• APS-C 369.0mm2
  • 28.2 megapixels
  • ISO 100 - 25,600
  • 4/3 226.2mm2
  • 16.1 megapixels
  • ISO 200 - 25,600

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Differences

Samsung NX500 advantages over Olympus E-M10 III

  • Larger sensor
    APS-C vs 4/3
    More sensor area. Bigger is (generally) better.
  • 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
  • On-sensor phase detect
    Yes vs No
    Usually improves live view and video AF performance
  • More pixels
    28.2 vs 16.1 megapixels
    Higher resolution photos
  • Wider angle kit lens
    24 mm vs 28 mm
    Capture more of the scene with the included lens
  • Higher extended ISO
    51200 vs 25600 ISO
    Higher extended ISO can give more low-light flexibility

Olympus E-M10 III advantages over Samsung NX500

  • Lens selection
    Excellent vs Limited
    Better lens selection gives you more options
  • 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
  • Fast startup
    ~1.00 vs 1.5 sec
    Faster startup lets you catch the moment
  • Internal flash
    Internal flash vs None
    Useful in a pinch for fill flash
  • Less shutter lag
    0.14 vs 0.20 sec
    Focus and take a photo quickly (wide angle)
  • 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
    33 vs 6 shots
    Larger buffer for RAW shots (burst mode)
  • Faster shutter
    1/16000 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
  • Tiltable Screen
    Both provide
    Tilt the screen for shooting flexbility
  • 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
  • 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
  • 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

User reviews

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Kit with 16-50mm PZ Lens (Black)
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Buy the Olympus E-M10 III
Body Only (Black)
  • Body Only (Black)
  • Body Only (Silver)
  • Kit with 14-42mm EZ lens (Black)
  • Kit with 14-42mm EZ lens (Silver)
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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.

  • Read our Samsung NX500 Review

  • Superbly-built, comfortable and compact body; Pairs beautifully with pancake kit lens; Excellent image quality; Excellent performance in most respects; Great single-shot autofocus; Really nice viewfinder and touch-screen display; Friendlier user interface courts amateurs.

  • Some controls are a bit small and tightly-packed; Hand grips are still a bit modestly-sized for larger lenses; Continuous and video autofocus just isn't up to snuff; New user interface can feel limiting to advanced photographers; Underwhelming battery life.

  • Read our Olympus E-M10 III Review

The Competition

Compared to Olympus E-M10 II

Samsung NX500
Olympus E-M10 II
  • $1600
  • APS-C
  • Larger sensor
  • Shoot 4K video
  • $349
  • 4/3
  • Lens selection
  • Eye-level viewfinder

Compare Samsung NX500 vs Olympus E-M10 II

Olympus E-M10 III
Olympus E-M10 II
  • $549
  • 4/3
  • Shoot 4K video
  • Bigger JPEG buffer
  • $349
  • 4/3
  • Less expensive

Compare Olympus E-M10 III vs Olympus E-M10 II

Compared to Sony A6300

Samsung NX500
Sony A6300
  • $1600
  • APS-C
  • Touchscreen
  • Built-in Bluetooth
  • $748
  • APS-C
  • Lens selection
  • Eye-level viewfinder

Compare Samsung NX500 vs Sony A6300

Olympus E-M10 III
Sony A6300
  • $549
  • 4/3
  • Lens selection
  • In-Camera Image Stabilization
  • $748
  • APS-C
  • Larger sensor
  • In-camera panoramas

Compare Olympus E-M10 III vs Sony A6300

Compared to Panasonic GX85

Samsung NX500
Panasonic GX85
  • $1600
  • APS-C
  • Larger sensor
  • NFC
  • $598
  • 4/3
  • Lens selection
  • Eye-level viewfinder

Compare Samsung NX500 vs Panasonic GX85

Olympus E-M10 III
Panasonic GX85
  • $549
  • 4/3
  • More telephoto lens reach
  • Higher max flash sync
  • $598
  • 4/3
  • Less expensive
  • In-camera panoramas

Compare Olympus E-M10 III vs Panasonic GX85

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

Compare Samsung NX500 vs Sony A6500

Olympus E-M10 III
Sony A6500
  • $549
  • 4/3
  • Lens selection
  • Less expensive
  • $1198
  • APS-C
  • Larger sensor
  • In-camera panoramas

Compare Olympus E-M10 III vs Sony A6500

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

Compare Samsung NX500 vs Leica TL2

Olympus E-M10 III
Leica TL2
  • $549
  • 4/3
  • Less expensive
  • Eye-level viewfinder
  • $2495
  • APS-C
  • Larger sensor
  • Thinner

Compare Olympus E-M10 III vs Leica TL2

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