Samsung NX300 vs Nikon S2

Cameras
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Samsung NX300 vs Nikon S2

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APS-C 369.0mm²
20.3 megapixels
ISO 100 - 25,600

Go in depth with our full Samsung NX300 Review.
See real-world photos taken with the NX300.

1 inch 115.3mm²
14.2 megapixels
ISO 200 - 12,800

Go in depth with our full Nikon S2 Review.

Succeeded by the Samsung NX500
Compare NX300 vs NX500
Compare Samsung NX500 vs Nikon S2

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Differences

Samsung NX300 advantages over Nikon S2

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 2.85 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
NFC
Yes vs No
Simplifies pairing your camera with supported phones
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
Higher-res screen
384k vs 154k pixels
More detail on the screen lets you judge focus and composition
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 12800 ISO
Higher extended ISO can give more low-light flexibility

Nikon S2 advantages over Samsung NX300

Less expensive
$450 vs $800 (MSRP)
Save money for lenses or accessories
Internal flash
Internal flash vs None
Useful in a pinch for fill flash
Thinner
29 mm vs 40 mm
Thinner
Faster JPEG shooting
60.0 fps vs 8.1 fps
Faster JPEG shooting (burst mode)
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
Built-in GPS
Neither provide
Geotag your photos
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

Samsung NX300

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Buy the Nikon S2

Kit with 11-27.5mm Lens

Kit with 11-27.5mm Lens
Kit with 11-27.5mm and 30-110mm Lenses

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.
Read our Samsung NX300 Review

We haven’t reviewed the Nikon S2.
Read our Nikon S2 Preview

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

Compare Samsung NX300 vs Sony NEX-7

Nikon S2

Sony NEX-7

$399
1 inch

Less expensive
On-sensor phase detect

$1248
APS-C

Lens selection
Focus peaking

Compare Nikon S2 vs Sony NEX-7

Compared to Fujifilm X-E1

Samsung NX300

Fujifilm X-E1

$1200
APS-C

Less expensive
Touchscreen

$899
APS-C

Lens selection
Eye-level viewfinder

Compare Samsung NX300 vs Fujifilm X-E1

Nikon S2

Fujifilm X-E1

$399
1 inch

Less expensive
On-sensor phase detect

$899
APS-C

Lens selection
Focus peaking

Compare Nikon S2 vs Fujifilm X-E1

Compared to Pentax Q7

Samsung NX300

Pentax Q7

$1200
APS-C

Larger sensor
Bigger pixels

$380
1/1.7 inch

Less expensive
In-Camera Image Stabilization

Compare Samsung NX300 vs Pentax Q7

Nikon S2

Pentax Q7

$399
1 inch

Larger sensor
Bigger pixels

$380
1/1.7 inch

Focus peaking
In-Camera Image Stabilization

Compare Nikon S2 vs Pentax Q7

Compared to Fujifilm X-E2

Samsung NX300

Fujifilm X-E2

$1200
APS-C

Less expensive
Touchscreen

$899
APS-C

Lens selection
Eye-level viewfinder

Compare Samsung NX300 vs Fujifilm X-E2

Nikon S2

Fujifilm X-E2

$399
1 inch

Less expensive
Faster JPEG shooting

$899
APS-C

Lens selection
Focus peaking

Compare Nikon S2 vs Fujifilm X-E2

Compared to Pentax Q-S1

Samsung NX300

Pentax Q-S1

$1200
APS-C

Larger sensor
Bigger pixels

$350
1/1.7 inch

Less expensive
In-Camera Image Stabilization

Compare Samsung NX300 vs Pentax Q-S1

Nikon S2

Pentax Q-S1

$399
1 inch

Larger sensor
Bigger pixels

$350
1/1.7 inch

Focus peaking
In-Camera Image Stabilization

Compare Nikon S2 vs Pentax Q-S1

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