Samsung GX-20 vs Pentax K-r

Cameras
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Samsung GX-20 vs Pentax K-r

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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 369.7mm²
12.4 megapixels
ISO 200 - 12,800

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

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Differences

Samsung GX-20 advantages over Pentax K-r

Top deck display
Yes vs No
Check settings with a screen on top of the camera
Pentaprism viewfinder
Pentaprism vs Pentamirror
Much better viewfinder picture fidelity
More pixels
14.6 vs 12.4 megapixels
Higher resolution photos

Pentax K-r advantages over Samsung GX-20

Less expensive
$850 vs $1400 (MSRP)
Save money for lenses or accessories
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.
K-r test data on DxO Mark GX-20 test data on DxO Mark

12.4 vs 11.2 evs
Retain detail in highlight and shadows
External Mic Jack
Jack vs No jack
Improved sound fidelity when shooting video
More dots on screen
921k vs 230k dots
Can mean greater resolution or a brighter screen
Faster shutter
1/6000 vs 1/4000 sec
Shoot wide open in bright light
Higher extended ISO
25600 vs 6400 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
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
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
HDMI out
Neither provide
Use HDMI output to monitor or review 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 Pentax K-r

Review Excerpt

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

Read our Pentax K-r 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

Pentax K-r

Pentax K20D

$850
APS-C

Fast startup
Higher effective ISO

$800
APS-C

Top deck display
Pentaprism viewfinder

Compare Pentax K-r 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

Pentax K-r

Canon 50D

$850
APS-C

Less expensive
In-Camera Image Stabilization

$1000
APS-C

Longer stills battery life
More telephoto lens reach

Compare Pentax K-r 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

Pentax K-r

Pentax K-7

$850
APS-C

Less expensive
Fast startup

$1300
APS-C

Longer stills battery life
Top deck display

Compare Pentax K-r vs Pentax K-7

Compared to Pentax K-x

Samsung GX-20

Pentax K-x

$1400
APS-C

Top deck display
Pentaprism viewfinder

$702
APS-C

Less expensive
Higher effective ISO

Compare Samsung GX-20 vs Pentax K-x

Pentax K-r

Pentax K-x

$850
APS-C

Fast startup
External Mic Jack

$702
APS-C

Less expensive
Shoots 24p video

Compare Pentax K-r vs Pentax K-x

Compared to Nikon D3100

Samsung GX-20

Nikon D3100

$1400
APS-C

In-Camera Image Stabilization
Top deck display

$700
APS-C

Less expensive
Higher effective ISO

Compare Samsung GX-20 vs Nikon D3100

Pentax K-r

Nikon D3100

$850
APS-C

In-Camera Image Stabilization
Fast startup

$700
APS-C

Less expensive
Higher effective ISO

Compare Pentax K-r vs Nikon D3100

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