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Panasonic GH3 vs Samsung NX20

Portability
66
Imaging
52
Features
80
Overall
63
Panasonic Lumix DMC-GH3 front
 
Samsung NX20 front
Portability
83
Imaging
62
Features
73
Overall
66

Panasonic GH3 vs Samsung NX20 Key Specs

Panasonic GH3
(Full Review)
  • 16MP - Four Thirds Sensor
  • 3" Fully Articulated Screen
  • ISO 200 - 12800
  • 1920 x 1080 video
  • Micro Four Thirds Mount
  • 550g - 133 x 93 x 82mm
  • Launched September 2012
  • Earlier Model is Panasonic GH2
  • Later Model is Panasonic GH4
Samsung NX20
(Full Review)
  • 20MP - APS-C Sensor
  • 3" Fully Articulated Display
  • ISO 100 - 12800
  • 1/8000s Maximum Shutter
  • 1920 x 1080 video
  • Samsung NX Mount
  • 341g - 122 x 90 x 40mm
  • Released April 2012
  • Old Model is Samsung NX11
  • Later Model is Samsung NX30
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Panasonic GH3 vs Samsung NX20 Overview

Below, we are reviewing the Panasonic GH3 and Samsung NX20, both Advanced Mirrorless cameras by competitors Panasonic and Samsung. The image resolution of the GH3 (16MP) and the NX20 (20MP) is fairly comparable but the GH3 (Four Thirds) and NX20 (APS-C) possess different sensor sizing.

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The GH3 was introduced 5 months after the NX20 which means that they are of a similar age. Both cameras come with the identical body type (SLR-style mirrorless).

Before getting in to a step-by-step comparison, below is a quick highlight of how the GH3 grades versus the NX20 with respect to portability, imaging, features and an overall score.

Photography Glossary
	
	

Reasons to pick Panasonic GH3 over the Samsung NX20

 GH3 NX20 
Touch friendly display Easily navigate

Reasons to pick Samsung NX20 over the Panasonic GH3

 NX20 GH3 

Common features in the Panasonic GH3 and Samsung NX20

 GH3 NX20 
ReleasedSeptember 2012April 2012Same age
Focus manually Very exact focus
Display typeFully ArticulatedFully ArticulatedFully Articulated display
Display dimension3"3"Identical display measurement
Display resolution614k614kSame display resolution
Selfie screen Both good for selfies

Panasonic GH3 vs Samsung NX20 Physical Comparison

For those who are looking to carry around your camera regularly, you'll have to factor in its weight and measurements. The Panasonic GH3 offers outside dimensions of 133mm x 93mm x 82mm (5.2" x 3.7" x 3.2") having a weight of 550 grams (1.21 lbs) whilst the Samsung NX20 has proportions of 122mm x 90mm x 40mm (4.8" x 3.5" x 1.6") along with a weight of 341 grams (0.75 lbs).

Look at the Panasonic GH3 and Samsung NX20 in our newest Camera & Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Take into account, the weight of an ILC will vary depending on the lens you choose at that time. Here is the front view physical size comparison of the GH3 versus the NX20.

Panasonic GH3 vs Samsung NX20 size comparison

Factoring in dimensions and weight, the portability rating of the GH3 and NX20 is 66 and 83 respectively.

Panasonic GH3 vs Samsung NX20 top view buttons comparison

Panasonic GH3 vs Samsung NX20 Sensor Comparison

Typically, it is tough to visualize the difference in sensor sizes simply by checking out specs. The picture underneath may provide you a clearer sense of the sensor dimensions in the GH3 and NX20.

All in all, both of those cameras posses different megapixels and different sensor sizes. The GH3 with its smaller sensor is going to make getting shallow DOF tougher and the Samsung NX20 will provide extra detail using its extra 4 Megapixels. Greater resolution will make it easier to crop images somewhat more aggressively.

Panasonic GH3 vs Samsung NX20 sensor size comparison

Panasonic GH3 vs Samsung NX20 Screen and ViewFinder

Panasonic GH3 vs Samsung NX20 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Panasonic GH3 Portrait photography info
Samsung NX20 Portrait photography info
71
manual focus
resolution is good (16MP)
sensor size is good (Four Thirds)
features face detection focusing
delivers RAW files
77
focusing manually
decent sensor resolution (20MP)
good sensor size (APS-C)
offers face detect focusing
saves RAW formats
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Street Comparison

Panasonic GH3 Street photography details
Samsung NX20 Street photography details
65
screen can move to multiple angles
sensor size is good (Four Thirds)
delivers RAW files
has focus by touch
weather proofing
lack of image stabilization
heavier than others (550 grams)
77
screen articulates
good sensor size (APS-C)
saves RAW formats
lighter than competition (341 grams)
lack of image stabilization
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Sports Comparison

Panasonic GH3 Sports photography advice
Samsung NX20 Sports photography advice
63
fast shooting (20.0 fps)
resolution is good (16MP)
sensor size is good (Four Thirds)
features tracking autofocus
weather proofing
better than average battery life (540 CIPA)
lack of image stabilization
doesn't have phase detect AF
61
maximum shutter speed is high (1/8,000s)
decent sensor resolution (20 megapixels)
good sensor size (APS-C)
lack of image stabilization
lack of phase detect AF
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Travel Comparison

Panasonic GH3 Travel photography highlights
Samsung NX20 Travel photography highlights
71
better than average battery life (540 shots)
weather proofing
has focus by touch
resolution is good (16MP)
built-in flash
display is selfie friendly
heavier than others (550g)
77
lighter than competition (341g)
decent sensor resolution (20MP)
flash built-in
screen is selfie friendly
missing Timelapse mode
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Landscape Comparison

Panasonic GH3 Landscape photography advice
Samsung NX20 Landscape photography advice
71
manual focus
interchangeable lenses (Micro Four Thirds mount)
screen is a good size (3 inch)
resolution is good (16MP)
sensor size is good (Four Thirds)
delivers RAW files
weather proofing
better than average battery life (540 shots)
lack of image stabilization
70
focusing manually
swap lenses (Samsung NX mount)
decent sized screen (3 inch)
decent sensor resolution (20 megapixels)
good sensor size (APS-C)
saves RAW formats
lack of image stabilization
missing Timelapse mode
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Vlogging Comparison

Panasonic GH3 Vlogging factors
Samsung NX20 Vlogging factors
65
display is selfie friendly
touchscreen capability
features face detection focusing
video res high (1920 x 1080 pixels)
has external mic socket
lack of image stabilization
heavier than others (550g)
78
screen is selfie friendly
offers face detect focusing
video resolution high (1920 x 1080 pxls)
does have microphone jack
lighter than competition (341g)
lack of image stabilization
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Panasonic GH3 vs Samsung NX20 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Panasonic GH3 and Samsung NX20
 Panasonic Lumix DMC-GH3Samsung NX20
General Information
Manufacturer Panasonic Samsung
Model type Panasonic Lumix DMC-GH3 Samsung NX20
Type Advanced Mirrorless Advanced Mirrorless
Launched 2012-09-17 2012-04-20
Body design SLR-style mirrorless SLR-style mirrorless
Sensor Information
Processor Venus Engine VII FHD -
Sensor type CMOS CMOS
Sensor size Four Thirds APS-C
Sensor measurements 17.3 x 13mm 23.5 x 15.7mm
Sensor area 224.9mm² 369.0mm²
Sensor resolution 16 megapixels 20 megapixels
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 12800 12800
Lowest native ISO 200 100
RAW pictures
Autofocusing
Focus manually
AF touch
AF continuous
Single AF
AF tracking
Selective AF
AF center weighted
Multi area AF
AF live view
Face detection AF
Contract detection AF
Phase detection AF
Total focus points 23 15
Lens
Lens mount type Micro Four Thirds Samsung NX
Available lenses 107 32
Focal length multiplier 2.1 1.5
Screen
Screen type Fully Articulated Fully Articulated
Screen sizing 3" 3"
Resolution of screen 614k dot 614k dot
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch function
Screen tech OLED Monitor with static touch control Active Matrix OLED screen
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder Electronic Electronic
Viewfinder resolution 1,744k dot -
Viewfinder coverage 100 percent 100 percent
Viewfinder magnification 0.67x 0.7x
Features
Slowest shutter speed 60 seconds 30 seconds
Maximum shutter speed 1/4000 seconds 1/8000 seconds
Continuous shooting speed 20.0fps 8.0fps
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Manual exposure
Exposure compensation Yes Yes
Custom WB
Image stabilization
Built-in flash
Flash distance 12.00 m 11.00 m
Flash options Auto, On, Off, Red-Eye, Slow Sync Auto, On, Off, Red-eye, Fill-in, 1st/2nd Curtain, Smart Flash, Manual
External flash
AEB
WB bracketing
Maximum flash sync 1/160 seconds 1/180 seconds
Exposure
Multisegment
Average
Spot
Partial
AF area
Center weighted
Video features
Video resolutions 1920 x 1080 (60, 50, 30, 25 24 fps) 1280 x 720 (60, 50, 30, 25fps), 640 x 480 (30, 25fps 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 format MPEG-4, AVCHD, H.264 MPEG-4, H.264
Microphone input
Headphone input
Connectivity
Wireless Built-In Built-In
Bluetooth
NFC
HDMI
USB USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec) USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec)
GPS None Optional
Physical
Environmental seal
Water proofing
Dust proofing
Shock proofing
Crush proofing
Freeze proofing
Weight 550g (1.21 lb) 341g (0.75 lb)
Dimensions 133 x 93 x 82mm (5.2" x 3.7" x 3.2") 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 22.7 23.4
DXO Dynamic range rating 12.4 12.9
DXO Low light rating 812 785
Other
Battery life 540 photographs 360 photographs
Type of battery Battery Pack Battery Pack
Battery ID - BP1130
Self timer Yes (2 or 10 sec, 10 sec (3 images)) Yes (2 sec to 30 sec)
Time lapse shooting
Type of storage SD/SDHC/SDXC SD/SDHC/SDXC
Storage slots One One
Launch price $799 $1,100