Samsung NX5 vs Samsung SL30: An In-Depth Comparison for Photography Enthusiasts

In the evolving landscape of digital cameras, understanding where a model fits in terms of capability, usability, and value can be tricky. Today, we’re diving deep into the Samsung NX5 and Samsung SL30 - two cameras that represent very different eras and user intentions, yet come from the same brand pedigree. Whether you’re an enthusiast considering a vintage digital collectible or a professional scouting for a budget-friendly backup, this comparison unpacks practical, hands-on insights from extensive testing and technical evaluation.

Setting the Stage: Who Are These Cameras?

First off, it’s crucial to realize these two cameras appeal to distinct segments:

• The Samsung NX5 (2010) is an entry-level mirrorless camera with an APS-C sensor - positioned as a beginner-friendly system for users wanting more creative control than point-and-shoot cameras offer.
• The Samsung SL30 (also called ES15, 2009) is a compact camera with a small, 1/2.3" sensor and a fixed zoom lens - primarily catering to casual photographers who want simplicity and portability.

The significant difference in sensor size and body design underpins much of what separates their performance and photographic capabilities.

Design, Ergonomics, and Controls: Handling Under the Hood

Ergonomics often dictate long-term shooting comfort and speed, especially for demanding disciplines like sports or wildlife photography.

The NX5 adopts an SLR-style mirrorless design, despite lacking a mirror mechanism. Its substantial grip and tactile buttons make it feel like a conventional DSLR you’d expect from brands like Canon or Nikon. The dedicated dials for shutter speed and exposure compensation - paired with manual exposure modes - offer greater creative flexibility. Its 0.57x magnification electronic viewfinder, while not high-res, offers 100% coverage, crucial for precise framing.

The SL30, by contrast, is a typical compact. It weighs just 140 grams and fits easily in pockets, making it highly convenient for casual shooting or travel. However, its control scheme is minimal, lacking any manual exposure settings or customizable buttons - features most enthusiasts will miss.

Conclusions from handling tests:

• The NX5 scores high for ergonomics and intuitive control, allowing faster operation in complex shooting scenarios.
• The SL30 emphasizes size and simplicity but sacrifices operational speed and creative control.

Sensor Technology and Image Quality: The Heart of the Matter

At the core, image quality boils down to sensor technology.

The NX5’s APS-C CMOS sensor (23.4 x 15.6 mm) dwarfs the SL30’s tiny 1/2.3" CCD sensor (6.08 x 4.56 mm). This translates directly into vastly superior performance in multiple key areas:

• Resolution: 15MP vs 10MP, offering more detailed images from the NX5. More megapixels combined with a larger sensor allow better cropping potential and large prints.
• Dynamic Range: While no formal DXO data exists, APS-C sensors generally provide a broader dynamic range than tiny compacts. This means the NX5 better retains highlight and shadow detail, critical for landscapes or high-contrast scenes.
• Low-Light Performance: NX5’s max ISO of 3200 (vs SL30’s max 1600) and larger photodiodes deliver cleaner images with less noise. Testing under dim conditions, the NX5’s images maintain richer color and less luminance noise - even beyond ISO 1600, where the SL30 struggles.
• RAW Support: The NX5 supports RAW files, opening doors for professional post-processing flexibility. The SL30 lacks RAW, limiting creative editing.

Overall, for those prioritizing image quality, the NX5 is head and shoulders above the SL30.

LCD and Viewfinder: Eye on the Scene

Both cameras offer fixed LCD screens with 230k resolution, but their use cases vary.

The NX5 employs a 3-inch Active Matrix OLED screen, yielding bright and vibrant playback with good viewing angles. While not a touchscreen, it supports live view with contrast-detection autofocus directly on the screen, adding compositional flexibility. Plus, the electronic viewfinder (EVF) is indispensable in bright sunlight - where screen glare can otherwise hamper framing.

The SL30 has a smaller 2.5-inch LCD with no EVF, limiting its usability in strong ambient light. The lack of touch capabilities is less impactful here since the camera is as much about point-and-shoot convenience as intricate composition.

From a usability standpoint, the NX5’s display and EVF combo better serve photographers needing accurate framing and focusing, especially outdoors.

Autofocus and Shooting Performance: Speed and Accuracy Tested

Autofocus is a decisive factor depending on your photography genre - be it wildlife or candid street photography. Both cameras rely on contrast-detection AF systems, but with different implementations.

The NX5 offers 15 focusing points with AF modes including single, continuous, and face detection. While it lacks phase-detection AF, contrast AF in this camera benefits from the larger sensor and faster processor (DRIM engine), delivering reasonably quick and accurate focus in daylight. However, it struggles somewhat with moving subjects at low light or rapid action.

The SL30 provides single AF only and fewer focusing areas, with a locked center focus point as default. Face detection is present but rudimentary. Combined with its slow shutter speed range (max 1/1500s), it is less adept for quick, dynamic scenes.

In continuous shooting, the NX5 manages 3fps bursts - a modest but usable rate for basic sports or wildlife sequences. The SL30 doesn’t offer continuous shooting, further limiting its utility for action.

In my tests shooting a walking dog and kids playing, the NX5 consistently outperformed the SL30 in lock-on focus reliability and speed.

Image Stabilization and Flash: Lighting and Stability

Neither the NX5 nor SL30 feature in-body image stabilization, so optical stabilization depends on attached lenses (NX5's lens ecosystem can include IS lenses).

Regarding flash, the NX5 includes a built-in pop-up flash with a 11m range, supporting multiple modes (auto, red-eye reduction, fill-in, manual). It also supports external flashes via hot shoe - important for studio or creative lighting applications.

The SL30’s smaller built-in flash has a 4.6m range and offers useful but more limited flash options, without external flash support.

This flexibility makes the NX5 more versatile for challenging lighting environments or creative studio sessions.

Lens Ecosystem and Accessories: Growth Potential

The NX5 uses Samsung's NX mount and supports 32 native lenses ranging from ultra-wide primes to telephotos, macro, and zooms. This breadth allows photographers to grow their system as needs evolve - important if you want to explore portrait, landscape, macro, or wildlife photography seriously.

The SL30’s fixed lens (38-114mm, f/2.8-5.7) covers moderate telephoto but limits creativity in composition and image style. The high 5.9x crop factor reduces effective focal range and wide-angle capability.

Thus, the NX5 is better suited to enthusiasts who seek a versatile, system-based camera, while the SL30 targets users wanting a step above smartphones but not ready for exchangeable lenses.

Durability and Build Quality: Craftsmanship Matters

Both cameras lack weather sealing, shockproofing, or freezeproof ratings, typical for their market segments and budgets.

The NX5, weighing 499g and measuring 123 x 87 x 40 mm, feels more robust and better built. Its larger size supports better handling with heavier lenses and longer shooting sessions.

Conversely, the SL30, at only 140g and 94 x 61 x 23 mm, prioritizes lightness and compactness, but the plastic body feels less rugged.

Battery Life and Storage: Shooting Duration and File Management

Samsung rates the NX5’s battery life at approximately 400 shots per charge, respectable for a mirrorless camera of its generation. It uses a proprietary BP1130 battery pack.

The SL30 lacks specified battery life numbers, but compact cameras typically fall short of mirrorless cameras due to smaller batteries and power draw by displays.

Both support SD cards, with the SL30 also recognizing MMC cards and having some internal storage. The NX5 supports SD/SDHC, which is standard and reliable.

Video Capabilities: Which Camera Captures Moving Moments Better?

The NX5 can record HD video at 1280x720p30 with H.264 compression. While not Full HD or 4K by today’s standards, this was respectable for 2010 technology. Unfortunately, it lacks microphone and headphone ports, limiting sound control. No in-body stabilization further challenges handheld video smoothness.

The SL30’s video max resolution is 640x480 at 30 fps, recorded in Motion JPEG format. The result is relatively low-resolution, choppy footage better suited to casual use.

Videos captured by the NX5 exhibit better detail, color fidelity, and frame rates. So for occasional video work, the NX5 again comes out ahead.

Real-World Photography Use Cases: Who Should Buy Which?

Let’s look at how each fares within key photographic disciplines:

Portrait Photography

NX5 excels with its larger sensor offering better skin tone rendition, shallower depth of field for pleasing bokeh, and face detection AF that aids in sharp eyes. The SL30’s small sensor and fixed lens produce flatter images and less background separation.

Landscape Photography

The NX5 delivers richer tonal gradations and retains shadow/highlight detail thanks to its APS-C sensor. Interchangeable lenses make ultra-wide or telephoto landscape shots possible. The SL30’s limited lens and sensor constrain its options.

Wildlife Photography

While neither is optimized, the NX5’s faster AF and 3fps burst make it the better tool, especially when paired with telephoto lenses. The SL30’s slower speeds and limited zoom fall short for distant subjects.

Sports Photography

The NX5 edges forward again with shutter priority mode and continuous AF. Limited frame rates may frustrate professionals, but casual sports shooters find it adequate. The SL30 does not support these modes.

Street Photography

Surprisingly, the SL30’s compact size and silent operation suit street shooting. However, limited manual controls and slower shutter speeds hamper creative flexibility. The NX5 is bigger but offers more control for deliberate compositions.

Macro Photography

Only the NX5 supports dedicated macro lenses. The SL30’s closest focus at 5cm is good for casual close-ups but lacks precision.

Night and Astro Photography

The NX5’s higher ISO ceiling and RAW enable astrophotography experimentation. The SL30’s high noise and lack of manual exposure render it impractical.

Video Usage

NX5 outpaces SL30 with HD video, though limited by no stabilization and minimal audio input.

Travel Photography

SL30 impresses with ultra-light compactness, but NX5’s versatility, superior image quality, and battery life benefit serious travelers.

Professional Work Integration

NX5 is the clear choice due to RAW support, system expandability, and manual controls. SL30 is more point-and-shoot without workflow flexibility.

Samsung NX5 screen back Samsung SL30 front Samsung SL30 screen back

Price-to-Performance and Value: Stretching Your Dollar

At launch, the NX5 retailed around $499, placing it in beginner mirrorless territory. The SL30 was far less expensive (approx. $93), an affordable upgrade from point-and-shoots without the complexity of interchangeable lenses.

Today, both are discontinued and primarily found on secondary markets. The NX5 commands respect for offering system camera functionality, while the SL30 remains a niche compact option.

Genre-Specific Performance Breakdown

Our extensive evaluations score the NX5 significantly higher across most photographic genres, except for casual street photography and ultra-portability where the SL30 holds its own.

Final Verdict: Choosing the Camera That Matches Your Passion

Our expert experience testing these two reveals a clear winner for enthusiasts and creatives: the Samsung NX5 stands far ahead in image quality, control, and versatility. Its APS-C sensor, manual modes, and lens ecosystem provide a sturdy foundation for growth in nearly all photography disciplines - even if it lacks some modern bells and whistles.

The Samsung SL30, however, is a light, simple, and budget-friendly companion for users who want a no-fuss camera to capture everyday moments without worrying about settings. It’s fine for snapshots and travel where portability trumps performance.

In short:

• Buy the Samsung NX5 if your goal is image quality, system flexibility, and serious hobbyist or professional use.
• Choose the Samsung SL30 if you prioritize pocket-sized convenience, straightforward operation, and cost savings.

Both cameras embody different philosophies in camera design - a testament to Samsung’s attempt to serve multiple market segments in the late 2000s and early 2010s.

If you have any specific shooting needs or gear preferences, feel free to reach out - I’m happy to advise further based on my hands-on experience with hundreds of cameras over the years.