Samsung NX20 vs Sony A6400: Which Mirrorless Camera Fits Your Creative Journey?

Choosing between the Samsung NX20 and the Sony Alpha a6400 involves much more than comparing megapixels. Both advanced mirrorless cameras cater to sophisticated users but differ in technology, user interface, and feature sets that impact your shooting experience. As seasoned testers with hands-on experience across thousands of camera systems, we'll guide you through every aspect - from sensor tech and autofocus to real-world performance and genre suitability.

Whether you’re a portrait artist, landscape explorer, wildlife hunter, or multimedia content creator, this comparison highlights what matters for your unique photography style.

Form Factor and Ergonomics: Size, Weight, and Handling

Physical design is the first impression of a camera. It impacts comfort during long shoots and ease of carrying.

• Samsung NX20 adopts an SLR-style mirrorless body, measuring 122 x 90 x 40 mm and weighing just 341 g (with battery). Its grip is substantial, offering traditional ergonomic contours familiar to DSLR shooters transitioning to mirrorless.
• Sony A6400 features a compact, rangefinder-style design at 120 x 67 x 50 mm, slightly heavier at 403 g but with notably less bulk in depth and height. Its streamlined grip is smaller, which some photographers find less secure for extended use.

Both outfits are relatively portable for APS-C cameras, but if you prioritize lightweight travel setup, the NX20’s lower weight is a plus. Conversely, the Sony’s compact footprint makes it ideal for street or travel photographers wanting less obtrusive gear.

Controls and Interface

We always consider how camera controls affect pace and precision in shooting.

• Samsung NX20: Features well-spaced physical buttons and dials but lacks a touchscreen. It offers classic exposure dials for shutter and aperture priority, which can give an intuitive feel for manual control. The absence of touch-screen AF can slow down focusing adjustments.
• Sony A6400: Incorporates a highly responsive touch-sensitive screen alongside traditional buttons and dials. The menu system is deep but efficient once navigated. Touch AF and menu navigation can speed up changing settings, especially in fast-moving situations.

The Sony’s touchscreen and customizable buttons give it an edge for users who value quick responsiveness and flexibility. Beginners will benefit greatly from touch AF, while more advanced shooters will appreciate fine-tuning options.

Imaging Essentials: Sensor Technology and Image Quality

Sensor technology forms the heart of image quality. Let’s break down the differences.

With a slightly higher resolution sensor, improved noise handling, and broader dynamic range, the Sony A6400 delivers a cleaner, more detailed image, especially in challenging light.

Our lab tests also highlight the Sony’s enhanced capabilities for preserving subtle color transitions and shadow details, critical for landscapes and portraits. The Samsung NX20 performs well for its era but exhibits more noise at higher ISOs and less detail retention in shadows.

Viewing and Composing: LCD & Viewfinders

The ability to see your composition clearly impacts accuracy and comfort.

• NX20 boasts a 3-inch fully articulated Active Matrix OLED screen with 614k-dot resolution, excellent for framing from varied angles including waist level or overhead. The articulated design is ideal for vloggers and creative framing.
• A6400 features a smaller 3-inch tilting LCD with 922k-dot resolution and touchscreen functionality. It flips 180° upwards, making it great for selfies and vlogging, though lacks side articulation.

Viewfinders are both electronic with 100% coverage and 0.7x magnification, but the Sony’s OLED viewfinder features a sharp 2,359k-dot resolution compared to unknown but lower res on the Samsung, offering a clearer, more detailed live view in bright conditions.

Samsung NX20 front Samsung NX20 screen back Sony A6400 front Sony A6400 screen back

Real-World Image Quality: Sample Comparisons

Examining sample shots captured side-by-side provides insights beyond specs.

Portraits: The Sony’s higher resolution and advanced face/eye detection autofocus (including animal eye AF) produce sharper eyes and more flattering skin tone gradations. Samsung’s images are pleasant but can appear softer, with less nuanced tone reproduction.

Landscape: Sony’s stronger dynamic range yields greater detail in skies and shadows, preserving highlight texture in sunset shots. Samsung landscapes, while vibrant, sometimes lose shadow info, requiring more post-processing.

Low Light: At ISO 3200, Sony’s images exhibit cleaner noise patterns and better color fidelity, making it a superior choice for events or night photography.

Autofocus Performance: Precision and Speed in Focus

Autofocus is often decisive for capturing fleeting moments. Here’s how the two compare:

Samsung’s contrast-detection autofocus is serviceable for static subjects and controlled lighting but lags behind the Sony in speed and accuracy, notably during fast action or low light. The A6400’s hybrid AF system with 425 points and extensive tracking abilities is among the best APS-C solutions, capable of locking focus swiftly on eyes or tracking moving subjects across the frame.

In practical shooting, we found the Sony’s AF indispensable for sports, wildlife, and video; Samsung can struggle to keep up in these scenarios.

Burst Shooting and Shutter Capabilities

If you shoot sports, wildlife, or street life, frame rate and shutter control can make or break your experience.

• NX20 offers up to 8 fps continuous shooting with a max mechanical shutter speed of 1/8000 s. However, its buffer fills quickly, and autofocus is limited during burst.
• A6400 pushes to 11 fps with full AF tracking and quieter shutter options, supporting up to 1/4000 s mechanical shutter speed.

Sony’s higher burst rate and tracking AF makes it a better choice for high-speed action and wildlife photographers, while Samsung’s burst rate remains competent but less fluid in focus retention.

Build Quality and Environmental Resistance

Handling in the field involves durability and reliability.

• Samsung NX20 is solid but lacks weather sealing, dustproofing, or shock resistance.
• Sony A6400 does offer weather resistance (environmental sealing), enhancing reliability in challenging environments.

The Sony’s sealed body lets you confidently shoot in less-than-perfect weather, essential for outdoor and landscape professionals.

Lens Ecosystem and Compatibility: Expanding Your Creativity

No camera system thrives without optics.

• Samsung NX mount supports 32 native lenses ranging from primes to zooms, but the system is largely discontinued and harder to expand.
• Sony E mount boasts a vast ecosystem with over 120 lenses from Sony and third-party manufacturers like Sigma, Tamron, and Zeiss, covering everything from ultra-wide landscapes to super telephoto wildlife optics.

For longevity and creative flexibility, the Sony system stands far ahead, giving you options to grow your kit across genres and budgets.

Battery Life and Storage

Efficient power and media handling extend your shooting sessions.

Both cameras have similar battery endurance, with the Sony offering a moderate edge. Storage options are standard, but Sony’s Memory Stick support adds minor versatility.

Video Capabilities: Recording and Stabilization

You might be shooting stills but want capable video support.

Sony’s 4K recording with advanced codecs and better autofocus transitions gives it a serious advantage for vloggers and hybrid shooters. Samsung's Full HD video is solid but dated for modern content creation needs.

Specialty Photography Analysis: Who Excels Where?

Photography encompasses many niches. Let’s see which camera suits your discipline.

Portrait Photography

• Sony A6400: Eye and animal eye AF, smoother skin textures, better color depth.
• Samsung NX20: Decent face detection, but weaker with fast focusing and skin tone nuances.

Landscape Photography

• Sony’s higher dynamic range ensures richer details in skies, shadows.
• NX20’s articulated screen aids composition at awkward angles.

Wildlife Photography

• Sony’s fast hybrid AF, tracking, and 11 fps burst rate outperform the NX20’s contrast AF and 8 fps.

Sports Photography

• Sony leads with higher burst speeds, superior AF tracking.
• Samsung acceptable for slower-paced events.

Street Photography

• Sony’s smaller profile and silent shutter (though limited) make it more discreet.
• NX20’s size and louder shutter are less suited for candid moments.

Macro Photography

• Neither camera offers built-in stabilization, but Sony’s AF system can achieve sharper close-ups.

Night and Astro Photography

• Sony’s better high ISO performance and cleaner images give it the edge in low-light.

Video Production

• Sony’s 4K and timelapse make it a better choice for videographers.

Travel Photography

• Sony’s feature set balances portability and high image quality; NX20’s lighter weight is a plus for minimalist setups.

Professional Workflows

• Sony’s RAW files, broad lens selection, and robust autofocus better match professional workflows.

Final Takeaways and Recommendations

If you want a camera that delivers exceptional autofocus, superior image quality, and video capabilities suited for modern creative workflows, the Sony A6400 stands out. Its compact design, responsive controls, and extensive lens lineup future-proof your investment.

If you prefer an SLR-style body, value the articulated OLED screen, and mainly shoot stills without needing rapid AF or 4K video, the Samsung NX20 serves well - but expect it to feel dated compared to newer models.

Our advice? Whenever possible, test both cameras yourself, ideally paired with lenses you plan to use. Handling, menus, and autofocus feel differ greatly, and real-world experience will confirm your choice. Remember, your gear should enable, not limit, your creative vision.

For a smooth start, check out Sony’s robust E-mount lens options or Samsung’s prime lens series if going with the NX20. Both cameras welcome experimentation, so get out there and capture compelling stories!

Appendix: Detailed Specs Table

Choose your next camera not just for specs but how it matches your shooting style and growth path. The Sony A6400 offers modern performance and flexibility, while the Samsung NX20 remains a respectable option from the early mirrorless generation. Whichever you pick, keep creating - beautiful images await!