• 4/3 224.9mm2
  • 16.1 megapixels
  • ISO 200 - 25,600
  • APS-C 369.0mm2
  • 28.2 megapixels
  • ISO 100 - 25,600
  • Detailed specifications
  • Olympus PEN E-PM2
  • Samsung NX500
Links
Prices: Compare Prices Compare Prices
Manufacturer URL: Manufacturer website Manufacturer website
Predecessor:   Samsung NX300
NX300 vs NX500
Successor:    
General
Model Number: E-PM2 NX500
Alternate Model Number(s):    
Camera Format: Compact System Camera Compact System Camera
Currently Manufactured: No No
Retail Price: $499.99 $799.99
Street Price: $1,599.00 $1,599.99
Date Available: 2012-10-15 2015-03-15
Tripod Mount: Yes Yes
Weight: 13.5 oz (384 g)
includes batteries, kit lens
16.0 oz (454 g)
includes batteries, kit lens
Size: 4.3 x 2.5 x 1.3 in.
(110 x 64 x 34 mm)
4.7 x 2.5 x 1.7 in.
(120 x 64 x 43 mm)
Waterproof: No No
Waterproof Depth: n/a n/a
Image Sensor
Sensor Type: Live MOS CMOS
Sensor Manufacturer: Sony Samsung
Effective Megapixels: 16.1 28.2
Sensor Format: 4/3 APS-C
Sensor size: 224.9mm2 (17.30mm x 13.00mm) 368.95mm2 (23.50mm x 15.70mm)
Approximate Pixel Pitch: 3.75 microns 3.63 microns
Focal Length Multiplier: 2.0x 1.5x
Aspect Ratio: 4:3 3:2
Color Filter Type: RGBG RGBG
Anti Aliasing Filter: Fixed None
Self-Cleaning: Yes Yes
Sensor shift image stabilization: Yes No
On-Sensor Phase Detect: No Yes
DxO Sensor Score: 72 87
DxO Color Depth Score (bits): 22.7 24.8
DxO Dynamic Range Score (evs): 12.2 13.9
DxO Maximum Effective ISO Score (iso): 932 1,379
Image Capture
Image Resolution: 4608 x 3456 (15.9 MP, 4:3),
2560 x 1920 (4.9 MP, 4:3),
1024 x 768 (0.8 MP, 4:3),
640 x 480 (0.3 MP, 4:3)
6480 x 4320 (28.0 MP, 3:2),
4560 x 3040 (13.9 MP, 3:2),
3264 x 2176 (7.1 MP, 3:2),
2112 x 1408 (3.0 MP, 3:2),
6480 x 3648 (23.6 MP, 16:9),
4608 x 2592 (11.9 MP, 16:9),
3328 x 1872 (6.2 MP, 16:9),
2048 x 1152 (2.4 MP, 16:9),
4320 x 4320 (18.7 MP, 1:1),
3088 x 3088 (9.5 MP, 1:1),
2160 x 2160 (4.7 MP, 1:1),
1408 x 1408 (2.0 MP, 1:1)
Image File Format: JPEG, 12-bit RAW, RAW + JPEG JPEG, MPO, RAW (SRW), RAW+JPEG
Continuous-mode frames/second: 7.9 8.8
Video Capture
Can take movies: Yes Yes
Movie Resolution: 1920x1080 (30p (20 or 17Mbps))
1280x720 (30p (13 or 10Mbps))
640x480 (30p)
4096x2160 (24p)
3840x2160 (30p)
1920x1080 (60p/​30p/​24p)
1280x720 (60p/​30p)
640x480 (60p/​30p)
1920x1080 (120p)
1280x720 (120p)
640x480 (120p)
Movie File Format: MOV (MPEG-4 AVC/H.264), AVI (Motion JPEG); Linear PCM 16-bit, 48kHz stereo audio MP4 (Video: HEVC (H.265) / Sound: AAC)
Composite Video Out: Yes No
NTSC/PAL Switchable Video: Yes n/a
Video Usable as Viewfinder: No n/a
HD Video Out: Yes Yes
HD Video Connection: HDMI HDMI
Lens & Optics
Lens Mount: Micro Four Thirds Samsung NX
Lens: Olympus 14-42mm f/3.5-5.6 II R MSC M.Zuiko Digital Zoom Lens Samsung 16-50mm f/3.5-5.6 Power Zoom ED OIS NX
Focal Length (35mm equivalent): 28 - 84mm 24 - 75mm
Focal Length (actual): 14 - 42mm 16 - 50mm
Zoom Ratio: 3.00x 3.13x
Aperture Range: f/3.5 (wide) / f/5.6 (tele) - f/22 f/3.5 (wide) / f/5.6 (tele) - f/22
Integrated ND Filter: No No
Normal Focus Range: 25 cm to Infinity
9.8 in to Infinity
24 cm to Infinity
9.4 in to Infinity
Macro Focus Range:    
Filter Thread: 37.0mm 43.0mm
Thread Type: n/a n/a
Optical Image Stabilization: No Yes
Digital Zoom: Yes Yes
Digital Zoom Values: Up to 2x
Auto Focus
Auto Focus: Yes Yes
Auto Focus Type: High-speed Contrast-detect AF: 35-area multiple AF; All target, Group target area (9-area), Single target (normal), Single target (small) Hybrid contrast/phase-detect AF: 205-point PDAF (153 cross-point type) + 209-point CDAF
Auto Focus Assist Light? Yes Yes
Manual Focus: Yes Yes
Viewfinder
Viewfinder: No / LCD No / OLED
Viewfinder Type: Optional VF-2, VF-3 or VF-4 electronic viewfinders  
Focus Peaking: No Yes
EVF Resolution: n/a n/a
Viewfinder Magnification (35mm equivalent):    
Viewfinder Magnification (nominal/claimed):    
Display
Eye-level Viewfinder: No No
Rear Display: Yes Yes
Rear Display Size (inches): 3.0 3.0
Rear Display Resolution: 460,800 dots (153,600 px) 1,036,800 dots (345,600 px)
Touchscreen: Yes Yes
Articulating Screen: No Yes
Tilt Swivel Screen: No No
Selfie Screen: No Yes
Max Playback Zoom: 14.0x  
Top Deck Display: No No
Exposure
Maximum ISO (native): 25600 25600
Minimum ISO (native): 200 100
ISO Settings: AUTO: ISO 200 - 25600 (customizable, Default 200-1600) / Manual ISO 200 - 25600, 1/3 or 1 EV steps selectable Auto, 100 - 25600 in 1 or 1/3 EV steps, expandable to 51200
Auto ISO Mode: Yes Yes
White Balance Settings: Auto, Sunny, Shadow, Cloudy, Incandescent, , Fluorescent, Underwater, Flash, Custom (2), Kelvin Auto, Daylight, Cloudy, Fluorescent (W, N, D), Tungsten, Auto+Tungsten, Flash, Custom, K (Manual); Micro Adjustment each 7 steps in Amber/Blue and Green/Magenta axes
Shutter Speed Range: 1/4000 - 60 sec 1/6000 - 30 sec
Bulb Mode: Yes Yes
Exposure Compensation: +/- 3.0EV in 0.3EV steps +/- 5.0EV in 0.3EV steps
Metering Modes: Digital ESP metering (324-area multi pattern metering), Center weighted average metering, Spot metering, Spot metering with highlight control, Spot metering with shadow control Multi (221 segments), Center-weighted, Spot
Program Auto Exposure: Yes Yes
Aperture Priority: Yes Yes
Shutter Priority: Yes Yes
Full Manual Exposure: Yes Yes
Creative Exposure Modes: Scene (Portrait, e-Portrait, Landscape, Landscape + Portrait, Sport, Night, Night + Portrait, Children, High Key, Low Key, DIS mode, Macro, Nature Macro, Candle, Sunset, Documents, Panorama, Fireworks, Beach & Snow, Fisheye Conv., Wide Conv., Macro Conv., 3D Still (using H-FT012 3D lens only); Art Filters (Pop Art, Soft Focus, Pale & Light Color, Light Tone, Grainy Film, Pin Hole, Diorama, Cross Process, Gentle Sepia, Dramatic Tone, Key Line, Water Color); Gradation (Auto, Normal, High Key, Low Key); Multiple Exposure (2 frames) Beauty Face, Landscape, Action Freeze, Rich Tones, Panorama, Waterfall, Silhouette, Sunset, Night, Fireworks, Light Trace, Multi-Exposure; Smart Range+, HDR, Samsung Auto Shot (SAS)
Self Timer: 2, 10 seconds 2-30 seconds
Time Lapse (intervalometer): Yes Yes
High Resolution Composite: No No
Flash
Built-in Flash: No No
Flash Modes: Auto, Red-eye reduction, Red-eye reduction slow sync., Slow sync at 1st curtain, Slow sync at 2nd curtain, Fill-in, Manual (Full, 1/2, 1/4, 1/8, 1/16, 1/32, 1/64), Off Smart Flash, Auto, Auto+Red-eye reduction, Fill-in, Fill-in+Red-eye reduction, 1st Curtain, 2nd Curtain, Off
Flash Guide Number (ISO 100): 7.0 m / 23.0 ft. 8.0 m / 26.2 ft.
Flash Range Description: Bundled FL-LM1 flash has GN of 7m (ISO 100) or 10m (ISO 200) Bundled SEF8A flash has GN 8m at ISO 100
Max Flash Sync: 1/250 1/200
Flash Exposure Compensation: +/- 3.0 EV in 0.3EV steps +/- 2.0 EV in 0.5EV steps
External Flash Connection: Hot Shoe Hot shoe
Built-In Wireless Flash Control:    
Image Storage
Usable Memory Types: SD / SDHC / SDXC SD / SDHC / SDXC
UHS Support: UHS-I UHS-I
Other Memory:    
Dual Card Slots: No No
RAW Capture Support: Yes Yes
Uncompressed Format: 12-bit RAW, RAW + JPEG RAW (SRW), RAW+JPEG
Movie File Format: MOV (MPEG-4 AVC/H.264), AVI (Motion JPEG); Linear PCM 16-bit, 48kHz stereo audio MP4 (Video: HEVC (H.265) / Sound: AAC)
Included Memory: No memory included No memory included
Included Memory Type:    
Connectivity
Built-In Wi-Fi: No Yes
NFC: No Yes
Bluetooth: No Yes
Built-In GPS: No No
Microphone Jack: No No
Headphone Jack: No No
External Connections: USB 2.0 High Speed USB 2.0 High Speed,Bluetooth,WiFi
PictBridge Compliant: Yes No
DPOF Compliant: Yes No
Remote Control: Yes Yes
Remote Control Type: Optional Remote Cable RM-UC1 Via Wi-Fi live view or Bluetooth; optional wired USB cable release
Connections (extended): Micro HDMI (Type-D), combined AV/USB/Remote connector, Accessory Port 2 Wi-Fi (IEEE 802.11b/g/n) with NFC; Bluetooth; Mult-function USB port compatible with wired remote
Performance Timing
Cycle time for JPEG shooting in single shot mode (seconds per frame, max resolution): 0.55 0.83
Cycle time for RAW shooting in single shot mode (seconds per frame): 0.56  
Buffer size for RAW shooting in single shot mode (frames): Unlimited  
Cycle time for RAW+JPEG shooting in single shot mode (seconds per shot): 0.56 0.81
Camera penalizes early shutter press? No No
JPEG shooting speed in burst mode (fps, max resolution): 7.9 8.8
Buffer size for JPEG shooting in burst mode (frames, max resolution): 16 38
RAW shooting speed in burst mode (fps): 8.0 8.5
Buffer size for RAW shooting in burst mode (frames): 16 6
RAW+JPEG shooting speed in burst mode (fps): 7.9 8.6
Buffer Size for RAW+JPEG shooting in burst mode (frames): 15 6
Shutter lag (full AF, wide/mid): 0.20 seconds 0.20 seconds
Shutter lag (full AF, tele):    
Shutter lag (full AF, live view - DSLR):    
Shutter lag (prefocused, live view - DSLR):    
Shutter Lag (manual focus): 0.110 seconds 0.097 seconds
Shutter lag (full AF, with flash): 0.32 seconds 0.36 seconds
Shutter Lag (prefocused): 0.064 seconds 0.076 seconds
Shutter Lag (notes): Full AF shutter lag, wide-area AF mode = 0.255s  
Startup Time: 0.7 seconds 1.5 seconds
Play -> Record Time: 0.6 seconds 0.8 seconds
Flash cycle time, full power: 3.9 seconds 3.1 seconds
Power
Battery Life, Stills (CIPA Rating Monitor/Live View): 360 shots 370 shots
Battery Life, Still (CIPA Rating OVF/EVF):    
Battery Life, Video:    
Battery Form Factor: Proprietary BLS-5 Proprietary BP-1130
Usable Battery Types: Lithium-ion rechargeable 1130mAh Lithium-ion rechargeable
Batteries Included: 1 x Proprietary BLS-5 Lithium-ion rechargeable 1 x Proprietary BP-1130 Lithium-ion rechargeable
Battery Charger Included (dedicated charger or AC/USB adapter): Yes Yes
Dedicated Battery Charger Included: Yes No
Internal Charging Supported: No Yes
Software
Included Software: Olympus Viewer 2 CD-ROM Samsung Raw Converter, i-Launcher (web version), Power Media Player, Samsung Movie Converter and Samsung DNG Converter
OS Compatibility:    
Miscellaneous
Notes & Features: In-body image stabilization, FAST AF system, fixed touchscreen LCD, 8 fps burst mode, UHS-I compliant, FlashAir compatible. Available in silver, black, white or red. Available in black, brown and white.