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Pentax K-3 vs Samsung GX-20

Portability
59
Imaging
65
Features
85
Overall
73
Pentax K-3 front
 
Samsung GX-20 front
Portability
58
Imaging
53
Features
52
Overall
52

Pentax K-3 vs Samsung GX-20 Key Specs

Pentax K-3
(Full Review)
  • 24MP - APS-C Sensor
  • 3.2" Fixed Display
  • ISO 100 - 51200
  • Sensor based Image Stabilization
  • No Anti-Alias Filter
  • 1/8000s Maximum Shutter
  • 1920 x 1080 video
  • Pentax KAF2 Mount
  • 800g - 131 x 100 x 77mm
  • Revealed April 2014
  • Replacement is Pentax K-3 II
Samsung GX-20
(Full Review)
  • 15MP - APS-C Sensor
  • 2.7" Fixed Screen
  • ISO 100 - 3200 (Boost to 6400)
  • Sensor based Image Stabilization
  • No Video
  • Pentax KAF2 Mount
  • 800g - 142 x 101 x 72mm
  • Launched January 2008
  • Older Model is Samsung GX-10
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Pentax K-3 vs Samsung GX-20 Overview

Here is a thorough review of the Pentax K-3 versus Samsung GX-20, both Advanced DSLR digital cameras by rivals Pentax and Samsung. There exists a big gap between the resolutions of the K-3 (24MP) and GX-20 (15MP) but both cameras provide the same sensor sizing (APS-C).

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The K-3 was announced 6 years later than the GX-20 and that is quite a big gap as far as technology is concerned. Both cameras have the same body design (Mid-size SLR).

Before diving straight to a in depth comparison, here is a simple view of how the K-3 grades against the GX-20 in terms of portability, imaging, features and an overall rating.

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Reasons to pick Pentax K-3 over the Samsung GX-20

 K-3 GX-20 
LaunchedApril 2014January 2008Fresher by 76 months
Screen dimensions3.2"2.7"Bigger screen (+0.5")
Screen resolution1037k230kSharper screen (+807k dot)

Reasons to pick Samsung GX-20 over the Pentax K-3

 GX-20 K-3 

Common features in the Pentax K-3 and Samsung GX-20

 K-3 GX-20 
Manually focus Very precise focus
Screen typeFixed Fixed Fixed screen
Selfie screen Neither features selfie screen
Touch friendly screen Neither features Touch friendly screen

Pentax K-3 vs Samsung GX-20 Physical Comparison

For anybody who is intending to carry your camera frequently, you will need to consider its weight and volume. The Pentax K-3 enjoys exterior dimensions of 131mm x 100mm x 77mm (5.2" x 3.9" x 3.0") with a weight of 800 grams (1.76 lbs) and the Samsung GX-20 has sizing of 142mm x 101mm x 72mm (5.6" x 4.0" x 2.8") accompanied by a weight of 800 grams (1.76 lbs).

Check out the Pentax K-3 versus Samsung GX-20 in the new Camera with Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Remember, the weight of an Interchangeable Lens Camera will differ based on the lens you have attached during that time. Below is a front view sizing comparison of the K-3 against the GX-20.

Pentax K-3 vs Samsung GX-20 size comparison

Using dimensions and weight, the portability rating of the K-3 and GX-20 is 59 and 58 respectively.

Pentax K-3 vs Samsung GX-20 top view buttons comparison

Pentax K-3 vs Samsung GX-20 Sensor Comparison

Quite often, it is hard to visualise the contrast between sensor sizing simply by checking specs. The photograph here will provide you a stronger sense of the sensor dimensions in the K-3 and GX-20.

All in all, both of the cameras have the same sensor dimensions albeit not the same resolution. You should expect the Pentax K-3 to give more detail with its extra 9 Megapixels. Higher resolution can also allow you to crop shots a bit more aggressively. The newer K-3 is going to have an edge when it comes to sensor technology.

Pentax K-3 vs Samsung GX-20 sensor size comparison

Pentax K-3 vs Samsung GX-20 Screen and ViewFinder

Pentax K-3 vs Samsung GX-20 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Pentax K-3 Portrait photography information
Samsung GX-20 Portrait photography information
79
focusing manually
MP count good (24 megapixels)
decent sensor size (APS-C)
provides face detect focus
saves RAW formats
71
focusing manually
good megapixels (15 megapixels)
nice sensor size (APS-C)
supports RAW formats
Photography Glossary

Street Comparison

Pentax K-3 Street photography advice
Samsung GX-20 Street photography advice
69
built in image stabilization (Sensor based)
decent sensor size (APS-C)
saves RAW formats
weather proofing
above average ISO range (51,200)
screen is fixed
65
has image stabilization (Sensor based)
nice sensor size (APS-C)
supports RAW formats
weather proofing
fixed screen
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Sports Comparison

Sports photography with Pentax K-3
Sports photography with Samsung GX-20
76
high shutter speed (1/8,000s)
built in image stabilization (Sensor based)
MP count good (24MP)
decent sensor size (APS-C)
provides tracking focus
weather proofing
has phase detect auto focus
not so great battery (560 CIPA)
68
has image stabilization (Sensor based)
good megapixels (15 megapixels)
nice sensor size (APS-C)
weather proofing
has phase detect auto focus
slow continuous shooting (3.0 frames per second)
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Travel Comparison

Pentax K-3 Travel photography details
Samsung GX-20 Travel photography details
60
weather proofing
MP count good (24 megapixels)
has built in flash
not so great battery (560 CIPA)
display is not selfie friendly
63
weather proofing
good megapixels (15 megapixels)
flash built-in
display is not selfie friendly
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Landscape Comparison

Pentax K-3 Landscape photography factors
Samsung GX-20 Landscape photography factors
77
focusing manually
switch lenses (Pentax KAF2 mount)
nice screen size (3.2")
built in image stabilization (Sensor based)
MP count good (24 megapixels)
decent sensor size (APS-C)
no low pass filter
above average ISO range (51,200)
saves RAW formats
weather proofing
two card slots
not so great battery (560 CIPA)
70
focusing manually
interchangeable lenses (Pentax KAF2 mount)
has image stabilization (Sensor based)
good megapixels (15MP)
nice sensor size (APS-C)
supports RAW formats
weather proofing
screen is somewhat small (2.7 inch)
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Vlogging Comparison

Pentax K-3 as a Vlogging camera
Samsung GX-20 as a Vlogging camera
34
built in image stabilization (Sensor based)
provides face detect focus
video resolution high (1920 x 1080 pixels)
has mic socket
display is not selfie friendly
9
lack of video recording
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Pentax K-3 vs Samsung GX-20 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Pentax K-3 and Samsung GX-20
 Pentax K-3Samsung GX-20
General Information
Make Pentax Samsung
Model type Pentax K-3 Samsung GX-20
Class Advanced DSLR Advanced DSLR
Revealed 2014-04-10 2008-01-24
Body design Mid-size SLR Mid-size SLR
Sensor Information
Chip Prime III -
Sensor type CMOS CMOS
Sensor size APS-C APS-C
Sensor dimensions 23.5 x 15.6mm 23.4 x 15.6mm
Sensor area 366.6mm² 365.0mm²
Sensor resolution 24 megapixels 15 megapixels
Anti alias filter
Aspect ratio 3:2 -
Max resolution 6016 x 4000 4688 x 3120
Max native ISO 51200 3200
Max enhanced ISO - 6400
Min native ISO 100 100
RAW photos
Autofocusing
Focus manually
Autofocus touch
Autofocus continuous
Single autofocus
Tracking autofocus
Autofocus selectice
Center weighted autofocus
Multi area autofocus
Live view autofocus
Face detect autofocus
Contract detect autofocus
Phase detect autofocus
Total focus points 27 11
Cross type focus points 25 -
Lens
Lens support Pentax KAF2 Pentax KAF2
Amount of lenses 151 151
Crop factor 1.5 1.5
Screen
Range of display Fixed Type Fixed Type
Display diagonal 3.2 inch 2.7 inch
Display resolution 1,037 thousand dot 230 thousand dot
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch operation
Display technology TFT LCD monitor -
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder type Optical (pentaprism) Optical (pentaprism)
Viewfinder coverage 100% 95%
Viewfinder magnification 0.64x 0.64x
Features
Min shutter speed 30s 30s
Max shutter speed 1/8000s 1/4000s
Continuous shutter speed 8.0 frames/s 3.0 frames/s
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Manually set exposure
Exposure compensation Yes Yes
Change white balance
Image stabilization
Built-in flash
Flash distance 13.00 m (at ISO 100) 13.00 m (at ISO 100)
Flash modes Auto, on, off, red-eye, slow sync, slow sync + red-eye, trailing curtain sync, high speed, wireless, manual Auto, Red-Eye, Slow, Red-Eye Slow, Rear curtain, wireless
Hot shoe
Auto exposure bracketing
White balance bracketing
Max flash sync 1/180s 1/180s
Exposure
Multisegment metering
Average metering
Spot metering
Partial metering
AF area metering
Center weighted metering
Video features
Video resolutions 1920 x 1080 (60i, 50i, 30p, 25p, 24p), 1280 x 720 (60p, 50p, 30p, 25p, 24p) -
Max video resolution 1920x1080 None
Video format MPEG-4, H.264 -
Mic input
Headphone input
Connectivity
Wireless None None
Bluetooth
NFC
HDMI
USB USB 3.0 (5 GBit/sec) USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec)
GPS Optional None
Physical
Environment seal
Water proofing
Dust proofing
Shock proofing
Crush proofing
Freeze proofing
Weight 800 grams (1.76 lb) 800 grams (1.76 lb)
Physical dimensions 131 x 100 x 77mm (5.2" x 3.9" x 3.0") 142 x 101 x 72mm (5.6" x 4.0" x 2.8")
DXO scores
DXO Overall rating 80 68
DXO Color Depth rating 23.7 23.1
DXO Dynamic range rating 13.4 11.2
DXO Low light rating 1216 714
Other
Battery life 560 shots -
Battery format Battery Pack -
Battery ID D-LI90 -
Self timer Yes ( 2 or 12 seconds) Yes (2 or 10 sec)
Time lapse feature
Type of storage Dual SD/SDHC/SDXC SD/MMC/SDHC card
Storage slots 2 Single
Retail price $639 $850