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Samsung NX20 vs Sony a5000

Portability
83
Imaging
62
Features
73
Overall
66
Samsung NX20 front
 
Sony Alpha a5000 front
Portability
89
Imaging
62
Features
62
Overall
62

Samsung NX20 vs Sony a5000 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
  • Revealed April 2012
  • Previous Model is Samsung NX11
  • Successor is Samsung NX30
Sony a5000
(Full Review)
  • 20MP - APS-C Sensor
  • 3" Tilting Screen
  • ISO 100 - 16000
  • 1920 x 1080 video
  • Sony E Mount
  • 269g - 110 x 63 x 36mm
  • Launched January 2014
  • Succeeded the Sony NEX-3N
  • Replacement is Sony a5100
Photography Glossary

Samsung NX20 vs Sony a5000 Overview

Here, we will be reviewing the Samsung NX20 and Sony a5000, former being a Advanced Mirrorless while the latter is a Entry-Level Mirrorless by competitors Samsung and Sony. The sensor resolution of the NX20 (20MP) and the a5000 (20MP) is relatively similar and both cameras have the identical sensor sizes (APS-C).

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The NX20 was unveiled 20 months before the a5000 which makes them a generation apart from one another. Each of the cameras feature different body design with the Samsung NX20 being a SLR-style mirrorless camera and the Sony a5000 being a Rangefinder-style mirrorless camera.

Before diving straight to a in depth comparison, here is a short synopsis of how the NX20 scores against the a5000 with regards to portability, imaging, features and an overall rating.

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Reasons to pick Samsung NX20 over the Sony a5000

 NX20 a5000 
Screen typeFully ArticulatedTiltingFully Articulating screen
Screen resolution614k461kCrisper screen (+153k dot)
Selfie screen Take selfies

Reasons to pick Sony a5000 over the Samsung NX20

 a5000 NX20 
LaunchedJanuary 2014April 2012Fresher by 20 months

Common features in the Samsung NX20 and Sony a5000

 NX20 a5000 
Manually focus Very exact focus
Screen size3"3"Same screen dimensions
Touch screen Lack of Touch screen

Samsung NX20 vs Sony a5000 Physical Comparison

If you're planning to carry your camera, you will need to think about its weight and size. The Samsung NX20 has exterior measurements of 122mm x 90mm x 40mm (4.8" x 3.5" x 1.6") and a weight of 341 grams (0.75 lbs) whilst the Sony a5000 has specifications of 110mm x 63mm x 36mm (4.3" x 2.5" x 1.4") and a weight of 269 grams (0.59 lbs).

Look at the Samsung NX20 and Sony a5000 in our newest Camera & Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Always remember, the weight of an ILC will differ depending on the lens you are employing during that time. The following is a front view size comparison of the NX20 against the a5000.

Samsung NX20 vs Sony a5000 size comparison

Taking into account dimensions and weight, the portability grade of the NX20 and a5000 is 83 and 89 respectively.

Samsung NX20 vs Sony a5000 top view buttons comparison

Samsung NX20 vs Sony a5000 Sensor Comparison

Quite often, it is very difficult to envision the contrast between sensor sizing only by reading technical specs. The graphic below should offer you a better sense of the sensor sizing in the NX20 and a5000.

As you have seen, both cameras feature the identical sensor size and the same megapixels therefore you can expect similar quality of pictures although you have to factor the launch date of the products into consideration. The older NX20 is going to be behind in sensor technology.

Samsung NX20 vs Sony a5000 sensor size comparison

Samsung NX20 vs Sony a5000 Screen and ViewFinder

Samsung NX20 vs Sony a5000 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Samsung NX20 Portrait photography info
Sony a5000 Portrait photography info
77
has manual focus
decent MP (20 megapixels)
sensor size is good (APS-C)
supports face detection autofocus
delivers RAW files
70
focusing manually
megapixel count decent (20MP)
sensor size is nice (APS-C)
has face detect autofocus
exports RAW files
no external flash support
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Street Comparison

Samsung NX20 as a Street photography camera
Sony a5000 as a Street photography camera
77
screen articulates fully
sensor size is good (APS-C)
delivers RAW files
lighter than average (341g)
lack of image stabilization
78
screen tilts up and down
sensor size is nice (APS-C)
exports RAW files
lack of image stabilization
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Sports Comparison

Samsung NX20 Sports photography factors
Sony a5000 Sports photography factors
61
maximum shutter speed is high (1/8,000 seconds)
decent MP (20 megapixels)
sensor size is good (APS-C)
lack of image stabilization
does not have phase detect autofocus
59
megapixel count decent (20 megapixels)
sensor size is nice (APS-C)
has tracking focus
better than average battery power (420 CIPA)
low frames per second (4.0 fps)
lack of image stabilization
lack of phase detect autofocus
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Travel Comparison

Samsung NX20 Travel photography highlights
Sony a5000 Travel photography highlights
77
lighter than average (341 grams)
decent MP (20MP)
has built in flash
selfie friendly screen
no Timelapse function
78
better than average battery power (420 per charge)
megapixel count decent (20 megapixels)
flash built-in
doesn't have a selfie friendly screen
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Landscape Comparison

Samsung NX20 as a Landscape photography camera
Sony a5000 as a Landscape photography camera
70
has manual focus
change lenses (Samsung NX mount)
screen size is good (3 inches)
decent MP (20MP)
sensor size is good (APS-C)
delivers RAW files
lack of image stabilization
no Timelapse function
77
focusing manually
change lenses (Sony E mount)
screen is a decent size (3 inch)
megapixel count decent (20MP)
sensor size is nice (APS-C)
exports RAW files
better than average battery power (420 shots)
lack of image stabilization
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Vlogging Comparison

Samsung NX20 as a Vlogging camera
Sony a5000 as a Vlogging camera
78
selfie friendly screen
supports face detection autofocus
good video quality (1920 x 1080 resolution)
comes with external microphone port
lighter than average (341 grams)
lack of image stabilization
32
has face detect autofocus
video res high (1920 x 1080 resolution)
doesn't have a selfie friendly screen
lack of image stabilization
missing mic support
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Samsung NX20 vs Sony a5000 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Samsung NX20 and Sony a5000
 Samsung NX20Sony Alpha a5000
General Information
Brand Samsung Sony
Model Samsung NX20 Sony Alpha a5000
Class Advanced Mirrorless Entry-Level Mirrorless
Revealed 2012-04-20 2014-01-07
Physical type SLR-style mirrorless Rangefinder-style mirrorless
Sensor Information
Processor Chip - Bionz X
Sensor type CMOS CMOS
Sensor size APS-C APS-C
Sensor dimensions 23.5 x 15.7mm 23.2 x 15.4mm
Sensor area 369.0mm² 357.3mm²
Sensor resolution 20 megapixel 20 megapixel
Anti aliasing filter
Aspect ratio 1:1, 3:2 and 16:9 3:2 and 16:9
Maximum resolution 5472 x 3648 5456 x 3632
Maximum native ISO 12800 16000
Min native ISO 100 100
RAW pictures
Autofocusing
Manual focus
AF touch
AF continuous
Single AF
AF tracking
Selective AF
AF center weighted
Multi area AF
AF live view
Face detection focusing
Contract detection focusing
Phase detection focusing
Number of focus points 15 25
Lens
Lens mount Samsung NX Sony E
Total lenses 32 121
Focal length multiplier 1.5 1.6
Screen
Screen type Fully Articulated Tilting
Screen sizing 3 inch 3 inch
Resolution of screen 614k dots 461k dots
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch capability
Screen technology Active Matrix OLED screen TFT LCD with 180 upward tilt
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder Electronic None
Viewfinder coverage 100 percent -
Viewfinder magnification 0.7x -
Features
Lowest shutter speed 30s 30s
Highest shutter speed 1/8000s 1/4000s
Continuous shooting rate 8.0 frames per sec 4.0 frames per sec
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Manual mode
Exposure compensation Yes Yes
Set WB
Image stabilization
Integrated flash
Flash range 11.00 m 4.00 m (at ISO 100)
Flash options Auto, On, Off, Red-eye, Fill-in, 1st/2nd Curtain, Smart Flash, Manual Flash off, Autoflash, Fill-flash, Rear Sync., Slow Sync., Red-eye reduction
External flash
Auto exposure bracketing
WB bracketing
Highest flash synchronize 1/180s 1/160s
Exposure
Multisegment metering
Average metering
Spot metering
Partial metering
AF area metering
Center weighted metering
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 (60i/24p), 1440 x 1080 (25 fps), 640 x 480 (25 fps)
Maximum video resolution 1920x1080 1920x1080
Video file format MPEG-4, H.264 MPEG-4, AVCHD
Mic support
Headphone support
Connectivity
Wireless Built-In Built-In
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 gr (0.75 lb) 269 gr (0.59 lb)
Physical dimensions 122 x 90 x 40mm (4.8" x 3.5" x 1.6") 110 x 63 x 36mm (4.3" x 2.5" x 1.4")
DXO scores
DXO All around score 75 79
DXO Color Depth score 23.4 23.8
DXO Dynamic range score 12.9 13.0
DXO Low light score 785 1089
Other
Battery life 360 shots 420 shots
Form of battery Battery Pack Battery Pack
Battery model BP1130 NP-FW50
Self timer Yes (2 sec to 30 sec) Yes (2 or 10 secs, custom)
Time lapse shooting With downloadable app
Storage type SD/SDHC/SDXC SD/SDHC/SDXC/Memory Stick Pro Duo
Card slots One One
Launch pricing $1,100 $448