Panasonic Lumix DMC-GF5 vs Samsung NX20

In this comparison, we will evaluate the Panasonic Lumix DMC-GF5 and the Samsung NX20, highlighting the advantages of each over the other, discussing their pros and cons, shared strengths and weaknesses, and providing a rating based on their available features and specifications to assist you in choosing the one that best suits your needs.

Both cameras were introduced in April 2012. Let us first list highlights of the models.

Now that we've looked at the most essential specifications and gained a basic understanding of these cameras, we can delve into more details and see the differences between them.

This section shows those features and specifications which are the reason to choose Panasonic Lumix DMC-GF5 over Samsung NX20.

This section shows those features and specifications which are the reason to choose Samsung NX20 over Panasonic Lumix DMC-GF5.

We already listed pros and cons of each model. However, you may also find useful to look at their common strengths and weaknesses shown side-by-side.

Screen

Panasonic Lumix DMC-GF5 and Samsung NX20 have 3.0" screens with 920k dot and 614k dot resolutions respectively. Panasonic Lumix DMC-GF5 has a Fixed screen Samsung NX20 has a Fully Articulated screen which makes it selfie and vlogger friendly and generally very useful for video shooting. Panasonic Lumix DMC-GF5 also features touchscreen which has advantages such as easy menu navigation, intuitive controls, quick setting adjustment and most importantly a Touch-to-Focus functionality allowing users to select a specific point on the screen where they want the camera to focus. This feature can be helpful for achieving precise focus in both photo and video recording.

Electronic Viewfinder on Samsung NX20

Samsung NX20 has a built-in Electronic viewfinder. It has a 100% coverage and 1.04x (0.69x 35mm equivalent) magnification. There is no built-in or optional viewfinder available on Panasonic Lumix DMC-GF5.

Panasonic Lumix DMC-GF5 features a 12.1 megapixel Micro Four Thirds CMOS sensor with dimensions of 17.3 x 13 mm and a total area of 224.9 mm². Its native ISO range is 160 - 12,800. Samsung NX20 features a 20.3 megapixel APS-C CMOS sensor with dimensions of 23.5 x 15.7 mm and a total area of 246.5 mm². Its native ISO range is 100 - 12,800.

Here is a sensor size comparison chart where you can see how different sensors compare with each other:

Sensor size chart

	Sensor	Dimensions	Area	Aspect Ratio	Crop Factor
	Medium Format	44 x 33 mm	1452 mm2	4:3	0.79x
	Full Frame	36 x 24 mm	864 mm2	3:2	1x
	APS-H	27 x 18 mm	486 mm2	3:2	1.3x
	APS-C	23.6 x 15.6 mm	368.2 mm2	3:2	1.5x
	APS-C (Canon)	22.3 x 14.9 mm	332.3 mm2	3:2	1.6x
	Micro Four Thirds	17.4 x 13 mm	226.2 mm2	4:3	2x
	1-inch	13.2 x 8.8 mm	116.2 mm2	3:2	2.7x
	1/1.7-inch	7.44 x 5.58 mm	41.5 mm2	4:3	4.7x
	1/2.3-inch	6.17 x 4.55 mm	28.1 mm2	4:3	5.6x

Panasonic Lumix DMC-GF5 is equipped with Venus Engine FHD processor and can take pictures up to 4000 x 3000 resolution. It can also take pictures with lower resolution like 4000 x 2672, 4000 x 2248, 2992 x 2992, 2816 x 2112, 2816 x 1880, 2816 x 1584, 2112 x 2112, 2048 x 1536, 2048x1360, 1920 x 1080, 1600 x 1200, 1600 x 1200, 1600 x 1064, 1600 x 904, 1504 x 1504, 1440 x 1440 with 1:1, 4:3, 3:2, 16:9 aspect ratios. Samsung NX20 can take pictures up to 5472 x 3648 resolution. It can also take pictures with lower resolution like 5472 x 3080, 3888 x 2592, 3712 x 2088, 3648 x 3648, 2976 x 1984, 2944 x 1656, 2736 x 1824, 2640 x 2640, 2000 x 2000, 1920 x 1080, 1728 x 1152, 1024 x 1024 with 1:1, 3:2, 16:9 aspect ratios.

Lens Mount

Panasonic Lumix DMC-GF5 has Micro Four Thirds lens mount and Samsung NX20 has Samsung NX lens mount. Due to Micro Four Thirds sensor in Panasonic Lumix DMC-GF5 its crop factor is equal to 2x, this means that a 35mm equivalent focal length of the mounted lens will be equal to its actual focal length times 2. Due to APS-C sensor in Samsung NX20 its crop factor is equal to 1.5x, this means that a 35mm equivalent focal length of the mounted lens will be equal to its actual focal length times 1.5.

No Image Stabilization

The cameras do not have image stabilization. On Panasonic Lumix DMC-GF5 it means that you need lenses with optical image stabilization for vibration reduction. As for Samsung NX20 nothing can be done. On Samsung NX20 it means that you need lenses with optical image stabilization for vibration reduction. As for Panasonic Lumix DMC-GF5 nothing can be done.

Built-in Wi-Fi on Samsung NX20

Samsung NX20 has a built-in Wi-Fi (802.11n, 2.4 GHz) which allows to easily transfer photos and videos from the camera to other Wi-Fi-enabled devices, such as smartphones, tablets, printers, or computers. This eliminates the need for cables and allows for quick and convenient media sharing and social media integration. It gives you the ability to control your camera remotely using a smartphone or tablet. This is particularly useful for taking self-portraits, group shots, or capturing images in challenging conditions without having to touch the camera. Firmware updates can also be downloaded and installed wirelessly.
  Check out the cameras in our database that have built-in WiFi.

USB Inputs and HDMI Outputs

Both models have USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec) inputs for data transfer. Panasonic Lumix DMC-GF5 has a Mini TypeC HDMI and Samsung NX20 has an HDMI connector for video signal output.

Battery

Samsung NX20 comes with BP1130 battery pack with battery life of 360 shots.

External Storage Slots

Panasonic Lumix DMC-GF5 has a single SD/SDHC/SDXC (UHS-I) card slot. Samsung NX20 has a single SD/SDHC/SDXC card slot.

Shutter

Shutter speed can go up to 1/4000 sec on Panasonic Lumix DMC-GF5, and up to 1/8000 sec on Samsung NX20. Panasonic Lumix DMC-GF5 can shoot continuously up to 4.0 fps. Samsung NX20 can shoot continuously up to 8.0 fps.

Flash

Cameras have built-in flash with maximum range of 6.30 m on Panasonic Lumix DMC-GF5 and 11.00 m on Samsung NX20. Samsung NX20 also accepts external flash which can be connected via Hot Shoe. The fastest flash synchronization speed is 1/160 sec on Panasonic Lumix DMC-GF5 and 1/180 sec on Samsung NX20.

Panasonic Lumix DMC-GF5 body has dimensions of 108 x 67 x 37 mm (4.25 x 2.64 x 1.46") and Samsung NX20 body has dimensions of 122 x 90 x 40 mm (4.8 x 3.54 x 1.57"). Panasonic Lumix DMC-GF5 weighs 267 g (0.59 lb / 9.42 oz) and Samsung NX20 weighs 341 g (0.75 lb / 12.03 oz).

Panasonic Lumix DMC-GF5

Samsung NX20

108 mm

67 mm

122 mm

90 mm

67 mm

90 mm

37 mm

40 mm