• 4/3 224.9mm2
  • 16.1 megapixels
  • ISO 200 - 25,600
  • APS-C 369.0mm2
  • 28.2 megapixels
  • ISO 100 - 25,600

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Differences

Olympus E-PL6 advantages over Samsung NX500

  • Less expensive
    $300 vs $800 (MSRP)
    Save money for lenses or accessories
  • Lens selection
    Excellent vs Limited
    Better lens selection gives you more options
  • In-Camera Image Stabilization
    Yes vs No
    Reduces the effects of camera shake at slower shutter speeds
  • Has anti-aliasing filter
    Filter vs No Filter
    Reduces unsightly moiré in photos
  • Longer exposure
    60 vs 30 sec
    Long exposures for night shots

Samsung NX500 advantages over Olympus E-PL6

  • Focus peaking
    Peaker vs Non-peaker
    Your camera will highlight what's in focus
  • Larger sensor
    APS-C vs 4/3
    More sensor area. Bigger is (generally) better.
  • Shoot 4K video
    4K (DCI) vs 1080p
    Make sure you have a fast computer
  • In-camera panoramas
    Yes vs No
    Stitches multiple shots into a panoramic photo
  • 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
  • Shoots 24p video
    Yes vs No
    Gives your movies a big-screen feel
  • Higher-res screen
    346k vs 205k pixels
    More detail on the screen lets you judge focus and composition
  • More pixels
    28.2 vs 16.1 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 28 mm
    Capture more of the scene with the included lens
  • 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

  • Touchscreen
    Both provide
    Interact with your camera just like your smartphone
  • Tiltable Screen
    Both provide
    Tilt the screen for shooting flexbility
  • 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

  • Eye-level viewfinder
    Neither provide
    You'll be able to frame photos even when the sun is out
  • Built-in GPS
    Neither provide
    Geotag your photos
  • Internal flash
    Neither provide
    Useful in a pinch for fill flash
  • 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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Your purchases support this site

Buy the Olympus E-PL6

Your purchases support this site

Buy the Samsung NX500

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.

The Competition

Compared to Olympus E-PM1

Olympus E-PL6
Olympus E-PM1
  • $299
  • 4/3
  • Less expensive
  • Touchscreen
  • $500
  • 4/3
  • Shoots 60p video
Samsung NX500
Olympus E-PM1
  • $1600
  • APS-C
  • Focus peaking
  • Larger sensor
  • $500
  • 4/3
  • Less expensive
  • Lens selection

Compared to Panasonic GF5

Olympus E-PL6
Panasonic GF5
  • $299
  • 4/3
  • Less expensive
  • In-Camera Image Stabilization
  • $450
  • 4/3
  • Bigger pixels
  • Internal flash
Samsung NX500
Panasonic GF5
  • $1600
  • APS-C
  • Focus peaking
  • Larger sensor
  • $450
  • 4/3
  • Lens selection
  • Bigger pixels

Compared to Panasonic GF7

Olympus E-PL6
Panasonic GF7
  • $299
  • 4/3
  • Less expensive
  • In-Camera Image Stabilization
  • $590
  • 4/3
  • Focus peaking
  • In-camera panoramas
Samsung NX500
Panasonic GF7
  • $1600
  • APS-C
  • Larger sensor
  • Shoot 4K video
  • $590
  • 4/3
  • Lens selection
  • Less expensive

Compared to Canon EOS M3

Olympus E-PL6
Canon EOS M3
  • $299
  • 4/3
  • Lens selection
  • In-Camera Image Stabilization
  • $700
  • APS-C
  • Focus peaking
  • Larger sensor
Samsung NX500
Canon EOS M3
  • $1600
  • APS-C
  • Larger sensor
  • Shoot 4K video
  • $700
  • APS-C
  • More telephoto lens reach
  • Internal flash

Compared to Sony A6500

Olympus E-PL6
Sony A6500
  • $299
  • 4/3
  • Lens selection
  • Thinner
  • $1216
  • APS-C
  • Focus peaking
  • Larger sensor
Samsung NX500
Sony A6500
  • $1600
  • APS-C
  • More pixels
  • Lacks anti-aliasing filter
  • $1216
  • APS-C
  • Lens selection
  • Eye-level viewfinder
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