Samsung NX1000 vs Sony A500
90 Imaging
62 Features
60 Overall
61
![Samsung NX1000 front Samsung NX1000 front](https://pxlmag.com/db/images/cameras/w300/fronton/Samsung_NX1000_0.jpg)
![Sony Alpha DSLR-A500 front Sony Alpha DSLR-A500 front](https://pxlmag.com/db/images/cameras/gallery/medium/Sony-Alpha-DSLR-A500/Sony-A500-front.jpg)
63 Imaging
52 Features
52 Overall
52
Samsung NX1000 vs Sony A500 Key Specs
(Full Review)
- 20MP - APS-C Sensor
- 3" Fixed Display
- ISO 100 - 12800
- 1920 x 1080 video
- Samsung NX Mount
- 222g - 114 x 63 x 37mm
- Released April 2012
- Later Model is Samsung NX1100
(Full Review)
- 12MP - APS-C Sensor
- 3" Tilting Screen
- ISO 200 - 12800
- Sensor based Image Stabilization
- No Video
- Sony/Minolta Alpha Mount
- 630g - 137 x 104 x 84mm
- Introduced August 2009
- Replacement is Sony A560
![](https://pxlmag.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/06/No-Surprise-Pentax-17-Pre-Orders-218x150.jpg)
Samsung NX1000 vs Sony A500 Overview
Lets look more closely at the Samsung NX1000 and Sony A500, former being a Entry-Level Mirrorless while the latter is a Entry-Level DSLR by companies Samsung and Sony. There is a large difference among the resolutions of the NX1000 (20MP) and A500 (12MP) but they enjoy the same exact sensor size (APS-C).
![](https://pxlmag.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/04/LP3_cut_13f_0212-218x150.jpg)
The NX1000 was brought out 2 years later than the A500 and that is a fairly serious difference as far as camera tech is concerned. Both of these cameras offer different body type with the Samsung NX1000 being a Rangefinder-style mirrorless camera and the Sony A500 being a Compact SLR camera.
Before diving straight into a comprehensive comparison, below is a concise introduction of how the NX1000 grades against the A500 with regards to portability, imaging, features and an overall grade.
![](https://pxlmag.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/04/ai-licence-218x150.jpg)
Samsung NX1000 vs Sony A500 Gallery
Following is a preview of the gallery photos for Samsung NX1000 & Sony Alpha DSLR-A500. The entire galleries are viewable at Samsung NX1000 Gallery & Sony A500 Gallery.
Reasons to pick Samsung NX1000 over the Sony A500
NX1000 | A500 | |||
---|---|---|---|---|
Introduced | April 2012 | ![]() | August 2009 | More recent by 33 months |
Screen resolution | 921k | ![]() | 230k | Clearer screen (+691k dot) |
Reasons to pick Sony A500 over the Samsung NX1000
A500 | NX1000 | |||
---|---|---|---|---|
Screen type | Tilting | ![]() | Fixed | Tilting screen |
Common features in the Samsung NX1000 and Sony A500
NX1000 | A500 | |||
---|---|---|---|---|
Manual focus | ![]() | More exact focusing | ||
Screen sizing | 3" | ![]() | 3" | Equivalent screen size |
Selfie screen | ![]() | Lacking selfie screen | ||
Touch screen | ![]() | Neither contains Touch screen |
Samsung NX1000 vs Sony A500 Physical Comparison
If you are going to lug around your camera frequently, you will need to think about its weight and dimensions. The Samsung NX1000 has got external dimensions of 114mm x 63mm x 37mm (4.5" x 2.5" x 1.5") and a weight of 222 grams (0.49 lbs) and the Sony A500 has dimensions of 137mm x 104mm x 84mm (5.4" x 4.1" x 3.3") accompanied by a weight of 630 grams (1.39 lbs).
Examine the Samsung NX1000 and Sony A500 in our completely new Camera plus Lens Size Comparison Tool.![Camera Size Comparison with Lenses Camera Size Comparison with Lenses](https://pxlmag.com/db/assets/camera-size-comparison-animation.gif)
Take into account, the weight of an ILC will vary based on the lens you use at that time. Below is the front view over all size comparison of the NX1000 against the A500.
![Samsung NX1000 vs Sony A500 size comparison Samsung NX1000 vs Sony A500 size comparison](https://pxlmag.com/db/images/camera-compare/Samsung-NX1000-vs-Sony-Alpha-DSLR-A500-size-comparison.jpg)
Factoring in size and weight, the portability score of the NX1000 and A500 is 90 and 63 respectively.
![Samsung NX1000 vs Sony A500 top view buttons comparison Samsung NX1000 vs Sony A500 top view buttons comparison](https://pxlmag.com/db/images/camera-compare/Samsung-NX1000-vs-Sony-Alpha-DSLR-A500-top-view-buttons-comparison.jpg)
Samsung NX1000 vs Sony A500 Sensor Comparison
Oftentimes, it's difficult to envision the gap in sensor measurements purely by checking out specifications. The visual here should provide you a clearer sense of the sensor dimensions in the NX1000 and A500.
To sum up, the 2 cameras offer the same exact sensor sizing albeit not the same resolution. You can count on the Samsung NX1000 to provide greater detail having its extra 8MP. Higher resolution will also make it easier to crop shots a little more aggressively. The more modern NX1000 is going to have a benefit in sensor innovation.
![Samsung NX1000 vs Sony A500 sensor size comparison Samsung NX1000 vs Sony A500 sensor size comparison](https://pxlmag.com/db/images/sensor-compare/Samsung-NX1000-vs-Sony-Alpha-DSLR-A500-sensor-size-comparison.png)
Samsung NX1000 vs Sony A500 Screen and ViewFinder
![Samsung NX1000 vs Sony A500 Screen and Viewfinder comparison Samsung NX1000 vs Sony A500 Screen and Viewfinder comparison](https://pxlmag.com/db/images/camera-compare/Samsung-NX1000-vs-Sony-Alpha-DSLR-A500-screen-back-comparison.jpg)
![](https://pxlmag.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/04/tiktok-218x150.jpg)
Photography Type Scores
Portrait Comparison
![](https://pxlmag.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/04/samsung-evo-microsd-cards-featur-218x150.jpg)
Street Comparison
![](https://pxlmag.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/04/snapchat-218x150.jpg)
Sports Comparison
![](https://pxlmag.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/04/iphone-optical-stabilization-218x150.jpg)
Travel Comparison
![](https://pxlmag.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/04/photography-glossary-218x150.jpg)
Landscape Comparison
![](https://pxlmag.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/04/maxresdefault-218x150.jpg)
Vlogging Comparison
![](https://pxlmag.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/04/Approach-to-AI-Generated-Content-218x150.jpg)
Samsung NX1000 vs Sony A500 Specifications
Samsung NX1000 | Sony Alpha DSLR-A500 | |
---|---|---|
General Information | ||
Brand Name | Samsung | Sony |
Model | Samsung NX1000 | Sony Alpha DSLR-A500 |
Category | Entry-Level Mirrorless | Entry-Level DSLR |
Released | 2012-04-19 | 2009-08-27 |
Physical type | Rangefinder-style mirrorless | Compact SLR |
Sensor Information | ||
Powered by | - | Bionz |
Sensor type | CMOS | CMOS |
Sensor size | APS-C | APS-C |
Sensor measurements | 23.5 x 15.7mm | 23.5 x 15.6mm |
Sensor surface area | 369.0mm² | 366.6mm² |
Sensor resolution | 20 megapixel | 12 megapixel |
Anti aliasing filter | ||
Aspect ratio | 1:1, 3:2 and 16:9 | 3:2 and 16:9 |
Maximum resolution | 5472 x 3648 | 4272 x 2848 |
Maximum native ISO | 12800 | 12800 |
Lowest native ISO | 100 | 200 |
RAW files | ||
Autofocusing | ||
Focus manually | ||
Autofocus touch | ||
Autofocus continuous | ||
Single autofocus | ||
Autofocus tracking | ||
Selective autofocus | ||
Autofocus center weighted | ||
Multi area autofocus | ||
Autofocus live view | ||
Face detect autofocus | ||
Contract detect autofocus | ||
Phase detect autofocus | ||
Number of focus points | 15 | 9 |
Lens | ||
Lens mount | Samsung NX | Sony/Minolta Alpha |
Number of lenses | 32 | 143 |
Crop factor | 1.5 | 1.5 |
Screen | ||
Display type | Fixed Type | Tilting |
Display size | 3" | 3" |
Resolution of display | 921k dots | 230k dots |
Selfie friendly | ||
Liveview | ||
Touch function | ||
Display tech | TFT LCD | - |
Viewfinder Information | ||
Viewfinder type | None | Optical (pentamirror) |
Viewfinder coverage | - | 95 percent |
Viewfinder magnification | - | 0.53x |
Features | ||
Slowest shutter speed | 30 seconds | 30 seconds |
Maximum shutter speed | 1/4000 seconds | 1/4000 seconds |
Continuous shooting rate | 8.0 frames/s | 5.0 frames/s |
Shutter priority | ||
Aperture priority | ||
Manually set exposure | ||
Exposure compensation | Yes | Yes |
Custom white balance | ||
Image stabilization | ||
Built-in flash | ||
Flash range | no built-in flash | 12.00 m |
Flash modes | Auto, On, Off, Red-eye, Fill-in, 1st/2nd Curtain, Smart Flash, Manual | Auto, On, Off, Red-Eye, Slow Sync, High Speed Sync, Rear Curtain, Fill-in, Wireless |
Hot shoe | ||
AEB | ||
White balance bracketing | ||
Maximum flash synchronize | 1/180 seconds | 1/160 seconds |
Exposure | ||
Multisegment metering | ||
Average metering | ||
Spot metering | ||
Partial metering | ||
AF area metering | ||
Center weighted metering | ||
Video features | ||
Video resolutions | 1920 x 1080 (30 fps), 1920 x 810 (24 fps) 1280 x 720 (30 fps), 640 x 480 (30 fps), 320 x 240 (30 fps) | - |
Maximum video resolution | 1920x1080 | None |
Video file format | MPEG-4, H.264 | - |
Microphone 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 | Optional | None |
Physical | ||
Environment sealing | ||
Water proof | ||
Dust proof | ||
Shock proof | ||
Crush proof | ||
Freeze proof | ||
Weight | 222 gr (0.49 lbs) | 630 gr (1.39 lbs) |
Dimensions | 114 x 63 x 37mm (4.5" x 2.5" x 1.5") | 137 x 104 x 84mm (5.4" x 4.1" x 3.3") |
DXO scores | ||
DXO All around score | 72 | 64 |
DXO Color Depth score | 22.8 | 21.8 |
DXO Dynamic range score | 12.4 | 11.6 |
DXO Low light score | 840 | 772 |
Other | ||
Battery life | 320 pictures | 520 pictures |
Battery type | Battery Pack | Battery Pack |
Battery model | BC1030 | NP-FM500H |
Self timer | Yes (2 sec to 30 sec) | Yes (2 or 10 sec) |
Time lapse recording | ||
Type of storage | SD/SDHC/SDXC | SD/ SDHC, Memory Stick Pro Duo/ Pro-HG Duo |
Card slots | Single | Single |
Price at launch | $388 | $638 |