Samsung GX-20 vs Sony NEX-C3

Cameras
Compare Cameras
Samsung GX-20 vs Sony NEX-C3

Leave Feedback

APS-C 369.7mm²
14.6 megapixels
ISO 100 - 3200

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

APS-C 365.0mm²
16.2 megapixels

Go in depth with our full Sony NEX-C3 Review.
See real-world photos taken with the NEX-C3.

Buy From

Differences

Samsung GX-20 advantages over Sony NEX-C3

Lens selection
Excellent vs Good
Better lens selection gives you more options
Eye-level viewfinder
Eye-level vs Rear display only
You'll be able to frame photos even when the sun is out
In-Camera Image Stabilization
Yes vs No
Reduces the effects of camera shake at slower shutter speeds
Internal flash
Internal flash vs None
Useful in a pinch for fill flash
Top deck display
Yes vs No
Check settings with a screen on top of the camera

Sony NEX-C3 advantages over Samsung GX-20

Less expensive
$600 vs $1400 (MSRP)
Save money for lenses or accessories
In-camera panoramas
Yes vs No
Stitches multiple shots into a panoramic photo
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.
NEX-C3 test data on DxO Mark GX-20 test data on DxO Mark

1,083 vs 714 iso
Take photos in low light with less noise
Thinner
33 mm vs 70 mm
Thinner
HDMI out
HDMI out vs None
Use HDMI output to monitor or review video
More dots on screen
922k vs 230k dots
Can mean greater resolution or a brighter screen
Higher extended ISO
12800 vs 6400 ISO
Higher extended ISO can give more low-light flexibility

Similarities

Common Strengths

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
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

Buy From

Your purchases support this site

Buy the Samsung GX-20

Your purchases support this site

Buy the Sony NEX-C3

Review Excerpt

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

Very small body, refined build. Large sensor for good light gathering. Various low-light shooting modes to improve results. HD video mode with real-time autofocus.
Menu-driven interface is sometimes confusing, making quickly finding what you want difficult. Camera may be too small for some.
Read our Sony NEX-C3 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

Sony NEX-C3

Pentax K20D

$559
APS-C

Less expensive
In-camera panoramas

$800
APS-C

Lens selection
Eye-level viewfinder

Compare Sony NEX-C3 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

Sony NEX-C3

Canon 50D

$559
APS-C

Less expensive
In-camera panoramas

$1000
APS-C

Lens selection
Eye-level viewfinder

Compare Sony NEX-C3 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

Sony NEX-C3

Pentax K-7

$559
APS-C

Less expensive
In-camera panoramas

$1300
APS-C

Lens selection
Eye-level viewfinder

Compare Sony NEX-C3 vs Pentax K-7

Compared to Sony NEX-5N

Samsung GX-20

Sony NEX-5N

$1400
APS-C

Lens selection
Eye-level viewfinder

$700
APS-C

Less expensive
In-camera panoramas

Compare Samsung GX-20 vs Sony NEX-5N

Sony NEX-C3

Sony NEX-5N

$559
APS-C

Less expensive
Fast startup

$700
APS-C

Shoots 24p video
Shoots 1080p video

Compare Sony NEX-C3 vs Sony NEX-5N

Compared to Sony NEX-5R

Samsung GX-20

Sony NEX-5R

$1400
APS-C

Lens selection
Eye-level viewfinder

$499
APS-C

Focus peaking
Less expensive

Compare Samsung GX-20 vs Sony NEX-5R

Sony NEX-C3

Sony NEX-5R

$559
APS-C

Less expensive
Higher effective ISO

$499
APS-C

Focus peaking
Touchscreen

Compare Sony NEX-C3 vs Sony NEX-5R

Compare Other Cameras?