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Olympus E-M1 vs Samsung GX-20

Portability
71
Imaging
53
Features
85
Overall
65
Olympus OM-D E-M1 front
 
Samsung GX-20 front
Portability
58
Imaging
54
Features
52
Overall
53

Olympus E-M1 vs Samsung GX-20 Key Specs

Olympus E-M1
(Full Review)
  • 16MP - Four Thirds Sensor
  • 3" Tilting Screen
  • ISO 100 - 25600
  • Sensor based 5-axis Image Stabilization
  • 1/8000s Max Shutter
  • 1920 x 1080 video
  • Micro Four Thirds Mount
  • 497g - 130 x 94 x 63mm
  • Launched October 2013
  • Refreshed by Olympus E-M1 II
Samsung GX-20
(Full Review)
  • 15MP - APS-C Sensor
  • 2.7" Fixed Display
  • ISO 100 - 3200 (Increase to 6400)
  • Sensor based Image Stabilization
  • No Video
  • Pentax KAF2 Mount
  • 800g - 142 x 101 x 72mm
  • Announced January 2008
  • Replaced the Samsung GX-10
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Olympus E-M1 vs Samsung GX-20 Overview

Here, we are reviewing the Olympus E-M1 vs Samsung GX-20, former being a Pro Mirrorless while the other is a Advanced DSLR by companies Olympus and Samsung. The image resolution of the E-M1 (16MP) and the GX-20 (15MP) is fairly well matched but the E-M1 (Four Thirds) and GX-20 (APS-C) posses totally different sensor dimensions.

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The E-M1 was released 5 years later than the GX-20 and that is quite a serious difference as far as tech is concerned. The two cameras feature different body design with the Olympus E-M1 being a SLR-style mirrorless camera and the Samsung GX-20 being a Mid-size SLR camera.

Before getting into a in-depth comparison, here is a concise synopsis of how the E-M1 grades versus the GX-20 in the way of portability, imaging, features and an overall grade.

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Reasons to pick Olympus E-M1 over the Samsung GX-20

 E-M1 GX-20 
AnnouncedOctober 2013January 2008More recent by 71 months
Display typeTiltingFixed Tilting display
Display size3"2.7"Larger display (+0.3")
Display resolution1037k230kClearer display (+807k dot)
Touch friendly display Easily navigate

Reasons to pick Samsung GX-20 over the Olympus E-M1

 GX-20 E-M1 

Common features in the Olympus E-M1 and Samsung GX-20

 E-M1 GX-20 
Manually focus Very accurate focusing
Selfie screen Neither offers selfie screen

Olympus E-M1 vs Samsung GX-20 Physical Comparison

For anyone who is intending to lug around your camera often, you'll need to think about its weight and dimensions. The Olympus E-M1 offers outer measurements of 130mm x 94mm x 63mm (5.1" x 3.7" x 2.5") accompanied by a weight of 497 grams (1.10 lbs) whilst the Samsung GX-20 has dimensions of 142mm x 101mm x 72mm (5.6" x 4.0" x 2.8") accompanied by a weight of 800 grams (1.76 lbs).

Look at the Olympus E-M1 vs Samsung GX-20 in our brand new Camera plus Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Always remember, the weight of an ILC will change depending on the lens you have chosen at that moment. Underneath is a front view size comparison of the E-M1 compared to the GX-20.

Olympus E-M1 vs Samsung GX-20 size comparison

Using size and weight, the portability rating of the E-M1 and GX-20 is 71 and 58 respectively.

Olympus E-M1 vs Samsung GX-20 top view buttons comparison

Olympus E-M1 vs Samsung GX-20 Sensor Comparison

Usually, its difficult to visualise the contrast between sensor measurements just by reading through a spec sheet. The graphic underneath may give you a greater sense of the sensor measurements in the E-M1 and GX-20.

As you can see, both cameras feature different megapixel count and different sensor measurements. The E-M1 due to its tinier sensor will make achieving shallow depth of field tougher and the Olympus E-M1 will resolve greater detail as a result of its extra 1 Megapixels. Greater resolution can also let you crop photos way more aggressively. The more modern E-M1 will have a benefit when it comes to sensor tech.

Olympus E-M1 vs Samsung GX-20 sensor size comparison

Olympus E-M1 vs Samsung GX-20 Screen and ViewFinder

Olympus E-M1 vs Samsung GX-20 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Olympus E-M1 as a Portrait photography camera
Samsung GX-20 as a Portrait photography camera
71
has manual focus
flash sync is higher than normal (1/320s)
sensor resolution is decent (16 megapixels)
sensor size is decent (Four Thirds)
features face detection focusing
supports RAW formats
72
manual focus
sensor resolution is decent (15MP)
sensor size is decent (APS-C)
delivers RAW formats
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Street Comparison

Street photography with Olympus E-M1
Street photography with Samsung GX-20
78
has a tilting screen
has image stabilization (Sensor based 5-axis)
sensor size is decent (Four Thirds)
supports RAW formats
comes with touch focus
environment sealing
lighter than others in class (497g)
good high ISO (25,600)
65
has image stabilization (Sensor based)
sensor size is decent (APS-C)
delivers RAW formats
environment proof
no moving screen
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Sports Comparison

Olympus E-M1 Sports photography details
Samsung GX-20 Sports photography details
70
maximum shutter speed is high (1/8,000 seconds)
has image stabilization (Sensor based 5-axis)
sensor resolution is decent (16MP)
sensor size is decent (Four Thirds)
features tracking autofocus
environment sealing
comes with phase detect AF
terrible battery pack (350 shots)
68
has image stabilization (Sensor based)
sensor resolution is decent (15 megapixels)
sensor size is decent (APS-C)
environment proof
supports phase detect auto focus
max frames per second very slow (3.0 frames/s)
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Travel Comparison

Olympus E-M1 as a Travel photography camera
Samsung GX-20 as a Travel photography camera
65
lighter than others in class (497g)
environment sealing
comes with touch focus
sensor resolution is decent (16 megapixels)
terrible battery pack (350 shots)
screen is not selfie friendly
64
environment proof
sensor resolution is decent (15 megapixels)
has built in flash
does not offer selfie friendly screen
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Landscape Comparison

Olympus E-M1 Landscape photography information
Samsung GX-20 Landscape photography information
73
has manual focus
change lenses (Micro Four Thirds mount)
screen is a decent size (3")
has image stabilization (Sensor based 5-axis)
sensor resolution is decent (16MP)
sensor size is decent (Four Thirds)
good high ISO (25,600)
supports RAW formats
environment sealing
terrible battery pack (350 shots)
71
manual focus
swap lenses (Pentax KAF2 mount)
has image stabilization (Sensor based)
sensor resolution is decent (15 megapixels)
sensor size is decent (APS-C)
delivers RAW formats
environment proof
small screen (2.7")
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Vlogging Comparison

Olympus E-M1 as a Vlogging camera
Samsung GX-20 as a Vlogging camera
36
touchscreen functionality
has image stabilization (Sensor based 5-axis)
features face detection focusing
high res video (1920 x 1080 pxls)
does have external microphone jack
lighter than others in class (497g)
screen is not selfie friendly
9
no video shooting
Photography Glossary

Olympus E-M1 vs Samsung GX-20 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Olympus E-M1 and Samsung GX-20
 Olympus OM-D E-M1Samsung GX-20
General Information
Company Olympus Samsung
Model type Olympus OM-D E-M1 Samsung GX-20
Category Pro Mirrorless Advanced DSLR
Launched 2013-10-28 2008-01-24
Physical type SLR-style mirrorless Mid-size SLR
Sensor Information
Processor Chip TruePIC VII -
Sensor type CMOS CMOS
Sensor size Four Thirds APS-C
Sensor dimensions 17.3 x 13mm 23.4 x 15.6mm
Sensor surface area 224.9mm² 365.0mm²
Sensor resolution 16 megapixel 15 megapixel
Anti alias filter
Aspect ratio 1:1, 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9 -
Highest Possible resolution 4608 x 3456 4688 x 3120
Maximum native ISO 25600 3200
Maximum enhanced ISO - 6400
Min native ISO 100 100
RAW format
Autofocusing
Manual focusing
AF touch
Continuous AF
Single AF
AF tracking
AF selectice
AF center weighted
AF multi area
Live view AF
Face detection AF
Contract detection AF
Phase detection AF
Total focus points 81 11
Lens
Lens mount type Micro Four Thirds Pentax KAF2
Total lenses 107 151
Focal length multiplier 2.1 1.5
Screen
Screen type Tilting Fixed Type
Screen sizing 3 inches 2.7 inches
Resolution of screen 1,037 thousand dots 230 thousand dots
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch capability
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder Electronic Optical (pentaprism)
Viewfinder resolution 2,360 thousand dots -
Viewfinder coverage 100% 95%
Viewfinder magnification 0.74x 0.64x
Features
Minimum shutter speed 60 seconds 30 seconds
Fastest shutter speed 1/8000 seconds 1/4000 seconds
Continuous shutter rate 10.0 frames/s 3.0 frames/s
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Expose Manually
Exposure compensation Yes Yes
Set WB
Image stabilization
Built-in flash
Flash distance no built-in flash 13.00 m (at ISO 100)
Flash options Flash Auto, Redeye, Fill-in, Flash Off, Red-eye Slow sync (1st curtain), Slow sync (1st curtain), Slow sync (2nd curtain), Manual Auto, Red-Eye, Slow, Red-Eye Slow, Rear curtain, wireless
External flash
AEB
White balance bracketing
Fastest flash synchronize 1/320 seconds 1/180 seconds
Exposure
Multisegment exposure
Average exposure
Spot exposure
Partial exposure
AF area exposure
Center weighted exposure
Video features
Supported video resolutions 1920 x 1080 (30 fps), 1280 x 720 (30 fps), 640 x 480 (30 fps) -
Maximum video resolution 1920x1080 None
Video file format H.264, Motion JPEG -
Mic support
Headphone support
Connectivity
Wireless Built-In None
Bluetooth
NFC
HDMI
USB USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec) USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec)
GPS None None
Physical
Environmental sealing
Water proofing
Dust proofing
Shock proofing
Crush proofing
Freeze proofing
Weight 497 gr (1.10 pounds) 800 gr (1.76 pounds)
Physical dimensions 130 x 94 x 63mm (5.1" x 3.7" x 2.5") 142 x 101 x 72mm (5.6" x 4.0" x 2.8")
DXO scores
DXO Overall rating 73 68
DXO Color Depth rating 23.0 23.1
DXO Dynamic range rating 12.7 11.2
DXO Low light rating 757 714
Other
Battery life 350 photographs -
Form of battery Battery Pack -
Battery ID BLN-1 -
Self timer Yes (2 or 12 secs, custom) Yes (2 or 10 sec)
Time lapse shooting
Storage type SD/SDHC/SDXC SD/MMC/SDHC card
Card slots One One
Launch pricing $799 $850