Samsung NX500 vs Pentax K-3 II

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Samsung NX500 vs Pentax K-3 II

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APS-C 369.0mm²
28.2 megapixels
ISO 100 - 25,600

Go in depth with our full Samsung NX500 Review.
How does it shoot? Samsung NX500 in the real world.
See real-world photos taken with the NX500.
Compare Samsung NX500 image quality against competitors.
What’s the bottom line? Read our Samsung NX500 conclusion.

APS-C 366.6mm²
24.4 megapixels
ISO 100 - 51,200

Go in depth with our full Pentax K-3 II Review.
How does it shoot? Pentax K-3 II in the real world.
See real-world photos taken with the K-3 II.
Compare Pentax K-3 II image quality against competitors.
What’s the bottom line? Read our Pentax K-3 II conclusion.

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Differences

Samsung NX500 advantages over Pentax K-3 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
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
Higher effective ISO

Higher effective ISO

Maximum effective ISO is an estimate of the highest sensitivity at which a camera can capture excellent quality photos.

Cameras with higher effective ISO will be better choices for indoor photography, night shooting, and indoor sports photography, especially if you intend to make large prints.

You can learn more at our glossary entry.

Maximum effective ISO test data courtesy of DxO Mark.
NX500 test data on DxO Mark K-3 II test data on DxO Mark

1,379 vs 1,106 iso
Take photos in low light with less noise
On-sensor phase detect
Yes vs No
Usually improves live view and video AF performance
Thinner
42 mm vs 77 mm
Thinner
More pixels
28.2 vs 24.4 megapixels
Higher resolution photos
Slow-motion videos
Yes vs No
Shoot slow-motion videos

Pentax K-3 II 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
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

Longer stills battery life

Cameras with longer battery life can take more photos before exhausting their batteries.

Special note: The measurement standard for battery life stipulates that if a camera has an internal flash, it must be used for 50% of photos taken. For this reason, comparisons of one camera with an internal flash to another without will not be comparable

720 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
Less shutter lag
0.14 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
Optional anti-aliasing filter
Optional vs None
Lets you choose sharper photos or reduced moiré
Bigger JPEG buffer
60 vs 38 shots
Take more JPEG shots before waiting (burst mode)
Bigger RAW buffer
22 vs 6 shots
Larger buffer for RAW shots (burst mode)

Similarities

Common Strengths

Focus peaking
Both provide
Your camera will highlight what's in focus
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

Amazon
Adorama
Read NX500 User Reviews

Amazon
Adorama
Read K-3 II User Reviews

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Buy the Samsung NX500

Kit with 16-50mm PZ Lens (Black)

Kit with 16-50mm PZ Lens (Black)
Kit with 16-50mm PZ Lens (Brown)
Kit with 16-50mm PZ Lens (White)

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Buy the Pentax K-3 II

Body Only (Black)

All K-3 II Deals

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

Top-notch image quality; Spectacular detail from Pixel Shift Resolution; Better performance than K-3; Geotag images with no accessories; Great ergonomics in a compact body; Clever on-demand low-pass filtering; Broad sensitivity range; Large and bright viewfinder for an APS-C camera; Dual card slots
No built-in flash strobe; No wireless flash support out of the box; AstroTracer function can be finicky; AE Lock button is poorly located; Below-average battery life for a prosumer DSLR; Requires a different battery grip accessory than its predecessors
Read our Pentax K-3 II Review

The Competition

Compared to Canon T6i

Samsung NX500

Canon T6i

$1600
APS-C

Focus peaking
Larger sensor

$699
APS-C

Tilt-swivel screen
Lens selection

Compare Samsung NX500 vs Canon T6i

Pentax K-3 II

Canon T6i

$830
APS-C

Focus peaking
Larger sensor

$699
APS-C

Less expensive
Tilt-swivel screen

Compare Pentax K-3 II vs Canon T6i

Compared to Canon EOS M3

Samsung NX500

Canon EOS M3

$1600
APS-C

Larger sensor
Shoot 4K video

$700
APS-C

More telephoto lens reach
Internal flash

Compare Samsung NX500 vs Canon EOS M3

Pentax K-3 II

Canon EOS M3

$830
APS-C

Lens selection
Larger sensor

$700
APS-C

Less expensive
Touchscreen

Compare Pentax K-3 II vs Canon EOS M3

Compared to Sony A6500

Samsung NX500

Sony A6500

$1600
APS-C

More pixels
Lacks anti-aliasing filter

$1216
APS-C

Lens selection
Eye-level viewfinder

Compare Samsung NX500 vs Sony A6500

Pentax K-3 II

Sony A6500

$830
APS-C

Lens selection
Less expensive

$1216
APS-C

Shoot 4K video
Touchscreen

Compare Pentax K-3 II vs Sony A6500

Compared to Pentax KP

Samsung NX500

Pentax KP

$1600
APS-C

Shoot 4K video
Touchscreen

$999
APS-C

Lens selection
Eye-level viewfinder

Compare Samsung NX500 vs Pentax KP

Pentax K-3 II

Pentax KP

$830
APS-C

Less expensive
Built-in GPS

$999
APS-C

Tiltable Screen
Built-in Wi-Fi

Compare Pentax K-3 II vs Pentax KP

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-3 II

Leica TL2

$830
APS-C

Less expensive
Eye-level viewfinder

$2495
APS-C

Shoot 4K video
Touchscreen

Compare Pentax K-3 II vs Leica TL2

Compare Other Cameras?