Sony A7 II vs Samsung NX500

Cameras
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Sony A7 II vs Samsung NX500

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35mm 855.6mm²
24.3 megapixels
ISO 100 - 25,600

Go in depth with our full Sony A7 II Review.
How does it shoot? Sony A7 II in the real world.
See real-world photos taken with the A7 II.
Compare Sony A7 II image quality against competitors.
What’s the bottom line? Read our Sony A7 II conclusion.

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.

Succeeded by the Sony A7 III
Compare A7 II vs A7 III
Compare Sony A7 III vs Samsung NX500

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Differences

Sony A7 II 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
~ 5.97 vs 3.63 microns
Better low-light and dynamic range (all else equal)
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.
A7 II test data on DxO Mark NX500 test data on DxO Mark

2,449 vs 1,379 iso
Take photos in low light with less noise
External Mic Jack
Jack vs No jack
Improved sound fidelity when shooting video
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
Bigger RAW buffer
28 vs 6 shots
Larger buffer for RAW shots (burst mode)

Samsung NX500 advantages over Sony A7 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
Built-in Bluetooth
Yes vs No
Always-on wireless connectivity
Thinner
42 mm vs 59 mm
Thinner
Lighter weight
454g vs 930g
Lighter weight
More pixels
28.2 vs 24.3 megapixels
Higher resolution photos
Lacks anti-aliasing filter
No Filter vs Filter
Enjoy sharper photos
Wider angle kit lens
24 mm vs 28 mm
Capture more of the scene with the included lens
Faster JPEG shooting
8.8 fps vs 5.0 fps
Faster JPEG shooting (burst mode)
Faster RAW shooting
8.5 fps vs 5.0 fps
Faster RAW shooting in burst mode
Slow-motion videos
Yes vs No
Shoot slow-motion videos

Similarities

Common Strengths

Focus peaking
Both provide
Your camera will highlight what's in focus
In-camera panoramas
Both provide
Stitches multiple shots into a panoramic photo
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
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

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
Dual card slots
Neither provide
Gives you more storage flexibility

User reviews

Amazon
Adorama
Read A7 II User Reviews

Amazon
Adorama
Read NX500 User Reviews

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Buy the Sony A7 II

Body Only

Body Only
Kit with 28-70mm Lens

All A7 II Deals

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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

Review Excerpt

Excellent 5-axis sensor-shift image stabilization; Sensor-shift IS brings stabilization to nearly any lens; Much-improved ergonomics and top-deck control layout; 'Mark II' maintains same impressive image quality, dynamic range and high ISO performance; XAVC S 50Mbps video format; Faster start-up time; Hybrid AF performs well with good continuous AF.
(Similar to A7): Loud shutter (but electronic first-curtain helps); Battery life could be better; Low-light AF still not as good as most DSLRs; High ISO JPEGs look over-processed; Slow buffer clearing; Limited selection of native Sony FE lenses (but it's getting better).
Read our Sony A7 II Review

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

The Competition

Compared to Sony A7

Sony A7 II

Sony A7

$1148
35mm

In-Camera Image Stabilization

$748
35mm

Less expensive

Compare Sony A7 II vs Sony A7

Samsung NX500

Sony A7

$1600
APS-C

Shoot 4K video
Touchscreen

$748
35mm

Lens selection
Larger sensor

Compare Samsung NX500 vs Sony A7

Compared to Canon EOS M3

Sony A7 II

Canon EOS M3

$1148
35mm

Lens selection
Larger sensor

$700
APS-C

Less expensive
Touchscreen

Compare Sony A7 II vs 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

Compared to Leica SL (Typ 601)

Sony A7 II

Leica SL (Typ 601)

$1148
35mm

Less expensive
In-Camera Image Stabilization

$3802
35mm

Shoot 4K video
Touchscreen

Compare Sony A7 II vs Leica SL (Typ 601)

Samsung NX500

Leica SL (Typ 601)

$1600
APS-C

In-camera panoramas
Tiltable Screen

$3802
35mm

Larger sensor
Eye-level viewfinder

Compare Samsung NX500 vs Leica SL (Typ 601)

Compared to Sony A6500

Sony A7 II

Sony A6500

$1148
35mm

Larger sensor
Bigger pixels

$1216
APS-C

Shoot 4K video
Touchscreen

Compare Sony A7 II vs 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

Compared to Sony A7 III

Sony A7 II

Sony A7 III

$1148
35mm

Less expensive
In-camera panoramas

$1898
35mm

Shoot 4K video
Touchscreen

Compare Sony A7 II vs Sony A7 III

Samsung NX500

Sony A7 III

$1600
APS-C

In-camera panoramas
Thinner

$1898
35mm

Lens selection
Larger sensor

Compare Samsung NX500 vs Sony A7 III

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