• APS-C 369.0mm2
  • 28.2 megapixels
  • ISO 100 - 25,600
  • 35mm 864.0mm2
  • 47.3 megapixels
  • ISO 50 - 50,000

Buy From

Differences

Samsung NX500 advantages over Leica SL2

  • In-camera panoramas
    Yes vs No
    Stitches multiple shots into a panoramic photo
  • Tiltable Screen
    Tiltable vs Fixed
    Tilt the screen for shooting flexbility
  • NFC
    Yes vs No
    Simplifies pairing your camera with supported phones
  • On-sensor phase detect
    Yes vs No
    Usually improves live view and video AF performance

Leica SL2 advantages over Samsung NX500

  • Larger sensor
    35mm vs APS-C
    More sensor area. Bigger is (generally) better.
  • Slower slow-motion
    180 fps vs 120 fps
    Supports slower slow-mo
  • 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
  • Bigger pixels
    ~ 4.30 vs 3.63 microns
    Better low-light and dynamic range (all else equal)
  • High resolution composite
    Yes vs No
    Combine multiple shots to form a super hi-res version
  • 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
  • Newer
    5 years vs 10 years old
    Newer cameras often support more advanced features
  • More dots on screen
    2100k vs 1037k dots
    Can mean greater resolution or a brighter screen
  • More pixels
    47.3 vs 28.2 megapixels
    Higher resolution photos
  • Dual card slots
    Yes vs No
    Gives you more storage flexibility
  • Headphone jack
    Yes vs No
    Monitor audio recording while you shoot video
  • Longer exposure
    60 vs 30 sec
    Long exposures for night shots
  • Faster JPEG shooting
    20.0 fps vs 8.8 fps
    Faster JPEG shooting (burst mode)
  • Bigger JPEG buffer
    100 vs 38 shots
    Take more JPEG shots before waiting (burst mode)
  • Faster RAW shooting
    20.0 fps vs 8.5 fps
    Faster RAW shooting in burst mode
  • Bigger RAW buffer
    78 vs 6 shots
    Larger buffer for RAW shots (burst mode)
  • Faster shutter
    1/40000 vs 1/6000 sec
    Shoot wide open in bright light

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
  • Built-in Bluetooth
    Both provide
    Always-on wireless connectivity
  • 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
  • Built-in GPS
    Neither provide
    Geotag your photos
  • 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.

The Competition

Compared to Samsung NX3000

Samsung NX500
Samsung NX3000
  • $1600
  • APS-C
  • Focus peaking
  • Shoot 4K video
  • $950
  • APS-C
  • Less expensive
  • Bigger pixels
Leica SL2
Samsung NX3000
  • $5245
  • 35mm
  • Slower slow-motion
  • Focus peaking
  • $950
  • APS-C
  • In-camera panoramas
  • Tiltable Screen

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
Leica SL2
Sony A6500
  • $5245
  • 35mm
  • Larger sensor
  • Slower slow-motion
  • $1198
  • APS-C
  • Less expensive
  • In-camera panoramas

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
Leica SL2
Leica TL2
  • $5245
  • 35mm
  • Larger sensor
  • Slower slow-motion
  • $2495
  • APS-C
  • Less expensive
  • Lighter weight

Compared to Nikon Z7

Samsung NX500
Nikon Z7
  • $1600
  • APS-C
  • In-camera panoramas
  • NFC
  • $2147
  • 35mm
  • Larger sensor
  • Eye-level viewfinder
Leica SL2
Nikon Z7
  • $5245
  • 35mm
  • Slower slow-motion
  • High resolution composite
  • $2147
  • 35mm
  • Tiltable Screen
  • On-sensor phase detect

Compared to Sony A1

Samsung NX500
Sony A1
  • $1600
  • APS-C
  • In-camera panoramas
  • Thinner
  • $5498
  • 35mm
  • Lens selection
  • Larger sensor
Leica SL2
Sony A1
  • $5245
  • 35mm
  • Less expensive
  • High resolution composite
  • $5498
  • 35mm
  • Slower slow-motion
  • Tiltable Screen
Compare Other Cameras?