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Olympus E-M1 III vs Samsung NX30

Portability
67
Imaging
62
Features
96
Overall
75
Olympus OM-D E-M1 Mark III front
 
Samsung NX30 front
Portability
75
Imaging
63
Features
85
Overall
71

Olympus E-M1 III vs Samsung NX30 Key Specs

Olympus E-M1 III
(Full Review)
  • 20MP - Four Thirds Sensor
  • 3" Fully Articulated Display
  • ISO 200 - 25600
  • Sensor based 5-axis Image Stabilization
  • No Anti-Alias Filter
  • 1/8000s Max Shutter
  • 4096 x 2160 video
  • Micro Four Thirds Mount
  • 580g - 134 x 91 x 69mm
  • Revealed February 2020
  • Replaced the Olympus E-M1 II
Samsung NX30
(Full Review)
  • 20MP - APS-C Sensor
  • 3" Fully Articulated Display
  • ISO 100 - 25600
  • 1/8000s Max Shutter
  • 1920 x 1080 video
  • Samsung NX Mount
  • 375g - 127 x 96 x 58mm
  • Launched January 2014
  • Earlier Model is Samsung NX20
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Olympus E-M1 III vs Samsung NX30 Overview

In this write-up, we are contrasting the Olympus E-M1 III vs Samsung NX30, one being a Pro Mirrorless and the other is a Advanced Mirrorless by manufacturers Olympus and Samsung. The resolution of the E-M1 III (20MP) and the NX30 (20MP) is very similar but the E-M1 III (Four Thirds) and NX30 (APS-C) come with totally different sensor dimensions.

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The E-M1 III was announced 6 years later than the NX30 and that is quite a sizable gap as far as technology is concerned. Each of these cameras offer the identical body type (SLR-style mirrorless).

Before delving in to a in-depth comparison, below is a brief summation of how the E-M1 III scores versus the NX30 when it comes to portability, imaging, features and an overall grade.

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

 E-M1 III NX30 
LaunchedFebruary 2020January 2014More recent by 75 months
Display resolution1037k1036kSharper display (+1k dot)

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

 NX30 E-M1 III 

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

 E-M1 III NX30 
Focus manually More precise focus
Display typeFully ArticulatedFully ArticulatedFully Articulated display
Display sizing3"3"Equivalent display sizing
Selfie screen Both good for selfies
Touch display Easily navigate

Olympus E-M1 III vs Samsung NX30 Physical Comparison

If you're planning to lug around your camera often, you'll have to think about its weight and size. The Olympus E-M1 III has got exterior measurements of 134mm x 91mm x 69mm (5.3" x 3.6" x 2.7") along with a weight of 580 grams (1.28 lbs) while the Samsung NX30 has specifications of 127mm x 96mm x 58mm (5.0" x 3.8" x 2.3") having a weight of 375 grams (0.83 lbs).

Examine the Olympus E-M1 III vs Samsung NX30 in the all new Camera with Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Keep in mind, the weight of an Interchangeable Lens Camera will vary based on the lens you are working with at the time. Following is the front view over all size comparison of the E-M1 III against the NX30.

Olympus E-M1 III vs Samsung NX30 size comparison

Factoring in dimensions and weight, the portability rating of the E-M1 III and NX30 is 67 and 75 respectively.

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

Olympus E-M1 III vs Samsung NX30 Sensor Comparison

Normally, it is hard to envision the difference between sensor measurements only by reviewing technical specs. The photograph here may provide you a greater sense of the sensor measurements in the E-M1 III and NX30.

As you can tell, both of these cameras enjoy the same exact megapixels but not the same sensor measurements. The E-M1 III includes the tinier sensor which will make achieving shallow depth of field harder. The more modern E-M1 III is going to have an edge in sensor tech.

Olympus E-M1 III vs Samsung NX30 sensor size comparison

Olympus E-M1 III vs Samsung NX30 Screen and ViewFinder

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

Portrait Comparison

Olympus E-M1 III Portrait photography factors
Samsung NX30 Portrait photography factors
77
has manual focus
MP count decent (20MP)
sensor size is decent (Four Thirds)
supports face detection focus
delivers RAW files
77
you can focus manually
good resolution (20MP)
decent sensor size (APS-C)
comes with face detect autofocus
exports RAW files
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Street Comparison

Street photography with Olympus E-M1 III
Street photography with Samsung NX30
78
fully articulated screen
image stabilization (Sensor based 5-axis)
sensor size is decent (Four Thirds)
delivers RAW files
supports touch to focus
environment proofing
great ISO range (25,600)
75
screen articulates fully
decent sensor size (APS-C)
exports RAW files
supports touch focus
great high ISO (25,600)
no image stabilization
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Sports Comparison

Olympus E-M1 III Sports photography details
Samsung NX30 Sports photography details
81
max shutter speed is good (1/8,000s)
silent shutter (1/32,000s)
fast shooting (60.0 frames/s)
image stabilization (Sensor based 5-axis)
MP count decent (20MP)
sensor size is decent (Four Thirds)
supports tracking autofocus
environment proofing
supports phase detect auto focus
73
great max shutter speed (1/8,000s)
good resolution (20 megapixels)
decent sensor size (APS-C)
comes with tracking focus
supports phase detect autofocus
no image stabilization
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Travel Comparison

Olympus E-M1 III as a Travel photography camera
Samsung NX30 as a Travel photography camera
79
environment proofing
supports bluetooth
supports touch to focus
MP count decent (20 megapixels)
screen is selfie friendly
74
supports touch focus
good resolution (20MP)
has built in flash
display is selfie friendly
no Time Lapse mode
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Landscape Comparison

Landscape photography with Olympus E-M1 III
Landscape photography with Samsung NX30
81
has manual focus
change lenses (Micro Four Thirds mount)
pretty good screen size (3 inches)
image stabilization (Sensor based 5-axis)
MP count decent (20MP)
sensor size is decent (Four Thirds)
no anti aliasing filter
great ISO range (25,600)
delivers RAW files
environment proofing
2 card slots
71
you can focus manually
switch lenses (Samsung NX mount)
pretty good screen size (3 inch)
good resolution (20MP)
decent sensor size (APS-C)
great high ISO (25,600)
exports RAW files
no image stabilization
no Time Lapse mode
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Vlogging Comparison

Olympus E-M1 III Vlogging advice
Samsung NX30 Vlogging advice
79
screen is selfie friendly
touchscreen capability
image stabilization (Sensor based 5-axis)
supports face detection focus
video resolution high (4096 x 2160 resolution)
comes with external microphone support
75
display is selfie friendly
touchscreen
comes with face detect autofocus
high res video (1920 x 1080 pxls)
comes with mic support
no image stabilization
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Olympus E-M1 III vs Samsung NX30 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Olympus E-M1 III and Samsung NX30
 Olympus OM-D E-M1 Mark IIISamsung NX30
General Information
Manufacturer Olympus Samsung
Model Olympus OM-D E-M1 Mark III Samsung NX30
Category Pro Mirrorless Advanced Mirrorless
Revealed 2020-02-11 2014-01-03
Physical type SLR-style mirrorless SLR-style mirrorless
Sensor Information
Processor Chip TruePic IX DRIMeIV
Sensor type CMOS CMOS
Sensor size Four Thirds APS-C
Sensor dimensions 17.4 x 13mm 23.5 x 15.7mm
Sensor surface area 226.2mm² 369.0mm²
Sensor resolution 20 megapixels 20 megapixels
Anti aliasing 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
Min native ISO 200 100
RAW files
Min boosted ISO 64 -
Autofocusing
Focus manually
AF touch
AF continuous
Single AF
AF tracking
AF selectice
Center weighted AF
Multi area AF
Live view AF
Face detect focusing
Contract detect focusing
Phase detect focusing
Number of focus points 121 247
Cross focus points 121 -
Lens
Lens mounting type Micro Four Thirds Samsung NX
Total lenses 107 32
Focal length multiplier 2.1 1.5
Screen
Type of display Fully Articulated Fully Articulated
Display size 3 inch 3 inch
Display resolution 1,037 thousand dots 1,036 thousand dots
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch friendly
Display technology - AMOLED
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder 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 60s 30s
Highest shutter speed 1/8000s 1/8000s
Highest quiet shutter speed 1/32000s -
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 range no built-in flash -
Flash settings Redeye, Fill-in, Flash Off, Red-eye Slow sync.(1st curtain), Slow sync.(1st curtain), Slow sync.(2nd curtain), Manual -
Hot shoe
AEB
WB bracketing
Highest flash synchronize 1/250s -
Exposure
Multisegment metering
Average metering
Spot metering
Partial metering
AF area metering
Center weighted metering
Video features
Supported video resolutions 4096 x 2160 @ 24p / 237 Mbps, MOV, H.264, Linear PCM3840 x 2160 @ 30p / 102 Mbps, MOV, H.264, Linear PCM3840 x 2160 @ 25p / 102 Mbps, MOV, H.264, Linear PCM3840 x 2160 @ 23.98p / 102 Mbps, MOV, H.264, Linear PCM1920 x 1080 @ 60p, MOV, H.264, Linear PCM1920 x 1080 @ 50p, MOV, H.264, Linear PCM1920 x 1080 @ 30p, MOV, H.264, Linear PCM1920 x 1080 @ 25p, MOV, H.264, Linear PCM1920 x 1080 @ 23.98p, MOV, H.264, Linear PCM 1920 x 1080 (60p), 1280 x 720, 640 x 480, 320 x 240
Highest video resolution 4096x2160 1920x1080
Video file format MPEG-4, H.264 MPEG-4, H.264
Mic support
Headphone support
Connectivity
Wireless Built-In Built-In
Bluetooth
NFC
HDMI
USB USB 3.1 Gen 1 (5 GBit/sec) USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec)
GPS None None
Physical
Environmental sealing
Water proof
Dust proof
Shock proof
Crush proof
Freeze proof
Weight 580 grams (1.28 lb) 375 grams (0.83 lb)
Dimensions 134 x 91 x 69mm (5.3" x 3.6" x 2.7") 127 x 96 x 58mm (5.0" x 3.8" x 2.3")
DXO scores
DXO All around score not tested 77
DXO Color Depth score not tested 23.5
DXO Dynamic range score not tested 12.4
DXO Low light score not tested 1014
Other
Battery life 420 photographs 360 photographs
Battery style Battery Pack Battery Pack
Battery model 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 (UHS-II on first slot) SD, SDHC, SDXC
Card slots 2 Single
Price at launch $1,800 $699