• APS-C 369.0mm2
  • 28.2 megapixels
  • ISO 100 - 25,600
  • 4/3 224.9mm2
  • 16.0 megapixels
  • ISO 200 - 25,600

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Differences

Samsung NX500 advantages over Panasonic GX850

  • Larger sensor
    APS-C vs 4/3
    More sensor area. Bigger is (generally) better.
  • Fast startup
    ~1.50 vs 2.0 sec
    Faster startup lets you catch the moment
  • NFC
    Yes vs No
    Simplifies pairing your camera with supported phones
  • Built-in Bluetooth
    Yes vs No
    Always-on wireless connectivity
  • Higher effective ISO
    1,379 vs 586 iso
    Take photos in low light with less noise
  • On-sensor phase detect
    Yes vs No
    Usually improves live view and video AF performance
  • Longer stills battery life
    More info 370 vs 210 shots
    Capture more photos
  • More telephoto lens reach
    75 mm vs 64 mm
    Capture objects farther away with the kit lens
  • Higher max flash sync
    1/200 vs 1/50 sec
    Reduce the effect of ambient light in flash shots
  • Hot shoe
    Hot shoe vs None
    Off-camera flashes open new possibilities
  • More pixels
    28.2 vs 16.0 megapixels
    Higher resolution photos
  • Slow-motion videos
    Yes vs No
    Shoot slow-motion videos
  • Higher extended ISO
    51200 vs 25600 ISO
    Higher extended ISO can give more low-light flexibility

Panasonic GX850 advantages over Samsung NX500

  • Lens selection
    Excellent vs Limited
    Better lens selection gives you more options
  • Less expensive
    $550 vs $800 (MSRP)
    Save money for lenses or accessories
  • Internal flash
    Internal flash vs None
    Useful in a pinch for fill flash
  • Lighter weight
    336g vs 454g
    Lighter weight
  • Longer exposure
    60 vs 30 sec
    Long exposures for night shots
  • Bigger JPEG buffer
    114 vs 38 shots
    Take more JPEG shots before waiting (burst mode)
  • Faster RAW shooting
    9.5 fps vs 8.5 fps
    Faster RAW shooting in burst mode
  • Bigger RAW buffer
    17 vs 6 shots
    Larger buffer for RAW shots (burst mode)
  • Faster shutter
    1/16000 vs 1/6000 sec
    Shoot wide open in bright light

Similarities

Common Strengths

  • Focus peaking
    Both provide
    Your camera will highlight what's in focus
  • Shoot 4K video
    Both provide
    Make sure you have a fast computer
  • Touchscreen
    Both provide
    Interact with your camera just like your smartphone
  • 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
  • HDMI out
    Both provide
    Use HDMI output to monitor or review video
  • 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
  • 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
  • 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

Your purchases support this site

Buy the Panasonic GX850

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.

  • Impressive image quality; Sleek design; 4K video recording; Good overall performance; Tilting touchscreen; Enjoyable user experience.

  • No EVF; No hot shoe, Short 4K clip limit; MicroSD card slot, Poor battery life.

The Competition

Compared to Samsung NX3000

Samsung NX500
Samsung NX3000
  • $1600
  • APS-C
  • Focus peaking
  • Shoot 4K video
  • $950
  • APS-C
  • Less expensive
  • Bigger pixels
Panasonic GX850
Samsung NX3000
  • $548
  • 4/3
  • Lens selection
  • Focus peaking
  • $950
  • APS-C
  • Larger sensor
  • NFC

Compared to Panasonic GM5

Samsung NX500
Panasonic GM5
  • $1600
  • APS-C
  • Larger sensor
  • Shoot 4K video
  • $898
  • 4/3
  • Lens selection
  • Eye-level viewfinder
Panasonic GX850
Panasonic GM5
  • $548
  • 4/3
  • Less expensive
  • Shoot 4K video
  • $898
  • 4/3
  • Eye-level viewfinder
  • Fast startup

Compared to Panasonic GF7

Samsung NX500
Panasonic GF7
  • $1600
  • APS-C
  • Larger sensor
  • Shoot 4K video
  • $590
  • 4/3
  • Lens selection
  • Less expensive
Panasonic GX850
Panasonic GF7
  • $548
  • 4/3
  • Shoot 4K video
  • Lacks anti-aliasing filter
  • $590
  • 4/3
  • Fast startup
  • Has anti-aliasing filter

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
Panasonic GX850
Sony A6500
  • $548
  • 4/3
  • Lens selection
  • Thinner
  • $1198
  • APS-C
  • Larger sensor
  • Eye-level viewfinder

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
Panasonic GX850
Leica TL2
  • $548
  • 4/3
  • In-camera panoramas
  • Tiltable Screen
  • $2495
  • APS-C
  • Larger sensor
  • Higher max flash sync
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