• 4/3 224.9mm2
  • 16.1 megapixels
  • ISO 200 - 12,800
  • APS-C 369.0mm2
  • 28.2 megapixels
  • ISO 100 - 25,600
  • Detailed specifications
  • Panasonic Lumix DMC-GH3
  • Samsung NX500
Links
Prices: Compare Prices Compare Prices
Manufacturer URL: Manufacturer website Manufacturer website
Predecessor: Panasonic GH2
GH2 vs GH3
Samsung NX300
NX300 vs NX500
Successor: Panasonic GH4
GH3 vs GH4
 
General
Model Number: GH3 NX500
Alternate Model Number(s):    
Camera Format: Compact System Camera Compact System Camera
Currently Manufactured: No No
Retail Price: $1299.99 $799.99
Street Price: $797.99 $1,599.99
Date Available: 2012-12-30 2015-03-15
Tripod Mount: Yes Yes
Weight: 19.6 oz (555 g)
includes batteries
16.0 oz (454 g)
includes batteries, kit lens
Size: 5.2 x 3.7 x 3.2 in.
(133 x 93 x 82 mm)
4.7 x 2.5 x 1.7 in.
(120 x 64 x 43 mm)
Waterproof: No No
Waterproof Depth: n/a n/a
Image Sensor
Sensor Type: Live MOS CMOS
Sensor Manufacturer: Panasonic Samsung
Effective Megapixels: 16.1 28.2
Sensor Format: 4/3 APS-C
Sensor size: 224.9mm2 (17.30mm x 13.00mm) 368.95mm2 (23.50mm x 15.70mm)
Approximate Pixel Pitch: 3.75 microns 3.63 microns
Focal Length Multiplier: 2.0x 1.5x
Aspect Ratio: 4:3 3:2
Color Filter Type: RGBG RGBG
Anti Aliasing Filter: Fixed None
Self-Cleaning: Yes Yes
Sensor shift image stabilization: No No
On-Sensor Phase Detect: No Yes
DxO Sensor Score: 71 87
DxO Color Depth Score (bits): 22.7 24.8
DxO Dynamic Range Score (evs): 12.4 13.9
DxO Maximum Effective ISO Score (iso): 812 1,379
Image Capture
Image Resolution: 4608 x 3456 (15.9 MP, 4:3),
4608 x 3072 (14.2 MP, 3:2),
4608 x 2592 (11.9 MP, 16:9),
3456 x 3456 (11.9 MP, 1:1),
3264 x 2448 (8.0 MP, 4:3),
3264 x 2176 (7.1 MP, 3:2),
3264 x 1840 (6.0 MP, Other),
2448 x 2448 (6.0 MP, 1:1),
2336 x 1720 (4.0 MP, Other),
2336 x 1560 (3.6 MP, 3:2),
1920 x 1080 (2.1 MP, 16:9),
1744 x 1744 (3.0 MP, 1:1),
1824 x 1368 (2.5 MP, 4:3),
1824 x 1216 (2.2 MP, 3:2),
1824 x 1024 (1.9 MP, 16:9),
1712 x 1712 (2.9 MP, 1:1)
6480 x 4320 (28.0 MP, 3:2),
4560 x 3040 (13.9 MP, 3:2),
3264 x 2176 (7.1 MP, 3:2),
2112 x 1408 (3.0 MP, 3:2),
6480 x 3648 (23.6 MP, 16:9),
4608 x 2592 (11.9 MP, 16:9),
3328 x 1872 (6.2 MP, 16:9),
2048 x 1152 (2.4 MP, 16:9),
4320 x 4320 (18.7 MP, 1:1),
3088 x 3088 (9.5 MP, 1:1),
2160 x 2160 (4.7 MP, 1:1),
1408 x 1408 (2.0 MP, 1:1)
Image File Format: JPEG (EXIF 2.3), MPO, RAW, RAW + JPEG JPEG, MPO, RAW (SRW), RAW+JPEG
Continuous-mode frames/second: 6.1 8.8
Video Capture
Can take movies: Yes Yes
Movie Resolution: 1920x1080 (60p/​60i/​30p/​24p)
1280x720 (60p/​30p)
640x480 (30p)
1920x1080 (Slow: 60p/​50p/​30p)
1920x1080 (Fast: 15p/​12p/​8p)
4096x2160 (24p)
3840x2160 (30p)
1920x1080 (60p/​30p/​24p)
1280x720 (60p/​30p)
640x480 (60p/​30p)
1920x1080 (120p)
1280x720 (120p)
640x480 (120p)
Movie File Format: MOV (ALL-I and IPB), AVCHD 2.0, MP4; with stereo audio MP4 (Video: HEVC (H.265) / Sound: AAC)
Composite Video Out: Yes No
NTSC/PAL Switchable Video: No n/a
Video Usable as Viewfinder: n/a
HD Video Out: Yes Yes
HD Video Connection: HDMI HDMI
Lens & Optics
Lens Mount: Micro Four Thirds Samsung NX
Lens: n/a Samsung 16-50mm f/3.5-5.6 Power Zoom ED OIS NX
Focal Length (35mm equivalent):   24 - 75mm
Focal Length (actual):   16 - 50mm
Zoom Ratio:   3.13x
Aperture Range:   f/3.5 (wide) / f/5.6 (tele) - f/22
Integrated ND Filter: No No
Normal Focus Range:   24 cm to Infinity
9.4 in to Infinity
Macro Focus Range:    
Filter Thread: n/a 43.0mm
Thread Type: n/a n/a
Optical Image Stabilization: No Yes
Digital Zoom: Yes Yes
Digital Zoom Values: 2x, 4x; Magnification ratio depends on recording pixels and aspect ratio
Auto Focus
Auto Focus: Yes Yes
Auto Focus Type: Contrast Detection: Face detection, AF Tracking, 23-area-focusing, 1-area-focusing, Pinpoint (Full area touch is available) Hybrid contrast/phase-detect AF: 205-point PDAF (153 cross-point type) + 209-point CDAF
Auto Focus Assist Light? Yes Yes
Manual Focus: Yes Yes
Viewfinder
Viewfinder: EVF / OLED No / OLED
Viewfinder Type: EVF: 1,746K-dot OLED, 100% coverage, 1.34x / 0.67x (35mm eq.) magnification, 21mm eyepoint, -4 to +4 diopter, eye sensor  
Focus Peaking: No Yes
EVF Resolution: 1,746,000 dots n/a
Viewfinder Magnification (35mm equivalent): 0.67x  
Viewfinder Magnification (nominal/claimed): 1.34x  
Display
Eye-level Viewfinder: Yes No
Rear Display: Yes Yes
Rear Display Size (inches): 3.0 3.0
Rear Display Resolution: 614,000 dots (204,600 px) 1,036,800 dots (345,600 px)
Touchscreen: Yes Yes
Articulating Screen: Yes Yes
Tilt Swivel Screen: Yes No
Selfie Screen: Yes Yes
Max Playback Zoom: 16.0x  
Top Deck Display: No No
Exposure
Maximum ISO (native): 12800 25600
Minimum ISO (native): 200 100
ISO Settings: Auto, Intelligent ISO, 200, 400, 800, 1600, 3200, 6400, 12800; in 1/3 or 1 EV steps; expandable to ISO 125 and ISO 25600; Up to ISO 3200 in Auto Auto, 100 - 25600 in 1 or 1/3 EV steps, expandable to 51200
Auto ISO Mode: Yes Yes
White Balance Settings: Auto, Daylight, Cloudy, Shade, Incandescent, Flash, White Set 1/2, Color Temperature Setting (2,500-10,000K in 100K steps) Auto, Daylight, Cloudy, Fluorescent (W, N, D), Tungsten, Auto+Tungsten, Flash, Custom, K (Manual); Micro Adjustment each 7 steps in Amber/Blue and Green/Magenta axes
Shutter Speed Range: 1/4000 - 60 sec 1/6000 - 30 sec
Bulb Mode: Yes Yes
Exposure Compensation: +/- 5.0EV in 0.3EV steps +/- 5.0EV in 0.3EV steps
Metering Modes: 144-zone Intelligent Multiple, Center-weighted, Spot Multi (221 segments), Center-weighted, Spot
Program Auto Exposure: Yes Yes
Aperture Priority: Yes Yes
Shutter Priority: Yes Yes
Full Manual Exposure: Yes Yes
Creative Exposure Modes: Clear Portrait, Silky Skin, Backlit Softness, Clear in Backlight, Relaxing Tone, Sweet Child's Face, Distinct Scenery, Bright Blue Sky, Romantic Sunset Glow, Vivid Sunset Glow, Glistening Water, Clear Nightscape, Cool Night Sky, Warm Glowing Nightscape, Artistic Nightscape, Glittering Illuminations, Clear Night Portrait, Soft Image of a Flower, Appetizing Food, Cute Dessert, Freeze Animal Motion, Clear Sports Shot, Monochrome Beauty Face, Landscape, Action Freeze, Rich Tones, Panorama, Waterfall, Silhouette, Sunset, Night, Fireworks, Light Trace, Multi-Exposure; Smart Range+, HDR, Samsung Auto Shot (SAS)
Self Timer: 2, 10, 3 shots after 10 seconds 2-30 seconds
Time Lapse (intervalometer): Yes Yes
High Resolution Composite: No No
Flash
Built-in Flash: Yes No
Flash Modes: Auto, Auto/Red-eye Reduction (when iA, iA+), Forced On, Forced On/Red-eye Reduction, Slow Sync., Slow Sync./Red-eye Reduction, Off; Built-in flash supports wireless mode (4 channels, 3 groups) Smart Flash, Auto, Auto+Red-eye reduction, Fill-in, Fill-in+Red-eye reduction, 1st Curtain, 2nd Curtain, Off
Flash Guide Number (ISO 100): 12.0 m / 39.4 ft. 8.0 m / 26.2 ft.
Flash Range Description: Lens dependent; GN = 17m (ISO 200) Bundled SEF8A flash has GN 8m at ISO 100
Max Flash Sync: 1/160 1/200
Flash Exposure Compensation: +/- 3.0 EV in 0.3EV steps +/- 2.0 EV in 0.5EV steps
External Flash Connection: Hot Shoe, PC Sync Socket Hot shoe
Built-In Wireless Flash Control:    
Image Storage
Usable Memory Types: SD / SDHC / SDXC SD / SDHC / SDXC
UHS Support: UHS-I UHS-I
Other Memory:    
Dual Card Slots: No No
RAW Capture Support: Yes Yes
Uncompressed Format: RAW, RAW + JPEG RAW (SRW), RAW+JPEG
Movie File Format: MOV (ALL-I and IPB), AVCHD 2.0, MP4; with stereo audio MP4 (Video: HEVC (H.265) / Sound: AAC)
Included Memory: No memory included No memory included
Included Memory Type:    
Connectivity
Built-In Wi-Fi: Yes Yes
NFC: No Yes
Bluetooth: No Yes
Built-In GPS: No No
Microphone Jack: Yes No
Headphone Jack: Yes No
External Connections: USB 2.0 High Speed,WiFi USB 2.0 High Speed,Bluetooth,WiFi
PictBridge Compliant: Yes No
DPOF Compliant: Yes No
Remote Control: Yes Yes
Remote Control Type: Optional wired DMW-RSL1 Via Wi-Fi live view or Bluetooth; optional wired USB cable release
Connections (extended): Mini HDMI (Type-C), 2.5mm Remote Jack, 3.5mm Mic Jack, 3.5mm Headphone Jack Wi-Fi (IEEE 802.11b/g/n) with NFC; Bluetooth; Mult-function USB port compatible with wired remote
Performance Timing
Cycle time for JPEG shooting in single shot mode (seconds per frame, max resolution): 0.48 0.83
Cycle time for RAW shooting in single shot mode (seconds per frame): 0.48  
Buffer size for RAW shooting in single shot mode (frames): Unlimited  
Cycle time for RAW+JPEG shooting in single shot mode (seconds per shot): 0.46 0.81
Camera penalizes early shutter press? No No
JPEG shooting speed in burst mode (fps, max resolution): 6.1 8.8
Buffer size for JPEG shooting in burst mode (frames, max resolution): Unlimited 38
RAW shooting speed in burst mode (fps): 5.1 8.5
Buffer size for RAW shooting in burst mode (frames): 24 6
RAW+JPEG shooting speed in burst mode (fps): 5.2 8.6
Buffer Size for RAW+JPEG shooting in burst mode (frames): 20 6
Shutter lag (full AF, wide/mid): 0.21 seconds 0.20 seconds
Shutter lag (full AF, tele):    
Shutter lag (full AF, live view - DSLR):    
Shutter lag (prefocused, live view - DSLR):    
Shutter Lag (manual focus): 0.086 seconds 0.097 seconds
Shutter lag (full AF, with flash): 0.38 seconds 0.36 seconds
Shutter Lag (prefocused): 0.079 seconds 0.076 seconds
Shutter Lag (notes): Full Autofocus lag, Multi-area AF mode = 0.202s  
Startup Time: 0.8 seconds 1.5 seconds
Play -> Record Time: 0.7 seconds 0.8 seconds
Flash cycle time, full power: 4.1 seconds 3.1 seconds
Power
Battery Life, Stills (CIPA Rating Monitor/Live View): 540 shots 370 shots
Battery Life, Still (CIPA Rating OVF/EVF):    
Battery Life, Video:    
Battery Form Factor: Proprietary Proprietary BP-1130
Usable Battery Types: 7.2v 1860 mAh Lithium-ion rechargeable 1130mAh Lithium-ion rechargeable
Batteries Included: 1 x Proprietary Lithium-ion rechargeable 1 x Proprietary BP-1130 Lithium-ion rechargeable
Battery Charger Included (dedicated charger or AC/USB adapter): Yes Yes
Dedicated Battery Charger Included: Yes No
Internal Charging Supported: No Yes
Software
Included Software: PHOTOfunSTUDIO 8.5 PE, SILKYPIX Developer Studio 3.1 SE, Super LoiloScope (trial) Samsung Raw Converter, i-Launcher (web version), Power Media Player, Samsung Movie Converter and Samsung DNG Converter
OS Compatibility:    
Miscellaneous
Notes & Features: Available in black, brown and white.