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Olympus E-PL6 vs Samsung NX500

Portability
88
Imaging
53
Features
77
Overall
62
Olympus PEN E-PL6 front
 
Samsung NX500 front
Portability
87
Imaging
68
Features
80
Overall
72

Olympus E-PL6 vs Samsung NX500 Key Specs

Olympus E-PL6
(Full Review)
  • 16MP - Four Thirds Sensor
  • 3" Tilting Screen
  • ISO 100 - 25600
  • Sensor based Image Stabilization
  • 1920 x 1080 video
  • Micro Four Thirds Mount
  • 325g - 111 x 64 x 38mm
  • Revealed August 2014
  • New Model is Olympus E-PL7
Samsung NX500
(Full Review)
  • 28MP - APS-C Sensor
  • 3" Tilting Display
  • ISO 100 - 25600 (Boost to 51200)
  • No Anti-Alias Filter
  • 1/6000s Max Shutter
  • 4096 x 2160 video
  • Samsung NX Mount
  • 287g - 120 x 64 x 43mm
  • Launched February 2015
  • Older Model is Samsung NX300
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Olympus E-PL6 vs Samsung NX500 Overview

In this write-up, we are analyzing the Olympus E-PL6 and Samsung NX500, both Entry-Level Mirrorless digital cameras by manufacturers Olympus and Samsung. There is a big difference between the resolutions of the E-PL6 (16MP) and NX500 (28MP) and the E-PL6 (Four Thirds) and NX500 (APS-C) come with totally different sensor dimensions.

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The E-PL6 was manufactured 6 months before the NX500 which means that they are both of a similar generation. The two cameras offer the identical body type (Rangefinder-style mirrorless).

Before delving straight into a in-depth comparison, below is a concise synopsis of how the E-PL6 scores vs the NX500 in the way of portability, imaging, features and an overall rating.

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Reasons to pick Olympus E-PL6 over the Samsung NX500

 E-PL6 NX500 
Selfie screen Easy selfies

Reasons to pick Samsung NX500 over the Olympus E-PL6

 NX500 E-PL6 
Display resolution1036k460kClearer display (+576k dot)

Common features in the Olympus E-PL6 and Samsung NX500

 E-PL6 NX500 
LaunchedAugust 2014February 2015Similar generation
Focus manually Very exact focusing
Display typeTiltingTiltingTilting display
Display sizing3"3"Equivalent display sizing
Touch display Easily navigate

Olympus E-PL6 vs Samsung NX500 Physical Comparison

If you are looking to carry your camera frequently, you're going to have to consider its weight and dimensions. The Olympus E-PL6 provides external measurements of 111mm x 64mm x 38mm (4.4" x 2.5" x 1.5") having a weight of 325 grams (0.72 lbs) and the Samsung NX500 has dimensions of 120mm x 64mm x 43mm (4.7" x 2.5" x 1.7") along with a weight of 287 grams (0.63 lbs).

Look at the Olympus E-PL6 and Samsung NX500 in the new Camera with Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Do not forget, the weight of an Interchangeable Lens Camera will change depending on the lens you are employing at the time. Underneath is the front view sizing comparison of the E-PL6 against the NX500.

Olympus E-PL6 vs Samsung NX500 size comparison

Taking into consideration size and weight, the portability score of the E-PL6 and NX500 is 88 and 87 respectively.

Olympus E-PL6 vs Samsung NX500 top view buttons comparison

Olympus E-PL6 vs Samsung NX500 Sensor Comparison

Often, it is difficult to envision the contrast between sensor sizing simply by reading through technical specs. The photograph underneath will help offer you a greater sense of the sensor sizing in the E-PL6 and NX500.

As you have seen, the 2 cameras offer different resolutions and different sensor sizing. The E-PL6 because of its tinier sensor will make achieving shallower depth of field more challenging and the Samsung NX500 will give you extra detail due to its extra 12MP. Greater resolution will allow you to crop photos a little more aggressively.

Olympus E-PL6 vs Samsung NX500 sensor size comparison

Olympus E-PL6 vs Samsung NX500 Screen and ViewFinder

Olympus E-PL6 vs Samsung NX500 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Olympus E-PL6 as a Portrait photography camera
Samsung NX500 as a Portrait photography camera
71
manual focus
good MP (16 megapixels)
sensor size is good (Four Thirds)
provides face detect autofocus
supports RAW files
80
you can focus manually
MP count excellent (28 megapixels)
decent sensor size (APS-C)
comes with face detect focusing
supports RAW files
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Street Comparison

Olympus E-PL6 Street photography info
Samsung NX500 Street photography info
85
screen tilts
built in image stabilization (Sensor based)
sensor size is good (Four Thirds)
supports RAW files
provides focus via touch
above average ISO range (25,600)
81
screen tilts up and down
decent sensor size (APS-C)
supports RAW files
supports touch to focus
good high ISO (25,600)
no image stabilization
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Sports Comparison

Sports photography with Olympus E-PL6
Sports photography with Samsung NX500
66
built in image stabilization (Sensor based)
good MP (16MP)
sensor size is good (Four Thirds)
provides tracking focus
lack of phase detect autofocus
75
great max shutter speed (1/6,000 seconds)
MP count excellent (28 megapixels)
decent sensor size (APS-C)
comes with tracking focus
supports phase detect AF
no image stabilization
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Travel Comparison

Olympus E-PL6 Travel photography highlights
Samsung NX500 Travel photography highlights
85
provides focus via touch
good MP (16MP)
selfie friendly display
78
connects via bluetooth
supports touch to focus
MP count excellent (28MP)
screen isn't selfie friendly
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Landscape Comparison

Olympus E-PL6 Landscape photography factors
Samsung NX500 Landscape photography factors
80
manual focus
switch lenses (Micro Four Thirds mount)
screen is a good size (3 inch)
built in image stabilization (Sensor based)
good MP (16 megapixels)
sensor size is good (Four Thirds)
above average ISO range (25,600)
supports RAW files
80
you can focus manually
swap lenses (Samsung NX mount)
decent sized screen (3")
MP count excellent (28MP)
decent sensor size (APS-C)
doesnt have low pass filter
good high ISO (25,600)
supports RAW files
no image stabilization
Photography Glossary

Vlogging Comparison

Olympus E-PL6 Vlogging details
Samsung NX500 Vlogging details
79
selfie friendly display
touchscreen
built in image stabilization (Sensor based)
provides face detect autofocus
great video quality (1920 x 1080 resolution)
no microphone socket
34
touchscreen functionality
comes with face detect focusing
high video quality (4096 x 2160 pixels)
screen isn't selfie friendly
no image stabilization
does not have microphone jack
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Olympus E-PL6 vs Samsung NX500 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Olympus E-PL6 and Samsung NX500
 Olympus PEN E-PL6Samsung NX500
General Information
Brand Olympus Samsung
Model Olympus PEN E-PL6 Samsung NX500
Type Entry-Level Mirrorless Entry-Level Mirrorless
Revealed 2014-08-01 2015-02-06
Body design Rangefinder-style mirrorless Rangefinder-style mirrorless
Sensor Information
Processor TruePic VI DRIMe 5
Sensor type CMOS BSI-CMOS
Sensor size Four Thirds APS-C
Sensor measurements 17.3 x 13mm 23.5 x 15.7mm
Sensor surface area 224.9mm² 369.0mm²
Sensor resolution 16 megapixels 28 megapixels
Anti aliasing filter
Aspect ratio 1:1, 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9 1:1, 3:2 and 16:9
Max resolution 4608 x 3456 6480 x 4320
Max native ISO 25600 25600
Max enhanced ISO - 51200
Minimum native ISO 100 100
RAW data
Autofocusing
Focus manually
Touch focus
Autofocus continuous
Single autofocus
Tracking autofocus
Selective autofocus
Autofocus center weighted
Multi area autofocus
Autofocus live view
Face detection focus
Contract detection focus
Phase detection focus
Number of focus points 35 209
Lens
Lens mount Micro Four Thirds Samsung NX
Available lenses 107 32
Crop factor 2.1 1.5
Screen
Screen type Tilting Tilting
Screen size 3 inches 3 inches
Screen resolution 460k dot 1,036k dot
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch capability
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder Electronic (optional) None
Features
Min shutter speed 60 seconds 30 seconds
Max shutter speed 1/4000 seconds 1/6000 seconds
Continuous shutter speed 8.0 frames per sec 9.0 frames per sec
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Manual exposure
Exposure compensation Yes Yes
Custom white balance
Image stabilization
Built-in flash
Flash range 7.00 m (bundled FL-LM1) no built-in flash
Flash modes Auto, On, Off, Red-Eye, Fill-in, Slow Sync, Manual (3 levels) Smart flash, auto, auto w/redeye reduction, fill flash, fill w/redeye reduction, 1st-curtain, 2nd-curtain, off
External flash
AEB
White balance bracketing
Exposure
Multisegment
Average
Spot
Partial
AF area
Center weighted
Video features
Video resolutions 1920 x 1080 (30 fps), 1280 x 720 (30 fps), 640 x 480 (30 fps) 3840 x 2160 (30p), 4096 x 2160 (24p), 1920 x 1080 (60p, 50p, 30p, 25p, 24p), 1280 x 720, 640 x 480
Max video resolution 1920x1080 4096x2160
Video file format MPEG-4, Motion JPEG H.265
Microphone input
Headphone input
Connectivity
Wireless Eye-Fi Connected Built-In
Bluetooth
NFC
HDMI
USB USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec) USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec)
GPS None None
Physical
Environment seal
Water proof
Dust proof
Shock proof
Crush proof
Freeze proof
Weight 325 grams (0.72 lbs) 287 grams (0.63 lbs)
Dimensions 111 x 64 x 38mm (4.4" x 2.5" x 1.5") 120 x 64 x 43mm (4.7" x 2.5" x 1.7")
DXO scores
DXO Overall score not tested 87
DXO Color Depth score not tested 24.8
DXO Dynamic range score not tested 13.9
DXO Low light score not tested 1379
Other
Battery life 360 pictures 370 pictures
Type of battery Battery Pack Battery Pack
Battery model BLS-5 BP1130
Self timer Yes (2 or 12 sec) Yes (2 - 30 secs)
Time lapse shooting
Type of storage SD/SDHC/SDXC SD/SDHC/SDXC
Storage slots One One
Cost at release $300 $800