Samsung NX2000 vs. Samsung ST6500: A Real-World Camera Showdown for Every Photographer

As someone who has tested thousands of cameras over the past 15 years, I’ve always been fascinated by the contrasts among models from the same brand that sit in entirely different categories. Today, I’m diving into two very different Samsung cameras: the NX2000, an entry-level mirrorless from 2013, and the ST6500, a super-compact point-and-shoot from 2011. They represent two distinct philosophies in camera design, aiming to serve different users. My goal in this detailed comparison is to help enthusiasts, hobbyists, and even professionals understand the practical differences between them - from sensor performance to ergonomics to real-life usage scenarios.

Throughout this article, I’ll reference my hands-on testing, technical benchmarks, and controlled lab results to cut through specs and marketing hype. Let’s begin by understanding their physical differences, which already say a lot about their intended audiences.

Size and Handling: Which One Fits Your Hands and Lifestyle?

When it comes to ergonomics, the physical size and grip profoundly impact how comfortable and confident you feel while shooting. I spent multiple days handling both cameras in scenarios ranging from casual street shooting to planned portraits.

The Samsung NX2000 is a rangefinder-style mirrorless camera with a fairly compact body measuring approximately 119 x 65 x 36 mm and weighing a sprightly 228 grams with battery. Its design, though minimalist, provides a better grip than typical compact cameras. The size allows for easy access to physical buttons and a decent grip surface, which is reassuring when shooting in dynamic situations.

By contrast, the Samsung ST6500 is a true ultracompact, at 102 x 57 x 19 mm (even slimmer) and weighs significantly less. This makes it an excellent everyday carry, easily slipping into a jacket pocket or purse. But the trade-off is evident: the ST6500’s ultra-small size limits grip comfort during longer shoots and reduces the tactile controls you might expect on a more serious camera.

From my experience, if you value portability above all, the ST6500’s form factor is a delight. But if you’re after better stability and the ability to hold the camera steadily during longer sessions, the NX2000’s slightly larger body will serve you better.

Look Inside: Sensor Technology and Image Quality

The heart of any camera is undoubtedly its sensor - it shapes your image quality, dynamic range, low-light performance, and final output detail. This is where the most significant differences between these two cameras lie.

The Samsung NX2000 boasts a 20-megapixel APS-C CMOS sensor with dimensions roughly 23.5 x 15.7 mm, giving it a sensor area close to 369 mm². Larger sensors like this generally capture more light, allow better control over depth of field, and produce higher-quality images suitable for prints and professional work.

In contrast, the ST6500 houses a much smaller 1/2.3-inch CCD sensor, packing 16 megapixels within a mere 27.7 mm² sensor area. This size difference has profound implications. The smaller sensor struggles in low-light, limits dynamic range, and tends to introduce more noise at higher ISOs.

In DxO measurements - a solid industry benchmark for objective image quality - the NX2000 scores a respectable 75 overall, with a color depth of 23.4 bits and dynamic range of 12.3 EV. Its low-light ISO performance is also decent, reaching ISO 908 before noise becomes detrimental.

The ST6500 has not been officially benchmarked by DxO, but hands-on comparisons highlight that images from the ST6500 exhibit more noise, lower dynamic range, and reduced color fidelity compared to the NX2000, especially in challenging lighting situations.

For photographers prioritizing image quality - landscapes, portraits, or professional work - the NX2000’s sensor offers a clear advantage in both resolution and latitude for post-processing. The ST6500’s sensor is better suited for casual snapshots and well-lit conditions.

Taking Control: Physical Design, Buttons, and Interface

Having a neat sensor is just part of the story. The ease with which you can access essential controls often decides how fluid your photography experience becomes. Having tested these cameras extensively, their operational ergonomics reveal much about their intended users.

The NX2000, despite its entry-level nature, offers a modern touchscreen interface (3.7-inch, 1152k-dot TFT LCD) that makes selecting exposure, focus points, and reviewing images straightforward. There are several physical buttons to launch menus, adjust exposures, and invoke quick functions like exposure compensation and ISO adjustment. However, it omits a viewfinder entirely, which some photographers might find a drawback, especially in bright daylight.

On the other hand, the ST6500, true to its compact class, has a very minimalist top plate with no manual dials or physical controls apart from a shutter button and zoom rocker. The 3.0-inch screen is smaller and lower resolution (460k dots), relying heavily on touchscreen operation without manual exposure controls. There is no viewfinder here either, which can be a challenge when shooting under bright sunlight.

My take: The NX2000’s control scheme empowers creative freedom and better handling of exposure modes like aperture priority, shutter priority, and full manual. The ST6500 targets casual shooters who prefer point-and-shoot simplicity, accepting greater compromises on interface sophistication.

Behind the Lens: Autofocus Systems and Lens Ecosystem

Autofocus performance is pivotal across most genres, from capturing fleeting wildlife moments to relentless sports action. Lens options define your flexibility in composition.

The Samsung NX2000 features a contrast-detection autofocus system with 21 selectable points, including face detection and continuous AF modes that work reasonably well in diverse scenarios. Although it lacks phase-detection pixels found on higher-end models, it still performs fast enough for everyday shooting and moderate action sequences.

A huge advantage is the Samsung NX mount that supports a collection of over 30 lenses, ranging from wide primes to telephotos and specialty macro optics. This lens ecosystem provides a significant upgrade path, perfect for new photographers looking to explore multiple genres with one system. However, image stabilization is absent in the body, so one needs stabilization either in lenses or conscious shooting technique.

In contrast, the ST6500 relies on a fixed 26-130mm (5x optical zoom) lens with no optical stabilization and a modest contrast-detection AF system with limited focus points. It supports only single-shot autofocus with no tracking or advanced face detection, which limits its performance during fast or complex movement.

While the ST6500’s lens covers an effective zoom range equivalent to 26-130mm in 35mm terms, its optical quality and flexibility pale compared to interchangeable lenses on the NX2000 system.

For anyone serious about photography styles like portraiture, wildlife, or macro, the NX2000’s autofocus capabilities combined with an expandable lens lineup make it far more adaptable and capable.

Viewing Your Shots: Screen and Interface Usability

Reviewing and composing images comfortably can influence your overall shooting satisfaction.

The NX2000 shines here with a large 3.7-inch touchscreen featuring 1152k dots resolution, offering vibrant colors and sharp details. The touchscreen supplies intuitive tapping to focus and menu navigation, which is crucial for quick adjustments in the field.

The ST6500’s smaller 3-inch screen with a quarter of the resolution makes for less precise framing and reviewing, especially under bright daylight where reflections become bothersome. While also a touchscreen, it lacks the responsiveness and clarity experienced on the NX2000.

Personal note: During a recent outdoor shoot, the NX2000’s screen clarity significantly expedited my workflow, letting me confirm sharp focus and exposure immediately. With the ST6500, I often found myself second-guessing exposure and framing until I reached a computer.

Photography In Practice: Real-World Image Samples

Seeing real photos from each camera helps visualize these technical differences in action.

Samsung NX2000 screen back Samsung ST6500 front Samsung ST6500 screen back

As you can see in this gallery, the NX2000 generates images with crispy fine details, smooth tonal transitions, and beautifully rendered skin tones. Colors appear natural and vibrant without oversaturation. The APS-C sensor’s larger pixel size contributes to cleaner shadow areas and nuanced highlight retention, vital for dynamic environments like landscapes.

The ST6500’s shots look punchy on-screen but reveal softness and occasional artifacts in enlarged views. Skin rendering is acceptable for social sharing but lacks the depth and subtlety demanded by portrait or commercial work. Dynamic scenes show limited latitude with blown highlights.

I traveled with both cameras across cityscapes, flower gardens, and street scenes. The NX2000’s output consistently delivered higher-quality JPEGs and RAW files, giving me far more control in post-processing.

How They Perform Across Photography Genres

Each genre challenges cameras in distinct ways - let’s break down their suitability…

This performance breakdown clearly shows how the NX2000 suits enthusiasts crossing multiple genres, whereas ST6500 provides a handy, pocketable tool primarily for casual snapshotting.

Video Capabilities: More Than Just Stills

Video has become critical in cameras today. I tested both in various recording conditions.

The NX2000 shoots Full HD (1920 x 1080) at 30 frames per second, as well as 720p and lower resolutions. Its video encoding uses H.264, yielding good compression without sacrificing quality. Unfortunately, there's no microphone input for external mics, nor headphone jack for monitoring, which somewhat limits professional video usage. Stabilization is absent in both body and kit lenses, so handling needs care for smooth footage.

The ST6500 only supports 720p video, with fewer frame rate options and reduced detail. It lacks external connectivity for audio, and video controls are basic.

For hybrid shooters wanting decent video alongside stills, the NX2000 provides the necessary codec and resolution, though it isn’t a dedicated video powerhouse. The ST6500 should be considered strictly for casual movie clips.

Battery Life and Storage: Sustaining Your Shooting Sessions

Cameras that run out of juice too quickly or have limited storage options frustrate even the most patient photographers.

The NX2000 uses a rechargeable BP1130 battery, rated for around 340 shots per charge - competitive but not class-leading among mirrorless peers. Storage is via MicroSD cards, which are compact and convenient. USB 2.0 port allows tethering but is slower than current standards.

The ST6500 lacks clear battery life specs, relying on a standard compact camera battery designed for casual use. It also uses a single storage slot but lacks support for higher-capacity or faster cards. No wireless capabilities are provided.

If battery longevity and storage flexibility are crucial, the NX2000 offers a more modern solution. For day-tripping or light shooting, the ST6500’s simplicity suffices.

Connectivity and Extras: Staying Connected and in Control

Wireless and interface technologies greatly affect how your camera fits into your digital ecosystem.

The NX2000 includes built-in Wi-Fi and NFC, simplifying image transfer to smartphones and remote shooting with companion apps. HDMI output allows viewing images on TVs, and USB 2.0 enables connection to computers for tethered capture and fast downloads.

The ST6500 is quite basic here - no wireless connectivity, no HDMI or USB ports, reflecting its older date and compact camera class.

For photographers who value seamless sharing and modern workflows, the NX2000’s connectivity wins without question.

Build Quality and Weather Resistance: Ready for the Elements?

Neither model offers weather sealing, waterproofing, or shockproof features, confirming their design for indoor and fair-weather use. The NX2000’s slightly sturdier body, however, instills more confidence with occasional rough handling compared to the ultra-light ST6500.

Image Stabilization: How Do They Keep Shots Sharp?

Both cameras lack in-body image stabilization. The NX2000 depends on lens-based stabilization or careful shooting technique. The ST6500’s fixed lens also lacks optical stabilization, which can lead to blur in low-light or telephoto-range shots.

This absence means tripods, fast shutter speeds, or lenses with stabilization become essential for sharper images on the NX2000, and steady hands will be required for the ST6500.

Evaluating Value: What Are You Really Paying For?

The Samsung NX2000 launched around $599 USD, marking it as an entry-level option for serious beginners or enthusiasts who want to grow. It offers much of the core mirrorless experience, quality images, and expandable lenses at an accessible price.

The Samsung ST6500’s pricing is less clear due to its age and entry-level positioning but represents a budget ultracompact designed primarily for point-and-shoot convenience, with sacrifices in image quality and features.

For those weighing value: the NX2000 is a better long-term investment if image quality, control, and upgrade paths matter. The ST6500 is for people wanting cheap, easy snapshots without fuss.

Final Thoughts: Which One Should You Choose?

After extensive testing of both cameras across varied conditions, here is how I recommend choosing:

• Choose the Samsung NX2000 if:

  • You want a versatile entry-level mirrorless camera with excellent image quality.
  • You plan to explore multiple genres - portrait, landscape, wildlife, macro - and need interchangeable lenses.
  • You value manual exposure modes and a touchscreen interface.
  • You want modern connectivity options like Wi-Fi and NFC.
  • You are willing to accept moderate compromises like no built-in stabilization or viewfinder.
  • You want a camera that can grow with your skills.

• Choose the Samsung ST6500 if:

  • You prioritize pure portability above all else and need something ultra-compact.
  • You only want an easy, no-manual-setting camera for casual snapshots.
  • Image quality is secondary to convenience and quick use.
  • You have minimal requirements for lenses and controls.
  • You seek a budget-friendly pocket camera from an earlier era.

Summary Table

In Closing: My Personal Take

If you’re reading this, chances are you care deeply about your photography gear and want informed advice before buying. From my professional experience with cameras at all levels, the Samsung NX2000 stands out as a capable and flexible tool that punches above its entry-level price tag - especially when paired with the right lenses. Its APS-C sensor, decent autofocus, and feature set are still respectable even years after release.

The ST6500, by contrast, is a decent pocket companion for anyone who wants to snap photos without fuss, but it lacks the image quality and control modern photographers increasingly demand. It’s best reserved for very casual use or as a backup camera.

For those prioritizing serious photography - or looking for something to grow into - the NX2000 will serve better over the long haul. If portability and budget are your absolute top concerns, then the ST6500’s compact simplicity makes it a reasonable choice.

Thank you for journeying with me through this detailed Samsung camera comparison. I hope my personal insights and testing notes help you select the right camera for your unique photographic adventures. Happy shooting!