Samsung NX300M vs Sony A500
86 Imaging
62 Features
73 Overall
66
![Samsung NX300M front Samsung NX300M front](https://pxlmag.com/db/images/cameras/w300/fronton/Samsung_NX300M_7.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 NX300M vs Sony A500 Key Specs
(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
(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
![](https://pxlmag.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/04/tiktok-218x150.jpg)
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).
![](https://pxlmag.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/04/iphone-optical-stabilization-218x150.jpg)
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.
![](https://pxlmag.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/04/samsung-evo-microsd-cards-featur-218x150.jpg)
Samsung NX300M vs Sony A500 Gallery
Following is a preview of the gallery images for Samsung NX300M and Sony Alpha DSLR-A500. The full galleries are available at Samsung NX300M Gallery and Sony A500 Gallery.
Reasons to pick Samsung NX300M over the Sony A500
NX300M | A500 | |||
---|---|---|---|---|
Announced | January 2013 | ![]() | August 2009 | Newer by 41 months |
Screen size | 3.3" | ![]() | 3" | Bigger screen (+0.3") |
Screen resolution | 768k | ![]() | 230k | Crisper 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 type | Tilting | ![]() | Tilting | Tilting 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 Camera Size Comparison with Lenses](https://pxlmag.com/db/assets/camera-size-comparison-animation.gif)
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 Samsung NX300M vs Sony A500 size comparison](https://pxlmag.com/db/images/camera-compare/Samsung-NX300M-vs-Sony-Alpha-DSLR-A500-size-comparison.jpg)
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 top view buttons comparison](https://pxlmag.com/db/images/camera-compare/Samsung-NX300M-vs-Sony-Alpha-DSLR-A500-top-view-buttons-comparison.jpg)
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 sensor size comparison](https://pxlmag.com/db/images/sensor-compare/Samsung-NX300M-vs-Sony-Alpha-DSLR-A500-sensor-size-comparison.png)
Samsung NX300M vs Sony A500 Screen and ViewFinder
![Samsung NX300M vs Sony A500 Screen and Viewfinder comparison Samsung NX300M vs Sony A500 Screen and Viewfinder comparison](https://pxlmag.com/db/images/camera-compare/Samsung-NX300M-vs-Sony-Alpha-DSLR-A500-screen-back-comparison.jpg)
![](https://pxlmag.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/06/No-Surprise-Pentax-17-Pre-Orders-218x150.jpg)
Photography Type Scores
Portrait Comparison
![](https://pxlmag.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/04/LP3_cut_13f_0212-218x150.jpg)
Street Comparison
![](https://pxlmag.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/04/photography-glossary-218x150.jpg)
Sports Comparison
![](https://pxlmag.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/04/Approach-to-AI-Generated-Content-218x150.jpg)
Travel Comparison
![](https://pxlmag.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/04/maxresdefault-218x150.jpg)
Landscape Comparison
![](https://pxlmag.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/04/snapchat-218x150.jpg)
Vlogging Comparison
![](https://pxlmag.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/04/ai-licence-218x150.jpg)
Samsung NX300M vs Sony A500 Specifications
Samsung NX300M | Sony 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 |