Samsung GX-20 vs Nikon D5000

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Samsung GX-20 vs Nikon D5000

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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 D5000 Review.
See real-world photos taken with the D5000.

Succeeded by the Nikon D5100
Compare D5000 vs D5100
Compare Samsung GX-20 vs Nikon D5100

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Differences

Samsung GX-20 advantages over Nikon D5000

In-Camera Image Stabilization
Yes vs No
Reduces the effects of camera shake at slower shutter speeds
Top deck display
Yes vs No
Check settings with a screen on top of the camera
More cross-type AF points
9 vs 1
Cross-type AF points improve autofocus performance
Pentaprism viewfinder
Pentaprism vs Pentamirror
Much better viewfinder picture fidelity
More pixels
14.6 vs 12.3 megapixels
Higher resolution photos

Nikon D5000 advantages over Samsung GX-20

Less expensive
$850 vs $1400 (MSRP)
Save money for lenses or accessories
Tiltable Screen
Tiltable vs Fixed
Tilt the screen for shooting flexbility
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.
D5000 test data on DxO Mark GX-20 test data on DxO Mark

868 vs 714 iso
Take photos in low light with less noise
More dynamic range

More dynamic range

Cameras with more dynamic range allow you to take photos with dramatic differences in highlight and shadow areas while retaining detail in both.

Think of a brilliant sunset on a rocky beach: Bright sunset in the background, with dark rocks in the foreground. High dynamic range means more of the extremes will be faithfully reproduced.

Dynamic range test data courtesy of DxO Mark.
D5000 test data on DxO Mark GX-20 test data on DxO Mark

12.5 vs 11.2 evs
Retain detail in highlight and shadows
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

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
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
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 Wi-Fi
Neither provide
Share your photos wirelessly
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
Slow-motion videos
Neither provide
Shoot slow-motion videos

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Buy the Samsung GX-20

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Buy the Nikon D5000

Review Excerpt

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

Read our Nikon D5000 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 D5000

Pentax K20D

$850
APS-C

Tiltable Screen
Higher effective ISO

$800
APS-C

In-Camera Image Stabilization
Top deck display

Compare Nikon D5000 vs Pentax K20D

Compared to Sony DSLR-A350

Samsung GX-20

Sony DSLR-A350

$1400
APS-C

Lens selection
Higher effective ISO

$900
APS-C

Less expensive
Tiltable Screen

Compare Samsung GX-20 vs Sony DSLR-A350

Nikon D5000

Sony DSLR-A350

$850
APS-C

Lens selection
Fast startup

$900
APS-C

In-Camera Image Stabilization
Longer stills battery life

Compare Nikon D5000 vs Sony DSLR-A350

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 D5000

Canon 50D

$850
APS-C

Less expensive
Tiltable Screen

$1000
APS-C

Fast startup
Longer stills battery life

Compare Nikon D5000 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 D5000

Pentax K-7

$850
APS-C

Less expensive
Tiltable Screen

$1300
APS-C

In-Camera Image Stabilization
Longer stills battery life

Compare Nikon D5000 vs Pentax K-7

Compared to Sony DSLR-A390

Samsung GX-20

Sony DSLR-A390

$1400
APS-C

Lens selection
Higher effective ISO

$507
APS-C

Less expensive
Tiltable Screen

Compare Samsung GX-20 vs Sony DSLR-A390

Nikon D5000

Sony DSLR-A390

$850
APS-C

Lens selection
Higher effective ISO

$507
APS-C

Less expensive
In-Camera Image Stabilization

Compare Nikon D5000 vs Sony DSLR-A390

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