Clicky

Samsung NX5 vs Sony A500

Portability
80
Imaging
55
Features
50
Overall
53
Samsung NX5 front
 
Sony Alpha DSLR-A500 front
Portability
63
Imaging
52
Features
52
Overall
52

Samsung NX5 vs Sony A500 Key Specs

Samsung NX5
(Full Review)
  • 15MP - APS-C Sensor
  • 3" Fixed Screen
  • ISO 100 - 3200
  • 1280 x 720 video
  • Samsung NX Mount
  • 499g - 123 x 87 x 40mm
  • Launched June 2010
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
  • Launched August 2009
  • Updated by Sony A560
Photobucket discusses licensing 13 billion images with AI firms

Samsung NX5 vs Sony A500 Overview

Below is a comprehensive overview of the Samsung NX5 versus Sony A500, former being a Entry-Level Mirrorless while the latter is a Entry-Level DSLR by companies Samsung and Sony. There exists a sizable gap between the sensor resolutions of the NX5 (15MP) and A500 (12MP) but they come with the exact same sensor size (APS-C).

Sora from OpenAI releases its first ever music video

The NX5 was unveiled 10 months later than the A500 and they are both of a similar age. Both of the cameras come with different body type with the Samsung NX5 being a SLR-style mirrorless camera and the Sony A500 being a Compact SLR camera.

Before diving through a thorough comparison, below is a simple summary of how the NX5 grades against the A500 in terms of portability, imaging, features and an overall grade.

President Biden pushes bill mandating TikTok sale or ban
	
	

Reasons to pick Samsung NX5 over the Sony A500

 NX5 A500 
LaunchedJune 2010August 2009More recent by 10 months

Reasons to pick Sony A500 over the Samsung NX5

 A500 NX5 
Screen typeTiltingFixed Tilting screen

Common features in the Samsung NX5 and Sony A500

 NX5 A500 
Focus manually Very accurate focus
Screen dimension3"3"Identical screen size
Screen resolution230k230kExact same screen resolution
Selfie screen No selfie screen
Touch screen No Touch screen

Samsung NX5 vs Sony A500 Physical Comparison

If you are going to lug around your camera, you will have to take into account its weight and proportions. The Samsung NX5 offers outside dimensions of 123mm x 87mm x 40mm (4.8" x 3.4" x 1.6") accompanied by a weight of 499 grams (1.10 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 NX5 versus Sony A500 in our completely new Camera & Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Always remember, the weight of an ILC will differ based on the lens you are utilising during that time. The following is the front view over all size comparison of the NX5 compared to the A500.

Samsung NX5 vs Sony A500 size comparison

Using dimensions and weight, the portability rating of the NX5 and A500 is 80 and 63 respectively.

Samsung NX5 vs Sony A500 top view buttons comparison

Samsung NX5 vs Sony A500 Sensor Comparison

Sometimes, its hard to picture the gap between sensor measurements merely by checking specifications. The photograph below should give you a much better sense of the sensor dimensions in the NX5 and A500.

To sum up, each of these cameras have got the exact same sensor measurements albeit different MP. You can count on the Samsung NX5 to give extra detail having an extra 3MP. Higher resolution will also enable you to crop pictures much more aggressively. The more modern NX5 provides a benefit in sensor tech.

Samsung NX5 vs Sony A500 sensor size comparison

Samsung NX5 vs Sony A500 Screen and ViewFinder

Samsung NX5 vs Sony A500 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
Meta to Introduce 'AI-Generated' Labels for Media starting next month

Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Samsung NX5 as a Portrait photography camera
Sony A500 as a Portrait photography camera
73
manual focus
megapixel count good (15 megapixels)
sensor size is decent (APS-C)
features face detection focusing
supports RAW files
63
manual focus
sensor size is decent (APS-C)
includes face detect autofocus
delivers RAW files
low MP (12MP)
Japan-exclusive Leica Leitz Phone 3 features big sensor and new modes

Street Comparison

Samsung NX5 as a Street photography camera
Sony A500 as a Street photography camera
60
sensor size is decent (APS-C)
supports RAW files
fixed screen
no image stabilization
more heavy than others (499g)
74
screen tilts up and down
built in image stabilization (Sensor based)
sensor size is decent (APS-C)
delivers RAW files
Apple Innovates by Creating Next-Level Optical Stabilization for iPhone

Sports Comparison

Samsung NX5 Sports photography factors
Sony A500 Sports photography factors
52
megapixel count good (15MP)
sensor size is decent (APS-C)
better than average battery pack (400 CIPA)
max frames per second low (3.0 fps)
no image stabilization
has no phase detect AF
51
built in image stabilization (Sensor based)
sensor size is decent (APS-C)
sensor has phase detect autofocus
max frames per second very slow (5.0 frames/s)
low MP (12 megapixels)
not so great battery life (520 per charge)
Pentax 17 Pre-Orders Outperform Expectations by a Landslide

Travel Comparison

Samsung NX5 as a Travel photography camera
Sony A500 as a Travel photography camera
63
better than average battery pack (400 per charge)
megapixel count good (15 megapixels)
has built in flash
doesn't have Timelapse mode
more heavy than others (499g)
does not feature selfie friendly display
43
has built in flash
no Timelapse function
not so great battery life (520 shots)
low MP (12 megapixels)
does not offer selfie friendly screen
Samsung Releases Faster Versions of EVO MicroSD Cards

Landscape Comparison

Samsung NX5 Landscape photography advice
Sony A500 Landscape photography advice
68
manual focus
interchangeable lenses (Samsung NX mount)
screen size is good (3 inch)
megapixel count good (15 megapixels)
sensor size is decent (APS-C)
supports RAW files
better than average battery pack (400 per charge)
no image stabilization
doesn't have Timelapse mode
60
manual focus
change lenses (Sony/Minolta Alpha mount)
decent sized screen (3")
built in image stabilization (Sensor based)
sensor size is decent (APS-C)
delivers RAW files
low MP (12 megapixels)
not so great battery life (520 per charge)
no Timelapse function
Snapchat Adds Watermarks to AI-Created Images

Vlogging Comparison

Samsung NX5 Vlogging info
Sony A500 Vlogging info
24
features face detection focusing
does not feature selfie friendly display
no image stabilization
low video resolution (1280 x 720 pxls)
doesn't have external microphone port
more heavy than others (499g)
9
lack of video recording
Photography Glossary

Samsung NX5 vs Sony A500 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Samsung NX5 and Sony A500
 Samsung NX5Sony Alpha DSLR-A500
General Information
Brand Name Samsung Sony
Model Samsung NX5 Sony Alpha DSLR-A500
Type Entry-Level Mirrorless Entry-Level DSLR
Launched 2010-06-01 2009-08-27
Physical type SLR-style mirrorless Compact SLR
Sensor Information
Processor DRIM Engine Bionz
Sensor type CMOS CMOS
Sensor size APS-C APS-C
Sensor measurements 23.4 x 15.6mm 23.5 x 15.6mm
Sensor surface area 365.0mm² 366.6mm²
Sensor resolution 15 megapixel 12 megapixel
Anti aliasing filter
Aspect ratio 3:2 and 16:9 3:2 and 16:9
Highest Possible resolution 4592 x 3056 4272 x 2848
Maximum native ISO 3200 12800
Min native ISO 100 200
RAW format
Autofocusing
Focus manually
Touch focus
AF continuous
Single AF
Tracking AF
AF selectice
AF center weighted
Multi area AF
Live view AF
Face detection AF
Contract detection AF
Phase detection AF
Number of focus points 15 9
Lens
Lens mounting type Samsung NX Sony/Minolta Alpha
Available lenses 32 143
Crop factor 1.5 1.5
Screen
Screen type Fixed Type Tilting
Screen diagonal 3" 3"
Screen resolution 230k dots 230k dots
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch functionality
Screen tech Active Matrix OLED screen -
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder Electronic Optical (pentamirror)
Viewfinder coverage 100 percent 95 percent
Viewfinder magnification 0.57x 0.53x
Features
Minimum shutter speed 30 secs 30 secs
Fastest shutter speed 1/4000 secs 1/4000 secs
Continuous shutter rate 3.0 frames/s 5.0 frames/s
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Expose Manually
Exposure compensation Yes Yes
Custom WB
Image stabilization
Integrated flash
Flash range 11.00 m 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
WB bracketing
Fastest flash synchronize 1/180 secs 1/160 secs
Exposure
Multisegment exposure
Average exposure
Spot exposure
Partial exposure
AF area exposure
Center weighted exposure
Video features
Supported video resolutions 1280 x 720 (30 fps), 640 x 480 (30 fps), 320 x 240 (30 fps) -
Maximum video resolution 1280x720 None
Video data format H.264 -
Microphone port
Headphone port
Connectivity
Wireless None 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 499g (1.10 lb) 630g (1.39 lb)
Dimensions 123 x 87 x 40mm (4.8" x 3.4" x 1.6") 137 x 104 x 84mm (5.4" x 4.1" x 3.3")
DXO scores
DXO Overall score not tested 64
DXO Color Depth score not tested 21.8
DXO Dynamic range score not tested 11.6
DXO Low light score not tested 772
Other
Battery life 400 pictures 520 pictures
Form of battery Battery Pack Battery Pack
Battery model BP1130 NP-FM500H
Self timer Yes (2 sec to 30 sec) Yes (2 or 10 sec)
Time lapse recording
Storage type SD/SDHC SD/ SDHC, Memory Stick Pro Duo/ Pro-HG Duo
Card slots Single Single
Price at release $499 $638