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Pentax K-5 vs Samsung NX20

Portability
60
Imaging
56
Features
82
Overall
66
Pentax K-5 front
 
Samsung NX20 front
Portability
83
Imaging
62
Features
73
Overall
66

Pentax K-5 vs Samsung NX20 Key Specs

Pentax K-5
(Full Review)
  • 16MP - APS-C Sensor
  • 3" Fixed Screen
  • ISO 80 - 12800 (Push to 51200)
  • Sensor based Image Stabilization
  • 1/8000s Max Shutter
  • 1920 x 1080 video
  • Pentax KAF2 Mount
  • 740g - 131 x 97 x 73mm
  • Introduced December 2010
  • Previous Model is Pentax K-7
  • New Model is Pentax K-5 IIs
Samsung NX20
(Full Review)
  • 20MP - APS-C Sensor
  • 3" Fully Articulated Screen
  • ISO 100 - 12800
  • 1/8000s Maximum Shutter
  • 1920 x 1080 video
  • Samsung NX Mount
  • 341g - 122 x 90 x 40mm
  • Announced April 2012
  • Earlier Model is Samsung NX11
  • Later Model is Samsung NX30
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Pentax K-5 vs Samsung NX20 Overview

Below is a extensive assessment of the Pentax K-5 versus Samsung NX20, former being a Advanced DSLR while the latter is a Advanced Mirrorless by manufacturers Pentax and Samsung. The sensor resolution of the K-5 (16MP) and the NX20 (20MP) is relatively well matched and they come with the same exact sensor measurements (APS-C).

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The K-5 was unveiled 16 months prior to the NX20 which makes the cameras a generation apart from one another. Each of these cameras offer different body type with the Pentax K-5 being a Mid-size SLR camera and the Samsung NX20 being a SLR-style mirrorless camera.

Before getting through a complete comparison, below is a quick summation of how the K-5 matches up vs the NX20 in relation to portability, imaging, features and an overall grade.

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Reasons to pick Pentax K-5 over the Samsung NX20

 K-5 NX20 
Screen resolution921k614kSharper screen (+307k dot)

Reasons to pick Samsung NX20 over the Pentax K-5

 NX20 K-5 
AnnouncedApril 2012December 2010More recent by 16 months
Screen typeFully ArticulatedFixed Fully Articulating screen
Selfie screen Easy selfies

Common features in the Pentax K-5 and Samsung NX20

 K-5 NX20 
Manual focus Very exact focus
Screen sizing3"3"Equivalent screen measurements
Touch friendly screen Lacking Touch friendly screen

Pentax K-5 vs Samsung NX20 Physical Comparison

If you're looking to lug around your camera often, you should factor its weight and dimensions. The Pentax K-5 offers exterior measurements of 131mm x 97mm x 73mm (5.2" x 3.8" x 2.9") along with a weight of 740 grams (1.63 lbs) while 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).

Check the Pentax K-5 versus Samsung NX20 in our newest Camera & Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Keep in mind, the weight of an ILC will differ dependant on the lens you are using during that time. The following is the front view physical size comparison of the K-5 compared to the NX20.

Pentax K-5 vs Samsung NX20 size comparison

Looking at dimensions and weight, the portability score of the K-5 and NX20 is 60 and 83 respectively.

Pentax K-5 vs Samsung NX20 top view buttons comparison

Pentax K-5 vs Samsung NX20 Sensor Comparison

Normally, it is difficult to visualize the gap between sensor measurements merely by reading through a spec sheet. The visual below may offer you a stronger sense of the sensor measurements in the K-5 and NX20.

As you can see, each of the cameras enjoy the same exact sensor sizing albeit different megapixels. You can count on the Samsung NX20 to resolve extra detail having an extra 4 Megapixels. Higher resolution will also let you crop pictures far more aggressively. The older K-5 is going to be disadvantaged in sensor tech.

Pentax K-5 vs Samsung NX20 sensor size comparison

Pentax K-5 vs Samsung NX20 Screen and ViewFinder

Pentax K-5 vs Samsung NX20 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Portrait photography with Pentax K-5
Portrait photography with Samsung NX20
73
focusing manually
good megapixels (16 megapixels)
sensor size is decent (APS-C)
features face detection focus
saves RAW files
77
focusing manually
decent sensor resolution (20MP)
good sensor size (APS-C)
has face detection autofocus
delivers RAW files
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Street Comparison

Pentax K-5 as a Street photography camera
Samsung NX20 as a Street photography camera
66
built in image stabilization (Sensor based)
sensor size is decent (APS-C)
saves RAW files
environment sealing
no moving screen
77
screen articulates
good sensor size (APS-C)
delivers RAW files
lighter than average in class (341 grams)
does not have image stabilization
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Sports Comparison

Pentax K-5 Sports photography information
Samsung NX20 Sports photography information
78
max shutter speed is good (1/8,000 seconds)
built in image stabilization (Sensor based)
good megapixels (16MP)
sensor size is decent (APS-C)
features tracking autofocus
environment sealing
has phase detect auto focus
61
maximum shutter speed is high (1/8,000 seconds)
decent sensor resolution (20MP)
good sensor size (APS-C)
does not have image stabilization
has no phase detect autofocus
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Travel Comparison

Pentax K-5 Travel photography information
Samsung NX20 Travel photography information
65
environment sealing
good megapixels (16MP)
flash built-in
doesn't feature selfie friendly display
77
lighter than average in class (341g)
decent sensor resolution (20 megapixels)
flash built-in
selfie friendly display
does not have Time Lapse function
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Landscape Comparison

Pentax K-5 as a Landscape photography camera
Samsung NX20 as a Landscape photography camera
78
focusing manually
switch lenses (Pentax KAF2 mount)
good sized screen (3 inch)
built in image stabilization (Sensor based)
good megapixels (16MP)
sensor size is decent (APS-C)
saves RAW files
environment sealing
70
focusing manually
change lenses (Samsung NX mount)
decent sized screen (3 inches)
decent sensor resolution (20MP)
good sensor size (APS-C)
delivers RAW files
does not have image stabilization
does not have Time Lapse function
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Vlogging Comparison

Pentax K-5 as a Vlogging camera
Samsung NX20 as a Vlogging camera
33
built in image stabilization (Sensor based)
features face detection focus
high res video (1920 x 1080 resolution)
has external microphone jack
doesn't feature selfie friendly display
78
selfie friendly display
has face detection autofocus
high quality video (1920 x 1080 pxls)
includes external mic support
lighter than average in class (341g)
does not have image stabilization
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Pentax K-5 vs Samsung NX20 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Pentax K-5 and Samsung NX20
 Pentax K-5Samsung NX20
General Information
Manufacturer Pentax Samsung
Model Pentax K-5 Samsung NX20
Category Advanced DSLR Advanced Mirrorless
Introduced 2010-12-18 2012-04-20
Physical type Mid-size SLR SLR-style mirrorless
Sensor Information
Chip Prime II -
Sensor type CMOS CMOS
Sensor size APS-C APS-C
Sensor dimensions 23.7 x 15.7mm 23.5 x 15.7mm
Sensor surface area 372.1mm² 369.0mm²
Sensor resolution 16MP 20MP
Anti aliasing filter
Aspect ratio 3:2 1:1, 3:2 and 16:9
Highest Possible resolution 4928 x 3264 5472 x 3648
Maximum native ISO 12800 12800
Maximum enhanced ISO 51200 -
Lowest native ISO 80 100
RAW files
Autofocusing
Focus manually
AF touch
Continuous AF
AF single
AF tracking
AF selectice
AF center weighted
AF multi area
Live view AF
Face detection focusing
Contract detection focusing
Phase detection focusing
Number of focus points 11 15
Cross focus points 9 -
Lens
Lens mount Pentax KAF2 Samsung NX
Amount of lenses 151 32
Focal length multiplier 1.5 1.5
Screen
Type of screen Fixed Type Fully Articulated
Screen sizing 3 inch 3 inch
Resolution of screen 921 thousand dots 614 thousand dots
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch operation
Screen technology TFT LCD monitor Active Matrix OLED screen
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder type Optical (pentaprism) Electronic
Viewfinder coverage 100% 100%
Viewfinder magnification 0.61x 0.7x
Features
Minimum shutter speed 30s 30s
Fastest shutter speed 1/8000s 1/8000s
Continuous shutter rate 7.0 frames per sec 8.0 frames per sec
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Manually set exposure
Exposure compensation Yes Yes
Set WB
Image stabilization
Built-in flash
Flash range 13.00 m (at ISO 100) 11.00 m
Flash modes Auto, On, Off, Red-eye, Slow sync, High speed, Rear curtain and Wireless Auto, On, Off, Red-eye, Fill-in, 1st/2nd Curtain, Smart Flash, Manual
Hot shoe
AE bracketing
White balance bracketing
Fastest flash synchronize 1/180s 1/180s
Exposure
Multisegment exposure
Average exposure
Spot exposure
Partial exposure
AF area exposure
Center weighted exposure
Video features
Supported video resolutions 1920 x 1080 (25 fps), 1280 x 720 (25, 30 fps), 640 x 424 (25, 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)
Maximum video resolution 1920x1080 1920x1080
Video file format Motion JPEG MPEG-4, H.264
Mic support
Headphone support
Connectivity
Wireless None Built-In
Bluetooth
NFC
HDMI
USB USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec) USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec)
GPS Optional Optional
Physical
Environmental sealing
Water proof
Dust proof
Shock proof
Crush proof
Freeze proof
Weight 740g (1.63 lb) 341g (0.75 lb)
Dimensions 131 x 97 x 73mm (5.2" x 3.8" x 2.9") 122 x 90 x 40mm (4.8" x 3.5" x 1.6")
DXO scores
DXO Overall score 82 75
DXO Color Depth score 23.7 23.4
DXO Dynamic range score 14.1 12.9
DXO Low light score 1162 785
Other
Battery life 980 images 360 images
Battery style Battery Pack Battery Pack
Battery model D-LI90 BP1130
Self timer Yes ( 2 or 12 seconds) Yes (2 sec to 30 sec)
Time lapse feature
Storage type SD/SDHC/SDXC SD/SDHC/SDXC
Card slots Single Single
Launch cost $800 $1,100