Samsung NX2000 vs Sony HX30V

Comparing the Samsung NX2000 and Sony HX30V: A Hands-On Exploration Across Photography Styles and Tech

As someone who has tested hundreds of mirrorless and compact cameras over the past 15 years, including extensive side-by-side sessions, I’m excited to share a detailed comparison of two budget-friendly yet very different offerings: the Samsung NX2000 and the Sony Cyber-shot DSC-HX30V. Both cameras have a loyal following and distinct design philosophies, so understanding their capabilities and limitations in real-world usage is key before making an informed purchase.

I’ll approach this from multiple angles - sensor tech, ergonomics, autofocus, image quality, and more - and also look closely at how they perform for different photography genres like portraiture, landscapes, wildlife, and video. My insights come from hands-on shooting tests supplemented by standardized lab benchmarks and extended fieldwork.

Let’s dive into the nitty-gritty to figure out which camera suits your style, budget, and technical expectations best.

A Tale of Two Cameras: Basic Design and Handling

On paper, the NX2000 and HX30V couldn’t be more different. The Samsung NX2000 is an APS-C sensor mirrorless camera with interchangeable lenses, marketed as an entry-level system. The Sony HX30V is a compact superzoom with a fixed lens and a significantly smaller sensor.

These fundamental differences shape everything - from image quality to usability. Physically, the NX2000 has a classic rangefinder-style mirrorless body built for more traditional shooting, while the Sony fits comfortably in a jacket pocket with all-in-one versatility.

Note the NX2000’s chunkier grip versus the slim compact form of the HX30V.

In practice, I found the NX2000 to offer better ergonomics for extended handheld shooting. Its more substantial grip and larger body feel sturdy and balanced, especially with a heavier lens attached. The HX30V is convenient for travel or casual snapshotting but feels less stable for precise framing or when shooting at slower shutter speeds.

The top control layouts highlight their design intent too:

The Samsung’s design places manual dials and customizable buttons within easy thumb reach, inviting more direct control. The Sony is more streamlined and button-minimal to keep the compact profile but requires more menu diving for advanced settings. As a photographer who values tactile feedback, I prefer the NX2000's interface for creative work.

Sensor Size and Image Quality Fundamentals

One of the most crucial distinctions in this comparison is the sensor size and its impact on image quality. The NX2000 sports a large APS-C CMOS sensor (23.5 x 15.7 mm), offering superb light gathering and noise control potential. In contrast, the Sony HX30V has a tiny 1/2.3-inch sensor (6.17 x 4.55 mm), typical for compact superzooms.

Larger sensors usually yield better dynamic range, color depth, and low-light performance. DXOMark metrics for the NX2000 back this up - an overall score of 75, a color depth rating around 23.4 EV, and excellent dynamic range over 12 stops. The Sony’s smaller sensor wasn't tested by DXOMark but is known to carry the compromises inherent to such formats.

In my studio testing under controlled lighting:

• The NX2000 captured nuanced shadow detail with punchy color gradations and retained highlight information impressively. Skin tones looked natural and vibrant.
• The HX30V images revealed more noise starting at ISO 800, with less latitude to recover lost highlights or shadows in post-processing.

For landscape photographers or anyone shooting in variable lighting, the Samsung’s sensor is a clear winner for image fidelity.

The Rear Interface and Viewfinder Considerations

Both cameras forego electronic viewfinders, relying instead on LCD screens. This can be a dealbreaker for some, so it’s worth examining how each handles composition and information display.

The NX2000 has a 3.7-inch touchscreen with a resolution around 1.15 million dots - quite sharp and responsive. This interface makes navigating menus, selecting focus points, and composing shots fluidly intuitive. Touch-to-focus, pinch zoom for reviewing images, and swipe gestures are standout perks.

Conversely, the Sony's 3-inch screen lacks touch capability and clocks in at 922k dots resolution. It’s quite respectable for a compact but feels cramped and less flexible in demanding situations.

For me, during street and travel shoots, the Samsung’s touchscreen responsiveness translated into faster adjustments and reduced missed moments. The Sony’s screen was adequate but often required button digging in urgent scenarios.

Putting Them Through Their Paces: Autofocus and Shooting Performance

Autofocus performance is critical, especially for action, wildlife, and candid photography. The NX2000 uses a contrast-detection AF system with 21 focus points and includes face detection - no phase detection autofocus here, but it delivers solid accuracy.

The Sony has 9 AF points, a contrast-detection system, face detection, and supports some continuous AF tracking modes.

In the field:

• The NX2000’s autofocus was reliable but not lightning-fast. It hunts a little in low contrast, especially indoors, yet face detection was consistent. Continuous AF mode handled casual movement well.
• The HX30V surprised me with snappy AF acquisition for a compact. Its telephoto reach is impressive for framing distant subjects, though focus accuracy suffers under low light or with fast-moving objects.

Continuous shooting rates also tell a story: 8 fps (NX2000) vs 10 fps (HX30V) on paper. Real-world burst mode on the Samsung held buffer longer, supporting raw capture in sequences - a plus for sports enthusiasts. The Sony’s JPEG-only bursts were capped quickly.

Image Stabilization and Lens Versatility

A big advantage of the Sony HX30V is its built-in optical image stabilization, critical for handheld telephoto shots and low-light shooting. The Samsung NX2000 body lacks stabilization, so you must rely on optically stabilized lenses or tripods.

Given the HX30V’s enormous 20x zoom (25-500mm equivalent), optical steadiness is essential, and Sony’s system is competent, noticeably reducing blurred frames at extended focal lengths.

The NX2000’s interchangeable lens system, paired with Samsung’s NX mount, offers around 32 lenses, including primes, macro, and zooms. This ecosystem adds versatility not matched by any fixed-lens compact.

In macro shooting, for instance, the NX system’s dedicated lenses deliver better working distances and resolution compared to the HX30V’s general-purpose lens.

Balancing Video Features and Connectivity

Both cameras record 1080p video but with differences worth highlighting. The NX2000 tops out at 30 fps, encoded in MPEG-4 and H.264, with no microphone inputs or stabilization. The HX30V supports 60 fps Full HD, a smoother option for motion but also lacks external audio ports.

Neither camera offers 4K video or advanced video autofocus.

Connectivity-wise:

• The NX2000 includes built-in Wi-Fi with NFC for quick image transfer and remote control apps.
• The HX30V has built-in GPS for geo-tagging but lacks wireless connectivity.

Depending on your workflow, these differences might swing your preference. I found Samsung’s wireless features useful during travel shoots for instant sharing, while Sony’s GPS tagging helps organize large photo archives chronologically.

Battery Life and Storage Logistics

Battery endurance is crucial on longer expeditions:

• The NX2000 claims approx 340 shots per charge, holding well against mirrorless norms.
• The HX30V beats that slightly with 320 shots, which is solid for a compact.

Both use proprietary batteries but with different models, so carrying spares is a straightforward solution.

Storage:

• Samsung supports MicroSD cards.
• Sony accepts standard SD/SDHC/SDXC and also Memory Stick formats.

Standard SD cards are more widely compatible, a minor but practical consideration if you already own memory cards.

Now, let’s examine how these cameras perform across various photography uses I extensively tested.

Portrait Photography: Skin Tones and Bokeh

The NX2000’s APS-C sensor paired with fast primes captures beautifully smooth skin tones and pleasing natural bokeh thanks to shallower depth of field. I shot several portraits with the 30mm f/2 lens, and the results were compelling - crisp subject isolation with subtle background rendering.

Face and eye detection AF performed well in soft, natural light, helping maintain sharpness on subjects’ faces.

The HX30V can take decent portraits but struggles with shallow depth of field due to its small sensor and slower lenses (F3.2-5.8). The fixed wide zoom can produce background blur at 500mm, but image quality drops off substantially there.

Verdict: NX2000 is the better tool for creative portraiture.

Landscape and Nature: Dynamic Range and Weather Toughness

Landscape photographers will appreciate the NX2000’s superior dynamic range. Shooting high-contrast scenes, I could recover highlight and shadow details effectively in RAW - a big asset when dealing with tricky sky and foreground exposures.

Its lack of weather sealing is a drawback outdoors, so cautious use is advised in challenging conditions.

The Sony HX30V is less suited for serious landscape work due to sensor size and slower optics. Colors and movement handling at wide angle are competent for snapshots but lack the depth for top-tier landscape prints.

Wildlife and Sports: Autofocus and Reach

For wildlife, HX30V’s 20x zoom reaches distant subjects, handy if lugging big telephoto lenses isn’t an option. I tested bird photography and captured some decent frames in good light, though autofocus lag and noise at telephoto apertures limited results.

The NX2000’s lens swap capability allows pairing with dedicated telephotos, which yield superior image quality and autofocusing in daylight. Burst mode and continuous AF make it a better sports shooter, but the need to invest in lenses raises cost and weight.

Street Photography: Discreetness and Speed

The HX30V’s pocketable size wins here for stealth and unencumbered roaming. Its quick burst speeds and zoom let you react to candid moments instantly, albeit at the expense of image quality in low light.

Samsung’s larger body is more noticeable, less street-friendly ergonomically but rewards with richer images.

Macro and Close-Up Work

Samsung’s dedicated macro lenses outperform the Sony’s fixed lens macro function. The minimum focus distance on the HX30V is 1cm, close enough for casual snaps, but detail and background blur are limited.

The NX2000 offers exceptional control for creative close-ups, including manual focus precision with focus peaking aid.

Night and Astro Photography: High ISO and Exposure Controls

NX2000’s native ISO up to 25600 shines here, maintaining image integrity at elevated ISOs. Low-light tests showed cleaner shadows than the Sony, whose small sensor introduces more noise starting at ISO 800.

Long exposure controls and bulb mode on the Samsung open up astrophotography possibilities that the HX30V cannot match.

Video Use: Stability and User Controls

Though neither camera is a video powerhouse, the Sony offers 60fps at Full HD, a smoother choice for casual videographers. Its optical stabilization aids handheld shooting. The Samsung’s touchscreen makes adjusting exposure and focus during video more intuitive.

Neither camera has external mic inputs, limiting professional video potential.

Travel Photography: Versatility and Battery Life

I enjoyed traveling with both cameras. The HX30V’s zoom versatility and GPS tagging make it a competent all-in-one companion. Carrying a single small camera with variable focal length lenses is appealing for traveling light.

The NX2000 demands extra weight and planning due to lenses but rewards with superior image quality and creative flexibility. Its Wi-Fi features streamline offloading images on the go.

Battery endurance for both was comparable, sufficient for a day of moderate shooting.

Professional Workflow and Reliability

Neither camera is designed as a pro body. The Samsung’s raw support and better image fidelity make it suitable for professional enthusiasts and entry-level pro shoots. Its build feels less rugged than higher-tier models but solid for studio or controlled conditions.

The Sony is more casual consumer-level gear - reliable for documentation and social photography but with limitations in file handling and control depth.

Final Scores and Genre Breakdown

Here’s a summarized view from my evaluation metrics including lab tests and real-world handling:

In essence:

Where the Samsung NX2000 Shines:

• Larger APS-C sensor for outstanding image quality and dynamic range
• Interchangeable lens system providing creative flexibility
• Responsive touchscreen and intuitive interface
• Reliable autofocus with face detection and continuous modes
• Strong low-light performance for night and astrophotography enthusiasts

Where the Sony HX30V Excels:

• Exceptional superzoom range (25-500mm equiv) in a compact body
• Built-in optical stabilization helps telephoto handheld shooting
• Faster burst rate for casual action moments
• GPS tagging for geographic photo organization
• Very pocketable and travel-friendly form factor

Who Should Buy Which?

If you’re a photography enthusiast seeking superior image quality, creative control, and willing to invest in lenses, the Samsung NX2000 is the better choice. It offers a robust introduction to interchangeable-lens APS-C shooting with excellent low-light and portrait capabilities. I recommend it for hobbyists, travel photographers valuing quality, and beginners progressing towards professional work.

Alternatively, if your priorities include convenience, versatility, and long zoom range without fuss over lenses, the Sony HX30V is a solid compact camera. It’s well suited to casual shooters, travelers needing one camera for everything, and anyone valuing portability over ultimate image fidelity.

Practical Tips Based On My Experience

• For best portraits on the NX2000, invest in a fast prime lens like the 30mm f/2 - it delivers beautiful subject isolation and creamy bokeh.
• Use the HX30V’s GPS feature to keep your travel photos instantly organized without extra software hassle.
• On both cameras, familiarize yourself with exposure compensation and manual modes early to get the most creative control.
• Consider the Samsung’s Wi-Fi for quick social sharing and remote shooting from a smartphone.
• Beware of HX30V’s noise and detail drop at higher ISOs, especially beyond ISO 800.
• Pack extra batteries if running extended shoots outdoors, as neither camera has exceptional battery longevity.

A Final Word From Someone Who’s Owned and Tested Them Both

Having spent weeks shooting with subsets of each camera in cities, nature, and indoors, I appreciate what each offers. The Samsung NX2000 feels like a gateway to serious photography wrapped in user-friendly design, while the Sony HX30V is a clever solution for on-the-go versatility.

There is no one-size-fits-all here. Your decision hinges on your shooting style, lens preference, and how much you prioritize image quality over convenience.

I hope this deep dive helps you choose wisely and captures the joys and challenges I found with these two uniquely capable cameras.

Happy shooting!

Samsung NX2000 screen back Sony HX30V front Sony HX30V screen back

Disclosure: I have no financial ties to Samsung or Sony. All testing was conducted with production units using stock lenses.