GX-20 Vs K20D - Fully Compared

Here is an earlier Chinese article in which head-to-head comparisons of the twin-born DSLRs, the Samsung GX-20 and the Pentax K20D, were made:-

Part 1: Comparisons on designs and specs, appearances, general operations and features (including the different menu designs), some timing figures and SR (Shake Reduction) tests, the similarities and differences:-

http://tech.163.com/digi/08/0429/01/4ALLBET5001628C0.html

(Text in Simplified Chinese, use Babelfish or Google Translate if needed)

It would be interesting to note that the two cameras' operation interfaces/menus do have quite some differences. The Samsung's one seems to be better IMO and with more detailed information provided, e.g., for the LiveView function, it displays the (selected) exposure figures whilst there is none for the K20D, see here for what they have shown.

But sometimes the K20D will yet give the user more options, e.g., the K20D has the proprietary PEF (compressed) RAW file format and the "200% Dynamic Range" option (1EV more, theoretically), which the GX-20 lacks.

Well, I think you will not be satisfied just with the above! So, they wrote also the second part of their shootout, for some additional measur(e)bations:-

http://tech.163.com/digi/08/0430/03/4AODO93C001628C0.html

(Text in Simplified Chinese, use Babelfish or Google Translate if needed)

I would like to highlight some of the more important points as follows (and some remarks of mine as well):-

1. In RAW (DNG format), the GX-20 gave slightly higher resolution figures and the differences are particularly more obvious at wider aperture than f/5.6.

2. In JPEG, the K20D clearly gave higher resolution. But since the testers used the Imatest for the test (MTF set at 50% as told), higher figures does not necessary mean to be good absolutely, as more aliasing could occur. In contrast, if the hardware (sensor and the Anti-Aliasing filter) and/or the software did more anti-aliasing, the resolution could be affected. This explains why the JPEG resolution figures could be higher than the RAW figures for incident.

3. The default "Standard" colour mode of the GX-20 is more vivid than the default "Natural" mode of the K20D.

4. Using both standard colour mode, the Auto White Balance errors of the GX-20 were yet less than what the K20D produced (i.e., the GX-20's AWB was more accurate), despite that the GX-20 have already set to produce more exaggerated colours by default. Well, I think I should say a "Well done" here to Samsung for this! Particularly, the K20D produces far more errors for the darkest shadow.

5. The colour tendency of the Samsung and the Pentax are different too. Pentax gives warmer overall tone particular for the green whereas the Samsung could be colder for the green and overall more *neutral* (against the "yellowish" tone of the K20D).

6. The GX-20 default noise reduction is more aggressive and thus it produces smoother pictures throughout the whole ISO range whereas the K20D pictures by default are more noisy, but retain better details. Noise reduction on the "Strong" setting were also tested. So, you can't get the best of both worlds? Yes. So, here is another good and solid reason why we do need a Full Frame DSLR!

7. More sample "reallife" shots are posted for both cameras and different lenses were also tested, including a Rikenon.

So, go read and enjoy the articles yourself, but please don't measurebate and pixel-peeping too much! ;-) (But of course its all up to you then!)