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

Buy From

Differences

Samsung NX500 advantages over Nikon J5

  • 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 2.37 microns
    Better low-light and dynamic range (all else equal)
  • Fast startup
    ~1.50 vs 2.0 sec
    Faster startup lets you catch the moment
  • Built-in Bluetooth
    Yes vs No
    Always-on wireless connectivity
  • Better color depth
    24.8 vs 21.1 bits
    Capture richer, more accurate colors
  • Higher effective ISO
    1,379 vs 479 iso
    Take photos in low light with less noise
  • More dynamic range
    13.9 vs 12.0 evs
    Retain detail in highlight and shadows
  • Longer stills battery life
    More info 370 vs 250 shots
    Capture more photos
  • Higher max flash sync
    1/200 vs 1/60 sec
    Reduce the effect of ambient light in flash shots
  • Shoots 24p video
    Yes vs No
    Gives your movies a big-screen feel
  • Hot shoe
    Hot shoe vs None
    Off-camera flashes open new possibilities
  • More pixels
    28.2 vs 20.8 megapixels
    Higher resolution photos
  • Wider angle kit lens
    24 mm vs 27 mm
    Capture more of the scene with the included lens
  • Bigger JPEG buffer
    38 vs 20 shots
    Take more JPEG shots before waiting (burst mode)
  • Higher extended ISO
    51200 vs 12800 ISO
    Higher extended ISO can give more low-light flexibility

Nikon J5 advantages over Samsung NX500

  • Slower slow-motion
    1200 fps vs 120 fps
    Supports slower slow-mo
  • Internal flash
    Internal flash vs None
    Useful in a pinch for fill flash
  • Thinner
    31 mm vs 42 mm
    Thinner
  • Lighter weight
    345g vs 454g
    Lighter weight
  • Less shutter lag
    0.07 vs 0.20 sec
    Focus and take a photo quickly (wide angle)
  • Faster JPEG shooting
    59.4 fps vs 8.8 fps
    Faster JPEG shooting (burst mode)
  • Faster RAW shooting
    59.4 fps vs 8.5 fps
    Faster RAW shooting in burst mode
  • Bigger RAW buffer
    20 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

  • 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
  • NFC
    Both provide
    Simplifies pairing your camera with supported phones
  • 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
  • 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
  • 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

Buy From

Your purchases support this site

Buy the Samsung NX500

Your purchases support this site

Buy the Nikon J5

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.

  • Photographer-friendly controls; Impressive dynamic range for its class; Very fast hybrid autofocus; Fast high-speed shooting capabilities; Tilting touchscreen display.

  • No hot shoe or viewfinder; Aggressive noise reduction, even at base ISO; 4K video is limited to 15fps.

The Competition

Compared to Samsung NX Mini

Samsung NX500
Samsung NX Mini
  • $1600
  • APS-C
  • Focus peaking
  • Larger sensor
  • $600
  • 1 inch
  • Less expensive
  • Longer stills battery life
Nikon J5
Samsung NX Mini
  • $497
  • 1 inch
  • Shoot 4K video
  • On-sensor phase detect
  • $600
  • 1 inch
  • Longer stills battery life
  • Thinner

Compared to Nikon J4

Samsung NX500
Nikon J4
  • $1600
  • APS-C
  • Focus peaking
  • Larger sensor
  • $350
  • 1 inch
  • Less expensive
  • Slower slow-motion
Nikon J5
Nikon J4
  • $497
  • 1 inch
  • Shoot 4K video
  • Tiltable Screen
  • $350
  • 1 inch
  • Longer stills battery life

Compared to Sony A6300

Samsung NX500
Sony A6300
  • $1600
  • APS-C
  • Touchscreen
  • Built-in Bluetooth
  • $846
  • APS-C
  • Lens selection
  • Eye-level viewfinder
Nikon J5
Sony A6300
  • $497
  • 1 inch
  • Less expensive
  • Slower slow-motion
  • $846
  • APS-C
  • Lens selection
  • Focus peaking

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
Nikon J5
Sony A6500
  • $497
  • 1 inch
  • Less expensive
  • Slower slow-motion
  • $1198
  • APS-C
  • Lens selection
  • Focus peaking

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
Nikon J5
Leica TL2
  • $497
  • 1 inch
  • Less expensive
  • Slower slow-motion
  • $2495
  • APS-C
  • Focus peaking
  • Larger sensor
Compare Other Cameras?