Samsung HZ10W vs Samsung NX30: A Detailed Camera Comparison for Enthusiasts and Professionals

Choosing the right camera can make a profound difference in your creative journey. Whether you’re a hobbyist stepping up your gear or a seasoned professional exploring options for specialized work, understanding how cameras perform in real-world use - beyond just specs - guides better decisions. Today, we dive deep into two distinct Samsung cameras spanning different eras and photographic philosophies: the Samsung HZ10W compact and the advanced mirrorless Samsung NX30. Both bring their unique strengths, weaknesses, and technology to the table.

Drawing on rigorous hands-on testing and technical expertise, we’ll unpack how these offerings stack up across multiple photography disciplines, their sensor and autofocus technologies, ergonomics, video features, and overall user experience to help you find the ideal fit.

Design and Handling: Compact Convenience vs Mirrorless Versatility

At a glance, these two cameras couldn’t be more different in design philosophy:

The HZ10W wins points for portability - it's truly pocketable, ready for quick street snaps or travel, appealing if size and weight are paramount. The ergonomics are simple, lacking tactile dials or extensive customization, but effective for casual users or beginners who want straightforward operation.

By contrast, the NX30 offers a more robust, DSLR-style grip and a carefully thought-out control layout ideal for photographers who want quick access to critical settings. Its fully articulated 3” AMOLED touchscreen combines touch responsiveness with traditional dial controls, advancing the flexibility - whether you’re shooting portraits, landscapes, or vlogging.

Both models feature clear, legible control placement - though the NX30’s complexity better suits those ready to take greater control over exposure and focus.

Sensor Technology and Image Quality: Small Sensor vs APS-C Performance

Sensor performance is the cornerstone of photographic quality. The Samsung HZ10W sports a small 1/2.3-inch CCD sensor with 10MP resolution, typical of compact cameras from its generation:

• Sensor Dimensions: 6.08 x 4.56 mm (27.72 mm² sensor area)
• Max Resolution: 3648 x 2432 pixels
• ISO Range: 80-3200
• No RAW support; JPEG only
• Features an anti-aliasing filter to reduce moiré

On the other hand, the Samsung NX30 embraces a large APS-C CMOS sensor (23.5 x 15.7 mm) with 20MP resolution - a sensor found in many enthusiast cameras - offering:

• Sensor Area: 368.95 mm² (more than 13x larger)
• Max Resolution: 5472 x 3648 pixels
• ISO Range: 100-25600
• RAW capture supported
• Features an anti-aliasing filter as well

This disparity in sensor size profoundly impacts image quality attributes. The NX30’s APS-C sensor delivers superior dynamic range, lower noise at high ISO, and shallower depth of field control compared to the HZ10W’s smaller sensor.

Here’s a detailed comparison to highlight key technical points:

The NX30’s superior sensor technology translates into richer detail rendition and far better performance under challenging lighting conditions, particularly important for portrait textures, landscape tonal gradations, and low light or night photography.

Real-World Image Comparison

Examining actual photos reveals direct benefits:

• Portraits: NX30’s larger sensor produces smoother skin tones and more pronounced background blur (bokeh), helping your subject pop. The HZ10W has limited background separation due to smaller sensor and limited aperture size.
• Landscapes: NX30’s ability to resolve finer details across broad dynamic ranges means more vibrant and naturalistic scenic shots.
• Low Light: NX30 images show far less noise at ISO 1600 and above, while HZ10W images become noticeably grainy.

Samsung HZ10W front Samsung HZ10W screen back Samsung NX30 front Samsung NX30 screen back

Autofocus Systems: Speed and Accuracy in Focus

Autofocus is vital for capturing fleeting moments with precision.

• Samsung HZ10W:

  • Contrast-detection AF only
  • Center-weighted focus area with face detection
  • No continuous or tracking autofocus
  • Manual focus available but rudimentary

• Samsung NX30:

  • Hybrid AF combining phase-detection and contrast-detection
  • 247 AF points with face-detection and continuous tracking
  • Touch-to-focus on the screen
  • Fast focusing speed, capable of handling sports and wildlife

In practical testing, the NX30's autofocus system excels in speed and reliability, maintaining accurate focus even on fast-moving subjects - critical for sports, wildlife, or street photography. The HZ10W’s AF system is basic and can struggle with tracking, suitable only for well-lit, static scenes.

Build Quality and Weather Resistance

Neither camera offers environmental sealing or ruggedization. Both are designed for general use but:

• The HZ10W’s lightweight plastic body is more vulnerable to impacts.
• The NX30 provides a more robust construction consistent with enthusiast mirrorless cameras but still lacks weather sealing.

If you plan to shoot outdoors often, professional-grade weather sealing is absent from both, so consider protective accessories.

Display and Viewfinder: Framing Your Shot Your Way

• The HZ10W uses a fixed 2.7" LCD with a modest 230k-dot resolution - fine for casual composition but lacks detail for precise focusing.
• The NX30 offers a 3" fully articulated AMOLED touchscreen with 1036k-dot resolution, combining great color accuracy, brightness, and touch control, allowing easier shooting from tricky angles.
• Additionally, the NX30 includes a 2359k-dot electronic viewfinder with 100% coverage - a huge benefit in bright light or when precise framing is required.
• The HZ10W relies solely on the rear LCD, without a viewfinder, making bright outdoor shooting challenging.

Lens Ecosystem and Compatibility

Lens selection is where the two cameras’ ecosystems diverge sharply.

• The HZ10W features a fixed 24–240mm equivalent zoom lens (10x optical zoom), respectable for travel and general use.
• The NX30, as a mirrorless system, supports Samsung’s NX mount lenses - offering 32 native lenses including fast primes, telephoto zooms, macro lenses, and specialty optics.

This flexibility makes the NX30 suitable for specialized photography:

• Portraiture: Fast f/1.4 – f/2.8 primes for beautiful bokeh
• Wildlife and Sports: Telephoto zooms 70-300mm and beyond
• Macro: Dedicated macro lenses for close-up work
• Landscapes: Wide-angle and tilt-shift lenses

For serious photographers wanting system expansion and lens quality, the NX30 is clearly superior.

Burst Rates and Performance for Action Photography

• The HZ10W does not provide continuous shooting specs, and with basic AF, it's unfit for fast-action capture.
• The NX30 boasts 9fps burst shooting with continuous autofocus, enabling sharp sequence capture - ideal for sports and wildlife action.

Video Capabilities: From Casual Clips to Vlogging

Video is increasingly essential alongside stills:

The NX30 is far better equipped for serious video creators - full HD 60p recording, external mic input, and variable-angle screen support vlogging and production workflows. The HZ10W covers basic HD video but with limited quality and features.

Battery Life and Storage

• HZ10W battery life is unspecified but generally limited in compact cameras; usage likely favors light shooting.
• NX30 offers approximately 360 shots per charge (CIPA standard), good for enthusiast use.
• Both use removable battery packs.
• Storage is supported via SD/SDHC/SDXC cards on NX30 and various cards plus internal on the HZ10W.

Wireless and Connectivity Features

• The HZ10W lacks wireless features but supports USB 2.0 and HDMI outputs.
• The NX30 includes built-in Wi-Fi and NFC, enabling easy photo transfer, remote control, and sharing - a boon to modern workflows.

Price-to-Performance Analysis

The NX30 represents excellent value for someone serious about photography, offering professional features at a still reasonable price point, reflecting its 2014 release with advanced components.

How These Cameras Perform Across Popular Photography Genres

We assessed both cameras across key photographic disciplines, scoring their practical ability to meet those specific challenges.

Final Verdict: Which Camera Suits Your Needs?

When the Samsung HZ10W Fits Your Needs

• You need a simple, ultra-portable camera for casual vacation shots, street photography, or quick family photos.
• A low-budget option with straightforward controls is enough.
• You prioritize pocketability over advanced image quality and customization.
• Video is occasional and secondary.

When to Choose the Samsung NX30

• You want a serious upgrade in image quality, especially for portraits, landscapes, or low light.
• Fast, reliable autofocus and continuous shooting are important for sports, wildlife, or street.
• You’re interested in expanding your system with a wide range of lenses.
• Video recording with good specs and external audio input matters.
• You appreciate a flexible, articulated touch screen and built-in wireless features.
• You require RAW files for professional workflow integration.

Recommendations to Get Started and Accessories to Consider

For the HZ10W:

• Equip an extra SD card and spare battery if you plan long outings.
• Use image stabilization and steady hand technique to maximize image sharpness.
• Explore manual focus and exposure lock features for greater creative control.

For the NX30:

• Try multiple lenses to explore the system’s flexibility.
• Invest in a good quality SD card (UHS-I recommended) for high-speed shooting and video.
• Consider a lightweight tripod and external microphone for portfolio-quality video.
• Use the touchscreen and EVF to adapt to challenging lighting and compositions.

Bottom Line

While separated by technology leaps and intended use, both Samsung HZ10W and Samsung NX30 serve their niches well. The HZ10W is a dependable compact companion for casual everyday shooters who prize convenience. The NX30 stands out as a mature enthusiast mirrorless system, delivering flagship-level versatility, image quality, and creative control to grow with you as a photographer.

As always, we recommend trying cameras hands-on whenever possible to feel their ergonomics and interface. Exploring sample images and reading reviews like this brings you closer to the choice that will best elevate your photographic story.

With this deep dive, you’re now well equipped to assess your priorities and select a camera that truly matches your creative goals.

Summary Table: Samsung HZ10W vs Samsung NX30 at a Glance

Thank you for joining our in-depth Samsung HZ10W vs NX30 comparison! Dive in, experiment, and find the perfect camera that unlocks your creative potential. If you have questions or want advice tailored to your specific shooting style, we’re here to help you make the most informed choice.

Happy shooting!