• 1 inch 116.2mm2
  • 18.4 megapixels
  • ISO 160 - 12,800
  • APS-C 369.0mm2
  • 28.2 megapixels
  • ISO 100 - 25,600

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Differences

Nikon V3 advantages over Samsung NX500

  • Slower slow-motion
    1200 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
  • Internal flash
    Internal flash vs None
    Useful in a pinch for fill flash
  • External Mic Jack
    Jack vs No jack
    Improved sound fidelity when shooting video
  • Less shutter lag
    0.07 vs 0.20 sec
    Focus and take a photo quickly (wide angle)
  • Faster JPEG shooting
    60.0 fps vs 8.8 fps
    Faster JPEG shooting (burst mode)
  • Faster RAW shooting
    60.0 fps vs 8.5 fps
    Faster RAW shooting in burst mode
  • Bigger RAW buffer
    40 vs 6 shots
    Larger buffer for RAW shots (burst mode)
  • Faster shutter
    1/16000 vs 1/6000 sec
    Shoot wide open in bright light

Samsung NX500 advantages over Nikon V3

  • Focus peaking
    Peaker vs Non-peaker
    Your camera will highlight what's in focus
  • Larger sensor
    APS-C vs 1 inch
    More sensor area. Bigger is (generally) better.
  • Bigger pixels
    ~ 3.63 vs 2.52 microns
    Better low-light and dynamic range (all else equal)
  • Shoot 4K video
    4K (DCI) vs 1080p
    Make sure you have a fast computer
  • 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
  • Better color depth
    24.8 vs 20.8 bits
    Capture richer, more accurate colors
  • Higher effective ISO
    1,379 vs 384 iso
    Take photos in low light with less noise
  • More dynamic range
    13.9 vs 10.7 evs
    Retain detail in highlight and shadows
  • Shoots 24p video
    Yes vs No
    Gives your movies a big-screen feel
  • More pixels
    28.2 vs 18.4 megapixels
    Higher resolution photos
  • Wider angle kit lens
    24 mm vs 27 mm
    Capture more of the scene with the included lens
  • Higher extended ISO
    51200 vs 12800 ISO
    Higher extended ISO can give more low-light flexibility

Similarities

Common Strengths

  • 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
  • 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
  • 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
  • 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
  • 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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Your purchases support this site

Buy the Samsung NX500

Review Excerpt

  • Very compact for an interchangeable-lens camera; Generous kit includes lens, high-res electronic viewfinder and accessory grip; Good image quality for the sensor size; Amazing burst performance; Lightning-fast autofocus; Intuitive touch-screen makes focusing a snap

  • Smaller sensor than most rivals limits possibilities for available-light shooting; Program mode opts for wide-open aperture most of the time; Limited dynamic range; Noisy shadows; Below-average battery life; Pricey when considering its image quality

  • 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 Nikon J3

Nikon V3
Nikon J3
  • $1197
  • 1 inch
  • Eye-level viewfinder
  • Touchscreen
  • $617
  • 1 inch
  • Has anti-aliasing filter
Samsung NX500
Nikon J3
  • $1600
  • APS-C
  • Focus peaking
  • Larger sensor
  • $617
  • 1 inch
  • Less expensive
  • Slower slow-motion

Compared to Nikon AW1

Nikon V3
Nikon AW1
  • $1197
  • 1 inch
  • Eye-level viewfinder
  • Touchscreen
  • $797
  • 1 inch
  • Less expensive
  • Waterproof
Samsung NX500
Nikon AW1
  • $1600
  • APS-C
  • Focus peaking
  • Larger sensor
  • $797
  • 1 inch
  • Waterproof
  • Slower slow-motion

Compared to Nikon J5

Nikon V3
Nikon J5
  • $1197
  • 1 inch
  • Eye-level viewfinder
  • Longer stills battery life
  • $497
  • 1 inch
  • Less expensive
  • Shoot 4K video
Samsung NX500
Nikon J5
  • $1600
  • APS-C
  • Focus peaking
  • Larger sensor
  • $497
  • 1 inch
  • Slower slow-motion
  • Internal flash

Compared to Sony A6500

Nikon V3
Sony A6500
  • $1197
  • 1 inch
  • Less expensive
  • Slower slow-motion
  • $1198
  • APS-C
  • Lens selection
  • Focus peaking
Samsung NX500
Sony A6500
  • $1600
  • APS-C
  • More pixels
  • Lacks anti-aliasing filter
  • $1198
  • APS-C
  • Lens selection
  • Eye-level viewfinder

Compared to Leica TL2

Nikon V3
Leica TL2
  • $1197
  • 1 inch
  • Less expensive
  • Slower slow-motion
  • $2495
  • APS-C
  • Focus peaking
  • Larger sensor
Samsung NX500
Leica TL2
  • $1600
  • APS-C
  • In-camera panoramas
  • Tiltable Screen
  • $2495
  • APS-C
  • Faster JPEG shooting
  • Faster RAW shooting
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