Canon EOS RP vs Samsung NX20: A Hands-On Comparison for the Practical Photographer

When shopping for an advanced mirrorless camera, the bewildering array of options can leave you scratching your head. Although the Canon EOS RP and Samsung NX20 originate from completely different eras - 2019 and 2012 respectively - they’re both compact mirrorless cameras with SLR-inspired ergonomics, each aiming at enthusiasts and entry-level pros. After putting both through my rigorous field tests spanning portraiture, landscapes, wildlife, and video, I’m ready to walk you through the practical strengths and shortcomings of each. Whether you’re a cheapskate on a budget, a hybrid shooter, or someone looking to dabble in multiple photography disciplines, this detailed comparison will help you make an informed choice.

Let’s peel back the layers, beginning my first-hand experience with their build and handling.

Size, Handling, and Physical Controls: Ergonomics Up Close

Right out of the gate, the Canon EOS RP is noticeably chunkier but still gem-like for a full-frame model: measuring 133x85x70 mm and weighing 485 g, it offers a substantial grip that feels secure in larger hands. The Samsung NX20, in contrast, is smaller and lighter at 122x90x40 mm and 341 g, leaning toward portability and street-ready stealth.

In practice, I found the RP's more traditional SLR-style body conducive to comfort for extended shooting sessions. Its deeper grip provides clubs for your thumbs to rest comfortably, reducing fatigue, especially when shouldering RF lenses. The NX20, thinner and a bit flatter, is much easier to pocket or tuck into smaller bags - an attractive option if size and weight are your top priorities.

Checking out the top panels, the Canon RP surprises with a clean but well-laid-out control scheme, complete with dedicated dials and an exposure compensation dial that many amateurs and pros appreciate. The NX20’s control layout feels somewhat basic by today’s standards - although the mode dial is easy to reach, the buttons can be cramped, and there’s no dedicated wheel for exposure compensation, an omission that slowed me down during fast-paced shoots.

The fully articulating screens on both cameras are a joy for creative angles and vlogging, though the RP’s touchscreen functionality provides a smoother user experience for swift AF point selection and menu navigation - a detail worth considering if touch control is your jam.

Sensor and Image Quality: Full Frame vs APS-C Debate

This is where the story really diverges. The Canon RP sports a 26MP full-frame CMOS sensor measuring 35.9x24 mm, while Samsung’s NX20 packs a 20MP APS-C-sized sensor (23.5x15.7 mm) with a 1.5x crop factor.

From my lab tests and real-world shooting, the RP’s larger sensor delivers richer image quality overall: cleaner high ISO performance, superior dynamic range, and greater color depth. Canon’s DIGIC 8 processor also helps extend the max ISO to a hefty 40,000 native and 102,400 boosted, compared to the NX20’s 12,800 max ISO (no boost). Low-light shots taken at ISO 3200 or 6400 with the RP maintain respectable detail and minimal noise, while the NX20 starts to fall apart a bit sooner.

That said, the NX20’s sensor exhibits a slightly higher measured dynamic range according to DXOMark (12.9 vs 11.9 stops), which is a bit of a quirk of how the scoring works and differences in image processing pipelines. Practically, the RP’s overall tonality and gradation edges out for me, especially in tough shadow and highlight conditions.

Here are some sample images to help you see these differences for yourself.

Canon RP front Canon RP screen back Samsung NX20 front Samsung NX20 screen back

In portrait and landscape images, the RP’s full-frame sensor excels at producing creamier bokeh and truer skin tones thanks to the larger sensor area and wide selection of RF lenses (17 native options as of this writing). The NX20’s APS-C sensor, coupled with its Samsung NX lens ecosystem, offers great sharpness but tends toward harder edge transitions - still very usable, but leaning more stylistically “digital” and contrasty.

Autofocus and Shooting Performance: Who’s Faster on the Draw?

When photographing fast subjects, autofocus speed and tracking accuracy are critical. My autofocus benchmarking reveals the Canon EOS RP utilizes a hybrid system with 4779 selectable focus points, combining phase-detection and contrast-detection AF. It features face detection and even eye detection for humans, though no animal eye AF - this still aids portraits significantly.

The NX20’s autofocus is strictly contrast-detection based, with only 15 focus points, which feels archaic compared to today’s standards. It does offer face detection but lacks eye tracking and continuous tracking autofocus.

In practical shooting trials:

• Sports and Wildlife: The RP’s AF is considerably more responsive and reliable when switching focus between moving subjects, with an accurate continuous AF mode and limited tracking for bursts at 5 fps. The NX20 maxes out at 8 fps but struggles to keep focus lock on erratic wildlife or athletes in motion.

• Street and Macro: The NX20’s quieter operation and lighter body make it easier to carry and shoot discreetly - ideal for street photographers. Its focusing, while slower, is precise enough for macro and close-ups when paired with Panasonic or third-party Samsung NX macros.

Build Quality and Durability: Weather Sealing Wins in the RP

Canon has wisely incorporated environmental sealing in the EOS RP body, which protects against light rain and dust - no mean feat for a camera at this price point. I took it on a wet morning mountain hike, and it performed admirably with no glitches.

The NX20 lacks any weather sealing. If you’re often shooting outdoors, especially in uncertain conditions, that’s a clear risk.

Neither camera is shockproof or freezeproof, so basic protective measures are needed.

Interface and Usability: Screen and Viewfinder Experience

The Canon RP’s 3-inch fully articulated touchscreen with 1040k dots resolution feels responsive and offers intuitive menu navigation. The electronic viewfinder has 2.36 million dots, providing a crisp and detailed live view, helpful for manual focusing or confirming exposure.

Samsung’s NX20 sports a 3-inch AMOLED fully articulated screen with 614k dots; colors are vivid, but resolution is lower, and no touchscreen makes fiddling with settings slower. Its electronic viewfinder lacks detailed specs but feels less sharp in use by comparison.

The illuminated buttons missing in both cameras is a minor gripe for low-light shooting, meaning a little fumbling is needed in darkness.

Lens Ecosystem: Wide Choices in Canon’s New RF Mount

The Canon EOS RP embraces the RF mount, which is currently expanding vigorously. There are 17 native RF lenses including primes, zooms, and macro options from Canon and third parties. Plus, you can use EF lenses with an adapter without any loss of autofocus performance.

The Samsung NX mount has 32 lenses, including zooms and very useful primes and macros. However, Samsung exited the camera market, so no future lens developments are expected, and some lenses can be hard to find or expensive secondhand. The 1.5x crop factor of APS-C must be considered when selecting focal lengths.

For serious photography or professional work requiring investment longevity, Canon’s ecosystem wins hands down.

Video Capabilities: Canon Leaps Ahead

If you’re after video, the EOS RP offers 4K recording at 24p with a clean HDMI output, and you get headphone and microphone jacks for better audio monitoring and input.

The NX20 maxes out at 1080p 30 fps video with no headphone jack, limiting its utility for serious video creators.

Both cameras have in-body stabilization, or rather, both actually lack image stabilization in the body, so stabilization depends on the lens.

Battery, Storage, and Connectivity: Real-World Usability

Battery life is a toss-up: the NX20 gives approximately 360 shots per charge (CIPA standard), versus roughly 250 shots for the Canon RP - a drawback for prolonged treks or event coverage. Thankfully, both accept SD cards with UHS-II compatibility on the RP for faster write speeds.

Connectivity-wise, the RP offers built-in Wi-Fi and Bluetooth allowing FTP uploads and remote control from smartphones, a big plus for modern workflows. The NX20 also includes Wi-Fi but lacks Bluetooth - Bluetooth was less ubiquitous in 2012.

Practical Shooting Across Photography Types

Let's get down to how these two cameras perform in specific genres - drawing from my extensive fieldwork, testing for sharpness, autofocus, handling, and image quality under authentic conditions.

Portrait Photography

The EOS RP excels thanks to its full-frame sensor producing smoother skin tones and creamy, flattering bokeh. Eye detection AF works quietly and reliably to nail focus on your subject’s eyes - an absolute must for portrait pros and enthusiasts alike.

The NX20, while serviceable with sharp lenses, cannot match the RP’s color rendition and subject separation. Its contrast-detection AF can wander in dim indoor lighting, often pulling focus slightly behind the eye.

Bottom line: Canon EOS RP offers the superior portrait package.

Landscape Photography

Dynamic range is vital for landscapes with dramatic skies and fine detail in shadows. The NX20’s slightly higher dynamic range reading is a technical entry-point, but in practice, the RP's full-frame sensor and broader ISO range hold more detail and handle highlight roll-off beautifully.

Additionally, RP’s weather sealing provides peace of mind when shooting in fog, mist, or light rain, common for nature shooters.

Higher resolution (26MP vs 20MP) also gives the RP advantage in large prints and cropping flexibility.

Bottom line: Canon RP edges landscapes hands down.

Wildlife Photography

High burst rates, speedy autofocus, and telephoto lens support rule here. The RP’s 5fps burst speed is decent, but the NX20 clocks a slightly faster 8fps burst. However, the NX20’s contrast AF struggles to maintain focus on erratic wildlife, while the RP’s hybrid AF fares far better.

Combined with Canon’s richer lens ecosystem, including RF telephotos (and supported EF lenses), photographing wildlife with the RP delivers higher keeper rates.

Bottom line: EOS RP is my top pick for wildlife despite the slower burst.

Sports Photography

Tracking moving athletes requires swift and accurate continuous AF, frame rates, and durability. Canon’s RP autofocus system tracks action better, though 5fps is modest for serious sports shooters. The NX20 beats it in fps but falls short in tracking ability.

Low-light performance also favors the RP, useful for indoor sports or evening games.

Bottom line: EOS RP for casual/pro amateur sports photographers; serious sports shooters might want faster options.

Street Photography

Here, the NX20’s compact and light body helps with discretion - weighing 144g less means less fatigue when roaming urban environments all day. The quieter shutter is also a bonus. However, lacking touchscreen focusing means slower operation.

The RP’s better high ISO and autofocus, plus more lens options, add creative flexibility, but it’s bulkier.

Bottom line: NX20 for lightweight street discreetness; RP if image quality and AF are priorities.

Macro Photography

Focusing precision and stabilization are critical. Neither camera has in-body image stabilization - a drawback - but Canon’s sensor and RF macro lenses provide superior image quality and detail capture.

The NX20 offers good macro lens options but lacks the fast, precise AF for handheld close-ups.

Bottom line: EOS RP wins for macro shooters demanding detail.

Night and Astro Photography

High ISO noise performance and long exposure potentials dominate here. The RP’s clean ISO performance up to 6400 and extended exposure options make it suitable for night and astrophotography, although an external intervalometer or tethering is recommended for star trails.

The NX20’s lower max ISO and difficulty noise-wise limit its starry-sky ambitions.

Bottom line: Canon RP clearly preferable for serious night photographers.

Video Shooting

The EOS RP supports 4K video, microphone and headphone inputs, and decent bitrate, making it a practical budget hybrid shooter for videographers.

The NX20 is stuck with only 1080p without audio monitoring, limiting pro use.

Bottom line: Canon RP for video creators.

Travel Photography

For jet-setters, weight, battery life, and versatility matter. The NX20’s slim and light package wins some marks here, alongside longer battery life.

The RP’s superior image quality and features come at the cost of heavier gear and shorter battery runtime but compensate with Wi-Fi/Bluetooth convenience and better lens options.

Bottom line: NX20 for ultra-light travel; RP for travel photographers who prioritize quality over weight.

Professional Reliability and Workflow

Canon’s long-standing place in the pro realm means the EOS RP fits established workflows with robust RAW support, tethering options, and lens compatibility.

Samsung’s exit leaves the NX20 as a legacy system with niche user base and limited future support.

Bottom line: Canon RP suitable for professionals on a budget; NX20 for hobbyists or collectors.

The Nitty-Gritty: Technical Summary of Key Metrics

These summarized scores reflect the Canon RP’s clear lead in Image Quality, Autofocus, and Video, with the NX20 holding minor advantages in burst rate, battery life, and size.

Pros and Cons at a Glance

Canon EOS RP Pros

• Full-frame sensor delivering superior image quality and dynamic range
• Extensive RF lens ecosystem, plus EF compatibility
• Advanced autofocus including eye detection
• 4K video with full connectivity options
• Weather-resistant body
• Touchscreen interface

Canon EOS RP Cons

• Smaller battery life relative to competitors
• Lower burst shooting speed
• Weight and size heavier than APS-C rivals

Samsung NX20 Pros

• Lightweight and compact body, ideal for travel and street
• Higher burst frame rate (8 fps)
• Good selection of NX lenses available
• Longer battery life compared to RP
• Built-in flash included

Samsung NX20 Cons

• Lower sensor resolution and weaker low-light performance
• Limited autofocus points and slower AF system
• No weather sealing and dated video specs
• Lack of touchscreen, headphone jack, and modern wireless features
• Samsung no longer supporting the system

Who Should Choose Which?

• Choose Canon EOS RP if:

  You want full-frame image quality on a budget, plus a growing lens line-up. Its solid autofocus and weather sealing suit portraits, landscapes, wildlife, and professional work. Hybrid shooters who need 4K video with decent connectivity will also appreciate this camera’s versatility. I recommend the RP for enthusiasts stepping up from crop sensors or professionals wanting a lightweight backup body that doesn’t compromise quality.

• Choose Samsung NX20 if:

  You prioritize pocketability, street inconspicuousness, and battery life over absolute image quality or video specs. Ideal for beginners, hobbyists, or photographers who value simplicity and smaller gear. The NX20 also appeals if you already own Samsung NX lenses and want an affordable camera for casual use. Be aware, though, that the system is discontinued and support will be limited.

Final Thoughts: Me, You, and Your Next Camera

Having owned and tested both cameras extensively, I can say that while the Samsung NX20 is an able little shooter for its time and still performs admirably in daylight and for travel street photography, the Canon EOS RP delivers significantly more bang for the buck in critical areas of image quality, autofocus, and video capability.

If you’re willing to carry a slightly bigger body, the RP will reward you with professional-grade results and future-proofing through Canon’s ecosystem. The NX20 remains a niche choice - especially appealing if size and price are dominant concerns and you don’t mind its limitations.

Photography gear buying is always a tradeoff. If your budget stretches to the RP or comparable modern full-frame options, I wholeheartedly recommend stepping up for the better all-around experience. If not, the NX20 offers a neat package with some excellent features for the price, plus a dash of retro charm.

Happy shooting!

All field testing conducted using standardized ISO noise charts, autofocus bench rigs, and real-world assignments including street walks, studio portraits, macro setups, sports events, and outdoor landscapes for balanced evaluation.