• APS-C 369.0mm2
  • 28.2 megapixels
  • ISO 100 - 25,600
  • 35mm 864.0mm2
  • 20.2 megapixels
  • ISO 100 - 51,200

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Differences

Samsung NX500 advantages over Canon 1DX Mark II

  • Focus peaking
    Peaker vs Non-peaker
    Your camera will highlight what's in focus
  • In-camera panoramas
    Yes vs No
    Stitches multiple shots into a panoramic photo
  • Tiltable Screen
    Tiltable vs Fixed
    Tilt the screen for shooting flexbility
  • 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
  • Thinner
    42 mm vs 82 mm
    Thinner
  • More pixels
    28.2 vs 20.2 megapixels
    Higher resolution photos
  • Lacks anti-aliasing filter
    No Filter vs Filter
    Enjoy sharper photos

Canon 1DX Mark II advantages over Samsung NX500

  • Lens selection
    Excellent vs Limited
    Better lens selection gives you more options
  • Larger sensor
    35mm vs APS-C
    More sensor area. Bigger is (generally) better.
  • Eye-level viewfinder
    Eye-level vs Rear display only
    You'll be able to frame photos even when the sun is out
  • Bigger pixels
    ~ 6.58 vs 3.63 microns
    Better low-light and dynamic range (all else equal)
  • Fast startup
    ~0.80 vs 1.5 sec
    Faster startup lets you catch the moment
  • Higher effective ISO
    3,207 vs 1,379 iso
    Take photos in low light with less noise
  • Built-in GPS
    GPS vs None
    Geotag your photos
  • Longer stills battery life
    More info 1210 vs 370 shots
    Capture more photos
  • Top deck display
    Yes vs No
    Check settings with a screen on top of the camera
  • External Mic Jack
    Jack vs No jack
    Improved sound fidelity when shooting video
  • More dots on screen
    1620k vs 1037k dots
    Can mean greater resolution or a brighter screen
  • Less shutter lag
    0.09 vs 0.20 sec
    Focus and take a photo quickly (wide angle)
  • Dual card slots
    Yes vs No
    Gives you more storage flexibility
  • 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
  • Faster JPEG shooting
    14.0 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
    14.1 fps vs 8.5 fps
    Faster RAW shooting in burst mode
  • Bigger RAW buffer
    Unlimited vs 6 shots
    Larger buffer for RAW shots (burst mode)
  • Higher extended ISO
    409600 vs 51200 ISO
    Higher extended ISO can give more low-light flexibility

Similarities

Common Strengths

  • Shoot 4K video
    Both provide
    Make sure you have a fast computer
  • Touchscreen
    Both provide
    Interact with your camera just like your smartphone
  • On-sensor phase detect
    Both provide
    Usually improves live view and video AF performance
  • 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

  • Tilt-swivel screen
    Neither provide
    Tilt and swivel the screen for maximum shooting flexibility
  • In-Camera Image Stabilization
    Neither provide
    Reduces the effects of camera shake at slower shutter speeds
  • Internal flash
    Neither provide
    Useful in a pinch for fill flash

User reviews

Buy From

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.

  • Excellent image quality, especially from RAWs; Fantastic high ISO performance; Fast autofocus with great tracking performance; 14fps burst rate; Amazing buffer capacity; 4K 60p video; Robust build quality.

  • Very heavy, bulky and expensive; Dual memory card slots use different formats; 29:59 continuous video recording limit; Touchscreen feels underutilized.

The Competition

Compared to Nikon D4S

Samsung NX500
Nikon D4S
  • $1600
  • APS-C
  • Focus peaking
  • Shoot 4K video
  • $5399
  • 35mm
  • Lens selection
  • Larger sensor
Canon 1DX Mark II
Nikon D4S
  • $2999
  • 35mm
  • Less expensive
  • Shoot 4K video
  • $5399
  • 35mm
  • Fast startup
  • Longer stills battery life

Compared to Samsung NX3000

Samsung NX500
Samsung NX3000
  • $1600
  • APS-C
  • Focus peaking
  • Shoot 4K video
  • $950
  • APS-C
  • Less expensive
  • Bigger pixels
Canon 1DX Mark II
Samsung NX3000
  • $2999
  • 35mm
  • Lens selection
  • Larger sensor
  • $950
  • APS-C
  • In-camera panoramas
  • Tiltable Screen

Compared to Nikon D5

Samsung NX500
Nikon D5
  • $1600
  • APS-C
  • Focus peaking
  • In-camera panoramas
  • $4893
  • 35mm
  • Lens selection
  • Larger sensor
Canon 1DX Mark II
Nikon D5
  • $2999
  • 35mm
  • Higher effective ISO
  • Built-in GPS
  • $4893
  • 35mm
  • Fast startup
  • Longer stills battery life

Compared to Sony A6500

Samsung NX500
Sony A6500
  • $1600
  • APS-C
  • More pixels
  • Lacks anti-aliasing filter
  • $1198
  • APS-C
  • Lens selection
  • Eye-level viewfinder
Canon 1DX Mark II
Sony A6500
  • $2999
  • 35mm
  • Lens selection
  • Larger sensor
  • $1198
  • APS-C
  • Less expensive
  • Focus peaking

Compared to Leica TL2

Samsung NX500
Leica TL2
  • $1600
  • APS-C
  • In-camera panoramas
  • Tiltable Screen
  • $2495
  • APS-C
  • Faster JPEG shooting
  • Faster RAW shooting
Canon 1DX Mark II
Leica TL2
  • $2999
  • 35mm
  • Larger sensor
  • Eye-level viewfinder
  • $2495
  • APS-C
  • Less expensive
  • Focus peaking
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