• 1/2.3 inch 28.1mm2
  • 10.0 megapixels
  • 36.00mm - 180.00mm (35mm eq.)
  • APS-C 369.0mm2
  • 28.2 megapixels
  • ISO 100 - 25,600

Buy From

Differences

Nikon S550 advantages over Samsung NX500

  • Less expensive
    $230 vs $800 (MSRP)
    Save money for lenses or accessories
  • Internal flash
    Internal flash vs None
    Useful in a pinch for fill flash
  • Thinner
    22 mm vs 42 mm
    Thinner

Samsung NX500 advantages over Nikon S550

  • Focus peaking
    Peaker vs Non-peaker
    Your camera will highlight what's in focus
  • Larger sensor
    APS-C vs 1/2.3 inch
    More sensor area. Bigger is (generally) better.
  • Bigger pixels
    ~ 3.63 vs 1.69 microns
    Better low-light and dynamic range (all else equal)
  • 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
  • RAW file ability
    Yes vs No
    Gives you more flexibility to develop your photos later
  • 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
  • Longer stills battery life
    More info 370 vs 200 shots
    Capture more photos
  • Manual focus
    Yes vs No
    AF is for the weak. Real photographers focus manually.
  • Newer
    10 years vs 17 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
  • More dots on screen
    1037k vs 230k dots
    Can mean greater resolution or a brighter screen
  • Hot shoe
    Hot shoe vs None
    Off-camera flashes open new possibilities
  • Shoots 1080p video
    Yes vs No
    You'll want this if you shoot video
  • More pixels
    28.2 vs 10.0 megapixels
    Higher resolution photos
  • Shoots 60p video
    Yes vs No
    A faster framerate can give you more editing options
  • Bulb shutter
    Bulb vs No bulb
    Hold the shutter open manually for long exposures
  • Slow-motion videos
    Yes vs No
    Shoot slow-motion videos
  • Higher extended ISO
    51200 vs 2000 ISO
    Higher extended ISO can give more low-light flexibility

Similarities

Common Strengths

  • Rear display
    Both provide
    Review photos on the back of the camera

Common Weaknesses

  • Tilt-swivel screen
    Neither provide
    Tilt and swivel the screen for maximum shooting flexibility
  • Eye-level viewfinder
    Neither provide
    You'll be able to frame photos even when the sun is out
  • In-Camera Image Stabilization
    Neither provide
    Reduces the effects of camera shake at slower shutter speeds
  • Built-in GPS
    Neither provide
    Geotag your photos
  • Integrated ND filter
    Neither provide
    Shoot in daylight with a large aperture or slow shutter
  • 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 Nikon S550

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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 M50

Nikon S550
Pentax M50
  • $195
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • More pixels
  • $140
  • 1/2.35 inch
  • Manual focus
  • Higher extended ISO

Compare Nikon S550 vs Pentax M50

Samsung NX500
Pentax M50
  • $1600
  • APS-C
  • Focus peaking
  • Larger sensor
  • $140
  • 1/2.35 inch
  • Less expensive
  • Internal flash

Compare Samsung NX500 vs Pentax M50

Compared to Ricoh R50

Nikon S550
Ricoh R50
  • $195
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • $250
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • Manual focus
  • Higher extended ISO

Compare Nikon S550 vs Ricoh R50

Samsung NX500
Ricoh R50
  • $1600
  • APS-C
  • Focus peaking
  • Larger sensor
  • $250
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • Less expensive
  • Internal flash

Compare Samsung NX500 vs Ricoh R50

Compared to Nikon S560

Nikon S550
Nikon S560
  • $195
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • Longer stills battery life
  • $250
  • 1/2.33 inch
  • In-Camera Image Stabilization
  • Wider angle lens

Compare Nikon S550 vs Nikon S560

Samsung NX500
Nikon S560
  • $1600
  • APS-C
  • Focus peaking
  • Larger sensor
  • $250
  • 1/2.33 inch
  • Less expensive
  • In-Camera Image Stabilization

Compare Samsung NX500 vs Nikon S560

Compared to Canon EOS M3

Nikon S550
Canon EOS M3
  • $195
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • Thinner
  • Lighter weight
  • $700
  • APS-C
  • Focus peaking
  • Larger sensor

Compare Nikon S550 vs Canon EOS M3

Samsung NX500
Canon EOS M3
  • $1600
  • APS-C
  • Larger sensor
  • Shoot 4K video
  • $700
  • APS-C
  • More telephoto lens reach
  • Internal flash

Compare Samsung NX500 vs Canon EOS M3

Compared to Sony A6500

Nikon S550
Sony A6500
  • $195
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • Thinner
  • Lighter weight
  • $1216
  • APS-C
  • Focus peaking
  • Larger sensor

Compare Nikon S550 vs Sony A6500

Samsung NX500
Sony A6500
  • $1600
  • APS-C
  • More pixels
  • Lacks anti-aliasing filter
  • $1216
  • APS-C
  • Lens selection
  • Eye-level viewfinder

Compare Samsung NX500 vs Sony A6500

Compare Other Cameras?