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Samsung NX30 vs Sony a3500

Portability
75
Imaging
63
Features
85
Overall
71
Samsung NX30 front
 
Sony Alpha a3500 front
Portability
69
Imaging
63
Features
54
Overall
59

Samsung NX30 vs Sony a3500 Key Specs

Samsung NX30
(Full Review)
  • 20MP - APS-C Sensor
  • 3" Fully Articulated Screen
  • ISO 100 - 25600
  • 1/8000s Maximum Shutter
  • 1920 x 1080 video
  • Samsung NX Mount
  • 375g - 127 x 96 x 58mm
  • Released January 2014
  • Succeeded the Samsung NX20
Sony a3500
(Full Review)
  • 20MP - APS-C Sensor
  • 3" Fixed Display
  • ISO 100 - 16000
  • 1920 x 1080 video
  • Sony E Mount
  • 411g - 128 x 91 x 85mm
  • Announced March 2014
  • Succeeded the Sony A3000
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Samsung NX30 vs Sony a3500 Overview

In this article, we are comparing the Samsung NX30 versus Sony a3500, one is a Advanced Mirrorless and the other is a Entry-Level Mirrorless by brands Samsung and Sony. The resolution of the NX30 (20MP) and the a3500 (20MP) is fairly comparable and they enjoy the same exact sensor measurements (APS-C).

Photography Glossary

The NX30 was introduced 2 months earlier than the a3500 and they are of a similar generation. The two cameras offer the identical body type (SLR-style mirrorless).

Before going straight into a comprehensive comparison, below is a quick synopsis of how the NX30 matches up against the a3500 in terms of portability, imaging, features and an overall score.

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Reasons to pick Samsung NX30 over the Sony a3500

 NX30 a3500 
Display typeFully ArticulatedFixed Fully Articulating display
Display resolution1036k230kClearer display (+806k dot)
Selfie screen Easy selfies
Touch friendly display Easily navigate

Reasons to pick Sony a3500 over the Samsung NX30

 a3500 NX30 

Common features in the Samsung NX30 and Sony a3500

 NX30 a3500 
AnnouncedJanuary 2014March 2014Same generation
Manually focus More exact focus
Display sizing3"3"Equivalent display measurements

Samsung NX30 vs Sony a3500 Physical Comparison

When you are aiming to carry around your camera often, you will need to take into account its weight and size. The Samsung NX30 comes with exterior dimensions of 127mm x 96mm x 58mm (5.0" x 3.8" x 2.3") along with a weight of 375 grams (0.83 lbs) and the Sony a3500 has specifications of 128mm x 91mm x 85mm (5.0" x 3.6" x 3.3") accompanied by a weight of 411 grams (0.91 lbs).

Compare the Samsung NX30 versus Sony a3500 in the new Camera and Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Don't forget, the weight of an Interchangeable Lens Camera will differ based on the lens you are using at that time. Following is the front view dimensions comparison of the NX30 compared to the a3500.

Samsung NX30 vs Sony a3500 size comparison

Using dimensions and weight, the portability score of the NX30 and a3500 is 75 and 69 respectively.

Samsung NX30 vs Sony a3500 top view buttons comparison

Samsung NX30 vs Sony a3500 Sensor Comparison

More often than not, it is very tough to visualise the difference in sensor sizes merely by going through specs. The picture below will help provide you a far better sense of the sensor dimensions in the NX30 and a3500.

As you can plainly see, the 2 cameras offer the same exact sensor sizing and the same megapixels and you should expect comparable quality of photographs but you should always factor the production date of the cameras into account.

Samsung NX30 vs Sony a3500 sensor size comparison

Samsung NX30 vs Sony a3500 Screen and ViewFinder

Samsung NX30 vs Sony a3500 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Samsung NX30 as a Portrait photography camera
Sony a3500 as a Portrait photography camera
77
you can focus manually
good resolution (20 megapixels)
sensor size is decent (APS-C)
includes face detection focusing
saves RAW formats
77
you can focus manually
sensor resolution is decent (20 megapixels)
decent sensor size (APS-C)
provides face detection focus
exports RAW formats
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Street Comparison

Street photography with Samsung NX30
Street photography with Sony a3500
75
fully articulated screen
sensor size is decent (APS-C)
saves RAW formats
provides touch to focus
great ISO range (25,600)
lack of image stabilization
57
decent sensor size (APS-C)
exports RAW formats
screen is fixed
no image stabilization
heavier than competition in class (411 grams)
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Sports Comparison

Samsung NX30 Sports photography details
Sony a3500 Sports photography details
73
max shutter speed is good (1/8,000s)
good resolution (20MP)
sensor size is decent (APS-C)
includes tracking autofocus
comes with phase detect AF
lack of image stabilization
60
sensor resolution is decent (20MP)
decent sensor size (APS-C)
provides tracking autofocus
better than average battery power (470 per charge)
slow continuous shooting (4.0 frames/s)
no image stabilization
doesn't have phase detect auto focus
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Travel Comparison

Samsung NX30 Travel photography features
Sony a3500 Travel photography features
74
provides touch to focus
good resolution (20MP)
has built in flash
screen is selfie friendly
no Time Lapse function
60
better than average battery power (470 CIPA)
sensor resolution is decent (20 megapixels)
flash built-in
lack of Time Lapse function
heavier than competition in class (411g)
doesn't posses selfie friendly screen
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Landscape Comparison

Samsung NX30 Landscape photography highlights
Sony a3500 Landscape photography highlights
71
you can focus manually
switch lenses (Samsung NX mount)
screen size is good (3")
good resolution (20MP)
sensor size is decent (APS-C)
great ISO range (25,600)
saves RAW formats
lack of image stabilization
no Time Lapse function
70
you can focus manually
swap lenses (Sony E mount)
decent sized screen (3 inch)
sensor resolution is decent (20MP)
decent sensor size (APS-C)
exports RAW formats
better than average battery power (470 per charge)
no image stabilization
lack of Time Lapse function
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Vlogging Comparison

Vlogging with Samsung NX30
Vlogging with Sony a3500
75
screen is selfie friendly
touchscreen functionality
includes face detection focusing
high quality video (1920 x 1080 pxls)
does have external mic support
lack of image stabilization
26
provides face detection focus
video res high (1920 x 1080 resolution)
doesn't posses selfie friendly screen
no image stabilization
lack of external mic support
heavier than competition in class (411g)
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Samsung NX30 vs Sony a3500 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Samsung NX30 and Sony a3500
 Samsung NX30Sony Alpha a3500
General Information
Company Samsung Sony
Model type Samsung NX30 Sony Alpha a3500
Type Advanced Mirrorless Entry-Level Mirrorless
Released 2014-01-03 2014-03-21
Physical type SLR-style mirrorless SLR-style mirrorless
Sensor Information
Powered by DRIMeIV BIONZ image
Sensor type CMOS CMOS
Sensor size APS-C APS-C
Sensor dimensions 23.5 x 15.7mm 23.5 x 15.6mm
Sensor surface area 369.0mm² 366.6mm²
Sensor resolution 20 megapixel 20 megapixel
Anti alias filter
Aspect ratio 1:1, 3:2 and 16:9 3:2 and 16:9
Maximum resolution 5472 x 3648 5456 x 3632
Maximum native ISO 25600 16000
Min native ISO 100 100
RAW files
Autofocusing
Manual focusing
AF touch
Continuous AF
AF single
AF tracking
AF selectice
Center weighted AF
AF multi area
Live view AF
Face detection focusing
Contract detection focusing
Phase detection focusing
Total focus points 247 25
Lens
Lens mount type Samsung NX Sony E
Number of lenses 32 121
Focal length multiplier 1.5 1.5
Screen
Type of screen Fully Articulated Fixed Type
Screen diagonal 3 inches 3 inches
Screen resolution 1,036k dots 230k dots
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch screen
Screen technology AMOLED TFT LCD
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder type Electronic Electronic
Viewfinder resolution 2,359k dots -
Viewfinder coverage 100 percent 100 percent
Viewfinder magnification 0.66x 0.47x
Features
Lowest shutter speed 30s 30s
Highest shutter speed 1/8000s 1/4000s
Continuous shooting rate 9.0 frames per second 4.0 frames per second
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Expose Manually
Exposure compensation Yes Yes
Set WB
Image stabilization
Integrated flash
Flash distance - 6.00 m (at ISO200 / 4m at ISO100)
Flash options - Flash off, Auto flash, Fill-flash, Slow Sync., Rear Sync.
Hot shoe
Auto exposure bracketing
White balance bracketing
Highest flash synchronize - 1/160s
Exposure
Multisegment exposure
Average exposure
Spot exposure
Partial exposure
AF area exposure
Center weighted exposure
Video features
Supported video resolutions 1920 x 1080 (60p), 1280 x 720, 640 x 480, 320 x 240 1920 x 1080
Maximum video resolution 1920x1080 1920x1080
Video file format MPEG-4, H.264 AVCHD, H.264
Mic support
Headphone support
Connectivity
Wireless Built-In None
Bluetooth
NFC
HDMI
USB USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec) USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec)
GPS None None
Physical
Environmental sealing
Water proofing
Dust proofing
Shock proofing
Crush proofing
Freeze proofing
Weight 375 grams (0.83 lb) 411 grams (0.91 lb)
Dimensions 127 x 96 x 58mm (5.0" x 3.8" x 2.3") 128 x 91 x 85mm (5.0" x 3.6" x 3.3")
DXO scores
DXO All around rating 77 not tested
DXO Color Depth rating 23.5 not tested
DXO Dynamic range rating 12.4 not tested
DXO Low light rating 1014 not tested
Other
Battery life 360 photographs 470 photographs
Battery style Battery Pack Battery Pack
Battery ID BP1410 NP-FW50
Self timer Yes (2 - 30 secs) Yes (2-sec. or 10-sec. delay)
Time lapse recording
Storage type SD, SDHC, SDXC -
Card slots One One
Launch cost $699 $398