Samsung GX-20 vs Olympus E-5

Cameras
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Samsung GX-20 vs Olympus E-5

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APS-C 369.7mm²
14.6 megapixels
ISO 100 - 3200

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

4/3 224.9mm²
12.3 megapixels
ISO 100 - 6400

Go in depth with our full Olympus E-5 Review.

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Differences

Samsung GX-20 advantages over Olympus E-5

Lens selection
Excellent vs Good
Better lens selection gives you more options
Larger sensor
APS-C vs 4/3
More sensor area. Bigger is (generally) better.
Less expensive
$1400 vs $1700 (MSRP)
Save money for lenses or accessories
Bigger pixels
~ 5.07 vs 4.29 microns
Better low-light and dynamic range (all else equal)
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.
GX-20 test data on DxO Mark E-5 test data on DxO Mark

714 vs 519 iso
Take photos in low light with less noise
More pixels
14.6 vs 12.3 megapixels
Higher resolution photos

Olympus E-5 advantages over Samsung GX-20

Tiltable Screen
Tiltable vs Fixed
Tilt the screen for shooting flexbility
HDMI out
HDMI out vs None
Use HDMI output to monitor or review video
More dots on screen
921k vs 230k dots
Can mean greater resolution or a brighter screen
Dual card slots
Yes vs No
Gives you more storage flexibility
Longer exposure
60 vs 30 sec
Long exposures for night shots
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
In-Camera Image Stabilization
Both provide
Reduces the effects of camera shake at slower shutter speeds
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
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
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
External Mic Jack
Neither provide
Improved sound fidelity when shooting video
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

Your purchases support this site

Buy the Olympus E-5

Review Excerpt

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

We haven’t finished our review of the Olympus E-5, but we have extensive sample photos and a hands-on report.
See our Olympus E-5 First Shots

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

Olympus E-5

Pentax K20D

$1700
4/3

Tiltable Screen
Longer stills battery life

$800
APS-C

Lens selection
Larger sensor

Compare Olympus E-5 vs Pentax K20D

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

Olympus E-5

Canon 50D

$1700
4/3

In-Camera Image Stabilization
Tiltable Screen

$1000
APS-C

Lens selection
Larger sensor

Compare Olympus E-5 vs Canon 50D

Compared to Olympus E30

Samsung GX-20

Olympus E30

$1400
APS-C

Lens selection
Larger sensor

$1299
4/3

Tiltable Screen
Longer exposure

Compare Samsung GX-20 vs Olympus E30

Olympus E-5

Olympus E30

$1700
4/3

Longer stills battery life
HDMI out

$1299
4/3

Less expensive
Lighter weight

Compare Olympus E-5 vs Olympus E30

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

Olympus E-5

Pentax K-7

$1700
4/3

Tiltable Screen
Dual card slots

$1300
APS-C

Lens selection
Larger sensor

Compare Olympus E-5 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

Olympus E-5

Sony DSLR-A550

$1700
4/3

Top deck display
More cross-type AF points

$859
APS-C

Less expensive
Larger sensor

Compare Olympus E-5 vs Sony DSLR-A550

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