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Olympus E-M5 vs Samsung NX20

Portability
81
Imaging
52
Features
70
Overall
59
Olympus OM-D E-M5 front
 
Samsung NX20 front
Portability
83
Imaging
62
Features
73
Overall
66

Olympus E-M5 vs Samsung NX20 Key Specs

Olympus E-M5
(Full Review)
  • 16MP - Four Thirds Sensor
  • 3" Tilting Screen
  • ISO 200 - 25600
  • Sensor based 5-axis Image Stabilization
  • 1920 x 1080 video
  • Micro Four Thirds Mount
  • 425g - 122 x 89 x 43mm
  • Announced April 2012
  • Replacement is Olympus E-M5 II
Samsung NX20
(Full Review)
  • 20MP - APS-C Sensor
  • 3" Fully Articulated Display
  • ISO 100 - 12800
  • 1/8000s Max Shutter
  • 1920 x 1080 video
  • Samsung NX Mount
  • 341g - 122 x 90 x 40mm
  • Announced April 2012
  • Replaced the Samsung NX11
  • Replacement is Samsung NX30
Photography Glossary

Olympus E-M5 vs Samsung NX20 Overview

Here is a thorough analysis of the Olympus E-M5 and Samsung NX20, both Advanced Mirrorless cameras by companies Olympus and Samsung. The image resolution of the E-M5 (16MP) and the NX20 (20MP) is fairly comparable but the E-M5 (Four Thirds) and NX20 (APS-C) offer totally different sensor dimensions.

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The E-M5 was introduced around the same time to the NX20 which means that they are both of a similar generation. Both cameras have the same body design (SLR-style mirrorless).

Before getting into a comprehensive comparison, here is a simple synopsis of how the E-M5 matches up vs the NX20 in relation to portability, imaging, features and an overall rating.

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Reasons to pick Olympus E-M5 over the Samsung NX20

 E-M5 NX20 
Touch display Easily navigate

Reasons to pick Samsung NX20 over the Olympus E-M5

 NX20 E-M5 
Display typeFully ArticulatedTiltingFully Articulating display
Display resolution614k610kClearer display (+4k dot)
Selfie screen Take selfies

Common features in the Olympus E-M5 and Samsung NX20

 E-M5 NX20 
AnnouncedApril 2012April 2012Same generation
Focus manually Very accurate focus
Display dimensions3"3"Equal display sizing

Olympus E-M5 vs Samsung NX20 Physical Comparison

If you are intending to carry your camera frequently, you'll have to factor in its weight and dimensions. The Olympus E-M5 features outer measurements of 122mm x 89mm x 43mm (4.8" x 3.5" x 1.7") along with a weight of 425 grams (0.94 lbs) whilst the Samsung NX20 has dimensions of 122mm x 90mm x 40mm (4.8" x 3.5" x 1.6") having a weight of 341 grams (0.75 lbs).

Compare the Olympus E-M5 and Samsung NX20 in the new Camera with Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Don't forget, the weight of an Interchangeable Lens Camera will differ based on the lens you are utilising at that time. Underneath is a front view dimensions comparison of the E-M5 against the NX20.

Olympus E-M5 vs Samsung NX20 size comparison

Taking into consideration size and weight, the portability score of the E-M5 and NX20 is 81 and 83 respectively.

Olympus E-M5 vs Samsung NX20 top view buttons comparison

Olympus E-M5 vs Samsung NX20 Sensor Comparison

Generally, it is very tough to see the contrast in sensor sizing purely by checking out technical specs. The graphic underneath will help provide you a more clear sense of the sensor sizing in the E-M5 and NX20.

As you have seen, each of these cameras have different resolutions and different sensor sizing. The E-M5 using its smaller sensor will make shooting shallower DOF trickier and the Samsung NX20 will provide extra detail using its extra 4 Megapixels. Greater resolution can also let you crop photos a bit more aggressively.

Olympus E-M5 vs Samsung NX20 sensor size comparison

Olympus E-M5 vs Samsung NX20 Screen and ViewFinder

Olympus E-M5 vs Samsung NX20 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Olympus E-M5 Portrait photography details
Samsung NX20 Portrait photography details
71
you can focus manually
decent MP (16 megapixels)
nice sensor size (Four Thirds)
comes with face detect focusing
exports RAW formats
77
focusing manually
decent MP (20MP)
decent sensor size (APS-C)
offers face detection focusing
saves RAW formats
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Street Comparison

Street photography with Olympus E-M5
Street photography with Samsung NX20
82
tilting screen
image stabilization (Sensor based 5-axis)
nice sensor size (Four Thirds)
exports RAW formats
has focus by touch
weather proofing
above average ISO range (25,600)
77
screen articulates fully
decent sensor size (APS-C)
saves RAW formats
lighter than competition in class (341 grams)
no image stabilization
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Sports Comparison

Olympus E-M5 Sports photography highlights
Samsung NX20 Sports photography highlights
67
image stabilization (Sensor based 5-axis)
decent MP (16MP)
nice sensor size (Four Thirds)
comes with tracking focus
weather proofing
doesn't have phase detect AF
61
great max shutter speed (1/8,000s)
decent MP (20 megapixels)
decent sensor size (APS-C)
no image stabilization
does not have phase detect AF
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Travel Comparison

Travel photography with Olympus E-M5
Travel photography with Samsung NX20
66
weather proofing
has focus by touch
decent MP (16 megapixels)
missing Time Lapse recording
doesn't posses selfie friendly screen
77
lighter than competition in class (341 grams)
decent MP (20 megapixels)
built-in flash
screen is selfie friendly
missing Timelapse function
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Landscape Comparison

Olympus E-M5 Landscape photography factors
Samsung NX20 Landscape photography factors
73
you can focus manually
change lenses (Micro Four Thirds mount)
screen size is decent (3 inches)
image stabilization (Sensor based 5-axis)
decent MP (16 megapixels)
nice sensor size (Four Thirds)
above average ISO range (25,600)
exports RAW formats
weather proofing
missing Time Lapse recording
70
focusing manually
swap lenses (Samsung NX mount)
screen size is decent (3 inch)
decent MP (20 megapixels)
decent sensor size (APS-C)
saves RAW formats
no image stabilization
missing Timelapse function
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Vlogging Comparison

Olympus E-M5 as a Vlogging camera
Samsung NX20 as a Vlogging camera
34
touchscreen
image stabilization (Sensor based 5-axis)
comes with face detect focusing
high quality video (1920 x 1080 resolution)
doesn't posses selfie friendly screen
missing mic socket
78
screen is selfie friendly
offers face detection focusing
high video quality (1920 x 1080 pixels)
has external microphone port
lighter than competition in class (341 grams)
no image stabilization
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Olympus E-M5 vs Samsung NX20 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Olympus E-M5 and Samsung NX20
 Olympus OM-D E-M5Samsung NX20
General Information
Manufacturer Olympus Samsung
Model type Olympus OM-D E-M5 Samsung NX20
Class Advanced Mirrorless Advanced Mirrorless
Announced 2012-04-30 2012-04-20
Body design SLR-style mirrorless SLR-style mirrorless
Sensor Information
Powered by TruePic VI -
Sensor type CMOS CMOS
Sensor size Four Thirds APS-C
Sensor measurements 17.3 x 13mm 23.5 x 15.7mm
Sensor surface area 224.9mm² 369.0mm²
Sensor resolution 16MP 20MP
Anti alias filter
Aspect ratio 1:1, 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9 1:1, 3:2 and 16:9
Highest resolution 4608 x 3456 5472 x 3648
Highest native ISO 25600 12800
Minimum native ISO 200 100
RAW photos
Minimum boosted ISO 100 -
Autofocusing
Focus manually
Touch to focus
Autofocus continuous
Single autofocus
Tracking autofocus
Autofocus selectice
Autofocus center weighted
Multi area autofocus
Live view autofocus
Face detection autofocus
Contract detection autofocus
Phase detection autofocus
Total focus points 35 15
Lens
Lens mount type Micro Four Thirds Samsung NX
Number of lenses 107 32
Crop factor 2.1 1.5
Screen
Screen type Tilting Fully Articulated
Screen diagonal 3 inches 3 inches
Resolution of screen 610 thousand dot 614 thousand dot
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch functionality
Screen tech Touch control in electrostatic capacitance type OLED monitor Active Matrix OLED screen
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder type Electronic Electronic
Viewfinder resolution 1,440 thousand dot -
Viewfinder coverage 100% 100%
Viewfinder magnification 0.58x 0.7x
Features
Slowest shutter speed 60 seconds 30 seconds
Maximum shutter speed 1/4000 seconds 1/8000 seconds
Continuous shooting speed 9.0 frames per second 8.0 frames per second
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Manually set exposure
Exposure compensation Yes Yes
Set white balance
Image stabilization
Integrated flash
Flash distance no built-in flash 11.00 m
Flash modes Auto, On, Off, Red-Eye, Fill-in, Slow Sync (2), Manual (3 levels) Auto, On, Off, Red-eye, Fill-in, 1st/2nd Curtain, Smart Flash, Manual
External flash
AE bracketing
White balance bracketing
Maximum flash sync 1/250 seconds 1/180 seconds
Exposure
Multisegment exposure
Average exposure
Spot exposure
Partial exposure
AF area exposure
Center weighted exposure
Video features
Video resolutions 1920 x 1080 (60 fps), 1280 x 720 (60, 30 fps), 640 x 480 (30 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 1920x1080 1920x1080
Video file format H.264, Motion JPEG MPEG-4, H.264
Microphone jack
Headphone jack
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 425 gr (0.94 pounds) 341 gr (0.75 pounds)
Physical dimensions 122 x 89 x 43mm (4.8" x 3.5" x 1.7") 122 x 90 x 40mm (4.8" x 3.5" x 1.6")
DXO scores
DXO All around rating 71 75
DXO Color Depth rating 22.8 23.4
DXO Dynamic range rating 12.3 12.9
DXO Low light rating 826 785
Other
Battery life 360 pictures 360 pictures
Type of battery Battery Pack Battery Pack
Battery ID BLN-1 BP1130
Self timer Yes (2 or 12 sec) Yes (2 sec to 30 sec)
Time lapse recording
Type of storage SD/SDHC/SDXC SD/SDHC/SDXC
Storage slots 1 1
Cost at launch $799 $1,100