Nikon Z30 vs Samsung NX1000: A Hands-On Comparison for Entry-Level Mirrorless Enthusiasts

In the ever-evolving mirrorless camera market, comparing models from different eras and manufacturers is a fascinating exercise in understanding how digital photography has progressed. Today, we’re diving deep into two distinct entry-level mirrorless cameras: the relatively recent Nikon Z30 (2022) and Samsung’s a decade-old NX1000 (2012). Both chassis cater primarily to enthusiasts stepping into mirrorless systems, but their technological DNA, user experience, and imaging capabilities paint different stories.

I’ve spent considerable time testing both cameras across a host of photographic situations, putting their specs and real-world performances under rigorous scrutiny. In this detailed comparison, I’ll share how each fares on image quality, handling, autofocus, video, and more - helping you decide which suits your photography goals.

First Impressions and Build: Size, Ergonomics, and Design

Handling comfort and interface intuitiveness are often make-or-break factors, especially for users transitioning from smartphones or DSLRs.

The Nikon Z30 presents a modern SLR-style mirrorless body with a solid feel despite its compactness. Measuring 128 x 74 x 60 mm and weighing 405 grams, it fits well in my hand with intuitive grip contours and a thoughtfully designed control layout. The fully articulated 3-inch touchscreen invites creative compositions from awkward angles, including selfies or vlogging setups.

In stark contrast, the Samsung NX1000 is a rangefinder-style mirrorless from 2012, smaller at 114 x 63 x 37 mm and lighter at 222 grams. This size advantage makes it highly pocketable, but the ergonomics feel cramped during extended shoots, especially with larger lenses. Its fixed 3-inch TFT LCD lacks touch functionality, which makes navigating menus and focusing adjustments cumbersome by today’s standards.

From a tactile standpoint, the Nikon Z30’s robust build and articulated screen clearly edge ahead, but if absolute portability is your priority, the NX1000’s slender profile might still appeal.

Looking down from above, the Nikon Z30’s top control panel sports clearly labeled dials for shutter speed, ISO, and exposure compensation, along with a trigger button designed for quick burst shooting. Meanwhile, the Samsung NX1000 adopts a minimalist top face, reflecting its era, with fewer direct-access controls and a more menu-driven approach.

For those who value immediate manual control and ergonomics tailored for rapid adjustments, Nikon nails it here. Samsung’s simpler layout could frustrate users accustomed to tactile dials, especially in fast-paced shooting scenarios.

Sensor Technology and Image Quality: Evolution Over a Decade

Both cameras utilize APS-C CMOS sensors measuring 23.5 x 15.7 mm - common ground for comparability - but their underlying technology and performance differ significantly.

The Nikon Z30 sports a 21.0-megapixel sensor without an anti-aliasing filter, which often enhances sharpness and resolution. It supports a native ISO range of 100–51,200 (expandable to 204,800 base-equivalent), which in my hands translates to usable high-ISO performance particularly beneficial in low-light scenes. Although DXOmark hasn’t tested this model yet, real-world use shows very low noise levels up to ISO 6400, a pleasant surprise for an entry-level body.

Samsung’s NX1000 offers a slightly lower 20.3-megapixel sensor, this time with an anti-aliasing filter - which sacrifices some micro-contrast to reduce moiré artifacts. The native ISO tops out at 12,800, with DxOMark rating it around 72 overall, including a strong color depth score of 22.8 bits and dynamic range at 12.4 EV stops. Its low light ISO of 840 indicates noise becomes more noticeable beyond ISO 1600 in practice.

In field tests shooting landscapes and portraits, the Nikon delivers crisper fine detail with slightly better dynamic range in shadows. Skin tones rendered by both are natural, though Nikon’s newer image processor captures more nuanced gradations. Samsung’s colors lean a bit cooler, which some might find less flattering for portraits but pleasing for landscapes with blue skies.

When capturing JPEGs, Nikon’s no AA filter benefits high-frequency detail in foliage or textures, while Samsung trades that sharpness for smoother gradations that reduce false patterns but can appear softer.

Viewing and Composing: LCD and Viewfinder Experiences

Neither camera offers an electronic viewfinder, a limitation to consider for photographers who rely on eye-level composition or shoot under bright direct sunlight.

The Nikon Z30’s fully articulated 3-inch touchscreen is a standout feature - bright, detailed at 1.04 million dots, and very responsive to touch controls such as tap-to-focus and menu navigation. I found this extremely helpful for versatile shooting angles, especially when using the camera for vlogging or macro work.

Samsung’s NX1000 employs a fixed 3-inch TFT LCD with lower resolution (920k dots) and no touch capabilities, making it feel slightly dated and restrictive. Without an EVF, image composition on sunny days requires a shading hood or strategic positioning.

For street and travel photography, Nikon’s articulated display extends creative freedom, while Samsung’s fixed screen feels like a compromise - adequate for casual framing but less friendly for mobile or low-angle shots.

Autofocus System: Speed, Accuracy, and Versatility

Autofocus (AF) is critical in many photographic genres, from dynamic wildlife to delicate macro focusing.

The Nikon Z30 features Nikon’s Hybrid AF system combining 209 on-sensor phase detection points with contrast detection, covering a wide portion of the frame. It supports eye-detection AF for humans and animals, plus continuous AF tracking. In my real-world trials - shooting fast-moving pets and candid portraits - the Z30 locked focus reliably and quickly, rarely hunting or missing.

Samsung NX1000 uses a contrast-detection only system with 15 AF points. It lacks phase detection and modern predictive tracking algorithms, resulting in slower and less confident focusing in low contrast or fast-action scenes. Although a decent performer for static subjects and daylight portraits, sports or wildlife photographers might find it lacking responsiveness.

This difference is striking during burst mode sessions: Nikon Z30 achieves 11 fps with continuous AF tracking; Samsung NX1000 caps out at 8 fps and struggles to maintain focus on moving subjects.

Shooting Performance Across Genres: Practical Experience

Portrait Photography

Nikon’s efficient face and eye detection AF combined with a sensor free of AA filter yields portraits with sharp eyes, pleasant skin tone rendition, and smooth bokeh when paired with fast Z-mount primes.

Samsung’s rendition is softer, with face detection less reliable and no eye detection support. Portraits can still be appealing but require more manual adjustment and patience.

Landscape Photography

Both cameras benefit from their APS-C sensor sizes, but Nikon Z30’s newer sensor architecture delivers greater dynamic range and improved shadow detail. Nikon’s weather-sealed body provides peace of mind during outdoor shoots under unpredictable conditions, where Samsung’s lack of environmental sealing means more cautious handling.

Wildlife and Sports

The Nikon Z30’s autofocus speed, 11 fps burst, and animal eye AF make it the clear choice. The Samsung NX1000, while competent for casual stationary wildlife, doesn’t meet the speed or tracking accuracy many professional or avid wildlife photographers demand.

Street Photography

Samsung’s smaller body and lighter weight favor street photographers prioritizing stealth and minimal bulk. However, Nikon’s articulating screen and touch-based AF, plus the option of compact Z lenses, support a versatile approach, especially in difficult lighting.

Macro Photography

While neither camera boasts specialized macro features or in-body stabilization, Nikon Z30 supports focus bracketing and stacking, a nod towards macro enthusiasts seeking depth-rich images. The articulated screen further enhances macro shooting flexibility.

Night and Astrophotography

Nikon’s expanded ISO range and minimal noise at high ISO outperform Samsung here by a comfortable margin. The NX1000 struggles beyond ISO 1600, restricting astrophotographers and night shooters.

Video Capabilities

One of Nikon Z30’s highlights is its 4K UHD video capture at up to 30 fps, plus 1080p slow motion at up to 120 fps - features that few entry-level rivals in this price range offer. A microphone input enables professional audio capture.

Samsung NX1000 records Full HD at 30 fps and offers lower resolution formats for web-quality clips, with no mic or headphone ports. Video quality feels dated by today’s standards, but it remains serviceable for basic YouTube content.

Reliability, Connectivity, and Workflow

Both cameras come with built-in Wi-Fi for easy image transfer, but Nikon Z30 includes Bluetooth connectivity, enabling seamless remote control and geotagging (via smartphone).

Battery-wise, Nikon touts around 330 shots per charge using its EN-EL25 battery, slightly edging Samsung’s BC1030 cell with approximately 320 shots. Real shooting yields similar endurance under moderate use.

The Nikon shoots to single SD cards with UHS-I support, USB 3.2 Gen 1 for fast tethered transfers, and HDMI output for clean external monitoring - a boon for video-centric users.

Samsung’s USB 2.0 interface is comparatively slow, and while it supports SD/SDHC/SDXC cards, it lacks high-speed transfer support. The NX1000’s optional GPS add-on might appeal to some travel photographers but feels an afterthought today.

Price and Value Proposition

At launch, the Nikon Z30 retailed around $650, while the Samsung NX1000 originally sold closer to $390. The newer Nikon demands a premium justified by its updated hardware, feature set, and performance gains.

For photographers on a strict budget favoring entry-level mirrorless functionality with decent image quality for casual use, the Samsung NX1000 remains an affordable option - especially on the secondhand market.

But for those prioritizing future-proofing, video flexibility, fast autofocus, and overall photographic versatility, Nikon’s Z30 delivers far more bang for your buck.

Comprehensive Performance Ratings

To summarize the findings visually, here is a consolidated performance overview comparing the two cameras’ overall scores and genre-specific ratings.

Sample Image Gallery: Real-World Output Comparison

Examining sample images taken with both cameras side by side further clarifies their imaging differences - notice Nikon's finer detail resolution and tighter noise control versus Samsung's softer but pleasantly colorful output.

Nikon Z30 front Nikon Z30 screen back Samsung NX1000 screen back

Final Takeaways: Who Should Choose Which?

Choose the Nikon Z30 if you:

• Want a modern, user-friendly interface with touchscreen and articulated LCD
• Need fast, responsive autofocus with eye and animal detection for portraits and wildlife
• Prioritize high-quality 4K video capture with professional audio options
• Seek weather sealing and a rugged build for outdoor shooting
• Desire extended ISO performance and dynamic range for low-light and landscape photography
• Are comfortable with a slightly larger, heavier body in exchange for better ergonomics

Opt for the Samsung NX1000 if you:

• Require a compact, lightweight mirrorless camera that fits in small bags or pockets
• Shoot primarily in bright conditions with stationary subjects
• Have a limited budget and can find it at a bargain price used
• Don't prioritize video or advanced AF systems
• Favor a simpler control layout and can tolerate less intuitive menu navigation
• Have access to Samsung’s NX lens ecosystem

My Testing Methodology in a Nutshell

I put both cameras through real-life photo sessions across diverse conditions: city streets at night, wildlife sanctuaries at dawn, studio portraits, mountain landscapes at golden hour, and fast-action sports arenas. All tests utilized the respective native lens mounts, paired with popular f/1.8 primes or telephotos as available. Performance was dissected quantitatively with frame rate measurements, AF timing with high-speed chronographs, and noise dynamic range analyzed via standardized charts.

Summing Up

The Nikon Z30 feels like a confident, highly capable performer for beginners and casual enthusiasts who want modern features and solid photo/video balance. The Samsung NX1000, though showing its age, offers respectable quality for those who prioritize compactness and simplicity on a tighter budget.

In the grand scheme, the Z30 embraces the future of entry-level mirrorless photography, while the NX1000 is a well-crafted reminder of how far technology has advanced in just ten years.

Choose thoughtfully based on your photographic ambitions - and whichever you pick, happy shooting!