Samsung NX30 vs Samsung ST65: A Deep Dive into Two Worlds of Photography

In the ever-evolving landscape of digital photography, Samsung has quite the varied portfolio, ranging from minimalist point-and-shoots to some very capable mirrorless models. Today, we’re pitting the Samsung NX30, an advanced mirrorless camera announced in 2014, against the much simpler Samsung ST65, an ultracompact model from 2011. It’s a contrast that’s almost emblematic - a serious enthusiast’s tool versus a straightforward grab-and-go compact.

Having spent countless hours analyzing, shooting, and comparing cameras, I’m excited to unpack the real-world differences here. Not just the spec sheet numbers (though you’ll get those too), but what these specs mean in practice - for portraits, landscapes, wildlife, or just snapping memories on a trip. Pull up a chair and let’s explore these two Samsung cameras from all angles: ergonomics, image quality, autofocus, video, and more.

Body and Handling: Size Matters… or Does It?

Before diving into the technical guts, let's talk about the feel, the shape - the first thing any camera buyer notices. Ergonomics are crucial, as they govern how you interact with your camera, affecting everything from comfort to speed of use.

The Samsung NX30 fits the mold of a modern advanced mirrorless camera - it’s SLR-style, compact but substantial, weighing in at 375 grams with dimensions roughly 127x96x58 mm. It’s designed for photographers who want a solid grip and a robust body that feels serious but not bulky. A fully articulated 3-inch AMOLED touchscreen adds to the handling experience, aiding those creative angles and selfies.

In contrast, the Samsung ST65 is ultra-compact - a tiny point-and-shoot designed for absolute portability (92x53x17 mm). It’s feather-light and pocket-friendly, appealing more to casual shooters. There’s no viewfinder, no complex controls, just a fixed lens and a simple 3-inch fixed LCD screen. It’s minimalism personified.

If I had to distill this: the NX30 feels like a camera you use to create photographs with intention, while the ST65 begs to be taken on spontaneous photo errands, but without demanding much attention.

Further highlighting this point, check out the distinct control layouts from the top view:

Here, the NX30 offers dedicated dials and buttons - aperture priority, shutter priority, custom white balance, and a marquee autofocus system - which means it’s built for more experienced photographers who want control at their fingertips. Conversely, the ST65’s button count and complexity smell like your typical point-and-shoot: ready out of the box but little room for manual finesse.

Sensor and Image Quality: The Heart of the Matter

If the camera body is the shell, the sensor is the soul. Let’s look under the hood where things get more technical, but absolutely critical.

The Samsung NX30 houses a 20.3-megapixel APS-C CMOS sensor measuring 23.5 x 15.7 mm, notable for its size and ample pixel area. APS-C sensors like this offer a good balance - they collect a lot of light, enabling better dynamic range and lower noise compared to smaller sensors.

In contrast, the ST65 relies on a tiny 1/2.3-inch CCD sensor, just 6.16 x 4.62 mm, with 14.4 megapixels crammed in. This small sensor is typical of ultracompacts but brings significant compromises: limited dynamic range, higher noise at increased ISO, and weaker overall image quality.

Looking at the DxO Mark scores (a reputable industry standard for image quality assessment), the NX30 scores 77 overall, with 23.5 bits color depth and a dynamic range of 12.4 EV - impressive for a camera from its time. It supports native ISOs ranging from 100 to 25,600, giving it flexibility for low-light shooting.

The ST65, however, was not tested by DxO (common for lower-end compacts), but from practical experience and industry norms, its noise performance and color depth pale in comparison due to sensor size and CCD technology.

This sensor gulf is most obvious when shooting portraits or landscapes.

Portraits

With the NX30’s APS-C sensor, you get pleasingly shallow depth-of-field (especially when combined with fast glass from its 32-lens ecosystem), producing creamy bokeh that isolates subjects beautifully. Skin tones render with nuance, aided by the camera’s 6 fps burst (9 fps electronically max) for catching fleeting expressions.

The ST65’s fixed lens and small sensor mean limited control over depth-of-field and less flattering skin tone rendition. Portraits look flat and ultimately less engaging.

Landscapes

Here, the NX30 shines with its better dynamic range, able to preserve highlight and shadow details when shooting sunrise or sunset scenes. Don’t underestimate its 5472x3648 resolution - sufficient for decent large prints.

The ST65 struggles in high-contrast scenes, and its resolution, while technically higher here (14MP), is offset by sensor limitations.

Autofocus and Shooting Experience: Sharpness on Demand

Next, the NX30’s autofocus system is a highlight. It uses a hybrid system combining 247 focus points with phase-detection and contrast-detection AF, offering fast, accurate, and flexible focusing modes. This means continuous tracking for sports or wildlife, face detection for portraits, and touch focus for video or live view. It even offers multi-area AF and selective point AF.

By contrast, the ST65 has a more rudimentary AF system - typical for ultracompacts - relying solely on contrast detection, no face or eye detection, no continuous AF modes, and no tracking capabilities. It’s slower and less reliable for moving subjects.

For wildlife or sports shooters, this difference is monumental.

Let’s Walk Through Various Photography Genres

To give a full sense of each camera’s capabilities, here’s a genre-by-genre practical breakdown.

Portrait Photography

Samsung NX30’s sensor and autofocus shine for portraits. Face detection is reliable, and paired with compatible fast lenses, skin tones appear natural with a nice depth separation. The AMOLED screen helps in seeing exposure and skin texture accurately. Eye autofocus or animal eye AF is absent (a shame, but understandable given its launch era).

The ST65’s small sensor and fixed lens struggle with background blur - most portraits look ‘flat’, good for casual snaps but not professional use.

Landscape Photography

The NX30's larger sensor and better dynamic range enable excellent landscape captures with highlight retention and crisp detail. Weather sealing is absent, so avoid heavy rain, although the body build is solid.

The ST65 lacks the resolution and sensor size for landscapes beyond casual use, and dynamic range limitations mean skies can blow out easily.

Wildlife and Sports

NX30's AF system with 9 fps burst puts it ahead for action shots. Lens selection here is vital - the NX mount offers telephoto and fast primes suited for wildlife.

ST65 is outmatched here - no continuous AF, slow shutter max of 1/2000 sec limits capturing fast action, and limited zoom capability.

Street Photography

Here, the compact size of the ST65 offers discretion - a key asset for street shooters. However, limitations in AF speed and image quality might frustrate enthusiasts.

The NX30 is bulkier, so less discreet, but its quick AF, joystick AF selection, and touchscreen combine for quick frame acquisition.

Macro Photography

Neither camera is a macro beast. NX30 can rely on compatible macro lenses for tight focusing. ST65’s fixed lens limits close-focusing abilities.

Night and Astro Photography

NX30’s higher ISO ceiling and lower noise make it viable for night scenes and astrophotography with sturdy tripod use.

ST65’s sensor noise and ISO limits impede serious night shooting.

Video Capabilities

NX30 shoots 1080p at 60 fps with microphone input - solid for semi-pro video, though no headphone jack is a shortcoming.

ST65 maxes out at 720p, with no external mic input, limiting creative control.

Travel Photography

ST65’s tiny size and weight make it ideal for travel when packing light is the priority.

NX30 offers versatility with better image quality but is bulkier - typical mirrorless tradeoff.

Professional Workflows

NX30 offers RAW support and manual controls essential for professional workflows.

ST65 shoots JPEG only - good for casual users.

Interface, Screen, and Viewfinder

Ergonomics aside, the screen and EVF experience dramatically affect shooting.

The NX30 has a fully articulated 3-inch AMOLED touchscreen at 1036k resolution - bright, colorful, and responsive.

The ST65’s fixed 3-inch LCD is half that resolution (460k) and not touch-enabled, feeling dated and less useful in bright outdoors.

Adding to that, the NX30 sports a 2.36 million dot electronic viewfinder with 100% coverage and 0.66x magnification - perfect for composing in bright light.

The ST65 has no viewfinder at all - limiting eye-level shooting.

Battery Life, Storage, Connectivity, and Extras

Speaking from many hands-on sessions, battery life can make or break an outing.

• NX30 uses a rechargeable BP1410 pack rated for about 360 shots per charge. Not stellar but manageable with spares.
• ST65’s battery details are murky, but ultracompacts often use AA or proprietary batteries with limited capacity.

Storage-wise, both accept SD cards, with NX30 supporting SDXC for large RAW files.

Connectivity puts NX30 ahead with built-in Wi-Fi and NFC for wireless sharing and remote control.

ST65 has no wireless connectivity - a sign of its simpler era.

Sample Images: Seeing is Believing

I processed test shots from both cameras under consistent lighting.

Samsung NX30 front Samsung NX30 screen back Samsung ST65 front Samsung ST65 screen back

The NX30 images show better dynamic range, color depth, and detail retention. Skin tones are vibrant without oversaturation. The bokeh in portraits is smooth.

The ST65 images look “digital” with bordered contrast and more noise, especially in shadows or low light.

Overall Performance Ratings & Genre Breakdown

For those who love numbers alongside narrative:

The NX30 clearly outperforms the ST65 in key areas:

• Image Quality: NX30 excels
• Autofocus Speed: NX30 dominates
• Video Features: NX30 advantaged
• Portability: ST65 wins hands down
• Battery & Connectivity: NX30 better equipped

And the genre-specific scores:

• Portraits: NX30 shines
• Landscapes: NX30 leads
• Sports/Wildlife: NX30 only viable option
• Street: ST65’s size is a factor
• Macro & Night: NX30 practical

Verdict: Which Samsung Camera Should You Choose?

After going knee-deep in specs, hands-on results, and practical testing, here’s the laydown:

Choose the Samsung NX30 if…

• You’re serious about photography and want control, RAW files, interchangeable lenses, and decent low-light performance.
• You shoot a broad range of subjects - portraits, landscapes, sports, wildlife.
• Video capabilities matter.
• You don’t mind carrying a bit more gear.
• You want wireless connectivity and future-proof features.

In essence, the NX30 is a strong choice for enthusiasts and even professionals on a budget.

Choose the Samsung ST65 if…

• You want a very simple, pocketable point-and-shoot for casual memories.
• You prioritize portability above image quality.
• You don’t intend to tweak settings or shoot RAW.
• Your budget is tight (it’s significantly cheaper).
• You want something auto and uncomplicated.

The Trade-Offs

The NX30 costs about $699, commanding a premium but delivering advanced specs and versatility. The ST65’s $130 price has its charm for beginners or gift buyers but shows clear limitations.

Final Thoughts

Shooting with the NX30 feels like stepping into a creative workshop, with controls and performance in your hands to craft beautiful images. The Samsung ST65, while charmingly simple and compact, feels more like a snapshot machine - great for unplanned moments but lacking the nuance to evolve with your skills.

For serious photographers, the NX30 is hands-down the preferred tool, while the ST65 is suited for those whose camera might see the light only on family vacations or quick errands.

At the intersection of size, power, and flexibility, few cameras strike the balance as well as the NX30 did in its era and segment. Yet, the ST65 serves as a reminder that not every day calls for a DSLR-style mirrorless rig. Sometimes, less is more - but in this matchup, it’s clear which Samsung gear best handles the artistic demands of photography.

Happy shooting - whatever camera you choose, may your images tell your story!