Pentax K20D vs Samsung NX3000

Cameras
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Pentax K20D vs Samsung NX3000

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APS-C 368.2mm²
14.6 megapixels
ISO 100 - 3200

Go in depth with our full Pentax K20D Review.
See real-world photos taken with the K20D.

APS-C 369.0mm²
20.3 megapixels
ISO 100 - 25,600

Go in depth with our full Samsung NX3000 Review.
How does it shoot? Samsung NX3000 in the real world.
See real-world photos taken with the NX3000.

Succeeded by the Pentax K-7
Compare K20D vs K-7

Succeeded by the Samsung NX3300
Compare NX3000 vs NX3300

Compare PENTAX K-7 vs SAMSUNG NX3300

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Differences

Pentax K20D advantages over Samsung NX3000

Lens selection
Excellent vs Limited
Better lens selection gives you more options
Eye-level viewfinder
Eye-level vs Rear display only
You'll be able to frame photos even when the sun is out
In-Camera Image Stabilization
Yes vs No
Reduces the effects of camera shake at slower shutter speeds
Bigger pixels
~ 5.05 vs 4.29 microns
Better low-light and dynamic range (all else equal)
Fast startup
~0.40 vs 2.0 sec
Faster startup lets you catch the moment
Longer stills battery life
More info

Longer stills battery life

Cameras with longer battery life can take more photos before exhausting their batteries.

Special note: The measurement standard for battery life stipulates that if a camera has an internal flash, it must be used for 50% of photos taken. For this reason, comparisons of one camera with an internal flash to another without will not be comparable

530 vs 370 shots
Capture more photos
Internal flash
Internal flash vs None
Useful in a pinch for fill flash
Top deck display
Yes vs No
Check settings with a screen on top of the camera
Less shutter lag
0.17 vs 0.30 sec
Focus and take a photo quickly (wide angle)
Bigger JPEG buffer
38 vs 12 shots
Take more JPEG shots before waiting (burst mode)

Samsung NX3000 advantages over Pentax K20D

Less expensive
$529 vs $800 (MSRP)
Save money for lenses or accessories
In-camera panoramas
Yes vs No
Stitches multiple shots into a panoramic photo
Tiltable Screen
Tiltable vs Fixed
Tilt the screen for shooting flexbility
Built-in Wi-Fi
Wi-Fi vs None
Share your photos wirelessly
NFC
Yes vs No
Simplifies pairing your camera with supported phones
Thinner
39 mm vs 70 mm
Thinner
Newer
11 years vs 17 years old
Newer cameras often support more advanced features
HDMI out
HDMI out vs None
Use HDMI output to monitor or review video
More dots on screen
461k vs 230k dots
Can mean greater resolution or a brighter screen
Shoots 1080p video
Yes vs No
You'll want this if you shoot video
More pixels
20.3 vs 14.6 megapixels
Higher resolution photos
Faster JPEG shooting
5.2 fps vs 2.8 fps
Faster JPEG shooting (burst mode)
Slow-motion videos
Yes vs No
Shoot slow-motion videos
Higher extended ISO
25600 vs 6400 ISO
Higher extended ISO can give more low-light flexibility

Similarities

Common Strengths

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
Tilt-swivel screen
Neither provide
Tilt and swivel the screen for maximum shooting flexibility
Touchscreen
Neither provide
Interact with your camera just like your smartphone
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
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

Amazon
Adorama
Read K20D User Reviews

Amazon
Adorama
Read NX3000 User Reviews

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Kit with 16-50mm Lens

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Review Excerpt

Read our Pentax K20D Full Review

We haven’t finished our review of the Samsung NX3000, but we have extensive sample photos and a hands-on report.
Read our Samsung NX3000 Shooter's Report

The Competition

Compared to Samsung GX-20

Pentax K20D

Samsung GX-20

$800
APS-C

Less expensive

$1400
APS-C

Higher effective ISO

Compare Pentax K20D vs Samsung GX-20

Samsung NX3000

Samsung GX-20

$950
APS-C

Less expensive
In-camera panoramas

$1400
APS-C

Lens selection
Eye-level viewfinder

Compare Samsung NX3000 vs Samsung GX-20

Compared to Sony DSLR-A380

Pentax K20D

Sony DSLR-A380

$800
APS-C

Lens selection
Fast startup

$849
APS-C

Tiltable Screen
HDMI out

Compare Pentax K20D vs Sony DSLR-A380

Samsung NX3000

Sony DSLR-A380

$950
APS-C

Less expensive
In-camera panoramas

$849
APS-C

Lens selection
Eye-level viewfinder

Compare Samsung NX3000 vs Sony DSLR-A380

Compared to Pentax K-7

Pentax K20D

Pentax K-7

$800
APS-C

Less expensive
Fast startup

$1300
APS-C

Longer stills battery life
HDMI out

Compare Pentax K20D vs Pentax K-7

Samsung NX3000

Pentax K-7

$950
APS-C

Less expensive
In-camera panoramas

$1300
APS-C

Lens selection
Eye-level viewfinder

Compare Samsung NX3000 vs Pentax K-7

Compared to Fujifilm X-M1

Pentax K20D

Fujifilm X-M1

$800
APS-C

Lens selection
Eye-level viewfinder

$993
APS-C

Focus peaking
Tiltable Screen

Compare Pentax K20D vs Fujifilm X-M1

Samsung NX3000

Fujifilm X-M1

$950
APS-C

Less expensive
In-camera panoramas

$993
APS-C

Lens selection
Focus peaking

Compare Samsung NX3000 vs Fujifilm X-M1

Compared to Canon EOS M3

Pentax K20D

Canon EOS M3

$800
APS-C

Lens selection
Larger sensor

$850
APS-C

Focus peaking
Touchscreen

Compare Pentax K20D vs Canon EOS M3

Samsung NX3000

Canon EOS M3

$950
APS-C

Larger sensor
Bigger pixels

$850
APS-C

Focus peaking
Touchscreen

Compare Samsung NX3000 vs Canon EOS M3

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