Samsung NX30 vs Sony A7R III: A Hands-On Battle of Mirrorless Titans From Two Worlds

When I first laid hands on the Samsung NX30 back in 2014, it immediately struck me as a fun, svelte mirrorless for enthusiasts dabbling beyond their smartphone cameras. Fast forward a few years to 2017, and the Sony A7R III arrives with a professional kick - a full-frame powerhouse commanding a very different level of performance, price, and complexity. So how do these two cameras from very different generations and classes compare under the hood and in the field? And what does this mean for you as a photographer hunting for your next camera?

I answered these questions through careful side-by-side hands-on testing, scrutinizing every detail from sensor performance to build quality, user interface, and genre-specific real-world shooting. If you're considering an upgrade or trying to balance budget with hardcore performance, join me as we unbox the practical truths of the Samsung NX30 and Sony A7R III.

Putting Size and Handling Into Perspective: Ergonomics Matter

First impressions matter, and that’s especially true in a world where cameras are as much tools as extensions of our creative selves. The NX30 and A7R III share an SLR-style mirrorless form factor, but their physical builds tell very different stories.

The NX30 is compact and lightweight - just 375 grams and a small 127 x 96 x 58 mm body profile. Its smaller grip is comfortable for everyday carry and street photography, especially for those who don’t want to lug around a “club for the thumb” all day. Its fully articulated AMOLED touchscreen adds a layer of versatility for selfies and odd angle shooting, a bonus for vloggers and travel shooters.

In contrast, the A7R III tips the scale at nearly double the weight (657 grams) and has a bulkier 127 x 96 x 74 mm build. While it’s significantly bigger, the size helps house a more robust grip and weather sealing, essential for professional photographers who need durability under tough conditions. The A7R III’s tilting screen lacks the full articulation of the Samsung, but the screen quality and high viewfinder resolution make up for it.

The top control layout also reflects these design philosophies:

Sony’s A7R III is clearly targeting the power user with dedicated dials for ISO, exposure compensation, and shooting mode, giving more tactile feedback and quick access to important settings. The NX30 opts for a cleaner, simpler top plate, appropriate for photographers who want less complexity at their fingertips.

Sensor Size and Image Quality: The Heart of the Matter

When it comes to image quality, the sensor is king. Here, the differences between these cameras widen dramatically.

The Samsung NX30 sports a 20 MP APS-C (23.5 x 15.7 mm) CMOS sensor with a 1.5x crop factor, a solid offering for its class in 2014. It includes an anti-aliasing filter and offers reasonable dynamic range (~12.4 EV) and respectable color depth (~23.5 bits) according to DXOmark scores. Its max ISO tops at 25,600, with decent low-light performance capped around ISO 1014 for good clean images.

Meanwhile, the Sony A7R III features a cutting-edge 42 MP full-frame (35.9 x 24 mm) BSI-CMOS sensor with no anti-aliasing filter, yielding razor-sharp, highly detailed images. Sony’s sensor technology delivers an outstanding dynamic range of 14.7 EV and excellent color depth of 26 bits. Low-light sensitivity is best-in-class, with clean images possible even at ISO 3523 and up to ISO 102,400 with boosted modes.

In practical terms, this means the A7R III dramatically outperforms the NX30 in resolution, tonal nuance, and noise handling - especially beneficial if you frequently push your ISO in challenging light.

Viewing and Touch Interfaces: Articulated OLED vs Tilting LCD

Monitoring your shot must be enjoyable and informative, so screen and viewfinder quality matter.

The NX30’s 3-inch fully articulated AMOLED touchscreen feels surprisingly responsive and vibrant. It’s perfect for vlogging (selfie mode!), live view focus adjustments, and composing at awkward angles. The 2359-dot electronic viewfinder covers 100% of the frame but has a modest magnification of 0.66x, which can feel a bit small for precise manual focusing.

The Sony A7R III’s 3-inch tilting LCD offers higher 1,440 ppi resolution and touch controls, although it doesn’t flip fully forward. Its electronic viewfinder is a joy to use - massive 3,686-dot resolution at 0.78x magnification fills your eye nicely, ensuring accurate manual focusing and clear framing even in bright conditions. This makes a tangible difference for critical genres like macro and landscape.

Autofocus Systems: Speed and Precision Under Pressure

The power of a camera’s autofocus system often determines whether shots are keepers, especially in fast-paced photography like wildlife and sports.

The NX30’s 247-point Hybrid AF system is decent for 2014 tech - it combines phase and contrast detection for solid focus locking indoors and outdoors. Eye detection is present but limited and no animal eye AF makes it less ideal for wildlife.

Sony takes autofocus seriously with 425 phase-detection points distributed across nearly 70% of the frame and sophisticated real-time tracking including animal eye AF. I found the A7R III blisteringly fast in locking focus on moving subjects during wildlife and sports shoots, drastically reducing missed shots.

Build Quality and Durability: Will It Stand the Test of Time?

Professional reliability comes down to more than just specs; build quality and weather sealing add peace of mind.

• Samsung NX30: Lacks weather sealing and uses polycarbonate parts, making it lighter but less rugged. It’s best suited for casual or indoor use, or when you can moderate environmental exposure.

• Sony A7R III: Boasts robust weather sealing against moisture and dust, magnesium alloy frame, and long-lasting construction. If you shoot travel, landscape, or professional outdoor events, this camera offers the durability you’ll want.

Lens Ecosystem and Compatibility: More Than Just Glass

A camera's system lens lineup can be a make-or-break factor over time.

Samsung’s NX mount had some nice, sharp lenses during its prime - covering wide to telephoto - but 32 lenses total limits options nowadays as Samsung has exited the camera business. Used lens availability exists but will dwindle.

Sony’s E-mount offers a huge, expanding lens ecosystem with every major manufacturer producing optics ranging from affordable primes to ultra-telephoto beasts. Compatibility with both APS-C and full-frame E-mount lenses also provides maximum versatility.

Battery Life and Storage: Keep Shooting Longer

Battery capacity and storage impact whether you’ll miss that critical frame near the end of a shoot.

• Samsung NX30 uses the BP1410 battery rated for around 360 shots - reasonable for casual shooting but you’ll want spares for all-day sessions.

• Sony A7R III uses the NP-FZ100 battery that delivers roughly 650 shots per charge, nearly doubling Samsung’s stamina. Plus, the A7R III’s dual SD card slots (including UHS-II support on one) offer better redundancy and storage flexibility for pros.

Connectivity and Extras: Wireless and Video Features

Connectivity influences workflow and content creation with smartphones and smart devices.

Samsung’s built-in Wi-Fi and NFC allow one-tap connection to smartphones - handy but basic. Video capabilities top out at 1080p, keeping it out of the professional video league.

Sony’s wireless suite is more modern and stable with Bluetooth, alongside Wi-Fi and NFC. The 4K video quality combined with microphone and headphone ports make the A7R III a solid hybrid photo-video option. If filmmaking matters, Sony is the obvious winner.

Real-World Photography Performance Across Genres

Let me break down how these two cameras perform in the kinds of photography you’re likely targeting.

Portrait Photography

• Samsung NX30: Decent 20 MP resolution renders pleasing skin tones; the moderately fast AF does face detection well. AMOLED screen allows easy framing and adjustments. Limited bokeh control because of smaller sensor and fewer native fast lenses.

• Sony A7R III: 42 MP sensor captures ultimate detail and dynamic range nuances in skin tone. The eye and face AF are game changers - sharp focus on eyes almost every time. Full-frame sensor and large-aperture lenses create creamy bokeh and separation.

Landscape Photography

• NX30’s APS-C sensor offers respectable dynamic range and resolution, but falls short in shadow recovery versus Sony.

• Sony’s full-frame sensor with 14.7 EV dynamic range captures breathtaking landscapes with superb detail retention in highlights and shadows. Weather sealing and durability add confidence outdoors.

Wildlife and Sports Photography

• NX30’s AF and 9 fps continuous shooting allow casual action shooting but can’t keep up with fast or erratic subjects well.

• A7R III’s 10 fps, superior autofocus tracking, and animal eye detection bring professional-grade wildlife and sports shooting performance.

Samsung NX30 front Samsung NX30 screen back Sony A7R III front Sony A7R III screen back

The Sony sample reveals richer details, cleaner backgrounds, and better subject isolation compared to the Samsung shot.

Street Photography

• NX30 wins for portability and discreet shooting thanks to compact size and quiet operation.

• Sony is bulkier, but superior low-light performance and autofocus make up for it when image quality is a priority.

Macro Photography

• Neither camera is dedicated macro-centric, but Sony’s higher resolution and better manual focus assist, combined with stabilization, deliver superior results.

Night and Astrophotography

• The A7R III’s clean high ISO and climate sealing make it ideal for astrophotography and night landscapes.

• NX30 struggles with noise above ISO 1000, limiting its low-light usability.

Video Capabilities

• Samsung tops out at 1080p 60p with simple controls and microphone input but no headphone jack.

• Sony’s 4K video, advanced codecs, stabilization, and full headphone + mic ports provide a professional toolkit for filmmakers.

Travel Photography

• NX30 shines with its compact size, lightweight body, and articulating screen ideal for selfies and on-the-go shooting.

• Sony’s weather sealing, dual card slots, and hybrid prowess justify the extra weight and bulk for serious travelers seeking image quality and versatility.

Professional Workflows

• NX30’s 20 MP RAW files are good but relatively small; limited tethering and slower USB 2.0 transfer constrain studio work efficiency.

• Sony offers robust RAW formats, faster USB 3.1 data transfer, and robust tethering/software support for professional workflows.

Performance Ratings at a Glance

A comparative scorecard based on our technical tests and real-world use:

Genre-Specific Breakdown

Here’s how each camera scores by photography type on a 10-point scale:

The Bottom Line - Who Should Buy Which?

Why Pick the Samsung NX30?

• You’re a photography enthusiast or beginner on a budget.
• Small size and articulated AMOLED screen appeal to casual shooters and vloggers.
• You don’t need bleeding-edge image quality or professional durability.
• Great for street, casual portraits, and general-purpose photography with a friendly price (~$700 used or bargain).

Why Invest in the Sony A7R III?

• You demand top-tier image quality, color fidelity, and dynamic range.
• You shoot professionally or want a future-proof system with vast lens choices.
• Low-light, action, wildlife, and video capabilities are essential.
• You need rugged build, weather sealing, and dual card slots.
• You’re willing to pay a premium ($2,800+ new) for flagship performance.

Final Thoughts: A Tale of Two Cameras, Two Worlds

The Samsung NX30 and Sony A7R III address very different photographers and use cases. Samsung’s NX30 is a joyous, affordable entry into mirrorless photography, perfect for hobbyists and casual shooters who value portability and a touchscreen that doesn’t quit. Sony’s A7R III stands as a professional’s dream camera, delivering superior image quality, autofocus speed, and durability that can support demanding workflows and creative ambitions.

If you want a simple camera that’s fun to use and fits your budget, Samsung’s NX30 is still a worthy option in 2024’s world of smartphones and budget cameras. However, if photographic excellence, serious video, and future-proofing matter most, the Sony A7R III remains a benchmark even years after release.

Remember, the best camera is always the one that fits you, your style, and your wallet. Choose wisely!

This review is based on extensive hands-on testing, side-by-side comparisons, and real-world shooting scenarios to ensure you get honest and practical insights for your next camera purchase.