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Samsung NX500 vs Sony A850

Portability
87
Imaging
68
Features
80
Overall
72
Samsung NX500 front
 
Sony Alpha DSLR-A850 front
Portability
54
Imaging
68
Features
60
Overall
64

Samsung NX500 vs Sony A850 Key Specs

Samsung NX500
(Full Review)
  • 28MP - APS-C Sensor
  • 3" Tilting Display
  • ISO 100 - 25600 (Bump to 51200)
  • No Anti-Alias Filter
  • 1/6000s Maximum Shutter
  • 4096 x 2160 video
  • Samsung NX Mount
  • 287g - 120 x 64 x 43mm
  • Announced February 2015
  • Old Model is Samsung NX300
Sony A850
(Full Review)
  • 25MP - Full frame Sensor
  • 3" Fixed Screen
  • ISO 200 - 3200 (Push to 6400)
  • Sensor based Image Stabilization
  • 1/8000s Max Shutter
  • No Video
  • Sony/Minolta Alpha Mount
  • 895g - 156 x 117 x 82mm
  • Launched April 2010
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Samsung NX500 vs Sony A850 Overview

Below, we will be evaluating the Samsung NX500 versus Sony A850, one is a Entry-Level Mirrorless and the latter is a Advanced DSLR by rivals Samsung and Sony. The image resolution of the NX500 (28MP) and the A850 (25MP) is relatively close but the NX500 (APS-C) and A850 (Full frame) enjoy totally different sensor size.

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The NX500 was revealed 4 years after the A850 which is a fairly serious gap as far as camera technology is concerned. Each of these cameras come with different body type with the Samsung NX500 being a Rangefinder-style mirrorless camera and the Sony A850 being a Mid-size SLR camera.

Before delving straight into a more detailed comparison, below is a concise synopsis of how the NX500 scores vs the A850 for portability, imaging, features and an overall mark.

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Reasons to pick Samsung NX500 over the Sony A850

 NX500 A850 
LaunchedFebruary 2015April 2010Newer by 59 months
Screen typeTiltingFixed Tilting screen
Screen resolution1036k922kClearer screen (+114k dot)
Touch screen Quickly navigate

Reasons to pick Sony A850 over the Samsung NX500

 A850 NX500 

Common features in the Samsung NX500 and Sony A850

 NX500 A850 
Manually focus More accurate focus
Screen dimension3"3"Identical screen size
Selfie screen Neither contains selfie screen

Samsung NX500 vs Sony A850 Physical Comparison

For those who are going to travel with your camera frequently, you need to consider its weight and proportions. The Samsung NX500 has got exterior dimensions of 120mm x 64mm x 43mm (4.7" x 2.5" x 1.7") having a weight of 287 grams (0.63 lbs) whilst the Sony A850 has measurements of 156mm x 117mm x 82mm (6.1" x 4.6" x 3.2") and a weight of 895 grams (1.97 lbs).

Take a look at the Samsung NX500 versus Sony A850 in the all new Camera with Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Keep in mind, the weight of an Interchangeable Lens Camera will vary depending on the lens you have at the time. Underneath is the front view dimensions comparison of the NX500 versus the A850.

Samsung NX500 vs Sony A850 size comparison

Looking at dimensions and weight, the portability score of the NX500 and A850 is 87 and 54 respectively.

Samsung NX500 vs Sony A850 top view buttons comparison

Samsung NX500 vs Sony A850 Sensor Comparison

Typically, it is very difficult to envision the difference in sensor dimensions just by researching technical specs. The image here might offer you a far better sense of the sensor dimensions in the NX500 and A850.

As you can tell, the 2 cameras posses different megapixel count and different sensor dimensions. The NX500 having a smaller sensor will make achieving shallower depth of field more difficult and the Samsung NX500 will provide you with greater detail because of its extra 3 Megapixels. Higher resolution will allow you to crop shots somewhat more aggressively. The more recent NX500 will have an edge when it comes to sensor tech.

Samsung NX500 vs Sony A850 sensor size comparison

Samsung NX500 vs Sony A850 Screen and ViewFinder

Samsung NX500 vs Sony A850 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Portrait photography with Samsung NX500
Portrait photography with Sony A850
80
manual focus
excellent sensor resolution (28 megapixels)
sensor size is good (APS-C)
includes face detection focus
exports RAW files
72
manual focus
amazing MP (25MP)
sensor size is great (Full frame)
delivers RAW files
no liveview feature
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Street Comparison

Samsung NX500 Street photography features
Sony A850 Street photography features
81
has a tilting screen
sensor size is good (APS-C)
exports RAW files
supports touch focus
good ISO range (25,600)
lack of image stabilization
66
built in image stabilization (Sensor based)
sensor size is great (Full frame)
delivers RAW files
environment proof
screen does not articulate
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Sports Comparison

Sports photography with Samsung NX500
Sports photography with Sony A850
75
maximum shutter speed is high (1/6,000s)
excellent sensor resolution (28MP)
sensor size is good (APS-C)
includes tracking autofocus
supports phase detect auto focus
lack of image stabilization
71
great max shutter speed (1/8,000s)
built in image stabilization (Sensor based)
amazing MP (25 megapixels)
sensor size is great (Full frame)
environment proof
comes with phase detect AF
no liveview feature
painfully slow continuous shooting (3.0 fps)
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Travel Comparison

Samsung NX500 Travel photography factors
Sony A850 Travel photography factors
78
supports bluetooth
supports touch focus
excellent sensor resolution (28 megapixels)
screen isn't selfie friendly
55
environment proof
amazing MP (25 megapixels)
missing Timelapse mode
does not have a selfie friendly display
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Landscape Comparison

Landscape photography with Samsung NX500
Landscape photography with Sony A850
80
manual focus
swap lenses (Samsung NX mount)
nice screen size (3 inches)
excellent sensor resolution (28 megapixels)
sensor size is good (APS-C)
does not have anti aliasing filter
good ISO range (25,600)
exports RAW files
lack of image stabilization
73
manual focus
interchangeable lenses (Sony/Minolta Alpha mount)
good sized screen (3")
built in image stabilization (Sensor based)
amazing MP (25MP)
sensor size is great (Full frame)
delivers RAW files
environment proof
two card slots
no liveview feature
missing Timelapse mode
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Vlogging Comparison

Samsung NX500 Vlogging factors
Sony A850 Vlogging factors
34
built-in touchscreen
includes face detection focus
high quality video (4096 x 2160 pixels)
screen isn't selfie friendly
lack of image stabilization
missing external mic jack
9
can't record video
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Samsung NX500 vs Sony A850 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Samsung NX500 and Sony A850
 Samsung NX500Sony Alpha DSLR-A850
General Information
Brand Name Samsung Sony
Model Samsung NX500 Sony Alpha DSLR-A850
Category Entry-Level Mirrorless Advanced DSLR
Announced 2015-02-06 2010-04-15
Physical type Rangefinder-style mirrorless Mid-size SLR
Sensor Information
Processor DRIMe 5 Bionz
Sensor type BSI-CMOS CMOS
Sensor size APS-C Full frame
Sensor measurements 23.5 x 15.7mm 35.9 x 24mm
Sensor area 369.0mm² 861.6mm²
Sensor resolution 28 megapixels 25 megapixels
Anti aliasing filter
Aspect ratio 1:1, 3:2 and 16:9 3:2 and 16:9
Highest Possible resolution 6480 x 4320 6048 x 4032
Maximum native ISO 25600 3200
Maximum enhanced ISO 51200 6400
Lowest native ISO 100 200
RAW files
Autofocusing
Manual focus
Touch to focus
AF continuous
Single AF
AF tracking
Selective AF
Center weighted AF
Multi area AF
AF live view
Face detect focusing
Contract detect focusing
Phase detect focusing
Number of focus points 209 9
Lens
Lens mounting type Samsung NX Sony/Minolta Alpha
Available lenses 32 143
Focal length multiplier 1.5 1
Screen
Display type Tilting Fixed Type
Display diagonal 3" 3"
Display resolution 1,036 thousand dots 922 thousand dots
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch capability
Display tech - TFT Xtra Fine color LCD
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder type None Optical (pentaprism)
Viewfinder coverage - 98%
Viewfinder magnification - 0.74x
Features
Minimum shutter speed 30 seconds 30 seconds
Fastest shutter speed 1/6000 seconds 1/8000 seconds
Continuous shutter rate 9.0 frames per second 3.0 frames per second
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Manually set exposure
Exposure compensation Yes Yes
Change WB
Image stabilization
Inbuilt flash
Flash range no built-in flash no built-in flash
Flash settings Smart flash, auto, auto w/redeye reduction, fill flash, fill w/redeye reduction, 1st-curtain, 2nd-curtain, off Auto, On, Off, Red-Eye, Slow Sync, Rear Curtain, Fill-in, Wireless
External flash
AE bracketing
WB bracketing
Fastest flash synchronize - 1/250 seconds
Exposure
Multisegment
Average
Spot
Partial
AF area
Center weighted
Video features
Video resolutions 3840 x 2160 (30p), 4096 x 2160 (24p), 1920 x 1080 (60p, 50p, 30p, 25p, 24p), 1280 x 720, 640 x 480 -
Maximum video resolution 4096x2160 None
Video format H.265 -
Microphone port
Headphone port
Connectivity
Wireless Built-In None
Bluetooth
NFC
HDMI
USB USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec) USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec)
GPS None None
Physical
Environmental sealing
Water proof
Dust proof
Shock proof
Crush proof
Freeze proof
Weight 287g (0.63 lbs) 895g (1.97 lbs)
Dimensions 120 x 64 x 43mm (4.7" x 2.5" x 1.7") 156 x 117 x 82mm (6.1" x 4.6" x 3.2")
DXO scores
DXO Overall score 87 79
DXO Color Depth score 24.8 23.8
DXO Dynamic range score 13.9 12.2
DXO Low light score 1379 1415
Other
Battery life 370 pictures 880 pictures
Battery type Battery Pack Battery Pack
Battery model BP1130 NP-FM500H
Self timer Yes (2 - 30 secs) Yes (2 or 10 sec)
Time lapse recording
Type of storage SD/SDHC/SDXC Compact Flash (Type I or II), UDMA, Memory Stick Duo / Pro Duo
Card slots Single Dual
Retail cost $800 $0