Sony DSLR-A500 vs Samsung NX3000

Cameras
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Sony DSLR-A500 vs Samsung NX3000

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APS-C 369.7mm²
12.3 megapixels
ISO 200 - 12,800

Go in depth with our full Sony DSLR-A500 Review.

APS-C 369.0mm²
20.3 megapixels
ISO 100 - 25,600

Go in depth with our full Samsung NX3000 Review.
How does it shoot? Samsung NX3000 in the real world.
See real-world photos taken with the NX3000.

Succeeded by the Samsung NX3300
Compare NX3000 vs NX3300
Compare Sony DSLR-A500 vs Samsung NX3300

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Differences

Sony DSLR-A500 advantages over Samsung NX3000

Lens selection
Good vs Limited
Better lens selection gives you more options
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
~ 5.55 vs 4.29 microns
Better low-light and dynamic range (all else equal)
Fast startup
~0.50 vs 2.0 sec
Faster startup lets you catch the moment
Longer stills battery life
More info

Longer stills battery life

Cameras with longer battery life can take more photos before exhausting their batteries.

Special note: The measurement standard for battery life stipulates that if a camera has an internal flash, it must be used for 50% of photos taken. For this reason, comparisons of one camera with an internal flash to another without will not be comparable

1000 vs 370 shots
Capture more photos
Internal flash
Internal flash vs None
Useful in a pinch for fill flash
Less shutter lag
0.18 vs 0.30 sec
Focus and take a photo quickly (wide angle)

Samsung NX3000 advantages over Sony DSLR-A500

Less expensive
$529 vs $850 (MSRP)
Save money for lenses or accessories
In-camera panoramas
Yes vs No
Stitches multiple shots into a panoramic photo
Built-in Wi-Fi
Wi-Fi vs None
Share your photos wirelessly
Thinner
39 mm vs 84 mm
Thinner
Newer
11 years vs 15 years old
Newer cameras often support more advanced features
Lighter weight
385g vs 900g
Lighter weight
More dots on screen
461k vs 230k dots
Can mean greater resolution or a brighter screen
Shoots 1080p video
Yes vs No
You'll want this if you shoot video
More pixels
20.3 vs 12.3 megapixels
Higher resolution photos
Wider angle kit lens
24 mm vs 27 mm
Capture more of the scene with the included lens
Bigger JPEG buffer
12 vs 5 shots
Take more JPEG shots before waiting (burst mode)
Slow-motion videos
Yes vs No
Shoot slow-motion videos
Higher extended ISO
25600 vs 12800 ISO
Higher extended ISO can give more low-light flexibility

Similarities

Common Strengths

Tiltable Screen
Both provide
Tilt the screen for shooting flexbility
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

Focus peaking
Neither provide
Your camera will highlight what's in focus
Touchscreen
Neither provide
Interact with your camera just like your smartphone
Built-in Bluetooth
Neither provide
Always-on wireless connectivity
Built-in GPS
Neither provide
Geotag your photos
On-sensor phase detect
Neither provide
Usually improves live view and video AF performance
Top deck display
Neither provide
Check settings with a screen on top of the camera
External Mic Jack
Neither provide
Improved sound fidelity when shooting video
Dual card slots
Neither provide
Gives you more storage flexibility
Headphone jack
Neither provide
Monitor audio recording while you shoot video

User reviews

Amazon
Adorama
Read NX3000 User Reviews

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Review Excerpt

We haven’t reviewed the Sony DSLR-A500.
Read our Sony DSLR-A500 Initial Test

We haven’t finished our review of the Samsung NX3000, but we have extensive sample photos and a hands-on report.
Read our Samsung NX3000 Shooter's Report

The Competition

Compared to Pentax K20D

Sony DSLR-A500

Pentax K20D

$850
APS-C

Tiltable Screen
Higher effective ISO

$800
APS-C

Lens selection
Top deck display

Compare Sony DSLR-A500 vs Pentax K20D

Samsung NX3000

Pentax K20D

$950
APS-C

Less expensive
In-camera panoramas

$800
APS-C

Lens selection
Eye-level viewfinder

Compare Samsung NX3000 vs Pentax K20D

Compared to Sony DSLR-A550

Sony DSLR-A500

Sony DSLR-A550

$850
APS-C

Less expensive

$859
APS-C

More dots on screen
More pixels

Compare Sony DSLR-A500 vs Sony DSLR-A550

Samsung NX3000

Sony DSLR-A550

$950
APS-C

Less expensive
In-camera panoramas

$859
APS-C

Lens selection
Eye-level viewfinder

Compare Samsung NX3000 vs Sony DSLR-A550

Compared to Sony DSLR-A560

Sony DSLR-A500

Sony DSLR-A560

$850
APS-C

Fast startup
Less shutter lag

$750
APS-C

In-camera panoramas
More cross-type AF points

Compare Sony DSLR-A500 vs Sony DSLR-A560

Samsung NX3000

Sony DSLR-A560

$950
APS-C

Less expensive
Built-in Wi-Fi

$750
APS-C

Lens selection
Eye-level viewfinder

Compare Samsung NX3000 vs Sony DSLR-A560

Compared to Fujifilm X-M1

Sony DSLR-A500

Fujifilm X-M1

$850
APS-C

Eye-level viewfinder
In-Camera Image Stabilization

$993
APS-C

Focus peaking
Built-in Wi-Fi

Compare Sony DSLR-A500 vs Fujifilm X-M1

Samsung NX3000

Fujifilm X-M1

$950
APS-C

Less expensive
In-camera panoramas

$993
APS-C

Lens selection
Focus peaking

Compare Samsung NX3000 vs Fujifilm X-M1

Compared to Canon EOS M3

Sony DSLR-A500

Canon EOS M3

$850
APS-C

Lens selection
Larger sensor

$850
APS-C

Focus peaking
Touchscreen

Compare Sony DSLR-A500 vs Canon EOS M3

Samsung NX3000

Canon EOS M3

$950
APS-C

Larger sensor
Bigger pixels

$850
APS-C

Focus peaking
Touchscreen

Compare Samsung NX3000 vs Canon EOS M3

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