• APS-C 328.6mm2
  • 10.1 megapixels
  • ISO 100 - 1600
  • APS-C 369.0mm2
  • 28.2 megapixels
  • ISO 100 - 25,600

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Differences

Canon XS advantages over Samsung NX500

  • Lens selection
    Excellent vs Limited
    Better lens selection gives you more options
  • Eye-level viewfinder
    Eye-level vs Rear display only
    You'll be able to frame photos even when the sun is out
  • Bigger pixels
    ~ 5.71 vs 3.63 microns
    Better low-light and dynamic range (all else equal)
  • Fast startup
    ~0.30 vs 1.5 sec
    Faster startup lets you catch the moment
  • Longer stills battery life
    More info 500 vs 370 shots
    Capture more photos
  • More telephoto lens reach
    88 mm vs 75 mm
    Capture objects farther away with the kit lens
  • Internal flash
    Internal flash vs None
    Useful in a pinch for fill flash
  • Has anti-aliasing filter
    Filter vs No Filter
    Reduces unsightly moiré in photos

Samsung NX500 advantages over Canon XS

  • Focus peaking
    Peaker vs Non-peaker
    Your camera will highlight what's in focus
  • Larger sensor
    APS-C vs APS-C
    More sensor area. Bigger is (generally) better.
  • Shoot 4K video
    4K (DCI) vs No
    Make sure you have a fast computer
  • Touchscreen
    Touch vs No touch
    Interact with your camera just like your smartphone
  • In-camera panoramas
    Yes vs No
    Stitches multiple shots into a panoramic photo
  • Tiltable Screen
    Tiltable vs Fixed
    Tilt the screen for shooting flexbility
  • Built-in Wi-Fi
    Wi-Fi vs None
    Share your photos wirelessly
  • NFC
    Yes vs No
    Simplifies pairing your camera with supported phones
  • Built-in Bluetooth
    Yes vs No
    Always-on wireless connectivity
  • On-sensor phase detect
    Yes vs No
    Usually improves live view and video AF performance
  • Thinner
    42 mm vs 61 mm
    Thinner
  • Newer
    10 years vs 16 years old
    Newer cameras often support more advanced features
  • HDMI out
    HDMI out vs None
    Use HDMI output to monitor or review video
  • Shoots 24p video
    Yes vs No
    Gives your movies a big-screen feel
  • Lighter weight
    454g vs 710g
    Lighter weight
  • More dots on screen
    1037k vs 230k dots
    Can mean greater resolution or a brighter screen
  • Shoots 1080p video
    Yes vs No
    You'll want this if you shoot video
  • More pixels
    28.2 vs 10.1 megapixels
    Higher resolution photos
  • Shoots 60p video
    Yes vs No
    A faster framerate can give you more editing options
  • Lacks anti-aliasing filter
    No Filter vs Filter
    Enjoy sharper photos
  • Wider angle kit lens
    24 mm vs 29 mm
    Capture more of the scene with the included lens
  • Faster JPEG shooting
    8.8 fps vs 2.9 fps
    Faster JPEG shooting (burst mode)
  • Bigger JPEG buffer
    38 vs 7 shots
    Take more JPEG shots before waiting (burst mode)
  • Slow-motion videos
    Yes vs No
    Shoot slow-motion videos
  • Faster shutter
    1/6000 vs 1/4000 sec
    Shoot wide open in bright light
  • Higher extended ISO
    51200 vs 1600 ISO
    Higher extended ISO can give more low-light flexibility

Similarities

Common Strengths

  • Hot shoe
    Both provide
    Off-camera flashes open new possibilities
  • Bulb shutter
    Both provide
    Hold the shutter open manually for long exposures

Common Weaknesses

  • Tilt-swivel screen
    Neither provide
    Tilt and swivel the screen for maximum shooting flexibility
  • In-Camera Image Stabilization
    Neither provide
    Reduces the effects of camera shake at slower shutter speeds
  • Built-in GPS
    Neither provide
    Geotag your photos
  • Top deck display
    Neither provide
    Check settings with a screen on top of the camera
  • External Mic Jack
    Neither provide
    Improved sound fidelity when shooting video
  • Dual card slots
    Neither provide
    Gives you more storage flexibility
  • Headphone jack
    Neither provide
    Monitor audio recording while you shoot video

User reviews

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Buy the Canon XS

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Buy the Samsung NX500
Kit with 16-50mm PZ Lens (Black)
  • Kit with 16-50mm PZ Lens (Black)
  • Kit with 16-50mm PZ Lens (Brown)
  • Kit with 16-50mm PZ Lens (White)
All NX500 Deals

Review Excerpt

  • Very good image quality with high-resolution files; Excellent high ISO performance with RAW files; Very good dynamic range; Fast AF performance; Compact design with good build quality; Better ergonomics than predecessor; 4K video recording.

  • High ISO noise reduction too strong; AF struggles in low-light; Buffer depth is shallow with RAW files; No option for EVF; No built-in flash (external one included); 4K Video is cropped with narrower FOV.

  • Read our Samsung NX500 Review

The Competition

Compared to Pentax K200D

Canon XS
Pentax K200D
  • $440
  • APS-C
  • Fast startup
  • Longer stills battery life
  • $800
  • APS-C
  • Larger sensor
  • In-Camera Image Stabilization

Compare Canon XS vs Pentax K200D

Samsung NX500
Pentax K200D
  • $1600
  • APS-C
  • Focus peaking
  • Shoot 4K video
  • $800
  • APS-C
  • Lens selection
  • Eye-level viewfinder

Compare Samsung NX500 vs Pentax K200D

Compared to Sony DSLR-A230

Canon XS
Sony DSLR-A230
  • $440
  • APS-C
  • Lens selection
  • Fast startup
  • $549
  • APS-C
  • Less expensive
  • Larger sensor

Compare Canon XS vs Sony DSLR-A230

Samsung NX500
Sony DSLR-A230
  • $1600
  • APS-C
  • Focus peaking
  • Shoot 4K video
  • $549
  • APS-C
  • Lens selection
  • Less expensive

Compare Samsung NX500 vs Sony DSLR-A230

Compared to Nikon D3000

Canon XS
Nikon D3000
  • $440
  • APS-C
  • Fast startup
  • Less shutter lag
  • $450
  • APS-C
  • Less expensive
  • Larger sensor

Compare Canon XS vs Nikon D3000

Samsung NX500
Nikon D3000
  • $1600
  • APS-C
  • Focus peaking
  • Shoot 4K video
  • $450
  • APS-C
  • Lens selection
  • Less expensive

Compare Samsung NX500 vs Nikon D3000

Compared to Sony A6500

Canon XS
Sony A6500
  • $440
  • APS-C
  • Lens selection
  • Bigger pixels
  • $1198
  • APS-C
  • Focus peaking
  • Larger sensor

Compare Canon XS vs Sony A6500

Samsung NX500
Sony A6500
  • $1600
  • APS-C
  • More pixels
  • Lacks anti-aliasing filter
  • $1198
  • APS-C
  • Lens selection
  • Eye-level viewfinder

Compare Samsung NX500 vs Sony A6500

Compared to Leica TL2

Canon XS
Leica TL2
  • $440
  • APS-C
  • Eye-level viewfinder
  • Bigger pixels
  • $2495
  • APS-C
  • Focus peaking
  • Larger sensor

Compare Canon XS vs Leica TL2

Samsung NX500
Leica TL2
  • $1600
  • APS-C
  • In-camera panoramas
  • Tiltable Screen
  • $2495
  • APS-C
  • Faster JPEG shooting
  • Faster RAW shooting

Compare Samsung NX500 vs Leica TL2

Compare Other Cameras?