• APS-C 369.0mm2
  • 28.2 megapixels
  • ISO 100 - 25,600
  • 35mm 861.6mm2
  • 36.4 megapixels
  • ISO 100 - 819,200

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Differences

Samsung NX500 advantages over Pentax K-1 II

  • Shoot 4K video
    4K (DCI) vs 1080p
    Make sure you have a fast computer
  • Touchscreen
    Touch vs No touch
    Interact with your camera just like your smartphone
  • 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
  • Thinner
    42 mm vs 85 mm
    Thinner
  • Wider angle kit lens
    24 mm vs 28 mm
    Capture more of the scene with the included lens
  • Faster JPEG shooting
    8.8 fps vs 4.5 fps
    Faster JPEG shooting (burst mode)
  • Faster RAW shooting
    8.5 fps vs 4.6 fps
    Faster RAW shooting in burst mode
  • Slow-motion videos
    Yes vs No
    Shoot slow-motion videos

Pentax K-1 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
  • In-Camera Image Stabilization
    Yes vs No
    Reduces the effects of camera shake at slower shutter speeds
  • Bigger pixels
    ~ 4.88 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
  • Built-in GPS
    GPS vs None
    Geotag your photos
  • Longer stills battery life
    More info 670 vs 370 shots
    Capture more photos
  • More telephoto lens reach
    105 mm vs 75 mm
    Capture objects farther away with the kit lens
  • 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
    7 years vs 10 years old
    Newer cameras often support more advanced features
  • Less shutter lag
    0.10 vs 0.20 sec
    Focus and take a photo quickly (wide angle)
  • More pixels
    36.4 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
  • Optional anti-aliasing filter
    Optional vs None
    Lets you choose sharper photos or reduced moiré
  • Bigger JPEG buffer
    77 vs 38 shots
    Take more JPEG shots before waiting (burst mode)
  • Bigger RAW buffer
    17 vs 6 shots
    Larger buffer for RAW shots (burst mode)
  • Higher extended ISO
    819200 vs 51200 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
  • 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

Common Weaknesses

  • Tilt-swivel screen
    Neither provide
    Tilt and swivel the screen for maximum shooting flexibility
  • Internal flash
    Neither provide
    Useful in a pinch for fill flash

User reviews

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Buy the Samsung NX500
Kit with 16-50mm PZ Lens (Black)
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Buy the Pentax K-1 II
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  • Body Only
  • Kit with 28-105mm Lens
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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

  • Excellent build and comfortable handling; Bright, roomy viewfinder and articulated LCD; Great image quality; Good performance for the class; In-camera stabilization, GPS and Wi-Fi; Incredibly feature-rich design.

  • Bulkier than APS-C DSLRs; Top ISOs are for the spec sheet, not the real world; JPEGs are a bit punchy by default; Slow startup; Below-average battery life; Only a relatively modest update to the K-1.

  • Read our Pentax K-1 II Review

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

Compare Samsung NX500 vs Samsung NX3000

Pentax K-1 II
Samsung NX3000
  • $1747
  • 35mm
  • Lens selection
  • Focus peaking
  • $950
  • APS-C
  • In-camera panoramas
  • NFC

Compare Pentax K-1 II vs Samsung NX3000

Compared to Canon 5D Mark IV

Samsung NX500
Canon 5D Mark IV
  • $1600
  • APS-C
  • Focus peaking
  • In-camera panoramas
  • $2249
  • 35mm
  • Lens selection
  • Larger sensor

Compare Samsung NX500 vs Canon 5D Mark IV

Pentax K-1 II
Canon 5D Mark IV
  • $1747
  • 35mm
  • Less expensive
  • Focus peaking
  • $2249
  • 35mm
  • Shoot 4K video
  • Touchscreen

Compare Pentax K-1 II vs Canon 5D Mark IV

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

Pentax K-1 II
Sony A6500
  • $1747
  • 35mm
  • Lens selection
  • Larger sensor
  • $1198
  • APS-C
  • Less expensive
  • Shoot 4K video

Compare Pentax K-1 II 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

Pentax K-1 II
Leica TL2
  • $1747
  • 35mm
  • Larger sensor
  • Less expensive
  • $2495
  • APS-C
  • Shoot 4K video
  • Touchscreen

Compare Pentax K-1 II vs Leica TL2

Compared to Nikon D850

Samsung NX500
Nikon D850
  • $1600
  • APS-C
  • In-camera panoramas
  • NFC
  • $2464
  • 35mm
  • Lens selection
  • Larger sensor

Compare Samsung NX500 vs Nikon D850

Pentax K-1 II
Nikon D850
  • $1747
  • 35mm
  • In-Camera Image Stabilization
  • High resolution composite
  • $2464
  • 35mm
  • Shoot 4K video
  • Touchscreen

Compare Pentax K-1 II vs Nikon D850

Compare Other Cameras?