Samsung NX500 vs Nikon D500

Cameras
Compare Cameras
Samsung NX500 vs Nikon D500

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

Go in depth with our full Samsung NX500 Review.
How does it shoot? Samsung NX500 in the real world.
See real-world photos taken with the NX500.
Compare Samsung NX500 image quality against competitors.
What’s the bottom line? Read our Samsung NX500 conclusion.

APS-C 369.0mm²
20.9 megapixels
ISO 100 - 51,200

Go in depth with our full Nikon D500 Review.
How does it shoot? Nikon D500 in the real world.
See real-world photos taken with the D500.
Compare Nikon D500 image quality against competitors.
What’s the bottom line? Read our Nikon D500 conclusion.

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Differences

Samsung NX500 advantages over Nikon D500

Focus peaking
Peaker vs Non-peaker
Your camera will highlight what's in focus
In-camera panoramas
Yes vs No
Stitches multiple shots into a panoramic photo
On-sensor phase detect
Yes vs No
Usually improves live view and video AF performance
Thinner
42 mm vs 81 mm
Thinner
More pixels
28.2 vs 20.9 megapixels
Higher resolution photos
Slow-motion videos
Yes vs No
Shoot slow-motion videos

Nikon D500 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
Bigger pixels
~ 4.22 vs 3.63 microns
Better low-light and dynamic range (all else equal)
Fast startup
~0.30 vs 1.5 sec
Faster startup lets you catch the moment
Longer stills battery life
More info

Longer stills battery life

Cameras with longer battery life can take more photos before exhausting their batteries.

Special note: The measurement standard for battery life stipulates that if a camera has an internal flash, it must be used for 50% of photos taken. For this reason, comparisons of one camera with an internal flash to another without will not be comparable

1240 vs 370 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
Higher-res screen
590k vs 346k pixels
More detail on the screen lets you judge focus and composition
Dual card slots
Yes vs No
Gives you more storage flexibility
Headphone jack
Yes vs No
Monitor audio recording while you shoot video
Faster JPEG shooting
10.2 fps vs 8.8 fps
Faster JPEG shooting (burst mode)
Bigger JPEG buffer
200 vs 38 shots
Take more JPEG shots before waiting (burst mode)
Faster RAW shooting
10.2 fps vs 8.5 fps
Faster RAW shooting in burst mode
Bigger RAW buffer
200 vs 6 shots
Larger buffer for RAW shots (burst mode)
Higher extended ISO
1638400 vs 51200 ISO
Higher extended ISO can give more low-light flexibility

Similarities

Common Strengths

Shoot 4K video
Both provide
Make sure you have a fast computer
Touchscreen
Both provide
Interact with your camera just like your smartphone
Tiltable Screen
Both provide
Tilt the screen for shooting flexbility
Built-in Wi-Fi
Both provide
Share your photos wirelessly
NFC
Both provide
Simplifies pairing your camera with supported phones
Built-in Bluetooth
Both provide
Always-on wireless connectivity
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

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
Internal flash
Neither provide
Useful in a pinch for fill flash

User reviews

Amazon
Adorama
Read NX500 User Reviews

Amazon
Adorama
Read D500 User Reviews

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Your purchases support this site

Buy the Samsung NX500

Kit with 16-50mm PZ Lens (Black)

Kit with 16-50mm PZ Lens (Black)
Kit with 16-50mm PZ Lens (Brown)
Kit with 16-50mm PZ Lens (White)

All NX500 Deals

Your purchases support this site

Buy the Nikon D500

Body Only

Body Only
Body Only 100th Anniversary Edition
Kit with 16-80mm f/2.8-4 Lens

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.
Read our Samsung NX500 Review

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).
Read our Nikon D500 Review

The Competition

Compared to Pentax K-3 II

Samsung NX500

Pentax K-3 II

$1600
APS-C

Shoot 4K video
Touchscreen

$830
APS-C

Lens selection
Eye-level viewfinder

Compare Samsung NX500 vs Pentax K-3 II

Nikon D500

Pentax K-3 II

$1598
APS-C

Shoot 4K video
Touchscreen

$830
APS-C

Less expensive
Focus peaking

Compare Nikon D500 vs Pentax K-3 II

Compared to Sony A68

Samsung NX500

Sony A68

$1600
APS-C

Shoot 4K video
Touchscreen

$598
APS-C

Lens selection
Eye-level viewfinder

Compare Samsung NX500 vs Sony A68

Nikon D500

Sony A68

$1598
APS-C

Lens selection
Shoot 4K video

$598
APS-C

Less expensive
Focus peaking

Compare Nikon D500 vs Sony A68

Compared to Sony A6300

Samsung NX500

Sony A6300

$1600
APS-C

Touchscreen
Built-in Bluetooth

$846
APS-C

Lens selection
Eye-level viewfinder

Compare Samsung NX500 vs Sony A6300

Nikon D500

Sony A6300

$1598
APS-C

Lens selection
Touchscreen

$846
APS-C

Focus peaking
Less expensive

Compare Nikon D500 vs Sony A6300

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

Compare Samsung NX500 vs Sony A6500

Nikon D500

Sony A6500

$1598
APS-C

Lens selection
Fast startup

$1198
APS-C

Focus peaking
In-Camera Image Stabilization

Compare Nikon D500 vs Sony A6500

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

Compare Samsung NX500 vs Leica TL2

Nikon D500

Leica TL2

$1598
APS-C

Less expensive
Eye-level viewfinder

$2495
APS-C

Focus peaking
Thinner

Compare Nikon D500 vs Leica TL2

Compare Other Cameras?