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Pentax XG-1 vs Samsung NX30

Portability
66
Imaging
40
Features
37
Overall
38
Pentax XG-1 front
 
Samsung NX30 front
Portability
75
Imaging
63
Features
85
Overall
71

Pentax XG-1 vs Samsung NX30 Key Specs

Pentax XG-1
(Full Review)
  • 16MP - 1/2.3" Sensor
  • 3" Fixed Display
  • ISO 100 - 3200
  • Sensor-shift Image Stabilization
  • 1920 x 1080 video
  • 24-1248mm (F2.8-5.6) lens
  • 567g - 119 x 89 x 98mm
  • Introduced July 2014
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
  • Released January 2014
  • Superseded the Samsung NX20
Photography Glossary

Pentax XG-1 vs Samsung NX30 Overview

Its time to examine more in depth at the Pentax XG-1 versus Samsung NX30, former being a Small Sensor Superzoom while the other is a Advanced Mirrorless by brands Pentax and Samsung. The resolution of the XG-1 (16MP) and the NX30 (20MP) is very close but the XG-1 (1/2.3") and NX30 (APS-C) feature totally different sensor sizes.

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The XG-1 was brought out 7 months later than the NX30 and they are both of a similar age. Each of the cameras offer different body type with the Pentax XG-1 being a SLR-like (bridge) camera and the Samsung NX30 being a SLR-style mirrorless camera.

Before delving in to a more detailed comparison, below is a simple introduction of how the XG-1 scores versus the NX30 for portability, imaging, features and an overall rating.

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Reasons to pick Pentax XG-1 over the Samsung NX30

 XG-1 NX30 
ReleasedJuly 2014January 2014Fresher by 7 months

Reasons to pick Samsung NX30 over the Pentax XG-1

 NX30 XG-1 
Display typeFully ArticulatedFixed Fully Articulating display
Display resolution1036k460kSharper display (+576k dot)
Selfie screen Easy selfies
Touch friendly display Easily navigate

Common features in the Pentax XG-1 and Samsung NX30

 XG-1 NX30 
Manually focus More precise focusing
Display sizing3"3"Equivalent display dimensions

Pentax XG-1 vs Samsung NX30 Physical Comparison

In case you're aiming to carry your camera often, you need to take into account its weight and measurements. The Pentax XG-1 enjoys outer measurements of 119mm x 89mm x 98mm (4.7" x 3.5" x 3.9") along with a weight of 567 grams (1.25 lbs) whilst the Samsung NX30 has proportions of 127mm x 96mm x 58mm (5.0" x 3.8" x 2.3") having a weight of 375 grams (0.83 lbs).

Check out the Pentax XG-1 versus Samsung NX30 in our brand new Camera & Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Take into account, the weight of an ILC will vary based on the lens you have chosen at the time. Following is the front view size comparison of the XG-1 and the NX30.

Pentax XG-1 vs Samsung NX30 size comparison

Factoring in size and weight, the portability rating of the XG-1 and NX30 is 66 and 75 respectively.

Pentax XG-1 vs Samsung NX30 top view buttons comparison

Pentax XG-1 vs Samsung NX30 Sensor Comparison

Generally, it can be hard to envision the gap in sensor sizing only by looking through specs. The photograph here will give you a greater sense of the sensor measurements in the XG-1 and NX30.

As you can plainly see, both of those cameras offer different megapixel count and different sensor sizing. The XG-1 because of its smaller sensor will make shooting bokeh harder and the Samsung NX30 will provide you with more detail having its extra 4MP. Greater resolution will allow you to crop pics a little more aggressively. The more recent XG-1 will have a benefit in sensor tech.

Pentax XG-1 vs Samsung NX30 sensor size comparison

Pentax XG-1 vs Samsung NX30 Screen and ViewFinder

Pentax XG-1 vs Samsung NX30 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Pentax XG-1 Portrait photography factors
Samsung NX30 Portrait photography factors
40
focusing manually
MP count good (16 megapixels)
cannot use external flash
sensor size is very small (1/2.3")
lack of RAW support
77
has manual focus
resolution is good (20 megapixels)
sensor size is nice (APS-C)
includes face detection focus
supports RAW formats
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Street Comparison

Street photography with Pentax XG-1
Street photography with Samsung NX30
43
built in image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
screen is fixed
sensor size is very small (1/2.3")
lack of RAW support
heavier than average (567 grams)
75
screen can move to multiple angles
sensor size is nice (APS-C)
supports RAW formats
includes focus via touch
very good ISO range (25,600)
does not have image stabilization
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Sports Comparison

Pentax XG-1 Sports photography highlights
Samsung NX30 Sports photography highlights
45
amazing zoom range (24-1248mm 52.0 x zoom)
built in image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
MP count good (16MP)
sensor size is very small (1/2.3")
not so great battery pack (240 per charge)
lack of phase detect autofocus
73
maximum shutter speed is high (1/8,000s)
resolution is good (20 megapixels)
sensor size is nice (APS-C)
includes tracking autofocus
has phase detect auto focus
does not have image stabilization
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Travel Comparison

Pentax XG-1 as a Travel photography camera
Samsung NX30 as a Travel photography camera
52
MP count good (16MP)
flash built-in
decently wide (24mm)
long zoom (1248mm)
does not have Time Lapse function
not so great battery pack (240 per charge)
heavier than average (567g)
display isn't selfie friendly
slow max aperture (f2.8)
74
includes focus via touch
resolution is good (20MP)
flash built-in
selfie friendly screen
lack of Time Lapse recording
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Landscape Comparison

Pentax XG-1 as a Landscape photography camera
Samsung NX30 as a Landscape photography camera
45
focusing manually
decently wide (24mm)
screen size is good (3 inch)
built in image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
MP count good (16 megapixels)
fixed lens (fixed lens mount)
slow max aperture (f2.8)
sensor size is very small (1/2.3")
lack of RAW support
not so great battery pack (240 per charge)
does not have Time Lapse function
71
has manual focus
interchangeable lenses (Samsung NX mount)
screen is a good size (3 inch)
resolution is good (20MP)
sensor size is nice (APS-C)
very good ISO range (25,600)
supports RAW formats
does not have image stabilization
lack of Time Lapse recording
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Vlogging Comparison

Vlogging with Pentax XG-1
Vlogging with Samsung NX30
25
decently wide (24mm)
built in image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
video res high (1920 x 1080 pixels)
slow max aperture (f2.8)
display isn't selfie friendly
does not have external mic jack
heavier than average (567g)
75
selfie friendly screen
touchscreen
includes face detection focus
video resolution high (1920 x 1080 resolution)
has external mic port
does not have image stabilization
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Pentax XG-1 vs Samsung NX30 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Pentax XG-1 and Samsung NX30
 Pentax XG-1Samsung NX30
General Information
Brand Name Pentax Samsung
Model type Pentax XG-1 Samsung NX30
Class Small Sensor Superzoom Advanced Mirrorless
Introduced 2014-07-15 2014-01-03
Body design SLR-like (bridge) SLR-style mirrorless
Sensor Information
Chip - DRIMeIV
Sensor type BSI-CMOS CMOS
Sensor size 1/2.3" APS-C
Sensor dimensions 6.17 x 4.55mm 23.5 x 15.7mm
Sensor area 28.1mm² 369.0mm²
Sensor resolution 16 megapixels 20 megapixels
Anti alias filter
Aspect ratio 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9 1:1, 3:2 and 16:9
Highest Possible resolution 4608 x 3456 5472 x 3648
Maximum native ISO 3200 25600
Min native ISO 100 100
RAW support
Autofocusing
Manual focusing
AF touch
AF continuous
AF single
AF tracking
Selective AF
AF center weighted
Multi area AF
AF live view
Face detect focusing
Contract detect focusing
Phase detect focusing
Total focus points - 247
Lens
Lens support fixed lens Samsung NX
Lens zoom range 24-1248mm (52.0x) -
Maximum aperture f/2.8-5.6 -
Macro focusing range 1cm -
Amount of lenses - 32
Focal length multiplier 5.8 1.5
Screen
Display type Fixed Type Fully Articulated
Display size 3" 3"
Resolution of display 460 thousand dot 1,036 thousand dot
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch friendly
Display technology - AMOLED
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder Electronic Electronic
Viewfinder resolution 200 thousand dot 2,359 thousand dot
Viewfinder coverage - 100%
Viewfinder magnification - 0.66x
Features
Min shutter speed 4 secs 30 secs
Max shutter speed 1/2000 secs 1/8000 secs
Continuous shutter speed 9.0 frames/s 9.0 frames/s
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Expose Manually
Exposure compensation Yes Yes
Custom WB
Image stabilization
Inbuilt flash
Flash distance 6.00 m -
Flash settings Force Off, Flash Auto, Force Flash, Slow Sync., Slow Sync. + Red-Eye, Red-Eye Reduction -
Hot shoe
Auto exposure bracketing
WB bracketing
Exposure
Multisegment exposure
Average exposure
Spot exposure
Partial exposure
AF area exposure
Center weighted exposure
Video features
Supported video resolutions 1920 x 1080 (30 fps), 1280 x 720 (60, 30 fps), 640 x 480 (30 fps), 640 x 480 (120 fps) 1920 x 1080 (60p), 1280 x 720, 640 x 480, 320 x 240
Maximum video resolution 1920x1080 1920x1080
Video data format Motion JPEG MPEG-4, H.264
Mic jack
Headphone jack
Connectivity
Wireless Eye-Fi Connected Built-In
Bluetooth
NFC
HDMI
USB USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec) USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec)
GPS None None
Physical
Environmental seal
Water proofing
Dust proofing
Shock proofing
Crush proofing
Freeze proofing
Weight 567 gr (1.25 lbs) 375 gr (0.83 lbs)
Dimensions 119 x 89 x 98mm (4.7" x 3.5" x 3.9") 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 240 photographs 360 photographs
Style of battery Battery Pack Battery Pack
Battery ID LB-060 BP1410
Self timer Yes (2 or 10 sec) Yes (2 - 30 secs)
Time lapse shooting
Storage media SD/SDHC SD, SDHC, SDXC
Storage slots One One
Retail cost $599 $699