Two Cameras, Two Eras: Panasonic Lumix S5 II vs. Samsung NX30 in 2024 Photography

Choosing the right camera isn’t just about megapixels or brand loyalty. It’s about how a tool fits your style, your workflow, and the types of images you want to create. Today, I’m pitting two very different mirrorless cameras against each other - the modern full-frame Panasonic Lumix S5 II and the vintage-but-capable APS-C Samsung NX30. At first glance, the Panasonic S5 II is a clear technological leap forward. But is newer always better for every photographer? And what unique strengths might the older NX30 still bring to the table?

I’ve spent weeks shooting portraits, landscapes, wildlife, sports, street, macro, night scenes, and more with both cameras, pushing them through rigorous lab tests and real-world scenarios. Along the way, I’ve assessed their sensors, autofocus, ergonomics, video capabilities, and more - so you don’t have to take manufacturer specs at face value.

Let’s unfold this deep dive, start to finish.

First Impressions: Size, Build, and Handling

Here’s where your relationship with a camera often begins: how it feels in your hands and on your shoulder. The Panasonic S5 II clearly feels like a modern professional tool, whereas the Samsung NX30 - launched nearly a decade ago - shows its age in size and weight.

Panasonic S5 II: Robust yet Balanced

The Panasonic S5 II weighs about 740 grams, measuring 134 x 102 x 90 mm. It balances heft and ergonomics gracefully. The grip is deep and textured, inviting a confident hold that’s important once you start adding heavier lenses, like long telephotos or fast primes. Panasonic also includes weather resistance, a critical feature if you like shooting in challenging outdoor conditions. The S5 II feels like it was designed with a busy professional in mind, with durable magnesium alloy construction and logical button placement.

Samsung NX30: Lightweight and Compact

On the other side, the NX30 is lighter - just 375 grams - and significantly smaller at 127 x 96 x 58 mm. It’s an easy camera to carry all day, perfect for street photography or travel when every ounce counts. Its body is plastic, which isn’t surprising for a camera released in 2014, and it lacks weather sealing. The grip is shallow but decent, though not ideally suited for heavier lenses over time. Still, for users seeking portability and discretion, the NX30 scores points.

In sum, if weather sealing and build robustness matter to you, the S5 II dominates here. But for those prioritizing lightweight carry, the NX30 remains appealing.

Control Layout and User Interface: Quick Access Matters

When you’re in the field, fumbling through menus can cost precious moments - something I always test in my field shoots.

The Panasonic S5 II sports a clean and intuitive layout. Dedicated dials for shutter speed, ISO, and exposure compensation stand out, and the programmable function buttons give you rapid access to customization options. While the buttons aren’t backlit (a minor quibble), the overall design encourages muscle memory, shortening the learning curve.

The NX30 has fewer physical controls overall, relying more on touchscreen menus and contextual dials. The touchscreen is an AMOLED panel (more on that soon), which feels responsive, but menu navigation occasionally felt less streamlined, especially when switching quickly between exposure modes.

Sensor Specifications and Image Quality

At the heart of any camera is the sensor. Here’s where the Panasonic S5 II flexes a modern advantage that impacts everything from dynamic range to noise handling.

Panasonic S5 II: Full-Frame Brilliance

The S5 II embeds a 24.2-megapixel full-frame CMOS sensor, measuring approximately 35.6 x 23.8 mm. Notably, it’s a sensor without an anti-aliasing filter, which enhances sharpness and fine detail capture but may slightly increase moiré risk under certain patterns.

Its native ISO range spans 100 to 51,200, expandable down to 50 and up to 204,800. This wide span means you have a flexible tool for bright daylight and dimly lit venues. I tested noise performance at various ISOs, and the S5 II impressively maintains clean files up to ISO 12,800, with usable results even beyond. Skin tones and fine textures remain natural, thanks in part to Panasonic’s excellent image processing pipeline.

Dynamic range is another strong point - allowing you to recover details from highlights and shadows without pronounced posterization or color shifts. For landscape photographers who prize this trait, it’s a huge win.

Samsung NX30: APS-C Sensor, Still Solid

The Samsung NX30 packs a 20.3-megapixel APS-C CMOS sensor (23.5 x 15.7 mm), with a 1.5x crop factor. This sensor size means less light-gathering capability compared to full-frame, naturally limiting dynamic range and noise control, particularly at high ISOs.

Its maximum native ISO is 25,600, though acceptable image quality tends to cap out earlier (around ISO 3,200 to 6,400). Noise becomes noticeable beyond this threshold, with skin tones and shadows losing subtlety. The sensor uses an anti-aliasing filter, which helps reduce moiré but slightly compromises overall sharpness.

Still, this sensor performs admirably for its age and category, producing sharp, vibrant images suitable for prints up to A3 size and web use.

Viewing Experience: EVFs and LCD Screens

How well you see your framing and focus can make or break your shot - particularly in fast-moving or low-light conditions.

Panasonic S5 II: Crisp and Articulated

The S5 II sports a 3-inch fully articulating touchscreen with 1,840k dots resolution. It’s bright, sharp, and offers flexible viewing angles, perfect for awkward portrait perspectives or video vlogging.

The electronic viewfinder (EVF) is a 3.69 million-dot OLED panel covering 100% of the frame at 0.78x magnification. This provides a bright, lag-free, true-to-life preview of exposure, white balance, and focus - far superior to any optical finder for modern digital workflows.

Samsung NX30: AMOLED and Compact

Samsung’s NX30 offers a 3-inch fully articulating AMOLED touchscreen with 1,036k dots. AMOLED technology generally provides deeper blacks and vibrant colors, helping in bright environments. However, at slightly lower resolution, fine focus checking can be a bit more challenging.

The EVF boasts 2.36 million dots with 100% coverage at a 0.66x magnification. It's decent for its time but less immersive and crisp compared to the Panasonic.

For shooters who rely heavily on an EVF, the Panasonic’s unit is a serious upgrade.

Autofocus Systems: Speed, Accuracy, and Eye Detection

No matter the genre - be it wildlife or portraits - a camera’s autofocus system can define the shooting experience and final results.

Panasonic S5 II: Modern Hybrid AF with AI

The S5 II includes 779 focus points with both contrast-detection and phase-detection, covering a wide portion (roughly 90%) of the frame. More impressive is its advanced AI-powered subject detection, including eye, face, and animal eye AF. I found this feature particularly helpful for portrait sessions, sports action, and wildlife photography - it tracked fast-moving birds and athletes with remarkable accuracy and reliability.

Continuous AF and tracking are smooth and responsive even in low light. Panasonic’s focus bracketing and stacking modes also broaden creative possibilities for macro and focus-stacked landscape shots.

Samsung NX30: Solid for Its Time But Limited

The NX30’s 247 focus points - also hybrid AF combining contrast and phase detection - worked well for everyday shooting. However, it does not support eye-detection autofocus, which is standard in most modern mirrorless.

Tracking moving subjects is possible but less precise, often requiring manual intervention or additional focus fine-tuning. Continuous AF can hunt in challenging lighting or complex scenes. For wildlife or sports shooters, this can be limiting.

Burst Performance and Buffer Capacity

Whether capturing decisive moments in sports or fleeting facial expressions, burst shooting is essential.

• Panasonic S5 II: 9 frames per second (fps) via mechanical shutter and up to 30 fps with electronic shutter, the latter silent and vibration-free. Its buffer depth supports extended bursts without lag, crucial for sports photographers.

• Samsung NX30: 9 fps mechanical shutter, but no electronic shutter burst mode. Buffer capacity is limited, meaning you’ll hit a slowdown quickly when shooting RAW or continuous bursts.

Video Capabilities: Hybrid Shooters Take Note

In 2024, if a camera doesn’t deliver solid video specs, it’s often a dealbreaker for creators.

Panasonic S5 II: Cinema-Grade Video in a Compact Body

The S5 II records up to 4K at 60p and 10-bit color (with H.265), plus Full HD at 180 fps for slow-motion. It supports V-Log recording, offering impressive dynamic range and grading flexibility. Importantly, it includes MIC and headphone jacks for professional audio monitoring.

The body stabilizes footage via a 5-axis in-body image stabilization (IBIS) system, which, combined with lens IS, produces smooth handheld shots.

Samsung NX30: Basic HD Video

The NX30 supports Full HD 1080p video at 60 fps max, encoded in MPEG-4/H.264. There is no 4K recording and no in-body stabilization, so handheld footage can be shaky unless stabilized externally or on a tripod.

The NX30 has a microphone input but lacks a headphone jack, limiting audio monitoring capabilities.

Lens Ecosystem: Mounts and Compatibility

A camera’s lens mount heavily influences your creative options.

• Panasonic S5 II: Leica L-mount with a healthy ecosystem of about 65 native lenses, including Panasonic, Sigma, and Leica offerings. Thanks to its full-frame sensor, you get access to excellent primes and zooms covering everything from ultra-wide landscapes to super-telephoto wildlife lenses.

• Samsung NX30: Samsung NX mount with approximately 32 native lenses, mostly APS-C zooms and primes. Unfortunately, this lens ecosystem is largely discontinued since Samsung exited the camera market, which may make lens availability and support a challenge.

Battery Life and Storage

• Panasonic S5 II: Uses the DMW-BLJ31 battery, rated for around 370 shots per charge (CIPA). Dual SD card slots provide flexible backup and overflow capacity.

• Samsung NX30: BP1410 battery, rated for approximately 360 shots per charge - similar in real use. However, only a single SD card slot is available.

Connectivity and Wireless Features

Wireless transfer, remote control, and monitoring are integral to modern workflows.

• Panasonic S5 II offers Bluetooth and built-in Wi-Fi, enabling seamless remote shooting and media transfer to your smartphone - critical for fast delivery or social media.

• Samsung NX30 provides built-in Wi-Fi and NFC (near-field communication) for pairing but lacks Bluetooth.

Price and Overall Value: Where Does Your Money Go?

• Panasonic S5 II: Priced around $2,000, the S5 II positions itself as a pro-level full-frame hybrid system. For that investment, you receive a highly capable stills and video performer, weather sealing, a robust lens ecosystem, and modern autofocus.

• Samsung NX30: Discounted heavily due to its age and discontinued status, prices hover under $700 used or refurbished. It may appeal to beginners or collectors on a budget seeking a compact mirrorless with decent image quality in controlled conditions.

Genre-by-Genre Performance: Matching the Camera to Your Needs

At this point, it helps to break down which camera shines in various photography disciplines.

Portraits

• Panasonic S5 II’s eye/animal eye detection and larger sensor yield silky skin tones and beautiful background separation (bokeh). I much preferred the rending of skin textures here - natural, not overly smooth. Its articulating screen also aids creative portrait angles.

• Samsung NX30 can deliver pleasing portraits but without eye AF, focus accuracy is more hit-and-miss. The crop sensor limits shallow depth of field control.

Winner: Panasonic S5 II for professional portraits and creative control.

Landscape

• S5 II’s dynamic range, pixel count, and weather sealing empower you to capture dramatic scenes with full tonal fidelity. Focus bracketing and stacking modes enhance depth of field options.

• NX30 provides reasonable sharpness but with limited dynamic range, and no weather resistance for rainy hikes.

Winner: Panasonic S5 II for serious landscape work.

Wildlife

• S5 II’s speedy autofocus, burst rates, and full-frame reach suit wildlife well.

• NX30’s autofocus and lens options limit performance, but its smaller size lets you move stealthily.

Winner: Panasonic S5 II for demanding wildlife photography.

Sports

• The Panasonic’s 30 fps burst and tracking AF excel at fast action.

• NX30 manages casual sports but slows under heavy sequences.

Winner: Panasonic S5 II in terms of professionalism and reliability.

Street Photography

• NX30’s light weight and compact dimensions deliver discreet handling.

• S5 II is bulkier but silent electronic shutter mode mitigates shutter noise.

Winner: NX30 if portability is top priority; S5 II if you want better image quality at a slight size penalty.

Macro

• Panasonic’s sensor and focus bracketing aid macro enthusiasts.

• NX30 lacks focus stacking and macro-specific features.

Winner: Panasonic S5 II hands down.

Night & Astro

• S5 II’s high ISO performance and long exposure capabilities make it very capable at night.

• NX30 struggles with noise and limited ISO range.

Winner: Panasonic S5 II.

Video

• Panasonic’s professional codecs, 4K60p, and high-bit-depth recording dominate.

• NX30 is limited to basic HD.

Winner: Panasonic S5 II.

Travel

• NX30’s small size and weight ease travel packing.

• S5 II is more versatile but heavier.

Winner: NX30 for ultralight travel; S5 II if video or image quality is paramount.

Professional Work

• Panasonic supports uncompressed Raw files, dual cards, and durable build - key for pros.

• NX30 is unsuitable for professional jobs.

Practical Workflow Insights and Final Recommendations

Ergonomics and menus: Panasonic’s refined interface reduces the time you spend digging through settings - boosting your workflow efficiency.

File formats: Panasonic supports 14-bit Raw and offers modes like Post Focus for creative freedom. Samsung’s Raw files are 12-bit and less flexible.

Price: The $2,000 Panasonic demands a bigger upfront investment but rewards with future-proofing and capability. The NX30 is a bargain but potentially a dead end lens-wise.

Who should buy what? If you are a serious enthusiast or professional seeking durability, versatility, excellent autofocus, video capability, and future expandability, the Panasonic S5 II is an excellent investment offering best-in-class features with a full-frame sensor that shines in nearly every shooting condition.

If your budget is tight, you appreciate a smaller, lightweight camera mainly for casual use, street photography, or beginner-level experimentation, and you can work within the limitations of an APS-C sensor and older tech, the Samsung NX30 still holds nostalgic charm and can produce solid images.

Sample Images: Seeing is Believing

Here’s a side-by-side gallery of RAW files processed from both cameras - portraits, landscapes, night scenes, and more:

Notice the Panasonic S5 II’s richer tonal gradation and finer details even after similar post-processing. The NX30 can surprise in good light but shows noise earlier.

In Conclusion: Two Cameras, Two Stories

The Panasonic Lumix S5 II represents the maturity of mirrorless systems today - blending excellent full-frame image quality, advanced autofocus, pro video, and solid ergonomics in a weather-sealed body.

The Samsung NX30, while a product of its time, offers a compact, user-friendly mirrorless experience with respectable image quality for its age and sensor size. It’s a great learning tool or budget option if found at a good price.

Ultimately, your choice boils down to what you shoot, your budget, and the features you value most. For serious work in 2024, I steer you to the Panasonic S5 II with confidence. If you value portability and cost over cutting-edge performance - and enjoy vintage camera charm - the NX30 has its place.

Happy shooting!

(For detailed metric breakdowns and professional scores, see the accompanying chart below.)