• APS-C 365.0mm2
  • 16.2 megapixels
  •  
  • APS-C 369.0mm2
  • 28.2 megapixels
  • ISO 100 - 25,600

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Differences

Sony NEX-C3 advantages over Samsung NX500

  • Lens selection
    Good vs Limited
    Better lens selection gives you more options
  • Less expensive
    $600 vs $800 (MSRP)
    Save money for lenses or accessories
  • Bigger pixels
    ~ 4.76 vs 3.63 microns
    Better low-light and dynamic range (all else equal)
  • Has anti-aliasing filter
    Filter vs No Filter
    Reduces unsightly moiré in photos

Samsung NX500 advantages over Sony NEX-C3

  • Focus peaking
    Peaker vs Non-peaker
    Your camera will highlight what's in focus
  • Shoot 4K video
    4K (DCI) vs 720p
    Make sure you have a fast computer
  • Touchscreen
    Touch vs No touch
    Interact with your camera just like your smartphone
  • Built-in Wi-Fi
    Wi-Fi vs None
    Share your photos wirelessly
  • Built-in Bluetooth
    Yes vs No
    Always-on wireless connectivity
  • Higher effective ISO
    1,379 vs 1,083 iso
    Take photos in low light with less noise
  • More dynamic range
    13.9 vs 12.2 evs
    Retain detail in highlight and shadows
  • On-sensor phase detect
    Yes vs No
    Usually improves live view and video AF performance
  • Shoots 24p video
    Yes vs No
    Gives your movies a big-screen feel
  • Shoots 1080p video
    Yes vs No
    You'll want this if you shoot video
  • Less shutter lag
    0.20 vs 0.43 sec
    Focus and take a photo quickly (wide angle)
  • More pixels
    28.2 vs 16.2 megapixels
    Higher resolution photos
  • Shoots 60p video
    Yes vs No
    A faster framerate can give you more editing options
  • Lacks anti-aliasing filter
    No Filter vs Filter
    Enjoy sharper photos
  • Wider angle kit lens
    24 mm vs 27 mm
    Capture more of the scene with the included lens
  • Faster JPEG shooting
    8.8 fps vs 5.5 fps
    Faster JPEG shooting (burst mode)
  • Bigger JPEG buffer
    38 vs 10 shots
    Take more JPEG shots before waiting (burst mode)
  • Slow-motion videos
    Yes vs No
    Shoot slow-motion videos
  • Faster shutter
    1/6000 vs 1/4000 sec
    Shoot wide open in bright light
  • Higher extended ISO
    51200 vs 12800 ISO
    Higher extended ISO can give more low-light flexibility

Similarities

Common Strengths

  • In-camera panoramas
    Both provide
    Stitches multiple shots into a panoramic photo
  • 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

  • Eye-level viewfinder
    Neither provide
    You'll be able to frame photos even when the sun is out
  • In-Camera Image Stabilization
    Neither provide
    Reduces the effects of camera shake at slower shutter speeds
  • 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
  • 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

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Buy the Samsung NX500

Review Excerpt

  • Very small body, refined build. Large sensor for good light gathering. Various low-light shooting modes to improve results. HD video mode with real-time autofocus.

  • Menu-driven interface is sometimes confusing, making quickly finding what you want difficult. Camera may be too small for some.

  • 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.

The Competition

Compared to Sony NEX-5N

Sony NEX-C3
Sony NEX-5N
  • $559
  • APS-C
  • Less expensive
  • Fast startup
  • $700
  • APS-C
  • Shoots 24p video
  • Shoots 1080p video
Samsung NX500
Sony NEX-5N
  • $1600
  • APS-C
  • Focus peaking
  • Shoot 4K video
  • $700
  • APS-C
  • Lens selection
  • Bigger pixels

Compared to Samsung NX200

Sony NEX-C3
Samsung NX200
  • $559
  • APS-C
  • Lens selection
  • Less expensive
  • $600
  • APS-C
  • Shoots 1080p video
  • More pixels
Samsung NX500
Samsung NX200
  • $1600
  • APS-C
  • Focus peaking
  • Shoot 4K video
  • $600
  • APS-C
  • Bigger pixels
  • Has anti-aliasing filter

Compared to Sony NEX-5R

Sony NEX-C3
Sony NEX-5R
  • $559
  • APS-C
  • Less expensive
  • Higher effective ISO
  • $499
  • APS-C
  • Focus peaking
  • Touchscreen
Samsung NX500
Sony NEX-5R
  • $1600
  • APS-C
  • Shoot 4K video
  • Built-in Bluetooth
  • $499
  • APS-C
  • Lens selection
  • Bigger pixels

Compared to Canon EOS M3

Sony NEX-C3
Canon EOS M3
  • $559
  • APS-C
  • Lens selection
  • Bigger pixels
  • $700
  • APS-C
  • Focus peaking
  • Touchscreen
Samsung NX500
Canon EOS M3
  • $1600
  • APS-C
  • Larger sensor
  • Shoot 4K video
  • $700
  • APS-C
  • More telephoto lens reach
  • Internal flash

Compared to Sony A6500

Sony NEX-C3
Sony A6500
  • $559
  • APS-C
  • Bigger pixels
  • Thinner
  • $1216
  • APS-C
  • Focus peaking
  • Eye-level viewfinder
Samsung NX500
Sony A6500
  • $1600
  • APS-C
  • More pixels
  • Lacks anti-aliasing filter
  • $1216
  • APS-C
  • Lens selection
  • Eye-level viewfinder
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