• APS-C 369.7mm2
  • 14.6 megapixels
  • ISO 100 - 3200
  • APS-C 369.0mm2
  • 28.2 megapixels
  • ISO 100 - 25,600

Buy From

Differences

Samsung GX-20 advantages over Samsung NX500

  • Lens selection
    Excellent 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
    ~ 5.07 vs 3.63 microns
    Better low-light and dynamic range (all else equal)
  • Internal flash
    Internal flash vs None
    Useful in a pinch for fill flash
  • Top deck display
    Yes vs No
    Check settings with a screen on top of the camera
  • Has anti-aliasing filter
    Filter vs No Filter
    Reduces unsightly moiré in photos

Samsung NX500 advantages over Samsung GX-20

  • Focus peaking
    Peaker vs Non-peaker
    Your camera will highlight what's in focus
  • Less expensive
    $800 vs $1400 (MSRP)
    Save money for lenses or accessories
  • Shoot 4K video
    4K (DCI) vs No
    Make sure you have a fast computer
  • Touchscreen
    Touch vs No touch
    Interact with your camera just like your smartphone
  • In-camera panoramas
    Yes vs No
    Stitches multiple shots into a panoramic photo
  • Tiltable Screen
    Tiltable vs Fixed
    Tilt the screen for shooting flexbility
  • Built-in Wi-Fi
    Wi-Fi vs None
    Share your photos wirelessly
  • 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 714 iso
    Take photos in low light with less noise
  • More dynamic range
    13.9 vs 11.2 evs
    Retain detail in highlight and shadows
  • On-sensor phase detect
    Yes vs No
    Usually improves live view and video AF performance
  • Thinner
    42 mm vs 70 mm
    Thinner
  • Newer
    9 years vs 16 years old
    Newer cameras often support more advanced features
  • HDMI out
    HDMI out vs None
    Use HDMI output to monitor or review video
  • Shoots 24p video
    Yes vs No
    Gives your movies a big-screen feel
  • More dots on screen
    1037k 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
    28.2 vs 14.6 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
  • 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 6400 ISO
    Higher extended ISO can give more low-light flexibility

Similarities

Common Strengths

  • 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
  • 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

Buy From

Your purchases support this site

Your purchases support this site

Buy the Samsung NX500

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.

The Competition

Compared to Pentax K20D

Samsung GX-20
Pentax K20D
  • $1400
  • APS-C
  • Higher effective ISO
  • $800
  • APS-C
  • Less expensive
Samsung NX500
Pentax K20D
  • $1600
  • APS-C
  • Focus peaking
  • Shoot 4K video
  • $800
  • APS-C
  • Lens selection
  • Eye-level viewfinder

Compared to Canon 50D

Samsung GX-20
Canon 50D
  • $1400
  • APS-C
  • In-Camera Image Stabilization
  • $1000
  • APS-C
  • HDMI out
  • More dots on screen
Samsung NX500
Canon 50D
  • $1600
  • APS-C
  • Focus peaking
  • Less expensive
  • $1000
  • APS-C
  • Lens selection
  • Eye-level viewfinder

Compared to Pentax K-7

Samsung GX-20
Pentax K-7
  • $1400
  • APS-C
  • Higher effective ISO
  • $1300
  • APS-C
  • HDMI out
  • More dots on screen
Samsung NX500
Pentax K-7
  • $1600
  • APS-C
  • Less expensive
  • Focus peaking
  • $1300
  • APS-C
  • Lens selection
  • Eye-level viewfinder

Compared to Sony A6500

Samsung GX-20
Sony A6500
  • $1400
  • APS-C
  • Lens selection
  • Bigger pixels
  • $1303
  • APS-C
  • Focus peaking
  • Shoot 4K video
Samsung NX500
Sony A6500
  • $1600
  • APS-C
  • More pixels
  • Lacks anti-aliasing filter
  • $1303
  • APS-C
  • Lens selection
  • Eye-level viewfinder

Compared to Leica TL2

Samsung GX-20
Leica TL2
  • $1400
  • APS-C
  • Eye-level viewfinder
  • In-Camera Image Stabilization
  • $2495
  • APS-C
  • Focus peaking
  • Shoot 4K video
Samsung NX500
Leica TL2
  • $1600
  • APS-C
  • In-camera panoramas
  • Tiltable Screen
  • $2495
  • APS-C
  • Faster JPEG shooting
  • Faster RAW shooting
Compare Other Cameras?