Samsung GX-20 vs Pentax K-x

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Samsung GX-20 vs Pentax K-x

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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 - 6400

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

Succeeded by the Pentax K-r
Compare K-x vs K-r
Compare Samsung GX-20 vs Pentax K-r

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Differences

Samsung GX-20 advantages over Pentax K-x

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-x advantages over Samsung GX-20

Less expensive
$650 vs $1400 (MSRP)
Save money for lenses or accessories
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.
K-x test data on DxO Mark GX-20 test data on DxO Mark

811 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.
K-x test data on DxO Mark GX-20 test data on DxO Mark

12.5 vs 11.2 evs
Retain detail in highlight and shadows
Shoots 24p video
Yes vs No
Gives your movies a big-screen feel
Faster shutter
1/6000 vs 1/4000 sec
Shoot wide open in bright light
Higher extended ISO
12800 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
External Mic Jack
Neither provide
Improved sound fidelity when shooting video
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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Review Excerpt

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

Read our Pentax K-x 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-x

Pentax K20D

$702
APS-C

Less expensive
Higher effective ISO

$800
APS-C

Fast startup
Longer stills battery life

Compare Pentax K-x 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-x

Canon 50D

$702
APS-C

Less expensive
In-Camera Image Stabilization

$1000
APS-C

Fast startup
Longer stills battery life

Compare Pentax K-x vs Canon 50D

Compared to Sony DSLR-A380

Samsung GX-20

Sony DSLR-A380

$1400
APS-C

Lens selection
Higher effective ISO

$849
APS-C

Less expensive
Tiltable Screen

Compare Samsung GX-20 vs Sony DSLR-A380

Pentax K-x

Sony DSLR-A380

$702
APS-C

Lens selection
Less expensive

$849
APS-C

Tiltable Screen
HDMI out

Compare Pentax K-x vs Sony DSLR-A380

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-x

Pentax K-7

$702
APS-C

Less expensive
Higher effective ISO

$1300
APS-C

Longer stills battery life
Top deck display

Compare Pentax K-x vs Pentax K-7

Compared to Pentax K-r

Samsung GX-20

Pentax K-r

$1400
APS-C

Top deck display
Pentaprism viewfinder

$850
APS-C

Less expensive
More dynamic range

Compare Samsung GX-20 vs Pentax K-r

Pentax K-x

Pentax K-r

$702
APS-C

Less expensive
Shoots 24p video

$850
APS-C

Fast startup
External Mic Jack

Compare Pentax K-x vs Pentax K-r

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