• APS-C 369.0mm2
  • 28.2 megapixels
  • ISO 100 - 25,600
  • 35mm 861.6mm2
  • 42.4 megapixels
  • ISO 100 - 32,000

Buy From

Differences

Samsung NX500 advantages over Sony A7R III

  • In-camera panoramas
    Yes vs No
    Stitches multiple shots into a panoramic photo
  • Thinner
    42 mm vs 73 mm
    Thinner

Sony A7R III advantages over Samsung NX500

  • Lens selection
    Good 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
    ~ 4.51 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
  • Higher effective ISO
    3,523 vs 1,379 iso
    Take photos in low light with less noise
  • Longer stills battery life
    More info 650 vs 370 shots
    Capture more photos
  • External Mic Jack
    Jack vs No jack
    Improved sound fidelity when shooting video
  • More pixels
    42.4 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
  • Faster JPEG shooting
    9.9 fps vs 8.8 fps
    Faster JPEG shooting (burst mode)
  • Bigger JPEG buffer
    82 vs 38 shots
    Take more JPEG shots before waiting (burst mode)
  • Bigger RAW buffer
    30 vs 6 shots
    Larger buffer for RAW shots (burst mode)
  • Higher extended ISO
    102400 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
  • 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
  • NFC
    Both provide
    Simplifies pairing your camera with supported phones
  • Built-in Bluetooth
    Both provide
    Always-on wireless connectivity
  • On-sensor phase detect
    Both provide
    Usually improves live view and video AF performance
  • 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
  • Top deck display
    Neither provide
    Check settings with a screen on top of the camera

User reviews

Buy From

Your purchases support this site

Buy the Samsung NX500

Your purchases support this site

Buy the Sony A7R III

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.

  • Fantastic image quality; Improved dynamic range over its predecessor; Very good high ISO performance; Much improved real-world AF performance; Class-leading burst rates, even with RAW; Improved 5-axis in-body image stabilization; Better 4K video quality; 1080/120fps video; Dual card slots; Significantly better battery life.

  • Expensive; Menus still confusing; UHS-II support only on one card slot; No optical low-pass filter means greater risk of moire; No built-in flash; Buffer clearing still slow despite UHS-II support.

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
Sony A7R III
Samsung NX3000
  • $2151
  • 35mm
  • Lens selection
  • Focus peaking
  • $950
  • APS-C
  • In-camera panoramas
  • Thinner

Compared to Sony A7R II

Samsung NX500
Sony A7R II
  • $1600
  • APS-C
  • Touchscreen
  • Built-in Bluetooth
  • $2348
  • 35mm
  • Lens selection
  • Larger sensor
Sony A7R III
Sony A7R II
  • $2151
  • 35mm
  • Touchscreen
  • High resolution composite
  • $2348
  • 35mm
  • In-camera panoramas

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
Sony A7R III
Sony A6500
  • $2151
  • 35mm
  • Larger sensor
  • Bigger pixels
  • $1198
  • APS-C
  • In-camera panoramas
  • Fast startup

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
Sony A7R III
Leica TL2
  • $2151
  • 35mm
  • Less expensive
  • Larger sensor
  • $2495
  • APS-C
  • Thinner
  • Lighter weight

Compared to Nikon Z7 II

Samsung NX500
Nikon Z7 II
  • $1600
  • APS-C
  • In-camera panoramas
  • NFC
  • $2330
  • 35mm
  • Larger sensor
  • Eye-level viewfinder
Sony A7R III
Nikon Z7 II
  • $2151
  • 35mm
  • Less expensive
  • High resolution composite
  • $2330
  • 35mm
  • Top deck display
  • Newer
Compare Other Cameras?