• 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 AW1

  • Larger sensor
    APS-C vs 1 inch
    More sensor area. Bigger is (generally) better.
  • Less expensive
    $400 vs $797
    Save money for lenses or accessories
  • Eye-level viewfinder
    Eye-level vs Rear display only
    You'll be able to frame photos even when the sun is out
  • 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 428 iso
    Take photos in low light with less noise
  • More dynamic range
    12.9 vs 10.9 evs
    Retain detail in highlight and shadows
  • Longer stills battery life
    More info 360 vs 220 shots
    Capture more photos
  • Higher max flash sync
    1/180 vs 1/60 sec
    Reduce the effect of ambient light in flash shots
  • Shoots 24p video
    Yes vs No
    Gives your movies a big-screen feel
  • Hot shoe
    Hot shoe vs None
    Off-camera flashes open new possibilities
  • More pixels
    20.3 vs 14.2 megapixels
    Higher resolution photos
  • Wider angle kit lens
    27 mm vs 30 mm
    Capture more of the scene with the included lens
  • Higher extended ISO
    12800 vs 6400 ISO
    Higher extended ISO can give more low-light flexibility

Nikon AW1 advantages over Samsung NX20

  • Waterproof
    Yes vs No
    Take photos underwater without destroying your camera!
  • In-camera panoramas
    Yes vs No
    Stitches multiple shots into a panoramic photo
  • Built-in GPS
    GPS vs None
    Geotag your photos
  • On-sensor phase detect
    Yes vs No
    Usually improves live view and video AF performance
  • More dots on screen
    921k vs 614k dots
    Can mean greater resolution or a brighter screen
  • Shoots 60p video
    Yes vs No
    A faster framerate can give you more editing options
  • 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

  • Internal flash
    Both provide
    Useful in a pinch for fill flash
  • HDMI out
    Both provide
    Use HDMI output to monitor or review video
  • 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
  • Built-in Bluetooth
    Neither provide
    Always-on wireless connectivity
  • 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

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Your purchases support this site

Buy the Nikon AW1

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 Pentax K-01

Samsung NX20
Pentax K-01
  • $400
  • APS-C
  • Eye-level viewfinder
  • Tiltable Screen
  • $359
  • APS-C
  • Lens selection
  • Focus peaking
Nikon AW1
Pentax K-01
  • $797
  • 1 inch
  • Waterproof
  • In-camera panoramas
  • $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
  • In-camera panoramas
Nikon AW1
Sony NEX-F3
  • $797
  • 1 inch
  • Waterproof
  • Built-in GPS
  • $600
  • APS-C
  • Lens selection
  • Larger sensor

Compared to Nikon J3

Samsung NX20
Nikon J3
  • $400
  • APS-C
  • Larger sensor
  • Eye-level viewfinder
  • $617
  • 1 inch
  • On-sensor phase detect
  • Thinner
Nikon AW1
Nikon J3
  • $797
  • 1 inch
  • Waterproof
  • In-camera panoramas
  • $617
  • 1 inch
  • Wider angle kit lens

Compared to Samsung NX30

Samsung NX20
Samsung NX30
  • $400
  • APS-C
  • Has anti-aliasing filter
  • $899
  • APS-C
  • Focus peaking
  • Tilt-swivel screen
Nikon AW1
Samsung NX30
  • $797
  • 1 inch
  • Waterproof
  • Slower slow-motion
  • $899
  • APS-C
  • Tilt-swivel screen
  • Focus peaking

Compared to Nikon V3

Samsung NX20
Nikon V3
  • $400
  • APS-C
  • Less expensive
  • Larger sensor
  • $1197
  • 1 inch
  • Touchscreen
  • In-camera panoramas
Nikon AW1
Nikon V3
  • $797
  • 1 inch
  • Less expensive
  • Waterproof
  • $1197
  • 1 inch
  • Eye-level viewfinder
  • Touchscreen
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