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Samsung NX1 vs Sony A500

Portability
66
Imaging
68
Features
90
Overall
76
Samsung NX1 front
 
Sony Alpha DSLR-A500 front
Portability
63
Imaging
52
Features
52
Overall
52

Samsung NX1 vs Sony A500 Key Specs

Samsung NX1
(Full Review)
  • 28MP - APS-C Sensor
  • 3" Tilting Display
  • ISO 100 - 25600 (Boost to 51200)
  • No Anti-Alias Filter
  • 1/8000s Max Shutter
  • 4096 x 2160 video
  • Samsung NX Mount
  • 550g - 139 x 102 x 66mm
  • Introduced September 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
  • Introduced August 2009
  • Later Model is Sony A560
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Samsung NX1 vs Sony A500 Overview

In this write-up, we are matching up the Samsung NX1 versus Sony A500, one is a Pro Mirrorless and the other is a Entry-Level DSLR by brands Samsung and Sony. There exists a significant gap between the resolutions of the NX1 (28MP) and A500 (12MP) but they feature the same exact sensor size (APS-C).

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The NX1 was unveiled 5 years after the A500 which is quite a sizable gap as far as technology is concerned. Both cameras offer different body type with the Samsung NX1 being a SLR-style mirrorless camera and the Sony A500 being a Compact SLR camera.

Before going in to a more detailed comparison, below is a concise view of how the NX1 grades against the A500 when considering portability, imaging, features and an overall mark.

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Reasons to pick Samsung NX1 over the Sony A500

 NX1 A500 
IntroducedSeptember 2014August 2009Newer by 62 months
Display resolution1036k230kClearer display (+806k dot)
Touch friendly display Easily navigate

Reasons to pick Sony A500 over the Samsung NX1

 A500 NX1 

Common features in the Samsung NX1 and Sony A500

 NX1 A500 
Manually focus More accurate focus
Display typeTiltingTiltingTilting display
Display sizing3"3"Equivalent display size
Selfie screen Absent selfie screen

Samsung NX1 vs Sony A500 Physical Comparison

For anyone who is looking to travel with your camera frequently, you have to factor in its weight and proportions. The Samsung NX1 enjoys external measurements of 139mm x 102mm x 66mm (5.5" x 4.0" x 2.6") with a weight of 550 grams (1.21 lbs) and the Sony A500 has measurements of 137mm x 104mm x 84mm (5.4" x 4.1" x 3.3") along with a weight of 630 grams (1.39 lbs).

Check the Samsung NX1 versus Sony A500 in the latest Camera with Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Do not forget, the weight of an Interchangeable Lens Camera will change based on the lens you use at that moment. Here is the front view measurements comparison of the NX1 compared to the A500.

Samsung NX1 vs Sony A500 size comparison

Taking into consideration dimensions and weight, the portability grade of the NX1 and A500 is 66 and 63 respectively.

Samsung NX1 vs Sony A500 top view buttons comparison

Samsung NX1 vs Sony A500 Sensor Comparison

More often than not, it can be difficult to imagine the difference between sensor dimensions only by reading through specs. The pic here may give you a more clear sense of the sensor sizing in the NX1 and A500.

All in all, both cameras enjoy the same exact sensor sizing but different megapixels. You should expect to see the Samsung NX1 to resolve greater detail having an extra 16 Megapixels. Greater resolution can also let you crop images far more aggressively. The younger NX1 provides a benefit in sensor innovation.

Samsung NX1 vs Sony A500 sensor size comparison

Samsung NX1 vs Sony A500 Screen and ViewFinder

Samsung NX1 vs Sony A500 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Samsung NX1 Portrait photography advice
Sony A500 Portrait photography advice
80
has manual focus
excellent resolution (28MP)
sensor size is decent (APS-C)
comes with face detection focus
delivers RAW files
63
manual focus
sensor size is decent (APS-C)
supports face detect autofocus
exports RAW formats
resolution not great (12 megapixels)
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Street Comparison

Samsung NX1 Street photography factors
Sony A500 Street photography factors
74
screen tilts up and down
sensor size is decent (APS-C)
delivers RAW files
supports touch to focus
weather proof
lighter than average in class (550g)
above average ISO range (25,600)
does not have image stabilization
74
has a tilting screen
has image stabilization (Sensor based)
sensor size is decent (APS-C)
exports RAW formats
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Sports Comparison

Samsung NX1 Sports photography details
Sony A500 Sports photography details
76
max shutter speed is good (1/8,000s)
excellent resolution (28 megapixels)
sensor size is decent (APS-C)
comes with tracking autofocus
weather proof
supports phase detect auto focus
does not have image stabilization
51
has image stabilization (Sensor based)
sensor size is decent (APS-C)
supports phase detect autofocus
max frames per second very slow (5.0 frames/s)
resolution not great (12MP)
not so great battery power (520 CIPA)
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Travel Comparison

Samsung NX1 Travel photography advice
Sony A500 Travel photography advice
74
lighter than average in class (550 grams)
weather proof
supports bluetooth
supports touch to focus
excellent resolution (28MP)
flash built-in
does not have a selfie friendly display
43
built-in flash
missing Time Lapse recording
not so great battery power (520 per charge)
resolution not great (12MP)
doesn't have selfie friendly display
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Landscape Comparison

Samsung NX1 as a Landscape photography camera
Sony A500 as a Landscape photography camera
78
has manual focus
interchangeable lenses (Samsung NX mount)
nice screen size (3 inches)
excellent resolution (28 megapixels)
sensor size is decent (APS-C)
doesnt have low pass filter
above average ISO range (25,600)
delivers RAW files
weather proof
does not have image stabilization
60
manual focus
interchangeable lenses (Sony/Minolta Alpha mount)
nice screen size (3 inches)
has image stabilization (Sensor based)
sensor size is decent (APS-C)
exports RAW formats
resolution not great (12 megapixels)
not so great battery power (520 per charge)
missing Time Lapse recording
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Vlogging Comparison

Samsung NX1 Vlogging highlights
Sony A500 Vlogging highlights
34
touch screen
comes with face detection focus
video res high (4096 x 2160 resolution)
comes with external microphone socket
lighter than average in class (550 grams)
does not have a selfie friendly display
does not have image stabilization
9
can't record video
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Samsung NX1 vs Sony A500 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Samsung NX1 and Sony A500
 Samsung NX1Sony Alpha DSLR-A500
General Information
Brand Samsung Sony
Model type Samsung NX1 Sony Alpha DSLR-A500
Category Pro Mirrorless Entry-Level DSLR
Introduced 2014-09-15 2009-08-27
Body design SLR-style mirrorless Compact SLR
Sensor Information
Processor Chip DRIMe 5 Bionz
Sensor type BSI-CMOS CMOS
Sensor size APS-C APS-C
Sensor dimensions 23.5 x 15.7mm 23.5 x 15.6mm
Sensor surface area 369.0mm² 366.6mm²
Sensor resolution 28 megapixels 12 megapixels
Anti alias filter
Aspect ratio 1:1, 3:2 and 16:9 3:2 and 16:9
Maximum resolution 6480 x 4320 4272 x 2848
Maximum native ISO 25600 12800
Maximum boosted ISO 51200 -
Minimum native ISO 100 200
RAW data
Autofocusing
Focus manually
AF touch
Continuous AF
Single AF
AF tracking
AF selectice
Center weighted AF
AF multi area
Live view AF
Face detect AF
Contract detect AF
Phase detect AF
Total focus points 209 9
Cross type focus points 153 -
Lens
Lens mount type Samsung NX Sony/Minolta Alpha
Total lenses 32 143
Focal length multiplier 1.5 1.5
Screen
Display type Tilting Tilting
Display sizing 3" 3"
Display resolution 1,036k dot 230k dot
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch function
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder Electronic Optical (pentamirror)
Viewfinder resolution 2,360k dot -
Viewfinder coverage 100 percent 95 percent
Viewfinder magnification 0.7x 0.53x
Features
Lowest shutter speed 30s 30s
Highest shutter speed 1/8000s 1/4000s
Continuous shooting speed 15.0 frames/s 5.0 frames/s
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Manual exposure
Exposure compensation Yes Yes
Custom WB
Image stabilization
Integrated flash
Flash distance 11.00 m (ISO 100) 12.00 m
Flash options - Auto, On, Off, Red-Eye, Slow Sync, High Speed Sync, Rear Curtain, Fill-in, Wireless
Hot shoe
AE bracketing
White balance bracketing
Highest flash sync - 1/160s
Exposure
Multisegment
Average
Spot
Partial
AF area
Center weighted
Video features
Video resolutions 3840 x 2160 (30p), 4096 x 2160 (24p), 1920 x 1080 (60p, 50p, 30p, 25p, 24p), 1280 x 720, 640 x 480 -
Maximum video resolution 4096x2160 None
Video format H.265 -
Mic input
Headphone input
Connectivity
Wireless Built-In None
Bluetooth
NFC
HDMI
USB USB 3.0 (5 GBit/sec) USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec)
GPS None None
Physical
Environmental seal
Water proofing
Dust proofing
Shock proofing
Crush proofing
Freeze proofing
Weight 550 grams (1.21 pounds) 630 grams (1.39 pounds)
Dimensions 139 x 102 x 66mm (5.5" x 4.0" x 2.6") 137 x 104 x 84mm (5.4" x 4.1" x 3.3")
DXO scores
DXO All around rating 83 64
DXO Color Depth rating 24.2 21.8
DXO Dynamic range rating 13.2 11.6
DXO Low light rating 1363 772
Other
Battery life 500 photos 520 photos
Battery format Battery Pack Battery Pack
Battery ID BP1900 NP-FM500H
Self timer Yes (2 - 30 secs) Yes (2 or 10 sec)
Time lapse shooting
Type of storage SD/SDHC/SDXC (UHS-I/II) SD/ SDHC, Memory Stick Pro Duo/ Pro-HG Duo
Storage slots 1 1
Cost at launch $1,500 $638