and 16:9
Max resolution 4896 x 3672 5472 x 3648
Max native ISO 1600 25600
Min native ISO 125 100
RAW files
Autofocusing
Focus manually
Autofocus touch
Continuous autofocus
Autofocus single
Tracking autofocus
Selective autofocus
Center weighted autofocus
Autofocus multi area
Autofocus live view
Face detect focus
Contract detect focus
Phase detect focus
Total focus points 99 247
Lens
Lens support fixed lens Samsung NX
Lens zoom range 25-550mm (22.0x) -
Total lenses - 32
Crop factor 5.8 1.5
Screen
Display type Fixed Type Fully Articulated
Display diagonal 3" 3"
Display resolution 614k dots 1,036k dots
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch screen
Display tech OLED monitor AMOLED
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder type None Electronic
Viewfinder resolution - 2,359k dots
Viewfinder coverage - 100 percent
Viewfinder magnification - 0.66x
Features
Min shutter speed 4 secs 30 secs
Max shutter speed 1/1500 secs 1/8000 secs
Continuous shutter rate 7.5 frames per sec 9.0 frames per sec
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Manual mode
Exposure compensation - Yes
Custom white balance
Image stabilization
Built-in flash
Hot shoe
AE bracketing
White balance bracketing
Exposure
Multisegment exposure
Average exposure
Spot exposure
Partial exposure
AF area exposure
Center weighted exposure
Video features
Video resolutions 1920 x 1080 1920 x 1080 (60p), 1280 x 720, 640 x 480, 320 x 240
Max video resolution 1920x1080 1920x1080
Video format - MPEG-4, H.264
Microphone port
Headphone port
Connectivity
Wireless Built-In Built-In
Bluetooth
NFC
HDMI
USB USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec) USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec)
GPS BuiltIn None
Physical
Environment sealing
Water proofing
Dust proofing
Shock proofing
Crush proofing
Freeze proofing
Weight 205 grams (0.45 lbs) 375 grams (0.83 lbs)
Dimensions 110 x 60 x 31mm (4.3" x 2.4" x 1.2") 127 x 96 x 58mm (5.0" x 3.8" x 2.3")
DXO scores
DXO Overall rating not tested 77
DXO Color Depth rating not tested 23.5
DXO Dynamic range rating not tested 12.4
DXO Low light rating not tested 1014
Other
Battery life 230 pictures 360 pictures
Type of battery Battery Pack Battery Pack
Battery ID EN-EL12 BP1410
Self timer - Yes (2 - 30 secs)
Time lapse shooting
Type of storage SD/SDHC/SDXC SD, SDHC, SDXC
Card slots One One
Price at release $230 $699