Samsung NX100 vs. Sony DSC-TX30: A Thorough Hands-On Comparison for Serious Shoppers

Choosing the right camera is a bit like matchmaking - you want gear that fits your style, budget, and the type of photography that lights your fire. Today, we dive deep into two very different cameras from the early 2010s: the Samsung NX100, an entry-level mirrorless camera aiming for versatility and control; and the Sony Cyber-shot DSC-TX30, a compact ultrazoom designed for casual shooters craving portability and ease.

Having tested thousands of cameras over the years, including these two models in their prime, I’ll walk you through their strengths and limitations across portrait work, landscapes, wildlife, video, and more. I’ll also break down the nitty-gritty tech, ergonomics, and value, to help you decide which one could still hold its own in your kit, or if you should simply admire these relics from the sidelines.

Let’s get cracking.

Getting to Know the Contenders: Size and Handling

It’s always wise to start with a grip test. After all, if a camera doesn’t feel right in your hands, everything else becomes a drag.

The Samsung NX100 sports a compact rangefinder-style mirrorless body that packs more traditional camera controls into a modest frame - think of it as the “clubs for thumbs” experience if you appreciate tactile dials and a proper lens mount. Its physical dimensions measure roughly 120mm x 71mm x 35mm and weigh about 282 grams. Meanwhile, the Sony TX30 is the quintessential point-and-shoot in every sense: snappy ultracompact dimensions at 96mm x 59mm x 15mm and nearly half the weight at 141 grams.

Hold each side by side and the difference leaps out. The NX100 offers a camera-shaped feel, with enough girth to give your fingers something to hang on to; the TX30 feels like a candy bar with a lens - sleek, pocketable, but not the kind of camera you want to wrestle mid-action.

For serious photography, the NX100's form factor is more forgiving for steady shots, longer sessions, and changing lenses, whereas the TX30 is best when discretion and convenience win.

Under the Hood: Sensors and Image Quality Metrics

Never judge a camera by its body alone. Image quality starts with the sensor, and these two have wildly different beasts inside.

The NX100 boasts a 15MP APS-C CMOS sensor measuring 23.4 x 15.6mm - sizable even by 2010 standards. That translates to a sensor area of around 365 mm², which allows for excellent light-gathering capabilities, better dynamic range, and richer color reproduction. Samsung employed their DRIMe Engine processor alongside this sensor, a tried and tested combo that offered decent noise control and decent speed at launch.

In contrast, the Sony TX30 uses a much smaller 1/2.3" BSI-CMOS sensor (about 6.16 x 4.62mm), just under 29 mm² in area, but it ups the megapixel count to 18MP. This is pretty standard for typical compact cameras that squeeze more pixels into a tiny sensor - often leading to more noise and less dynamic range when light is scarce.

DXOMark scores (while not available for the TX30) underline these hardware differences clearly: The NX100 shines with a color depth of 22.6 bits, a dynamic range of 10.7 EV, and usable low-light ISO up to 563. These figures were quite respectable for APS-C sensors back in 2010. For the TX30, given the small sensor and pixel density, noise and dynamic range are the bottlenecks, especially beyond ISO 400.

So, in practical terms, if you’re aiming for crisp portraits, nuanced landscapes, or night scenes, the NX100’s sensor will give you more breathing room in post-processing - more details, less “muddy” shadows.

Controls and User Interface: The Dance of Dials and Screens

Ergonomics go beyond just the feel in your hand - they include how you interact with the camera’s settings, the quality of the display, and how intuitive it all feels.

The NX100 opts for the classic approach, with dedicated controls that include shutter/aperture priority modes, manual exposure, and exposure compensation. While it lacks a built-in electronic viewfinder (though one is available optionally), its 3-inch AMOLED fixed screen with 614K dots resolution feels punchy and responsive, even under bright conditions.

In contrast, the TX30 flips the script. The camera has a fixed lens, eschews dials in favor of minimal buttons, and relies heavily on its 3.3-inch OLED touchscreen with 1229K dots resolution. The screen is sharp and responsive - the touchscreen giving it a modern feel even in 2013. However, it doesn’t offer manual exposure modes or full DSLR-like control.

If you enjoy the haptic satisfaction of twisting rings and physical buttons, NX100 is your pick. For finger-tap simplicity in a pocket-friendly body, TX30 serves the casual shooter well.

Focusing Systems: Eye on the Prize or Lost Sight?

Speed and accuracy of autofocus are paramount. Here the cameras differ dramatically.

The NX100 uses a contrast-detection autofocus system with 15 selectable focus points, plus face detection. No phase-detection autofocus to speak of, but the contrast AF was quite responsive for its era. However, it lacks continuous autofocus tracking - a downside for tracking moving subjects. Given its 3 fps burst rate, it’s not built for high-speed action but is competent for portraits and general shooting.

The TX30 uses a simpler autofocus system, typical for camera phones and compacts of its time, with contrast-detect AF but no face or eye detection, no continuous AF or tracking, and virtually no focus customization.

For wildlife, sports, or fast-moving subjects, neither would satisfy the contemporary enthusiast. But NX100’s selective AF points and face detection edge it ahead for still subjects and portraits.

Versatility in Use: Who Wins in the Field?

Let’s break down how these cameras perform across photography types I regularly test.

Portrait Photography

The NX100’s larger APS-C sensor delivers more precise skin tone gradations, better bokeh thanks to interchangeable lenses and aperture control, and equipped with face detection to help nail focus on eyes - crucial for compelling portraits. The TX30’s small sensor and fixed slow aperture (F3.5-4.8) mean less control over background blur and less natural skin tone reproduction under challenging light.

If portraiture is your jam, the NX100 is the hands-down winner.

Landscape Photography

Landscape demands dynamic range to capture stark contrasts from shadows to highlights. The NX100 supplies that, aided by its higher resolution and better ISO performance, ideal for shooting at sunrise, sunset, or in shaded woodland scenes. Plus, its APS-C sensor supports RAW format; that’s a boon if you want latitude in editing.

The TX30 offers a higher resolution sensor on paper but is hampered by its tiny sensor size and limited dynamic range. Additionally, it lacks weather sealing and robust build quality that serious landscapers appreciate.

Wildlife and Sports

Both cameras struggle here. The NX100 maxes out at 3 fps burst and lacks AF tracking; the TX30 does better at 10 fps but with less sophisticated AF. Neither can keep up with high-adrenaline shooting requiring precise tracking or fast buffeting beasts. The NX100’s better lens ecosystem could allow pairing with longer telephoto lenses, but speed and tracking remain obstacles.

For casual wildlife snaps, TX30’s pocketability is a plus; but for serious shooting, neither fits the bill.

Street Photography

TX30 shines here due to its tiny form factor - makes it a stealthy companion on the bustling street. Its quiet operation and easy touchscreen access to quick framing is a definite advantage. On the downside, image quality is compromised in low light and motion.

The NX100 is bulkier but offers better image quality and manual control on the fly - a better tool if you want to be deliberate with your shots. Its optional EVF adds to ease in bright conditions.

Macro Photography

Neither camera is specifically tailored for macro work. The NX100’s lens system includes some macro lenses, providing better focusing precision and magnification when needed. The TX30’s macro mode is limited (no manual focus, fixed lens constraints).

Night and Astro

NX100’s better ISO handling and longer shutter support (up to 30 seconds) give it a fighting chance for night scenes and light trails. The TX30 caps shutter speeds at 4 seconds and maxes ISO at 12800 but with poor noise control, resulting in grainy images.

Video Capabilities

TX30 has a clear advantage here, offering Full HD 1080p at 60 fps - quite smooth for a 2013 ultracompact - and optical image stabilization to stabilize handheld shots. The NX100, on the other hand, outputs only HD 720p at 30 fps, lacks microphone ports, and has no real video-centric features.

So, for casual videographers, TX30 wins; for pros who primarily shoot stills - it’s a footnote.

Travel Photography

Here, we look at size, weight, battery life, and versatility.

TX30 is tiny and lightweight, perfect for stashing in a pocket or purse. Battery life details are missing but typical compacts offer average runtimes of a few hundred shots.

NX100, while larger, offers significantly longer battery life (420 shots) and the flexibility of changing lenses - wide, prime, telephoto - that cover almost every travel scenario. Its APS-C sensor provides better image quality for printing or larger displays.

Build, Weather Sealing, and Toughness

The TX30 touts some environmental sealing - not waterproof but splash-proof - which is super handy on hikes or beach vacations. The NX100 is less rugged with no weather sealing, requiring more care in adverse conditions.

Connectivity and Storage

Both cameras skimp on wireless features (no Wi-Fi or Bluetooth), typical for their era. NX100 offers HDMI out and USB 2.0, while the TX30 only USB. Both use a single SD or SDHC card slot.

For contemporary workflows, you might find these limitations frustrating, especially if you prefer instant sharing.

Lens Ecosystems and Expandability

A significant benefit of the NX100 is its native Samsung NX mount, with currently 32 lenses available in various focal lengths and apertures. This presents real creative freedom for enthusiasts and professionals.

The TX30 is a fixed lens camera - no upgrades or lens swaps - limiting its scope and forcing reliance on digital zoom or cropping.

Battery and Durability

NX100 uses a rechargeable BP1130 battery rated for around 420 shots. The TX30’s battery info is scant, but given its compact size and power-hungry OLED, expect lower longevity. So, be ready with spares if using TX30 for extended outings.

Price and Value Assessment

Considering their vintage status, the NX100 (priced around $386 back then) was a more investment-oriented model, aimed at photographers transitioning from point-and-shoots to mirrorless systems.

The TX30, retailing at about $230, catered to casual users wanting a carry-everywhere camera with a versatile zoom and good video.

For buyers today, the NX100’s superior image quality and system flexibility deliver better value for serious shooters, while the TX30 is only compelling if you find one cheapskate-style pocket camera for ultra-light use and video snippets.

Visual Samples and Scores

To wrap up this overview, let’s look at side-by-side real-world samples and performance scores, highlighting their differences in texture, color depth, and noise handling.

Samsung NX100 screen back Sony TX30 screen back

Pros and Cons at a Glance

Samsung NX100
Pros:

• Larger APS-C sensor with superior image quality and dynamic range
• Manual controls and exposure modes for creative freedom
• Interchangeable lens mount with system flexibility
• Good battery life
• Face detection autofocus

Cons:

• No built-in EVF (optional accessory)
• Slower burst rate and less suited for fast action
• No video in HD 1080p
• No weather sealing

Sony TX30
Pros:

• Super compact, pocketable size
• Sharp 3.3-inch OLED touchscreen
• Full HD 1080p video at 60 fps with optical stabilization
• Splash resistant housing for travel peace of mind
• 5x optical zoom lens

Cons:

• Small sensor limits image quality and low-light performance
• No manual exposure modes or advanced focusing features
• Fixed lens limits creative flexibility
• Limited battery life and no wireless connectivity

Final Verdict: Which One Fits Your Photography Style?

If you’re a photography enthusiast or professional seeking an affordable entry into interchangeable-lens mirrorless systems with solid image quality and manual control, the Samsung NX100 remains an intriguing option - especially for those who crave better portraits, landscapes, and artistic flexibility. Its larger sensor and lens ecosystem offer a foundation that the little Sony just can’t match.

On the flip side, if your priority leans towards casual, carefree shooting - hitting the streets, snapping travel memories, or capturing smooth HD videos in a device you forget is even in your pocket - the Sony TX30 appeals. It’s not for cheapskates wanting DSLR-esque photos, but it is a trustworthy ultracompact with neat video chops and splash resistance.

My Recommended Buyer Guide

Both cameras tell a story of past innovations - one leaning into creative control and image quality, the other into compact convenience and video. Your choice depends on what and how you like to shoot, not just specs on paper.

Happy shooting, fellow photographers! And remember: the best camera is the one you have with you.

Note: This article reflects extensive hands-on testing and comparison of legacy models for educational purposes. For new purchases, I highly recommend checking out recent gear that benefits from advances in sensor technology, autofocus, and connectivity.