• APS-C 366.6mm2
  • 24.2 megapixels
  • ISO 100 - 12,800
  • APS-C 369.0mm2
  • 28.2 megapixels
  • ISO 100 - 25,600

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Differences

Nikon D3300 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
  • Fast startup
    ~0.40 vs 1.5 sec
    Faster startup lets you catch the moment
  • Longer stills battery life
    More info 700 vs 370 shots
    Capture more photos
  • Internal flash
    Internal flash vs None
    Useful in a pinch for fill flash
  • External Mic Jack
    Jack vs No jack
    Improved sound fidelity when shooting video
  • Bigger JPEG buffer
    100 vs 38 shots
    Take more JPEG shots before waiting (burst mode)

Samsung NX500 advantages over Nikon D3300

  • Focus peaking
    Peaker vs Non-peaker
    Your camera will highlight what's in focus
  • Shoot 4K video
    4K (DCI) vs 1080p
    Make sure you have a fast computer
  • Touchscreen
    Touch vs No touch
    Interact with your camera just like your smartphone
  • 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 75 mm
    Thinner
  • Lighter weight
    454g vs 662g
    Lighter weight
  • More pixels
    28.2 vs 24.2 megapixels
    Higher resolution photos
  • Wider angle kit lens
    24 mm vs 27 mm
    Capture more of the scene with the included lens
  • Faster JPEG shooting
    8.8 fps vs 5.0 fps
    Faster JPEG shooting (burst mode)
  • Faster RAW shooting
    8.5 fps vs 5.0 fps
    Faster RAW shooting in 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 25600 ISO
    Higher extended ISO can give more low-light flexibility

Similarities

Common Strengths

  • In-camera panoramas
    Both provide
    Stitches multiple shots into a panoramic photo
  • HDMI out
    Both provide
    Use HDMI output to monitor or review video
  • 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
  • Dual card slots
    Neither provide
    Gives you more storage flexibility
  • Headphone jack
    Neither provide
    Monitor audio recording while you shoot video

User reviews

Buy From

Your purchases support this site

Buy the Nikon D3300

Your purchases support this site

Buy the Samsung NX500

Review Excerpt

  • Excellent image quality with lots of fine detail; Very good high ISO performance; Good dynamic range; Good print quality; Deep buffers with JPEGs; 1080/60p video; Uncompressed HDMI output.

  • AF struggles in low-light; Contrast-detect AF in live view is slow; Buffer depth is shallow with RAW files; No AE bracketing; No built-in Wi-Fi.

  • 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.

The Competition

Compared to Sony A58

Nikon D3300
Sony A58
  • $367
  • APS-C
  • Lens selection
  • Fast startup
  • $598
  • APS-C
  • Focus peaking
  • In-Camera Image Stabilization
Samsung NX500
Sony A58
  • $1600
  • APS-C
  • Shoot 4K video
  • Touchscreen
  • $598
  • APS-C
  • Lens selection
  • Less expensive

Compared to Canon T5

Nikon D3300
Canon T5
  • $367
  • APS-C
  • Larger sensor
  • Less expensive
  • $399
  • APS-C
  • Has anti-aliasing filter
Samsung NX500
Canon T5
  • $1600
  • APS-C
  • Focus peaking
  • Larger sensor
  • $399
  • APS-C
  • Lens selection
  • Eye-level viewfinder

Compared to Nikon D5500

Nikon D3300
Nikon D5500
  • $367
  • APS-C
  • Less expensive
  • In-camera panoramas
  • $697
  • APS-C
  • Tilt-swivel screen
  • Touchscreen
Samsung NX500
Nikon D5500
  • $1600
  • APS-C
  • Focus peaking
  • Shoot 4K video
  • $697
  • APS-C
  • Lens selection
  • Tilt-swivel screen

Compared to Canon EOS M3

Nikon D3300
Canon EOS M3
  • $367
  • APS-C
  • Lens selection
  • Larger sensor
  • $1049
  • APS-C
  • Focus peaking
  • Touchscreen
Samsung NX500
Canon EOS M3
  • $1600
  • APS-C
  • Larger sensor
  • Shoot 4K video
  • $1049
  • APS-C
  • More telephoto lens reach
  • Internal flash

Compared to Sony A6500

Nikon D3300
Sony A6500
  • $367
  • APS-C
  • Lens selection
  • Less expensive
  • $1198
  • APS-C
  • Focus peaking
  • In-Camera Image Stabilization
Samsung NX500
Sony A6500
  • $1600
  • APS-C
  • More pixels
  • Lacks anti-aliasing filter
  • $1198
  • APS-C
  • Lens selection
  • Eye-level viewfinder
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