Samsung GX-20 vs Nikon D300S

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Samsung GX-20 vs Nikon D300S

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APS-C 369.7mm²
14.6 megapixels
ISO 100 - 3200

Go in depth with our full Samsung GX-20 Review.

APS-C 372.9mm²
12.3 megapixels
ISO 200 - 3200

Go in depth with our full Nikon D300S Review.
See real-world photos taken with the D300S.

Succeeded by the Nikon D500
Compare D300S vs D500
Compare Samsung GX-20 vs Nikon D500

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Differences

Samsung GX-20 advantages over Nikon D300S

In-Camera Image Stabilization
Yes vs No
Reduces the effects of camera shake at slower shutter speeds
Lighter weight
714g vs 951g
Lighter weight
More pixels
14.6 vs 12.3 megapixels
Higher resolution photos

Nikon D300S advantages over Samsung GX-20

Higher effective ISO

Higher effective ISO

Maximum effective ISO is an estimate of the highest sensitivity at which a camera can capture excellent quality photos.

Cameras with higher effective ISO will be better choices for indoor photography, night shooting, and indoor sports photography, especially if you intend to make large prints.

You can learn more at our glossary entry.

Maximum effective ISO test data courtesy of DxO Mark.
D300S test data on DxO Mark GX-20 test data on DxO Mark

787 vs 714 iso
Take photos in low light with less noise
External Mic Jack
Jack vs No jack
Improved sound fidelity when shooting video
More cross-type AF points
15 vs 9
Cross-type AF points improve autofocus performance
HDMI out
HDMI out vs None
Use HDMI output to monitor or review video
Shoots 24p video
Yes vs No
Gives your movies a big-screen feel
More dots on screen
922k vs 230k dots
Can mean greater resolution or a brighter screen
Dual card slots
Yes vs No
Gives you more storage flexibility
More AF points
51 vs 11
More AF points improve autofocus
Faster shutter
1/8000 vs 1/4000 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
Top deck display
Both provide
Check settings with a screen on top of the camera
Pentaprism viewfinder
Both provide
Much better viewfinder picture fidelity
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
In-camera panoramas
Neither provide
Stitches multiple shots into a panoramic photo
Tiltable Screen
Neither provide
Tilt the screen for shooting flexbility
Built-in Wi-Fi
Neither provide
Share your photos wirelessly
NFC
Neither provide
Simplifies pairing your camera with supported phones
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
Headphone jack
Neither provide
Monitor audio recording while you shoot video
Slow-motion videos
Neither provide
Shoot slow-motion videos

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Buy the Nikon D300S

Body Only

Body Only
Kit with 18-200mm Lens

All D300S Deals

Review Excerpt

We haven’t reviewed the Samsung GX-20.
Read our Samsung GX-20 Preview

Rugged construction; 51-point AF system capable of sophisticated AF tracking; Large, bright optical viewfinder; 7 fps JPEG or 12-bit RAW burst mode; HD Video capture.
14-bit RAW mode slows continuous shooting from 7 fps to 2.7 fps; Somewhat slow AF for a camera at this level, especially in 51-point auto-area mode; Video capture tops out at 720p24.
Read our Nikon D300S Full Review

The Competition

Compared to Pentax K20D

Samsung GX-20

Pentax K20D

$1400
APS-C

Higher effective ISO

$800
APS-C

Less expensive

Compare Samsung GX-20 vs Pentax K20D

Nikon D300S

Pentax K20D

$1697
APS-C

Fast startup
Higher effective ISO

$800
APS-C

In-Camera Image Stabilization
More pixels

Compare Nikon D300S vs Pentax K20D

Compared to Nikon D90

Samsung GX-20

Nikon D90

$1400
APS-C

In-Camera Image Stabilization
More cross-type AF points

$1300
APS-C

Higher effective ISO
More dynamic range

Compare Samsung GX-20 vs Nikon D90

Nikon D300S

Nikon D90

$1697
APS-C

External Mic Jack
More cross-type AF points

$1300
APS-C

Higher effective ISO
Bigger JPEG buffer

Compare Nikon D300S vs Nikon D90

Compared to Canon 50D

Samsung GX-20

Canon 50D

$1400
APS-C

In-Camera Image Stabilization

$1000
APS-C

HDMI out
More dots on screen

Compare Samsung GX-20 vs Canon 50D

Nikon D300S

Canon 50D

$1697
APS-C

Higher effective ISO
Longer stills battery life

$1000
APS-C

Less shutter lag
More pixels

Compare Nikon D300S vs Canon 50D

Compared to Pentax K-7

Samsung GX-20

Pentax K-7

$1400
APS-C

Higher effective ISO

$1300
APS-C

HDMI out
More dots on screen

Compare Samsung GX-20 vs Pentax K-7

Nikon D300S

Pentax K-7

$1697
APS-C

Fast startup
Higher effective ISO

$1300
APS-C

In-Camera Image Stabilization
Less shutter lag

Compare Nikon D300S vs Pentax K-7

Compared to Sony DSLR-A550

Samsung GX-20

Sony DSLR-A550

$1400
APS-C

Lens selection
Top deck display

$859
APS-C

Less expensive
Tiltable Screen

Compare Samsung GX-20 vs Sony DSLR-A550

Nikon D300S

Sony DSLR-A550

$1697
APS-C

Lens selection
Fast startup

$859
APS-C

In-Camera Image Stabilization
Tiltable Screen

Compare Nikon D300S vs Sony DSLR-A550

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