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Pentax K-30 vs Samsung GX-20

Portability
63
Imaging
58
Features
66
Overall
61
Pentax K-30 front
 
Samsung GX-20 front
Portability
58
Imaging
54
Features
52
Overall
53

Pentax K-30 vs Samsung GX-20 Key Specs

Pentax K-30
(Full Review)
  • 16MP - APS-C Sensor
  • 3" Fixed Screen
  • ISO 100 - 12800 (Bump to 25600)
  • Sensor based Image Stabilization
  • 1/6000s Maximum Shutter
  • 1920 x 1080 video
  • Pentax KAF2 Mount
  • 650g - 130 x 97 x 71mm
  • Launched October 2012
  • Newer Model is Pentax K-50
Samsung GX-20
(Full Review)
  • 15MP - APS-C Sensor
  • 2.7" Fixed Display
  • ISO 100 - 3200 (Expand to 6400)
  • Sensor based Image Stabilization
  • No Video
  • Pentax KAF2 Mount
  • 800g - 142 x 101 x 72mm
  • Launched January 2008
  • Earlier Model is Samsung GX-10
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Pentax K-30 vs Samsung GX-20 Overview

Below is a detailed review of the Pentax K-30 versus Samsung GX-20, both Advanced DSLR digital cameras by manufacturers Pentax and Samsung. The image resolution of the K-30 (16MP) and the GX-20 (15MP) is fairly similar and they come with the same exact sensor measurements (APS-C).

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The K-30 was brought out 4 years later than the GX-20 and that is quite a large gap as far as technology is concerned. Each of these cameras offer the identical body type (Mid-size SLR).

Before delving through a in depth comparison, below is a brief introduction of how the K-30 matches up vs the GX-20 in the way of portability, imaging, features and an overall grade.

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Reasons to pick Pentax K-30 over the Samsung GX-20

 K-30 GX-20 
LaunchedOctober 2012January 2008More recent by 58 months
Display sizing3"2.7"Larger display (+0.3")
Display resolution921k230kClearer display (+691k dot)

Reasons to pick Samsung GX-20 over the Pentax K-30

 GX-20 K-30 

Common features in the Pentax K-30 and Samsung GX-20

 K-30 GX-20 
Manually focus More accurate focusing
Display typeFixed Fixed Fixed display
Selfie screen Absent selfie screen
Touch friendly display Absent Touch friendly display

Pentax K-30 vs Samsung GX-20 Physical Comparison

If you're planning to lug around your camera regularly, you are going to need to think about its weight and dimensions. The Pentax K-30 has got outside dimensions of 130mm x 97mm x 71mm (5.1" x 3.8" x 2.8") accompanied by a weight of 650 grams (1.43 lbs) and the Samsung GX-20 has dimensions of 142mm x 101mm x 72mm (5.6" x 4.0" x 2.8") and a weight of 800 grams (1.76 lbs).

Take a look at the Pentax K-30 versus Samsung GX-20 in the new Camera with Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Do not forget, the weight of an Interchangeable Lens Camera will vary based on the lens you choose at the time. Below is the front view measurements comparison of the K-30 vs the GX-20.

Pentax K-30 vs Samsung GX-20 size comparison

Factoring in dimensions and weight, the portability score of the K-30 and GX-20 is 63 and 58 respectively.

Pentax K-30 vs Samsung GX-20 top view buttons comparison

Pentax K-30 vs Samsung GX-20 Sensor Comparison

Sometimes, it's tough to visualize the gap between sensor measurements only by reviewing specs. The visual here will give you a far better sense of the sensor sizes in the K-30 and GX-20.

As you can plainly see, the 2 cameras offer the same exact sensor sizing but different megapixels. You should anticipate the Pentax K-30 to offer extra detail having its extra 1 Megapixels. Greater resolution will also enable you to crop images a little more aggressively. The more modern K-30 provides an advantage with regard to sensor tech.

Pentax K-30 vs Samsung GX-20 sensor size comparison

Pentax K-30 vs Samsung GX-20 Screen and ViewFinder

Pentax K-30 vs Samsung GX-20 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Pentax K-30 Portrait photography info
Samsung GX-20 Portrait photography info
74
focusing manually
decent MP (16 megapixels)
sensor size is decent (APS-C)
supports face detect focus
supports RAW formats
72
has manual focus
MP count decent (15MP)
sensor size is good (APS-C)
supports RAW files
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Street Comparison

Pentax K-30 Street photography information
Samsung GX-20 Street photography information
68
built in image stabilization (Sensor based)
sensor size is decent (APS-C)
supports RAW formats
weather proofing
fixed screen
65
has image stabilization (Sensor based)
sensor size is good (APS-C)
supports RAW files
environment proofing
no articulating screen
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Sports Comparison

Sports photography with Pentax K-30
Sports photography with Samsung GX-20
67
max shutter speed is good (1/6,000 seconds)
built in image stabilization (Sensor based)
decent MP (16 megapixels)
sensor size is decent (APS-C)
supports tracking focus
weather proofing
comes with phase detect auto focus
slow fps (6.0 frames per second)
bad battery pack (410 per charge)
68
has image stabilization (Sensor based)
MP count decent (15MP)
sensor size is good (APS-C)
environment proofing
has phase detect auto focus
max fps low (3.0 frames per second)
Photography Glossary

Travel Comparison

Travel photography with Pentax K-30
Travel photography with Samsung GX-20
60
weather proofing
decent MP (16 megapixels)
built-in flash
bad battery pack (410 CIPA)
screen is not selfie friendly
64
environment proofing
MP count decent (15MP)
built-in flash
screen isn't selfie friendly
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Landscape Comparison

Pentax K-30 as a Landscape photography camera
Samsung GX-20 as a Landscape photography camera
73
focusing manually
change lenses (Pentax KAF2 mount)
screen size is good (3 inches)
built in image stabilization (Sensor based)
decent MP (16MP)
sensor size is decent (APS-C)
supports RAW formats
weather proofing
bad battery pack (410 CIPA)
71
has manual focus
change lenses (Pentax KAF2 mount)
has image stabilization (Sensor based)
MP count decent (15 megapixels)
sensor size is good (APS-C)
supports RAW files
environment proofing
screen is somewhat small (2.7 inches)
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Vlogging Comparison

Pentax K-30 Vlogging advice
Samsung GX-20 Vlogging advice
30
built in image stabilization (Sensor based)
supports face detect focus
high quality video (1920 x 1080 pixels)
screen is not selfie friendly
doesn't have mic jack
9
no video
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Pentax K-30 vs Samsung GX-20 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Pentax K-30 and Samsung GX-20
 Pentax K-30Samsung GX-20
General Information
Manufacturer Pentax Samsung
Model Pentax K-30 Samsung GX-20
Type Advanced DSLR Advanced DSLR
Launched 2012-10-29 2008-01-24
Body design Mid-size SLR Mid-size SLR
Sensor Information
Chip Prime M -
Sensor type CMOS CMOS
Sensor size APS-C APS-C
Sensor measurements 23.7 x 15.7mm 23.4 x 15.6mm
Sensor area 372.1mm² 365.0mm²
Sensor resolution 16MP 15MP
Anti aliasing filter
Aspect ratio 3:2 -
Peak resolution 4928 x 3264 4688 x 3120
Highest native ISO 12800 3200
Highest enhanced ISO 25600 6400
Minimum native ISO 100 100
RAW format
Autofocusing
Manual focus
Autofocus touch
Autofocus continuous
Autofocus single
Tracking autofocus
Selective autofocus
Center weighted autofocus
Multi area autofocus
Autofocus live view
Face detection autofocus
Contract detection autofocus
Phase detection autofocus
Number of focus points 11 11
Cross focus points 9 -
Lens
Lens mounting type Pentax KAF2 Pentax KAF2
Amount of lenses 151 151
Focal length multiplier 1.5 1.5
Screen
Screen type Fixed Type Fixed Type
Screen size 3 inches 2.7 inches
Resolution of screen 921k dot 230k dot
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch operation
Screen tech TFT LCD monitor with brightness/color adjustment and AR coating -
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder Optical (pentaprism) Optical (pentaprism)
Viewfinder coverage 100 percent 95 percent
Viewfinder magnification 0.61x 0.64x
Features
Min shutter speed 30 secs 30 secs
Max shutter speed 1/6000 secs 1/4000 secs
Continuous shutter speed 6.0 frames/s 3.0 frames/s
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Expose Manually
Exposure compensation Yes Yes
Custom white balance
Image stabilization
Inbuilt flash
Flash range 12.00 m (at ISO 100) 13.00 m (at ISO 100)
Flash modes Auto, On, Off, Red-eye,Slow Sync, Slow Sync+ Redeye, Trailing Curtain Sync, Wireless Auto, Red-Eye, Slow, Red-Eye Slow, Rear curtain, wireless
External flash
Auto exposure bracketing
WB bracketing
Max flash sync 1/180 secs 1/180 secs
Exposure
Multisegment exposure
Average exposure
Spot exposure
Partial exposure
AF area exposure
Center weighted exposure
Video features
Video resolutions 1920 x 1080 (30,25,24 fps), 1280 x 720 (60,50,30,25,24 fps), 640 x 424 (30,25,24 fps) -
Highest video resolution 1920x1080 None
Video data format MPEG-4, H.264 -
Microphone input
Headphone input
Connectivity
Wireless None None
Bluetooth
NFC
HDMI
USB USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec) USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec)
GPS Optional None
Physical
Environmental seal
Water proof
Dust proof
Shock proof
Crush proof
Freeze proof
Weight 650g (1.43 lb) 800g (1.76 lb)
Dimensions 130 x 97 x 71mm (5.1" x 3.8" x 2.8") 142 x 101 x 72mm (5.6" x 4.0" x 2.8")
DXO scores
DXO Overall score 79 68
DXO Color Depth score 23.7 23.1
DXO Dynamic range score 13.0 11.2
DXO Low light score 1129 714
Other
Battery life 410 photos -
Battery format Battery Pack -
Battery model D-LI109,4 x AA -
Self timer Yes ( 2 or 12 seconds) Yes (2 or 10 sec)
Time lapse shooting
Type of storage SD/SDHC/SDXC SD/MMC/SDHC card
Storage slots One One
Launch price $525 $850