Samsung GX-20 DSLR: ReviewBy Mike Lowe | |
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We clicked with:
Great layout and design
TAv aperture and sensitivity priority mode
Weather sealed body
Shots in the dark:
Not hugely different to the GX-10
Live View limitations
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The Samsung GX-20 is the latest DSLR offering from the Korean electronics giant. While wearing a Samsung badge, the Samsung GX-20 is actually born from a partnership with Pentax, and is a bit of a doppelganger for the mightily similar Pentax K20D. There's a good reason for this though: Shake together Pentax's optical and camera know-how and the electronics wizardry of Samsung; surely the Samsung GX-20 is a belter of a camera? We investigate...
The Camera
The Samsung GX-20 features a super-high resolution 14.6megapixel CMOS sensor, making it one of the highest resolution DSLR cameras in its class (same as the Pentax K20D). The features list reads well, with in-camera Shake Reduction at the flick of a switch, Live View, Dust Reduction and a 2.7” LCD screen. The GX-20 body is a sturdy weather-sealed affair; meaning the odd shower or shooting on a beach shouldn't strike fear into your heart. Something that was lacking on the previous GX-10 was an x-sync socket, an issue now redeemed by its inclusion in the GX-20. Clearly a life-line to seek out more professional-grade users, ensuring that use in the studio as well as on-location runs seamlessly.
Sharp and controlled focus is not an issue with the GX-20's autofocus system and well arranged controls
The Samsung GX-20 is easy to grip, with the control buttons all sat in the right places. Everything just seems to be laid out in an intuitive way, and - whilst this is what you may come to expect - isn't always the case with DSLR. Changing controls by scrolling through the thumbwheels comes with ease, the top-panel is simple to read and lights up for easy reading in dim conditions.
It's not just the x-sync socket smacks of 'professional' either, the option to shoot simultaneous RAW and JPEG files in Adobe DNG can be quickly controlled from the one-touch RAW button to the left side of the lens. Slightly more unusual modes exist, but make for advanced use. Take the TAv mode for example. In English that's 'aperture and sensitivity priority' (though clearly not letter for letter), meaning the camera will cleverly ensure correct exposure by selecting the most available ISO sensitivity to accompany your approved aperture setting. Three frames per second continuous shooting (up to 38 jpegs) shows that the camera's buffer is large enough to channel those large 14.6megapixel images to the SD card.
The 11-point autofocus system lends to quick and sharp focusing for the most part. The only apparent related issue comes from TTL exposure which tends to render images a little underexposed and flat. Never to the point that is beyond correction, and probably better to not overexpose and blow highlights. However, to add to the confusion auto and TAv modes do overexpose on occasion.
Given the flat lighting and uncomplicated scene, we were surprised by the occasional overexposure.
Of course the auto-bracketing function can take an additional two or four frames at a preset equal exposure difference in order to capture all the shadow and highlight detail. Good if you're into making HDR images.
The Samsung GX-20 also has Live View, but it is perhaps a little more cumbersome than some of the competition. There's no way to set aperture, shutter speed, ISO, exposure compensation or any of the major controls whilst Live View is in operation. Plus auto focus is only available by clicking the 'AF' button on the back of the camera. This disengages Live View to move the mirror and select focus, before reengaging Live View again. Slow? You bet. However, manual focusing with the lens can take place and, in all honesty, Live View is one of those modes for still life; it's just not going to work for capturing little Johnny playing football - that's what the viewfinder's for. Other oddities include plenty of 'grinding' noises and clicking sounds when Live View is activated.
Picture Quality
Squeezing so many megapixels onto a proportionately small sensor may not seem the right way to go, but with Samsung's experience it's all very comfortable indeed. The images perhaps don't have the 'special' film-grain-like noise quality that you would find with the Nikon D300, but given the high resolution, Samsung's sensor certainly pulls the right results out of the bag. Particularly good results can be found when using the raw DNG format, which is considerably smoother, sharper, and with less grain than the JPEG equivalent. At ISO 100-800 it's plain sailing, with 1,600-6,400 showing progressively higher levels of noise that would limit use. The newly introduced 'hi' ISO 6,400 setting probably wasn't necessary given how noisy it is, but as it's an upgrade over the previous GX-10 it's more a sell-point.
ISO: 100 |
200
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400
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800
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1,600
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3,200
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While the kit lenses are reasonable (despite light fall off at the corners and some softness), there's a huge back-catalogue of KAF, KA and K-fit Pentax lenses available too. This is another area where the Samsung and Pentax fusion really pays off. As lenses don't have vibration/shake reduction, that job falls to the In-camera Shake Reduction (SR) system.
Image stability is a little hit and miss at times, but certainly effective. It can save around two stops worth, and while not as effective as some other manufacturers' systems, it certainly does the job.
So, Samsung or Pentax?
It would be all too easy to compare the Samsung GX-20 and the Pentax K20D without focusing on individual merit. The bottom line is that both cameras have the same inner-workings, features and functions. Why then market as two separate cameras you may wonder. The most likely answer for this is that the Pentax brand probably holds a greater affinity with users of old, as it's a recognised photographic staple from the years gone by. Samsung's photographic offerings are in much earlier development. But, given that both cameras are 'the same', it's more a case of trying to pull the wool over consumers' eyes - so don't be fooled:
There are some differences - the Pentax K20D has a more rounded body and smaller buttons on the rear, whereas the Samsung GX-20 is more angular and has larger buttons. No distinct reason to separate one from the other as yet, then. Where the Samsung picks up a few brownie points is with a slightly more attuned menu system, plus the camera is available in single or double lens kit forms; the Pentax is a body-only affair. Oddly the Samsung has a 2 year warranty compared to 1 year offered by Pentax. In kit form, you're likely to spend less overall, which - and likely as the main clincher - means Samsung stretch the neck out to win the race. It's possible to pick up a twin lens Samsung GX-20 kit for £100 less than the K20D. Add to that the extended £100 cash back option (that out-lives the Pentax offer) until 30th September 2008 and that's a solid deal.
Conclusion
If the Samsung GX-10 grabbed your attention, then the GX-20 is much the same, but with a beefy injection of megapixel power. There aren't many fundamental differences beyond this, so GX-10 users may not see a strong enough reason to pay out for the newer model.
As a standalone camera, the Samsung GX-20 is a sturdy little beast. The weather-sealed body ensures use in the harshest of places; with the controls well laid out and easy to use. It's the sort of camera that, with the right lenses, could be the ideal travel companion. Just because Samsung are relatively new to the photographic game is by no means an excuse to ignore what the GX-20 is - a powerful little DSLR that will give other manufacturers a good run for their money.
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Sensor
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14.6 megapixel CMOS sensor (23.4 x 15.6mm)
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LCD Monitor:
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2.7" TFT LCD (230,000pixels)
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Sensitivity
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ISO 100-3200
"Hi" option ISO 6400 equivalent
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Auto Focus points
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11-point (9 cross type sensors)
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White balance
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Auto, 8 modes, manual and fine tuning
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On board flash
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Built in pop up, GN13
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Shutter speed and flash sync
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30seconds (or Bulb) - 1/4000th second
X-sync to 1/180 sec
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Continuous shooting
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3fps
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Storage
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SD / SDHC
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Battery
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Lithium-Ion battery pack D-LI50
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Lens type / fitting
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Pentax KAF2, also compatible with KAF, KA and K lenses (with restrictions)
Price: £630 (body only)
Info: www.samsungcamera.co.uk
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