Sony RX100 II vs Samsung NX30

Cameras
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Sony RX100 II vs Samsung NX30

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1 inch 116.2mm²
20.2 megapixels
28.00mm - 100.00mm (35mm eq.)

Go in depth with our full Sony RX100 II Review.
How does it shoot? Sony RX100 II in the real world.
See real-world photos taken with the RX100 II.
Compare Sony RX100 II image quality against competitors.
What’s the bottom line? Read our Sony RX100 II conclusion.

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

Go in depth with our full Samsung NX30 Review.
How does it shoot? Samsung NX30 in the real world.
See real-world photos taken with the NX30.
Compare Samsung NX30 image quality against competitors.
What’s the bottom line? Read our Samsung NX30 conclusion.

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Differences

Sony RX100 II advantages over Samsung NX30

Less expensive
$750 vs $1000 (MSRP)
Save money for lenses or accessories
In-Camera Image Stabilization
Yes vs No
Reduces the effects of camera shake at slower shutter speeds
Higher max flash sync
1/2000 vs 1/200 sec
Reduce the effect of ambient light in flash shots
Has anti-aliasing filter
Filter vs No Filter
Reduces unsightly moiré in photos

Samsung NX30 advantages over Sony RX100 II

Larger sensor
APS-C vs 1 inch
More sensor area. Bigger is (generally) better.
Tilt-swivel screen
Tilt-swivel vs tilt-only
Tilt and swivel the screen for maximum shooting flexibility
Eye-level viewfinder
Eye-level vs Rear display only
You'll be able to frame photos even when the sun is out
Bigger pixels
~ 4.29 vs 2.41 microns
Better low-light and dynamic range (all else equal)
Touchscreen
Touch vs No touch
Interact with your camera just like your smartphone
Fast startup
~0.80 vs 2.8 sec
Faster startup lets you catch the moment
Higher effective ISO

Higher effective ISO

Maximum effective ISO is an estimate of the highest sensitivity at which a camera can capture excellent quality photos.

Cameras with higher effective ISO will be better choices for indoor photography, night shooting, and indoor sports photography, especially if you intend to make large prints.

You can learn more at our glossary entry.

Maximum effective ISO test data courtesy of DxO Mark.
NX30 test data on DxO Mark RX100 II test data on DxO Mark

1,014 vs 483 iso
Take photos in low light with less noise
On-sensor phase detect
Yes vs No
Usually improves live view and video AF performance
External Mic Jack
Jack vs No jack
Improved sound fidelity when shooting video
Lacks anti-aliasing filter
No Filter vs Filter
Enjoy sharper photos
Bigger JPEG buffer
21 vs 13 shots
Take more JPEG shots before waiting (burst mode)
Faster RAW shooting
8.8 fps vs 4.9 fps
Faster RAW shooting in burst mode
Slow-motion videos
Yes vs No
Shoot slow-motion videos
Faster shutter
1/8000 vs 1/2000 sec
Shoot wide open in bright light

Similarities

Common Strengths

Rear display
Both provide
Review photos on the back of the camera
Focus peaking
Both provide
Your camera will highlight what's in focus
In-camera panoramas
Both provide
Stitches multiple shots into a panoramic photo
RAW file ability
Both provide
Gives you more flexibility to develop your photos later
Built-in Wi-Fi
Both provide
Share your photos wirelessly
NFC
Both provide
Simplifies pairing your camera with supported phones
Internal flash
Both provide
Useful in a pinch for fill flash
Manual focus
Both provide
AF is for the weak. Real photographers focus manually.
HDMI out
Both provide
Use HDMI output to monitor or review video
Hot shoe
Both provide
Off-camera flashes open new possibilities
Bulb shutter
Both provide
Hold the shutter open manually for long exposures

Common Weaknesses

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
Integrated ND filter
Neither provide
Shoot in daylight with a large aperture or slow shutter
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 Sony RX100 II

Sony RX100M II

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Buy the Samsung NX30

Kit with 18-55mm Lens

Review Excerpt

New, 20.2MP, 1-inch type, backside illuminated (BSI) image sensor produces superb image quality, with particular improvements in low light and high ISO; 3-inch tilting rear LCD screen handy for composing shots from difficult angles; Fast all-around performer with quick autofocus and virtually no shutter lag; New, multi-interface hotshoe for adding a strobe or optional electronic viewfinder; Built-in Wi-Fi with NFC.
Bigger and heavier than previous model; More expensive than previous model; Reduced burst performance when shooting RAW files; Somewhat confusing menu structure and control layout; Wi-Fi features can be difficult to set up.
Read our Sony RX100 II Review

Very good image quality at low to moderately high ISOs; Blazing fast single-shot autofocus; Fast 9fps burst with RAW and JPEG files; Built-in Wi-Fi with NFC; Good build quality; Tilting EVF; Articulating touchscreen monitor; Bundled with Adobe Lightroom 5 software; Excellent value.
Dynamic range not as good as the best APS-C models; Slow buffer clearing even with fast UHS-I cards; Buffer depth with RAW files is underwhelming; Native lens selection is still fairly limited.
Read our Samsung NX30 Review

The Competition

Compared to Sony RX100

Sony RX100 II

Sony RX100

$598
1 inch

Tiltable Screen
Built-in Wi-Fi

$1095
1 inch

Less expensive
Faster RAW shooting

Compare Sony RX100 II vs Sony RX100

Samsung NX30

Sony RX100

$899
APS-C

Larger sensor
Tilt-swivel screen

$1095
1 inch

Less expensive
In-Camera Image Stabilization

Compare Samsung NX30 vs Sony RX100

Compared to Sony RX100 III

Sony RX100 II

Sony RX100 III

$598
1 inch

More telephoto lens reach
Hot shoe

$748
1 inch

Eye-level viewfinder
Fast startup

Compare Sony RX100 II vs Sony RX100 III

Samsung NX30

Sony RX100 III

$899
APS-C

Larger sensor
Tilt-swivel screen

$748
1 inch

In-Camera Image Stabilization
Integrated ND filter

Compare Samsung NX30 vs Sony RX100 III

Compared to Fujifilm X-T1

Sony RX100 II

Fujifilm X-T1

$598
1 inch

Less expensive
In-Camera Image Stabilization

$1299
APS-C

Larger sensor
Eye-level viewfinder

Compare Sony RX100 II vs Fujifilm X-T1

Samsung NX30

Fujifilm X-T1

$899
APS-C

Less expensive
Tilt-swivel screen

$1299
APS-C

Lens selection
More viewfinder magnification

Compare Samsung NX30 vs Fujifilm X-T1

Compared to Fujifilm X-T10

Sony RX100 II

Fujifilm X-T10

$598
1 inch

In-Camera Image Stabilization
NFC

$1099
APS-C

Larger sensor
Eye-level viewfinder

Compare Sony RX100 II vs Fujifilm X-T10

Samsung NX30

Fujifilm X-T10

$899
APS-C

Tilt-swivel screen
Touchscreen

$1099
APS-C

Lens selection
Doesn't require an AA filter

Compare Samsung NX30 vs Fujifilm X-T10

Compared to Sony RX100 IV

Sony RX100 II

Sony RX100 IV

$598
1 inch

Less expensive
More telephoto lens reach

$898
1 inch

Eye-level viewfinder
Shoot 4K video

Compare Sony RX100 II vs Sony RX100 IV

Samsung NX30

Sony RX100 IV

$899
APS-C

Larger sensor
Tilt-swivel screen

$898
1 inch

Slower slow-motion
In-Camera Image Stabilization

Compare Samsung NX30 vs Sony RX100 IV

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