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Pentax X90 vs Samsung NX20

Portability
69
Imaging
35
Features
34
Overall
34
Pentax X90 front
 
Samsung NX20 front
Portability
83
Imaging
61
Features
73
Overall
65

Pentax X90 vs Samsung NX20 Key Specs

Pentax X90
(Full Review)
  • 12MP - 1/2.3" Sensor
  • 2.7" Fixed Screen
  • ISO 80 - 6400
  • Sensor-shift Image Stabilization
  • 1280 x 720 video
  • 26-676mm (F2.8-5.0) lens
  • 428g - 111 x 85 x 110mm
  • Released July 2010
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
  • Revealed April 2012
  • Older Model is Samsung NX11
  • Replacement is Samsung NX30
Photography Glossary

Pentax X90 vs Samsung NX20 Overview

Below, we will be evaluating the Pentax X90 and Samsung NX20, one being a Small Sensor Superzoom and the latter is a Advanced Mirrorless by rivals Pentax and Samsung. There is a sizeable difference between the image resolutions of the X90 (12MP) and NX20 (20MP) and the X90 (1/2.3") and NX20 (APS-C) enjoy totally different sensor measurements.

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The X90 was manufactured 21 months prior to the NX20 which makes the cameras a generation apart from each other. The two cameras come with different body type with the Pentax X90 being a SLR-like (bridge) camera and the Samsung NX20 being a SLR-style mirrorless camera.

Before going straight into a comprehensive comparison, below is a brief highlight of how the X90 scores versus the NX20 when it comes to portability, imaging, features and an overall rating.

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Reasons to pick Pentax X90 over the Samsung NX20

 X90 NX20 

Reasons to pick Samsung NX20 over the Pentax X90

 NX20 X90 
RevealedApril 2012July 2010Fresher by 21 months
Screen typeFully ArticulatedFixed Fully Articulating screen
Screen dimension3"2.7"Bigger screen (+0.3")
Screen resolution614k230kSharper screen (+384k dot)
Selfie screen Easy selfies

Common features in the Pentax X90 and Samsung NX20

 X90 NX20 
Manual focus Dial exact focusing
Touch screen Neither comes with Touch screen

Pentax X90 vs Samsung NX20 Physical Comparison

For anybody who is planning to carry your camera frequently, you are going to need to consider its weight and measurements. The Pentax X90 comes with external measurements of 111mm x 85mm x 110mm (4.4" x 3.3" x 4.3") along with a weight of 428 grams (0.94 lbs) whilst the Samsung NX20 has proportions of 122mm x 90mm x 40mm (4.8" x 3.5" x 1.6") with a weight of 341 grams (0.75 lbs).

Analyze the Pentax X90 and Samsung NX20 in the all new Camera with Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Always remember, the weight of an Interchangeable Lens Camera will vary depending on the lens you are using at that moment. Following is the front view size comparison of the X90 vs the NX20.

Pentax X90 vs Samsung NX20 size comparison

Using size and weight, the portability rating of the X90 and NX20 is 69 and 83 respectively.

Pentax X90 vs Samsung NX20 top view buttons comparison

Pentax X90 vs Samsung NX20 Sensor Comparison

Generally, it's tough to visualise the contrast between sensor sizing just by checking specifications. The graphic below should provide you a clearer sense of the sensor sizing in the X90 and NX20.

Plainly, both of those cameras have got different megapixel count and different sensor sizing. The X90 featuring a tinier sensor will make shooting shallow DOF more challenging and the Samsung NX20 will give you more detail due to its extra 8MP. Higher resolution will also enable you to crop photographs much more aggressively. The older X90 is going to be behind in sensor innovation.

Pentax X90 vs Samsung NX20 sensor size comparison

Pentax X90 vs Samsung NX20 Screen and ViewFinder

Pentax X90 vs Samsung NX20 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Pentax X90 as a Portrait photography camera
Samsung NX20 as a Portrait photography camera
29
you can focus manually
can't use external flash
low MP (12MP)
sensor is small (1/2.3")
has no RAW format
76
has manual focus
sensor resolution is decent (20 megapixels)
sensor size is nice (APS-C)
features face detection focus
exports RAW files
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Street Comparison

Pentax X90 as a Street photography camera
Samsung NX20 as a Street photography camera
45
has image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
screen is fixed
sensor is small (1/2.3")
has no RAW format
77
screen can move to multiple angles
sensor size is nice (APS-C)
exports RAW files
lighter than average (341g)
no image stabilization
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Sports Comparison

Pentax X90 Sports photography features
Samsung NX20 Sports photography features
42
long zoom range (26-676mm 26.0 x zoom)
has image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
provides tracking autofocus
low MP (12 megapixels)
sensor is small (1/2.3")
has no phase detect autofocus
60
great max shutter speed (1/8,000s)
sensor resolution is decent (20MP)
sensor size is nice (APS-C)
no image stabilization
lack of phase detect auto focus
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Travel Comparison

Travel photography with Pentax X90
Travel photography with Samsung NX20
51
flash built-in
decently wide (26mm)
long zoom (676mm)
doesn't have Time Lapse function
low MP (12MP)
does not posses selfie friendly display
somewhat slow max aperture (f2.8)
77
lighter than average (341 grams)
sensor resolution is decent (20MP)
built-in flash
selfie friendly display
doesn't have Timelapse recording
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Landscape Comparison

Pentax X90 Landscape photography info
Samsung NX20 Landscape photography info
35
you can focus manually
decently wide (26mm)
has image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
cannot change lens (fixed lens mount)
somewhat slow max aperture (f2.8)
screen is somewhat small (2.7 inches)
low MP (12MP)
sensor is small (1/2.3")
has no RAW format
doesn't have Time Lapse function
70
has manual focus
swap lenses (Samsung NX mount)
nice screen size (3 inches)
sensor resolution is decent (20 megapixels)
sensor size is nice (APS-C)
exports RAW files
no image stabilization
doesn't have Timelapse recording
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Vlogging Comparison

Pentax X90 Vlogging highlights
Samsung NX20 Vlogging highlights
23
decently wide (26mm)
has image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
somewhat slow max aperture (f2.8)
does not posses selfie friendly display
low video resolution (1280 x 720 resolution)
doesn't have external mic support
78
selfie friendly display
features face detection focus
high res video (1920 x 1080 pixels)
does have external microphone port
lighter than average (341g)
no image stabilization
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Pentax X90 vs Samsung NX20 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Pentax X90 and Samsung NX20
 Pentax X90Samsung NX20
General Information
Manufacturer Pentax Samsung
Model Pentax X90 Samsung NX20
Class Small Sensor Superzoom Advanced Mirrorless
Released 2010-07-06 2012-04-20
Body design SLR-like (bridge) SLR-style mirrorless
Sensor Information
Powered by Prime -
Sensor type CCD CMOS
Sensor size 1/2.3" APS-C
Sensor measurements 6.08 x 4.56mm 23.5 x 15.7mm
Sensor surface area 27.7mm² 369.0mm²
Sensor resolution 12 megapixel 20 megapixel
Anti aliasing filter
Aspect ratio 1:1, 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9 1:1, 3:2 and 16:9
Full resolution 4000 x 3000 5472 x 3648
Max native ISO 6400 12800
Min native ISO 80 100
RAW photos
Autofocusing
Focus manually
AF touch
AF continuous
AF single
AF tracking
AF selectice
Center weighted AF
Multi area AF
Live view AF
Face detection AF
Contract detection AF
Phase detection AF
Number of focus points 9 15
Lens
Lens mount fixed lens Samsung NX
Lens focal range 26-676mm (26.0x) -
Maximum aperture f/2.8-5.0 -
Macro focus distance 1cm -
Number of lenses - 32
Focal length multiplier 5.9 1.5
Screen
Screen type Fixed Type Fully Articulated
Screen size 2.7" 3"
Screen resolution 230k dot 614k dot
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch friendly
Screen tech - Active Matrix OLED screen
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder Electronic Electronic
Viewfinder coverage - 100 percent
Viewfinder magnification - 0.7x
Features
Lowest shutter speed 4 secs 30 secs
Highest shutter speed 1/4000 secs 1/8000 secs
Continuous shooting speed - 8.0 frames per second
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Manually set exposure
Exposure compensation Yes Yes
Change WB
Image stabilization
Inbuilt flash
Flash range 9.10 m 11.00 m
Flash options - Auto, On, Off, Red-eye, Fill-in, 1st/2nd Curtain, Smart Flash, Manual
Hot shoe
AE bracketing
WB bracketing
Highest flash sync - 1/180 secs
Exposure
Multisegment exposure
Average exposure
Spot exposure
Partial exposure
AF area exposure
Center weighted exposure
Video features
Video resolutions 1280 x 720 (30, 15 fps), 640 x 480 (30, 15 fps), 320 x 240 (30, 15 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)
Max video resolution 1280x720 1920x1080
Video file format Motion JPEG MPEG-4, H.264
Microphone jack
Headphone jack
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
Environmental seal
Water proof
Dust proof
Shock proof
Crush proof
Freeze proof
Weight 428g (0.94 pounds) 341g (0.75 pounds)
Dimensions 111 x 85 x 110mm (4.4" x 3.3" x 4.3") 122 x 90 x 40mm (4.8" x 3.5" x 1.6")
DXO scores
DXO All around score not tested 75
DXO Color Depth score not tested 23.4
DXO Dynamic range score not tested 12.9
DXO Low light score not tested 785
Other
Battery life - 360 shots
Battery form - Battery Pack
Battery model D-L106 BP1130
Self timer Yes (2 or 10 sec) Yes (2 sec to 30 sec)
Time lapse shooting
Type of storage SD/SDHC, Internal SD/SDHC/SDXC
Storage slots 1 1
Cost at launch $350 $1,100