• APS-C 369.7mm2
  • 20.3 megapixels
  • ISO 100 - 12,800
  • 1 inch 116.2mm2
  • 14.2 megapixels
  • ISO 160 - 6400

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Differences

Samsung NX20 advantages over Nikon V2

  • Larger sensor
    APS-C vs 1 inch
    More sensor area. Bigger is (generally) better.
  • Bigger pixels
    ~ 4.33 vs 2.86 microns
    Better low-light and dynamic range (all else equal)
  • Tiltable Screen
    Tiltable vs Fixed
    Tilt the screen for shooting flexbility
  • Built-in Wi-Fi
    Wi-Fi vs None
    Share your photos wirelessly
  • Better color depth
    23.4 vs 20.2 bits
    Capture richer, more accurate colors
  • Higher effective ISO
    785 vs 403 iso
    Take photos in low light with less noise
  • More dynamic range
    12.9 vs 10.8 evs
    Retain detail in highlight and shadows
  • Shoots 24p video
    Yes vs No
    Gives your movies a big-screen feel
  • More pixels
    20.3 vs 14.2 megapixels
    Higher resolution photos
  • Higher extended ISO
    12800 vs 6400 ISO
    Higher extended ISO can give more low-light flexibility

Nikon V2 advantages over Samsung NX20

  • Less expensive
    $900 vs $1100 (MSRP)
    Save money for lenses or accessories
  • Fast startup
    ~2.10 vs 3.0 sec
    Faster startup lets you catch the moment
  • On-sensor phase detect
    Yes vs No
    Usually improves live view and video AF performance
  • Lighter weight
    457g vs 637g
    Lighter weight
  • More dots on screen
    922k vs 614k dots
    Can mean greater resolution or a brighter screen
  • Less shutter lag
    0.07 vs 0.35 sec
    Focus and take a photo quickly (wide angle)
  • Shoots 60p video
    Yes vs No
    A faster framerate can give you more editing options
  • Faster JPEG shooting
    60.6 fps vs 7.5 fps
    Faster JPEG shooting (burst mode)
  • Bigger JPEG buffer
    40 vs 11 shots
    Take more JPEG shots before waiting (burst mode)
  • Slow-motion videos
    Yes vs No
    Shoot slow-motion videos
  • Faster shutter
    1/16000 vs 1/8000 sec
    Shoot wide open in bright light

Similarities

Common Strengths

  • Eye-level viewfinder
    Both provide
    You'll be able to frame photos even when the sun is out
  • Internal flash
    Both provide
    Useful in a pinch for fill flash
  • HDMI out
    Both provide
    Use HDMI output to monitor or review video
  • Hot shoe
    Both provide
    Off-camera flashes open new possibilities
  • Bulb shutter
    Both provide
    Hold the shutter open manually for long exposures

Common Weaknesses

  • Focus peaking
    Neither provide
    Your camera will highlight what's in focus
  • In-Camera Image Stabilization
    Neither provide
    Reduces the effects of camera shake at slower shutter speeds
  • Touchscreen
    Neither provide
    Interact with your camera just like your smartphone
  • In-camera panoramas
    Neither provide
    Stitches multiple shots into a panoramic photo
  • Built-in Bluetooth
    Neither provide
    Always-on wireless connectivity
  • Built-in GPS
    Neither provide
    Geotag your photos
  • Top deck display
    Neither provide
    Check settings with a screen on top of the camera
  • External Mic Jack
    Neither provide
    Improved sound fidelity when shooting video
  • Dual card slots
    Neither provide
    Gives you more storage flexibility
  • Headphone jack
    Neither provide
    Monitor audio recording while you shoot video

User reviews

Buy From

Your purchases support this site

Buy the Samsung NX20

Your purchases support this site

Buy the Nikon V2

Review Excerpt

  • High quality images with lots of detail; Excellent graphical user interface is fun to use; Smart implementation of WiFi makes it relatively easy to share photos wirelessly.

  • Designed so much like a DSLR you may wonder why you shouldn't get a DSLR instead; Some performance issues, particularly slow buffer clearing and shot-to-shot speed; Initial WiFi set-up can be confusing.

The Competition

Compared to Nikon V1

Samsung NX20
Nikon V1
  • $400
  • APS-C
  • Larger sensor
  • Bigger pixels
  • $900
  • 1 inch
  • Less expensive
  • Fast startup
Nikon V2
Nikon V1
  • $900
  • 1 inch
  • Higher effective ISO
  • On-sensor phase detect
  • $900
  • 1 inch
  • Bigger pixels
  • Fast startup

Compared to Pentax K-01

Samsung NX20
Pentax K-01
  • $400
  • APS-C
  • Eye-level viewfinder
  • Tiltable Screen
  • $359
  • APS-C
  • Lens selection
  • Focus peaking
Nikon V2
Pentax K-01
  • $900
  • 1 inch
  • Eye-level viewfinder
  • On-sensor phase detect
  • $359
  • APS-C
  • Lens selection
  • Focus peaking

Compared to Sony NEX-F3

Samsung NX20
Sony NEX-F3
  • $400
  • APS-C
  • Eye-level viewfinder
  • Built-in Wi-Fi
  • $600
  • APS-C
  • Lens selection
  • Less expensive
Nikon V2
Sony NEX-F3
  • $900
  • 1 inch
  • Eye-level viewfinder
  • On-sensor phase detect
  • $600
  • APS-C
  • Lens selection
  • Larger sensor

Compared to Nikon AW1

Samsung NX20
Nikon AW1
  • $400
  • APS-C
  • Larger sensor
  • Eye-level viewfinder
  • $797
  • 1 inch
  • Waterproof
  • In-camera panoramas
Nikon V2
Nikon AW1
  • $900
  • 1 inch
  • Eye-level viewfinder
  • Longer stills battery life
  • $797
  • 1 inch
  • Waterproof
  • In-camera panoramas

Compared to Samsung NX30

Samsung NX20
Samsung NX30
  • $400
  • APS-C
  • Has anti-aliasing filter
  • $899
  • APS-C
  • Focus peaking
  • Tilt-swivel screen
Nikon V2
Samsung NX30
  • $900
  • 1 inch
  • Slower slow-motion
  • Lighter weight
  • $899
  • APS-C
  • Tilt-swivel screen
  • Focus peaking
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