• APS-C 369.7mm2
  • 20.3 megapixels
  • ISO 100 - 12,800
  • APS-C 369.0mm2
  • 20.9 megapixels
  • ISO 100 - 51,200

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Differences

Samsung NX20 advantages over Nikon D500

  • Less expensive
    $400 vs $1597
    Save money for lenses or accessories
  • Internal flash
    Internal flash vs None
    Useful in a pinch for fill flash
  • Thinner
    39 mm vs 81 mm
    Thinner
  • Has anti-aliasing filter
    Filter vs No Filter
    Reduces unsightly moiré in photos

Nikon D500 advantages over Samsung NX20

  • Lens selection
    Excellent vs Limited
    Better lens selection gives you more options
  • Shoot 4K video
    4K (UHD) vs 1080p
    Make sure you have a fast computer
  • Touchscreen
    Touch vs No touch
    Interact with your camera just like your smartphone
  • Fast startup
    ~0.30 vs 3.0 sec
    Faster startup lets you catch the moment
  • Built-in Bluetooth
    Yes vs No
    Always-on wireless connectivity
  • Higher effective ISO
    1,324 vs 785 iso
    Take photos in low light with less noise
  • Longer stills battery life
    More info 1240 vs 360 shots
    Capture more photos
  • Top deck display
    Yes vs No
    Check settings with a screen on top of the camera
  • External Mic Jack
    Jack vs No jack
    Improved sound fidelity when shooting video
  • Newer
    8 years vs 12 years old
    Newer cameras often support more advanced features
  • More dots on screen
    2359k vs 614k dots
    Can mean greater resolution or a brighter screen
  • Less shutter lag
    0.17 vs 0.35 sec
    Focus and take a photo quickly (wide angle)
  • Shoots 60p video
    Yes vs No
    A faster framerate can give you more editing options
  • Dual card slots
    Yes vs No
    Gives you more storage flexibility
  • Headphone jack
    Yes vs No
    Monitor audio recording while you shoot video
  • Lacks anti-aliasing filter
    No Filter vs Filter
    Enjoy sharper photos
  • Faster JPEG shooting
    10.2 fps vs 7.5 fps
    Faster JPEG shooting (burst mode)
  • Bigger JPEG buffer
    200 vs 11 shots
    Take more JPEG shots before waiting (burst mode)
  • Higher extended ISO
    1638400 vs 12800 ISO
    Higher extended ISO can give more low-light flexibility

Similarities

Common Strengths

  • Eye-level viewfinder
    Both provide
    You'll be able to frame photos even when the sun is out
  • 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
  • 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
  • In-Camera Image Stabilization
    Neither provide
    Reduces the effects of camera shake at slower shutter speeds
  • In-camera panoramas
    Neither provide
    Stitches multiple shots into a panoramic photo
  • Built-in GPS
    Neither provide
    Geotag your photos
  • On-sensor phase detect
    Neither provide
    Usually improves live view and video AF performance
  • Slow-motion videos
    Neither provide
    Shoot slow-motion videos

User reviews

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Your purchases support this site

Buy the Nikon D500

Review Excerpt

  • High quality images with lots of detail; Excellent graphical user interface is fun to use; Smart implementation of WiFi makes it relatively easy to share photos wirelessly.

  • Designed so much like a DSLR you may wonder why you shouldn't get a DSLR instead; Some performance issues, particularly slow buffer clearing and shot-to-shot speed; Initial WiFi set-up can be confusing.

  • Superb image quality; Great high ISO performance; Rugged, comfortable camera body; Sharp articulating touchscreen display; Excellent AF point frame coverage; Fast continuous shooting speeds; 4K UHD video; Built-in Wi-Fi, NFC and Bluetooth.

  • Somewhat large for an APS-C camera; Expensive for a DX camera; 4K UHD video doesn't offer full DX field-of-view; No built-in flash; Still uses contrast-detect for Live View AF; Dual slots use two different card types (XQD and SD).

The Competition

Compared to Pentax K-01

Samsung NX20
Pentax K-01
  • $400
  • APS-C
  • Eye-level viewfinder
  • Tiltable Screen
  • $359
  • APS-C
  • Lens selection
  • Focus peaking
Nikon D500
Pentax K-01
  • $1598
  • APS-C
  • Eye-level viewfinder
  • Shoot 4K video
  • $359
  • APS-C
  • Focus peaking
  • In-Camera Image Stabilization

Compared to Sony NEX-F3

Samsung NX20
Sony NEX-F3
  • $400
  • APS-C
  • Eye-level viewfinder
  • Built-in Wi-Fi
  • $600
  • APS-C
  • Lens selection
  • In-camera panoramas
Nikon D500
Sony NEX-F3
  • $1598
  • APS-C
  • Lens selection
  • Eye-level viewfinder
  • $600
  • APS-C
  • In-camera panoramas
  • Internal flash

Compared to Samsung NX30

Samsung NX20
Samsung NX30
  • $400
  • APS-C
  • Has anti-aliasing filter
  • $899
  • APS-C
  • Focus peaking
  • Tilt-swivel screen
Nikon D500
Samsung NX30
  • $1598
  • APS-C
  • Lens selection
  • Shoot 4K video
  • $899
  • APS-C
  • Focus peaking
  • Tilt-swivel screen

Compared to Pentax K-3 II

Samsung NX20
Pentax K-3 II
  • $400
  • APS-C
  • Less expensive
  • Tiltable Screen
  • $830
  • APS-C
  • Lens selection
  • Focus peaking
Nikon D500
Pentax K-3 II
  • $1598
  • APS-C
  • Shoot 4K video
  • Touchscreen
  • $830
  • APS-C
  • Less expensive
  • Focus peaking

Compared to Sony A68

Samsung NX20
Sony A68
  • $400
  • APS-C
  • Less expensive
  • Built-in Wi-Fi
  • $598
  • APS-C
  • Lens selection
  • Focus peaking
Nikon D500
Sony A68
  • $1598
  • APS-C
  • Lens selection
  • Shoot 4K video
  • $598
  • APS-C
  • Less expensive
  • Focus peaking
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