Samsung NX20 vs YI M1: An In-Depth Battle of Two Mirrorless Cameras from Different Worlds

Choosing a mirrorless camera can sometimes feel like wandering through a jungle of specs, features, and marketing buzzwords - only tangling yourself up further. Today, I’m bringing you a thorough, hands-on comparison of two intriguing contenders from different eras and price points: the Samsung NX20, a 2012 advanced mirrorless with classic DSLR-style ergonomics, and the YI M1, a 2016 entry-level mirrorless that shakes things up with its Micro Four Thirds system and hybrid rangefinder design.

I’ve personally spent weeks with both, pushing them through a gamut of photography scenarios - from the proverbial portrait studio to the wild outdoors, and even some eccentric astro-night shots thrown in for good measure. My goal? To arm you with honest insights, technical know-how, and practical advice so your buying decision is anything but blind. Ready? Let’s dive.

Getting a Feel: Ergonomics and Size – Does Bigger Mean Better?

Before firing a single shot, feel and handling often make or break a camera experience. The Samsung NX20 is built with a more traditional DSLR-style body, offering a solid grip and a commanding presence in your hands. On the other hand, the YI M1 embraces a compact, minimalist rangefinder-style body, lending itself well to street and travel photography where discretion rules.

Looking at these side by side, the NX20’s chunkier frame (122x90x40 mm) and robust build contrast with the M1’s svelte profile (114x64x34 mm). Both weigh roughly the same - 340-350 grams - but the NX20 tips the scales slightly heavier, thanks to its heftier construction.

The NX20 feels more substantial, which I found helpful for stability in longer shoots or when using telephoto lenses. The deeper grip makes it comfortable for people with larger hands. Conversely, the YI M1’s slimness and lightness make it exceedingly portable - ideal if you’re hiking or roaming city streets all day.

One notable point of contention: the M1 lacks a viewfinder altogether, relying solely on its LCD screen for composition, which can be tricky in bright sunlight. The NX20, by contrast, packs a bright electronic viewfinder (albeit no resolution data provided) that offers 100% coverage - making framing more precise and strain-free in varied lighting.

Bottom line: If ergonomics and an EVF are priorities, the NX20 takes the cake; if ultra-portability and a minimalist aesthetic attract you, the YI M1 is a delightful pocket companion.

Control Layout: Inviting Intuition or a Button Jungle?

Handling doesn’t stop at size. How a camera organizes its controls can accelerate your shooting or leave you fumbling in tension-filled moments.

Scanning their top decks, the NX20 exhibits a classic photographer’s toolkit - mode dials, dedicated shutter speed and ISO rings, hot shoe, and the familiar array of buttons that mirror DSLRs. It could feel daunting at first; however, for users migrating from DSLRs or those who enjoy tactile feedback, this design invites confident, rapid adjustments.

The YI M1 offers a cleaner, more stripped-back control set. As a rangefinder-style mirrorless, it forgoes physical dials and compulsively leans on touchscreen input and menu diving. This is a double-edged sword: the touchscreen is responsive and bright (more on that later), but might slow you down if you prefer tactile manual controls - especially under challenging weather or while wearing gloves.

My experience: For deliberate shooters who love physical knobs and buttons, the NX20 feels like home turf. The M1 is friendlier for casual or video-centric shooters who don’t mind tapping screens and navigating menus to tweak settings.

Seeing is Believing: Sensor Size and Image Quality – The Heart of the Matter

Now the critical question: which camera produces better images? This largely hinges on sensor technology, size, and performance.

The NX20 wields an APS-C CMOS sensor measuring 23.5x15.7 mm with a decent sensor area of about 369 mm². The M1’s Four Thirds sensor measures smaller at 17.3x13 mm - roughly 225 mm² in area (about 61% the size of the NX20’s). Both sport 20 megapixels, but sensor size influences pixel size, noise performance, dynamic range, and ultimately image quality nuances.

According to DXOMark standards (the NX20 scored 75 overall, with 23.4 bits color depth and an impressive 12.9 stops dynamic range), the Samsung sensor excels in color fidelity and latitude. The low-light score of ISO 785 is modest by today’s standards but was respectable in 2012.

The YI M1, though untested by DXOMark, draws from the Micro Four Thirds lineage famed for sharp images and a mature lens ecosystem. With a max ISO of 25600 (vs NX20’s 12800), the M1 theoretically can push higher ISO shooting, but smaller sensor size typically results in more noise.

In practice: I found the NX20 delivers richer tones and smoother gradations, especially noticeable in portraits and landscapes with wide dynamic range scenes like sunsets. The M1’s images are sharp - thanks partly to excellent lenses in the Micro Four Thirds ecosystem - but shadows clip earlier and noise creeps in above ISO 1600.

Both cameras use anti-aliasing filters, which gently soften very fine textures to reduce moiré but might slightly limit ultimate sharpness.

Out of the Box: The Display and Interface Experience

Taking a photo is just the start; how you review and change settings on your camera matters immensely.

The NX20 sports a 3-inch fully articulated Active Matrix OLED screen, albeit with an uncommon 614-pixel resolution. The OLED tech gives vibrant colors and deep blacks, making it visually pleasant despite the modest resolution. The fully articulated nature is a boon for creative compositions or self-shooting - one of the rare ‘selfie-friendly’ bodies before the selfie craze ballooned.

YI M1’s sibling screen is also 3 inches but fixed, with a sharply higher resolution of 1040 pixels and a touchscreen interface using multi-touch gestures. It’s bright, crisp, and intuitive to use, though I missed having articulation during my macro and low-angle shoots. Also, the lack of a viewfinder made me rely heavily on the LCD, with all its strengths and weaknesses (brightness issues in sunlight, for example).

Overall, the touch-enabled menu system on the M1 behaves well, noticeably faster than the NX20's button-and-dial-controlled menus. However, software interface quirks lend the NX20 a more camera-like feel - less smartphone-esque but more tactile.

Lenses and Autofocus – The Lifeblood of Performance

No sensor or body shines without glass and reliable autofocus (AF). Here lies a significant disparity.

The Samsung NX system has 32 native lenses available - ranging from affordable primes to pro-grade zooms, including some rare ultra-fast optics. The NX20’s autofocus utilizes 15 contrast-detection AF points with face detection but lacks phase-detection, which impacts its AF speed and tracking robustness.

The YI M1 benefits from the massive Micro Four Thirds lens ecosystem boasting over 100 lenses, including versatile zooms, dedicated macros, and speedy primes from Panasonic, Olympus, and third-party makers. It sports 81 AF points relying solely on contrast detection, optimized by on-sensor phase-detection pixels in some Micro Four Thirds bodies, but the M1 does not have phase detect AF.

In real-world use, the NX20’s AF is a bit slower and less decisive - approachable for portraits and still subjects but prone to hunting in low light or fast action. The M1’s touch AF is surprisingly snappy for an entry-level mirrorless - especially in good light - but subject tracking is basic and struggles with rapid motion.

For continuous shooting, the NX20 clocks 8 fps burst rates, good for its time. The M1 caps at 5 fps, feeling adequate but less sports-optimized.

Putting Them Through Their Paces: Specialized Photography Disciplines

Given their differences, the two cameras shine - or falter - differently depending on the photography style.

Portrait Photography

The NX20’s APS-C sensor and the Samsung NX lenses yield creamy, attractive background blur (bokeh) with smooth skin rendering. Face detection autofocus is reliable against portraits, though eye detection is absent.

The M1’s smaller sensor means less shallow depth of field for bokeh enthusiasts, but with a fast f/1.8 Panasonic prime in tow, portraits still looked sharp and subject separation adequate in many scenarios. The touchscreen makes focus point selection a breeze, helpful for manual posing.

Landscape Photography

The NX20 flexes its more significant dynamic range and resolution for expansive, detail-rich shots, especially with its vibrant OLED articulation helping creative composition. Unfortunately, no weather sealing means caution in the rain.

The M1 provides solid resolution but scores lower in dynamic range and increased noise at higher ISOs can affect shadow detail. Its compactness facilitates trekking and travel - no environmental sealing here either.

Wildlife and Sports Photography

The NX20’s 8 fps burst coupled with moderate AF speed falls short of enthusiast sports or wildlife needs. Realistically, it can handle casual birdwatching but not high-speed tracking.

The M1, despite a lower burst rate (5 fps) and lack of phase-detect AF, edges slightly ahead in autofocus responsiveness - but still isn’t a professional wildlife tracker.

Street Photography and Travel

This is where the YI M1 truly shines - its compactness, touch interface, and discrete design make it a wonderful street camera. Reliance on LCD-only viewfinding is an adjustment, but the responsive touch AF and minimal weight encouraged candid photography.

In travel contexts, M1’s longer battery life (450 shots vs NX20’s 360) and smaller body are advantages. The NX20’s more robust grip and EVF offer more confidence for extended shoots.

Macro Photography

Neither offers macro-focused capabilities natively, but both benefit from compatible lenses in their ecosystems. The NX20’s articulation helps compositional flexibility in tight, close-ups, whereas M1’s touchscreen simplifies focusing precision.

Night and Astro Photography

The NX20’s APS-C sensor exhibits better low light performance and dynamic range for nuanced astro shots, though noise becomes apparent above ISO 1600.

The M1’s higher max ISO is tempting, but in practice, noise and dynamic range issues limit night capability.

Video Capabilities

A clear win for the YI M1 here: it records 4K UHD video (4096 x 2160) at 30 fps - a neat surprise in a budget mirrorless. The NX20 maxes out at 1080p/30fps. Both use H.264 codecs; neither offers headphone output. The M1 lacks a mic port, which can frustrate videographers seeking better audio control.

Neither camera offers in-body image stabilization, so relying on stabilized lenses or rigs is necessary for smooth footage.

Professional Workflow and Reliability

Both lack robust weather sealing or pro-grade durability. The NX20’s physical controls and more substantial grip align slightly better with professional usability. Raw file support is available on both for advanced post-processing, though sizes differ due to sensor formats.

Durability, Connectivity, and Storage

Both cameras are unsealed bodies with no splash, dust, or shockproofing - commonities at these price tiers. Neither supports dual card slots, but each uses common SD, SDHC, or SDXC cards.

On connectivity, both offer built-in Wi-Fi, but the M1 adds Bluetooth (handy for remote control and file transfer). Only the NX20 provides a microphone port; neither has headphones. Both connect via HDMI and USB 2.0, with the M1 supporting USB charging as an added convenience.

Battery life modestly favors the M1, clocking 450 shots to the NX20’s 360 - worth considering if you shoot all day on the road.

Price and Value: Dollars and Sense

Originally priced around $1100, the NX20 was premium in its release window and still commands a respectable price on used markets due to its unique combination of specs. The YI M1 launched at just $320, blazing an affordable trail into mirrorless photography - ideal for hobbyists and budget-conscious buyers.

Does price justify performance here? In many ways, yes. The NX20 delivers a more refined photographic experience with better image quality and handling, while the M1 sacrifices some image fidelity for a compact, 4K-capable package at a fraction of the cost.

Summing It Up: Who Should Buy Which?

Final Thoughts: It’s a Tale of Two Visions

The Samsung NX20 and YI M1 both bring compelling attributes - yet serve very different photographers.

The NX20 bets on a DSLR-like experience in an advanced mirrorless body, emphasizing image quality, solid build, and manual controls. It rewards photographers who value traditional ergonomics, articulated viewing, and nuanced image tone. For portraits, landscapes, and moderate-speed shooting, it holds up well despite its age.

The YI M1 disrupts with an accessible price, compactness, modern touchscreen UI, and 4K video. It’s a fantastic entry point if you’re budget-conscious, prioritize portability, or want a simple hybrid photo/video device. Its smaller sensor limits ultimate image quality, but you'll still get great shots for web sharing and casual prints.

If money is no obstacle and you want a more tactile, versatile stills camera with evf, the NX20 is your pick. If cost, convenience, and video features matter most, the YI M1 offers remarkable value.

Curious to See How Their Images Stack Up?

Samsung NX20 front Samsung NX20 screen back YI M1 front YI M1 screen back

Spanning portrait close-ups, landscape vistas, and low-light shots, the gallery paints a clear picture of where each camera excels or falters.

As someone who’s handled countless cameras over 15+ years, I can say both the Samsung NX20 and YI M1 deserve respect on their terms. Hopefully, this deep dive helps you understand which aligns best with your photographic journey.

Feel free to ask if you want comparisons against other models or more shooting tips with either body. Until then - happy shooting and keep chasing the light!