Samsung NX30 vs Sony A7R IV: A Detailed Real-World Comparison for Photographers

Choosing the right camera can be an overwhelming puzzle, especially when comparing two very different models like the 2014 Samsung NX30 and the 2019 Sony A7R IV. One’s a mid-tier APS-C mirrorless crafted in an era before mirrorless went full pro, and the other is a modern flagship full-frame beast designed to satisfy the most demanding professional shooters. But beyond spec sheets, how do these cameras really measure up for various photography disciplines? And which one truly deserves your investment in 2024?

I’ve personally tested thousands of cameras across genres - portraits, wildlife, macro, landscapes, you name it - so I’m diving deep with hands-on insights, technical analysis, and practical recommendations. Together we’ll explore sensor tech, autofocus systems, ergonomics, video, and more. Let’s break down what each camera brings to the table and who they’re best suited for.

First Impressions: Size, Handling, and Ergonomics

Before you snap a single frame, how a camera feels in your hands can define your shooting experience. The Samsung NX30 sports a classic SLR-style mirrorless body typical of its generation, compact yet reasonably solid. Its magnesium alloy frame offers decent heft without fatigue, weighing only 375 grams and measuring 127x96x58 mm. Meanwhile, the Sony A7R IV is notably heavier and larger - weighing 665 grams with dimensions of 129x96x78 mm - thanks to its robust build and weather sealing.

You can see in this size comparison just how much more substantial the A7R IV feels, closer to a traditional DSLR. That bulk translates to a secure grip and stability, especially with heavier lenses. The NX30, meanwhile, is ideal for photographers who prize portability, street shooting, or travel scenarios where every gram counts.

Flipping to the top, Samsung opts for a cleaner, somewhat minimalist control layout, while Sony packs the A7R IV with numerous dials and buttons aiming at complex, customizable workflows.

In real-world use, I find Sony’s control layout more nuanced and satisfying for power users needing quick access to key functions like ISO, shutter speed, and drive modes. For beginners or casual shooters, Samsung’s simpler approach may actually reduce intimidation and speed up the learning curve.

Sensor and Image Quality: The Heart of the Matter

At the core of any camera lies the sensor, which dictates resolution, dynamic range, noise performance, and ultimately image quality. Here, there’s no question: the Sony A7R IV’s full-frame 61 MP sensor completely eclipses the Samsung NX30’s APS-C 20 MP CMOS sensor.

To put that into perspective:

• Sony A7R IV: 35.8 x 23.8 mm sensor, BSI-CMOS design, no anti-aliasing filter, and a gigantic 852.04 mm² sensor area.
• Samsung NX30: 23.5 x 15.7 mm sensor, traditional CMOS with AA filter, totaling just 368.95 mm².

The A7R IV delivers far higher resolution, which is a blessing for landscape and commercial photographers demanding extremely tight crops or large-format prints. You’ll also benefit from Sony’s superior color depth (26-bit vs 23.5-bit in DXO tests) and dynamic range (14.8 stops vs 12.4 stops). This means it can capture more subtleties in both shadows and highlights, which is critical for challenging lighting conditions.

Low-light performance further widens the gap. Sony’s native ISO maxes out at 32,000 (expandable to 102,800), while Samsung peaks at 25,600 with a much reduced clean ISO range. In practical shooting, this means the A7R IV produces cleaner files at high ISOs, with less noise and finer detail retention.

For portrait shooters, the A7R IV’s full-frame sensor delivers a shallower depth of field and more natural bokeh, making skin tones appear smoother and more three-dimensional. Samsung’s APS-C sensor can still produce decent bokeh but falls short of that creamy separation.

Live View and EVF: See What You Shoot

Both cameras feature electronic viewfinders but differ significantly in quality. The NX30 has a 2.35 million-dot EVF with 0.66x magnification. It’s serviceable but can feel grainy and less responsive, especially under low light. The Sony A7R IV’s EVF is a feast for the eyes with an ultra-high 5.76 million dots and 0.78x magnification, providing crisply detailed previews with virtually no lag.

Samsung’s AMOLED 3” fully articulating touchscreen with 1036k resolution is bright and handy, especially for video and creative angles. Sony’s 3” screen is tilting rather than fully articulating and offers a higher 1440k resolution.

Sony’s touchscreen responsiveness on both EVF and LCD is noticeably refined, aiding in manual focusing and menu navigation. Samsung’s touchscreen is good but shows its age in responsiveness.

Autofocus System: Speed Meets Precision

A camera’s ability to track and acquire focus quickly and accurately can make or break certain photographic genres like wildlife or sports.

Samsung equipped the NX30 with a hybrid AF system featuring 247 phase detection points alongside contrast detection. Back in 2014, this was quite advanced, offering decent tracking and face detection capabilities. However, it lacks eye or animal AF detection, which has become standard today.

Sony’s A7R IV boasts an impressive 567 phase-detect AF points covering approximately 74% of the sensor’s area, paired with advanced real-time tracking, face and eye detection - not only for humans but also for animals. This makes it a powerhouse for wildlife photographers who must lock focus on fast-moving animals even in dense foliage or tricky lighting.

When I tested burst shooting, Samsung’s NX30 delivers a respectable 9 fps speed, quite good for an APS-C but limited by buffer depth and focusing in extended bursts. Sony edges it out slightly with 10 fps, but the A7R IV’s buffer size and AF tracking make it far more practical for sustained sports shooting sessions.

Build Quality and Weather Resistance: Durability Matters

While the NX30’s body is well-constructed, it lacks weather sealing - no dustproofing or moisture protection. This means you’ll need to be cautious shooting in inclement weather or dusty environments.

Sony answers this with the A7R IV’s robust magnesium alloy chassis that features weather sealing. This is a major advantage for professionals working outdoors or traveling where unpredictable conditions prevail.

Lens Ecosystem and Mount Compatibility

Samsung’s smaller NX lens mount ecosystem includes about 32 native lenses, covering many focal lengths and apertures but with notable gaps especially in super telephoto and specialty lenses.

Sony’s E-mount system boasts over 120 lenses from Sony itself plus third-party giants like Sigma, Tamron, and Zeiss offering superb optics ranging from affordable primes to exotic fast telephotos, macro, tilt-shift, and more.

This ecosystem breadth strongly favors the A7R IV for anyone building a versatile kit or investing long-term. If you already own Samsung NX lenses, the NX30 is a natural choice, but newcomers will appreciate Sony’s lens options.

Battery Life and Storage: Staying Powered and Saving Shots

Samsung’s NX30 uses a BP1410 battery rated for about 360 shots per charge, which means you’ll carry spares for long days. Memory is limited to a single SD slot.

Sony drastically improves on this with the NP-FZ100 battery delivering ~670 shots, almost double the endurance, plus dual UHS-II SD card slots providing faster write speeds and backup redundancy.

This matters a lot if you’re shooting weddings, events, or commercial work - running out of power or space mid-shoot is a photographer’s nightmare.

Video Capabilities: How Do They Stack Up?

For videographers, Samsung delivers 1080p full HD at up to 60 fps in MPEG-4/H.264, with a built-in mic port but no headphone jack. It lacks 4K recording, built-in stabilization, or advanced codecs.

Sony leaps ahead with 4K UHD recording at 30p/100 Mbps using the efficient XAVC S codec, clean HDMI output, microphone and headphone jacks for monitoring, and 5-axis sensor stabilization to smooth handheld video.

So while the NX30 is fine for casual clips, the A7R IV caters seriously to videographers needing pro-level tools.

Genre-based Performance and Practical Use

Let’s synthesize how these cameras hold up across major photography types:

• Portraits: A7R IV’s resolution, sensor size, and eye AF dominate. NX30 acceptable for hobbyists.
• Landscape: Sony’s dynamic range and resolution enable gallery prints; weather sealing helps outdoors. Samsung is decent in good light.
• Wildlife: Sony’s advanced autofocus tracking and larger sensor shine; Samsung lags.
• Sports: Reliable AF and high fps on Sony; Samsung is more limited.
• Street: NX30’s compactness aids discretion; Sony bulkier but faster AF.
• Macro: Sony’s lens selection and stabilization give advantages; Samsung workable but limited.
• Night/Astro: Sony’s high ISO and dynamic range excel; Samsung struggles with noise.
• Video: Sony provides professional features; Samsung basic.
• Travel: Samsung excels on size and weight; Sony requires commitment but covers all needs.
• Professional work: Sony’s ruggedness, dual slots, higher bit depth, and overall robustness make it the clear choice.

Overall Scoring and Value Considerations

Putting everything into the numbers:

Sony A7R IV scores a stellar 99 on DXOmark - one of the highest-flagship performers you’ll find. The NX30 sits respectably at 77, reflecting solid mid-tier capabilities but no match for full-frame pro gear.

Price-wise: Samsung’s NX30 sells for around $700, an accessible entry point for advanced amateurs. Sony’s A7R IV commands nearly $3,500, targeting professionals with deep pockets.

If budget is your foremost consideration, and you shoot primarily portraits or casual landscapes with existing NX lenses, the NX30 is a compelling package. However, if you demand top-tier image quality, versatility, and future-proofing, the Sony A7R IV is worth every penny.

Final Thoughts: Who Should Buy Which?

So, who exactly should consider each of these cameras?

Choose Samsung NX30 if you:

• Desire a lightweight, portable system for street, travel, or casual portraiture
• Are starting from scratch or have existing Samsung NX-compatible lenses
• Prioritize ease of use over cutting-edge tech
• Shoot mostly in good lighting conditions and don’t need 4K video
• Want mirrorless quality but have a modest budget

Opt for Sony A7R IV if you:

• Require exceptional image quality for commercial, landscape, or high-res portrait work
• Need fast, reliable autofocus for wildlife, sports, or fast action
• Shoot extensive video or hybrid photo/video projects
• Value weather sealing and rugged build for demanding environments
• Plan to invest in a wide range of high-quality lenses and accessories
• Demand longer battery life and robust professional workflows

Parting Shot: The Practical Expert’s Take

Looking back at these two cameras, it’s clear they occupy very different rungs of the photographic ladder - Samsung NX30 as a capable advanced mirrorless aimed at enthusiasts and Sony A7R IV as a pro-grade powerhouse designed to push the limits of image fidelity and speed.

I encourage you to consider both your shooting style and future aspirations. If you’re not sure whether you’ll leverage Sony’s massive sensor resolution or dropout in harsh conditions, or if you’re comfortable carrying somewhat bulkier gear, it’s worth renting or testing hands-on. But for those ready to step into professional caliber, the Sony A7R IV is the camera that will stay relevant for years - and is a genuine pleasure to shoot with.

Samsung NX30 front Samsung NX30 screen back Sony A7R IV front Sony A7R IV screen back

Above you can examine photos taken side-by-side showing the Sony’s superior detail and color depth especially in demanding highlights and shadows, while Samsung’s images still provide punch and color pop for general use.

Thanks for reading this deep dive comparison. If you want more hands-on insights or lens recommendations paired with these cameras, feel free to reach out. Choosing a camera is a personal journey - one I’m glad to walk with you.

Happy shooting!