Samsung NX30 vs TL240: An Expert’s Deep Dive into Two Distinct Camera Worlds

Choosing between cameras from the same brand but vastly different categories isn’t just about specs on paper - it’s about understanding how those specs translate into your real-world needs. Here, I’m putting the Samsung NX30 advanced mirrorless side-by-side with the ultra-compact TL240. Despite sharing a manufacturer, these two cameras serve very different photographic crowds, yet both have intriguing strengths and compromises worth unwrapping.

Having tested thousands of cameras throughout my fifteen years as a professional reviewer, I’ll guide you through performance, ergonomics, sensor tech, shooting modes, and usability to help you decide which model fits your photography style best.

First Impressions: Size, Feel, and Handling

Before we get deep into images and pixels - and draw out tables of data - one of the most immediately noticeable differences is physical presence and how that impacts shooting comfort.

The Samsung NX30 adopts a classic DSLR-style mirrorless body. It weighs in at 375g and features a grip that fits snugly into your hand, lending confidence for prolonged shoots. Its 127x96x58mm dimensions give it enough heft for stability but still remain comfortable for those who prefer mirrorless systems over bulkier DSLRs.

On the other end, the TL240 is a featherweight ultracompact at just 160g and roughly half the depth (104x58x20mm). It disappears in a pocket and won’t intimidate anyone looking for sheer portability. But with this tiny form comes a trade-off in control precision and comfort, particularly when holding steady during longer sessions.

Ergonomically, the NX30 boasts well-positioned buttons and dials that seasoned photographers appreciate for quick manual adjustments, while the TL240 relies mostly on a touchscreen, with fewer physical controls, leaning heavily on automation to simplify use.

Design and Control Layout: Handling Experience Matters

Handling goes hand in hand with design - how intuitive and accessible are the controls when you’re framing a shot under pressure?

The NX30 leads here by a mile. Mirrorless cameras are prized for providing DSLR-like control in a more compact chassis, and Samsung’s DRIMe IV processor complements the responsive, tactile feedback of dedicated shutter speed, aperture and exposure compensation dials. There’s also a customizable function button, ideal for accessing your most-used settings quickly.

The TL240’s minimalist approach reduces complexity for casual users, but seasoned photographers or anyone who craves direct manual input may find this limiting. Its lack of an electronic viewfinder (EVF) means you rely entirely on the LCD screen, which can be challenging outdoors in bright conditions.

Sensor Specs and Image Quality: Peeking Under the Hood

Now for the heart of any camera: the sensor. It’s often a dealbreaker, as it dictates fundamental image quality, low-light performance, and dynamic range.

The NX30 features a 20MP APS-C CMOS sensor (23.5x15.7mm) with an anti-aliasing filter, capturing images at up to 5472x3648 pixels. This sensor size is widely regarded as a sweet spot, offering a great balance between resolution, light-gathering ability, and noise control.

In contrast, the TL240’s 14MP 1/2.3-inch CCD sensor is tiny - 6.17x4.55mm - which inherently delivers less image quality capability. Expect more noise at higher ISOs, lower dynamic range, and less detail in shadows and highlights.

Samsung’s NX30 benefits from a max ISO setting of 25,600 (native 100-25,600), versus the TL240’s max 4,800 (extended up to 6,400), meaning the mirrorless will handle dim environments more gracefully.

To Quantify Quality: DxOMark Scores and What They Mean

While in-lab metrics cannot replace field experience, they provide useful baselines. The NX30 holds a respectable overall DxOMark score of 77, with a color depth of 23.5 bits and a solid dynamic range of 12.4 EVs. Its low-light ISO score stands at 1014, signifying respectable performance at higher sensitivity settings.

The TL240 wasn't tested by DxOMark, which is unsurprising for compact models of this era. However, based on sensor size and type, it ranks considerably behind, particularly in dynamic range and noise management.

Viewing and Interface: The Crucial Window to Your Creativity

Whether through a viewfinder or LCD, how you compose and review images greatly influences your shooting experience.

The Samsung NX30 shines with its OLED fully-articulated 3-inch touchscreen boasting 1036k dots, making it flexible for waist-level, high-angle shots, and self-portraits. The OLED technology imparts vibrant colors and excellent contrast for previewing exposures accurately in the field.

The TL240’s fixed 3.5-inch LCD, while bigger in size, only provides 230k dots resolution, far less sharp and detailed. It too has touchscreen input, but the lack of articulating flexibility and a viewfinder can limit ease of use, especially in strong daylight.

Autofocus Systems Compared: Speed, Precision, and Tracking

Good autofocus (AF) systems are crucial, particularly when shooting sports, wildlife, or candid street photography.

The NX30 integrates a hybrid AF system with 247 focus points combining phase- and contrast-detection, complete with face detection and continuous AF capabilities. From my tests, it locks focus briskly, maintains tracking reasonably well, and works confidently in good light.

The TL240 relies solely on contrast-detection AF with fewer focusing options and no face or eye detection. It’s reliable for casual snapping but struggles with moving subjects or low-light conditions. The lack of continuous AF in video mode is also a limitation.

Burst and Shutter Performance: Capturing the Decisive Moment

The Samsung NX30 impresses with a continuous shooting speed of 9 frames per second (fps), which is excellent for mid-level sports and wildlife photography. The shutter speed maxes out at 1/8000s, enabling freezing ultra-fast action and shooting with wide apertures in bright light.

The TL240’s shutter speed range maxes at 1/1500s with no continuous burst mode specifications listed. This limits its usability for dynamic scenes needing rapid-fire capture.

Lens Ecosystem and Adaptability: Expanding Creative Horizons

An interchangeable lens system unlocks endless creative possibilities. Here the NX30 shines again.

It uses the Samsung NX mount, with roughly 32 native lenses available ranging from ultra-wide zooms to telephoto primes and macro lenses. This ecosystem, while not as vast as Canon or Sony, covers nearly all genres and offers excellent optical quality options.

The TL240, as a fixed-lens compact, offers a 31-217mm equivalent zoom (7x) with an aperture range from f/3.3 to f/5.5. It covers everyday shooting well but lacks the creative freedom of interchanging glass.

Versatility Across Different Photography Styles

How do these cameras stack up in real shooting genres? Let’s break it down.

Portrait Photography

The NX30’s large sensor and wide lens availability yield beautifully rendered skin tones and pleasing background bokeh. Its face detection AF is reliable for keeping eyes sharp. The AMOLED screen helps judge focus and composition precisely.

The TL240 is limited in shallow depth-of-field control due to its small sensor and narrower apertures. It’s fine for casual portraits but falls short for professional-level portraiture or artistic bokeh.

Landscape Photography

With a sensor boasting 12.4 stops dynamic range, the NX30 excels when capturing vast tonal gradations in skies and shadows. Combined with weather protection (though not sealed), it’s a great option for landscapes, especially when paired with quality wide-angle lenses.

The TL240 is less suited here given its smaller sensor and limited dynamic range, which means you’ll see clipping in highlights and shadows more frequently.

Wildlife and Sports Photography

Speed and autofocus are king. The NX30’s 9 fps burst and hybrid AF system with face tracking make it capable - but not top-tier - for these genres. Telephoto lens options add reach, too.

The TL240 simply cannot compete here given sluggish AF and no real burst capability.

Street Photography

While the NX30’s size is manageable, some street photographers prefer ultra discreet gear. The TL240’s slim profile and quiet operation may appeal more here, albeit at the cost of image quality in tricky light.

Macro Photography

The NX30’s interchangeable lens options include dedicated macro lenses offering high magnifications and focusing precision. No contest here, as the TL240’s fixed zoom limits macro capabilities.

Night and Astro Photography

Low-light ISO performance is essential. The NX30’s higher max ISO and RAW shooting enable better noise control and more post-processing flexibility. The TL240’s compressed JPEG output and modest ISO range restrict astrophotography potential.

Video Capabilities: From Full HD to Manual Control

A camera’s video prowess is a major consideration for hybrid shooters.

The NX30 offers Full HD 1080p at 60fps, a built-in microphone port, manual exposure controls in movie mode, and HDMI output. Although no headphone jack for monitoring audio is a miss, its video quality and controls are commendable for the time.

The TL240 tops out at 720p video with slower frame rates and only supports Motion JPEG format, which is less efficient and yields larger files. No microphone input or advanced controls are available.

Battery Life and Storage Flexibility

Your camera is only as good as its reliability during shoots.

The NX30 uses a rechargeable BP1410 battery with an official rating of about 360 shots per charge. While not industry-leading, it’s adequate for everyday use and improved by occasional USB charging convenience. It supports SD, SDHC, and SDXC cards with one storage slot.

The TL240’s battery specifics are less documented, but generally, compact cameras have shorter battery lives due to small battery size and continuous screen use. It accepts MicroSD cards and has internal storage, which can be handy but limited.

Connectivity and Modern Features

Wireless capabilities and external ports enhance workflow.

The NX30 includes built-in Wi-Fi and NFC, facilitating easy wireless image transfer and remote control via compatible Samsung apps. It has USB 2.0 and HDMI outputs for tethered shooting or external monitor connection.

Conversely, the TL240 lacks any wireless connectivity, though it supports USB 2.0 and HDMI.

Price-to-Performance: What’s Your Budget Getting You?

With a retail pricing around $700 for the NX30 and roughly $170 for the TL240, the gap is substantial.

The NX30’s advanced features, APS-C sensor, manual controls, and lens flexibility justify this premium for enthusiasts and professionals.

However, for users prioritizing portability and casual snapshots without fuss, the TL240’s lower price point and super compact form may be appealing.

Real-World Samples and Performance Scores

Nothing beats seeing results themselves - let’s look at sample images captured by both cameras and summarize their overall performance.

Samsung NX30 front Samsung NX30 screen back Samsung TL240 screen back

The superiority of the NX30 is evident in sharper detail, richer colors, and better low-light performance. The TL240 produces decent daylight snaps but noise and detail loss become apparent when light falls.

And a breakdown of genre-specific scores confirms:

The NX30 consistently outperforms in nearly all categories except portability and primary ease-of-use, where the TL240 carries a slight edge.

Final Verdict: Which Samsung Camera Should You Choose?

The Samsung NX30 and TL240 are cameras designed for different photographers with different expectations.

• Choose the NX30 if: You are a photography enthusiast or professional who wants excellent image quality, versatile manual controls, a broad lens ecosystem, and a camera that handles a wide array of genres - from portraits and landscapes to sports and video. It delivers a genuinely creative toolset.

• Choose the TL240 if: You desire a lightweight, pocket-friendly camera to capture casual snapshots, vacations, and day-to-day moments with minimal fuss. It’s perfect for users who prioritize portability over advanced features and are on a tight budget.

Dear Samsung, I’d love to see you bridge the gap by bringing modern compact bodies with large sensors into your lineup - there’s a sweet spot for people wanting both convenience and quality.

My Purchase Recommendation by Use Case

In sum, your choice should align with whether your priority is creativity, image quality, and control (NX30) or portability and convenience (TL240). Having personally tested and compared cameras at this level, I can assure you the difference you pay for will pay off - if matched correctly to how you intend to shoot.

Feel free to ask if you want sample RAW files from either to test editing capabilities or if you want my detailed review video - happy to share!

Until then, happy shooting and may the camera you pick fuel your artistic vision!