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Olympus E-M1 II vs Samsung NX20

Portability
68
Imaging
60
Features
93
Overall
73
Olympus OM-D E-M1 Mark II front
 
Samsung NX20 front
Portability
83
Imaging
62
Features
73
Overall
66

Olympus E-M1 II vs Samsung NX20 Key Specs

Olympus E-M1 II
(Full Review)
  • 20MP - Four Thirds Sensor
  • 3" Fully Articulated Screen
  • ISO 200 - 25600
  • Sensor based 5-axis Image Stabilization
  • No Anti-Alias Filter
  • 1/8000s Max Shutter
  • 4096 x 2160 video
  • Micro Four Thirds Mount
  • 574g - 134 x 91 x 67mm
  • Launched September 2016
  • Older Model is Olympus E-M1
  • Successor is Olympus E-M1 III
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
  • Replaced the Samsung NX11
  • Later Model is Samsung NX30
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Olympus E-M1 II vs Samsung NX20 Overview

Here is a in depth overview of the Olympus E-M1 II vs Samsung NX20, former being a Pro Mirrorless while the latter is a Advanced Mirrorless by competitors Olympus and Samsung. The sensor resolution of the E-M1 II (20MP) and the NX20 (20MP) is relatively comparable but the E-M1 II (Four Thirds) and NX20 (APS-C) feature totally different sensor size.

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The E-M1 II was released 4 years later than the NX20 and that is a fairly sizable difference as far as camera tech is concerned. Both of these cameras offer the identical body type (SLR-style mirrorless).

Before delving in to a comprehensive comparison, below is a simple summary of how the E-M1 II grades against the NX20 when it comes to portability, imaging, features and an overall rating.

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Reasons to pick Olympus E-M1 II over the Samsung NX20

 E-M1 II NX20 
RevealedSeptember 2016April 2012Fresher by 54 months
Screen resolution1037k614kCrisper screen (+423k dot)
Touch screen Quickly navigate

Reasons to pick Samsung NX20 over the Olympus E-M1 II

 NX20 E-M1 II 

Common features in the Olympus E-M1 II and Samsung NX20

 E-M1 II NX20 
Manual focus Dial exact focusing
Screen typeFully ArticulatedFully ArticulatedFully Articulated screen
Screen sizing3"3"Equivalent screen size
Selfie screen Both good for selfies

Olympus E-M1 II vs Samsung NX20 Physical Comparison

For anyone who is intending to carry your camera regularly, you're going to have to consider its weight and measurements. The Olympus E-M1 II features external measurements of 134mm x 91mm x 67mm (5.3" x 3.6" x 2.6") with a weight of 574 grams (1.27 lbs) and the Samsung NX20 has proportions of 122mm x 90mm x 40mm (4.8" x 3.5" x 1.6") accompanied by a weight of 341 grams (0.75 lbs).

Check out the Olympus E-M1 II vs Samsung NX20 in our newest Camera plus Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Take into consideration, the weight of an ILC will change depending on the lens you are utilising at the time. Following is the front view dimensions comparison of the E-M1 II versus the NX20.

Olympus E-M1 II vs Samsung NX20 size comparison

Using size and weight, the portability score of the E-M1 II and NX20 is 68 and 83 respectively.

Olympus E-M1 II vs Samsung NX20 top view buttons comparison

Olympus E-M1 II vs Samsung NX20 Sensor Comparison

Usually, it is very difficult to see the gap in sensor sizing just by going through technical specs. The graphic here should give you a clearer sense of the sensor sizing in the E-M1 II and NX20.

As you have seen, the 2 cameras offer the same exact MP albeit not the same sensor sizing. The E-M1 II includes the smaller sensor which is going to make achieving shallower DOF harder. The younger E-M1 II will have an advantage in sensor innovation.

Olympus E-M1 II vs Samsung NX20 sensor size comparison

Olympus E-M1 II vs Samsung NX20 Screen and ViewFinder

Olympus E-M1 II vs Samsung NX20 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Olympus E-M1 II Portrait photography details
Samsung NX20 Portrait photography details
76
manual focus
megapixel count good (20MP)
sensor size is decent (Four Thirds)
offers face detection autofocus
delivers RAW formats
77
has manual focus
sensor resolution is decent (20 megapixels)
sensor size is decent (APS-C)
provides face detect autofocus
delivers RAW formats
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Street Comparison

Street photography with Olympus E-M1 II
Street photography with Samsung NX20
78
screen can move to multiple angles
built in image stabilization (Sensor based 5-axis)
sensor size is decent (Four Thirds)
delivers RAW formats
offers touch focus
weather proof
lighter than average (574g)
great high ISO (25,600)
77
screen can move to multiple angles
sensor size is decent (APS-C)
delivers RAW formats
lighter than competitors (341g)
does not have image stabilization
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Sports Comparison

Sports photography with Olympus E-M1 II
Sports photography with Samsung NX20
75
high shutter speed (1/8,000 seconds)
quiet shooting (1/32,000 seconds)
high max frames per second (60.0 frames/s)
built in image stabilization (Sensor based 5-axis)
megapixel count good (20 megapixels)
sensor size is decent (Four Thirds)
offers tracking autofocus
weather proof
sensor has phase detect autofocus
not so great battery life (350 CIPA)
61
max shutter speed is good (1/8,000s)
sensor resolution is decent (20 megapixels)
sensor size is decent (APS-C)
does not have image stabilization
lack of phase detect autofocus
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Travel Comparison

Olympus E-M1 II Travel photography information
Samsung NX20 Travel photography information
72
lighter than average (574 grams)
weather proof
offers touch focus
megapixel count good (20MP)
display is selfie friendly
not so great battery life (350 shots)
77
lighter than competitors (341g)
sensor resolution is decent (20MP)
built-in flash
screen is selfie friendly
lack of Time Lapse function
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Landscape Comparison

Olympus E-M1 II Landscape photography highlights
Samsung NX20 Landscape photography highlights
76
manual focus
interchangeable lenses (Micro Four Thirds mount)
good sized screen (3")
built in image stabilization (Sensor based 5-axis)
megapixel count good (20 megapixels)
sensor size is decent (Four Thirds)
no anti aliasing filter
great high ISO (25,600)
delivers RAW formats
weather proof
2 card slots
not so great battery life (350 CIPA)
70
has manual focus
swap lenses (Samsung NX mount)
screen size is good (3 inches)
sensor resolution is decent (20MP)
sensor size is decent (APS-C)
delivers RAW formats
does not have image stabilization
lack of Time Lapse function
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Vlogging Comparison

Vlogging with Olympus E-M1 II
Vlogging with Samsung NX20
79
display is selfie friendly
touchscreen functionality
built in image stabilization (Sensor based 5-axis)
offers face detection autofocus
video res high (4096 x 2160 pixels)
includes external microphone support
lighter than average (574 grams)
78
screen is selfie friendly
provides face detect autofocus
video res high (1920 x 1080 resolution)
comes with mic jack
lighter than competitors (341g)
does not have image stabilization
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Olympus E-M1 II vs Samsung NX20 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Olympus E-M1 II and Samsung NX20
 Olympus OM-D E-M1 Mark IISamsung NX20
General Information
Manufacturer Olympus Samsung
Model type Olympus OM-D E-M1 Mark II Samsung NX20
Class Pro Mirrorless Advanced Mirrorless
Launched 2016-09-19 2012-04-20
Body design SLR-style mirrorless SLR-style mirrorless
Sensor Information
Processor TruePic VIII -
Sensor type CMOS CMOS
Sensor size Four Thirds APS-C
Sensor dimensions 17.4 x 13mm 23.5 x 15.7mm
Sensor area 226.2mm² 369.0mm²
Sensor resolution 20 megapixel 20 megapixel
Anti alias filter
Aspect ratio 4:3 1:1, 3:2 and 16:9
Peak resolution 5184 x 3888 5472 x 3648
Highest native ISO 25600 12800
Min native ISO 200 100
RAW format
Min enhanced ISO 64 -
Autofocusing
Focus manually
Touch focus
AF continuous
Single AF
Tracking AF
Selective AF
AF center weighted
Multi area AF
AF live view
Face detection AF
Contract detection AF
Phase detection AF
Total focus points 121 15
Lens
Lens support Micro Four Thirds Samsung NX
Available lenses 107 32
Crop factor 2.1 1.5
Screen
Screen type Fully Articulated Fully Articulated
Screen diagonal 3 inch 3 inch
Resolution of screen 1,037 thousand dot 614 thousand dot
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch functionality
Screen technology - Active Matrix OLED screen
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder Electronic Electronic
Viewfinder resolution 2,360 thousand dot -
Viewfinder coverage 100% 100%
Viewfinder magnification 0.74x 0.7x
Features
Minimum shutter speed 60s 30s
Fastest shutter speed 1/8000s 1/8000s
Fastest silent shutter speed 1/32000s -
Continuous shutter speed 60.0fps 8.0fps
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Manually set exposure
Exposure compensation Yes Yes
Set WB
Image stabilization
Integrated flash
Flash distance 9.10 m (at ISO 100) 11.00 m
Flash modes Redeye, Fill-in, Flash Off, Red-eye Slow sync.(1st curtain), Slow sync.(1st curtain), Slow sync.(2nd curtain), Manual Auto, On, Off, Red-eye, Fill-in, 1st/2nd Curtain, Smart Flash, Manual
Hot shoe
Auto exposure bracketing
WB bracketing
Fastest flash sync 1/250s 1/180s
Exposure
Multisegment exposure
Average exposure
Spot exposure
Partial exposure
AF area exposure
Center weighted exposure
Video features
Video resolutions 4096 x 2160 @ 24p / 237 Mbps, MOV, H.264, Linear PCM, 3840 x 2160 @ 30p / 102 Mbps, MOV, H.264, Linear PCM 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 4096x2160 1920x1080
Video file format MOV, H.264 MPEG-4, H.264
Mic input
Headphone input
Connectivity
Wireless Built-In Built-In
Bluetooth
NFC
HDMI
USB USB 3.0 (5 GBit/sec) USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec)
GPS None Optional
Physical
Environment seal
Water proofing
Dust proofing
Shock proofing
Crush proofing
Freeze proofing
Weight 574 grams (1.27 pounds) 341 grams (0.75 pounds)
Dimensions 134 x 91 x 67mm (5.3" x 3.6" x 2.6") 122 x 90 x 40mm (4.8" x 3.5" x 1.6")
DXO scores
DXO Overall rating 80 75
DXO Color Depth rating 23.7 23.4
DXO Dynamic range rating 12.8 12.9
DXO Low light rating 1312 785
Other
Battery life 350 pictures 360 pictures
Type of battery Battery Pack Battery Pack
Battery ID BLH-1 BP1130
Self timer Yes (2 or 12 secs, custom) Yes (2 sec to 30 sec)
Time lapse shooting
Type of storage Dual SD/SDHC/SDXC slots SD/SDHC/SDXC
Storage slots Dual Single
Launch price $1,700 $1,100