Samsung NX20 Camera Review: The Perfect Choice for Professional Photographers

The Samsung NX20 is a top-of-the-line camera that boasts advanced features, excellent image quality, and a sleek design. If you're a professional photographer who wants a versatile and reliable camera, the Samsung NX20 might be the perfect choice for you. This blog post will go over the camera's most notable features and help you decide if it's the right investment for your career.

Written by Victor Chan | Updated: Mon May 01 2023

Samsung NX20 article cover photo

Key Features

Apr 20 2012

Announced

20 megapixels

Resolution

BrandSamsung
Sensor TypeAPS-C
SensorCMOS
Weight341g
MSRP$1099USD

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Overview of the NX20

As a professional photographer, you know that having the right equipment is essential to capturing the perfect shot. The Samsung NX20 is a camera that has been designed with your needs in mind. With its advanced features and reliable performance, this camera is a top-of-the-line investment that you won't regret. In this blog post, we'll take a closer look at the Samsung NX20 and help you determine whether it's the right investment for your career. So, let's dive in and explore all that this camera has to offer!

Samsung NX20 Pros and Cons

Now, we will look more closely at our review of the Samsung NX20 camera. We will see what it can do and compare it to other cameras like it. We will tell you what's good about it and what's not so good. This way, you'll know if it's the camera for you!

Pros

High image quality
Interchangeable lens system
Built-in Wi-Fi connectivity
Durable construction
Fast autofocus
Large APS-C sensor
Use of AMOLED screen
1080p video recording
Electronic viewfinder

Cons

Limited lens selection compared to competitors
Slow start-up time
No built-in flash
Battery life could be better
Prone to noise in low light conditions
No headphone jack for audio monitoring
Slightly bulky and heavy compared to other mirrorless cameras
Limited dynamic range compared to full-frame cameras
No 4K video recording

Build and Construction

Body and dimensions

Samsung NX20

Weather sealed
Dimensions122 x 90 x 40mm
Weight341g
Thickness40mm
Weight
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Avg
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Max
Thickness
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Max

Weather Sealing

The Samsung NX20 is not sealed against water and dust, so it's important to be careful when using it in such conditions. If you often shoot in environments with water or dust, it's recommended to check out another camera with weather sealing.

Design and Handling

Main design features

View FinderElectronic
Screen TypeFully Articulated
Screen Resolution614k dots
Body typeSLR-style mirrorless

Suitable for:

PhotographyAbove Avg.
VideographyAbove Avg.
TravelAbove Avg.

LCD Screen

This camera has a fully articulated 3.00" screen, with a display resolution of 614k dots. This makes the Samsung NX20 very suitable for those looking for a vlogging camera as you can view yourself while shooting selfies. Unfortunately, the camera does not have a touch screen, which may make it less user-friendly.

Viewfinder

NX20 includes a electronic viewfinder with n/a of resolution with a coverage of 100% and a magnification of 0.7x. This feature enhances the camera's suitability for outdoor photography in bright conditions.

Image Quality

Samsung NX20 has a 20MP sized CMOS sensor. You can shoot at maximum resolution of 20 pixels. Samsung NX20 has a native ISO range of 100 - 12800 which can be boosted to null - null. It can also save files in RAW format which gives you a wider room for post processing.

Key Features

Apr 20 2012

Announced

100 - 12800

ISO Range

SensorAPS-C
Extended ISOnull - null
Max resolution5472 x 3648 pixels

DXO Sensor Scores

Overall

75 / 102

Color Depth

23.4 / 26.5

Dynamic Range

12.9 / 14.8

Low Light ISO

785 / 4505

DXO mark sensor scores

The DXOmark rankings indicate that the Samsung NX20 camera has above average color depth performance, which refers to the number of colors the sensor can distinguish. Additionally, its dynamic range is also above average, allowing it to retain low amounts of details in both bright and dark areas of a scene. The camera's low light ISO performance is poor, which is an important factor to consider if you plan to use it in dimly lit indoor environments or at night. Overall the image quality of the NX20 is average

Crop Factor

Camera crop factor (or focal length multiplier) refers to how a camera's sensor size affects the apparent field of view of a lens. Crop factor is determined by comparing the size of a camera's sensor to that of a full-frame sensor, which is a standard reference size for camera sensors.

Size comparison

Medium FormatFull FrameAPS-C (Sony, Nikon)

Crop factor calculator

Crop factor

1x

Full frame equivalent

24mm

This camera: APS-C

24mm

850100150200

Connectivity, storage, battery

StorageSD/SDHC/SDXC
Battery Life360 shots
Battery ModelBP1130
HDMI
USD
Wireless Connectivity

Storage

The Samsung NX20 supports SD/SDHC/SDXC with 1 slots for storage. This may suffice for everyday use. However, for professional applications such as wedding photography, it is not recommended as a memory card malfunction could lead to the loss of all footage.

Battery

The Samsung NX20 uses the BP1130 model of battery pack. This is rated for 360 shots shots which is high. If you intend to take photos or record videos for an extended period, it might be a good idea to bring along additional batteries.

Photography Features

Flash

The Samsung NX20 has built in flash which is great for event photography and in low light situations. It also offers a flash shoe that allows you to attach external flashes. This provides more versatility in your lighting choices.

Shutter

The Samsung NX20 boasts a maximum mechanical shutter speed of 1/8000s, which is ideal for shooting fast-moving subjects in bright environments, such as in sports photography. Faster shutter speeds enable you to freeze the action and capture every detail, making it easier to get the perfect shot.

With a continuous mechanical shutter speed of n/a or an electronic shutter speed of n/a, this camera is not capable of capturing the perfect moment more easily, making it not as suited for wedding, sports, and wildlife photography. Higher shutter speeds make it easier to capture fast-paced action, ensuring that you never miss the perfect shot.

Autofocus

The Samsung NX20 includes contrast detection autofocus (AF), with 15 number of focus points.

While contrast detection is generally more accurate and precise, phase detection autofocus is faster and more effective in most situations, particularly when photographing moving subjects.

Phase detection autofocus works by dividing the incoming light into pairs and then analyzing how they intersect on the camera's sensor. This method allows the camera to determine not only if a subject is in focus but also the direction and distance needed to adjust the focus to achieve perfect sharpness.

On the other hand, contrast detection autofocus works by analyzing the contrast of an image and adjusting the focus until the highest contrast is detected. While this method is very accurate, it can be slow, especially in low light conditions or when photographing moving subjects.

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FAQ

What is the sensor size of the Samsung NX20?

The Samsung NX20 features a CMOS sensor

Is the Samsung NX20 weather sealed?

No the NX20 does not have weather sealing.

When was the Samsung NX20 announced?

The Samsung NX20 was announced on Apr 20 2012

Does the Samsung NX20 have in-body image stabilization?

No the NX20 does not have in-body image stabilization that can compensate for camera shake, making it easier to shoot handheld in low light conditions.

What is the ISO range of the Samsung NX20?

The NX20 has a native ISO range of 100-12800, which can be expanded to ISO null-null for even greater sensitivity in low light conditions.

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