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Samsung NX20 vs Sony S950

Portability
83
Imaging
62
Features
73
Overall
66
Samsung NX20 front
 
Sony Cyber-shot DSC-S950 front
Portability
94
Imaging
33
Features
17
Overall
26

Samsung NX20 vs Sony S950 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
  • Released April 2012
  • Succeeded the Samsung NX11
  • Refreshed by Samsung NX30
Sony S950
(Full Review)
  • 10MP - 1/2.3" Sensor
  • 2.7" Fixed Screen
  • ISO 80 - 3200
  • Sensor-shift Image Stabilization
  • No Video
  • 33-132mm (F3.3-5.2) lens
  • 167g - 93 x 56 x 24mm
  • Announced February 2009
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Samsung NX20 vs Sony S950 Overview

Here, we will be evaluating the Samsung NX20 versus Sony S950, one is a Advanced Mirrorless and the latter is a Small Sensor Compact by rivals Samsung and Sony. There is a significant difference between the sensor resolutions of the NX20 (20MP) and S950 (10MP) and the NX20 (APS-C) and S950 (1/2.3") provide totally different sensor measurements.

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The NX20 was introduced 3 years after the S950 which is quite a sizable gap as far as tech is concerned. Each of these cameras feature different body design with the Samsung NX20 being a SLR-style mirrorless camera and the Sony S950 being a Compact camera.

Before we go straight to a detailed comparison, here is a simple overview of how the NX20 scores against the S950 when considering portability, imaging, features and an overall score.

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Reasons to pick Samsung NX20 over the Sony S950

 NX20 S950 
AnnouncedApril 2012February 2009More modern by 39 months
Screen typeFully ArticulatedFixed Fully Articulating screen
Screen size3"2.7"Bigger screen (+0.3")
Screen resolution614k230kClearer screen (+384k dot)
Selfie screen Take selfies

Reasons to pick Sony S950 over the Samsung NX20

 S950 NX20 

Common features in the Samsung NX20 and Sony S950

 NX20 S950 
Focus manually Very exact focus
Touch screen Lack of Touch screen

Samsung NX20 vs Sony S950 Physical Comparison

In case you're looking to carry around your camera often, you're going to have to factor its weight and size. The Samsung NX20 features outside dimensions of 122mm x 90mm x 40mm (4.8" x 3.5" x 1.6") having a weight of 341 grams (0.75 lbs) while the Sony S950 has specifications of 93mm x 56mm x 24mm (3.7" x 2.2" x 0.9") accompanied by a weight of 167 grams (0.37 lbs).

See the Samsung NX20 versus Sony S950 in the new Camera and Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Take into account, the weight of an Interchangeable Lens Camera will vary dependant on the lens you are working with at that moment. Underneath is a front view proportions comparison of the NX20 and the S950.

Samsung NX20 vs Sony S950 size comparison

Considering size and weight, the portability grade of the NX20 and S950 is 83 and 94 respectively.

Samsung NX20 vs Sony S950 top view buttons comparison

Samsung NX20 vs Sony S950 Sensor Comparison

Oftentimes, it can be difficult to visualise the difference between sensor sizes only by reading through specifications. The image underneath should give you a more clear sense of the sensor dimensions in the NX20 and S950.

Plainly, both the cameras come with different resolutions and different sensor sizes. The NX20 having a bigger sensor will make achieving shallower depth of field less difficult and the Samsung NX20 will resolve greater detail using its extra 10 Megapixels. Higher resolution can also allow you to crop pictures a good deal more aggressively. The more recent NX20 will have an edge when it comes to sensor technology.

Samsung NX20 vs Sony S950 sensor size comparison

Samsung NX20 vs Sony S950 Screen and ViewFinder

Samsung NX20 vs Sony S950 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Samsung NX20 Portrait photography highlights
Sony S950 Portrait photography highlights
77
focusing manually
megapixel count decent (20 megapixels)
nice sensor size (APS-C)
comes with face detect autofocus
supports RAW formats
26
you can focus manually
lack of manual mode
external flash not possible
megapixel count low (10 megapixels)
sensor is small (1/2.3")
no RAW files
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Street Comparison

Samsung NX20 as a Street photography camera
Sony S950 as a Street photography camera
77
screen can move to multiple angles
nice sensor size (APS-C)
supports RAW formats
lighter than competition in class (341g)
does not have image stabilization
56
built in image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
no moving screen
sensor is small (1/2.3")
no RAW files
Photography Glossary

Sports Comparison

Samsung NX20 as a Sports photography camera
Sony S950 as a Sports photography camera
61
max shutter speed is good (1/8,000 seconds)
megapixel count decent (20MP)
nice sensor size (APS-C)
does not have image stabilization
doesn't have phase detect autofocus
24
built in image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
max frames per second very slow (1.0 frames per second)
lack of shutter priority mode
megapixel count low (10MP)
sensor is small (1/2.3")
no phase detect autofocus
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Travel Comparison

Travel photography with Samsung NX20
Travel photography with Sony S950
77
lighter than competition in class (341g)
megapixel count decent (20 megapixels)
built-in flash
screen is selfie friendly
doesn't have Timelapse recording
50
built-in flash
no Timelapse function
megapixel count low (10 megapixels)
does not offer selfie friendly screen
wide angle not good (33mm)
sluggish max aperture (f3.3)
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Landscape Comparison

Samsung NX20 Landscape photography details
Sony S950 Landscape photography details
70
focusing manually
change lenses (Samsung NX mount)
pretty good screen size (3")
megapixel count decent (20 megapixels)
nice sensor size (APS-C)
supports RAW formats
does not have image stabilization
doesn't have Timelapse recording
31
you can focus manually
built in image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
lens is fixed (fixed lens mount)
wide angle not good (33mm)
sluggish max aperture (f3.3)
small screen (2.7 inches)
lack of manual mode
megapixel count low (10MP)
sensor is small (1/2.3")
no RAW files
no Timelapse function
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Vlogging Comparison

Vlogging with Samsung NX20
Vlogging with Sony S950
78
screen is selfie friendly
comes with face detect autofocus
video res high (1920 x 1080 pxls)
includes microphone socket
lighter than competition in class (341 grams)
does not have image stabilization
9
no video recording
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Samsung NX20 vs Sony S950 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Samsung NX20 and Sony S950
 Samsung NX20Sony Cyber-shot DSC-S950
General Information
Company Samsung Sony
Model Samsung NX20 Sony Cyber-shot DSC-S950
Category Advanced Mirrorless Small Sensor Compact
Released 2012-04-20 2009-02-17
Physical type SLR-style mirrorless Compact
Sensor Information
Sensor type CMOS CCD
Sensor size APS-C 1/2.3"
Sensor measurements 23.5 x 15.7mm 6.17 x 4.55mm
Sensor surface area 369.0mm² 28.1mm²
Sensor resolution 20 megapixel 10 megapixel
Anti aliasing filter
Aspect ratio 1:1, 3:2 and 16:9 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9
Highest Possible resolution 5472 x 3648 4000 x 3000
Maximum native ISO 12800 3200
Minimum native ISO 100 80
RAW pictures
Autofocusing
Focus manually
Autofocus touch
Continuous autofocus
Single autofocus
Tracking autofocus
Autofocus selectice
Autofocus center weighted
Autofocus multi area
Live view autofocus
Face detection autofocus
Contract detection autofocus
Phase detection autofocus
Number of focus points 15 9
Lens
Lens mounting type Samsung NX fixed lens
Lens focal range - 33-132mm (4.0x)
Maximum aperture - f/3.3-5.2
Macro focus range - 10cm
Amount of lenses 32 -
Focal length multiplier 1.5 5.8
Screen
Screen type Fully Articulated Fixed Type
Screen size 3 inches 2.7 inches
Resolution of screen 614k dots 230k dots
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch display
Screen tech Active Matrix OLED screen -
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder Electronic None
Viewfinder coverage 100 percent -
Viewfinder magnification 0.7x -
Features
Min shutter speed 30 secs 2 secs
Max shutter speed 1/8000 secs 1/1600 secs
Continuous shutter rate 8.0 frames per sec 1.0 frames per sec
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Manually set exposure
Exposure compensation Yes -
Custom white balance
Image stabilization
Inbuilt flash
Flash range 11.00 m 3.50 m
Flash modes Auto, On, Off, Red-eye, Fill-in, 1st/2nd Curtain, Smart Flash, Manual Auto, On, Off, Red-Eye reduction, Slow Sync
External flash
Auto exposure bracketing
White balance bracketing
Max flash synchronize 1/180 secs -
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) -
Maximum video resolution 1920x1080 None
Video data format MPEG-4, H.264 Motion JPEG
Microphone port
Headphone port
Connectivity
Wireless Built-In None
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 341g (0.75 lb) 167g (0.37 lb)
Physical dimensions 122 x 90 x 40mm (4.8" x 3.5" x 1.6") 93 x 56 x 24mm (3.7" x 2.2" x 0.9")
DXO scores
DXO Overall score 75 not tested
DXO Color Depth score 23.4 not tested
DXO Dynamic range score 12.9 not tested
DXO Low light score 785 not tested
Other
Battery life 360 photos -
Battery type Battery Pack -
Battery model BP1130 -
Self timer Yes (2 sec to 30 sec) Yes (2 or 10 sec)
Time lapse recording
Storage type SD/SDHC/SDXC Memory Stick Duo / Pro Duo, Internal
Card slots 1 1
Launch cost $1,100 $130