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Samsung NX300M vs Sony A500

Portability
86
Imaging
62
Features
73
Overall
66
Samsung NX300M front
 
Sony Alpha DSLR-A500 front
Portability
63
Imaging
52
Features
52
Overall
52

Samsung NX300M vs Sony A500 Key Specs

Samsung NX300M
(Full Review)
  • 20MP - APS-C Sensor
  • 3.3" Tilting Screen
  • ISO 100 - 25600
  • 1/6000s Max Shutter
  • 1920 x 1080 video
  • Samsung NX Mount
  • 331g - 122 x 64 x 41mm
  • Introduced January 2013
Sony A500
(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
  • Announced August 2009
  • Later Model is Sony A560
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Samsung NX300M vs Sony A500 Overview

Let's look much closer at the Samsung NX300M versus Sony A500, one is a Entry-Level Mirrorless and the latter is a Entry-Level DSLR by companies Samsung and Sony. There exists a big gap among the sensor resolutions of the NX300M (20MP) and A500 (12MP) but both cameras offer the identical sensor sizes (APS-C).

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The NX300M was unveiled 3 years after the A500 which is a fairly big gap as far as camera technology is concerned. Both cameras feature different body design with the Samsung NX300M being a Rangefinder-style mirrorless camera and the Sony A500 being a Compact SLR camera.

Before we go right into a more detailed comparison, here is a quick overview of how the NX300M scores vs the A500 in terms of portability, imaging, features and an overall mark.

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Reasons to pick Samsung NX300M over the Sony A500

 NX300M A500 
AnnouncedJanuary 2013August 2009Newer by 41 months
Screen size3.3"3"Bigger screen (+0.3")
Screen resolution768k230kCrisper screen (+538k dot)
Touch friendly screen Quickly navigate

Reasons to pick Sony A500 over the Samsung NX300M

 A500 NX300M 

Common features in the Samsung NX300M and Sony A500

 NX300M A500 
Focus manually More accurate focus
Screen typeTiltingTiltingTilting screen
Selfie screen Lacking selfie screen

Samsung NX300M vs Sony A500 Physical Comparison

If you are looking to travel with your camera regularly, you have to think about its weight and size. The Samsung NX300M enjoys outside dimensions of 122mm x 64mm x 41mm (4.8" x 2.5" x 1.6") with a weight of 331 grams (0.73 lbs) whilst the Sony A500 has specifications of 137mm x 104mm x 84mm (5.4" x 4.1" x 3.3") along with a weight of 630 grams (1.39 lbs).

See the Samsung NX300M versus Sony A500 in the new Camera with Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Keep in mind, the weight of an Interchangeable Lens Camera will vary based on the lens you select at that time. Below is a front view size comparison of the NX300M compared to the A500.

Samsung NX300M vs Sony A500 size comparison

Taking into account dimensions and weight, the portability rating of the NX300M and A500 is 86 and 63 respectively.

Samsung NX300M vs Sony A500 top view buttons comparison

Samsung NX300M vs Sony A500 Sensor Comparison

Sometimes, it can be difficult to see the difference in sensor dimensions just by researching specs. The picture below will help provide you a far better sense of the sensor dimensions in the NX300M and A500.

All in all, both cameras come with the identical sensor size albeit not the same megapixels. You should expect the Samsung NX300M to result in greater detail having an extra 8 Megapixels. Higher resolution can also let you crop shots a good deal more aggressively. The newer NX300M will have an edge when it comes to sensor tech.

Samsung NX300M vs Sony A500 sensor size comparison

Samsung NX300M vs Sony A500 Screen and ViewFinder

Samsung NX300M vs Sony A500 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Samsung NX300M as a Portrait photography camera
Sony A500 as a Portrait photography camera
77
focusing manually
sensor resolution is decent (20 megapixels)
good sensor size (APS-C)
provides face detection focusing
saves RAW formats
63
has manual focus
sensor size is decent (APS-C)
has face detection focusing
saves RAW formats
MP count low (12MP)
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Street Comparison

Samsung NX300M Street photography details
Sony A500 Street photography details
80
tilting screen
good sensor size (APS-C)
saves RAW formats
features focus by touch
above average ISO range (25,600)
does not have image stabilization
74
screen tilts up and down
built in image stabilization (Sensor based)
sensor size is decent (APS-C)
saves RAW formats
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Sports Comparison

Samsung NX300M Sports photography factors
Sony A500 Sports photography factors
72
maximum shutter speed is high (1/6,000s)
sensor resolution is decent (20 megapixels)
good sensor size (APS-C)
provides tracking autofocus
supports phase detect AF
does not have image stabilization
51
built in image stabilization (Sensor based)
sensor size is decent (APS-C)
supports phase detect AF
continuous shooting slow (5.0 fps)
MP count low (12 megapixels)
bad battery (520 per charge)
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Travel Comparison

Samsung NX300M as a Travel photography camera
Sony A500 as a Travel photography camera
66
features focus by touch
sensor resolution is decent (20MP)
lack of Timelapse mode
doesn't posses selfie friendly screen
43
built-in flash
no Time Lapse mode
bad battery (520 CIPA)
MP count low (12MP)
doesn't contain selfie friendly screen
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Landscape Comparison

Samsung NX300M as a Landscape photography camera
Sony A500 as a Landscape photography camera
72
focusing manually
change lenses (Samsung NX mount)
nice screen size (3.3 inch)
sensor resolution is decent (20 megapixels)
good sensor size (APS-C)
above average ISO range (25,600)
saves RAW formats
does not have image stabilization
lack of Timelapse mode
60
has manual focus
swap lenses (Sony/Minolta Alpha mount)
screen is a decent size (3 inches)
built in image stabilization (Sensor based)
sensor size is decent (APS-C)
saves RAW formats
MP count low (12 megapixels)
bad battery (520 CIPA)
no Time Lapse mode
Photography Glossary

Vlogging Comparison

Samsung NX300M Vlogging highlights
Sony A500 Vlogging highlights
33
touchscreen
provides face detection focusing
video resolution high (1920 x 1080 pxls)
doesn't posses selfie friendly screen
does not have image stabilization
lack of external microphone socket
9
can't record video
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Samsung NX300M vs Sony A500 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Samsung NX300M and Sony A500
 Samsung NX300MSony Alpha DSLR-A500
General Information
Make Samsung Sony
Model type Samsung NX300M Sony Alpha DSLR-A500
Type Entry-Level Mirrorless Entry-Level DSLR
Introduced 2013-01-03 2009-08-27
Body design Rangefinder-style mirrorless Compact SLR
Sensor Information
Chip DRIMe IV Bionz
Sensor type CMOS CMOS
Sensor size APS-C APS-C
Sensor dimensions 23.5 x 15.7mm 23.5 x 15.6mm
Sensor area 369.0mm² 366.6mm²
Sensor resolution 20MP 12MP
Anti alias 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 25600 12800
Min native ISO 100 200
RAW data
Autofocusing
Focus manually
Touch to focus
Continuous AF
AF single
AF tracking
Selective AF
Center weighted AF
AF multi area
AF live view
Face detection AF
Contract detection AF
Phase detection AF
Total focus points 247 9
Lens
Lens support Samsung NX Sony/Minolta Alpha
Amount of lenses 32 143
Focal length multiplier 1.5 1.5
Screen
Screen type Tilting Tilting
Screen size 3.3 inches 3 inches
Resolution of screen 768k dot 230k dot
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch capability
Screen technology Active Matrix OLED screen -
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder type None Optical (pentamirror)
Viewfinder coverage - 95 percent
Viewfinder magnification - 0.53x
Features
Slowest shutter speed 30 secs 30 secs
Maximum shutter speed 1/6000 secs 1/4000 secs
Continuous shooting speed 9.0 frames per sec 5.0 frames per sec
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Expose Manually
Exposure compensation Yes Yes
Change WB
Image stabilization
Built-in flash
Flash distance 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
External flash
AEB
White balance bracketing
Maximum flash sync - 1/160 secs
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 -
Maximum video resolution 1920x1080 None
Video file format MPEG-4, H.264 -
Mic jack
Headphone jack
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
Environmental seal
Water proofing
Dust proofing
Shock proofing
Crush proofing
Freeze proofing
Weight 331g (0.73 lbs) 630g (1.39 lbs)
Physical dimensions 122 x 64 x 41mm (4.8" x 2.5" x 1.6") 137 x 104 x 84mm (5.4" x 4.1" x 3.3")
DXO scores
DXO All around 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 330 photographs 520 photographs
Battery form Battery Pack Battery Pack
Battery ID BP1130 NP-FM500H
Self timer Yes (2 sec to 30 sec) Yes (2 or 10 sec)
Time lapse shooting
Type of storage SD/SDHC/SDXC SD/ SDHC, Memory Stick Pro Duo/ Pro-HG Duo
Storage slots Single Single
Launch pricing $699 $638