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Samsung NX20 vs Sony NEX-3

Portability
83
Imaging
62
Features
73
Overall
66
Samsung NX20 front
 
Sony Alpha NEX-3 front
Portability
89
Imaging
54
Features
55
Overall
54

Samsung NX20 vs Sony NEX-3 Key Specs

Samsung NX20
(Full Review)
  • 20MP - APS-C Sensor
  • 3" Fully Articulated Display
  • ISO 100 - 12800
  • 1/8000s Max Shutter
  • 1920 x 1080 video
  • Samsung NX Mount
  • 341g - 122 x 90 x 40mm
  • Introduced April 2012
  • Older Model is Samsung NX11
  • Successor is Samsung NX30
Sony NEX-3
(Full Review)
  • 14MP - APS-C Sensor
  • 3" Tilting Screen
  • ISO 200 - 12800
  • 1280 x 720 video
  • Sony E Mount
  • 297g - 117 x 62 x 33mm
  • Announced June 2010
  • Renewed by Sony NEX-C3
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Samsung NX20 vs Sony NEX-3 Overview

In this article, we will be looking at the Samsung NX20 versus Sony NEX-3, one is a Advanced Mirrorless and the latter is a Entry-Level Mirrorless by competitors Samsung and Sony. There is a huge difference among the image resolutions of the NX20 (20MP) and NEX-3 (14MP) but they feature the same exact sensor dimensions (APS-C).

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The NX20 was released 23 months after the NEX-3 which makes the cameras a generation away from each other. Both cameras offer different body type with the Samsung NX20 being a SLR-style mirrorless camera and the Sony NEX-3 being a Rangefinder-style mirrorless camera.

Before we go in to a full comparison, below is a simple overview of how the NX20 scores versus the NEX-3 with regards to portability, imaging, features and an overall score.

Photography Glossary
	
	

Reasons to pick Samsung NX20 over the Sony NEX-3

 NX20 NEX-3 
AnnouncedApril 2012June 2010More modern by 23 months
Screen typeFully ArticulatedTiltingFully Articulating screen
Selfie screen Easy selfies

Reasons to pick Sony NEX-3 over the Samsung NX20

 NEX-3 NX20 
Screen resolution920k614kSharper screen (+306k dot)

Common features in the Samsung NX20 and Sony NEX-3

 NX20 NEX-3 
Focus manually Very precise focusing
Screen sizing3"3"Equivalent screen sizing
Touch screen Missing Touch screen

Samsung NX20 vs Sony NEX-3 Physical Comparison

For those who are aiming to carry around your camera, you will want to factor in its weight and measurements. The Samsung NX20 comes with external measurements of 122mm x 90mm x 40mm (4.8" x 3.5" x 1.6") and a weight of 341 grams (0.75 lbs) and the Sony NEX-3 has proportions of 117mm x 62mm x 33mm (4.6" x 2.4" x 1.3") and a weight of 297 grams (0.65 lbs).

Check the Samsung NX20 versus Sony NEX-3 in the latest Camera with Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Always remember, the weight of an Interchangeable Lens Camera will change depending on the lens you have attached during that time. The following is the front view scale comparison of the NX20 and the NEX-3.

Samsung NX20 vs Sony NEX-3 size comparison

Factoring in size and weight, the portability rating of the NX20 and NEX-3 is 83 and 89 respectively.

Samsung NX20 vs Sony NEX-3 top view buttons comparison

Samsung NX20 vs Sony NEX-3 Sensor Comparison

Oftentimes, it's difficult to envision the difference in sensor sizes just by viewing technical specs. The pic here should offer you a more clear sense of the sensor sizing in the NX20 and NEX-3.

As you can tell, both of the cameras enjoy the same exact sensor sizing albeit not the same resolution. You should expect the Samsung NX20 to provide you with greater detail as a result of its extra 6MP. Higher resolution will help you crop photographs far more aggressively. The younger NX20 is going to have an advantage when it comes to sensor tech.

Samsung NX20 vs Sony NEX-3 sensor size comparison

Samsung NX20 vs Sony NEX-3 Screen and ViewFinder

Samsung NX20 vs Sony NEX-3 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Samsung NX20 Portrait photography details
Sony NEX-3 Portrait photography details
77
has manual focus
decent sensor resolution (20 megapixels)
sensor size is nice (APS-C)
has face detect autofocus
saves RAW files
72
has manual focus
resolution is good (14MP)
sensor size is good (APS-C)
offers face detect focus
exports RAW formats
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Street Comparison

Samsung NX20 Street photography information
Sony NEX-3 Street photography information
77
screen articulates
sensor size is nice (APS-C)
saves RAW files
lighter than competitors in class (341g)
does not have image stabilization
76
screen tilts up and down
sensor size is good (APS-C)
exports RAW formats
does not have image stabilization
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Sports Comparison

Samsung NX20 Sports photography features
Sony NEX-3 Sports photography features
61
great max shutter speed (1/8,000s)
decent sensor resolution (20MP)
sensor size is nice (APS-C)
does not have image stabilization
doesn't have phase detect autofocus
52
resolution is good (14 megapixels)
sensor size is good (APS-C)
does not have image stabilization
does not have phase detect auto focus
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Travel Comparison

Samsung NX20 Travel photography advice
Sony NEX-3 Travel photography advice
77
lighter than competitors in class (341g)
decent sensor resolution (20MP)
has built in flash
selfie friendly screen
no Timelapse recording
59
resolution is good (14 megapixels)
doesn't have Time Lapse function
display is not selfie friendly
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Landscape Comparison

Samsung NX20 Landscape photography information
Sony NEX-3 Landscape photography information
70
has manual focus
swap lenses (Samsung NX mount)
nice screen size (3 inch)
decent sensor resolution (20 megapixels)
sensor size is nice (APS-C)
saves RAW files
does not have image stabilization
no Timelapse recording
68
has manual focus
interchangeable lenses (Sony E mount)
screen is a good size (3 inches)
resolution is good (14 megapixels)
sensor size is good (APS-C)
exports RAW formats
does not have image stabilization
doesn't have Time Lapse function
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Vlogging Comparison

Samsung NX20 Vlogging factors
Sony NEX-3 Vlogging factors
78
selfie friendly screen
has face detect autofocus
video res high (1920 x 1080 pixels)
does have microphone socket
lighter than competitors in class (341g)
does not have image stabilization
27
offers face detect focus
display is not selfie friendly
does not have image stabilization
low quality video (1280 x 720 pxls)
doesn't have mic support
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Samsung NX20 vs Sony NEX-3 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Samsung NX20 and Sony NEX-3
 Samsung NX20Sony Alpha NEX-3
General Information
Company Samsung Sony
Model type Samsung NX20 Sony Alpha NEX-3
Type Advanced Mirrorless Entry-Level Mirrorless
Introduced 2012-04-20 2010-06-07
Physical type SLR-style mirrorless Rangefinder-style mirrorless
Sensor Information
Processor Chip - Bionz
Sensor type CMOS CMOS
Sensor size APS-C APS-C
Sensor dimensions 23.5 x 15.7mm 23.4 x 15.6mm
Sensor area 369.0mm² 365.0mm²
Sensor resolution 20MP 14MP
Anti alias filter
Aspect ratio 1:1, 3:2 and 16:9 3:2 and 16:9
Full resolution 5472 x 3648 4592 x 3056
Max native ISO 12800 12800
Min native ISO 100 200
RAW pictures
Autofocusing
Manual focusing
Touch to focus
Continuous autofocus
Autofocus single
Tracking autofocus
Selective autofocus
Autofocus center weighted
Autofocus multi area
Autofocus live view
Face detect autofocus
Contract detect autofocus
Phase detect autofocus
Total focus points 15 25
Lens
Lens support Samsung NX Sony E
Total lenses 32 121
Crop factor 1.5 1.5
Screen
Type of display Fully Articulated Tilting
Display sizing 3" 3"
Display resolution 614k dots 920k dots
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch display
Display technology Active Matrix OLED screen TFT Xtra Fine LCD
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder type Electronic None
Viewfinder coverage 100 percent -
Viewfinder magnification 0.7x -
Features
Lowest shutter speed 30 secs 30 secs
Highest shutter speed 1/8000 secs 1/4000 secs
Continuous shooting rate 8.0 frames/s 7.0 frames/s
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Expose Manually
Exposure compensation Yes Yes
Change white balance
Image stabilization
Built-in flash
Flash distance 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, Rear Curtain, Fill-in
External flash
Auto exposure bracketing
White balance bracketing
Highest flash synchronize 1/180 secs 1/160 secs
Exposure
Multisegment
Average
Spot
Partial
AF area
Center weighted
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) 1280 x 720 (30 fps), 640 x 480 (30 fps)
Max video resolution 1920x1080 1280x720
Video format MPEG-4, H.264 MPEG-4
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
Environment sealing
Water proofing
Dust proofing
Shock proofing
Crush proofing
Freeze proofing
Weight 341 gr (0.75 pounds) 297 gr (0.65 pounds)
Dimensions 122 x 90 x 40mm (4.8" x 3.5" x 1.6") 117 x 62 x 33mm (4.6" x 2.4" x 1.3")
DXO scores
DXO All around rating 75 68
DXO Color Depth rating 23.4 22.1
DXO Dynamic range rating 12.9 12.0
DXO Low light rating 785 830
Other
Battery life 360 pictures 330 pictures
Battery style Battery Pack Battery Pack
Battery ID BP1130 NPFW50
Self timer Yes (2 sec to 30 sec) Yes (2 or 10 sec, 10sec (3 images))
Time lapse recording
Storage type SD/SDHC/SDXC SD/ SDHC/SDXC, Memory Stick Pro Duo/ Pro-HG Duo
Card slots One One
Retail price $1,100 $0