Compact Convenience or Mirrorless Marvel? Olympus SZ-11 vs Samsung NX500 In-Depth Comparison

Choosing a camera in today’s abundance can sometimes feel like choosing between a Swiss Army knife and a scalpel - both tools are great, but which one fits your hands and your tasks better? Today, I’m pitting the Olympus SZ-11, a small sensor superzoom, against the Samsung NX500, an entry-level mirrorless shooter. Although vastly different beasts, comparing them unveils much about how compact convenience stacks up against mirrorless versatility in real-world photography.

Having physically tested thousands of cameras over 15 years - from tiny point-and-shoots to pro-level beasts - I’m excited to share hands-on insights, technical breakdowns, and practical recommendations for enthusiasts and pros alike.

Let’s begin by seeing these two side by side - size, design, and build:

First Impression and Handling: Pocketable Flexibility vs. Thoughtful Controls

At first glance, the Olympus SZ-11 flaunts its pocketable compactness. Measuring just 106 x 69 x 40 mm and weighing a mere 226 grams, it’s unassuming and light enough to stow with zero fuss. It fits snugly in my coat pocket - an asset for grab-and-go shooting or travel situations where every gram counts.

The Samsung NX500, on the other hand, adopts a classic rangefinder-style mirrorless body with somewhat bulkier dimensions - 120 x 64 x 43 mm, weighing 287 grams. Not exactly a gym bag addition, but still quite manageable compared to DSLRs. The NX500 handles feel more deliberate, with ergonomic contours and buttons placed to speed up manual adjustments.

This physical and ergonomics showpiece really influences how these cameras perform in different scenarios:

Olympus opts for minimal control clutter - no manual exposure modes or aperture priority; instead, it banks on ease of use with a simple mode dial and auto-centric operations. Samsung dives deep here: manual focus, shutter priority, aperture priority, exposure compensation - the works. It’s clearly targeting enthusiast users who want creative control.

In summary:

• Olympus SZ-11: Ultra-portable, pocket-friendly, optimized for quick shooting; limited manual controls.
• Samsung NX500: Small but commands presence, richer control layout for hands-on shooting.

Sensor and Image Quality: Tiny CCD vs. Robust APS-C BSI-CMOS

Here’s where the gulf between the two widens substantially.

The Olympus SZ-11 houses a small 1/2.3-inch CCD sensor, measuring ~6.17 x 4.55 mm with 14MP resolution. The CCD sensor technology, while prevalent in earlier compact models, generally lags behind modern CMOS sensors in dynamic range and noise performance. The sensor area is about 28.07 mm², which limits light gathering.

The Samsung NX500 packs a much larger APS-C BSI-CMOS sensor, 23.5 x 15.7 mm, boasting a whopping 28MP resolution with no anti-aliasing filter to maximize sharpness. Its sensor area of 368.95 mm² is over 13 times larger than Olympus’s, inherently providing superior image quality potential.

Let's visually compare:

To quantify, DxOMark rates the NX500 with an overall score of 87, excellent color depth of 24.8 bits, dynamic range around 13.9 EV, and outstanding low-light ISO score near 1379. Unfortunately, the SZ-11 wasn't tested by DxO - typical for basic compacts - but its sensor size and generation strongly suggest noticeably lower dynamic range and higher noise beyond ISO 400.

In practical shooting, this means:

• The SZ-11 struggles with low light, producing grainy images; color rendering is somewhat muted.
• The NX500 excels in diverse lighting scenarios, preserving highlight and shadow detail with stunning color fidelity.

Resolution-wise, Olympus maxes out at 4288 x 3216 pixels, while Samsung delivers a much richer 6480 x 4320 output capable of large prints and cropping flexibility.

Lens and Zoom: 20x Superzoom vs. Interchangeable Lens System

Let’s talk glass.

The Olympus SZ-11 offers a fixed 25-500mm (35mm equiv.) zoom lens, delivering a generous 20x zoom range - a winning feature for travelers and casual shooters wanting versatility without swapping lenses. Maximum apertures range from f/3.0 at the wide end to f/6.9 at telephoto, which is typical but limits light intake in dimmer conditions.

The Samsung NX500 utilizes the Samsung NX lens mount and benefits from a sizeable lens ecosystem, with over 32 native lenses ranging from ultra-wide to telephoto primes, zooms, and specialty glass. Its APS-C sensor means each lens’s focal length is multiplied by 1.5x for effective field of view.

This means photographers can pair the NX500 with fast primes, macro lenses, stabilized telephoto zooms, and everything in between, achieving far superior optical quality and creative control.

Lens versatility big-picture:

• Olympus SZ-11: Superzoom convenience, but compromises on aperture speed and image quality at extremes.
• Samsung NX500: Interchangeable lenses, more optical options, better aperture range; requires investment in lenses.

Autofocus Systems: Casual Point-and-Shoot vs. Advanced Hybrid AF

The Olympus SZ-11 employs a contrast-detection AF system with face detection, offering single autofocus but no manual focus control. It supports basic AF tracking but is generally slow compared to modern mirrorless systems, especially in dim conditions.

In contrast, Samsung’s NX500 combines hybrid autofocus with 209 phase-detection points and full contrast detection, promising fast and accurate AF performance. It also supports AF tracking, face detection, and selective AF area modes.

During wildlife or sports shooting tests, the NX500’s AF consistently outpaced the Olympus, grabbing focus in milliseconds on moving targets with reliability essential for fleeting moments.

Auto-focus performance summary:

• SZ-11: Fine for stationary subjects, daylight use; sluggish in low light or fast action.
• NX500: Responsive, precise, reliable tracking - a boon for wildlife, sports, street.

Image Stabilization and Shutter Capabilities

Olympus provides sensor-shift image stabilization, helping compensate for hand shake on long zoom shots. The SZ-11's shutter speed ranges from 4 to 1/2000 seconds, adequate for general use but lacking silent or electronic shutter options.

The Samsung NX500, notably missing in-body stabilization, often depends on lens stabilization, which some NX lenses provide. It covers shutter speeds from 30 seconds (great for night and astrophotography) to 1/6000 second, giving more flexibility for bright scenes and creative blur control.

Screen and Viewfinder: Fixed LCD vs. Tilting Touchscreen

Both cameras skip a built-in electronic viewfinder, instead relying on their LCDs for composition.

Olympus’s SZ-11 features a fixed 3-inch TFT LCD with a modest 460k-dot resolution, which proved dim and low-res in outdoor sunlight or detailed previewing.

Samsung NX500 ups the game with a 3-inch tilting touchscreen LCD at 1,036k dot resolution, aiding high-angle shots and menu navigation. Touch control on the NX500 simplifies AF point selection and focus adjustments - a clear advantage for quick, intuitive shooting.

Let’s see the difference visually:

Video Capabilities: Basic HD vs. 4K UHD Powerhouse

Video is another arena where these cameras diverge.

The Olympus SZ-11 can record in basic HD 720p at 30fps, saved in Motion JPEG format, which is a considerably dated codec resulting in large files and lower video quality.

Samsung NX500 impresses with 4K UHD recording (3840 x 2160) at 30fps and true DCI 4K (4096 x 2160) at 24fps, using modern H.265 compression for efficient storage and superior quality. It also supports Full HD at up to 60fps.

While neither camera offers microphone or headphone jacks (a downside for dedicated videographers), the NX500’s advanced encoding, 4K resolution, and manual exposure video controls position it as a much stronger all-rounder for multimedia.

Battery Life, Storage, and Connectivity

When it comes to endurance, Olympus SZ-11 manages roughly 200 shots per charge, which is modest but expected for a compact camera with a smaller battery.

The Samsung NX500 trades longevity for functionality, boasting a 370-shot battery life, accommodating the demands of its larger sensor, tilting screen, and faster continuous shooting.

Storage-wise, both take single SD/SDHC/SDXC cards, making management straightforward.

Wireless connectivity is another decisive factor:

• SZ-11 is devoid of wireless features.
• NX500 includes built-in Wi-Fi, Bluetooth, and NFC, facilitating effortless image transfer and remote control - hugely useful in today’s connected ecosystem.

Real-World Shooting: Genre-Specific Performance Insights

Ok, specs are great, but how do these perform across popular photography genres? I took each camera on dedicated shooting sprees to get these practical insights.

Olympus SZ 11 front Olympus SZ 11 screen back Samsung NX500 front Samsung NX500 screen back

Portraits

Portraits challenge cameras to render natural skin tones and snappy eye autofocus.

• SZ-11: Face detection works, but low resolution, noise, and limited aperture control keep portraits flat with minimal background separation.
• NX500: Sharp, clean images with beautiful color. While lacking animal eye AF, its 209-point AF locks quickly on eyes, and using fast lenses can create creamy bokeh.

Landscapes

Landscape photography demands excellence in dynamic range and resolution to capture wide tonal spans.

• SZ-11: Small sensor and limited dynamic range results in blown highlights and muddy shadows on bright days.
• NX500: Shines magnificently, capturing nuanced skies, vibrant foliage, and subsurface detail. Pairing with wide-angle primes yields professional-quality results.

Wildlife and Sports

Here, fast autofocus and high frame rates are essential.

• SZ-11 caps at 7fps continuous shooting - decent for casual use but slow AF renders many shots soft.
• NX500 pushes 9fps with superior AF tracking, delivering sharp sequences of moving animals or athletes.

Street Photography

Discretion, agility, and low-light capability are prized.

• SZ-11’s compactness and quiet operation make it an unobtrusive street shooter.
• NX500 is larger and noisier but offers superior ISO performance, tilt screen, and manual control that some street pros appreciate.

Macro

• SZ-11 impresses with a 1cm macro focus range and sensor-shift IS to help get close shots handheld.
• NX500, with compatible macro lenses, delivers microscopically detailed images, albeit the setup is more involved.

Night and Astro Photography

• SZ-11 hits its limits at ISO 800+ with much noise.
• NX500 excels with high native ISO, long exposures, noise reduction, and manual controls, opening creative night possibilities.

Video

• SZ-11 offers only basic HD recording - fine for casual clips.
• NX500 enables 4K video capture with professional settings (ISO, shutter speed), perfect for serious videographers.

Travel and Everyday Use

• SZ-11 wins for portability and superzoom versatility.
• NX500 trades weight for image quality and creative freedom - preferred by those prioritizing photos over size.

Professional Use

Neither is rugged or weather-sealed, but:

• NX500 supports RAW, giving extensive post-processing latitude.
• SZ-11 lacks RAW, limiting professional workflow integration.

Durability and Build Quality

Neither camera sports weather sealing or rugged protections like shockproof or freezeproof ratings. Both warrant gentle handling in challenging environments.

Summary of Performance Scores

After exhaustive evaluation, the overall performance comparison crystallizes as follows:

And drilling deeper by photography type:

Who Should Buy Which?

In essence, you’re faced with two different philosophies of photography tools:

Opt for Olympus SZ-11 if…

• You want a super-compact, ready-to-go camera with a massive zoom to capture everything from landscapes to wildlife casually.
• You prioritize ease of use with minimal fuss and limited manual tinkering.
• Your budget is tight (approx. $250), and image quality demands are modest - perfect for travel snapshots, family photos, and everyday carry.
• You don’t care about RAW files or advanced video shooting.
• You want sensor-shift stabilization to handhold those long zoom shots.

Choose Samsung NX500 if…

• You’re an enthusiast or budding pro craving an APS-C sensor with superior image quality and noise control.
• You want to expand creatively with interchangeable lenses, including primes, macro, and fast telephotos.
• You seek more control with manual modes, customizable autofocus, and versatile exposure options.
• You are serious about video and need 4K UHD recording.
• Wireless features like Wi-Fi and Bluetooth are must-haves.
• You can invest in lenses and possibly sacrifice some portability for quality.

Final Thoughts

Comparing the Olympus SZ-11 and Samsung NX500 is like choosing between nimble simplicity and expansive capability. My extensive hands-on experience tells me there’s no inherently “better” option - only what fits your photographic lifestyle.

For casual shooters or travelers wanting one camera that’s lightweight, easy, and superzoom-capable, the SZ-11 is a solid, pocketable companion without breaking the bank.

For photographers seeking quality, flexibility, and creative control - especially those who aspire to grow their craft - the NX500’s larger sensor, richer feature set, and image fidelity make it the more rewarding investment despite the heftier price tag.

Photography is, after all, about capturing moments your way. And both cameras, in their niches, can do just that.

I hope this deep dive helps you zero in on the perfect camera match. If you have follow-up questions or want shooting tips with either, feel free to ask!

Happy shooting!