Samsung NX20 vs Sony RX100 II

Cameras
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Samsung NX20 vs Sony RX100 II

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APS-C 369.7mm²
20.3 megapixels
ISO 100 - 12,800

Go in depth with our full Samsung NX20 Review.
See real-world photos taken with the NX20.

1 inch 116.2mm²
20.2 megapixels
28.00mm - 100.00mm (35mm eq.)

Go in depth with our full Sony RX100 II Review.
How does it shoot? Sony RX100 II in the real world.
See real-world photos taken with the RX100 II.
Compare Sony RX100 II image quality against competitors.
What’s the bottom line? Read our Sony RX100 II conclusion.

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Differences

Samsung NX20 advantages over Sony RX100 II

Larger sensor
APS-C vs 1 inch
More sensor area. Bigger is (generally) better.
Eye-level viewfinder
Eye-level vs Rear display only
You'll be able to frame photos even when the sun is out
Bigger pixels
~ 4.33 vs 2.41 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.
NX20 test data on DxO Mark RX100 II test data on DxO Mark

785 vs 483 iso
Take photos in low light with less noise
Faster shutter
1/8000 vs 1/2000 sec
Shoot wide open in bright light

Sony RX100 II advantages over Samsung NX20

Focus peaking
Peaker vs Non-peaker
Your camera will highlight what's in focus
In-Camera Image Stabilization
Yes vs No
Reduces the effects of camera shake at slower shutter speeds
In-camera panoramas
Yes vs No
Stitches multiple shots into a panoramic photo
Higher max flash sync
1/2000 vs 1/180 sec
Reduce the effect of ambient light in flash shots
More dots on screen
1229k vs 614k dots
Can mean greater resolution or a brighter screen
Less shutter lag
0.15 vs 0.35 sec
Focus and take a photo quickly (wide angle)
Shoots 60p video
Yes vs No
A faster framerate can give you more editing options
Faster JPEG shooting
9.6 fps vs 7.5 fps
Faster JPEG shooting (burst mode)
Higher extended ISO
25600 vs 12800 ISO
Higher extended ISO can give more low-light flexibility

Similarities

Common Strengths

Rear display
Both provide
Review photos on the back of the camera
Tiltable Screen
Both provide
Tilt the screen for shooting flexbility
RAW file ability
Both provide
Gives you more flexibility to develop your photos later
Built-in Wi-Fi
Both provide
Share your photos wirelessly
Internal flash
Both provide
Useful in a pinch for fill flash
Manual focus
Both provide
AF is for the weak. Real photographers focus manually.
HDMI out
Both provide
Use HDMI output to monitor or review video
Hot shoe
Both provide
Off-camera flashes open new possibilities
Bulb shutter
Both provide
Hold the shutter open manually for long exposures

Common Weaknesses

Touchscreen
Neither provide
Interact with your camera just like your smartphone
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
Top deck display
Neither provide
Check settings with a screen on top of the camera
Integrated ND filter
Neither provide
Shoot in daylight with a large aperture or slow shutter
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

User reviews

Amazon
Adorama
Read NX20 User Reviews

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Buy the Samsung NX20

Kit with 18-55mm Lens

All NX20 Deals

Your purchases support this site

Buy the Sony RX100 II

Sony RX100M II

All RX100 II Deals

Review Excerpt

High quality images with lots of detail; Excellent graphical user interface is fun to use; Smart implementation of WiFi makes it relatively easy to share photos wirelessly.
Designed so much like a DSLR you may wonder why you shouldn't get a DSLR instead; Some performance issues, particularly slow buffer clearing and shot-to-shot speed; Initial WiFi set-up can be confusing.
Read our Samsung NX20 Review

New, 20.2MP, 1-inch type, backside illuminated (BSI) image sensor produces superb image quality, with particular improvements in low light and high ISO; 3-inch tilting rear LCD screen handy for composing shots from difficult angles; Fast all-around performer with quick autofocus and virtually no shutter lag; New, multi-interface hotshoe for adding a strobe or optional electronic viewfinder; Built-in Wi-Fi with NFC.
Bigger and heavier than previous model; More expensive than previous model; Reduced burst performance when shooting RAW files; Somewhat confusing menu structure and control layout; Wi-Fi features can be difficult to set up.
Read our Sony RX100 II Review

The Competition

Compared to Sony RX100

Samsung NX20

Sony RX100

$400
APS-C

Larger sensor
Eye-level viewfinder

$1074
1 inch

Less expensive
Focus peaking

Compare Samsung NX20 vs Sony RX100

Sony RX100 II

Sony RX100

$598
1 inch

Tiltable Screen
Built-in Wi-Fi

$1074
1 inch

Faster RAW shooting

Compare Sony RX100 II vs Sony RX100

Compared to Sony RX100 III

Samsung NX20

Sony RX100 III

$400
APS-C

Larger sensor
Bigger pixels

$748
1 inch

Focus peaking
In-Camera Image Stabilization

Compare Samsung NX20 vs Sony RX100 III

Sony RX100 II

Sony RX100 III

$598
1 inch

Less expensive
More telephoto lens reach

$748
1 inch

Eye-level viewfinder
Fast startup

Compare Sony RX100 II vs Sony RX100 III

Compared to Pentax K-01

Samsung NX20

Pentax K-01

$400
APS-C

Eye-level viewfinder
Tiltable Screen

$359
APS-C

Lens selection
Focus peaking

Compare Samsung NX20 vs Pentax K-01

Sony RX100 II

Pentax K-01

$598
1 inch

In-camera panoramas
Tiltable Screen

$359
APS-C

Larger sensor
Bigger pixels

Compare Sony RX100 II vs Pentax K-01

Compared to Sony NEX-F3

Samsung NX20

Sony NEX-F3

$400
APS-C

Eye-level viewfinder
Built-in Wi-Fi

$600
APS-C

Lens selection
Less expensive

Compare Samsung NX20 vs Sony NEX-F3

Sony RX100 II

Sony NEX-F3

$598
1 inch

Focus peaking
In-Camera Image Stabilization

$600
APS-C

Larger sensor
Bigger pixels

Compare Sony RX100 II vs Sony NEX-F3

Compared to Fujifilm X-E1

Samsung NX20

Fujifilm X-E1

$400
APS-C

Less expensive
Tiltable Screen

$899
APS-C

Lens selection
Focus peaking

Compare Samsung NX20 vs Fujifilm X-E1

Sony RX100 II

Fujifilm X-E1

$598
1 inch

In-Camera Image Stabilization
Tiltable Screen

$899
APS-C

Larger sensor
Eye-level viewfinder

Compare Sony RX100 II vs Fujifilm X-E1

Compare Other Cameras?