Canon 5D vs Samsung GX-20: A Deep Dive into Two Advanced DSLRs for the Discerning Photographer

When I first heard someone mention the Canon 5D and Samsung GX-20 in the same discussion, my curiosity piqued. Both cameras represent notable milestones in mid-size DSLR history - Canon’s 5D bringing the full-frame boom to a broader market in 2005, and Samsung’s GX-20 offering an interesting APS-C contender in 2008 with Pentax heritage. But which one really deserves your hard-earned money today - whether you're a seasoned pro or an enthusiast looking to step up?

Having personally handled and tested hundreds of DSLRs over the past decade and a half, I’m excited to share a hands-on, no-nonsense comparison of these two beasts. We’ll unpack their strengths and compromises, explore their real-world performance across photography genres, and help you figure out which one fits your style and budget.

So let’s grab our lenses (and maybe a coffee) and get straight into it.

Size Matters: Ergonomics and Handling in Daily Use

Physical comfort and control layout can often make or break how much joy you get from a camera. These two models, despite both being “mid-size” SLRs, have distinct personalities once you hold them in your hands.

Canon 5D: Weighing in at 895 grams with dimensions of 152 x 113 x 75 mm, the 5D is a solid brick of reliability. Its magnesium alloy chassis provides a robust feel without being overbearing. The grip is generous but not bulky, making it comfortable for long portrait or landscape shoots. Canon’s approach was clearly about blending durability with professional usability.

Samsung GX-20: Slightly lighter and smaller at 800 grams and 142 x 101 x 72 mm, the GX-20 is surprisingly comfy for its size, thanks largely to Pentax-inspired ergonomics. It feels a bit more compact, which may appeal to shooters who value portability but still want serious manual control.

Controls & Interface - Clubs for Your Thumbs?

Canon’s familiar button layout includes a dedicated top LCD screen - which the GX-20 notably lacks - and intuitive dials for shutter speed and exposure compensation. The 5D's CG workflow benefits from Canon’s industry-standard button placement, speeding up operation for pros who have used EOS systems for years.

The GX-20 compensates with a simplified, modernized control set, including a handy self-timer with two delay options (2 and 10 seconds), plus built-in flash functionality that the 5D lacks. If flipping between manual exposure modes is your jam, the Samsung can hold its own, though its smaller viewfinder magnification (0.64x vs 0.71x) gives a slightly less immersive optical experience.

Both come with fixed LCD screens - the 5D’s 2.5” TFT panel versus the GX-20’s slightly larger 2.7” screen with identical 230k-dot resolution. However, neither offers touch capabilities or articulated design, so flexibility in outdoor shooting angles is limited on both.

Sensor Technology & Image Quality - Full Frame vs APS-C

This is the meatiest part of the conversation: image quality. The Canon 5D’s claim to fame when it released was bringing full-frame sensor performance to the masses at a relatively accessible price point (though “accessible” back then is a different story). Samsung’s GX-20, meanwhile, sticks with an APS-C sensor, but packs 15 megapixels versus Canon’s 13.

Canon EOS 5D:

• Sensor: Full-frame 36x24 mm
• Resolution: 13MP (4368 x 2912)
• DxOMark Overall Score: 71
• Color Depth: 22.9 bits
• Dynamic Range: 11.1 EV
• Low-light ISO performance: 1368

Samsung GX-20:

• Sensor: APS-C 23.4x15.6 mm
• Resolution: 15MP (4688 x 3120)
• DxOMark Overall Score: 68
• Color Depth: 23.1 bits
• Dynamic Range: 11.2 EV
• Low-light ISO performance: 714

From a pure numbers perspective, both sensors can hold their own in everyday shooting. The 5D’s full-frame sensor means better noise performance at higher ISO, slightly superior dynamic range in challenging lighting (thanks to the larger pixels capturing more light), and a more natural shallower depth of field for portraits. It also comes with a physical anti-aliasing filter, which can subtly smooth out image sharpness to prevent moiré - a double-edged sword depending on your subject.

The Samsung’s APS-C sensor offers a tighter field of view due to the 1.5x crop factor, which can be a boon for telephoto-centric creators but a limitation in tight interiors or wide landscapes. Its low-light ISO capability is weaker than the 5D’s (714 vs 1368 on DxO’s scale), so you may notice more noise under dim conditions.

Both cameras capture RAW files, crucial for professional workflows demanding maximum flexibility in post-production. The color depth is comparable, with Samsung having a tiny edge (23.1 vs 22.9 bits), but the difference is imperceptible in real use.

Autofocus & Shooting Speed - Following Fast Action

Neither the 5D nor GX-20 aims to be the ultimate sports shooter, but let’s see which is better suited for tracking fast-moving subjects.

• Canon 5D: 9 autofocus points (phase detection), continuous shooting at 3 FPS.
• Samsung GX-20: 11 autofocus points (also phase detection), 3 FPS shooting rate.

Neither offers face or eye-detection autofocus - a standard feature in modern cameras - nor do they have any AF tracking or contrast-based autofocus. That said, the Samsung does boast live view functionality, while the 5D disappointingly lacks this feature.

In practice, I found both struggled moderately with erratic wildlife or fast action. The 5D’s AF points felt slightly crisper in low light, thanks to the full-frame sensor’s better light-gathering abilities. The GX-20’s additional focus points offer more compositional options but don’t necessarily translate to more reliable focus tracking.

For sports or wildlife shooters who require blazing-fast AF and high frame rates, neither camera tugs at the top tier’s leash, but the 5D has a slight edge in sensitivity and viewfinder coverage (96% vs 95%).

Image Gallery: Real-World Sample Shots from Both Cameras

Many photographers’ decisions hinge on images more than specs, so I included a selection of photos taken with both bodies under various conditions.

Canon 5D screen back Samsung GX 20 front Samsung GX 20 screen back

From lush landscapes to detailed macros and candid street shots, you’ll see the 5D’s creamy bokeh and wider dynamic range versus the GX-20’s slightly punchier colors and sharper detail - courtesy of its higher pixel count and quality Pentax K-mount lenses.

Notice how the 5D’s full-frame sensor handles highlight roll-off better in bright skies while keeping smooth tonal transitions in portraits with natural skin tones. The Samsung excels in contrast-rich environments but occasionally introduces minor noise at ISO 1600 and above.

Build Quality and Weather Sealing - Ready for Adventure?

Both cameras claim environmental sealing, which is crucial when shooting landscapes, wildlife, or travel in uncertain conditions.

• Canon 5D: Magnesium alloy body with robust weather sealing.
• Samsung GX-20: Magnesium alloy body, thorough sealing but slightly more compact.

While neither is waterproof or fully shockproof, you can confidently take either out in a drizzle or dusty field without panic. The 5D feels more rugged in-hand, built like a tank to last many years, though the GX-20 surprisingly holds up well, benefiting from Pentax’s design roots known for durability.

Battery Life and Storage - Who Keeps Going Longer?

The 5D touts an impressive 800 shots per battery charge using the BP-511A battery - ideal for longer shoots or events without battery swaps. Samsung’s GX-20 doesn’t list an official figure, but in practical terms, expect less endurance due to its live view feature being more power-hungry.

Storage-wise:

• Canon uses CompactFlash cards.
• Samsung uses more ubiquitous SD/SDHC cards.

For me, CF cards feel bulkier and pricier but historically faster, making them reliable for professional burst shooting. SD cards in the GX-20 offer more affordable flexibility.

Lens Ecosystems - Your Arsenal

Lens choices can make or break system versatility.

• Canon EF mount (5D) boasts a massive arsenal with over 250 lenses spanning wide-angle, macro, super-telephoto, primes, zooms, and specialty optics.
• Samsung’s Pentax KAF2 mount offers a more modest but still respectable 151 lenses, including affordable vintage options and solid third-party support.

For portrait and landscape shooters demanding specific glass for skin tone rendition or ultra-wide vistas, Canon’s ecosystem is tough to beat. Samsung users will appreciate the value and quality of many Pentax lenses but might feel a pinch when searching for exotic or specialized optics.

Video Capabilities - A Non-starter vs Surprise Utility

Neither camera includes significant video recording features - a major drawback by modern standards.

The Canon 5D has no video, reflecting the era before DSLRs embraced video functionality.

The GX-20, interestingly, includes timelapse recording - a nifty bonus for photographers interested in nature, astrophotography, or experimental motion sequences.

No 4K, no microphones, or HDMI outputs are present on either, so if video is part of your creative package, these cameras fall far short today.

Genre-Specific Performance Ratings

To give you a clearer picture, here’s how each camera stacks up across key photography disciplines, blending technical specs with my hands-on assessment.

As you can see, Canon dominates in image quality-driven genres like portrait and landscape, while Samsung holds a slight edge for street and travel thanks to size, weight, and inbuilt flash. Video capability is a clear no-contest in favor of Samsung’s timelapse feature. Sports and wildlife are challenging for both, but the Canon 5D's wider viewfinder and sensor punch give a minor advantage.

Overall Performance Breakdown and Ratings

Synthesizing all facets from sensor tech, AF, controls, and ergonomics…

Who Should Buy the Canon 5D?

If you demand full-frame image quality without stepping into the multi-thousand-dollar professional arena, the 5D remains a worthy classic. Your portraits will glow with natural skin tones, landscapes will burst with detail and dynamic range, and the robust build ensures longevity.

• Ideal for: Portrait, landscape, wedding photographers, pros on a budget.
• Why: Stability, full-frame sensor, superior highlight handling, established EF lens system.
• Budget aspect: High initial cost for a used body nowadays, but vast lens compatibility.

Who Should Pick the Samsung GX-20?

If compactness, budget-friendliness, and general versatility are your priorities - with a hint of nostalgic Pentax charm - Samsung GX-20 holds appeal. It’s a smart pick for hobbyists wanting decent quality images, live view functionality, and timelapse capabilities without breaking the bank.

• Ideal for: Enthusiasts dabbling in mixed genres, travel, street photography, and timelapse.
• Why: Smaller size, built-in flash, in-body image stabilization (a surprise plus for handheld macro).
• Budget aspect: Significantly lower price, accessible lenses, SD card compatibility.

Final Thoughts: Balancing History, Performance, and Future Use

Both Canon 5D and Samsung GX-20 are relics from a transformative DSLR era when manufacturers were pushing boundaries but before video and advanced AF became table stakes. I admire both for their purposeful designs, and they still serve solidly in many photographic situations.

If the budget isn’t a wall and image quality is king, Canon 5D is the wiser long-term choice, particularly for those who treasure full-frame benefits or shoot professionally. Conversely, if you’re a cheapskate like me who wants to experiment without cracking open the piggy bank too hard, and maybe needs that timelapse toggle, the Samsung GX-20 offers surprising bang for fewer bucks.

Ultimately, investing in lenses beats chasing bodies - both systems have plenty of glass to grow your creativity for years. Whichever you choose, balance your priorities, hold the camera before you buy, and most importantly, keep shooting. The perfect camera is sometimes just the one in your hands.

If you’re interested in exploring lenses or newer models that build on these foundations, I’m happy to help you analyze those too. But for now, I hope this hands-on, tech-savvy comparison guides you toward your next great photographic companion.

Happy shooting!

Appendix: Summary Table

If you found this deep dive useful, check out my reviews on other classic DSLRs and mirrorless contenders too!