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Canon SX30 IS vs Samsung NX20

Portability
64
Imaging
36
Features
42
Overall
38
Canon PowerShot SX30 IS front
 
Samsung NX20 front
Portability
83
Imaging
60
Features
73
Overall
65

Canon SX30 IS vs Samsung NX20 Key Specs

Canon SX30 IS
(Full Review)
  • 14MP - 1/2.3" Sensor
  • 2.7" Fully Articulated Screen
  • ISO 80 - 1600
  • Optical Image Stabilization
  • 1280 x 720 video
  • 24-840mm (F2.7-5.8) lens
  • 601g - 123 x 92 x 108mm
  • Released September 2010
  • Earlier Model is Canon SX20 IS
  • Updated by Canon SX40 HS
Samsung NX20
(Full Review)
  • 20MP - APS-C Sensor
  • 3" Fully Articulated Screen
  • ISO 100 - 12800
  • 1/8000s Maximum Shutter
  • 1920 x 1080 video
  • Samsung NX Mount
  • 341g - 122 x 90 x 40mm
  • Revealed April 2012
  • Superseded the Samsung NX11
  • Successor is Samsung NX30
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Canon SX30 IS vs Samsung NX20 Overview

On this page, we will be contrasting the Canon SX30 IS vs Samsung NX20, former is a Small Sensor Superzoom while the latter is a Advanced Mirrorless by competitors Canon and Samsung. There is a large difference among the image resolutions of the SX30 IS (14MP) and NX20 (20MP) and the SX30 IS (1/2.3") and NX20 (APS-C) have different sensor size.

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The SX30 IS was revealed 19 months prior to the NX20 which makes them a generation away from each other. Both of these cameras have different body design with the Canon SX30 IS being a SLR-like (bridge) camera and the Samsung NX20 being a SLR-style mirrorless camera.

Before we go into a in depth comparison, here is a quick view of how the SX30 IS grades versus the NX20 in the way of portability, imaging, features and an overall score.

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Reasons to pick Canon SX30 IS over the Samsung NX20

 SX30 IS NX20 

Reasons to pick Samsung NX20 over the Canon SX30 IS

 NX20 SX30 IS 
RevealedApril 2012September 2010More modern by 19 months
Screen dimensions3"2.7"Bigger screen (+0.3")
Screen resolution614k230kCrisper screen (+384k dot)

Common features in the Canon SX30 IS and Samsung NX20

 SX30 IS NX20 
Focus manually More accurate focus
Screen typeFully ArticulatedFully ArticulatedFully Articulated screen
Selfie screen Both are selfie friendly
Touch friendly screen Lack of Touch friendly screen

Canon SX30 IS vs Samsung NX20 Physical Comparison

If you're aiming to carry around your camera often, you have to factor its weight and size. The Canon SX30 IS has got outer measurements of 123mm x 92mm x 108mm (4.8" x 3.6" x 4.3") accompanied by a weight of 601 grams (1.32 lbs) while the Samsung NX20 has specifications of 122mm x 90mm x 40mm (4.8" x 3.5" x 1.6") with a weight of 341 grams (0.75 lbs).

Take a look at the Canon SX30 IS vs Samsung NX20 in our completely new Camera plus Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Do not forget, the weight of an ILC will vary dependant on the lens you have at that moment. Underneath is a front view overall size comparison of the SX30 IS against the NX20.

Canon SX30 IS vs Samsung NX20 size comparison

Taking into account size and weight, the portability grade of the SX30 IS and NX20 is 64 and 83 respectively.

Canon SX30 IS vs Samsung NX20 top view buttons comparison

Canon SX30 IS vs Samsung NX20 Sensor Comparison

Oftentimes, it can be hard to imagine the contrast in sensor sizes just by looking through a spec sheet. The image below may provide you a far better sense of the sensor sizing in the SX30 IS and NX20.

As you can see, both of those cameras provide different megapixels and different sensor sizes. The SX30 IS using its smaller sensor is going to make shooting shallower DOF more challenging and the Samsung NX20 will result in extra detail because of its extra 6MP. Higher resolution will make it easier to crop photographs more aggressively. The more aged SX30 IS will be behind with regard to sensor innovation.

Canon SX30 IS vs Samsung NX20 sensor size comparison

Canon SX30 IS vs Samsung NX20 Screen and ViewFinder

Canon SX30 IS vs Samsung NX20 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Canon SX30 IS Portrait photography information
Samsung NX20 Portrait photography information
41
focusing manually
decent sensor resolution (14 megapixels)
sensor size is very small (1/2.3")
doesn't have RAW format
76
has manual focus
MP count decent (20 megapixels)
sensor size is decent (APS-C)
includes face detection autofocus
supports RAW formats
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Street Comparison

Canon SX30 IS as a Street photography camera
Samsung NX20 as a Street photography camera
49
fully articulated screen
has image stabilization (Optical)
sensor size is very small (1/2.3")
doesn't have RAW format
heavier than others in class (601 grams)
77
screen articulates
sensor size is decent (APS-C)
supports RAW formats
lighter than competition (341g)
lack of image stabilization
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Sports Comparison

Sports photography with Canon SX30 IS
Sports photography with Samsung NX20
43
excellent zoom range (24-840mm 35.0 x zoom)
has image stabilization (Optical)
decent sensor resolution (14MP)
very slow continuous shooting (1.0 frames/s)
sensor size is very small (1/2.3")
doesn't have phase detect AF
60
max shutter speed is good (1/8,000s)
MP count decent (20MP)
sensor size is decent (APS-C)
lack of image stabilization
no phase detect autofocus
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Travel Comparison

Canon SX30 IS Travel photography information
Samsung NX20 Travel photography information
57
decent sensor resolution (14 megapixels)
flash built-in
screen is selfie friendly
reasonably wide (24mm)
great zoom (840mm)
missing Time Lapse recording
heavier than others in class (601 grams)
somewhat slow maximum aperture (f2.7)
77
lighter than competition (341 grams)
MP count decent (20MP)
built-in flash
selfie friendly screen
doesn't have Timelapse recording
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Landscape Comparison

Canon SX30 IS Landscape photography information
Samsung NX20 Landscape photography information
40
focusing manually
reasonably wide (24mm)
has image stabilization (Optical)
decent sensor resolution (14MP)
fixed lens (fixed lens mount)
somewhat slow maximum aperture (f2.7)
tiny screen (2.7")
sensor size is very small (1/2.3")
doesn't have RAW format
missing Time Lapse recording
69
has manual focus
change lenses (Samsung NX mount)
screen is a decent size (3 inch)
MP count decent (20 megapixels)
sensor size is decent (APS-C)
supports RAW formats
lack of image stabilization
doesn't have Timelapse recording
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Vlogging Comparison

Canon SX30 IS as a Vlogging camera
Samsung NX20 as a Vlogging camera
49
reasonably wide (24mm)
screen is selfie friendly
has image stabilization (Optical)
somewhat slow maximum aperture (f2.7)
low quality video (1280 x 720 resolution)
missing mic port
heavier than others in class (601 grams)
78
selfie friendly screen
includes face detection autofocus
video resolution high (1920 x 1080 pxls)
does have external microphone jack
lighter than competition (341g)
lack of image stabilization
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Canon SX30 IS vs Samsung NX20 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Canon SX30 IS and Samsung NX20
 Canon PowerShot SX30 ISSamsung NX20
General Information
Brand Name Canon Samsung
Model type Canon PowerShot SX30 IS Samsung NX20
Type Small Sensor Superzoom Advanced Mirrorless
Released 2010-09-14 2012-04-20
Body design SLR-like (bridge) SLR-style mirrorless
Sensor Information
Chip Digic 4 -
Sensor type CCD CMOS
Sensor size 1/2.3" APS-C
Sensor measurements 6.17 x 4.55mm 23.5 x 15.7mm
Sensor area 28.1mm² 369.0mm²
Sensor resolution 14 megapixel 20 megapixel
Anti alias filter
Aspect ratio 4:3 and 16:9 1:1, 3:2 and 16:9
Peak resolution 4320 x 3240 5472 x 3648
Highest native ISO 1600 12800
Min native ISO 80 100
RAW pictures
Autofocusing
Manual focusing
Touch focus
Continuous autofocus
Autofocus single
Autofocus tracking
Autofocus selectice
Autofocus center weighted
Autofocus multi area
Live view autofocus
Face detection focus
Contract detection focus
Phase detection focus
Total focus points 9 15
Lens
Lens mount type fixed lens Samsung NX
Lens zoom range 24-840mm (35.0x) -
Maximal aperture f/2.7-5.8 -
Macro focusing distance 0cm -
Amount of lenses - 32
Crop factor 5.8 1.5
Screen
Range of screen Fully Articulated Fully Articulated
Screen sizing 2.7" 3"
Screen resolution 230 thousand dot 614 thousand dot
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch friendly
Screen tech - Active Matrix OLED screen
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder Electronic Electronic
Viewfinder coverage - 100%
Viewfinder magnification - 0.7x
Features
Min shutter speed 15s 30s
Max shutter speed 1/3200s 1/8000s
Continuous shutter speed 1.0 frames per second 8.0 frames per second
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Manual exposure
Exposure compensation Yes Yes
Set white balance
Image stabilization
Integrated flash
Flash distance 6.80 m 11.00 m
Flash settings Auto, On, Off, Red-Eye, Slow Sync, Fill-in Auto, On, Off, Red-eye, Fill-in, 1st/2nd Curtain, Smart Flash, Manual
External flash
AE bracketing
WB bracketing
Max flash sync - 1/180s
Exposure
Multisegment
Average
Spot
Partial
AF area
Center weighted
Video features
Supported video resolutions 1280 x 720 (30 fps) 640 x 480 (30 fps), 320 x 240 (30, 15 fps) 1920 x 1080 (30 fps), 1920 x 810 (24 fps) 1280 x 720 (30 fps), 640 x 480 (30 fps), 320 x 240 (30 fps)
Highest video resolution 1280x720 1920x1080
Video data format Motion JPEG MPEG-4, H.264
Microphone input
Headphone input
Connectivity
Wireless Eye-Fi Connected Built-In
Bluetooth
NFC
HDMI
USB USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec) USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec)
GPS None Optional
Physical
Environment seal
Water proofing
Dust proofing
Shock proofing
Crush proofing
Freeze proofing
Weight 601g (1.32 lbs) 341g (0.75 lbs)
Physical dimensions 123 x 92 x 108mm (4.8" x 3.6" x 4.3") 122 x 90 x 40mm (4.8" x 3.5" x 1.6")
DXO scores
DXO Overall rating not tested 75
DXO Color Depth rating not tested 23.4
DXO Dynamic range rating not tested 12.9
DXO Low light rating not tested 785
Other
Battery life - 360 photographs
Battery format - Battery Pack
Battery ID NB-7L BP1130
Self timer Yes (2 or 10 sec, Custom) Yes (2 sec to 30 sec)
Time lapse feature
Storage media SD/SDHC/SDXC/MMC/MMCplus/HC MMCplus SD/SDHC/SDXC
Storage slots Single Single
Launch price $400 $1,100