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Samsung NX500 vs Sony A99

Portability
87
Imaging
68
Features
80
Overall
72
Samsung NX500 front
 
Sony SLT-A99 front
Portability
57
Imaging
70
Features
88
Overall
77

Samsung NX500 vs Sony A99 Key Specs

Samsung NX500
(Full Review)
  • 28MP - APS-C Sensor
  • 3" Tilting Screen
  • ISO 100 - 25600 (Boost to 51200)
  • No Anti-Alias Filter
  • 1/6000s Max Shutter
  • 4096 x 2160 video
  • Samsung NX Mount
  • 287g - 120 x 64 x 43mm
  • Introduced February 2015
  • Earlier Model is Samsung NX300
Sony A99
(Full Review)
  • 24MP - Full frame Sensor
  • 3" Fully Articulated Display
  • ISO 100 - 25600
  • Sensor based Image Stabilization
  • 1/8000s Max Shutter
  • 1920 x 1080 video
  • Sony/Minolta Alpha Mount
  • 812g - 147 x 111 x 78mm
  • Launched December 2012
  • Succeeded the Sony A900
  • Renewed by Sony A99 II
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Samsung NX500 vs Sony A99 Overview

Here, we are matching up the Samsung NX500 and Sony A99, one being a Entry-Level Mirrorless and the other is a Advanced DSLR by competitors Samsung and Sony. The image resolution of the NX500 (28MP) and the A99 (24MP) is fairly well matched but the NX500 (APS-C) and A99 (Full frame) boast different sensor dimensions.

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The NX500 was unveiled 2 years later than the A99 and that is quite a significant gap as far as technology is concerned. Both of these cameras feature different body design with the Samsung NX500 being a Rangefinder-style mirrorless camera and the Sony A99 being a Mid-size SLR camera.

Before getting straight to a in depth comparison, here is a concise overview of how the NX500 grades vs the A99 in regards to portability, imaging, features and an overall rating.

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Reasons to pick Samsung NX500 over the Sony A99

 NX500 A99 
LaunchedFebruary 2015December 2012Fresher by 27 months
Touch friendly display Easily navigate

Reasons to pick Sony A99 over the Samsung NX500

 A99 NX500 
Display typeFully ArticulatedTiltingFully Articulating display
Display resolution1229k1036kSharper display (+193k dot)
Selfie screen Take selfies

Common features in the Samsung NX500 and Sony A99

 NX500 A99 
Manually focus Very precise focus
Display size3"3"Same display sizing

Samsung NX500 vs Sony A99 Physical Comparison

In case you're aiming to carry your camera often, you are going to need to take into account its weight and size. The Samsung NX500 features physical dimensions of 120mm x 64mm x 43mm (4.7" x 2.5" x 1.7") and a weight of 287 grams (0.63 lbs) and the Sony A99 has specifications of 147mm x 111mm x 78mm (5.8" x 4.4" x 3.1") having a weight of 812 grams (1.79 lbs).

Look at the Samsung NX500 and Sony A99 in the new Camera and Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Keep in mind, the weight of an Interchangeable Lens Camera will differ depending on the lens you are working with during that time. Underneath is a front view measurements comparison of the NX500 and the A99.

Samsung NX500 vs Sony A99 size comparison

Looking at dimensions and weight, the portability rating of the NX500 and A99 is 87 and 57 respectively.

Samsung NX500 vs Sony A99 top view buttons comparison

Samsung NX500 vs Sony A99 Sensor Comparison

More often than not, it is hard to imagine the gap between sensor sizing only by checking a spec sheet. The visual here should offer you a stronger sense of the sensor sizes in the NX500 and A99.

Clearly, both the cameras come with different megapixel count and different sensor sizing. The NX500 using its tinier sensor is going to make shooting shallower depth of field harder and the Samsung NX500 will give extra detail having an extra 4MP. Greater resolution will also allow you to crop photos a good deal more aggressively. The fresher NX500 should have an edge when it comes to sensor innovation.

Samsung NX500 vs Sony A99 sensor size comparison

Samsung NX500 vs Sony A99 Screen and ViewFinder

Samsung NX500 vs Sony A99 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Samsung NX500 as a Portrait photography camera
Sony A99 as a Portrait photography camera
80
you can focus manually
MP count great (28 megapixels)
sensor size is nice (APS-C)
includes face detection focusing
delivers RAW files
82
focusing manually
MP count decent (24 megapixels)
sensor size is big (Full frame)
features face detection focus
exports RAW formats
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Street Comparison

Samsung NX500 as a Street photography camera
Sony A99 as a Street photography camera
81
screen tilts up and down
sensor size is nice (APS-C)
delivers RAW files
offers touch to focus
good high ISO (25,600)
no image stabilization
75
screen articulates
built in image stabilization (Sensor based)
sensor size is big (Full frame)
exports RAW formats
environment sealing
above average ISO range (25,600)
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Sports Comparison

Samsung NX500 Sports photography advice
Sony A99 Sports photography advice
75
maximum shutter speed is high (1/6,000s)
MP count great (28 megapixels)
sensor size is nice (APS-C)
includes tracking autofocus
sensor has phase detect AF
no image stabilization
78
high shutter speed (1/8,000 seconds)
built in image stabilization (Sensor based)
MP count decent (24 megapixels)
sensor size is big (Full frame)
features tracking autofocus
environment sealing
supports phase detect auto focus
bad battery power (500 per charge)
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Travel Comparison

Samsung NX500 as a Travel photography camera
Sony A99 as a Travel photography camera
78
has bluetooth
offers touch to focus
MP count great (28MP)
does not feature selfie friendly screen
60
environment sealing
MP count decent (24 megapixels)
selfie friendly display
doesn't have Time Lapse function
bad battery power (500 CIPA)
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Landscape Comparison

Samsung NX500 Landscape photography features
Sony A99 Landscape photography features
80
you can focus manually
change lenses (Samsung NX mount)
decent sized screen (3 inch)
MP count great (28MP)
sensor size is nice (APS-C)
doesnt have anti aliasing filter
good high ISO (25,600)
delivers RAW files
no image stabilization
75
focusing manually
change lenses (Sony/Minolta Alpha mount)
screen size is decent (3 inch)
built in image stabilization (Sensor based)
MP count decent (24 megapixels)
sensor size is big (Full frame)
above average ISO range (25,600)
exports RAW formats
environment sealing
two card slots
bad battery power (500 shots)
doesn't have Time Lapse function
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Vlogging Comparison

Samsung NX500 Vlogging advice
Sony A99 Vlogging advice
34
built-in touchscreen
includes face detection focusing
good video quality (4096 x 2160 pixels)
does not feature selfie friendly screen
no image stabilization
doesn't have external microphone jack
76
selfie friendly display
built in image stabilization (Sensor based)
features face detection focus
video res high (1920 x 1080 resolution)
comes with external mic socket
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Samsung NX500 vs Sony A99 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Samsung NX500 and Sony A99
 Samsung NX500Sony SLT-A99
General Information
Manufacturer Samsung Sony
Model type Samsung NX500 Sony SLT-A99
Category Entry-Level Mirrorless Advanced DSLR
Introduced 2015-02-06 2012-12-12
Physical type Rangefinder-style mirrorless Mid-size SLR
Sensor Information
Powered by DRIMe 5 Bionz
Sensor type BSI-CMOS CMOS
Sensor size APS-C Full frame
Sensor dimensions 23.5 x 15.7mm 35.8 x 23.8mm
Sensor area 369.0mm² 852.0mm²
Sensor resolution 28MP 24MP
Anti alias filter
Aspect ratio 1:1, 3:2 and 16:9 3:2 and 16:9
Highest resolution 6480 x 4320 6000 x 4000
Highest native ISO 25600 25600
Highest boosted ISO 51200 -
Min native ISO 100 100
RAW data
Autofocusing
Manual focusing
AF touch
AF continuous
AF single
AF tracking
Selective AF
Center weighted AF
Multi area AF
AF live view
Face detection AF
Contract detection AF
Phase detection AF
Total focus points 209 19
Cross type focus points - 11
Lens
Lens mount type Samsung NX Sony/Minolta Alpha
Number of lenses 32 143
Focal length multiplier 1.5 1
Screen
Screen type Tilting Fully Articulated
Screen sizing 3 inch 3 inch
Screen resolution 1,036 thousand dots 1,229 thousand dots
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch function
Screen technology - TFT Xtra Fine color LCD
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder None Electronic
Viewfinder resolution - 2,359 thousand dots
Viewfinder coverage - 100%
Viewfinder magnification - 0.71x
Features
Lowest shutter speed 30 secs 30 secs
Highest shutter speed 1/6000 secs 1/8000 secs
Continuous shooting rate 9.0 frames per sec 10.0 frames per sec
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Manually set exposure
Exposure compensation Yes Yes
Custom WB
Image stabilization
Inbuilt flash
Flash distance 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, High Speed Sync, Rear Curtain, Fill-in, Wireless
External flash
AE bracketing
WB bracketing
Highest flash synchronize - 1/250 secs
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 1920 x 1080 (60, 24 fps), 1440 x 1080 (30fps), 640 x 424 (29.97 fps)
Highest video resolution 4096x2160 1920x1080
Video format H.265 MPEG-4, AVCHD, H.264
Mic 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 BuiltIn
Physical
Environmental sealing
Water proofing
Dust proofing
Shock proofing
Crush proofing
Freeze proofing
Weight 287 gr (0.63 lbs) 812 gr (1.79 lbs)
Physical dimensions 120 x 64 x 43mm (4.7" x 2.5" x 1.7") 147 x 111 x 78mm (5.8" x 4.4" x 3.1")
DXO scores
DXO All around rating 87 89
DXO Color Depth rating 24.8 25.0
DXO Dynamic range rating 13.9 14.0
DXO Low light rating 1379 1555
Other
Battery life 370 shots 500 shots
Battery type Battery Pack Battery Pack
Battery ID BP1130 NP-FM500H
Self timer Yes (2 - 30 secs) Yes (2 or 10 sec)
Time lapse feature
Storage type SD/SDHC/SDXC Memory Stick PRO Duo/Pro-HG Duo; SD, SDHC and SDXC
Card slots Single 2
Launch price $800 $1,998