Samsung NX20 vs Sony A58

These camera kits (18-55mm) cost exactly the same (399euros=530$) in my country.

A58 over NX20:

-Phase detection AF (+ while recording video)

-Better focus peaking for MF

-Better battery life (+330 shots)

-Cheaper lenses

-In-built image stabilization and focus motor

NX20 over A58:

-Larger (+0.3") and crispier screen (+150K pixels)

-Faster burst rate (+3fps)

-Slow motion video (720p at 60fps, 480p at 120fps)

-Metallic lens mount

-Wi-fi (+remote viewfinder via smartphone)

-1/8000 max shutter speed

As you can see, it is very difficult to pick between the two cameras. Videography and photography are of the same importance for me.
If I buy two more Samsung lenses (45mm f/1.8 + 50-200mm f/4-5.6), the NX20 is about 100euros (=130$) more expensive than the A58 (+2 equivalent Sony lenses), so they re essentially equally priced.

they are both very good cameras.

the nx20 is much lighter (almost one half) body only. The sony is also much thicker, as you can see here:

http://camerasize.com/compare/#318,443

so if size/weight advantage is important to you, nx20 is much better.

besides nx has a lot of nice prime pancakes (16,20,30 and soon 10mm).

It really depends on how you will use it. If you take a lot of action shots, then A58. If you take a lot of stills and prefer to take it everywhere ( you can easy put you NX20 in your backpack), then NX20. But if you can do without the EVF, then definitely NX300.

I also mentioned the pancakes primes, actually

Anyway the main advantage of a mirrorless camera over a dslr shaped one is size and weight. The a58 has great iq and dr, about on par with nx20. So these cameras are basically equicpvalent, but nx20 is much smaller and lighter.

Base your choice on the lens lineup, if weight/size aren't important for you.

michael85 wrote:

Both the answers above, mention the size of NX20 as its only advantage.

Since I am going to carry a bag for either of the two cameras (+at least 3 lenses and a small tripod), I really don't care if one of them is a few grams lighter or a few cm slimmer. If size was my concern I would pick Sony NEX-3N.

If u look at it side ways, the NX20 is almost half the size of A58. So it's not just a few mm difference. I carry my NX200/NX300 almost every time I go out, I don't think you can do that with the A58.

I had an Nex 5 and I used the Sony DT 50/f1.8 and DT 55-210 with adapter on the Nex. I sold it quickly, quality is not that high. I have the Samsung NX 50-200 and it is a much better tele zoom. I don't have the NX 45/f1.8 but I have the NX 30/f2 and to me that lens is better than the Sony DT 50/f1.8. I have not use the top Sony lens, but if you are just getting the bread and butter line up, than my opinion Samsung lens quality is better. Oh I forget to say that the NX kit is also better than my Nex kit. I have 4 Samsung NX lens and 1 Nex kit lens. But Sony has more lens to chose, and Samsung may not have the range you want.

michael85 wrote:

These camera kits (18-55mm) cost exactly the same (399euros=530$) in my country.

A58 over NX20:

-Phase detection AF (+ while recording video)

-Better focus peaking for MF

-Better battery life (+330 shots)

-Cheaper lenses

-In-built image stabilization and focus motor

NX20 over A58:

-Larger (+0.3") and crispier screen (+150K pixels)

-Faster burst rate (+3fps)

-Slow motion video (720p at 60fps, 480p at 120fps)

-Metallic lens mount

-Wi-fi (+remote viewfinder via smartphone)

-1/8000 max shutter speed

As you can see, it is very difficult to pick between the two cameras. Videography and photography are of the same importance for me.
If I buy two more Samsung lenses (45mm f/1.8 + 50-200mm f/4-5.6), the NX20 is about 100euros (=130$) more expensive than the A58 (+2 equivalent Sony lenses), so they re essentially equally priced.

Do not think about camera only.

You are going to enter into the system so yo should thing about system as on epart.

Define your needs - lenses you will nedd accesories and budget.

NX is for pepole who need good quality in small and light package.

It is obvious that if the size doesn't matter comparable DSLR is better camera.

But personally I like the newest Panasonic GX7 - small with everything what can be placed in the body.

Sony SLT I do not like becuase of mirror between lens and sensor.

You also forgot abou sensor NX20 has 20 MP very nice sensor when used in RAW mode.

I use NX10 that I bought only I got 30/F2 in the set and there was not competition in that price.

After 3 years of usung I can say it is very good camera also very good quality service was not becesseray but it is made in Korea.

I am not sure if cameras made in China will be also good quality.

Zoom 50-200 is nice lens- maybe not the top resolution but AF is Ok and bokeh is very nice.

I can not comment Sony zoom because I did not use it.

In genera NX system is very nice but underrated and not rich in accesories - still no decent flash and still no body we can say it is profi.

Still no fast zoom lenses.

I treat ma NX as a compact camera - if you use panacake 30/2 (or other) it is compact - isn't it?

But sometimes I use it as a DSLR ->50-200 is a little heavy and middle size - normal if we consider taht is equipped in OIS and quiet and fast USM AF.

18-55 is similar nice consruction.

As for the flash remark, actually the metz 44 is very decent...or, better, very good

I wanted to buy a Sony A58, but instead bought the NX300 and have not regretted it. However, focusing in the video mode is a NX300 weak point. And if a video was something important for me, I would definitely buy A58.

HendeHoq wrote:

I wanted to buy a Sony A58, but instead bought the NX300 and have not regretted it. However, focusing in the video mode is a NX300 weak point. And if a video was something important for me, I would definitely buy A58.

In my limited use of the video on the NX300 I believe some lenses focus much more efficiently than others. Of my lenses the 45mm is pretty fast and also the 18-55mm is good for my video usage.

I have NX11, far more sweet is my NX200, one year ago I bougt SLT-A37
Wheras I swore never to buy a camera with a sluggish 2.7 inch screen, I do not want to it miss it, since I got excellent lenses Samsung does not offer or are far more expensive.

Minolta 50mm f1.7 (can be had very cheap)
Sigma 90mm f2.8 Macro (excellent macro and portrait lens)
Sigma 70-200 F2.8 APO (excellent lens for concert shots - but really heavy)

Nowadays it doesn't make sens to believe, you buy into ONE camera system. Reason: bodies are so cheap, throwing NX200 + 30mm lens into the bag will release you from lens swapping. Two cameras around your neck will give you the best of two worlds.

I also keep sweetly in mind, all this old glass mentioned above is FF capable .... and will work on future Sony FF cameras (one that is in my funds).

The only lens you mentioned that nx is really missing is a fast zoom, since the 45mm f1.8 is much sharper than the minolta 50mm and the 60mm macro is also very nice and comparable to the 90mm you quoted.

tecnoworld wrote:

The only lens you mentioned that nx is really missing is a fast zoom, since the 45mm f1.8 is much sharper than the minolta 50mm and the 60mm macro is also very nice and comparable to the 90mm you quoted.

Hi tecnoworld,

Samsung 45mm f1.8 must be a beast of a lens. I have no scientific proove that Minolta 50mm f1.7 behaves as good .... wide open it will certainly not, finally its a twenty year old lens design. Just take a look at these DXO charts to get an idea how good these old minolta lenses are.

http://www.dxomark.com/index.php/Lenses/Compare-Camera-Lenses/Compare-lenses/(lens1)/188/(brand)/Konica%20Minolta/(camera1)/562/(lens2)/1036/(brand2)/Samsung/(camera2)/0/(lens3)/217/(brand3)/Sony/(camera3)/0

As far as I know how to read these DXO charts, my modest conclusion about the new 45mm Samsung lens .... Up from F2.8 these two lenses will behave as good as the other. You can hardly tell one lens from the other. Samsung lens will perform better wide open. On the downside Samsung 45mm will offer you no OIS like the Sony/Minolta.

Pls obey: the comparison above includes only Minolta 50mm f1.4. This lens  performs quite alike (I have both lenses). DXO has not tested the Minolta F1.7 version.