• APS-C 357.3mm2
  • 20.1 megapixels
  • ISO 100 - 16,000
  • APS-C 369.0mm2
  • 28.2 megapixels
  • ISO 100 - 25,600
  • Detailed specifications
  • Sony Alpha ILCE-A3000
  • Samsung NX500
Links
Prices: Compare Prices Compare Prices
Manufacturer URL: Manufacturer website Manufacturer website
Predecessor:   Samsung NX300
NX300 vs NX500
Successor:    
General
Model Number: A3000 NX500
Alternate Model Number(s): ILCE-3000, ILCE-3500  
Camera Format: Compact System Camera Compact System Camera
Currently Manufactured: No No
Retail Price: $399.99 $799.99
Street Price: $499.99 $1,599.99
Date Available: 2013-09-15 2015-03-15
Tripod Mount: Yes Yes
Weight: 21.7 oz (616 g)
includes batteries, kit lens
16.0 oz (454 g)
includes batteries, kit lens
Size: 5.0 x 3.6 x 3.3 in.
(128 x 91 x 85 mm)
4.7 x 2.5 x 1.7 in.
(120 x 64 x 43 mm)
Waterproof: No No
Waterproof Depth: n/a n/a
Image Sensor
Sensor Type: CMOS CMOS
Sensor Manufacturer: Sony Samsung
Effective Megapixels: 20.1 28.2
Sensor Format: APS-C APS-C
Sensor size: 357.28mm2 (23.20mm x 15.40mm) 368.95mm2 (23.50mm x 15.70mm)
Approximate Pixel Pitch: 4.25 microns 3.63 microns
Focal Length Multiplier: 1.5x 1.5x
Aspect Ratio: 3:2 3:2
Color Filter Type: RGBG RGBG
Anti Aliasing Filter: Fixed None
Self-Cleaning: No Yes
Sensor shift image stabilization: No No
On-Sensor Phase Detect: No Yes
DxO Sensor Score: 78 87
DxO Color Depth Score (bits): 23.7 24.8
DxO Dynamic Range Score (evs): 12.8 13.9
DxO Maximum Effective ISO Score (iso): 1,068 1,379
Image Capture
Image Resolution: 5456 x 3632 (19.8 MP, 3:2),
5456 x 3064 (16.7 MP, 16:9),
3872 x 2576 (10.0 MP, 3:2),
3872 x 2176 (8.4 MP, 16:9),
2736 x 1824 (5.0 MP, 3:2),
2736 x 1536 (4.2 MP, 16:9),
12416 x 1856 (23.0 MP, Other),
8192 x 1856 (15.2 MP, Other),
2160 x 5536 (12.0 MP, Other),
2160 x 3872 (8.4 MP, Other)
6480 x 4320 (28.0 MP, 3:2),
4560 x 3040 (13.9 MP, 3:2),
3264 x 2176 (7.1 MP, 3:2),
2112 x 1408 (3.0 MP, 3:2),
6480 x 3648 (23.6 MP, 16:9),
4608 x 2592 (11.9 MP, 16:9),
3328 x 1872 (6.2 MP, 16:9),
2048 x 1152 (2.4 MP, 16:9),
4320 x 4320 (18.7 MP, 1:1),
3088 x 3088 (9.5 MP, 1:1),
2160 x 2160 (4.7 MP, 1:1),
1408 x 1408 (2.0 MP, 1:1)
Image File Format: JPEG, RAW (12-bit ARW 2.3), RAW+JPEG JPEG, MPO, RAW (SRW), RAW+JPEG
Continuous-mode frames/second: 3.5 8.8
Video Capture
Can take movies: Yes Yes
Movie Resolution: 1920x1080 (60i or 24p (24/​17Mbps))
1440x1080 (30p/​12Mbps)
640x480 (30p/​3Mbps)
4096x2160 (24p)
3840x2160 (30p)
1920x1080 (60p/​30p/​24p)
1280x720 (60p/​30p)
640x480 (60p/​30p)
1920x1080 (120p)
1280x720 (120p)
640x480 (120p)
Movie File Format: AVCHD 2.0 / MP4; Audio: Dolby Digital (AC-3) / MPEG-4 AAC-LC, stereo MP4 (Video: HEVC (H.265) / Sound: AAC)
Composite Video Out: No No
NTSC/PAL Switchable Video: n/a n/a
Video Usable as Viewfinder: n/a n/a
HD Video Out: No Yes
HD Video Connection: HDMI
Lens & Optics
Lens Mount: Sony E Samsung NX
Lens: Sony SEL1855 18-55mm f/3.5-5.6 OSS; 11 elements in 9 groups with 3 apherical elements Samsung 16-50mm f/3.5-5.6 Power Zoom ED OIS NX
Focal Length (35mm equivalent): 27 - 83mm 24 - 75mm
Focal Length (actual): 18 - 55mm 16 - 50mm
Zoom Ratio: 3.06x 3.13x
Aperture Range: f/3.5 - 22 (W), f/5.6 - 32 (T); 7 blade aperture f/3.5 (wide) / f/5.6 (tele) - f/22
Integrated ND Filter: No No
Normal Focus Range: 25 cm to Infinity
9.8 in to Infinity
24 cm to Infinity
9.4 in to Infinity
Macro Focus Range:    
Filter Thread: 49.0mm 43.0mm
Thread Type: n/a n/a
Optical Image Stabilization: Yes Yes
Digital Zoom: Yes Yes
Digital Zoom Values: Up to 4x; up to 2x Clear Image Digital Zoom
Auto Focus
Auto Focus: Yes Yes
Auto Focus Type: Contrast-detect AF: Multi Point (25 points)/ Center-weighted/ Flexible Spot Hybrid contrast/phase-detect AF: 205-point PDAF (153 cross-point type) + 209-point CDAF
Auto Focus Assist Light? Yes Yes
Manual Focus: Yes Yes
Viewfinder
Viewfinder: EVF / LCD No / OLED
Viewfinder Type: EVF: 0.5cm (0.2 type), 201,600 dot equivalent, 100% coverage, 0.7x magnification, -4 to +3.5 m^-1 diopter, 21mm eyepoint from eyepiece lens, 15mm from eyepiece frame at -1m^-1 diopter (CIPA standard)  
Focus Peaking: Yes Yes
EVF Resolution: 201,600 dots n/a
Viewfinder Magnification (35mm equivalent): 0.47x  
Viewfinder Magnification (nominal/claimed): 0.70x  
Display
Eye-level Viewfinder: Yes No
Rear Display: Yes Yes
Rear Display Size (inches): 3.0 3.0
Rear Display Resolution: 230,400 dots (76,800 px) 1,036,800 dots (345,600 px)
Touchscreen: No Yes
Articulating Screen: No Yes
Tilt Swivel Screen: No No
Selfie Screen: No Yes
Max Playback Zoom: 15.1x  
Top Deck Display: No No
Exposure
Maximum ISO (native): 16000 25600
Minimum ISO (native): 100 100
ISO Settings: Auto (100-3200), 100, 200, 400, 800, 1600, 3200, 6400, 12800, 16000 Auto, 100 - 25600 in 1 or 1/3 EV steps, expandable to 51200
Auto ISO Mode: Yes Yes
White Balance Settings: Auto, Daylight, Shade, Cloudy, Incandescent, Fluorescent, Flash, Custom, Color Temp./ Filter (2500-9900K with 15-step Magenta/Green compensation) Auto, Daylight, Cloudy, Fluorescent (W, N, D), Tungsten, Auto+Tungsten, Flash, Custom, K (Manual); Micro Adjustment each 7 steps in Amber/Blue and Green/Magenta axes
Shutter Speed Range: 1/4000 - 30 sec 1/6000 - 30 sec
Bulb Mode: Yes Yes
Exposure Compensation: +/- 3.0EV in 0.3EV steps +/- 5.0EV in 0.3EV steps
Metering Modes: 1200-zone Evaluative Multi-segment, Center-weighted, Spot Multi (221 segments), Center-weighted, Spot
Program Auto Exposure: Yes Yes
Aperture Priority: Yes Yes
Shutter Priority: Yes Yes
Full Manual Exposure: Yes Yes
Creative Exposure Modes: Scene Modes: Portrait, Landscape, Macro, Sports Action, Sunset, Night Portrait, Night View, Hand-held Twilight, Anti Motion Blur; Sweep Panorama; Picture Effects: Posterization (Color, B/W), Pop Color, Retro Photo, Partial Color (R,G,B,Y), High Contrast Mono, Toy Camera, Soft High-key, Soft Focus, HDR Painting, Rich-tone Mono, Miniature; HDR; DRO Beauty Face, Landscape, Action Freeze, Rich Tones, Panorama, Waterfall, Silhouette, Sunset, Night, Fireworks, Light Trace, Multi-Exposure; Smart Range+, HDR, Samsung Auto Shot (SAS)
Self Timer: 2 or 10; 3 shots after 10 seconds 2-30 seconds
Time Lapse (intervalometer):   Yes
High Resolution Composite: No No
Flash
Built-in Flash: Yes No
Flash Modes: Flash off, Auto flash, Fill-flash, Slow Sync., Rear Sync. Red-eye reduction: On/Off Smart Flash, Auto, Auto+Red-eye reduction, Fill-in, Fill-in+Red-eye reduction, 1st Curtain, 2nd Curtain, Off
Flash Guide Number (ISO 100): 4.0 m / 13.1 ft. 8.0 m / 26.2 ft.
Flash Range Description: Lens dependent; GN = 6m (ISO 200) / 4m (ISO100) Bundled SEF8A flash has GN 8m at ISO 100
Max Flash Sync: 1/160 1/200
Flash Exposure Compensation: +/- 2.0 EV in 0.3EV steps +/- 2.0 EV in 0.5EV steps
External Flash Connection: Multi Interface Hot shoe Hot shoe
Built-In Wireless Flash Control: No  
Image Storage
Usable Memory Types: MS PRO Duo / SD / SDHC / SDXC SD / SDHC / SDXC
UHS Support:   UHS-I
Other Memory:    
Dual Card Slots: No No
RAW Capture Support: Yes Yes
Uncompressed Format: RAW (12-bit ARW 2.3), RAW+JPEG RAW (SRW), RAW+JPEG
Movie File Format: AVCHD 2.0 / MP4; Audio: Dolby Digital (AC-3) / MPEG-4 AAC-LC, stereo MP4 (Video: HEVC (H.265) / Sound: AAC)
Included Memory: No memory included No memory included
Included Memory Type:    
Connectivity
Built-In Wi-Fi: No Yes
NFC: No Yes
Bluetooth: No Yes
Built-In GPS: No No
Microphone Jack: No No
Headphone Jack: No No
External Connections: USB 2.0 High Speed USB 2.0 High Speed,Bluetooth,WiFi
PictBridge Compliant: No No
DPOF Compliant: Yes No
Remote Control: Yes Yes
Remote Control Type: Optional wired RM-VPR1 Via Wi-Fi live view or Bluetooth; optional wired USB cable release
Connections (extended): Multi Terminal/Micro USB (with remote support) Wi-Fi (IEEE 802.11b/g/n) with NFC; Bluetooth; Mult-function USB port compatible with wired remote
Performance Timing
Cycle time for JPEG shooting in single shot mode (seconds per frame, max resolution): 0.98 0.83
Cycle time for RAW shooting in single shot mode (seconds per frame):    
Buffer size for RAW shooting in single shot mode (frames):    
Cycle time for RAW+JPEG shooting in single shot mode (seconds per shot): 1.84 0.81
Camera penalizes early shutter press? No No
JPEG shooting speed in burst mode (fps, max resolution): 3.5 8.8
Buffer size for JPEG shooting in burst mode (frames, max resolution): 11 38
RAW shooting speed in burst mode (fps):   8.5
Buffer size for RAW shooting in burst mode (frames):   6
RAW+JPEG shooting speed in burst mode (fps): 3.5 8.6
Buffer Size for RAW+JPEG shooting in burst mode (frames): 5 6
Shutter lag (full AF, wide/mid): 0.28 seconds 0.20 seconds
Shutter lag (full AF, tele):    
Shutter lag (full AF, live view - DSLR):    
Shutter lag (prefocused, live view - DSLR):    
Shutter Lag (manual focus): 0.069 seconds 0.097 seconds
Shutter lag (full AF, with flash): 0.39 seconds 0.36 seconds
Shutter Lag (prefocused): 0.022 seconds 0.076 seconds
Shutter Lag (notes): Full AF lag, Wide-Area AF mode = 0.289s  
Startup Time: 2.2 seconds 1.5 seconds
Play -> Record Time: 1.0 seconds 0.8 seconds
Flash cycle time, full power: 2.2 seconds 3.1 seconds
Power
Battery Life, Stills (CIPA Rating Monitor/Live View): 470 shots 370 shots
Battery Life, Still (CIPA Rating OVF/EVF):    
Battery Life, Video:    
Battery Form Factor: Proprietary Proprietary BP-1130
Usable Battery Types: NP-FW50 Lithium-ion rechargeable 1130mAh Lithium-ion rechargeable
Batteries Included: 1 x Proprietary NP-FW50 Lithium-ion rechargeable 1 x Proprietary BP-1130 Lithium-ion rechargeable
Battery Charger Included (dedicated charger or AC/USB adapter): Yes Yes
Dedicated Battery Charger Included: No No
Internal Charging Supported: Yes Yes
Software
Included Software: PlayMemories Home, Image Data Converter 4 Samsung Raw Converter, i-Launcher (web version), Power Media Player, Samsung Movie Converter and Samsung DNG Converter
OS Compatibility: Windows XP/Vista/7/8; Mac OS X 10.5 or later. (PlayMemories Home is Windows only.)  
Miscellaneous
Notes & Features: Mirrorless ILC that looks like an SLR. Sony E-mount, contrast-detect AF, Full HD movies (60i/24p). Available in black, brown and white.