• APS-C 369.7mm2
  • 20.3 megapixels
  • ISO 100 - 12,800
  • 4/3 224.9mm2
  • 16.1 megapixels
  • ISO 200 - 25,600

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Differences

Samsung NX20 advantages over Olympus E-M10 II

  • Larger sensor
    APS-C vs 4/3
    More sensor area. Bigger is (generally) better.
  • Bigger pixels
    ~ 4.33 vs 3.75 microns
    Better low-light and dynamic range (all else equal)
  • More viewfinder magnification
    0.69x vs 0.62x
    Get a bigger view of the scene through the eye-level viewfinder
  • More pixels
    20.3 vs 16.1 megapixels
    Higher resolution photos
  • Has anti-aliasing filter
    Filter vs No Filter
    Reduces unsightly moiré in photos

Olympus E-M10 II advantages over Samsung NX20

  • Lens selection
    Excellent vs Limited
    Better lens selection gives you more options
  • Focus peaking
    Peaker vs Non-peaker
    Your camera will highlight what's in focus
  • In-Camera Image Stabilization
    Yes vs No
    Reduces the effects of camera shake at slower shutter speeds
  • Touchscreen
    Touch vs No touch
    Interact with your camera just like your smartphone
  • Fast startup
    ~0.80 vs 3.0 sec
    Faster startup lets you catch the moment
  • Lighter weight
    488g vs 637g
    Lighter weight
  • More dots on screen
    1037k vs 614k dots
    Can mean greater resolution or a brighter screen
  • Less shutter lag
    0.16 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
  • Lacks anti-aliasing filter
    No Filter vs Filter
    Enjoy sharper photos
  • Longer exposure
    60 vs 30 sec
    Long exposures for night shots
  • Faster JPEG shooting
    8.9 fps vs 7.5 fps
    Faster JPEG shooting (burst mode)
  • Bigger JPEG buffer
    28 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
  • Higher extended ISO
    25600 vs 12800 ISO
    Higher extended ISO can give more low-light flexibility

Similarities

Common Strengths

  • Eye-level viewfinder
    Both provide
    You'll be able to frame photos even when the sun is out
  • Tiltable Screen
    Both provide
    Tilt the screen for shooting flexbility
  • Built-in Wi-Fi
    Both provide
    Share your photos wirelessly
  • 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

  • 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
  • On-sensor phase detect
    Neither provide
    Usually improves live view and video AF performance
  • 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 Samsung NX20

Your purchases support this site

Buy the Olympus E-M10 II

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.

  • Excellent value for the money; Professional-grade ergonomics; Incredibly good image quality for its class; Solid performance specs across the board; Loaded with features.

  • Kit lens may not be quite as sharp as previous kit lens from this line; Below average battery life; Somewhat confusing menu systems.

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
Olympus E-M10 II
Pentax K-01
  • $349
  • 4/3
  • Eye-level viewfinder
  • Touchscreen
  • $359
  • APS-C
  • Larger sensor
  • Bigger pixels

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
Olympus E-M10 II
Sony NEX-F3
  • $349
  • 4/3
  • Lens selection
  • Focus peaking
  • $600
  • APS-C
  • Larger sensor
  • Bigger pixels

Compared to Samsung NX30

Samsung NX20
Samsung NX30
  • $400
  • APS-C
  • Has anti-aliasing filter
  • $899
  • APS-C
  • Focus peaking
  • Tilt-swivel screen
Olympus E-M10 II
Samsung NX30
  • $349
  • 4/3
  • Lens selection
  • In-Camera Image Stabilization
  • $899
  • APS-C
  • Tilt-swivel screen
  • Larger sensor

Compared to Olympus E-M10

Samsung NX20
Olympus E-M10
  • $400
  • APS-C
  • Larger sensor
  • Bigger pixels
  • $399
  • 4/3
  • Lens selection
  • Focus peaking
Olympus E-M10 II
Olympus E-M10
  • $349
  • 4/3
  • Fast startup
  • Shoots 24p video
  • $399
  • 4/3

Compared to Panasonic GX85

Samsung NX20
Panasonic GX85
  • $400
  • APS-C
  • Larger sensor
  • Higher effective ISO
  • $598
  • 4/3
  • Lens selection
  • Focus peaking
Olympus E-M10 II
Panasonic GX85
  • $349
  • 4/3
  • Higher effective ISO
  • More telephoto lens reach
  • $598
  • 4/3
  • Shoot 4K video
  • In-camera panoramas
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