• APS-C 366.6mm2
  • 24.1 megapixels
  • ISO 100 - 6400
  • APS-C 369.0mm2
  • 28.2 megapixels
  • ISO 100 - 25,600

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Differences

Nikon D7100 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
    ~0.30 vs 1.5 sec
    Faster startup lets you catch the moment
  • Longer stills battery life
    More info 950 vs 370 shots
    Capture more photos
  • More telephoto lens reach
    158 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
  • Top deck display
    Yes vs No
    Check settings with a screen on top of the camera
  • External Mic Jack
    Jack vs No jack
    Improved sound fidelity when shooting video
  • Dual card slots
    Yes vs No
    Gives you more storage flexibility
  • Headphone jack
    Yes vs No
    Monitor audio recording while you shoot video

Samsung NX500 advantages over Nikon D7100

  • 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
  • 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 76 mm
    Thinner
  • Lighter weight
    454g vs 1222g
    Lighter weight
  • More pixels
    28.2 vs 24.1 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 5.8 fps
    Faster JPEG shooting (burst mode)
  • Bigger JPEG buffer
    38 vs 12 shots
    Take more JPEG shots before waiting (burst mode)
  • Faster RAW shooting
    8.5 fps vs 5.3 fps
    Faster RAW shooting in burst mode
  • Slow-motion videos
    Yes vs No
    Shoot slow-motion videos
  • Higher extended ISO
    51200 vs 25600 ISO
    Higher extended ISO can give more low-light flexibility

Similarities

Common Strengths

  • 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

User reviews

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Buy the Nikon D7100

Your purchases support this site

Buy the Samsung NX500

Review Excerpt

  • Solid, ergonomic body design; Stunning, highly detailed photos, thanks to 24.1MP sensor upgrade and removal of optical low-pass filter; Cool 1.3x crop mode extends reach to nearly 2x the full-frame equivalent; Records Full 1080p HD video at up to 30fps with full-time AF; Many pro-level features packed into a consumer-friendly body at reasonable price.

  • Shallow buffer that hampers continuous burst shooting; AF slightly slower than average for its class; No real-time aperture control while in Movie mode (among other quirks); More noticeable moire patterns and aliasing artifacts (but only found when shooting fabrics with strong, distinct patterns).

  • 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 Canon 70D

Nikon D7100
Canon 70D
  • $810
  • APS-C
  • Less expensive
  • Fast startup
  • $1149
  • APS-C
  • Tilt-swivel screen
  • Touchscreen
Samsung NX500
Canon 70D
  • $1600
  • APS-C
  • Focus peaking
  • Shoot 4K video
  • $1149
  • APS-C
  • Tilt-swivel screen
  • Lens selection

Compared to Pentax K-3

Nikon D7100
Pentax K-3
  • $810
  • APS-C
  • Fast startup
  • Longer stills battery life
  • $699
  • APS-C
  • Focus peaking
  • In-Camera Image Stabilization
Samsung NX500
Pentax K-3
  • $1600
  • APS-C
  • Less expensive
  • Shoot 4K video
  • $699
  • APS-C
  • Lens selection
  • Eye-level viewfinder

Compared to Sony A77 II

Nikon D7100
Sony A77 II
  • $810
  • APS-C
  • Lens selection
  • Less expensive
  • $1198
  • APS-C
  • Tilt-swivel screen
  • Focus peaking
Samsung NX500
Sony A77 II
  • $1600
  • APS-C
  • Shoot 4K video
  • Touchscreen
  • $1198
  • APS-C
  • Tilt-swivel screen
  • Lens selection

Compared to Sony A6500

Nikon D7100
Sony A6500
  • $810
  • APS-C
  • Lens selection
  • Less expensive
  • $1216
  • APS-C
  • Focus peaking
  • In-Camera Image Stabilization
Samsung NX500
Sony A6500
  • $1600
  • APS-C
  • More pixels
  • Lacks anti-aliasing filter
  • $1216
  • APS-C
  • Lens selection
  • Eye-level viewfinder

Compared to Leica TL2

Nikon D7100
Leica TL2
  • $810
  • APS-C
  • Less expensive
  • Eye-level viewfinder
  • $2495
  • APS-C
  • Focus peaking
  • Shoot 4K video
Samsung NX500
Leica TL2
  • $1600
  • APS-C
  • In-camera panoramas
  • Tiltable Screen
  • $2495
  • APS-C
  • Faster JPEG shooting
  • Faster RAW shooting
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