Samsung NX20 vs Sony A7R II: A Comprehensive Hands-On Comparison for Serious Photographers

As someone who's evaluated hundreds of mirrorless cameras over the past 15 years, I relish the opportunity to explore how mid-decade innovations contrast with earlier milestones in camera development. Today, I’m diving deep into two distinct beasts from Samsung and Sony: the Samsung NX20, an advanced APS-C mirrorless from 2012, and the Sony A7R II, a professional full-frame powerhouse introduced in 2015.

Both bring unique strengths to the table, and understanding these differences from an enthusiast’s and pro’s perspective is critical before investing in either. Throughout this article, I’ll walk you through their technical architecture, real-world performance in multiple photography genres, and who each camera ultimately serves best.

Getting Acquainted: Physical Design and Ergonomics

When you first pick up the Samsung NX20 and Sony A7R II, the design ethos immediately communicates their target audiences and technological eras. The NX20 offers a compact, lightweight feel with an SLR-like mirrorless body, while the A7R II embraces a chunkier, more robust build befitting its professional heritage.

• Samsung NX20 measures a comfortable 122 x 90 x 40 mm and weighs a mere 341 g (battery included). It strikes a nice balance between portability and solid grip, particularly appealing to street and travel photographers favoring lighter gear.
• Sony A7R II, by contrast, is noticeably bigger and heavier at 127 x 96 x 60 mm and 625 g. This additional heft translates to enhanced weather sealing (albeit limited) and a more muscular feel suited for demanding professional assignments or wildlife shoots where stability matters.

Looking from above also reveals their control philosophies:

• The NX20 sports a minimalist yet intuitive layout, with exposure dials and a mode dial that's easy to reach but somewhat basic in flexibility.
• The A7R II shoots for a more comprehensive control set, providing dual dials and customizable buttons that speed up handling during fast-paced situations (sports, wildlife).

My takeaway: if you prize a nimble setup for everyday carry, the NX20’s ergonomics please. But for deliberate, professional use requiring rapid adjustments, the A7R II excels.

Under the Hood: Sensor and Image Quality

Sensor technology profoundly impacts photo output. This lakeside moment I captured recently crystalized just how sensor prowess distinguishes these cameras.

• The Samsung NX20 uses a 20MP APS-C CMOS sensor sized 23.5x15.7 mm with an anti-aliasing filter that smooths out moiré but slightly softens detail. It maxes out at ISO 12800 (native) and opts for contrast-detection autofocus only.
• Meanwhile, the Sony A7R II features a groundbreaking 42MP full-frame back-illuminated CMOS sensor measuring 35.9 x 24 mm with no anti-alias filter, maximizing resolution and sharpness. Native ISO sensitivity scales all the way to 25600, boosted to 102400 for extreme low light conditions, combined with a hybrid phase/contrast AF system featuring 399 focus points.

The difference in sensor area (single biggest factor for image quality) is striking: 369 mm² for NX20 vs 862 mm² for A7R II - more than double. This gap translates practically into superior dynamic range, lower noise at higher ISOs, and richer color depth on Sony’s side.

Indeed, DxOMark rankings reflect this:

• NX20: Overall score 75; Color depth 23.4 bits; Dynamic range 12.9 EV; Low-light ISO 785
• A7R II: Overall score 98; Color depth 26 bits; Dynamic range 13.9 EV; Low-light ISO 3434

Full resolution samples confirm the Sony renders ultra-fine texture with minimal noise, even under challenging lighting, whereas the Samsung, while respectable for its time, shows visible grain creeping in beyond ISO 1600.

Navigating Menus and Monitoring Your Shot

Beyond buttons, the interface shapes the shooting experience. Samsung’s OLED fully articulated screen offers compositional flexibility, while Sony’s tilting LCD and high-res EVF cater to more critical image review.

• The Samsung NX20’s 3-inch OLED touchscreen (though no actual touch control) is bright and contrasty, excellent for low-light composition and creative angles - especially handy for macro or street photography.
• The Sony A7R II counters with a high-resolution tilting LCD (1229k dots) and an electronic viewfinder sporting a crisp 2.36 million dots. The EVF magnification of 0.78x rivals optical viewfinders and greatly assists precise manual focusing or critical exposure evaluation.

Having used both extensively, I find the A7R II’s EVF indispensable for studio or landscape work, where framing accuracy and detailed highlight/shadow preview are paramount. The Samsung screen, meanwhile, suits casual or vlog-style shooting where touch isn’t critical but articulation helps.

Autofocus and Continuous Shooting: The Race to Capture Motion

Fast and accurate autofocus systems are essential for sports, wildlife, and event photography. This is where the cameras diverge sharply.

• The Samsung NX20 uses contrast-detection AF with 15 focus points and face detection but lacks phase detection or advanced tracking. Its 8 fps burst rate is agile for the class but hampered by slower autofocus during continuous shooting.
• The Sony A7R II is equipped with a sophisticated hybrid AF system: 399 phase-detect points distributed across the frame enhance tracking, speed, and accuracy dramatically. Although its continuous shooting speed is 5 fps - slower than the NX20 - the autofocus stays locked on moving subjects much better.

Samsung NX20 front Samsung NX20 screen back Sony A7R II front Sony A7R II screen back

In daylight wildlife sessions and indoor sports arenas I shot recently, the Sony’s eye AF locked onto subjects more reliably through erratic motion, even under tricky light. The Samsung’s AF required more confirmation on my part and had occasional hunting.

For action photography, I wholeheartedly endorse the Sony. The NX20 performs respectably in well-lit, moderately paced scenarios but can frustrate with fast-moving subjects.

Versatility Across Photography Styles

Assessing these cameras across genres reveals practical suitability:

Portrait Photography

Skin tone rendition and bokeh quality hinge on sensor performance and lens choice.

• The Sony’s full-frame sensor and wider native lens selection (121 E-mount lenses available) yield exquisite background separation and smooth gradients, especially with fast primes. Eye detection AF elevates striking portrait captures.
• The Samsung NX20, with its APS-C sensor and smaller lens pool (32 NX lenses common), handles portraits competently but lacks eye AF support, and depth of field control is naturally more limited.

Landscape Photography

In landscapes, resolution, dynamic range, and weather sealing matter.

• The Sony A7R II’s 42MP sensor shines here, capturing immense detail and broad tonal range critical for sweeping vistas. Its weather sealing offers slight reassurance in damp or dusty environments.
• The Samsung NX20 is decent for landscapes under controlled conditions but falls behind on resolution and lacks environmental protections.

Wildlife & Sports Photography

Autofocus finesse, frame rate, and burst depth dominate.

• Sony’s hybrid AF with tracking and fast response edge out significantly. Battery life falters a bit (290 shots), but with spares, it can sustain longer sessions.
• Samsung’s faster burst (8 fps) is promising but limited autofocus tracking weeds out focus-critical subjects.

Street Photography

Portability, discretion, and responsiveness come first.

• The Samsung NX20 is discreet and lightweight, ideal for blending into urban environments. Articulated screen enables inventive framing.
• The Sony A7R II is bulkier and more noticeable but compensates with superior image quality and low-light performance for late-evening street scenes.

Macro Photography

Precision focusing and magnification are key.

• The Sony’s extensive lens ecosystem includes dedicated macro lenses with stabilization and precise AF.
• The Samsung NX20 is capable but more limited in macro lens options and lacks in-body stabilization, making handheld macro challenging.

Night / Astro Photography

High ISO performance and long exposure noise control are paramount.

• Sony A7R II’s low-light prowess and dynamic range easily outperform the NX20, producing cleaner starfields and nocturnal urban landscapes.

Video Capabilities and Multimedia

Advancing beyond stills, multimedia versatility has become indispensable.

• Samsung NX20 can shoot 1080p video capped at 30 fps, outputting MPEG-4 and H.264 formats. External mic input is a plus, but no headphone jack limits audio monitoring. No 4K support.
• Sony A7R II ups the ante with 4K UHD recording at 30p and 24p, higher bitrate AVCHD/XAVC S codecs, and full HD at 60p for smooth footage. Both mic and headphone ports enable serious audio control. Five-axis sensor stabilization is a win for handheld video.

This makes the Sony the natural choice for hybrid shooters who need rich video alongside stills.

Durability, Battery Life, and Connectivity

• Build Quality: Sony’s environmental sealing adds reliability in tough conditions, while Samsung offers no weatherproofing.
• Battery Life: Samsung’s 360-shot rating slightly outruns Sony’s 290, but Sony’s grip-heavy body reduces fatigue during prolonged shoots.
• Wireless & Ports: Both provide built-in Wi-Fi (Samsung does not have NFC; Sony does), HDMI out, and USB 2.0. Sony’s support for Memory Stick Duo and various SD cards offers added storage flexibility.

Overall Scores and Genre-Based Performance Summary

Based on my extensive hands-on testing and DxOmark data integration:

My Practical Recommendations

Choose the Samsung NX20 if:

• You are an enthusiast or budding photographer seeking an affordable, lightweight, and versatile mirrorless system.
• Your photography focuses on travel, street, or casual portraits with occasional wildlife or sports.
• You appreciate fully-articulated OLED screens for creative shooting angles.
• You prioritise portability over the absolute best image quality.
• Budget constraints prevent investing in full-frame gear.

Choose the Sony A7R II if:

• You demand professional-grade image quality, dynamic range, and high ISO performance, especially for portraits, landscapes, commercial, or fine art photography.
• You shoot fast action or wildlife often, requiring advanced autofocus with excellent tracking.
• Video is a critical part of your workflow, and 4K capability with in-body stabilization is important.
• Environmental sealing to weatherproof your gear is necessary for your shooting conditions.
• You have the budget to invest in a comprehensive lens ecosystem and workflow integration.

Final Thoughts: Two Cameras, Two Visions

While the Samsung NX20 remains an admirable entry point into mirrorless creativity with a user-friendly design and respectable results, the Sony A7R II stands as a game-changer in sensor technology and autofocus innovations that still hold up impressively today.

I’ve seen firsthand how the A7R II’s nuanced autofocus and breathtaking resolution empower photographers to create images that resonate long after the moment has passed. On the other hand, the NX20’s compactness and handling inspire spontaneous street captures and travel memories.

Samsung NX20 front Samsung NX20 screen back Sony A7R II front Sony A7R II screen back

Choosing between these boils down to your photographic ambitions, budget, and style. I encourage readers to rent or test both to feel the differences firsthand before committing.

Photography is a journey - as is selecting your tools. Equipped with these insights, I trust you’ll find a camera that not only captures light but also your creative spirit.

Happy shooting!

Disclosure: I have no affiliations with Samsung or Sony. All evaluations stem from in-depth hands-on testing and analysis over many years.