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Samsung NX20 vs Sony A580

Portability
83
Imaging
62
Features
73
Overall
66
Samsung NX20 front
 
Sony Alpha DSLR-A580 front
Portability
64
Imaging
57
Features
82
Overall
67

Samsung NX20 vs Sony A580 Key Specs

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
  • Announced April 2012
  • Replaced the Samsung NX11
  • New Model is Samsung NX30
Sony A580
(Full Review)
  • 16MP - APS-C Sensor
  • 3" Tilting Display
  • ISO 100 - 12800 (Bump to 25600)
  • Sensor based Image Stabilization
  • 1920 x 1080 video
  • Sony/Minolta Alpha Mount
  • 599g - 137 x 104 x 84mm
  • Revealed May 2011
  • Succeeded the Sony A100
Photography Glossary

Samsung NX20 vs Sony A580 Overview

On this page, we are evaluating the Samsung NX20 vs Sony A580, one is a Advanced Mirrorless and the other is a Entry-Level DSLR by rivals Samsung and Sony. There is a crucial difference among the image resolutions of the NX20 (20MP) and A580 (16MP) but both cameras offer the same sensor measurements (APS-C).

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The NX20 was revealed 11 months after the A580 and they are of a similar generation. Each of the cameras have different body design with the Samsung NX20 being a SLR-style mirrorless camera and the Sony A580 being a Compact SLR camera.

Before delving into a step-by-step comparison, here is a brief overview of how the NX20 scores versus the A580 with respect to portability, imaging, features and an overall mark.

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Reasons to pick Samsung NX20 over the Sony A580

 NX20 A580 
RevealedApril 2012May 2011Newer by 11 months
Display typeFully ArticulatedTiltingFully Articulating display
Selfie screen Take selfies

Reasons to pick Sony A580 over the Samsung NX20

 A580 NX20 
Display resolution922k614kSharper display (+308k dot)

Common features in the Samsung NX20 and Sony A580

 NX20 A580 
Manually focus Dial exact focus
Display dimensions3"3"Equal display measurements
Touch friendly display Lacking Touch friendly display

Samsung NX20 vs Sony A580 Physical Comparison

If you are looking to travel with your camera, you should consider its weight and volume. The Samsung NX20 has got external dimensions of 122mm x 90mm x 40mm (4.8" x 3.5" x 1.6") accompanied by a weight of 341 grams (0.75 lbs) and the Sony A580 has sizing of 137mm x 104mm x 84mm (5.4" x 4.1" x 3.3") and a weight of 599 grams (1.32 lbs).

Contrast the Samsung NX20 vs Sony A580 in the all new Camera and Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Always remember, the weight of an Interchangeable Lens Camera will differ depending on the lens you are using during that time. Here is a front view sizing comparison of the NX20 compared to the A580.

Samsung NX20 vs Sony A580 size comparison

Factoring in size and weight, the portability rating of the NX20 and A580 is 83 and 64 respectively.

Samsung NX20 vs Sony A580 top view buttons comparison

Samsung NX20 vs Sony A580 Sensor Comparison

Oftentimes, it can be hard to imagine the difference in sensor dimensions merely by viewing a spec sheet. The pic underneath will help offer you a greater sense of the sensor sizes in the NX20 and A580.

As you can see, both cameras provide the same sensor dimensions but different MP. You should anticipate the Samsung NX20 to render more detail because of its extra 4MP. Greater resolution will let you crop photos more aggressively. The more modern NX20 should have an edge when it comes to sensor innovation.

Samsung NX20 vs Sony A580 sensor size comparison

Samsung NX20 vs Sony A580 Screen and ViewFinder

Samsung NX20 vs Sony A580 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Samsung NX20 Portrait photography advice
Sony A580 Portrait photography advice
77
manual focus
MP count decent (20MP)
sensor size is nice (APS-C)
offers face detect focus
delivers RAW formats
74
focusing manually
decent megapixels (16MP)
good sensor size (APS-C)
has face detect focusing
delivers RAW files
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Street Comparison

Street photography with Samsung NX20
Street photography with Sony A580
77
screen articulates
sensor size is nice (APS-C)
delivers RAW formats
lighter than competition in class (341g)
lack of image stabilization
75
has a tilting screen
built in image stabilization (Sensor based)
good sensor size (APS-C)
delivers RAW files
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Sports Comparison

Samsung NX20 Sports photography advice
Sony A580 Sports photography advice
61
maximum shutter speed is high (1/8,000s)
MP count decent (20MP)
sensor size is nice (APS-C)
lack of image stabilization
lack of phase detect auto focus
78
built in image stabilization (Sensor based)
decent megapixels (16MP)
good sensor size (APS-C)
has tracking focus
better than average battery life (1,050 CIPA)
sensor has phase detect AF
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Travel Comparison

Travel photography with Samsung NX20
Travel photography with Sony A580
77
lighter than competition in class (341g)
MP count decent (20MP)
has built in flash
selfie friendly screen
lack of Timelapse mode
61
better than average battery life (1,050 CIPA)
decent megapixels (16MP)
built-in flash
does not have Time Lapse mode
does not offer selfie friendly screen
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Landscape Comparison

Samsung NX20 as a Landscape photography camera
Sony A580 as a Landscape photography camera
70
manual focus
swap lenses (Samsung NX mount)
screen is a decent size (3 inches)
MP count decent (20MP)
sensor size is nice (APS-C)
delivers RAW formats
lack of image stabilization
lack of Timelapse mode
74
focusing manually
change lenses (Sony/Minolta Alpha mount)
screen is a decent size (3 inches)
built in image stabilization (Sensor based)
decent megapixels (16MP)
good sensor size (APS-C)
delivers RAW files
better than average battery life (1,050 CIPA)
2 card slots
does not have Time Lapse mode
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Vlogging Comparison

Samsung NX20 Vlogging advice
Sony A580 Vlogging advice
78
selfie friendly screen
offers face detect focus
high res video (1920 x 1080 resolution)
includes microphone socket
lighter than competition in class (341g)
lack of image stabilization
34
built in image stabilization (Sensor based)
has face detect focusing
high res video (1920 x 1080 pxls)
includes mic support
does not offer selfie friendly screen
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Samsung NX20 vs Sony A580 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Samsung NX20 and Sony A580
 Samsung NX20Sony Alpha DSLR-A580
General Information
Manufacturer Samsung Sony
Model Samsung NX20 Sony Alpha DSLR-A580
Type Advanced Mirrorless Entry-Level DSLR
Announced 2012-04-20 2011-05-26
Physical type SLR-style mirrorless Compact SLR
Sensor Information
Processor - Bionz
Sensor type CMOS CMOS
Sensor size APS-C APS-C
Sensor dimensions 23.5 x 15.7mm 23.5 x 15.6mm
Sensor surface area 369.0mm² 366.6mm²
Sensor resolution 20 megapixel 16 megapixel
Anti aliasing filter
Aspect ratio 1:1, 3:2 and 16:9 3:2 and 16:9
Peak resolution 5472 x 3648 4912 x 3264
Highest native ISO 12800 12800
Highest enhanced ISO - 25600
Lowest native ISO 100 100
RAW support
Autofocusing
Focus manually
Autofocus touch
Continuous autofocus
Single autofocus
Tracking autofocus
Autofocus selectice
Autofocus center weighted
Autofocus multi area
Live view autofocus
Face detection focus
Contract detection focus
Phase detection focus
Number of focus points 15 15
Cross focus points - 3
Lens
Lens mount Samsung NX Sony/Minolta Alpha
Available lenses 32 143
Focal length multiplier 1.5 1.5
Screen
Type of screen Fully Articulated Tilting
Screen diagonal 3 inch 3 inch
Screen resolution 614 thousand dots 922 thousand dots
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch friendly
Screen technology Active Matrix OLED screen -
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder Electronic Optical (pentamirror)
Viewfinder coverage 100% 95%
Viewfinder magnification 0.7x 0.53x
Features
Minimum shutter speed 30 seconds 30 seconds
Fastest shutter speed 1/8000 seconds 1/4000 seconds
Continuous shutter rate 8.0 frames per sec 7.0 frames per sec
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Manually set exposure
Exposure compensation Yes Yes
Custom white balance
Image stabilization
Inbuilt flash
Flash range 11.00 m 12.00 m
Flash modes Auto, On, Off, Red-eye, Fill-in, 1st/2nd Curtain, Smart Flash, Manual Auto, On, Off, Red-Eye, Slow Sync, High Speed Sync, Rear Curtain, Fill-in, Wireless
Hot shoe
Auto exposure bracketing
WB bracketing
Fastest flash synchronize 1/180 seconds 1/160 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), 1920 x 810 (24 fps) 1280 x 720 (30 fps), 640 x 480 (30 fps), 320 x 240 (30 fps) 1920 x 1080 (60, 29.97 fps), 1440 x 1080 (30fps), 640 x 424 (29.97 fps)
Highest video resolution 1920x1080 1920x1080
Video data format MPEG-4, H.264 MPEG-4, AVCHD, H.264
Mic support
Headphone support
Connectivity
Wireless Built-In Eye-Fi Connected
Bluetooth
NFC
HDMI
USB USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec) USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec)
GPS Optional None
Physical
Environmental sealing
Water proof
Dust proof
Shock proof
Crush proof
Freeze proof
Weight 341 grams (0.75 lbs) 599 grams (1.32 lbs)
Physical dimensions 122 x 90 x 40mm (4.8" x 3.5" x 1.6") 137 x 104 x 84mm (5.4" x 4.1" x 3.3")
DXO scores
DXO Overall score 75 80
DXO Color Depth score 23.4 23.8
DXO Dynamic range score 12.9 13.3
DXO Low light score 785 1121
Other
Battery life 360 pictures 1050 pictures
Battery style Battery Pack Battery Pack
Battery model BP1130 NP-FM500H
Self timer Yes (2 sec to 30 sec) Yes (2 or 10 sec)
Time lapse feature
Storage type SD/SDHC/SDXC SD/SDHC/SDXC/Memory Stick Pro Duo/ Pro-HG Duo
Card slots Single Two
Cost at release $1,100 $848