Panasonic GH4 vs Samsung NX500

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Panasonic GH4 vs Samsung NX500

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4/3 224.9mm²
16.1 megapixels
ISO 200 - 25,600

Go in depth with our full Panasonic GH4 Review.
How does it shoot? Panasonic GH4 in the real world.
See real-world photos taken with the GH4.
Compare Panasonic GH4 image quality against competitors.
What’s the bottom line? Read our Panasonic GH4 conclusion.

APS-C 369.0mm²
28.2 megapixels
ISO 100 - 25,600

Go in depth with our full Samsung NX500 Review.
How does it shoot? Samsung NX500 in the real world.
See real-world photos taken with the NX500.
Compare Samsung NX500 image quality against competitors.
What’s the bottom line? Read our Samsung NX500 conclusion.

Succeeded by the Panasonic GH5
Compare GH4 vs GH5
Compare Panasonic GH5 vs Samsung NX500

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Differences

Panasonic GH4 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

Longer stills battery life

Cameras with longer battery life can take more photos before exhausting their batteries.

Special note: The measurement standard for battery life stipulates that if a camera has an internal flash, it must be used for 50% of photos taken. For this reason, comparisons of one camera with an internal flash to another without will not be comparable

530 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
Faster JPEG shooting
12.8 fps vs 8.8 fps
Faster JPEG shooting (burst mode)
Bigger JPEG buffer
Unlimited vs 38 shots
Take more JPEG shots before waiting (burst mode)
Faster RAW shooting
11.8 fps vs 8.5 fps
Faster RAW shooting in burst mode
Bigger RAW buffer
21 vs 6 shots
Larger buffer for RAW shots (burst mode)

Samsung NX500 advantages over Panasonic GH4

Larger sensor
APS-C vs 4/3
More sensor area. Bigger is (generally) better.
Slower slow-motion
120 fps vs 96 fps
Supports slower slow-mo
In-camera panoramas
Yes vs No
Stitches multiple shots into a panoramic photo
Built-in Bluetooth
Yes vs No
Always-on wireless connectivity
Higher effective ISO

Higher effective ISO

Maximum effective ISO is an estimate of the highest sensitivity at which a camera can capture excellent quality photos.

Cameras with higher effective ISO will be better choices for indoor photography, night shooting, and indoor sports photography, especially if you intend to make large prints.

You can learn more at our glossary entry.

Maximum effective ISO test data courtesy of DxO Mark.
NX500 test data on DxO Mark GH4 test data on DxO Mark

1,379 vs 791 iso
Take photos in low light with less noise
On-sensor phase detect
Yes vs No
Usually improves live view and video AF performance
Thinner
42 mm vs 83 mm
Thinner
More pixels
28.2 vs 16.1 megapixels
Higher resolution photos
Lacks anti-aliasing filter
No Filter vs Filter
Enjoy sharper photos
Higher extended ISO
51200 vs 25600 ISO
Higher extended ISO can give more low-light flexibility

Similarities

Common Strengths

Focus peaking
Both provide
Your camera will highlight what's in focus
Shoot 4K video
Both provide
Make sure you have a fast computer
Touchscreen
Both provide
Interact with your camera just like your smartphone
Built-in Wi-Fi
Both provide
Share your photos wirelessly
NFC
Both provide
Simplifies pairing your camera with supported phones
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
Slow-motion videos
Both provide
Shoot slow-motion videos

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

Amazon
Adorama
Read GH4 User Reviews

Amazon
Adorama
Read NX500 User Reviews

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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)

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Review Excerpt

Excellent still image quality for its class; Fantastic, highly-detailed video quality; Superior video recording chops with 4K video (both Cinema 4K and Ultra HD); Responsive all-around performer with great AF performance and burst shooting; Rolling shutter is minimal with 60p and 30p video; Splash- and dust-proof magnesium alloy body; Built-in Wi-Fi with NFC.
High ISO performance not as good as some APS-C models (IQ drops quickly past ISO 3200); Overall still image quality not significantly better than the GH3; Sluggish buffer clearing with RAW files; Rolling shutter noticeable on 4K video; Not as compact as most mirrorless cameras.
Read our Panasonic GH4 Review

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 Panasonic GH3

Panasonic GH4

Panasonic GH3

$899
4/3

Focus peaking
Shoot 4K video

$798
4/3

Compare Panasonic GH4 vs Panasonic GH3

Samsung NX500

Panasonic GH3

$1600
APS-C

Less expensive
Focus peaking

$798
4/3

Lens selection
Tilt-swivel screen

Compare Samsung NX500 vs Panasonic GH3

Compared to Olympus E-M1

Panasonic GH4

Olympus E-M1

$899
4/3

Tilt-swivel screen
Shoot 4K video

$1099
4/3

In-Camera Image Stabilization
On-sensor phase detect

Compare Panasonic GH4 vs Olympus E-M1

Samsung NX500

Olympus E-M1

$1600
APS-C

Larger sensor
Less expensive

$1099
4/3

Lens selection
Eye-level viewfinder

Compare Samsung NX500 vs Olympus E-M1

Compared to Panasonic G7

Panasonic GH4

Panasonic G7

$899
4/3

Fast startup
NFC

$498
4/3

Less expensive
In-camera panoramas

Compare Panasonic GH4 vs Panasonic G7

Samsung NX500

Panasonic G7

$1600
APS-C

Larger sensor
NFC

$498
4/3

Tilt-swivel screen
Lens selection

Compare Samsung NX500 vs Panasonic G7

Compared to Sony A6500

Panasonic GH4

Sony A6500

$899
4/3

Lens selection
Less expensive

$1198
APS-C

Larger sensor
Slower slow-motion

Compare Panasonic GH4 vs Sony A6500

Samsung NX500

Sony A6500

$1600
APS-C

More pixels
Lacks anti-aliasing filter

$1198
APS-C

Lens selection
Eye-level viewfinder

Compare Samsung NX500 vs Sony A6500

Compared to Leica TL2

Panasonic GH4

Leica TL2

$899
4/3

Less expensive
Tilt-swivel screen

$2495
APS-C

Slower slow-motion
Larger sensor

Compare Panasonic GH4 vs Leica TL2

Samsung NX500

Leica TL2

$1600
APS-C

In-camera panoramas
Tiltable Screen

$2495
APS-C

Faster JPEG shooting
Faster RAW shooting

Compare Samsung NX500 vs Leica TL2

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