• APS-C 369.0mm2
  • 20.3 megapixels
  • ISO 100 - 25,600
  • 1 inch 116.2mm2
  • 14.2 megapixels
  • ISO 160 - 6400

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Differences

Samsung NX300 advantages over Nikon AW1

  • Focus peaking
    Peaker vs Non-peaker
    Your camera will highlight what's in focus
  • Larger sensor
    APS-C vs 1 inch
    More sensor area. Bigger is (generally) better.
  • Bigger pixels
    ~ 4.29 vs 2.86 microns
    Better low-light and dynamic range (all else equal)
  • Touchscreen
    Touch vs No touch
    Interact with your camera just like your smartphone
  • Tiltable Screen
    Tiltable vs Fixed
    Tilt the screen for shooting flexbility
  • Built-in Wi-Fi
    Wi-Fi vs None
    Share your photos wirelessly
  • Better color depth
    23.6 vs 20.2 bits
    Capture richer, more accurate colors
  • Higher effective ISO
    942 vs 428 iso
    Take photos in low light with less noise
  • More dynamic range
    12.7 vs 10.9 evs
    Retain detail in highlight and shadows
  • Longer stills battery life
    More info 320 vs 220 shots
    Capture more photos
  • Higher max flash sync
    1/180 vs 1/60 sec
    Reduce the effect of ambient light in flash shots
  • Shoots 24p video
    Yes vs No
    Gives your movies a big-screen feel
  • Hot shoe
    Hot shoe vs None
    Off-camera flashes open new possibilities
  • More pixels
    20.3 vs 14.2 megapixels
    Higher resolution photos
  • Higher extended ISO
    25600 vs 6400 ISO
    Higher extended ISO can give more low-light flexibility

Nikon AW1 advantages over Samsung NX300

  • Waterproof
    Yes vs No
    Take photos underwater without destroying your camera!
  • Built-in GPS
    GPS vs None
    Geotag your photos
  • Internal flash
    Internal flash vs None
    Useful in a pinch for fill flash
  • Slow-motion videos
    Yes vs No
    Shoot slow-motion videos
  • Faster shutter
    1/16000 vs 1/6000 sec
    Shoot wide open in bright light

Similarities

Common Strengths

  • In-camera panoramas
    Both provide
    Stitches multiple shots into a panoramic photo
  • On-sensor phase detect
    Both provide
    Usually improves live view and video AF performance
  • HDMI out
    Both provide
    Use HDMI output to monitor or review video
  • Bulb shutter
    Both provide
    Hold the shutter open manually for long exposures

Common Weaknesses

  • Tilt-swivel screen
    Neither provide
    Tilt and swivel the screen for maximum shooting flexibility
  • Eye-level viewfinder
    Neither provide
    You'll be able to frame photos even when the sun is out
  • In-Camera Image Stabilization
    Neither provide
    Reduces the effects of camera shake at slower shutter speeds
  • Built-in Bluetooth
    Neither provide
    Always-on wireless connectivity
  • Top deck display
    Neither provide
    Check settings with a screen on top of the camera
  • External Mic Jack
    Neither provide
    Improved sound fidelity when shooting video
  • Dual card slots
    Neither provide
    Gives you more storage flexibility
  • Headphone jack
    Neither provide
    Monitor audio recording while you shoot video

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Buy the Samsung NX300

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Buy the Nikon AW1
Kit with 11-27.5mm lens (Black)
  • Kit with 11-27.5mm lens (Black)
  • Kit with 11-27.5mm lens (Silver)

Review Excerpt

  • Stylish "retro modern" design in two color schemes; attractive 3.3-inch AMOLED tilting touchscreen; new APS-C CMOS sensor with on-chip phase detection AF; better image quality, particularly in low light at high ISOs; faster all-around performance; improved Wi-Fi connectivity.

  • Camera feels more plasticky than expected when you pick it up; slower shot-to-speeds compared to rivals; poor buffer depth with raw files; aggressive anti-noise processing destroys detail in high ISO shots; display smudges easily and is rather dim; no EVF support.

  • We haven’t finished our review of the Nikon AW1, but we have extensive sample photos and a hands-on report.

The Competition

Compared to Sony NEX-7

Samsung NX300
Sony NEX-7
  • $1200
  • APS-C
  • Less expensive
  • Touchscreen
  • $1248
  • APS-C
  • Lens selection
  • Eye-level viewfinder
Nikon AW1
Sony NEX-7
  • $797
  • 1 inch
  • Less expensive
  • Waterproof
  • $1248
  • APS-C
  • Lens selection
  • Focus peaking

Compared to Fujifilm X-E1

Samsung NX300
Fujifilm X-E1
  • $1200
  • APS-C
  • Less expensive
  • Touchscreen
  • $899
  • APS-C
  • Lens selection
  • Eye-level viewfinder
Nikon AW1
Fujifilm X-E1
  • $797
  • 1 inch
  • Less expensive
  • Waterproof
  • $899
  • APS-C
  • Lens selection
  • Focus peaking

Compared to Nikon J3

Samsung NX300
Nikon J3
  • $1200
  • APS-C
  • Focus peaking
  • Larger sensor
  • $617
  • 1 inch
  • Less expensive
  • Internal flash
Nikon AW1
Nikon J3
  • $797
  • 1 inch
  • Waterproof
  • In-camera panoramas
  • $617
  • 1 inch
  • Less expensive
  • Wider angle kit lens

Compared to Fujifilm X-E2

Samsung NX300
Fujifilm X-E2
  • $1200
  • APS-C
  • Less expensive
  • Touchscreen
  • $899
  • APS-C
  • Lens selection
  • Eye-level viewfinder
Nikon AW1
Fujifilm X-E2
  • $797
  • 1 inch
  • Less expensive
  • Waterproof
  • $899
  • APS-C
  • Lens selection
  • Focus peaking

Compared to Nikon V3

Samsung NX300
Nikon V3
  • $1200
  • APS-C
  • Less expensive
  • Focus peaking
  • $1197
  • 1 inch
  • Eye-level viewfinder
  • Internal flash
Nikon AW1
Nikon V3
  • $797
  • 1 inch
  • Less expensive
  • Waterproof
  • $1197
  • 1 inch
  • Eye-level viewfinder
  • Touchscreen
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