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Pentax X-5 vs Samsung NX20

Portability
65
Imaging
39
Features
50
Overall
43
Pentax X-5 front
 
Samsung NX20 front
Portability
83
Imaging
62
Features
73
Overall
66

Pentax X-5 vs Samsung NX20 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
  • Released August 2012
Samsung NX20
(Full Review)
  • 20MP - APS-C Sensor
  • 3" Fully Articulated Screen
  • ISO 100 - 12800
  • 1/8000s Max Shutter
  • 1920 x 1080 video
  • Samsung NX Mount
  • 341g - 122 x 90 x 40mm
  • Released April 2012
  • Previous Model is Samsung NX11
  • Newer Model is Samsung NX30
Photography Glossary

Pentax X-5 vs Samsung NX20 Overview

On this page, we will be evaluating the Pentax X-5 and Samsung NX20, one is a Small Sensor Superzoom and the latter is a Advanced Mirrorless by competitors Pentax and Samsung. The image resolution of the X-5 (16MP) and the NX20 (20MP) is pretty similar but the X-5 (1/2.3") and NX20 (APS-C) have totally different sensor sizes.

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The X-5 was released 5 months after the NX20 which means that they are of a similar generation. Both cameras have different body design with the Pentax X-5 being a SLR-like (bridge) camera and the Samsung NX20 being a SLR-style mirrorless camera.

Before diving right into a in-depth comparison, here is a concise overview of how the X-5 scores vs the NX20 in terms of portability, imaging, features and an overall mark.

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Reasons to pick Pentax X-5 over the Samsung NX20

 X-5 NX20 

Reasons to pick Samsung NX20 over the Pentax X-5

 NX20 X-5 
Screen typeFully ArticulatedTiltingFully Articulating screen
Screen resolution614k460kCrisper screen (+154k dot)
Selfie screen Take selfies

Common features in the Pentax X-5 and Samsung NX20

 X-5 NX20 
ReleasedAugust 2012April 2012Similar generation
Focus manually Dial exact focusing
Screen dimensions3"3"Equal screen dimensions
Touch screen Neither offers Touch screen

Pentax X-5 vs Samsung NX20 Physical Comparison

For anyone who is looking to travel with your camera, you'll need to think about its weight and measurements. The Pentax X-5 offers exterior dimensions of 119mm x 86mm x 107mm (4.7" x 3.4" x 4.2") with a weight of 595 grams (1.31 lbs) whilst the Samsung NX20 has proportions of 122mm x 90mm x 40mm (4.8" x 3.5" x 1.6") and a weight of 341 grams (0.75 lbs).

Take a look at the Pentax X-5 and Samsung NX20 in the new Camera and Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Always remember, the weight of an Interchangeable Lens Camera will vary based on the lens you are employing at that time. Following is a front view dimension comparison of the X-5 compared to the NX20.

Pentax X-5 vs Samsung NX20 size comparison

Using size and weight, the portability score of the X-5 and NX20 is 65 and 83 respectively.

Pentax X-5 vs Samsung NX20 top view buttons comparison

Pentax X-5 vs Samsung NX20 Sensor Comparison

In many cases, it is very hard to envision the contrast between sensor dimensions simply by reading specifications. The picture here might give you a clearer sense of the sensor dimensions in the X-5 and NX20.

To sum up, the 2 cameras have different resolutions and different sensor dimensions. The X-5 featuring a tinier sensor will make shooting bokeh more challenging and the Samsung NX20 will offer you more detail as a result of its extra 4MP. Higher resolution can also help you crop shots a bit more aggressively.

Pentax X-5 vs Samsung NX20 sensor size comparison

Pentax X-5 vs Samsung NX20 Screen and ViewFinder

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

Portrait Comparison

Pentax X-5 Portrait photography features
Samsung NX20 Portrait photography features
43
you can focus manually
decent sensor resolution (16 megapixels)
provides face detect focus
no external flash support
sensor is very small (1/2.3")
doesn't have RAW format
77
manual focus
sensor resolution is decent (20 megapixels)
sensor size is decent (APS-C)
has face detection focus
saves RAW formats
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Street Comparison

Pentax X-5 as a Street photography camera
Samsung NX20 as a Street photography camera
50
tilting screen
image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
sensor is very small (1/2.3")
doesn't have RAW format
heavier than competition (595 grams)
77
screen articulates fully
sensor size is decent (APS-C)
saves RAW formats
lighter than average in class (341 grams)
does not have image stabilization
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Sports Comparison

Pentax X-5 Sports photography highlights
Samsung NX20 Sports photography highlights
52
great zoom range (22-580mm 26.4 x zoom)
image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
decent sensor resolution (16 megapixels)
provides tracking focus
sensor is very small (1/2.3")
doesn't have phase detect auto focus
61
high shutter speed (1/8,000 seconds)
sensor resolution is decent (20 megapixels)
sensor size is decent (APS-C)
does not have image stabilization
lacks phase detect auto focus
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Travel Comparison

Travel photography with Pentax X-5
Travel photography with Samsung NX20
53
decent sensor resolution (16 megapixels)
has built in flash
pretty wide (22mm)
great reach (580mm)
missing Time Lapse function
heavier than competition (595g)
screen is not selfie friendly
slow max aperture (f3.1)
77
lighter than average in class (341g)
sensor resolution is decent (20 megapixels)
flash built-in
display is selfie friendly
doesn't have Time Lapse function
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Landscape Comparison

Pentax X-5 Landscape photography factors
Samsung NX20 Landscape photography factors
47
you can focus manually
pretty wide (22mm)
screen is a decent size (3")
image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
decent sensor resolution (16 megapixels)
fixed lens (fixed lens mount)
slow max aperture (f3.1)
sensor is very small (1/2.3")
doesn't have RAW format
missing Time Lapse function
70
manual focus
swap lenses (Samsung NX mount)
pretty good screen size (3 inch)
sensor resolution is decent (20 megapixels)
sensor size is decent (APS-C)
saves RAW formats
does not have image stabilization
doesn't have Time Lapse function
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Vlogging Comparison

Pentax X-5 Vlogging highlights
Samsung NX20 Vlogging highlights
26
pretty wide (22mm)
image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
provides face detect focus
video res high (1920 x 1080 resolution)
slow max aperture (f3.1)
screen is not selfie friendly
missing mic support
heavier than competition (595g)
78
display is selfie friendly
has face detection focus
good video quality (1920 x 1080 pixels)
does have external mic socket
lighter than average in class (341g)
does not have image stabilization
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Pentax X-5 vs Samsung NX20 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Pentax X-5 and Samsung NX20
 Pentax X-5Samsung NX20
General Information
Manufacturer Pentax Samsung
Model type Pentax X-5 Samsung NX20
Category Small Sensor Superzoom Advanced Mirrorless
Released 2012-08-22 2012-04-20
Physical type SLR-like (bridge) SLR-style mirrorless
Sensor Information
Sensor type BSI-CMOS CMOS
Sensor size 1/2.3" APS-C
Sensor dimensions 6.08 x 4.56mm 23.5 x 15.7mm
Sensor surface area 27.7mm² 369.0mm²
Sensor resolution 16 megapixel 20 megapixel
Anti alias filter
Aspect ratio 1:1, 4:3 and 16:9 1:1, 3:2 and 16:9
Maximum resolution 4608 x 3456 5472 x 3648
Maximum native ISO 6400 12800
Lowest native ISO 100 100
RAW data
Autofocusing
Manual focusing
Autofocus touch
Continuous autofocus
Autofocus single
Tracking autofocus
Autofocus selectice
Autofocus center weighted
Autofocus multi area
Live view autofocus
Face detection autofocus
Contract detection autofocus
Phase detection autofocus
Total focus points 9 15
Lens
Lens support fixed lens Samsung NX
Lens zoom range 22-580mm (26.4x) -
Largest aperture f/3.1-5.9 -
Macro focusing distance 1cm -
Number of lenses - 32
Crop factor 5.9 1.5
Screen
Type of screen Tilting Fully Articulated
Screen diagonal 3" 3"
Screen resolution 460 thousand dots 614 thousand dots
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch friendly
Screen technology - Active Matrix OLED screen
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder type Electronic Electronic
Viewfinder resolution 230 thousand dots -
Viewfinder coverage - 100%
Viewfinder magnification - 0.7x
Features
Slowest shutter speed 4 seconds 30 seconds
Maximum shutter speed 1/1500 seconds 1/8000 seconds
Continuous shooting rate 10.0 frames per second 8.0 frames per second
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Manually set exposure
Exposure compensation Yes Yes
Change white balance
Image stabilization
Inbuilt flash
Flash distance 9.10 m 11.00 m
Flash options - Auto, On, Off, Red-eye, Fill-in, 1st/2nd Curtain, Smart Flash, Manual
Hot shoe
AEB
WB bracketing
Maximum flash synchronize - 1/180 seconds
Exposure
Multisegment exposure
Average exposure
Spot exposure
Partial exposure
AF area exposure
Center weighted exposure
Video features
Supported video resolutions 1920 x 1080 (30 fps), 1280 x 720 (60, 30 fps), 640 x 480 (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 data format Motion JPEG MPEG-4, H.264
Mic port
Headphone port
Connectivity
Wireless Eye-Fi Connected Built-In
Bluetooth
NFC
HDMI
USB USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec) USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec)
GPS None Optional
Physical
Environment sealing
Water proofing
Dust proofing
Shock proofing
Crush proofing
Freeze proofing
Weight 595g (1.31 lbs) 341g (0.75 lbs)
Physical dimensions 119 x 86 x 107mm (4.7" x 3.4" x 4.2") 122 x 90 x 40mm (4.8" x 3.5" x 1.6")
DXO scores
DXO All around rating not tested 75
DXO Color Depth rating not tested 23.4
DXO Dynamic range rating not tested 12.9
DXO Low light rating not tested 785
Other
Battery life 330 images 360 images
Battery type Battery Pack Battery Pack
Battery ID 4 x AA BP1130
Self timer Yes (2 or 10 sec) Yes (2 sec to 30 sec)
Time lapse shooting
Storage type SD/SDHC/SDXC SD/SDHC/SDXC
Card slots Single Single
Price at launch $230 $1,100