• APS-C 369.7mm2
  • 20.3 megapixels
  • ISO 100 - 12,800
  • APS-C 372.1mm2
  • 16.3 megapixels
  • ISO 100 - 51,200

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Differences

Samsung NX200 advantages over Pentax K-500

  • Thinner
    36 mm vs 71 mm
    Thinner
  • HDMI out
    HDMI out vs None
    Use HDMI output to monitor or review video
  • Lighter weight
    525g vs 852g
    Lighter weight
  • More pixels
    20.3 vs 16.3 megapixels
    Higher resolution photos

Pentax K-500 advantages over Samsung NX200

  • Lens selection
    Excellent vs Limited
    Better lens selection gives you more options
  • Focus peaking
    Peaker vs Non-peaker
    Your camera will highlight what's in focus
  • Less expensive
    $600 vs $900 (MSRP)
    Save money for lenses or accessories
  • Eye-level viewfinder
    Eye-level vs Rear display only
    You'll be able to frame photos even when the sun is out
  • In-Camera Image Stabilization
    Yes vs No
    Reduces the effects of camera shake at slower shutter speeds
  • Higher effective ISO
    1,087 vs 618 iso
    Take photos in low light with less noise
  • Longer stills battery life
    More info 710 vs 320 shots
    Capture more photos
  • Internal flash
    Internal flash vs None
    Useful in a pinch for fill flash
  • Shoots 24p video
    Yes vs No
    Gives your movies a big-screen feel
  • Higher-res screen
    307k vs 154k pixels
    More detail on the screen lets you judge focus and composition
  • Bigger JPEG buffer
    30 vs 11 shots
    Take more JPEG shots before waiting (burst mode)
  • Faster shutter
    1/6000 vs 1/4000 sec
    Shoot wide open in bright light
  • Higher extended ISO
    51200 vs 12800 ISO
    Higher extended ISO can give more low-light flexibility

Similarities

Common Strengths

  • Hot shoe
    Both provide
    Off-camera flashes open new possibilities
  • Bulb shutter
    Both provide
    Hold the shutter open manually for long exposures

Common Weaknesses

  • Tilt-swivel screen
    Neither provide
    Tilt and swivel the screen for maximum shooting flexibility
  • Touchscreen
    Neither provide
    Interact with your camera just like your smartphone
  • In-camera panoramas
    Neither provide
    Stitches multiple shots into a panoramic photo
  • Tiltable Screen
    Neither provide
    Tilt the screen for shooting flexbility
  • Built-in Wi-Fi
    Neither provide
    Share your photos wirelessly
  • NFC
    Neither provide
    Simplifies pairing your camera with supported phones
  • Built-in Bluetooth
    Neither provide
    Always-on wireless connectivity
  • Built-in GPS
    Neither provide
    Geotag your photos
  • On-sensor phase detect
    Neither provide
    Usually improves live view and video AF performance
  • 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
  • Slow-motion videos
    Neither provide
    Shoot slow-motion videos

User reviews

Buy From

Your purchases support this site

Buy the Pentax K-500

Review Excerpt

  • Sleek, more professional camera design; faster autofocus system and burst modes; solid performance at high ISOs despite the bump up in megapixels.

  • Significantly more expensive than previous model; slow buffer clearing with RAW images; with kit lens attached, camera becomes less portable.

The Competition

Compared to Sony NEX-C3

Samsung NX200
Sony NEX-C3
  • $600
  • APS-C
  • Shoots 1080p video
  • More pixels
  • $559
  • APS-C
  • Lens selection
  • Less expensive
Pentax K-500
Sony NEX-C3
  • $597
  • APS-C
  • Lens selection
  • Focus peaking
  • $559
  • APS-C
  • In-camera panoramas
  • Tiltable Screen

Compared to Sony NEX-5N

Samsung NX200
Sony NEX-5N
  • $600
  • APS-C
  • More pixels
  • Bigger JPEG buffer
  • $700
  • APS-C
  • Lens selection
  • Less expensive
Pentax K-500
Sony NEX-5N
  • $597
  • APS-C
  • Lens selection
  • Focus peaking
  • $700
  • APS-C
  • In-camera panoramas
  • Tiltable Screen

Compared to Sony A57

Samsung NX200
Sony A57
  • $600
  • APS-C
  • Thinner
  • Lighter weight
  • $800
  • APS-C
  • Lens selection
  • Focus peaking
Pentax K-500
Sony A57
  • $597
  • APS-C
  • Lens selection
  • Less expensive
  • $800
  • APS-C
  • In-camera panoramas
  • Tiltable Screen

Compared to Sony NEX-5R

Samsung NX200
Sony NEX-5R
  • $600
  • APS-C
  • More pixels
  • $499
  • APS-C
  • Lens selection
  • Focus peaking
Pentax K-500
Sony NEX-5R
  • $597
  • APS-C
  • Lens selection
  • Less expensive
  • $499
  • APS-C
  • Touchscreen
  • In-camera panoramas

Compared to Pentax K-5 IIs

Samsung NX200
Pentax K-5 IIs
  • $600
  • APS-C
  • Less expensive
  • Thinner
  • $497
  • APS-C
  • Lens selection
  • Eye-level viewfinder
Pentax K-500
Pentax K-5 IIs
  • $597
  • APS-C
  • Less expensive
  • Focus peaking
  • $497
  • APS-C
  • Higher effective ISO
  • Top deck display
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