• APS-C 369.0mm2
  • 28.2 megapixels
  • ISO 100 - 25,600
  • 1 inch 116.2mm2
  • 20.2 megapixels
  • 24.00mm - 200.00mm (35mm eq.)

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Differences

Samsung NX500 advantages over Sony RX10 II

  • Larger sensor
    APS-C vs 1 inch
    More sensor area. Bigger is (generally) better.
  • Bigger pixels
    ~ 3.63 vs 2.41 microns
    Better low-light and dynamic range (all else equal)
  • Touchscreen
    Touch vs No touch
    Interact with your camera just like your smartphone
  • Built-in Bluetooth
    Yes vs No
    Always-on wireless connectivity
  • Higher effective ISO
    1,379 vs 531 iso
    Take photos in low light with less noise
  • More dynamic range
    13.9 vs 12.6 evs
    Retain detail in highlight and shadows
  • On-sensor phase detect
    Yes vs No
    Usually improves live view and video AF performance
  • Thinner
    42 mm vs 102 mm
    Thinner
  • More pixels
    28.2 vs 20.2 megapixels
    Higher resolution photos
  • Lacks anti-aliasing filter
    No Filter vs Filter
    Enjoy sharper photos
  • Higher extended ISO
    51200 vs 25600 ISO
    Higher extended ISO can give more low-light flexibility

Sony RX10 II advantages over Samsung NX500

  • Slower slow-motion
    1000 fps vs 120 fps
    Supports slower slow-mo
  • 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
  • Internal flash
    Internal flash vs None
    Useful in a pinch for fill flash
  • Top deck display
    Yes vs No
    Check settings with a screen on top of the camera
  • Integrated ND filter
    Yes vs No
    Shoot in daylight with a large aperture or slow shutter
  • External Mic Jack
    Jack vs No jack
    Improved sound fidelity when shooting video
  • Higher max flash sync
    1/3200 vs 1/200 sec
    Reduce the effect of ambient light in flash shots
  • Headphone jack
    Yes vs No
    Monitor audio recording while you shoot video
  • Has anti-aliasing filter
    Filter vs No Filter
    Reduces unsightly moiré in photos
  • Faster JPEG shooting
    14.2 fps vs 8.8 fps
    Faster JPEG shooting (burst mode)
  • Bigger RAW buffer
    29 vs 6 shots
    Larger buffer for RAW shots (burst mode)
  • Faster shutter
    1/32000 vs 1/6000 sec
    Shoot wide open in bright light

Similarities

Common Strengths

  • Rear display
    Both provide
    Review photos on the back of the camera
  • Focus peaking
    Both provide
    Your camera will highlight what's in focus
  • Shoot 4K video
    Both provide
    Make sure you have a fast computer
  • In-camera panoramas
    Both provide
    Stitches multiple shots into a panoramic photo
  • Tiltable Screen
    Both provide
    Tilt the screen for shooting flexbility
  • RAW file ability
    Both provide
    Gives you more flexibility to develop your photos later
  • Built-in Wi-Fi
    Both provide
    Share your photos wirelessly
  • NFC
    Both provide
    Simplifies pairing your camera with supported phones
  • Manual focus
    Both provide
    AF is for the weak. Real photographers focus manually.
  • 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
  • Dual card slots
    Neither provide
    Gives you more storage flexibility

User reviews

Buy From

Your purchases support this site

Buy the Samsung NX500

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.

  • Excellent build quality; Superb viewfinder; Excellent image and video quality for its class; Bright and versatile zoom lens; Very fast autofocus; Great burst performance and depth; Incredible slow-motion capabilities; Really intuitive Wi-Fi image transfer; Good battery life.

  • Expensive compared to its nearest competitors; Less zoom reach than rivals; Soft in corners wide-open; Slow buffer clearing; Small rear control dial has poor tactile feedback; Long delay to render each high frame-rate movie; No tilt/swivel or touch on the LCD panel.

The Competition

Compared to Sony RX10

Samsung NX500
Sony RX10
  • $1600
  • APS-C
  • Larger sensor
  • Bigger pixels
  • $698
  • 1 inch
  • Eye-level viewfinder
  • In-Camera Image Stabilization
Sony RX10 II
Sony RX10
  • $998
  • 1 inch
  • Shoot 4K video
  • Higher effective ISO
  • $698
  • 1 inch
  • Less expensive

Compared to Samsung NX3000

Samsung NX500
Samsung NX3000
  • $1600
  • APS-C
  • Focus peaking
  • Shoot 4K video
  • $950
  • APS-C
  • Less expensive
  • Bigger pixels
Sony RX10 II
Samsung NX3000
  • $998
  • 1 inch
  • Slower slow-motion
  • Focus peaking
  • $950
  • APS-C
  • Larger sensor
  • Bigger pixels

Compared to Leica V-LUX (Typ 114)

Samsung NX500
Leica V-LUX (Typ 114)
  • $1600
  • APS-C
  • Larger sensor
  • Bigger pixels
  • $899
  • 1 inch
  • Eye-level viewfinder
  • In-Camera Image Stabilization
Sony RX10 II
Leica V-LUX (Typ 114)
  • $998
  • 1 inch
  • Slower slow-motion
  • Integrated ND filter
  • $899
  • 1 inch
  • More telephoto lens reach
  • Longer exposure

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 RX10 II
Sony A6500
  • $998
  • 1 inch
  • Less expensive
  • Slower slow-motion
  • $1198
  • APS-C
  • Larger sensor
  • Bigger pixels

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 RX10 II
Leica TL2
  • $998
  • 1 inch
  • Less expensive
  • Slower slow-motion
  • $2495
  • APS-C
  • Larger sensor
  • Bigger pixels
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