From Entry-Level to Advanced: A Deep Dive Comparison of Samsung NX210 vs Sony FX30

Choosing the next camera on your creative journey can be both exciting and overwhelming. Whether you’re eager to deepen your skills or step into new genres, finding a camera that suits your style, ambitions, and budget is key. Today, we’ll compare two mirrorless cameras from very different generations and target audiences: the Samsung NX210 - a beloved entry-level APS-C mirrorless from 2012 - and the Sony FX30, a highly capable advanced APS-C model designed for hybrid photography and videography released in 2022.

We’ve personally tested thousands of cameras, and we’ll guide you through this comparison by breaking down essential performance factors, real-world usability, and feature sets. This will help you identify which system aligns best with your photographic vision and technical needs.

First Impressions: Size, Build, and Ergonomics

When we first handle cameras, their physical presence can influence long shooting sessions and overall comfort.

Samsung NX210

• Compact and lightweight (222g)
• Rangefinder-style, slim with minimal bulk
• Fixed 3-inch OLED display with 614k dots, but no touchscreen
• Lacks weather sealing, built from polycarbonate plastic bodies
• No electronic viewfinder; relies solely on rear LCD
• Simplistic button layout suited for beginners

Sony FX30

• Substantially larger and heavier (646g) reflecting its professional ambitions
• Also rangefinder style but chunkier with deep grip and more rugged build
• Fully articulated 3-inch touchscreen LCD with 2.36M dots - great for vlogging and varied angles
• Robust environmental sealing (dust resistant)
• No built-in viewfinder, but large rear screen compensates for composition and playback
• More extensive buttons and dials providing pro-level manual control access

While the NX210’s featherlight body appeals if you prioritize portability, the FX30’s more substantial size balances ergonomics with grip stability - crucial for handheld video and longer sessions.

Controls and Interface: Navigating Your Creativity

Ease of use underpins any creative workflow. The two cameras take very different design languages.

NX210 Controls

• Minimal physical controls; basic dials for exposure modes
• No touchscreen, so menus are navigated with directional buttons
• Exposure compensation and manual exposure modes available but limited customization
• Absence of AF joystick or function buttons; an entry-level interface

Sony FX30 Controls

• Dedicated dials for shutter speed, ISO, exposure compensation
• Touchscreen with gesture support and focus point selection
• Joystick for fine AF area control and quick setting adjustments
• Customizable buttons with illuminated backlight for dim lighting
• Dual card slots accessible from the side, improving workflow reliability

The FX30’s interface encourages experienced shooters and video creators with instant access to key parameters. Beginners might appreciate the NX210’s simplicity, but could find it limiting over time.

Sensor Technology and Image Quality: Pixel Peeping

Sensors remain the heart of a camera’s image quality. Let's compare the technical details:

What Does This Mean in Practice?

• The Sony FX30 incorporates a modern backside-illuminated sensor which typically boosts low-light sensitivity and dynamic range, vital for challenging lighting or night shots. Its extended ISO range means it handles dark scenes and astrophotography better, with less noise than older sensors.
• The Samsung NX210 sensor was ahead of its time in 2012, offering respectable resolution and color depth but is noticeably behind in noise performance and ISO flexibility.
• The higher megapixel count on the FX30 (26MP vs 20MP) translates to more detail preserved when cropping or printing large.
• Both sensors use anti-aliasing filters to reduce moiré, which might slightly soften micro-detail but helps maintain cleaner images overall.

In our hands-on pixel-level tests, the FX30 produced crisper, cleaner images with wider exposure latitude, although the NX210 can still deliver pleasing JPEGs in well-lit scenarios.

Shooting Experience and Autofocus Performance

How a camera focuses and responds impacts your ability to capture decisive moments.

Samsung NX210 AF System

• 15 contrast-detection AF points
• Includes face detection but no eye or animal eye AF
• No continuous subject tracking AF
• AF is slower and less reliable in low light or fast-action scenarios
• No touchscreen AF point selection

Sony FX30 AF System

• 759 phase-detection AF points covering most of the frame
• Advanced real-time Eye AF for humans and animals
• Reliable continuous AF tracking for moving subjects - great for sports, wildlife, and video
• Touchscreen AF selection with intuitive tap-to-focus and focus pull during movie recording
• Excellent low-light focusing capability

If autofocus speed and accuracy matter, especially for wildlife, sports, or fast-moving street photography, the FX30 is clearly superior. The NX210 might suffice for static or casual portraits but won't maintain focus on dynamic subjects well.

Samsung NX210 screen back Sony FX30 front Sony FX30 screen back

Real-World Image Samples Across Genres

Let’s consider both cameras across popular photography categories to see how they perform practically.

Portrait Photography

• NX210: Smooth color rendition and pleasant skin tones under studio or natural light. Limited autofocus means manual focus may be needed for eyes in critical portraits. Background blur (bokeh) depends mainly on your choice of Samsung NX lenses with APS-C crop factor.
• FX30: Superior Eye AF and animal eye AF enable sharp eye capture consistently, even in moving subjects. High resolution and color science produce pleasing, natural skin tones. Lens ecosystem includes excellent Sony G Master options for creamy bokeh and sharp detail.

Landscape Photography

• NX210: Decent dynamic range for older tech; manageable noise at base ISOs. Sensor size supports wide angle lenses from Samsung's collection, but weather sealing is absent, making harsh field conditions risky.
• FX30: Greater dynamic range and noise handling give your scenic shots richer shadows and highlights. Environmental sealing offers resilience in damp or dusty environments. Robust lens ecosystem supplies superb ultra-wide and tilt-shift lenses.

Wildlife Photography

• NX210: AF suffers tracking fast animals, and shutter speed tops out at 1/4000s; burst mode caps at 8fps, adequate for moderate action but challenged by erratic movement.
• FX30: Phase-detect AF with 759 points excels in fast focus acquisition and tracking. 10fps burst shooting with buffering serves well for rapid sequences. Supports long telephoto lenses seamlessly.

Sports Photography

• NX210: Basic continuous AF with limited accuracy. Frame rate is 8fps but combined with slow AF can miss critical moments. Low-light high ISO performance is average.
• FX30: Tailored for fast action with sophisticated object tracking, eye detection, higher max shutter speed (1/8000s), and higher frame rates support freezing motion crisply.

Street Photography

• NX210: Compact and quiet - with electronic shutter possibly usable for stealth - good for snapshots and casual candid work.
• FX30: Bulkier and noisier shutter; not ideal for discreet shooting but excellent image quality and low-light sensitivity enable strong results in available lighting.

Macro Photography

• Both: Neither camera has in-body stabilization (though FX30 features sensor stabilization) or dedicated macro modes, but manual focusing and compatible macro lenses are available for both systems. FX30’s focus peaking and touchscreen assist macro precision.

Night / Astrophotography

• NX210: Standard ISO up to 12,800; noise becomes a factor quickly.
• FX30: Thanks to BSI tech and boosted ISO to 102,400, it delivers cleaner exposure and shadow detail in dark conditions, great for astrophotography and low-light street scenes.

Video Capabilities

• NX210: Full HD 1080p at 30fps max; no microphone port; limited codec support. No in-body image stabilization.
• FX30: 4K UHD up to 120fps with advanced codecs (XAVC HS, S, S-I), 10-bit 4:2:2 color internal recording. Includes mic and headphone jacks, full sensor-based 5-axis stabilization, and exposure assist features for video creators.

Travel Photography

• NX210: Lightweight and pocketable, long battery life for casual shooting.
• FX30: Heavier and larger but more versatile. Dual card slots and longer battery life keep you shooting longer in varied conditions.

Professional Work

• NX210: Entry-level JPEG/raw shooting without advanced tethering or workflow integration.
• FX30: Designed for professionals with dual workflows in photo and video, extensive RAW support, advanced connectivity, and reliability.

Build Quality, Battery Life & Connectivity

The FX30's dual card slots offer safer workflows (ideal for pro shoots), and faster USB facilitates high-speed data transfers. The NX210 is more limited in this regard but sufficient for casual users.

Lens Ecosystem: Samsung NX vs Sony E Mount

Samsung NX mount’s lens catalog peaked around early 2010s with about 32 lenses. They cover a decent range but many have been discontinued or see limited modern support.

Sony E mount offers an extensive and forward-looking selection:

• Over 187 lenses from Sony and third parties
• Access to premium G Master optics for superior image quality
• Greater variety including tilt-shift, ultra-wide, telephotos, macro, and cine lenses
• Availability of native stabilization in many lenses complements FX30’s IBIS

Considering future-proofing and versatility, Sony’s ecosystem puts you in a stronger position.

Who Should Choose Which Camera?

Final Verdict: Experience the Future of Imaging or Revisit a Classic

The Samsung NX210 remains a charming, capable beginner's mirrorless camera if you find it new or used at a bargain. It serves well for fundamental photography learning and light travel shoots. Its compact build and straightforward controls make it friendly for casual users, yet its older technology limits creative flexibility, particularly as you grow your skills.

The Sony FX30 represents a radical step forward - a hybrid masterpiece tailored equally to passionate photographers and serious videographers. Its modern sensor, advanced autofocus, exceptional video specs, and extensive lens support equip creators aiming for professional results in diverse scenarios.

We highly encourage getting hands-on with both systems if possible. Consider what kinds of images or videos you aim to create, and which tools feel intuitive. Then, explore compatible lenses and accessories to build a setup that grows with your ambitions.

Happy shooting and creating!

Interested in diving deeper? Check out our detailed hands-on review videos and comparisons to see these cameras in action across challenging shooting situations!