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Panasonic SZ3 vs Samsung NX30

Portability
96
Imaging
40
Features
29
Overall
35
Panasonic Lumix DMC-SZ3 front
 
Samsung NX30 front
Portability
75
Imaging
63
Features
85
Overall
71

Panasonic SZ3 vs Samsung NX30 Key Specs

Panasonic SZ3
(Full Review)
  • 16MP - 1/2.3" Sensor
  • 2.7" Fixed Display
  • ISO 100 - 6400
  • Optical Image Stabilization
  • 1280 x 720 video
  • 25-250mm (F3.1-5.9) lens
  • 126g - 95 x 56 x 22mm
  • Introduced January 2013
Samsung NX30
(Full Review)
  • 20MP - APS-C Sensor
  • 3" Fully Articulated Display
  • ISO 100 - 25600
  • 1/8000s Maximum Shutter
  • 1920 x 1080 video
  • Samsung NX Mount
  • 375g - 127 x 96 x 58mm
  • Introduced January 2014
  • Replaced the Samsung NX20
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Panasonic SZ3 vs Samsung NX30 Overview

Lets look much closer at the Panasonic SZ3 and Samsung NX30, former is a Small Sensor Compact while the other is a Advanced Mirrorless by brands Panasonic and Samsung. The resolution of the SZ3 (16MP) and the NX30 (20MP) is very comparable but the SZ3 (1/2.3") and NX30 (APS-C) offer totally different sensor dimensions.

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The SZ3 was revealed 12 months before the NX30 and they are of a similar age. Each of these cameras feature different body design with the Panasonic SZ3 being a Compact camera and the Samsung NX30 being a SLR-style mirrorless camera.

Before diving into a full comparison, here is a concise overview of how the SZ3 grades against the NX30 in terms of portability, imaging, features and an overall mark.

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Reasons to pick Panasonic SZ3 over the Samsung NX30

 SZ3 NX30 

Reasons to pick Samsung NX30 over the Panasonic SZ3

 NX30 SZ3 
IntroducedJanuary 2014January 2013Newer by 12 months
Manually focus More exact focus
Display typeFully ArticulatedFixed Fully Articulating display
Display size3"2.7"Larger display (+0.3")
Display resolution1036k230kCrisper display (+806k dot)
Selfie screen Take selfies
Touch display Easily navigate

Common features in the Panasonic SZ3 and Samsung NX30

 SZ3 NX30 

Panasonic SZ3 vs Samsung NX30 Physical Comparison

In case you're going to travel with your camera regularly, you'll need to take into account its weight and volume. The Panasonic SZ3 offers external measurements of 95mm x 56mm x 22mm (3.7" x 2.2" x 0.9") along with a weight of 126 grams (0.28 lbs) whilst the Samsung NX30 has sizing of 127mm x 96mm x 58mm (5.0" x 3.8" x 2.3") along with a weight of 375 grams (0.83 lbs).

Take a look at the Panasonic SZ3 and Samsung NX30 in our newest Camera plus Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Keep in mind, the weight of an ILC will vary depending on the lens you are utilising at that time. Following is a front view measurement comparison of the SZ3 versus the NX30.

Panasonic SZ3 vs Samsung NX30 size comparison

Taking into account size and weight, the portability grade of the SZ3 and NX30 is 96 and 75 respectively.

Panasonic SZ3 vs Samsung NX30 top view buttons comparison

Panasonic SZ3 vs Samsung NX30 Sensor Comparison

Usually, it can be difficult to visualise the difference in sensor dimensions simply by checking out specifications. The picture underneath may provide you a better sense of the sensor measurements in the SZ3 and NX30.

To sum up, both of the cameras feature different megapixel count and different sensor dimensions. The SZ3 having a smaller sensor will make shooting shallow DOF more challenging and the Samsung NX30 will provide greater detail because of its extra 4MP. Greater resolution can also help you crop pics way more aggressively. The more aged SZ3 will be behind in sensor innovation.

Panasonic SZ3 vs Samsung NX30 sensor size comparison

Panasonic SZ3 vs Samsung NX30 Screen and ViewFinder

Panasonic SZ3 vs Samsung NX30 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Panasonic SZ3 Portrait photography information
Samsung NX30 Portrait photography information
30
decent sensor resolution (16MP)
focusing manually not possible
no manual control
external flash not possible
very small sensor size (1/2.3")
does not have RAW format
77
focusing manually
MP count good (20MP)
sensor size is good (APS-C)
provides face detection focusing
delivers RAW formats
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Street Comparison

Panasonic SZ3 Street photography highlights
Samsung NX30 Street photography highlights
64
image stabilization (Optical)
lighter than competition (126g)
no articulating screen
very small sensor size (1/2.3")
does not have RAW format
75
screen articulates fully
sensor size is good (APS-C)
delivers RAW formats
boasts focus via touch
very good ISO range (25,600)
no image stabilization
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Sports Comparison

Panasonic SZ3 Sports photography advice
Samsung NX30 Sports photography advice
41
image stabilization (Optical)
decent sensor resolution (16 megapixels)
offers tracking focus
max fps very slow (1.0 frames/s)
lack of shutter priority mode
very small sensor size (1/2.3")
does not have phase detect autofocus
73
max shutter speed is good (1/8,000s)
MP count good (20MP)
sensor size is good (APS-C)
provides tracking autofocus
sensor has phase detect AF
no image stabilization
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Travel Comparison

Panasonic SZ3 Travel photography factors
Samsung NX30 Travel photography factors
71
lighter than competition (126 grams)
decent sensor resolution (16 megapixels)
has built in flash
reasonably wide (25mm)
great reach (250mm)
lack of Timelapse function
does not contain selfie friendly screen
somewhat slow maximum aperture (f3.1)
74
boasts focus via touch
MP count good (20 megapixels)
built-in flash
screen is selfie friendly
doesn't have Time Lapse mode
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Landscape Comparison

Panasonic SZ3 Landscape photography details
Samsung NX30 Landscape photography details
39
reasonably wide (25mm)
image stabilization (Optical)
decent sensor resolution (16MP)
focusing manually not possible
can't swap lenses (fixed lens mount)
somewhat slow maximum aperture (f3.1)
tiny screen (2.7 inch)
no manual control
very small sensor size (1/2.3")
does not have RAW format
lack of Timelapse function
71
focusing manually
interchangeable lenses (Samsung NX mount)
pretty good screen size (3")
MP count good (20MP)
sensor size is good (APS-C)
very good ISO range (25,600)
delivers RAW formats
no image stabilization
doesn't have Time Lapse mode
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Vlogging Comparison

Panasonic SZ3 as a Vlogging camera
Samsung NX30 as a Vlogging camera
31
reasonably wide (25mm)
image stabilization (Optical)
lighter than competition (126 grams)
somewhat slow maximum aperture (f3.1)
does not contain selfie friendly screen
video resolution low (1280 x 720 pxls)
lack of microphone jack
75
screen is selfie friendly
touchscreen capability
provides face detection focusing
video resolution high (1920 x 1080 resolution)
includes external mic port
no image stabilization
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Panasonic SZ3 vs Samsung NX30 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Panasonic SZ3 and Samsung NX30
 Panasonic Lumix DMC-SZ3Samsung NX30
General Information
Brand Panasonic Samsung
Model type Panasonic Lumix DMC-SZ3 Samsung NX30
Type Small Sensor Compact Advanced Mirrorless
Introduced 2013-01-07 2014-01-03
Body design Compact SLR-style mirrorless
Sensor Information
Powered by - DRIMeIV
Sensor type CCD CMOS
Sensor size 1/2.3" APS-C
Sensor dimensions 6.08 x 4.56mm 23.5 x 15.7mm
Sensor area 27.7mm² 369.0mm²
Sensor resolution 16 megapixel 20 megapixel
Anti alias filter
Aspect ratio - 1:1, 3:2 and 16:9
Peak resolution 4608 x 3456 5472 x 3648
Highest native ISO 6400 25600
Minimum native ISO 100 100
RAW images
Autofocusing
Focus manually
Touch focus
Continuous autofocus
Single autofocus
Autofocus tracking
Autofocus selectice
Autofocus center weighted
Autofocus multi area
Live view autofocus
Face detect focus
Contract detect focus
Phase detect focus
Total focus points 23 247
Lens
Lens mount type fixed lens Samsung NX
Lens zoom range 25-250mm (10.0x) -
Max aperture f/3.1-5.9 -
Macro focusing range 5cm -
Number of lenses - 32
Crop factor 5.9 1.5
Screen
Range of display Fixed Type Fully Articulated
Display sizing 2.7" 3"
Resolution of display 230 thousand dot 1,036 thousand dot
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch function
Display technology TFT LCD AMOLED
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder None Electronic
Viewfinder resolution - 2,359 thousand dot
Viewfinder coverage - 100%
Viewfinder magnification - 0.66x
Features
Minimum shutter speed 60 secs 30 secs
Fastest shutter speed 1/1600 secs 1/8000 secs
Continuous shutter speed 1.0 frames/s 9.0 frames/s
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Manually set exposure
Exposure compensation - Yes
Custom white balance
Image stabilization
Integrated flash
Flash distance 4.10 m -
Flash options Auto, On, Off, Red-eye, Slow Syncro -
Hot shoe
AE bracketing
White balance bracketing
Exposure
Multisegment metering
Average metering
Spot metering
Partial metering
AF area metering
Center weighted metering
Video features
Video resolutions 1280 x 720 (30 fps), 640 x 480 (30 fps) 1920 x 1080 (60p), 1280 x 720, 640 x 480, 320 x 240
Highest video resolution 1280x720 1920x1080
Video data format Motion JPEG MPEG-4, H.264
Mic jack
Headphone jack
Connectivity
Wireless None Built-In
Bluetooth
NFC
HDMI
USB USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec) USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec)
GPS None None
Physical
Environment seal
Water proofing
Dust proofing
Shock proofing
Crush proofing
Freeze proofing
Weight 126g (0.28 lbs) 375g (0.83 lbs)
Physical dimensions 95 x 56 x 22mm (3.7" x 2.2" x 0.9") 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 250 photos 360 photos
Battery form Battery Pack Battery Pack
Battery ID - BP1410
Self timer Yes (2 or 10 sec) Yes (2 - 30 secs)
Time lapse shooting
Type of storage SD/SDHC/SDXC, Internal SD, SDHC, SDXC
Storage slots Single Single
Price at release $150 $699