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Pentax X-5 vs Samsung GX-20

Portability
65
Imaging
39
Features
50
Overall
43
Pentax X-5 front
 
Samsung GX-20 front
Portability
58
Imaging
53
Features
52
Overall
52

Pentax X-5 vs Samsung GX-20 Key Specs

Pentax X-5
(Full Review)
  • 16MP - 1/2.3" Sensor
  • 3" Tilting Screen
  • ISO 100 - 6400
  • Sensor-shift Image Stabilization
  • 1920 x 1080 video
  • 22-580mm (F3.1-5.9) lens
  • 595g - 119 x 86 x 107mm
  • Announced August 2012
Samsung GX-20
(Full Review)
  • 15MP - APS-C Sensor
  • 2.7" Fixed Display
  • ISO 100 - 3200 (Boost to 6400)
  • Sensor based Image Stabilization
  • No Video
  • Pentax KAF2 Mount
  • 800g - 142 x 101 x 72mm
  • Launched January 2008
  • Replaced the Samsung GX-10
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Pentax X-5 vs Samsung GX-20 Overview

Here is a complete comparison of the Pentax X-5 vs Samsung GX-20, one being a Small Sensor Superzoom and the other is a Advanced DSLR by competitors Pentax and Samsung. The sensor resolution of the X-5 (16MP) and the GX-20 (15MP) is fairly similar but the X-5 (1/2.3") and GX-20 (APS-C) possess different sensor sizing.

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The X-5 was launched 4 years later than the GX-20 and that is quite a significant gap as far as technology is concerned. Each of the cameras come with different body type with the Pentax X-5 being a SLR-like (bridge) camera and the Samsung GX-20 being a Mid-size SLR camera.

Before we go through a comprehensive comparison, below is a simple summation of how the X-5 matches up against the GX-20 with respect to portability, imaging, features and an overall rating.

Photography Glossary
	
	

Reasons to pick Pentax X-5 over the Samsung GX-20

 X-5 GX-20 
LaunchedAugust 2012January 2008Fresher by 56 months
Display typeTiltingFixed Tilting display
Display dimension3"2.7"Larger display (+0.3")
Display resolution460k230kSharper display (+230k dot)

Reasons to pick Samsung GX-20 over the Pentax X-5

 GX-20 X-5 

Common features in the Pentax X-5 and Samsung GX-20

 X-5 GX-20 
Manual focus Very accurate focusing
Selfie screen Neither contains selfie screen
Touch friendly display Neither contains Touch friendly display

Pentax X-5 vs Samsung GX-20 Physical Comparison

When you are aiming to carry your camera, you should factor in its weight and measurements. The Pentax X-5 has got exterior measurements of 119mm x 86mm x 107mm (4.7" x 3.4" x 4.2") and a weight of 595 grams (1.31 lbs) while the Samsung GX-20 has proportions 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 X-5 vs Samsung GX-20 in the new Camera with Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Remember that, the weight of an Interchangeable Lens Camera will vary based on the lens you choose at that time. Following is the front view sizing comparison of the X-5 versus the GX-20.

Pentax X-5 vs Samsung GX-20 size comparison

Taking into account dimensions and weight, the portability score of the X-5 and GX-20 is 65 and 58 respectively.

Pentax X-5 vs Samsung GX-20 top view buttons comparison

Pentax X-5 vs Samsung GX-20 Sensor Comparison

Normally, it's difficult to imagine the difference between sensor sizing merely by reviewing specs. The visual below will help give you a more clear sense of the sensor sizing in the X-5 and GX-20.

As you can plainly see, both of these cameras have got different resolutions and different sensor sizing. The X-5 featuring a tinier sensor is going to make achieving shallower DOF harder and the Pentax X-5 will offer you more detail utilizing its extra 1MP. Greater resolution can also help you crop photos much more aggressively. The newer X-5 should have an edge with regard to sensor tech.

Pentax X-5 vs Samsung GX-20 sensor size comparison

Pentax X-5 vs Samsung GX-20 Screen and ViewFinder

Pentax X-5 vs Samsung GX-20 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Pentax X-5 Portrait photography info
Samsung GX-20 Portrait photography info
43
you can focus manually
good megapixels (16 megapixels)
has face detect autofocus
can't use external flash
tiny sensor size (1/2.3")
does not have RAW support
71
you can focus manually
decent sensor resolution (15 megapixels)
nice sensor size (APS-C)
delivers RAW formats
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Street Comparison

Pentax X-5 Street photography info
Samsung GX-20 Street photography info
50
has a tilting screen
built in image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
tiny sensor size (1/2.3")
does not have RAW support
heavier than competitors in class (595 grams)
65
image stabilization (Sensor based)
nice sensor size (APS-C)
delivers RAW formats
weather sealing
no moving screen
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Sports Comparison

Sports photography with Pentax X-5
Sports photography with Samsung GX-20
52
great zoom range (22-580mm 26.4 x zoom)
built in image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
good megapixels (16MP)
has tracking focus
tiny sensor size (1/2.3")
does not have phase detect autofocus
68
image stabilization (Sensor based)
decent sensor resolution (15 megapixels)
nice sensor size (APS-C)
weather sealing
has phase detect AF
slow continuous shooting (3.0 frames per second)
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Travel Comparison

Travel photography with Pentax X-5
Travel photography with Samsung GX-20
53
good megapixels (16 megapixels)
built-in flash
decently wide (22mm)
great zoom (580mm)
missing Time Lapse mode
heavier than competitors in class (595 grams)
doesn't contain selfie friendly display
somewhat slow max aperture (f3.1)
63
weather sealing
decent sensor resolution (15MP)
flash built-in
does not contain selfie friendly screen
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Landscape Comparison

Pentax X-5 as a Landscape photography camera
Samsung GX-20 as a Landscape photography camera
47
you can focus manually
decently wide (22mm)
screen size is good (3 inches)
built in image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
good megapixels (16MP)
fixed lens (fixed lens mount)
somewhat slow max aperture (f3.1)
tiny sensor size (1/2.3")
does not have RAW support
missing Time Lapse mode
70
you can focus manually
swap lenses (Pentax KAF2 mount)
image stabilization (Sensor based)
decent sensor resolution (15MP)
nice sensor size (APS-C)
delivers RAW formats
weather sealing
tiny screen (2.7 inches)
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Vlogging Comparison

Pentax X-5 Vlogging advice
Samsung GX-20 Vlogging advice
26
decently wide (22mm)
built in image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
has face detect autofocus
video resolution high (1920 x 1080 pixels)
somewhat slow max aperture (f3.1)
doesn't contain selfie friendly display
missing mic port
heavier than competitors in class (595 grams)
9
no video recording
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Pentax X-5 vs Samsung GX-20 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Pentax X-5 and Samsung GX-20
 Pentax X-5Samsung GX-20
General Information
Brand Pentax Samsung
Model type Pentax X-5 Samsung GX-20
Type Small Sensor Superzoom Advanced DSLR
Announced 2012-08-22 2008-01-24
Body design SLR-like (bridge) Mid-size SLR
Sensor Information
Sensor type BSI-CMOS CMOS
Sensor size 1/2.3" APS-C
Sensor dimensions 6.08 x 4.56mm 23.4 x 15.6mm
Sensor surface area 27.7mm² 365.0mm²
Sensor resolution 16 megapixels 15 megapixels
Anti alias filter
Aspect ratio 1:1, 4:3 and 16:9 -
Peak resolution 4608 x 3456 4688 x 3120
Highest native ISO 6400 3200
Highest enhanced ISO - 6400
Lowest native ISO 100 100
RAW pictures
Autofocusing
Manual focusing
Touch to focus
Autofocus continuous
Single autofocus
Tracking autofocus
Selective autofocus
Center weighted autofocus
Multi area autofocus
Autofocus live view
Face detection focus
Contract detection focus
Phase detection focus
Total focus points 9 11
Lens
Lens mount type fixed lens Pentax KAF2
Lens zoom range 22-580mm (26.4x) -
Largest aperture f/3.1-5.9 -
Macro focusing range 1cm -
Number of lenses - 151
Crop factor 5.9 1.5
Screen
Range of screen Tilting Fixed Type
Screen size 3 inch 2.7 inch
Screen resolution 460 thousand dot 230 thousand dot
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch screen
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder type Electronic Optical (pentaprism)
Viewfinder resolution 230 thousand dot -
Viewfinder coverage - 95%
Viewfinder magnification - 0.64x
Features
Minimum shutter speed 4s 30s
Fastest shutter speed 1/1500s 1/4000s
Continuous shutter speed 10.0fps 3.0fps
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Manually set exposure
Exposure compensation Yes Yes
Custom white balance
Image stabilization
Integrated flash
Flash distance 9.10 m 13.00 m (at ISO 100)
Flash modes - Auto, Red-Eye, Slow, Red-Eye Slow, Rear curtain, wireless
External flash
AEB
White balance bracketing
Fastest flash sync - 1/180s
Exposure
Multisegment metering
Average metering
Spot metering
Partial metering
AF area metering
Center weighted metering
Video features
Supported video resolutions 1920 x 1080 (30 fps), 1280 x 720 (60, 30 fps), 640 x 480 (30 fps) -
Highest video resolution 1920x1080 None
Video format Motion JPEG -
Mic jack
Headphone jack
Connectivity
Wireless Eye-Fi Connected None
Bluetooth
NFC
HDMI
USB USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec) USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec)
GPS None None
Physical
Environment seal
Water proofing
Dust proofing
Shock proofing
Crush proofing
Freeze proofing
Weight 595 gr (1.31 pounds) 800 gr (1.76 pounds)
Dimensions 119 x 86 x 107mm (4.7" x 3.4" x 4.2") 142 x 101 x 72mm (5.6" x 4.0" x 2.8")
DXO scores
DXO Overall rating not tested 68
DXO Color Depth rating not tested 23.1
DXO Dynamic range rating not tested 11.2
DXO Low light rating not tested 714
Other
Battery life 330 photos -
Battery form Battery Pack -
Battery ID 4 x AA -
Self timer Yes (2 or 10 sec) Yes (2 or 10 sec)
Time lapse feature
Storage media SD/SDHC/SDXC SD/MMC/SDHC card
Storage slots 1 1
Pricing at release $230 $850