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Samsung NX500 Comparison Review

The Samsung NX500 is a mirrorless interchangeable lens camera that was officially introduced in February 2015 and is equipped with an APS-C sensor. It offers a resolution of 28 megapixel.

camera

Is the Samsung NX500 a good camera? The NX500 has a Camera Elo of 2299. This rating puts the NX500 below average of all mirrorless interchangeable lens cameras. In terms of its sensor size category (APS cameras), the NX500 ranks among the top 40 percent. Based on its within category standings, the camera earns a 3-star performance rating.

Headline Specifications
Samsung NX500
Mirrorless system camera
Samsung NX mount lenses
28 MP, APS-C Sensor
4K/30p Video
ISO 100 - 25 600 (100 - 51 200)
no viewfinder, LCD framing
3.0 LCD, 1036k dots
Tilting touchscreen
9 shutter flaps per second
370 shots per battery charge
120 x 64 x 43 mm, 287 g

Read on to find out more about the camera's size, sensor, features, reception by expert reviewers, and how it compares to other digital cameras.

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Body comparison with a credit card

The physical dimensions of the Samsung NX500 relative to a credit card are illustrated in the side-by-side display below. Three consecutive perspectives from the front, the top, and the back are presented. All width, height and depth dimensions are rounded to the nearest millimeter.

Samsung NX500 vs credit card front
NX500 versus credit card top view
NX500 and credit card rear side

The table below summarizes the key physical specs of the Samsung NX500 alongside a set of similar cameras. If you want to review a particular camera pair side-by-side, just move across to the CAM-parator tool and choose from the broad selection of possible comparisons there.

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Body Specifications
    Camera
Model
Camera
Width
Camera
Height
Camera
Depth
Camera
Weight
Battery
Life
Weather
Sealing
Camera
Launch
Launch
Price
Street
Price
1.
 
Samsung NX500 120 mm 64 mm 43 mm 287 g 370 n Feb 2015 US$ 799ebay.com
2.
 
Canon 77D 131 mm 100 mm 76 mm 540 g 600 n Feb 2017 US$ 899ebay.com
3.
 
Canon M3 111 mm 68 mm 44 mm 366 g 250 n Feb 2015 US$ 679ebay.com
4.
 
Canon M100 108 mm 67 mm 35 mm 302 g 295 n Aug 2017 US$ 499ebay.com
5.
 
Nikon D5500 124 mm 97 mm 70 mm 470 g 820 n Jan 2015 US$ 899ebay.com
6.
 
Nikon D5600 124 mm 97 mm 70 mm 465 g 970 n Nov 2016 US$ 699ebay.com
7.
 
Ricoh GR II 117 mm 63 mm 35 mm 251 g 320 n Jun 2015 US$ 699ebay.com
8.
 
Samsung NX1 139 mm 102 mm 66 mm 550 g 500 Y Sep 2014 US$ 1 499ebay.com
9.
 
Samsung NX30 127 mm 96 mm 58 mm 375 g 360 n Jan 2014 US$ 999ebay.com
10.
 
Sony A5100 110 mm 63 mm 36 mm 283 g 400 n Aug 2014 US$ 549ebay.com
11.
 
Sony A6000 120 mm 67 mm 45 mm 344 g 360 n Feb 2014 US$ 599ebay.com
Note: Measurements and pricing do not include easily detachable parts, such as add-on or interchangeable lenses or optional viewfinders.

The listed prices provide an indication of the market segment that the manufacturer of the cameras have been targeting. The Samsung NX500 was launched in the US market at a price of $799. Usually, retail prices stay at first close to the launch price, but after several months, discounts become available. Later in the product cycle and, in particular, when the replacement model is about to appear, further discounting and stock clearance sales often push the camera price considerably down. Then, after the new model is out, very good deals can frequently be found on the pre-owned market.

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Sensor comparison with a 35mm slide

The imaging sensor is at the core of digital cameras and its size is one of the main determining factors of image quality. All other things equal, a large sensor will have larger individual pixel-units that offer better low-light sensitivity, wider dynamic range, and richer color-depth than smaller pixels in a sensor of the same technological generation. Further, a large sensor camera will give the photographer additional creative options when using shallow depth-of-field to isolate a subject from its background. On the downside, larger sensors tend to be more expensive and lead to bigger and heavier cameras and lenses.

The Samsung NX500 features an APS-C sensor and has a format factor (sometimes also referred to as "crop factor") of 1.5. Within the spectrum of camera sensors, this places the Samsung NX500 among the medium-sized sensor cameras that aim to strike a balance between image quality and portability.

Samsung NX500 sensor measures

Since 2007, DXO Mark has published sensor performance measurements that have been derived using a consistent methodology. This service assesses and scores the color depth ("DXO Portrait"), dynamic range ("DXO Landscape"), and low-light sensitivity ("DXO Sports") of camera sensors, and also publishes an overall camera score. The following table provides an overview of the physical sensor characteristics, as well as the sensor quality measurements for a selection of alternatives.

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Sensor Characteristics
    Camera
Model
Sensor
Class
Resolution
(MP)
Horiz.
Pixels
Vert.
Pixels
Video
Format
DXO
Portrait
DXO
Landscape
DXO
Sports
DXO
Overall
1.
 
Samsung NX500 APS-C 28.0 6480 43204K/30p24.813.9137987
2.
 
Canon 77D APS-C 24.0 6000 40001080/60p23.613.397178
3.
 
Canon M3 APS-C 24.0 6000 40001080/30p22.811.8116972
4.
 
Canon M100 APS-C 24.0 6000 40001080/60p23.512.9127278
5.
 
Nikon D5500 APS-C 24.0 6000 40001080/60p24.114.0143884
6.
 
Nikon D5600 APS-C 24.0 6000 40001080/60p24.114.0130684
7.
 
Ricoh GR II APS-C 16.1 4928 32641080/30p23.613.7107880
8.
 
Samsung NX1 APS-C 28.0 6480 43204K/30p24.213.2136383
9.
 
Samsung NX30 APS-C 20.0 5472 36481080/60p23.512.4101476
10.
 
Sony A5100 APS-C 24.0 6000 40001080/60p23.812.7134780
11.
 
Sony A6000 APS-C 24.0 6000 40001080/60p24.113.1134782

Many modern cameras are not only capable of taking still images, but also of capturing video footage. The NX500 indeed provides movie recording capabilities. The highest resolution format that the NX500 can use is 4K/30p.

Feature comparison

Apart from body and sensor, cameras can and do differ across a range of features. The tables below summarize some of the other core capabilities of the Samsung NX500 in connection with corresponding information for a sample of similar cameras.

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Core Features
    Camera
Model
Viewfinder
(Type or
000 dots)
Control
Panel
(yes/no)
LCD
Specifications
(inch/000 dots)
LCD
Attach-
ment
Touch
Screen
(yes/no)
Max
Shutter
Speed *
Max
Shutter
Flaps *
Built-in
Flash
(yes/no)
Built-in
Image
Stab
1.
 
Samsung NX500none n3.0 / 1036 tilting Y 1/6000s 9.0/s Y n
2.
 
Canon 77Doptical Y3.0 / 1040 swivel Y 1/4000s 6.0/s Y n
3.
 
Canon M3optional n3.0 / 1040 tilting Y 1/4000s 4.2/s Y n
4.
 
Canon M100none n3.0 / 1040 tilting Y 1/4000s 6.1/s Y n
5.
 
Nikon D5500optical n3.2 / 1037 swivel Y 1/4000s 5.0/s Y n
6.
 
Nikon D5600optical n3.2 / 1037 swivel Y 1/4000s 5.0/s Y n
7.
 
Ricoh GR IIoptional n3.0 / 1230 fixed n 1/4000s 4.0/s Y n
8.
 
Samsung NX12360 Y3.0 / 1036 tilting Y 1/8000s 15.0/s Y n
9.
 
Samsung NX302359 n3.0 / 1036 swivel Y 1/8000s 9.0/s Y n
10.
 
Sony A5100none n3.0 / 922 tilting Y 1/4000s 6.0/s Y n
11.
 
Sony A60001440 n3.0 / 922 tilting n 1/4000s 11.0/s Y n
Note: *) Information refers to the mechanical shutter, unless the camera only has an electronic one.

The LCD screen on the Samsung NX500 is flexibly attached to the body. In particular, the LCD can be tilted vertically to facilitate odd-angle shots in landscape orientation. This tilting design is often preferred, for example, by street photographers to a fully articulated, swivel type of LCD attachment, as it is more unobtrusive during shooting than a screen that flips out to the side.

articulated screen
Flexible screen on the NX500

One convenient feature of the NX500 is the presence of an on-board flash. While this built-in flash is not very powerful, it can at times be useful as a fill-in light to brighten deep shadow areas.

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Connection comparison

For some imaging applications, the extent to which a camera can communicate with its environment can be an important aspect in the camera decision process. The table below provides an overview of the connectivity of the Samsung NX500 and, in particular, the interfaces the cameras (and selected comparators) provide for accessory control and data transfer.

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Input-Output Connections
    Camera
Model
Hotshoe
Port
Internal
Mic / Speaker
Microphone
Port
Headphone
Port
HDMI
Port
USB
Port
WiFi
Support
NFC
Support
Bluetooth
Support
1.
 
Samsung NX500Ystereo / mono--micro2.0YYY
2.
 
Canon 77DYstereo / monoY-mini2.0YYY
3.
 
Canon M3Ystereo / monoY-mini2.0YY-
4.
 
Canon M100-stereo / mono--micro2.0YYY
5.
 
Nikon D5500Ystereo / monoY-mini2.0Y--
6.
 
Nikon D5600Ystereo / monoY-mini2.0YYY
7.
 
Ricoh GR IIYstereo / mono--micro2.0YY-
8.
 
Samsung NX1Ystereo / monoYYmicro3.0YYY
9.
 
Samsung NX30Ystereo / mono--micro2.0YY-
10.
 
Sony A5100-stereo / mono--micro2.0YY-
11.
 
Sony A6000Ystereo / mono--micro2.0YY-

It is notable that the NX500 offers wifi support. Wifi can be a very convenient means to transfer image data to an off-camera location.

Further information on the features and operation of the NX500 can be found in the free online Samsung NX500 Manual or on the Samsung support site.

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Expert reviews

While the specs-based evaluation of cameras is instructive in revealing their potential as photographic tools, it remains partial and cannot reveal, for example, the handling experience and imaging performance when actually working with the NX500. User reviews that are available, for instance, at amazon can sometimes shed light on these issues, but such feedback is all too often partial, inconsistent, and inaccurate. This is why hands-on reviews by experts are important. The following table reports the overall rankings of the cameras as published by some of the major camera review sites (amateurphotographer [AP], cameralabs [CL], digitalcameraworld [DCW], dpreview [DPR], ephotozine [EPZ], photographyblog [PB]).

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Review Scores
     Camera 
 Model 
 AP 
 score 
 CL 
 score 
 DCW 
 score 
 DPR 
 score 
 EPZ 
 score 
 PB 
 score 
Camera
Launch
Launch
Price
Street
Price
1.
 
Samsung NX5004.5/5....81/1005/54.5/5 Feb 2015 US$ 799ebay.com
2.
 
Canon 77D4.5/5..4/582/1004.5/54/5 Feb 2017 US$ 899ebay.com
3.
 
Canon M34/5o..75/1004.5/54/5 Feb 2015 US$ 679ebay.com
4.
 
Canon M1003/5+....4/53.5/5 Aug 2017 US$ 499ebay.com
5.
 
Nikon D55005/5+..79/1004.5/54.5/5 Jan 2015 US$ 899ebay.com
6.
 
Nikon D56004/5..4/579/1004.5/54/5 Nov 2016 US$ 699ebay.com
7.
 
Ricoh GR II........4.5/54.5/5 Jun 2015 US$ 699ebay.com
8.
 
Samsung NX15/5....87/1005/55/5 Sep 2014 US$ 1 499ebay.com
9.
 
Samsung NX303/5....77/1004.5/54.5/5 Jan 2014 US$ 999ebay.com
10.
 
Sony A51004.5/5+....4.5/55/5 Aug 2014 US$ 549ebay.com
11.
 
Sony A60005/5+4.5/580/1004.5/55/5 Feb 2014 US$ 599ebay.com
Note: (+ +) highly recommended; (+) recommended; (o) reviewed; (..) not available.

The above review scores should be interpreted with care, though. The ratings are only valid when referring to cameras in the same category and of the same age. A score, therefore, has to be seen in close connection to the price and market introduction time of the camera, and comparisons of ratings among very different cameras or across long time periods have little meaning. It should also be noted that some of the review sites have over time altered the way they render their verdicts.

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Samsung NX500 FAQ

Below are some additional questions and answers concerning some particular features of the NX500.

What technology is the imaging sensor in the Samsung NX500 based on?

The camera features a BSI-CMOS (Backside Illuminated Complementary Metal–Oxide–Semiconductor) sensor.

Which image processing chip is used in the Samsung NX500 to convert the raw signal into an image file and perform noise reduction and image sharpening?

Samsung equipped the NX500 with the DRIMe Vs image processor.

What is the ISO sensitivity range of the Samsung NX500?

The camera has a native sensitivity range from ISO 100 to ISO 25600.

Does the Samsung NX500 have a selfie-friendly screen?

Yes, the LCD-screen of the NX500 is flexible and can be turned to be front-facing for capturing selfies.

What is the life expectancy of the shutter in the Samsung NX500?

Samsung does not publish a shutter rating for the NX500. Yet, shutters in comparable cameras from other manufacturers are said to be good for at least 100 000 actuations. It should be noted, though, that this number represents a Mean Time before Failure. The shutter might fail earlier, or it might last longer. Anyway, in order to exhaust an expected shutter life of 100 000 shots over, say, three years, one would have to take about 100 pictures each and every day.

Do I need to purchase an external camera trigger to shoot time-lapse sequences with the Samsung NX500?

No, the Samsung NX500 has an intervalometer built-in, so that low frequency shooting (for example, flower blooming, sunset, moon rise) can be undertaken without the need to purchase a separate external intervalometer and related software.

Is it difficult to use manual focus lenses with the Samsung NX500?

The NX500 offers focus peaking as a manual focus aid. This feature works by placing a colored highlight on in-focus zones within the image.

Does the Samsung NX500 feature an autofocus assist light?

Yes, the camera has a lamp built-in that can illuminate the subject and improve autofocus in low-light settings.

What is the fastest shutter speed that can be used with the Samsung NX500 for flash photography?

The NX500's flash sync speed is 1/200 sec.

Does the Samsung NX500 support the Ultra High Speed (UHS) bus interface for SD cards?

Yes, the camera can indeed use UHS-I cards (data transfer speed of up to 104 MB/s).

Which battery does the Samsung NX500 use?

The camera gets its power from the Samsung BP1130, which is a rechargeable Lithium-Ion power pack.

Camera to camera comparisons

If you would like to see a side-by-side review with another camera, just make your choice using the following search menu. An an alternative, you can also directly jump to any one of the listed comparisons that were previously generated by the CAM-parator tool.

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    Specifications Summary
    Camera Model Samsung NX500
    Camera Type Mirrorless system camera
    Camera Lens Samsung NX mount lenses
    Launch Date February 2015
    Launch Price USD 799
    Sensor Specs
    Sensor Technology BSI-CMOS
    Sensor Format APS-C Sensor
    Sensor Size 23.5 x 15.7 mm
    Sensor Area 369 mm2
    Sensor Diagonal 28.3 mm
    Crop Factor 1.5x
    Sensor Resolution 28 Megapixels
    Image Resolution 6 480 x 4 320 pixels
    Pixel Pitch 3.63 μm
    Pixel Density 7.59 MP/cm2
    Moiré control no AA filter
    Movie Capability 4K/30p Video
    ISO Setting 100 - 25 600 ISO
    ISO Boost 100 - 51 200 ISO
    Image Processor DRIMe Vs
    DXO Sensor Quality (score) 87
    DXO Color Depth (bits) 24.8
    DXO Dynamic Range (EV) 13.9
    DXO Low Light (ISO) 1379
    Screen Specs
    Viewfinder Type No viewfinder
    Top-Level Screen no Top Display
    LCD Framing Live View
    LCD Size 3.0 inch
    LCD Resolution 1036k dots
    LCD Attachment Tilting screen
    V-logging Friendliness Front-flip possible
    Touch Input Touchscreen
    Shooting Specs
    Focus System On-Sensor Phase-detect
    Manual Focusing AidFocus Peaking
    Maximum Shutter Speed 1/6000s
    Continuous Shooting 9 shutter flaps/s
    Shutter Life Expectancy100 000 actuations
    Silent Shootingno E-Shutter
    Time Lapse PhotographyIntervalometer Built-in
    Fill Flash Built-in Flash
    Storage Medium SDXC cards
    Single or Dual Card Slots Single card slot
    UHS card support UHS-I
    Connectivity Specs
    External Flash Hotshoe
    USB Connector USB 2.0
    HDMI Port micro HDMI
    Wifi Support Wifi built-in
    Near-Field Communication NFC built-in
    Bluetooth Support Bluetooth built-in
    Body Specs
    Battery Type Samsung BP1130 power pack
    Battery Life (CIPA)370 shots per charge
    In-Camera Charging USB charging
    Body Dimensions 120 x 64 x 43 mm
    (4.7 x 2.5 x 1.7 in)
    Camera Weight 287 g (10.1 oz)

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