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Samsung NX mini vs Sony A500

Portability
93
Imaging
52
Features
68
Overall
58
Samsung NX mini front
 
Sony Alpha DSLR-A500 front
Portability
63
Imaging
52
Features
52
Overall
52

Samsung NX mini vs Sony A500 Key Specs

Samsung NX mini
(Full Review)
  • 20.5MP - 1" Sensor
  • 3" Tilting Screen
  • ISO 160 - 12800 (Increase to 25600)
  • 1/16000s Max Shutter
  • 1920 x 1080 video
  • Samsung NX-M Mount
  • 196g - 110 x 62 x 23mm
  • Announced March 2014
Sony A500
(Full Review)
  • 12MP - APS-C Sensor
  • 3" Tilting Display
  • ISO 200 - 12800
  • Sensor based Image Stabilization
  • No Video
  • Sony/Minolta Alpha Mount
  • 630g - 137 x 104 x 84mm
  • Announced August 2009
  • Updated by Sony A560
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Samsung NX mini vs Sony A500 Overview

Its time to look more closely at the Samsung NX mini vs Sony A500, one is a Entry-Level Mirrorless and the other is a Entry-Level DSLR by manufacturers Samsung and Sony. There is a crucial difference among the image resolutions of the NX mini (20.5MP) and A500 (12MP) and the NX mini (1") and A500 (APS-C) possess different sensor sizing.

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The NX mini was unveiled 4 years after the A500 which is a fairly serious gap as far as camera tech is concerned. Both the cameras offer different body type with the Samsung NX mini being a Rangefinder-style mirrorless camera and the Sony A500 being a Compact SLR camera.

Before we go in to a detailed comparison, below is a short highlight of how the NX mini scores versus the A500 in the way of portability, imaging, features and an overall mark.

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Reasons to pick Samsung NX mini over the Sony A500

 NX mini A500 
AnnouncedMarch 2014August 2009Newer by 56 months
Display resolution461k230kClearer display (+231k dot)
Touch friendly display Easily navigate

Reasons to pick Sony A500 over the Samsung NX mini

 A500 NX mini 

Common features in the Samsung NX mini and Sony A500

 NX mini A500 
Manually focus Dial precise focus
Display typeTiltingTiltingTilting display
Display sizing3"3"Equivalent display measurement
Selfie screen No selfie screen

Samsung NX mini vs Sony A500 Physical Comparison

If you're intending to travel with your camera regularly, you need to factor in its weight and proportions. The Samsung NX mini offers outside measurements of 110mm x 62mm x 23mm (4.3" x 2.4" x 0.9") along with a weight of 196 grams (0.43 lbs) whilst the Sony A500 has measurements of 137mm x 104mm x 84mm (5.4" x 4.1" x 3.3") and a weight of 630 grams (1.39 lbs).

Contrast the Samsung NX mini vs Sony A500 in the latest Camera and Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Keep in mind, the weight of an Interchangeable Lens Camera will vary depending on the lens you have at that moment. Here is the front view proportions comparison of the NX mini against the A500.

Samsung NX mini vs Sony A500 size comparison

Considering size and weight, the portability rating of the NX mini and A500 is 93 and 63 respectively.

Samsung NX mini vs Sony A500 top view buttons comparison

Samsung NX mini vs Sony A500 Sensor Comparison

Generally, it's difficult to imagine the contrast in sensor dimensions simply by researching specs. The picture underneath will help provide you a more clear sense of the sensor measurements in the NX mini and A500.

All in all, the 2 cameras enjoy different megapixel count and different sensor dimensions. The NX mini using its smaller sensor is going to make shooting shallower depth of field harder and the Samsung NX mini will result in more detail having an extra 8.5MP. Greater resolution will make it easier to crop images far more aggressively. The more modern NX mini should have an edge when it comes to sensor technology.

Samsung NX mini vs Sony A500 sensor size comparison

Samsung NX mini vs Sony A500 Screen and ViewFinder

Samsung NX mini vs Sony A500 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Samsung NX mini Portrait photography details
Sony A500 Portrait photography details
71
has manual focus
decent sensor resolution (20.5MP)
sensor size is nice (1")
provides face detection autofocus
saves RAW formats
63
has manual focus
decent sensor size (APS-C)
offers face detect focus
supports RAW formats
sensor resolution low (12 megapixels)
Photography Glossary

Street Comparison

Street photography with Samsung NX mini
Street photography with Sony A500
81
screen tilts
sensor size is nice (1")
saves RAW formats
offers focus via touch
lighter than average in class (196g)
no image stabilization
74
screen tilts up and down
has image stabilization (Sensor based)
decent sensor size (APS-C)
supports RAW formats
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Sports Comparison

Sports photography with Samsung NX mini
Sports photography with Sony A500
54
great max shutter speed (1/16,000 seconds)
decent sensor resolution (20.5 megapixels)
sensor size is nice (1")
great battery (650 shots)
low frames per second (6.0 fps)
no image stabilization
lack of phase detect autofocus
51
has image stabilization (Sensor based)
decent sensor size (APS-C)
sensor has phase detect auto focus
continuous shooting slow (5.0 frames/s)
sensor resolution low (12 megapixels)
terrible battery pack (520 CIPA)
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Travel Comparison

Samsung NX mini Travel photography information
Sony A500 Travel photography information
76
great battery (650 CIPA)
lighter than average in class (196g)
offers focus via touch
decent sensor resolution (20.5 megapixels)
built-in flash
no Timelapse recording
doesn't have selfie friendly screen
43
has built in flash
does not have Time Lapse function
terrible battery pack (520 shots)
sensor resolution low (12 megapixels)
does not have a selfie friendly screen
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Landscape Comparison

Samsung NX mini Landscape photography features
Sony A500 Landscape photography features
68
has manual focus
swap lenses (Samsung NX-M mount)
screen size is decent (3")
decent sensor resolution (20.5 megapixels)
sensor size is nice (1")
saves RAW formats
great battery (650 shots)
no image stabilization
no Timelapse recording
60
has manual focus
swap lenses (Sony/Minolta Alpha mount)
nice screen size (3")
has image stabilization (Sensor based)
decent sensor size (APS-C)
supports RAW formats
sensor resolution low (12MP)
terrible battery pack (520 per charge)
does not have Time Lapse function
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Vlogging Comparison

Samsung NX mini as a Vlogging camera
Sony A500 as a Vlogging camera
38
touchscreen enabled
provides face detection autofocus
video res high (1920 x 1080 pixels)
includes external microphone port
lighter than average in class (196g)
doesn't have selfie friendly screen
no image stabilization
9
no video shooting
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Samsung NX mini vs Sony A500 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Samsung NX mini and Sony A500
 Samsung NX miniSony Alpha DSLR-A500
General Information
Make Samsung Sony
Model type Samsung NX mini Sony Alpha DSLR-A500
Class Entry-Level Mirrorless Entry-Level DSLR
Announced 2014-03-19 2009-08-27
Physical type Rangefinder-style mirrorless Compact SLR
Sensor Information
Processor Chip - Bionz
Sensor type BSI-CMOS CMOS
Sensor size 1" APS-C
Sensor dimensions 13.2 x 8.8mm 23.5 x 15.6mm
Sensor surface area 116.2mm² 366.6mm²
Sensor resolution 20.5MP 12MP
Anti alias filter
Aspect ratio 1:1, 3:2 and 16:9 3:2 and 16:9
Max resolution 5472 x 3648 4272 x 2848
Max native ISO 12800 12800
Max enhanced ISO 25600 -
Lowest native ISO 160 200
RAW files
Lowest enhanced ISO 100 -
Autofocusing
Focus manually
Touch to focus
AF continuous
Single AF
Tracking AF
AF selectice
Center weighted AF
Multi area AF
Live view AF
Face detection focusing
Contract detection focusing
Phase detection focusing
Total focus points 21 9
Lens
Lens support Samsung NX-M Sony/Minolta Alpha
Total lenses 2 143
Crop factor 2.7 1.5
Screen
Screen type Tilting Tilting
Screen sizing 3 inch 3 inch
Screen resolution 461 thousand dots 230 thousand dots
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch operation
Screen technology TFT-LCD (180 degree tilt) -
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder type None Optical (pentamirror)
Viewfinder coverage - 95%
Viewfinder magnification - 0.53x
Features
Min shutter speed 30 seconds 30 seconds
Max shutter speed 1/16000 seconds 1/4000 seconds
Continuous shutter rate 6.0 frames per sec 5.0 frames per sec
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Manually set exposure
Exposure compensation Yes Yes
Custom WB
Image stabilization
Inbuilt flash
Flash distance - 12.00 m
Flash modes Smart Flash, auto, auto + redeye reduction, fill-in, fill-in + redeye reduction, 1st curtain, 2nd curtain Auto, On, Off, Red-Eye, Slow Sync, High Speed Sync, Rear Curtain, Fill-in, Wireless
External flash
AEB
WB bracketing
Max flash synchronize 1/200 seconds 1/160 seconds
Exposure
Multisegment
Average
Spot
Partial
AF area
Center weighted
Video features
Video resolutions 1920 x 1080, 1280 x 720, 640 x 480, 320 x 240 (all 30 fps) -
Max video resolution 1920x1080 None
Video data format MPEG-4, H.264 -
Mic port
Headphone port
Connectivity
Wireless Built-In None
Bluetooth
NFC
HDMI
USB USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec) USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec)
GPS None None
Physical
Environment sealing
Water proofing
Dust proofing
Shock proofing
Crush proofing
Freeze proofing
Weight 196 grams (0.43 lbs) 630 grams (1.39 lbs)
Dimensions 110 x 62 x 23mm (4.3" x 2.4" x 0.9") 137 x 104 x 84mm (5.4" x 4.1" x 3.3")
DXO scores
DXO Overall rating not tested 64
DXO Color Depth rating not tested 21.8
DXO Dynamic range rating not tested 11.6
DXO Low light rating not tested 772
Other
Battery life 650 pictures 520 pictures
Style of battery Battery Pack Battery Pack
Battery ID B740 NP-FM500H
Self timer Yes (2-30 sec) Yes (2 or 10 sec)
Time lapse recording
Type of storage microSD/microSDHC/microSDXC SD/ SDHC, Memory Stick Pro Duo/ Pro-HG Duo
Card slots One One
Launch pricing $530 $638