Samsung NX200 vs Samsung NX30: A Hands-On Comparison for Serious Enthusiasts

When Samsung launched the NX series, it positioned itself as a strong contender in the mirrorless camera market - marrying compactness, solid image quality, and innovative features. Two models that stand out from this line are the Samsung NX200 and the more advanced NX30. Though both offer an APS-C sensor and the Samsung NX lens mount, these cameras cater to notably different user types and photographic ambitions.

Having extensively tested both cameras over multiple shooting scenarios - including portraits, landscapes, wildlife, sports, and video - I’m here to guide you through a detailed, practical comparison. Whether you’re an enthusiast considering your very first mirrorless, or a pro looking for a backup or creative tool, this article will help you know exactly what to expect from each model.

Getting to Know the Cameras: Size, Build and Design

Physical Dimensions and Handling

The Samsung NX200 is inspired by rangefinder styling, presenting a streamlined, minimalist form that weighs just 223g and measures 117x63x36 mm. It’s ideal if you prioritize portability and simplicity in a mirrorless body, especially in street and travel photography setups.

Conversely, the Samsung NX30 embraces a more substantial SLR-style design, weighing 375g with dimensions of 127x96x58 mm. It feels more substantial in-hand, with a larger grip and more pronounced physical controls, which photographers shooting dynamics and demanding genres typically appreciate for added stability.

Ergonomics & Controls:
The NX30’s top controls and dials are more comprehensive, facilitating quicker adjustments without diving into menus, something I found a real asset in fast-paced shooting. The NX200, while simpler, has a cleaner top plate but requires more menu navigation and lacks a built-in EVF.

For button layout and top plate design differences, see below:

Sensor Technology and Image Quality: Resolving the Details

Both cameras feature a 20.3 MP APS-C CMOS sensor measuring 23.5 x 15.7 mm, providing a solid baseline for image quality. The NX200 utilizes an earlier sensor iteration offering great detail, but the NX30, with Samsung’s DRIMeIV processor and next-gen sensor tweaks, brings improved color depth and better low-light handling.

Technical Detail Breakdown:

In practical use, the NX30 delivers richer colors and cleaner images in dimmer environments thanks to its higher ISO capability and enhanced color fidelity. While dynamic range readings between the two are very close, you’ll notice the NX30 retains highlights and shadows slightly better in the field.

Viewing and Interface: LCD and EVF Comparison

One of the most noticeable upgrades from the NX200 to the NX30 is the display and viewfinder system.

• Samsung NX200’s screen: A fixed 3-inch Active Matrix OLED display with 614k-dot resolution. It produces crisp images with vibrant AMOLED contrast but lacks touchscreen functionality and articulation.
• Samsung NX30’s screen: A fully articulated 3-inch AMOLED touchscreen, 1036k-dot resolution, offering flexibility for high/low angle shots and outdoor visibility. It’s also selfie-friendly - a plus for vloggers!

Most notably, the NX30 integrates a high-resolution electronic viewfinder (2359k dots, 100% coverage), which the NX200 lacks. This EVF is critical for bright conditions and provides a lag-free, eye-level shooting experience - valuable for sports and wildlife photography.

Autofocus Systems: Tracking and Precision in the Field

Autofocus can make or break your shooting experience. Here’s where the NX30 shines especially:

• NX200 AF System: 15 contrast-detection focus points with face detection available. Continuous AF is offered but no tracking or sophisticated phase detection.
• NX30 AF System: An impressive hybrid autofocus with 247 focus points, combining phase and contrast detection. It adds face, select, continuous, and tracking autofocus modes, including center-weighted and multi-area options.

I ran comparative tests focusing on moving subjects - sports players and birds - and found the NX30’s AF notably faster, more reliable, and accurate under challenging conditions. The NX200 occasionally lagged or failed to maintain focus on fast-moving subjects.

Shooting Speed and Shutter Performance

The shutter speed ranges also differentiate these two models:

• NX200: Max mechanical shutter speed is 1/4000s, adequate for most casual scenarios.
• NX30: Extends this to 1/8000s, allowing better capture of fast action and shooting wide aperture in bright light without ND filters.

In terms of continuous shooting, the NX30 offers 9 fps, versus NX200’s 7 fps, which gave me a noticeable advantage during sports shoots, capturing key moments with greater frame coverage.

Image Stabilization and Flash Capabilities

Neither camera features built-in image stabilization. You’ll rely on lenses with optical stabilization to mitigate shake - important especially for handheld telephoto and macro work.

Flash-wise:

• NX200: No built-in flash but supports external flash units.
• NX30: Includes a pop-up flash adding versatility for fill-in light without carrying extra gear.

Video Features and Practicality: Is Either a Capable Hybrid?

Both cameras support Full HD video (1920x1080) recording, but differ in frame rates and functionality.

The ability to shoot 1080p at 60 fps on the NX30 is meaningful, providing smoother slow-motion footage, and the external microphone port markedly improves audio quality potential. However, neither model supports 4K capture or headphone monitoring.

Battery Life, Storage, and Connectivity

Battery performance is similar, with the NX30 slightly edging out:

• NX200: Rated around 330 shots per charge.
• NX30: Rated for 360 shots, a modest but welcome improvement for day-long usage.

Storage is single SD/SDHC/SDXC card slots on both. Connectivity is a crucial gap:

• NX200: No wireless features out of the box.
• NX30: Adds built-in Wi-Fi and NFC support for easy wireless transfer and remote control - a valuable feature in today’s mobile and instant-sharing culture.

Lens Ecosystem: Shared Mount, But What About Availability?

Both share the Samsung NX mount, compatible with 32 lenses. That’s a moderate but somewhat niche ecosystem compared to Canon or Sony. Samsung had solid primes, zooms, macro, and wide lenses, but the system has been discontinued, so availability and future development are limited.

Still, you get:

• Fast primes for portraits (e.g., 45mm f/1.8)
• Versatile zooms for travel and landscapes
• Macro lenses for close work

Genre-Specific Performance: Where Does Each Excel?

Let’s dive into how each camera performs across popular photography disciplines, based on my field testing.

Portrait Photography

• NX200: Excellent color reproduction and sharpness, but autofocus sometimes hunts. The bokeh quality depends on lens choice, with decent rendition.
• NX30: Superior autofocus with face detection and eye-tracking enhancements. The articulated touchscreen eases composition from creative angles.

Bottom line: NX30 is better for fast, accurate focus on eyes and skin tones, making it my pick for portrait sessions.

Landscape Photography

Both cameras’ 20MP APS-C sensor provides ample detail, and dynamic range is close - but the NX30’s better color depth and higher ISO performance offer more editing latitude.

Weather sealing is absent on both.

Recommendation: Both capable for landscape, but NX30 for more flexibility on exposure and detail retention.

Wildlife and Sports Photography

The NX30’s 247-point hybrid AF, higher fps, and faster shutter speed are game-changers in fast-action capture. The NX200 lags here, with less decisive autofocus and slower burst rate.

Street Photography

The NX200’s smaller, rangefinder-esque form is less conspicuous and lighter for daily carry, making it excellent for candid street work. The NX30 is bulkier but offers the EVF and articulated screen for composition versatility.

Macro Photography

Both cameras lack built-in stabilization, so stability depends on lenses or tripods.

The NX30’s touchscreen focusing tools aid precise focusing in macro ranges. Autofocus performance is better on NX30, helping nail critical sharpness.

Night and Astro Photography

The NX30’s higher ISO ceiling and cleaner sensor output deliver superior low-light images, vital for astro and long exposures. I achieved less noise and more detail at ISO 3200+ on NX30 compared to NX200.

Video Shooting

The NX30’s 1080p at 60 fps and microphone inputs clearly make it the better hybrid shooter.

Travel Photography

Smaller size of NX200 appeals for packing light, but the NX30’s flexibility and connectivity (Wi-Fi/NFC) offer greater real-world versatility on the road.

Professional Workflows

Both support raw capture, but NX30’s better image quality and controls align better with professional demands.

Samsung NX200 screen back Samsung NX30 front Samsung NX30 screen back

Scoring Their Overall Performance

Below is a balanced synthesis of their strengths based on DxOMark scores and real-world performance:

Scores by Photography Genre

Here’s a genre-specific comparison summarizing where each camera wins:

Pros and Cons Recap

Samsung NX200

Pros:

• Lightweight and pocketable
• Excellent image quality for entry-level mirrorless
• Simple and uncluttered design
• Decent burst rate at 7 fps
• OLED screen with vibrant colors

Cons:

• No built-in EVF
• Limited AF points and slower autofocus
• No wireless connectivity
• Slower shutter speed max (1/4000s)
• No external microphone port for video

Samsung NX30

Pros:

• Advanced hybrid autofocus with 247 points
• High-res EVF with 100% coverage
• Articulated AMOLED touchscreen with touch AF
• Faster max shutter speed (1/8000s)
• 1080p60 video with external mic input
• Built-in Wi-Fi and NFC for connectivity
• Better ISO performance and color depth

Cons:

• Heavier and bulkier body
• No image stabilization on sensor
• More complex controls may intimidate first-timers
• No headphone port for video monitoring

Who Should Buy Which?

Final Thoughts: Balancing Budget, Performance, and Needs

Both cameras have aged gracefully, but the NX30 clearly benefits from two years of technological evolution and represents a more serious tool for demanding photography today. If you prioritize speed, responsiveness, and versatile features, the NX30 is the obvious choice, especially considering you get an EVF and superior video capabilities.

The NX200 remains relevant as a cost-effective entry mirrorless with a quality sensor and user-friendly operation, ideal if you want to step up from compact cameras without overwhelming features.

During my hands-on tests, I confirmed the intuitive ergonomics of the NX30 for action-oriented shooting and video tasks, while the NX200’s minimalism is perfect for those who appreciate straightforward controls with solid image quality. Your choice ultimately hinges on your photography priorities: are you evolving into demanding scenarios requiring autofocus speed and handling sophistication, or do you prefer a compact, reliable system dedicated to stills and ease of use?

Why you can trust this review: I have tested both cameras extensively across varied lighting, motion, and subject demands, reviewing RAW outputs, autofocus responsiveness, and video performance. This comparison relies on direct use, standardized testing protocols, and real-world shooting experience to separate marketing claims from tangible user benefits.

If you found this detailed head-to-head helpful and want advice on specific lenses or accessories for either model, feel free to reach out. Choosing the right gear is about matching your creative goals with the tools that serve them best.

Happy shooting!