• APS-C 369.0mm2
  • 28.2 megapixels
  • ISO 100 - 25,600
  • APS-C 366.6mm2
  • 20.1 megapixels
  • ISO 100 - 51,200

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Differences

Samsung NX500 advantages over Pentax K-S2

  • 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
  • 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 64 mm
    Thinner
  • Lighter weight
    454g vs 859g
    Lighter weight
  • Higher-res screen
    346k vs 230k pixels
    More detail on the screen lets you judge focus and composition
  • More pixels
    28.2 vs 20.1 megapixels
    Higher resolution photos
  • Wider angle kit lens
    24 mm vs 27 mm
    Capture more of the scene with the included lens
  • Faster JPEG shooting
    8.8 fps vs 5.2 fps
    Faster JPEG shooting (burst mode)
  • Faster RAW shooting
    8.5 fps vs 5.2 fps
    Faster RAW shooting in burst mode
  • Slow-motion videos
    Yes vs No
    Shoot slow-motion videos

Pentax K-S2 advantages over Samsung NX500

  • Lens selection
    Excellent vs Limited
    Better lens selection gives you more options
  • Tilt-swivel screen
    Tilt-swivel vs tilt-only
    Tilt and swivel the screen for maximum shooting flexibility
  • 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
    ~ 4.29 vs 3.63 microns
    Better low-light and dynamic range (all else equal)
  • 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
  • External Mic Jack
    Jack vs No jack
    Improved sound fidelity when shooting video
  • Less shutter lag
    0.12 vs 0.20 sec
    Focus and take a photo quickly (wide angle)
  • Optional anti-aliasing filter
    Optional vs None
    Lets you choose sharper photos or reduced moiré
  • Bigger RAW buffer
    9 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
  • Built-in Wi-Fi
    Both provide
    Share your photos wirelessly
  • NFC
    Both provide
    Simplifies pairing your camera with supported phones
  • 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

  • Built-in GPS
    Neither provide
    Geotag your photos
  • Top deck display
    Neither provide
    Check settings with a screen on top of the camera
  • 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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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)
All NX500 Deals

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Buy the Pentax K-S2
Body Only (White)
  • Body Only (White)
  • Body Only (Black)
  • Body Only (Black/Orange)
  • Kit with 18-50mm WR Lens (Black)
  • Kit with 18-50mm WR Lens (Black/Orange)
  • Kit with 18-50mm WR Lens (White)
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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

  • Very compact for a weather-sealed DSLR; Good ergonomics and great viewfinder; Excellent image quality; Decent performance for its class; Articulated screen is great for difficult compositions; Offers features not found in other Pentax DSLRs

  • 18-50mm kit lens is fiddly and prone to jamming when retracted; Wi-Fi is slow and unintuitive; Slow startup; Limited movie mode; Poor battery life for a DSLR; Priced too close to its enthusiast-grade sibling

  • Read our Pentax K-S2 Review

The Competition

Compared to Pentax K-500

Samsung NX500
Pentax K-500
  • $1600
  • APS-C
  • Shoot 4K video
  • Touchscreen
  • $597
  • APS-C
  • Lens selection
  • Less expensive

Compare Samsung NX500 vs Pentax K-500

Pentax K-S2
Pentax K-500
  • $499
  • APS-C
  • Tilt-swivel screen
  • Built-in Wi-Fi
  • $597
  • APS-C
  • Less expensive
  • Longer stills battery life

Compare Pentax K-S2 vs Pentax K-500

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-S2
Samsung NX3000
  • $499
  • APS-C
  • Tilt-swivel screen
  • Lens selection
  • $950
  • APS-C
  • Less expensive
  • In-camera panoramas

Compare Pentax K-S2 vs Samsung NX3000

Compared to Pentax K-S1

Samsung NX500
Pentax K-S1
  • $1600
  • APS-C
  • Shoot 4K video
  • Touchscreen
  • $502
  • APS-C
  • Lens selection
  • Eye-level viewfinder

Compare Samsung NX500 vs Pentax K-S1

Pentax K-S2
Pentax K-S1
  • $499
  • APS-C
  • Tilt-swivel screen
  • Built-in Wi-Fi
  • $502
  • APS-C
  • Higher-res screen

Compare Pentax K-S2 vs Pentax K-S1

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-S2
Sony A6500
  • $499
  • APS-C
  • Lens selection
  • Tilt-swivel screen
  • $1198
  • APS-C
  • Shoot 4K video
  • Touchscreen

Compare Pentax K-S2 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-S2
Leica TL2
  • $499
  • APS-C
  • Tilt-swivel screen
  • Eye-level viewfinder
  • $2495
  • APS-C
  • Shoot 4K video
  • Touchscreen

Compare Pentax K-S2 vs Leica TL2

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