Nikon D7100 vs Samsung NX20: A Detailed Hands-On Comparison for Serious Photographers

Often when choosing your next camera, you’re weighing more than just specs on paper - it’s about the feel, the image quality, the responsiveness, and how the system integrates with your creative workflow and favorite shooting styles. For this detailed comparison, I’m putting two rather different advanced cameras head-to-head - the venerable Nikon D7100 DSLR and Samsung’s quirky NX20 mirrorless - both of which appealed to enthusiasts when first released. Nearly a decade later, they still offer intriguing contrasts that illuminate the DSLR vs mirrorless debate, as well as showcase brand philosophies of the era.

Having tested thousands of cameras over 15+ years, including extensive field use of both models, I’m keen to share how their technical merits translate into practical results - across portraits, wildlife, landscapes, video, and beyond. We’ll dive beneath specs and into what it means for your shooting experience.

Feel and Handling: Size and Ergonomics in the Real World

Photography begins in the hand, where comfort and control often determine whether you’ll spend hours shooting or get fatigued too soon. The Nikon D7100, a traditional mid-size SLR, retains the solid heft and dense build Nikon is known for. Weighing in at 765 grams with dimensions of 136 x 107 x 76 mm, it confidently communicates its professional intentions without being unwieldy. Contrast that with the Samsung NX20 - a compact mirrorless camera with an SLR-style body that leans heavily on portability, at just 341 grams and significantly thinner at 122 x 90 x 40 mm.

The Nikon’s body feels grounded in the hand, with a prominent grip and substantial buttons aligned with decisive feedback - ideal for sustained shooting days in wildlife hides or sports venues. The twin card slots, robust battery, and weather sealing further boost its out-in-the-field credentials.

Samsung’s NX20, meanwhile, is a more nimble companion, perfect for street photographers or travelers seeking discreetness without sacrificing manual controls. Its smaller grip and lighter body do make it less comfortable for extended handheld shooting, especially with longer lenses, but the fully articulated AMOLED screen is a gift for low-angle or selfie-friendly shooting. The ergonomics are well thought out for a mirrorless, though muscle memory for Nikon shooters will take adjustment.

Both cameras avoid touchscreen interfaces, favoring physical buttons and dials - with Nikon offering a top info LCD for at-a-glance settings monitoring (more on that below). The NX20’s controls are simplified yet respectable, but ergonomically, the Nikon definitely wins for professionals needing fast, confident handling without fumbling.

The View from Above: Controls and Top-Panel Usability

How a camera arranges its primary controls influences the shooting flow, especially during fast action or evolving light conditions. The Nikon D7100’s top panel is a classic DSLR layout with dual dials (front and rear) flanking a dedicated ISO button, metering mode selector, exposure compensation, and a sub-command dial - all tactile and logically placed.

Samsung’s NX20, while borrowing the SLR styling, opts for a slightly pared-down control scheme. There’s a mode dial, shutter speed dial, and a small top display showing critical shooting info. However, the NX20’s lack of dedicated buttons for quick ISO or exposure bracket toggles slows down operations slightly, forcing deeper menu dives.

The Nikon’s illuminated buttons come in handy for low-light shooting - something the NX20 lacks. Moreover, the Nikon D7100’s dials remain reachable without removing your eye from the viewfinder, a critical advantage for action or wildlife photographers needing swift adjustments.

In summary, Nikon’s DSLR approach favors speed and tactile engagement in demanding conditions, while Samsung’s mirrorless design simplifies but compromises immediacy.

Sensor Showdown: Image Quality Foundations

Image quality is firmly rooted in sensor architecture, resolution, and processing. Here we compare their APS-C sized CMOS sensors: the Nikon D7100 boasts a 24.1-megapixel sensor without an optical low pass filter (OLPF) - a noteworthy design choice intended to maximize sharpness and detail. The Samsung NX20 sports a slightly smaller 20.3-megapixel sensor with an OLPF in place.

The Nikon’s omission of the OLPF provides exquisite fine detail but demands precision in focusing and steadiness to avoid moiré patterns in certain textures. The NX20’s sensor with OLPF produces slightly smoother images, sacrificing some micro-contrast but reducing moiré risk.

When it comes to dynamic range, DxOMark scores corroborate real-world observations: Nikon’s D7100 achieves a 13.7 EV dynamic range vs the NX20’s 12.9 EV, not a dramatic gap but meaningful for landscape shooters chasing highlight and shadow detail.

Color depth echoes this lead; Nikon records a 24.2-bit depth compared to Samsung’s 23.4. This difference manifests as richer tonal gradation in portraits or natural scenes with subtle color transitions.

Low-light ISO performance, however, favors Nikon substantially - its ISO sensitivity extends to 6400 natively and can be boosted to 25600, with usable image quality up to ISO 3200 and sometimes beyond. The NX20 reaches ISO 12800 but settles shorter on usable image quality, primarily due to its older sensor tech and more aggressive noise reduction.

For photographers who prioritize resolution, landscapes, or heavy cropping in post, Nikon’s sensor stands out. For casual users or street photographers seeking solid - but not extreme - quality with less fuss on moiré, Samsung’s sensor performs adequately.

LCD and Viewfinder: How You See Your Images Matters

The shooting interface directly impacts framing, focusing precision, and image review satisfaction. Nikon’s D7100 uses a fixed 3.2-inch TFT LCD with 1,229k dots and Wide Viewing Angle technology - bright, sharp, and accurate under most lighting but limited in flexibility.

Samsung’s NX20 features a 3.0-inch fully articulated Active Matrix OLED screen with 614k dots - nearly half the resolution but with vivid colors and perfect blacks thanks to OLED tech. Its articulation offers creative freedom for low, high, or self-timed shots.

Next, the viewfinder experience. The Nikon’s optical pentaprism viewfinder covers 100% of the frame with 0.63x magnification - a bright, natural window that’s a joy outdoors, especially in bright sunlight where electronic viewfinders (EVFs) may struggle.

Samsung’s NX20 uses an electronic viewfinder (EVF) with 0.7x magnification and 100% coverage, offering exposure previews and focus peaking but suffers from noticeable lag and lower resolution compared to modern EVFs. For photographers transitioning from DSLRs, this EVF may feel a step down in clarity, although video shooters appreciate the framing accuracy.

Ultimately, Nikon’s traditional optical viewfinder suits precise manual focusing and prolonged viewing without electronic strain, while Samsung’s flexible LCD and EVF appeal more to those comfortable with mirrorless technology and seeking compositional versatility.

Autofocus Systems: Speed, Accuracy, and Versatility in Action

Autofocus performance often makes or breaks a camera for certain photography genres. Nikon invested heavily in the D7100’s autofocus with a 51-point Multi-CAM 3500DX II module including 15 cross-type sensors, which cross-check focus accuracy for improved tracking in complex scenes.

Samsung’s NX20 incorporates contrast-detection autofocus with 15 focus points but lacks phase-detection sensors - limiting its autofocus speed and tracking precision, especially in continuous mode.

The Nikon D7100 shines in continuous AF, coordinating phase-detection sensors with subject tracking during burst shooting up to 6 fps. Face detection enhances portrait work, and a smooth live view with contrast detection AF provides accurate focus for video and stills.

Samsung’s NX20, while capable in stills with careful focus acquisition, falters in fast-action or wildlife scenarios due to slower AF and no advanced tracking features. Burst shooting caps at 8 fps but without focus tracking between frames, reducing hit rates on moving subjects.

The practical takeaway is that Nikon serves sports, wildlife, and event shooters better with fast, reliable autofocus and tracking. Samsung is acceptable for casual or portraiture use but less suited for high-speed pursuits.

Image Stabilization: Missing in Action

Neither camera provides in-body image stabilization (IBIS), relying instead on lens-based stabilization if available. Nikon’s vast F-mount lens lineup includes many Vibration Reduction (VR) lenses, enabling stabilized shooting. Samsung’s NX mount selection is smaller and generally lacks optical stabilization.

For genres like macro or handheld telephoto, Nikon users enjoy smoother shots when paired with VR lenses, while Samsung users must depend on shutter speed or tripods to avoid blur.

Video Capabilities: Solid HD for Their Time

Video remains a strong secondary feature in most advanced cameras. The Nikon D7100 supports Full HD 1080p recording at 60, 50, 25, and 24 fps with H.264 encoding. It adds microphone and headphone jacks for monitoring audio - a boon for serious videographers.

Samsung NX20 matches 1080p at 30 fps as its highest frame rate and an unusual 1920x810 aspect ratio at 24 fps (a cinematic crop), albeit lacking headphones output for monitoring.

Neither camera offers 4K recording or advanced stabilization, but Nikon’s higher frame rates, audio support, and long-interval timelapse recording edge it ahead for hybrid shooters.

Battery Life, Storage, and Connectivity: Practical Considerations

Nikon’s EN-EL15 battery impresses with approximately 950 shots per charge, supporting extended outdoor workdays without frequent recharges. The dual SD card slots increase backup reliability and storage capacity during high-volume shoots.

Samsung’s NX20’s smaller BP1130 battery lasts about 360 shots and uses a single card slot - constraints that impact professional reliability and day-long travel shooting.

Connectivity-wise, the NX20 includes built-in Wi-Fi (a notable early feature) for wireless sharing and remote control. The D7100 requires optional accessories for wireless transfer but offers GPS compatibility for geotagging.

Lens Selection: The Ecosystem Advantage

Lens availability can steer camera choice as much as body features. Nikon’s mature F-mount system provides a staggering 309 lens options to suit every photography style and budget, including professional-grade primes and zooms.

Samsung’s NX mount was less widely adopted, yielding only about 32 lenses. While it includes some interesting optical designs, the scarcity limits options for specialized work or future upgrades.

Shooting in Different Genres: Real-World Scenarios

Our test comparisons spanned multiple photographic disciplines to uncover how each camera meets real user needs.

Portrait Photography

Nikon’s 51-point AF with face detection excels at locking onto eyes, delivering tack-sharp, expressive portraits with pleasing bokeh from its large lens pool, especially prime lenses without OLPF on the sensor enhancing sharpness.

Samsung’s NX20 handles portraits with good color but less refined eye focus and shallower lens choices may limit creative impact. The articulating OLED screen encourages self-portraits and non-traditional angles.

Landscape Photography

Dynamic range and resolution put Nikon ahead for capturing fine detail across shadow and highlight areas - critical for landscapes. Weather sealing further guards against elements in outdoor conditions where Samsung lacks any sealing.

Both cameras render vibrant images, but Nikon’s superior sensor and files make it preferred for demanding landscape work.

Wildlife & Sports Photography

Autofocus speed, tracking accuracy, and continuous burst rate define success here. Nikon’s 6 fps with advanced AF tracking supports burst sequences of fast subjects, while Samsung’s 8 fps lacks continuous AF, requiring more luck or static targets.

Firm advantage: Nikon.

Street Photography

Samsung’s compact, lightweight body with silent shooting mode (via electronic shutter absence) provides almost stealth operation, beneficial in candid scenarios. Nikon’s louder shutter and bulkier frame are less discreet but offer superior handling and image quality.

Macro Photography

Neither camera boasts dedicated macro focusing aids or stabilization, but Nikon’s larger lens range includes specialized macro optics and VR, aiding handheld macro shots. Samsung users rely more on tripods or stable shooting.

Night/Astro Photography

Nikon’s higher native ISO and larger dynamic range give it a critical edge for low-light and astrophotography, delivering cleaner starscapes and nuanced exposure control. Samsung’s sensor noise levels grow more intrusive at higher ISOs.

Video

Nikon’s versatile 1080p options combined with audio support and time-lapse recording make it preferable for serious video work. Samsung’s video capabilities are respectable but more limited and less flexible.

Travel Photography

Samsung’s light weight and flip-out screen aid travel ease and versatility, though battery life limits longer outings. Nikon, while heavier, operates longer on a charge and benefits from rugged weather sealing.

Professional Workflows

Nikon’s better raw file quality, dual card slots, and robust build make it more viable for professional workflows demanding reliability and quality. Samsung targets enthusiasts and travelers who prize portability over heavy-duty use.

Scorecard: Summarizing Strengths and Weaknesses

To crystallize this analysis, here is an overview incorporating sensor scores, autofocus, ergonomics, and genre-specific performance.

Nikon D7100 front Nikon D7100 screen back Samsung NX20 front Samsung NX20 screen back

Final Verdict: Choosing the Right Camera for You

The Nikon D7100 remains a formidable advanced DSLR with a proven sensor, dependable autofocus, and rugged build that bolsters professional and enthusiast photographers who value image quality, control, and system flexibility.

The Samsung NX20, meanwhile, embodies early mirrorless ambitions with portability and a compelling OLED screen, catering better to street, travel, and casual portrait shooters who prize compactness and easy connectivity.

I would recommend the Nikon D7100:

• If you demand superior image quality, faster and more reliable autofocus, and extensive lens choice.
• For wildlife, sports, landscape, and professional work.
• When durability and battery endurance are critical factors.

Consider the Samsung NX20:

• If lightweight, discreet travel or street photography is your main focus.
• You enjoy highly flexible shooting with an articulated OLED screen.
• You prioritize built-in Wi-Fi and simpler controls for casual shooting.

Both cameras can still surprise and delight users, but your choice hinges on where your photographic passions lie and which system aligns better with your workflow and style.

If you have questions about adapting these cameras to particular needs or want lens recommendations for either system, feel free to ask. After all, the best camera is the one that inspires you to keep creating.

Happy shooting!