• 4/3 224.9mm2
  • 16.1 megapixels
  • ISO 200 - 12,800
  • APS-C 369.0mm2
  • 28.2 megapixels
  • ISO 100 - 25,600

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Differences

Panasonic GH3 advantages over Samsung NX500

  • Lens selection
    Excellent vs Limited
    Better lens selection gives you more options
  • Tilt-swivel screen
    Tilt-swivel vs tilt-only
    Tilt and swivel the screen for maximum shooting flexibility
  • Eye-level viewfinder
    Eye-level vs Rear display only
    You'll be able to frame photos even when the sun is out
  • Fast startup
    ~0.80 vs 1.5 sec
    Faster startup lets you catch the moment
  • Longer stills battery life
    More info 540 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
  • Headphone jack
    Yes vs No
    Monitor audio recording while you shoot video
  • Has anti-aliasing filter
    Filter vs No Filter
    Reduces unsightly moiré in photos
  • Longer exposure
    60 vs 30 sec
    Long exposures for night shots
  • Bigger JPEG buffer
    Unlimited vs 38 shots
    Take more JPEG shots before waiting (burst mode)
  • Bigger RAW buffer
    24 vs 6 shots
    Larger buffer for RAW shots (burst mode)

Samsung NX500 advantages over Panasonic GH3

  • Less expensive
    $800 vs $1300 (MSRP)
    Save money for lenses or accessories
  • 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
  • NFC
    Yes vs No
    Simplifies pairing your camera with supported phones
  • Built-in Bluetooth
    Yes vs No
    Always-on wireless connectivity
  • Higher effective ISO
    1,379 vs 812 iso
    Take photos in low light with less noise
  • More dynamic range
    13.9 vs 12.3 evs
    Retain detail in highlight and shadows
  • On-sensor phase detect
    Yes vs No
    Usually improves live view and video AF performance
  • Thinner
    42 mm vs 82 mm
    Thinner
  • 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
  • Lacks anti-aliasing filter
    No Filter vs Filter
    Enjoy sharper photos
  • Faster JPEG shooting
    8.8 fps vs 6.1 fps
    Faster JPEG shooting (burst mode)
  • Faster RAW shooting
    8.5 fps vs 5.1 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

  • Touchscreen
    Both provide
    Interact with your camera just like your smartphone
  • Built-in Wi-Fi
    Both provide
    Share your photos wirelessly
  • 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

  • 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

User reviews

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Buy the Panasonic GH3

Your purchases support this site

Buy the Samsung NX500

Review Excerpt

  • Professional quality video in a compact body; Still image quality ranks with the best mirrorless models and even some prosumer DSLRs; Fast autofocus; Rugged, weatherized camera build; Reasonably priced for its advanced feature set; Large selection of high quality lenses.

  • Not as compact as most mirrorless cameras; Live View not available during high speed bursts; High ISO image quality and dynamic range not quite as good as top APS-C cameras.

  • 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 Panasonic G5

Panasonic GH3
Panasonic G5
  • $798
  • 4/3
  • Tilt-swivel screen
  • Fast startup
  • $500
  • 4/3
  • Higher-res screen
Samsung NX500
Panasonic G5
  • $1600
  • APS-C
  • Focus peaking
  • Larger sensor
  • $500
  • 4/3
  • Lens selection
  • Eye-level viewfinder

Compared to Olympus E-M1

Panasonic GH3
Olympus E-M1
  • $798
  • 4/3
  • Tilt-swivel screen
  • Longer stills battery life
  • $1099
  • 4/3
  • Focus peaking
  • In-Camera Image Stabilization
Samsung NX500
Olympus E-M1
  • $1600
  • APS-C
  • Larger sensor
  • Shoot 4K video
  • $1099
  • 4/3
  • Lens selection
  • Eye-level viewfinder

Compared to Panasonic GH4

Panasonic GH3
Panasonic GH4
  • $798
  • 4/3
  • $899
  • 4/3
  • Focus peaking
  • Shoot 4K video
Samsung NX500
Panasonic GH4
  • $1600
  • APS-C
  • Larger sensor
  • Slower slow-motion
  • $899
  • 4/3
  • Lens selection
  • Tilt-swivel screen

Compared to Canon EOS M3

Panasonic GH3
Canon EOS M3
  • $798
  • 4/3
  • Lens selection
  • Tilt-swivel screen
  • $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

Panasonic GH3
Sony A6500
  • $798
  • 4/3
  • Lens selection
  • Tilt-swivel screen
  • $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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