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Samsung GX-20 vs Sony a1

Portability
58
Imaging
53
Features
52
Overall
52
Samsung GX-20 front
 
Sony Alpha a1 front
Portability
61
Imaging
81
Features
93
Overall
85

Samsung GX-20 vs Sony a1 Key Specs

Samsung GX-20
(Full Review)
  • 15MP - APS-C Sensor
  • 2.7" Fixed Screen
  • ISO 100 - 3200 (Increase to 6400)
  • Sensor based Image Stabilization
  • No Video
  • Pentax KAF2 Mount
  • 800g - 142 x 101 x 72mm
  • Announced January 2008
  • Earlier Model is Samsung GX-10
Sony a1
(Full Review)
  • 50MP - Full frame Sensor
  • 3" Tilting Screen
  • ISO 100 - 32000 (Raise to 102400)
  • Sensor based 5-axis Image Stabilization
  • 1/8000s Max Shutter
  • 7680 x 4320 video
  • Sony E Mount
  • 737g - 129 x 97 x 70mm
  • Announced January 2021
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Samsung GX-20 vs Sony a1 Overview

The following is a comprehensive review of the Samsung GX-20 vs Sony a1, one is a Advanced DSLR and the latter is a Pro Mirrorless by manufacturers Samsung and Sony. There is a sizeable difference between the image resolutions of the GX-20 (15MP) and a1 (50MP) and the GX-20 (APS-C) and a1 (Full frame) possess different sensor measurements.

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The GX-20 was unveiled 14 years earlier than the a1 which is quite a large gap as far as tech is concerned. Both the cameras come with different body type with the Samsung GX-20 being a Mid-size SLR camera and the Sony a1 being a SLR-style mirrorless camera.

Before we go straight into a complete comparison, below is a simple highlight of how the GX-20 matches up vs the a1 with regards to portability, imaging, features and an overall mark.

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Reasons to pick Samsung GX-20 over the Sony a1

 GX-20 a1 

Reasons to pick Sony a1 over the Samsung GX-20

 a1 GX-20 
AnnouncedJanuary 2021January 2008Newer by 158 months
Screen typeTiltingFixed Tilting screen
Screen dimension3"2.7"Bigger screen (+0.3")
Screen resolution1440k230kClearer screen (+1210k dot)
Touch friendly screen Quickly navigate

Common features in the Samsung GX-20 and Sony a1

 GX-20 a1 
Focus manually Dial accurate focus
Selfie screen Missing selfie screen

Samsung GX-20 vs Sony a1 Physical Comparison

If you are intending to travel with your camera regularly, you should think about its weight and size. The Samsung GX-20 offers external dimensions of 142mm x 101mm x 72mm (5.6" x 4.0" x 2.8") and a weight of 800 grams (1.76 lbs) while the Sony a1 has specifications of 129mm x 97mm x 70mm (5.1" x 3.8" x 2.8") with a weight of 737 grams (1.62 lbs).

Look at the Samsung GX-20 vs Sony a1 in the new Camera with Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Keep in mind, the weight of an Interchangeable Lens Camera will vary dependant on the lens you use at that time. Here is the front view sizing comparison of the GX-20 vs the a1.

Samsung GX-20 vs Sony a1 size comparison

Taking into consideration size and weight, the portability grade of the GX-20 and a1 is 58 and 61 respectively.

Samsung GX-20 vs Sony a1 top view buttons comparison

Samsung GX-20 vs Sony a1 Sensor Comparison

In many cases, it is difficult to imagine the difference between sensor dimensions simply by reviewing specs. The image underneath will help give you a far better sense of the sensor dimensions in the GX-20 and a1.

As you can plainly see, both cameras posses different megapixels and different sensor dimensions. The GX-20 with its tinier sensor is going to make achieving bokeh more challenging and the Sony a1 will offer more detail having an extra 35 Megapixels. Higher resolution will make it easier to crop photographs somewhat more aggressively. The more aged GX-20 is going to be disadvantaged in sensor innovation.

Samsung GX-20 vs Sony a1 sensor size comparison

Samsung GX-20 vs Sony a1 Screen and ViewFinder

Samsung GX-20 vs Sony a1 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
Photography Glossary

Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Samsung GX-20 Portrait photography highlights
Sony a1 Portrait photography highlights
71
has manual focus
megapixel count decent (15 megapixels)
sensor size is decent (APS-C)
exports RAW files
88
has manual focus
flash sync speed is above average (1/400s)
sensor resolution is high (50MP)
sensor size is great (Full frame)
comes with face detect focus
exports RAW formats
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Street Comparison

Samsung GX-20 Street photography factors
Sony a1 Street photography factors
65
image stabilization (Sensor based)
sensor size is decent (APS-C)
exports RAW files
environment proofing
no articulating screen
79
screen tilts
built in image stabilization (Sensor based 5-axis)
sensor size is great (Full frame)
exports RAW formats
supports focus via touch
environment sealing
great high ISO (32,000)
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Sports Comparison

Samsung GX-20 Sports photography info
Sony a1 Sports photography info
68
image stabilization (Sensor based)
megapixel count decent (15 megapixels)
sensor size is decent (APS-C)
environment proofing
comes with phase detect autofocus
max fps very slow (3.0 frames per second)
90
great max shutter speed (1/8,000 seconds)
silent shooting (1/32,000 seconds)
fast continuous shooting (30.0 fps)
built in image stabilization (Sensor based 5-axis)
sensor resolution is high (50 megapixels)
sensor size is great (Full frame)
comes with tracking focus
environment sealing
great battery power (530 per charge)
supports phase detect auto focus
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Travel Comparison

Samsung GX-20 Travel photography info
Sony a1 Travel photography info
63
environment proofing
megapixel count decent (15 megapixels)
has built in flash
screen isn't selfie friendly
73
great battery power (530 CIPA)
environment sealing
connects via bluetooth
supports focus via touch
sensor resolution is high (50MP)
doesn't offer selfie friendly screen
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Landscape Comparison

Samsung GX-20 Landscape photography advice
Sony a1 Landscape photography advice
70
has manual focus
swap lenses (Pentax KAF2 mount)
image stabilization (Sensor based)
megapixel count decent (15 megapixels)
sensor size is decent (APS-C)
exports RAW files
environment proofing
tiny screen (2.7 inches)
88
has manual focus
change lenses (Sony E mount)
decent sized screen (3 inch)
built in image stabilization (Sensor based 5-axis)
sensor resolution is high (50 megapixels)
sensor size is great (Full frame)
great high ISO (32,000)
exports RAW formats
environment sealing
great battery power (530 per charge)
2 card slots
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Vlogging Comparison

Samsung GX-20 as a Vlogging camera
Sony a1 as a Vlogging camera
9
no video shooting
36
has touchscreen
built in image stabilization (Sensor based 5-axis)
comes with face detect focus
video resolution high (7680 x 4320 pixels)
comes with microphone support
doesn't offer selfie friendly screen
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Samsung GX-20 vs Sony a1 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Samsung GX-20 and Sony a1
 Samsung GX-20Sony Alpha a1
General Information
Company Samsung Sony
Model type Samsung GX-20 Sony Alpha a1
Category Advanced DSLR Pro Mirrorless
Announced 2008-01-24 2021-01-26
Physical type Mid-size SLR SLR-style mirrorless
Sensor Information
Sensor type CMOS BSI-CMOS
Sensor size APS-C Full frame
Sensor measurements 23.4 x 15.6mm 35.9 x 24mm
Sensor surface area 365.0mm² 861.6mm²
Sensor resolution 15MP 50MP
Anti alias filter
Aspect ratio - 1:1, 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9
Highest resolution 4688 x 3120 8640 x 5760
Highest native ISO 3200 32000
Highest boosted ISO 6400 102400
Lowest native ISO 100 100
RAW pictures
Lowest boosted ISO - 50
Autofocusing
Focus manually
Autofocus touch
Continuous autofocus
Autofocus single
Tracking autofocus
Selective autofocus
Autofocus center weighted
Autofocus multi area
Autofocus live view
Face detection focus
Contract detection focus
Phase detection focus
Total focus points 11 759
Lens
Lens mount type Pentax KAF2 Sony E
Total lenses 151 133
Focal length multiplier 1.5 1
Screen
Type of screen Fixed Type Tilting
Screen diagonal 2.7 inches 3 inches
Resolution of screen 230 thousand dots 1,440 thousand dots
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch functionality
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder type Optical (pentaprism) Electronic
Viewfinder resolution - 9,437 thousand dots
Viewfinder coverage 95% 100%
Viewfinder magnification 0.64x 0.9x
Features
Lowest shutter speed 30 secs 30 secs
Highest shutter speed 1/4000 secs 1/8000 secs
Highest silent shutter speed - 1/32000 secs
Continuous shooting rate 3.0fps 30.0fps
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Manual mode
Exposure compensation Yes Yes
Change white balance
Image stabilization
Inbuilt flash
Flash distance 13.00 m (at ISO 100) no built-in flash
Flash modes Auto, Red-Eye, Slow, Red-Eye Slow, Rear curtain, wireless Flash off, Autoflash, Fill-flash, Slow Sync., Rear Sync., Red-eye reduction, Wireless, Hi-speed sync
Hot shoe
AE bracketing
White balance bracketing
Highest flash synchronize 1/180 secs 1/400 secs
Exposure
Multisegment exposure
Average exposure
Spot exposure
Partial exposure
AF area exposure
Center weighted exposure
Video features
Video resolutions - 7680x4320 (30p, 25p, 23.98)
Highest video resolution None 7680x4320
Video data format - XAVC S, XAVC HS, H.264, H.265
Microphone support
Headphone support
Connectivity
Wireless None Built-In
Bluetooth
NFC
HDMI
USB USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec) Yes
GPS None None
Physical
Environmental sealing
Water proofing
Dust proofing
Shock proofing
Crush proofing
Freeze proofing
Weight 800g (1.76 lbs) 737g (1.62 lbs)
Dimensions 142 x 101 x 72mm (5.6" x 4.0" x 2.8") 129 x 97 x 70mm (5.1" x 3.8" x 2.8")
DXO scores
DXO All around rating 68 not tested
DXO Color Depth rating 23.1 not tested
DXO Dynamic range rating 11.2 not tested
DXO Low light rating 714 not tested
Other
Battery life - 530 photos
Battery style - Battery Pack
Battery ID - NP-FZ100
Self timer Yes (2 or 10 sec) Yes
Time lapse shooting
Type of storage SD/MMC/SDHC card Dual SD/CFexpress Type A slots (UHS-II supported)
Card slots Single 2
Pricing at launch $850 $6,498