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Olympus E-M1 II vs Samsung NX30

Portability
68
Imaging
60
Features
93
Overall
73
Olympus OM-D E-M1 Mark II front
 
Samsung NX30 front
Portability
75
Imaging
63
Features
85
Overall
71

Olympus E-M1 II vs Samsung NX30 Key Specs

Olympus E-M1 II
(Full Review)
  • 20MP - Four Thirds Sensor
  • 3" Fully Articulated Screen
  • ISO 200 - 25600
  • Sensor based 5-axis Image Stabilization
  • No Anti-Alias Filter
  • 1/8000s Maximum Shutter
  • 4096 x 2160 video
  • Micro Four Thirds Mount
  • 574g - 134 x 91 x 67mm
  • Introduced September 2016
  • Earlier Model is Olympus E-M1
  • Renewed by Olympus E-M1 III
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
  • Released January 2014
  • Older Model is Samsung NX20
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Olympus E-M1 II vs Samsung NX30 Overview

Here, we will be evaluating the Olympus E-M1 II versus Samsung NX30, one being a Pro Mirrorless and the latter is a Advanced Mirrorless by competitors Olympus and Samsung. The image resolution of the E-M1 II (20MP) and the NX30 (20MP) is relatively similar but the E-M1 II (Four Thirds) and NX30 (APS-C) provide different sensor sizes.

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The E-M1 II was manufactured 2 years later than the NX30 and that is quite a big gap as far as tech is concerned. Both the cameras feature the same body design (SLR-style mirrorless).

Before delving right into a in-depth comparison, here is a quick summation of how the E-M1 II scores versus the NX30 with regard to portability, imaging, features and an overall rating.

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Reasons to pick Olympus E-M1 II over the Samsung NX30

 E-M1 II NX30 
ReleasedSeptember 2016January 2014Fresher by 33 months
Screen resolution1037k1036kCrisper screen (+1k dot)

Reasons to pick Samsung NX30 over the Olympus E-M1 II

 NX30 E-M1 II 

Common features in the Olympus E-M1 II and Samsung NX30

 E-M1 II NX30 
Focus manually Dial precise focusing
Screen typeFully ArticulatedFully ArticulatedFully Articulated screen
Screen size3"3"Same screen dimensions
Selfie screen Both good for selfies
Touch screen Quickly navigate

Olympus E-M1 II vs Samsung NX30 Physical Comparison

If you're planning to carry your camera, you are going to need to factor in its weight and proportions. The Olympus E-M1 II offers outside dimensions of 134mm x 91mm x 67mm (5.3" x 3.6" x 2.6") along with a weight of 574 grams (1.27 lbs) while the Samsung NX30 has measurements of 127mm x 96mm x 58mm (5.0" x 3.8" x 2.3") along with a weight of 375 grams (0.83 lbs).

Look at the Olympus E-M1 II versus Samsung NX30 in the new Camera with Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Take into account, the weight of an Interchangeable Lens Camera will change depending on the lens you are working with at the time. Here is a front view sizing comparison of the E-M1 II and the NX30.

Olympus E-M1 II vs Samsung NX30 size comparison

Factoring in size and weight, the portability rating of the E-M1 II and NX30 is 68 and 75 respectively.

Olympus E-M1 II vs Samsung NX30 top view buttons comparison

Olympus E-M1 II vs Samsung NX30 Sensor Comparison

In many cases, it is hard to visualize the difference between sensor sizing just by going over specifications. The graphic underneath might give you a clearer sense of the sensor dimensions in the E-M1 II and NX30.

Plainly, both of the cameras come with the identical resolution albeit different sensor sizing. The E-M1 II includes the tinier sensor which should make obtaining bokeh tougher. The newer E-M1 II provides an advantage in sensor innovation.

Olympus E-M1 II vs Samsung NX30 sensor size comparison

Olympus E-M1 II vs Samsung NX30 Screen and ViewFinder

Olympus E-M1 II vs Samsung NX30 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Olympus E-M1 II Portrait photography factors
Samsung NX30 Portrait photography factors
76
focusing manually
MP count good (20MP)
good sensor size (Four Thirds)
supports face detection focusing
saves RAW formats
77
manual focus
MP count decent (20MP)
sensor size is decent (APS-C)
supports face detection focus
exports RAW formats
Photography Glossary

Street Comparison

Olympus E-M1 II as a Street photography camera
Samsung NX30 as a Street photography camera
78
fully articulated screen
image stabilization (Sensor based 5-axis)
good sensor size (Four Thirds)
saves RAW formats
offers touch to focus
environment sealing
lighter than competitors in class (574 grams)
good high ISO (25,600)
75
fully articulated screen
sensor size is decent (APS-C)
exports RAW formats
provides focus via touch
great high ISO (25,600)
lack of image stabilization
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Sports Comparison

Sports photography with Olympus E-M1 II
Sports photography with Samsung NX30
75
great max shutter speed (1/8,000s)
quiet shutter (1/32,000s)
high frames per second (60.0 fps)
image stabilization (Sensor based 5-axis)
MP count good (20MP)
good sensor size (Four Thirds)
supports tracking autofocus
environment sealing
sensor has phase detect AF
terrible battery (350 CIPA)
73
great max shutter speed (1/8,000s)
MP count decent (20 megapixels)
sensor size is decent (APS-C)
supports tracking autofocus
comes with phase detect auto focus
lack of image stabilization
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Travel Comparison

Olympus E-M1 II Travel photography highlights
Samsung NX30 Travel photography highlights
72
lighter than competitors in class (574g)
environment sealing
offers touch to focus
MP count good (20 megapixels)
selfie friendly screen
terrible battery (350 per charge)
74
provides focus via touch
MP count decent (20MP)
has built in flash
display is selfie friendly
no Time Lapse recording
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Landscape Comparison

Olympus E-M1 II Landscape photography info
Samsung NX30 Landscape photography info
76
focusing manually
switch lenses (Micro Four Thirds mount)
nice screen size (3 inch)
image stabilization (Sensor based 5-axis)
MP count good (20MP)
good sensor size (Four Thirds)
does not have anti aliasing filter
good high ISO (25,600)
saves RAW formats
environment sealing
has dual storage slots
terrible battery (350 per charge)
71
manual focus
swap lenses (Samsung NX mount)
screen is a decent size (3 inches)
MP count decent (20 megapixels)
sensor size is decent (APS-C)
great high ISO (25,600)
exports RAW formats
lack of image stabilization
no Time Lapse recording
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Vlogging Comparison

Olympus E-M1 II as a Vlogging camera
Samsung NX30 as a Vlogging camera
79
selfie friendly screen
touchscreen
image stabilization (Sensor based 5-axis)
supports face detection focusing
video resolution high (4096 x 2160 resolution)
includes external mic jack
lighter than competitors in class (574g)
75
display is selfie friendly
built-in touchscreen
supports face detection focus
high video quality (1920 x 1080 resolution)
does have external mic support
lack of image stabilization
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Olympus E-M1 II vs Samsung NX30 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Olympus E-M1 II and Samsung NX30
 Olympus OM-D E-M1 Mark IISamsung NX30
General Information
Brand Name Olympus Samsung
Model type Olympus OM-D E-M1 Mark II Samsung NX30
Class Pro Mirrorless Advanced Mirrorless
Introduced 2016-09-19 2014-01-03
Physical type SLR-style mirrorless SLR-style mirrorless
Sensor Information
Chip TruePic VIII DRIMeIV
Sensor type CMOS CMOS
Sensor size Four Thirds APS-C
Sensor dimensions 17.4 x 13mm 23.5 x 15.7mm
Sensor area 226.2mm² 369.0mm²
Sensor resolution 20 megapixels 20 megapixels
Anti alias filter
Aspect ratio 4:3 1:1, 3:2 and 16:9
Highest resolution 5184 x 3888 5472 x 3648
Highest native ISO 25600 25600
Minimum native ISO 200 100
RAW pictures
Minimum boosted ISO 64 -
Autofocusing
Manual focusing
AF touch
AF continuous
AF single
Tracking AF
Selective AF
Center weighted AF
Multi area AF
AF live view
Face detection AF
Contract detection AF
Phase detection AF
Total focus points 121 247
Lens
Lens mount type Micro Four Thirds Samsung NX
Amount of lenses 107 32
Crop factor 2.1 1.5
Screen
Type of screen Fully Articulated Fully Articulated
Screen size 3" 3"
Screen resolution 1,037 thousand dots 1,036 thousand dots
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch capability
Screen technology - AMOLED
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder type Electronic Electronic
Viewfinder resolution 2,360 thousand dots 2,359 thousand dots
Viewfinder coverage 100% 100%
Viewfinder magnification 0.74x 0.66x
Features
Lowest shutter speed 60 secs 30 secs
Highest shutter speed 1/8000 secs 1/8000 secs
Highest silent shutter speed 1/32000 secs -
Continuous shooting rate 60.0 frames/s 9.0 frames/s
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Manually set exposure
Exposure compensation Yes Yes
Change WB
Image stabilization
Built-in flash
Flash distance 9.10 m (at ISO 100) -
Flash options Redeye, Fill-in, Flash Off, Red-eye Slow sync.(1st curtain), Slow sync.(1st curtain), Slow sync.(2nd curtain), Manual -
Hot shoe
AE bracketing
WB bracketing
Highest flash synchronize 1/250 secs -
Exposure
Multisegment
Average
Spot
Partial
AF area
Center weighted
Video features
Supported video resolutions 4096 x 2160 @ 24p / 237 Mbps, MOV, H.264, Linear PCM, 3840 x 2160 @ 30p / 102 Mbps, MOV, H.264, Linear PCM 1920 x 1080 (60p), 1280 x 720, 640 x 480, 320 x 240
Highest video resolution 4096x2160 1920x1080
Video data format MOV, H.264 MPEG-4, H.264
Mic support
Headphone support
Connectivity
Wireless Built-In Built-In
Bluetooth
NFC
HDMI
USB USB 3.0 (5 GBit/sec) USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec)
GPS None None
Physical
Environment sealing
Water proofing
Dust proofing
Shock proofing
Crush proofing
Freeze proofing
Weight 574 gr (1.27 lbs) 375 gr (0.83 lbs)
Physical dimensions 134 x 91 x 67mm (5.3" x 3.6" x 2.6") 127 x 96 x 58mm (5.0" x 3.8" x 2.3")
DXO scores
DXO All around rating 80 77
DXO Color Depth rating 23.7 23.5
DXO Dynamic range rating 12.8 12.4
DXO Low light rating 1312 1014
Other
Battery life 350 photos 360 photos
Battery style Battery Pack Battery Pack
Battery ID BLH-1 BP1410
Self timer Yes (2 or 12 secs, custom) Yes (2 - 30 secs)
Time lapse shooting
Storage type Dual SD/SDHC/SDXC slots SD, SDHC, SDXC
Card slots Two One
Cost at launch $1,700 $699