• APS-C 369.0mm2
  • 28.2 megapixels
  • ISO 100 - 25,600
  • 35mm 847.3mm2
  • 12.1 megapixels
  • ISO 80 - 102,400
  • Detailed specifications
  • Samsung NX500
  • Sony Alpha ILCE-A7S III
Links
Prices: Compare Prices Compare Prices
Manufacturer URL: Manufacturer website Manufacturer website
Predecessor: Samsung NX300
NX300 vs NX500
 
Successor:   Sony A7S II
A7S III vs A7S II
General
Model Number: NX500 A7S III
Alternate Model Number(s):   ILCE-7SM3
Camera Format: Compact System Camera Compact System Camera
Currently Manufactured: No Yes
Retail Price: $799.99 $3499.99
Street Price: $1,599.99 $3,348.00
Date Available: 2015-03-15 2020-09-01
Tripod Mount: Yes Yes
Weight: 16.0 oz (454 g)
includes batteries, kit lens
21.7 oz (614 g)
includes batteries
Size: 4.7 x 2.5 x 1.7 in.
(120 x 64 x 43 mm)
5.1 x 3.8 x 2.7 in.
(129 x 97 x 70 mm)
Waterproof: No No
Waterproof Depth: n/a n/a
Image Sensor
Sensor Type: CMOS CMOS
Sensor Manufacturer: Samsung Sony
Effective Megapixels: 28.2 12.1
Sensor Format: APS-C 35mm
Sensor size: 368.95mm2 (23.50mm x 15.70mm) 847.28mm2 (35.60mm x 23.80mm)
Approximate Pixel Pitch: 3.63 microns 8.40 microns
Focal Length Multiplier: 1.5x 1.0x
Aspect Ratio: 3:2 3:2
Color Filter Type: RGBG RGBG
Anti Aliasing Filter: None  
Self-Cleaning: Yes Yes
Sensor shift image stabilization: No Yes
On-Sensor Phase Detect: Yes No
DxO Sensor Score: 87  
DxO Color Depth Score (bits): 24.8  
DxO Dynamic Range Score (evs): 13.9  
DxO Maximum Effective ISO Score (iso): 1,379  
Image Capture
Image Resolution: 6480 x 4320 (28.0 MP, 3:2),
4560 x 3040 (13.9 MP, 3:2),
3264 x 2176 (7.1 MP, 3:2),
2112 x 1408 (3.0 MP, 3:2),
6480 x 3648 (23.6 MP, 16:9),
4608 x 2592 (11.9 MP, 16:9),
3328 x 1872 (6.2 MP, 16:9),
2048 x 1152 (2.4 MP, 16:9),
4320 x 4320 (18.7 MP, 1:1),
3088 x 3088 (9.5 MP, 1:1),
2160 x 2160 (4.7 MP, 1:1),
1408 x 1408 (2.0 MP, 1:1)
4240 x 2832 (12.0 MP, 3:2),
4240 x 2384 (10.1 MP, 16:9),
2768 x 1848 (5.1 MP, 3:2),
2768 x 1560 (4.3 MP, Other),
2128 x 1416 (3.0 MP, 3:2),
2128 x 1200 (2.6 MP, Other),
12416 x 1856 (23.0 MP, Other),
8192 x 1856 (15.2 MP, Other),
2160 x 5536 (12.0 MP, Other),
2160 x 3872 (8.4 MP, Other)
Image File Format: JPEG, MPO, RAW (SRW), RAW+JPEG JPEG (8-bit), HEIF (10-bit), RAW (14-bit ARW 2.3), RAW+JPEG, RAW+HEIF
Continuous-mode frames/second: 8.8 n/a
Video Capture
Can take movies: Yes Yes
Movie Resolution: 4096x2160 (24p)
3840x2160 (30p)
1920x1080 (60p/​30p/​24p)
1280x720 (60p/​30p)
640x480 (60p/​30p)
1920x1080 (120p)
1280x720 (120p)
640x480 (120p)
4264x2408 (60p)
3840x2160 (120p/​60p/​50p/​30p/​25p/​24p)
1920x1080 (240p/​120p/​60p/​50p/​30p/​25p/​24p)
Movie File Format: MP4 (Video: HEVC (H.265) / Sound: AAC) XAVC S (Long GOP, H.264 MP4); XAVC HS (Long GOP, H.265 HEVC); XAVC S-I (All-Intra, H.264 MP4)
Composite Video Out: No No
NTSC/PAL Switchable Video: n/a n/a
Video Usable as Viewfinder: n/a n/a
HD Video Out: Yes Yes
HD Video Connection: HDMI HDMI
Lens & Optics
Lens Mount: Samsung NX Sony E
Lens: Samsung 16-50mm f/3.5-5.6 Power Zoom ED OIS NX n/a
Focal Length (35mm equivalent): 24 - 75mm  
Focal Length (actual): 16 - 50mm  
Zoom Ratio: 3.13x  
Aperture Range: f/3.5 (wide) / f/5.6 (tele) - f/22  
Integrated ND Filter: No No
Normal Focus Range: 24 cm to Infinity
9.4 in to Infinity
 
Macro Focus Range:    
Filter Thread: 43.0mm n/a
Thread Type: n/a n/a
Optical Image Stabilization: Yes No
Digital Zoom: Yes Yes
Digital Zoom Values: Up to 4x; 2x Clear Image Digital Zoom
Auto Focus
Auto Focus: Yes Yes
Auto Focus Type: Hybrid contrast/phase-detect AF: 205-point PDAF (153 cross-point type) + 209-point CDAF Fast Hybrid 4D AF: 759 points (PDAF), 425 points (contrast-detection AF); Wide (759 points (PDAF), 425 points (CDAF))/Zone/Center/Flexible Spot (S/M/L)/Expanded Flexible Spot/Tracking (Wide/Zone/Center/Flexible Spot (S/M/L)/Expanded Flexible Spot); Touch AF
Auto Focus Assist Light? Yes Yes
Manual Focus: Yes Yes
Viewfinder
Viewfinder: No / OLED EVF / LCD
Viewfinder Type:   EVF: 0.64" 9.44M-dot QXGA color OLED, 100% coverage, 0.90x magnification, -4.0 to +3.0 diopter, 25mm eyepoint from the eyepiece lens
Focus Peaking: Yes Yes
EVF Resolution: n/a 9,437,184 dots (3,145,728 pixels)
Viewfinder Magnification (35mm equivalent):   0.90x
Viewfinder Magnification (nominal/claimed):   0.90x
Display
Eye-level Viewfinder: No Yes
Rear Display: Yes Yes
Rear Display Size (inches): 3.0 3.0
Rear Display Resolution: 1,036,800 dots (345,600 px) 1,440,000 dots (480,000 px)
Touchscreen: Yes Yes
Articulating Screen: Yes Yes
Tilt Swivel Screen: No Yes
Selfie Screen: Yes Yes
Max Playback Zoom:   13.3x
Top Deck Display: No No
Exposure
Maximum ISO (native): 25600 102400
Minimum ISO (native): 100 80
ISO Settings: Auto, 100 - 25600 in 1 or 1/3 EV steps, expandable to 51200 Auto, 80 - 102,400, expandable to 40 - 409,600
Auto ISO Mode: Yes Yes
White Balance Settings: Auto, Daylight, Cloudy, Fluorescent (W, N, D), Tungsten, Auto+Tungsten, Flash, Custom, K (Manual); Micro Adjustment each 7 steps in Amber/Blue and Green/Magenta axes Auto, Daylight, Shade, Cloudy, Incandescent, Fluorescent (4 settings), Flash, Custom, Color Temp./ Filter (2500-9900K with 57-step Magenta/Green and 29-step Amber/Blue compensation), Underwater
Shutter Speed Range: 1/6000 - 30 sec 1/8000 - 30 sec
Bulb Mode: Yes Yes
Exposure Compensation: +/- 5.0EV in 0.3EV steps +/- 5.0EV in 0.3EV steps
Metering Modes: Multi (221 segments), Center-weighted, Spot 1200-zone Evaluative Multi-segment, Center-weighted, Spot
Program Auto Exposure: Yes Yes
Aperture Priority: Yes Yes
Shutter Priority: Yes Yes
Full Manual Exposure: Yes Yes
Creative Exposure Modes: Beauty Face, Landscape, Action Freeze, Rich Tones, Panorama, Waterfall, Silhouette, Sunset, Night, Fireworks, Light Trace, Multi-Exposure; Smart Range+, HDR, Samsung Auto Shot (SAS) 3 Custom Settings; Creative Look; Slow & Quick Motion; HDR: Auto Exposure Difference, Exposure difference Level (1-6 EV at 1.0 EV step)
Self Timer: 2-30 seconds 2, 5, 10; 3/5 shots after 2/5/10 seconds
Time Lapse (intervalometer): Yes  
High Resolution Composite: No No
Flash
Built-in Flash: No No
Flash Modes: Smart Flash, Auto, Auto+Red-eye reduction, Fill-in, Fill-in+Red-eye reduction, 1st Curtain, 2nd Curtain, Off Auto, Fill Flash, Hi-Speed Sync, Off, Rear Sync, Red-Eye Reduction, Slow Sync
Flash Guide Number (ISO 100): 8.0 m / 26.2 ft. n/a
Flash Range Description: Bundled SEF8A flash has GN 8m at ISO 100 n/a
Max Flash Sync: 1/200 1/250
Flash Exposure Compensation: +/- 2.0 EV in 0.5EV steps +/- 3.0 EV in 0.3EV steps
External Flash Connection: Hot shoe Enhanced Multi Interface Hot Shoe, Sync Terminal
Built-In Wireless Flash Control:   No
Image Storage
Usable Memory Types: SD / SDHC / SDXC MS PRO Duo / SD / SDHC / SDXC / CFexpress
UHS Support: UHS-I UHS-I
Other Memory:   2x CFexpress Type A+SD UHS-II
Dual Card Slots: No Yes
RAW Capture Support: Yes Yes
Uncompressed Format: RAW (SRW), RAW+JPEG RAW (14-bit ARW 2.3), RAW+JPEG, RAW+HEIF
Movie File Format: MP4 (Video: HEVC (H.265) / Sound: AAC) XAVC S (Long GOP, H.264 MP4); XAVC HS (Long GOP, H.265 HEVC); XAVC S-I (All-Intra, H.264 MP4)
Included Memory: No memory included No memory included
Included Memory Type:    
Connectivity
Built-In Wi-Fi: Yes Yes
NFC: Yes Yes
Bluetooth: Yes Yes
Built-In GPS: No No
Microphone Jack: No Yes
Headphone Jack: No Yes
External Connections: USB 2.0 High Speed,Bluetooth,WiFi USB 2.0 High Speed,USB 3.0 Super Speed,Bluetooth,WiFi
PictBridge Compliant: No No
DPOF Compliant: No Yes
Remote Control: Yes Yes
Remote Control Type: Via Wi-Fi live view or Bluetooth; optional wired USB cable release Yes, via USB or Wi-Fi
Connections (extended): Wi-Fi (IEEE 802.11b/g/n) with NFC; Bluetooth; Mult-function USB port compatible with wired remote USB-C (USB 3.2 Gen 1, 5Gbps), Multi-Terminal Micro USB (with remote support), Type-A HDMI, 3.5mm Microphone and Headphone jacks
Performance Timing
Cycle time for JPEG shooting in single shot mode (seconds per frame, max resolution): 0.83  
Cycle time for RAW shooting in single shot mode (seconds per frame):    
Buffer size for RAW shooting in single shot mode (frames):    
Cycle time for RAW+JPEG shooting in single shot mode (seconds per shot): 0.81  
Camera penalizes early shutter press? No
JPEG shooting speed in burst mode (fps, max resolution): 8.8  
Buffer size for JPEG shooting in burst mode (frames, max resolution): 38  
RAW shooting speed in burst mode (fps): 8.5  
Buffer size for RAW shooting in burst mode (frames): 6  
RAW+JPEG shooting speed in burst mode (fps): 8.6  
Buffer Size for RAW+JPEG shooting in burst mode (frames): 6  
Shutter lag (full AF, wide/mid): 0.20 seconds  
Shutter lag (full AF, tele):    
Shutter lag (full AF, live view - DSLR):    
Shutter lag (prefocused, live view - DSLR):    
Shutter Lag (manual focus): 0.097 seconds  
Shutter lag (full AF, with flash): 0.36 seconds  
Shutter Lag (prefocused): 0.076 seconds  
Shutter Lag (notes):    
Startup Time: 1.5 seconds  
Play -> Record Time: 0.8 seconds  
Flash cycle time, full power: 3.1 seconds  
Power
Battery Life, Stills (CIPA Rating Monitor/Live View): 370 shots  
Battery Life, Still (CIPA Rating OVF/EVF):    
Battery Life, Video:    
Battery Form Factor: Proprietary BP-1130 Proprietary
Usable Battery Types: 1130mAh Lithium-ion rechargeable NP-FZ100 Lithium-ion rechargeable
Batteries Included: 1 x Proprietary BP-1130 Lithium-ion rechargeable 1 x Proprietary NP-FZ100 Lithium-ion rechargeable
Battery Charger Included (dedicated charger or AC/USB adapter): Yes Yes
Dedicated Battery Charger Included: No Yes
Internal Charging Supported: Yes Yes
Software
Included Software: Samsung Raw Converter, i-Launcher (web version), Power Media Player, Samsung Movie Converter and Samsung DNG Converter Capture One Express (for Sony) free download
OS Compatibility:   Windows, Mac OS X
Miscellaneous
Notes & Features: Available in black, brown and white.