Capture the World in Stunning Detail: A Review of the Samsung NX500 CameraKeywords: Samsung NX500, review, camera, detail, world

If you're looking for a camera that can capture the world in incredible detail, the Samsung NX500 is a great choice. With advanced features and high-quality lenses, this camera is perfect for amateur and professional photographers alike. In this blog post, we'll dive into the details of the Samsung NX500, exploring everything from its design to its performance.

Written by Victor Chan | Updated: Mon May 01 2023

Samsung NX500 article cover photo

Key Features

Feb 06 2015

Announced

28 megapixels

Resolution

BrandSamsung
Sensor TypeAPS-C
SensorBSI-CMOS
Weight287g
MSRP$799USD

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Samsung NX300 thumbnail

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Overview of the NX500

The Samsung NX500 is one of the most popular cameras on the market today, offering photographers of all levels the chance to capture stunning images in incredible detail. Boasting 28 megapixels and a range of advanced features, this camera has quickly become a favorite among both amateurs and professionals. In this blog post, we'll take a closer look at the Samsung NX500, exploring its various features and capabilities to help you determine whether it's the right camera for your needs. Whether you're looking to expand your photography skills or simply capture breathtaking moments, the Samsung NX500 has everything you need to get started.

Samsung NX500 Pros and Cons

Now, we will look more closely at our review of the Samsung NX500 camera. We will see what it can do and compare it to other cameras like it. We will tell you what's good about it and what's not so good. This way, you'll know if it's the camera for you!

Pros

High resolution (28MP)
Large APS-C sensor
Fast autofocus
4K video capabilities
Lightweight and compact
Wi-Fi and NFC connectivity
Good color accuracy
Good dynamic range

Cons

No built-in image stabilization
Limited lens selection compared to other brands
Only one SD card slot
Battery life could be better
Mediocre low-light performance
No weather-sealing
No microphone jack for external audio input
No headphone jack for audio monitoring.

Build and Construction

Body and dimensions

Samsung NX500

Weather sealed
Dimensions120 x 64 x 43mm
Weight287g
Thickness43mm
Weight
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Weather Sealing

The Samsung NX500 is not sealed against water and dust, so it's important to be careful when using it in such conditions. If you often shoot in environments with water or dust, it's recommended to check out another camera with weather sealing.

Design and Handling

Main design features

View FinderNone
Screen TypeTilting
Screen Resolution1,036k dots
Body typeRangefinder-style mirrorless

Suitable for:

PhotographyAbove Avg.
VideographyAbove Avg.
TravelAbove Avg.

LCD Screen

This camera has a tilting 3.00" screen, with a display resolution of 1,036k dots. This makes the Samsung NX500 not as suitable for those looking for a vlogging camera as you cannot view yourself while shooting selfies easily. The camera also features a touch screen, which adds to its ease of use.

Viewfinder

Samsung NX500 does not include a viewfinder. The lack of a viewfinder on the NX500 camera may make it less suitable for outdoor photography in bright conditions.

Image Quality

Samsung NX500 has a 28MP sized BSI-CMOS sensor. You can shoot at maximum resolution of 28 pixels. Samsung NX500 has a native ISO range of 100 - 25600 which can be boosted to null - 51200. It can also save files in RAW format which gives you a wider room for post processing.

Key Features

Feb 06 2015

Announced

100 - 25600

ISO Range

SensorAPS-C
Extended ISOnull - 51200
Max resolution6480 x 4320 pixels

DXO Sensor Scores

Overall

87 / 102

Color Depth

24.8 / 26.5

Dynamic Range

13.9 / 14.8

Low Light ISO

1379 / 4505

DXO mark sensor scores

The DXOmark rankings indicate that the Samsung NX500 camera has excellent color depth performance, which refers to the number of colors the sensor can distinguish. Additionally, its dynamic range is also excellent, allowing it to retain low amounts of details in both bright and dark areas of a scene. The camera's low light ISO performance is poor, which is an important factor to consider if you plan to use it in dimly lit indoor environments or at night. Overall the image quality of the NX500 is above average

Crop Factor

Camera crop factor (or focal length multiplier) refers to how a camera's sensor size affects the apparent field of view of a lens. Crop factor is determined by comparing the size of a camera's sensor to that of a full-frame sensor, which is a standard reference size for camera sensors.

Size comparison

Medium FormatFull FrameAPS-C (Sony, Nikon)

Crop factor calculator

Crop factor

1x

Full frame equivalent

24mm

This camera: APS-C

24mm

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Connectivity, storage, battery

StorageSD/SDHC/SDXC
Battery Life370 shots
Battery ModelBP1130
HDMI
USD
Wireless Connectivity

Storage

The Samsung NX500 supports SD/SDHC/SDXC with 1 slots for storage. This may suffice for everyday use. However, for professional applications such as wedding photography, it is not recommended as a memory card malfunction could lead to the loss of all footage.

Battery

The Samsung NX500 uses the BP1130 model of battery pack. This is rated for 370 shots shots which is high. If you intend to take photos or record videos for an extended period, it might be a good idea to bring along additional batteries.

Photography Features

Flash

The Samsung NX500 does not have a built-in flash, but it does offer a flash shoe that allows you to attach external flashes. This provides more versatility in your lighting choices.

Shutter

The Samsung NX500 boasts a maximum mechanical shutter speed of 1/6000s, which is ideal for shooting fast-moving subjects in bright environments, such as in sports photography. Faster shutter speeds enable you to freeze the action and capture every detail, making it easier to get the perfect shot.

With a continuous mechanical shutter speed of n/a or an electronic shutter speed of n/a, this camera is not capable of capturing the perfect moment more easily, making it not as suited for wedding, sports, and wildlife photography. Higher shutter speeds make it easier to capture fast-paced action, ensuring that you never miss the perfect shot.

Autofocus

The Samsung NX500 includes two autofocus (AF) systems: contrast detection and phase detection, with 209 number of focus points.

While contrast detection is generally more accurate and precise, phase detection autofocus is faster and more effective in most situations, particularly when photographing moving subjects.

Phase detection autofocus works by dividing the incoming light into pairs and then analyzing how they intersect on the camera's sensor. This method allows the camera to determine not only if a subject is in focus but also the direction and distance needed to adjust the focus to achieve perfect sharpness.

On the other hand, contrast detection autofocus works by analyzing the contrast of an image and adjusting the focus until the highest contrast is detected. While this method is very accurate, it can be slow, especially in low light conditions or when photographing moving subjects.

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FAQ

What is the sensor size of the Samsung NX500?

The Samsung NX500 features a BSI-CMOS sensor

Is the Samsung NX500 weather sealed?

No the NX500 does not have weather sealing.

When was the Samsung NX500 announced?

The Samsung NX500 was announced on Feb 06 2015

Does the Samsung NX500 have in-body image stabilization?

No the NX500 does not have in-body image stabilization that can compensate for camera shake, making it easier to shoot handheld in low light conditions.

What is the ISO range of the Samsung NX500?

The NX500 has a native ISO range of 100-25600, which can be expanded to ISO null-51200 for even greater sensitivity in low light conditions.

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