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Samsung NX500 vs Sony A9

Portability
87
Imaging
68
Features
80
Overall
72
Samsung NX500 front
 
Sony Alpha A9 front
Portability
65
Imaging
74
Features
93
Overall
81

Samsung NX500 vs Sony A9 Key Specs

Samsung NX500
(Full Review)
  • 28MP - APS-C Sensor
  • 3" Tilting Display
  • ISO 100 - 25600 (Push to 51200)
  • No Anti-Alias Filter
  • 1/6000s Max Shutter
  • 4096 x 2160 video
  • Samsung NX Mount
  • 287g - 120 x 64 x 43mm
  • Announced February 2015
  • Superseded the Samsung NX300
Sony A9
(Full Review)
  • 24MP - Full frame Sensor
  • 3" Tilting Screen
  • ISO 100 - 51200 (Expand to 204800)
  • Sensor based 5-axis Image Stabilization
  • 1/8000s Max Shutter
  • 3840 x 2160 video
  • Sony E Mount
  • 673g - 127 x 96 x 63mm
  • Released April 2017
  • Renewed by Sony A9 II
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Samsung NX500 vs Sony A9 Overview

Below, we will be evaluating the Samsung NX500 vs Sony A9, one being a Entry-Level Mirrorless and the latter is a Pro Mirrorless by brands Samsung and Sony. The sensor resolution of the NX500 (28MP) and the A9 (24MP) is relatively comparable but the NX500 (APS-C) and A9 (Full frame) enjoy totally different sensor sizes.

Photography Glossary

The NX500 was released 3 years prior to the A9 and that is a fairly large gap as far as camera technology is concerned. Each of the cameras come with different body type with the Samsung NX500 being a Rangefinder-style mirrorless camera and the Sony A9 being a SLR-style mirrorless camera.

Before delving in to a full comparison, below is a quick summary of how the NX500 grades vs the A9 in terms of portability, imaging, features and an overall rating.

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Reasons to pick Samsung NX500 over the Sony A9

 NX500 A9 

Reasons to pick Sony A9 over the Samsung NX500

 A9 NX500 
ReleasedApril 2017February 2015Fresher by 26 months
Screen resolution1440k1036kCrisper screen (+404k dot)

Common features in the Samsung NX500 and Sony A9

 NX500 A9 
Focus manually More precise focusing
Screen typeTiltingTiltingTilting screen
Screen dimension3"3"Identical screen dimensions
Selfie screen Lack of selfie screen
Touch friendly screen Quickly navigate

Samsung NX500 vs Sony A9 Physical Comparison

If you're intending to carry your camera often, you need to take into account its weight and proportions. The Samsung NX500 provides outer measurements of 120mm x 64mm x 43mm (4.7" x 2.5" x 1.7") with a weight of 287 grams (0.63 lbs) and the Sony A9 has measurements of 127mm x 96mm x 63mm (5.0" x 3.8" x 2.5") and a weight of 673 grams (1.48 lbs).

Take a look at the Samsung NX500 vs Sony A9 in the new Camera with Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Remember that, the weight of an Interchangeable Lens Camera will change depending on the lens you use during that time. Underneath is the front view over all size comparison of the NX500 versus the A9.

Samsung NX500 vs Sony A9 size comparison

Factoring in dimensions and weight, the portability score of the NX500 and A9 is 87 and 65 respectively.

Samsung NX500 vs Sony A9 top view buttons comparison

Samsung NX500 vs Sony A9 Sensor Comparison

Quite often, its hard to envision the contrast in sensor sizing only by seeing specs. The photograph below will give you a much better sense of the sensor sizing in the NX500 and A9.

All in all, each of these cameras posses different megapixels and different sensor sizing. The NX500 because of its smaller sensor will make achieving shallow DOF tougher and the Samsung NX500 will provide more detail as a result of its extra 4MP. Higher resolution will also help you crop shots somewhat more aggressively. The older NX500 will be disadvantaged in sensor tech.

Samsung NX500 vs Sony A9 sensor size comparison

Samsung NX500 vs Sony A9 Screen and ViewFinder

Samsung NX500 vs Sony A9 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Samsung NX500 Portrait photography info
Sony A9 Portrait photography info
80
you can focus manually
resolution is excellent (28MP)
good sensor size (APS-C)
has face detection autofocus
exports RAW files
84
you can focus manually
good megapixels (24MP)
great sensor size (Full frame)
provides face detection focusing
delivers RAW files
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Street Comparison

Samsung NX500 Street photography features
Sony A9 Street photography features
81
has a tilting screen
good sensor size (APS-C)
exports RAW files
comes with touch focus
very good ISO range (25,600)
does not have image stabilization
79
screen tilts up and down
has image stabilization (Sensor based 5-axis)
great sensor size (Full frame)
delivers RAW files
supports touch to focus
environment proof
good ISO range (51,200)
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Sports Comparison

Samsung NX500 as a Sports photography camera
Sony A9 as a Sports photography camera
75
max shutter speed is good (1/6,000s)
resolution is excellent (28 megapixels)
good sensor size (APS-C)
has tracking autofocus
comes with phase detect autofocus
does not have image stabilization
87
great max shutter speed (1/8,000s)
quiet shutter (1/32,000s)
fast shooting (20.0 frames/s)
has image stabilization (Sensor based 5-axis)
good megapixels (24MP)
great sensor size (Full frame)
provides tracking autofocus
environment proof
better than average battery life (650 shots)
supports phase detect AF
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Travel Comparison

Samsung NX500 Travel photography highlights
Sony A9 Travel photography highlights
78
has bluetooth
comes with touch focus
resolution is excellent (28MP)
display isn't selfie friendly
74
better than average battery life (650 CIPA)
environment proof
has bluetooth
supports touch to focus
good megapixels (24MP)
display isn't selfie friendly
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Landscape Comparison

Landscape photography with Samsung NX500
Landscape photography with Sony A9
80
you can focus manually
interchangeable lenses (Samsung NX mount)
pretty good screen size (3 inches)
resolution is excellent (28 megapixels)
good sensor size (APS-C)
no anti aliasing filter
very good ISO range (25,600)
exports RAW files
does not have image stabilization
86
you can focus manually
interchangeable lenses (Sony E mount)
pretty good screen size (3 inch)
has image stabilization (Sensor based 5-axis)
good megapixels (24MP)
great sensor size (Full frame)
good ISO range (51,200)
delivers RAW files
environment proof
better than average battery life (650 shots)
has dual storage slots
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Vlogging Comparison

Samsung NX500 Vlogging factors
Sony A9 Vlogging factors
34
touchscreen capability
has face detection autofocus
high quality video (4096 x 2160 resolution)
display isn't selfie friendly
does not have image stabilization
no external microphone port
37
screen is touchscreen
has image stabilization (Sensor based 5-axis)
provides face detection focusing
video resolution high (3840 x 2160 pixels)
comes with external microphone jack
display isn't selfie friendly
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Samsung NX500 vs Sony A9 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Samsung NX500 and Sony A9
 Samsung NX500Sony Alpha A9
General Information
Manufacturer Samsung Sony
Model Samsung NX500 Sony Alpha A9
Type Entry-Level Mirrorless Pro Mirrorless
Announced 2015-02-06 2017-04-19
Body design Rangefinder-style mirrorless SLR-style mirrorless
Sensor Information
Powered by DRIMe 5 BIONZ X
Sensor type BSI-CMOS BSI-CMOS
Sensor size APS-C Full frame
Sensor measurements 23.5 x 15.7mm 35.6 x 23.8mm
Sensor area 369.0mm² 847.3mm²
Sensor resolution 28 megapixel 24 megapixel
Anti aliasing filter
Aspect ratio 1:1, 3:2 and 16:9 3:2 and 16:9
Max resolution 6480 x 4320 6000 x 4000
Max native ISO 25600 51200
Max enhanced ISO 51200 204800
Minimum native ISO 100 100
RAW format
Minimum enhanced ISO - 50
Autofocusing
Manual focus
Touch to focus
AF continuous
AF single
AF tracking
Selective AF
Center weighted AF
Multi area AF
AF live view
Face detect AF
Contract detect AF
Phase detect AF
Number of focus points 209 693
Lens
Lens mount Samsung NX Sony E
Number of lenses 32 121
Focal length multiplier 1.5 1
Screen
Range of display Tilting Tilting
Display sizing 3 inches 3 inches
Display resolution 1,036k dot 1,440k dot
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch screen
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder type None Electronic
Viewfinder resolution - 3,686k dot
Viewfinder coverage - 100 percent
Viewfinder magnification - 0.78x
Features
Minimum shutter speed 30 secs 30 secs
Fastest shutter speed 1/6000 secs 1/8000 secs
Fastest quiet shutter speed - 1/32000 secs
Continuous shutter speed 9.0 frames per sec 20.0 frames per sec
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Manual exposure
Exposure compensation Yes Yes
Custom WB
Image stabilization
Inbuilt flash
Flash range no built-in flash no built-in flash
Flash modes Smart flash, auto, auto w/redeye reduction, fill flash, fill w/redeye reduction, 1st-curtain, 2nd-curtain, off Flash off, Autoflash, Fill-flash, Slow Sync., Rear Sync., Red-eye reduction, Wireless, Hi-speed sync
External flash
AEB
WB bracketing
Exposure
Multisegment
Average
Spot
Partial
AF area
Center weighted
Video features
Supported video resolutions 3840 x 2160 (30p), 4096 x 2160 (24p), 1920 x 1080 (60p, 50p, 30p, 25p, 24p), 1280 x 720, 640 x 480 -
Max video resolution 4096x2160 3840x2160
Video file format H.265 MPEG-4, AVCHD, H.264
Microphone input
Headphone input
Connectivity
Wireless Built-In Built-In
Bluetooth
NFC
HDMI
USB USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec) USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec)
GPS None None
Physical
Environmental seal
Water proof
Dust proof
Shock proof
Crush proof
Freeze proof
Weight 287g (0.63 pounds) 673g (1.48 pounds)
Dimensions 120 x 64 x 43mm (4.7" x 2.5" x 1.7") 127 x 96 x 63mm (5.0" x 3.8" x 2.5")
DXO scores
DXO Overall score 87 92
DXO Color Depth score 24.8 24.9
DXO Dynamic range score 13.9 13.3
DXO Low light score 1379 3517
Other
Battery life 370 pictures 650 pictures
Form of battery Battery Pack Battery Pack
Battery model BP1130 NP-FZ100
Self timer Yes (2 - 30 secs) Yes (2, 5, 10 secs + continuous)
Time lapse recording
Storage media SD/SDHC/SDXC Dual SD/SDHC/SDXC slots (UHS-II compatible)
Storage slots One Two
Retail cost $800 $4,498