Sony A58 vs Samsung NX500

Cameras
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Sony A58 vs Samsung NX500

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APS-C 366.6mm²
20.1 megapixels
ISO 100 - 16,000

Go in depth with our full Sony A58 Review.
How does it shoot? Sony A58 in the real world.
See real-world photos taken with the A58.
Compare Sony A58 image quality against competitors.
What’s the bottom line? Read our Sony A58 conclusion.

APS-C 369.0mm²
28.2 megapixels
ISO 100 - 25,600

Go in depth with our full Samsung NX500 Review.
How does it shoot? Samsung NX500 in the real world.
See real-world photos taken with the NX500.
Compare Samsung NX500 image quality against competitors.
What’s the bottom line? Read our Samsung NX500 conclusion.

Succeeded by the Sony A68
Compare A58 vs A68
Compare Sony A68 vs Samsung NX500

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Differences

Sony A58 advantages over Samsung NX500

Lens selection
Good vs Limited
Better lens selection gives you more options
Less expensive
$600 vs $800 (MSRP)
Save money for lenses or accessories
Eye-level viewfinder
Eye-level vs Rear display only
You'll be able to frame photos even when the sun is out
In-Camera Image Stabilization
Yes vs No
Reduces the effects of camera shake at slower shutter speeds
Bigger pixels
~ 4.31 vs 3.63 microns
Better low-light and dynamic range (all else equal)
Longer stills battery life
More info

Longer stills battery life

Cameras with longer battery life can take more photos before exhausting their batteries.

Special note: The measurement standard for battery life stipulates that if a camera has an internal flash, it must be used for 50% of photos taken. For this reason, comparisons of one camera with an internal flash to another without will not be comparable

700 vs 370 shots
Capture more photos
Internal flash
Internal flash vs None
Useful in a pinch for fill flash
External Mic Jack
Jack vs No jack
Improved sound fidelity when shooting video
Less shutter lag
0.13 vs 0.20 sec
Focus and take a photo quickly (wide angle)
Has anti-aliasing filter
Filter vs No Filter
Reduces unsightly moiré in photos

Samsung NX500 advantages over Sony A58

Shoot 4K video
4K (DCI) vs 1080p
Make sure you have a fast computer
Touchscreen
Touch vs No touch
Interact with your camera just like your smartphone
Built-in Wi-Fi
Wi-Fi vs None
Share your photos wirelessly
NFC
Yes vs No
Simplifies pairing your camera with supported phones
Built-in Bluetooth
Yes vs No
Always-on wireless connectivity
Higher effective ISO

Higher effective ISO

Maximum effective ISO is an estimate of the highest sensitivity at which a camera can capture excellent quality photos.

Cameras with higher effective ISO will be better choices for indoor photography, night shooting, and indoor sports photography, especially if you intend to make large prints.

You can learn more at our glossary entry.

Maximum effective ISO test data courtesy of DxO Mark.
NX500 test data on DxO Mark A58 test data on DxO Mark

1,379 vs 753 iso
Take photos in low light with less noise
More dynamic range

More dynamic range

Cameras with more dynamic range allow you to take photos with dramatic differences in highlight and shadow areas while retaining detail in both.

Think of a brilliant sunset on a rocky beach: Bright sunset in the background, with dark rocks in the foreground. High dynamic range means more of the extremes will be faithfully reproduced.

Dynamic range test data courtesy of DxO Mark.
NX500 test data on DxO Mark A58 test data on DxO Mark

13.9 vs 12.5 evs
Retain detail in highlight and shadows
On-sensor phase detect
Yes vs No
Usually improves live view and video AF performance
Thinner
42 mm vs 77 mm
Thinner
Lighter weight
454g vs 731g
Lighter weight
Higher-res screen
346k vs 154k pixels
More detail on the screen lets you judge focus and composition
More pixels
28.2 vs 20.1 megapixels
Higher resolution photos
Shoots 60p video
Yes vs No
A faster framerate can give you more editing options
Lacks anti-aliasing filter
No Filter vs Filter
Enjoy sharper photos
Wider angle kit lens
24 mm vs 27 mm
Capture more of the scene with the included lens
Faster JPEG shooting
8.8 fps vs 4.9 fps
Faster JPEG shooting (burst mode)
Bigger JPEG buffer
38 vs 8 shots
Take more JPEG shots before waiting (burst mode)
Faster RAW shooting
8.5 fps vs 4.8 fps
Faster RAW shooting in burst mode
Slow-motion videos
Yes vs No
Shoot slow-motion videos
Faster shutter
1/6000 vs 1/4000 sec
Shoot wide open in bright light
Higher extended ISO
51200 vs 16000 ISO
Higher extended ISO can give more low-light flexibility

Similarities

Common Strengths

Focus peaking
Both provide
Your camera will highlight what's in focus
In-camera panoramas
Both provide
Stitches multiple shots into a panoramic photo
Tiltable Screen
Both provide
Tilt the screen for shooting flexbility
HDMI out
Both provide
Use HDMI output to monitor or review video
Hot shoe
Both provide
Off-camera flashes open new possibilities
Bulb shutter
Both provide
Hold the shutter open manually for long exposures

Common Weaknesses

Tilt-swivel screen
Neither provide
Tilt and swivel the screen for maximum shooting flexibility
Built-in GPS
Neither provide
Geotag your photos
Top deck display
Neither provide
Check settings with a screen on top of the camera
Dual card slots
Neither provide
Gives you more storage flexibility
Headphone jack
Neither provide
Monitor audio recording while you shoot video

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Your purchases support this site

Buy the Sony A58

Kit with 18-55mm Lens

Your purchases support this site

Buy the Samsung NX500

Kit with 16-50mm PZ Lens (Black)

Kit with 16-50mm PZ Lens (Black)
Kit with 16-50mm PZ Lens (Brown)
Kit with 16-50mm PZ Lens (White)

Review Excerpt

Improved 20.1-megapixel resolution; Impressive image quality, especially for its price; Fast and decisive autofocus (in most conditions); Very good battery life; Good video quality (Full HD 1080p, though it doesn't support 60p frame rate).
Plastic lens mount; Slower burst mode speeds and shallower buffer than A57; LCD no longer fully articulating; Mediocre kit lens; Electronic instead of an optical viewfinder may be a turnoff for some.
Read our Sony A58 Review

Very good image quality with high-resolution files; Excellent high ISO performance with RAW files; Very good dynamic range; Fast AF performance; Compact design with good build quality; Better ergonomics than predecessor; 4K video recording.
High ISO noise reduction too strong; AF struggles in low-light; Buffer depth is shallow with RAW files; No option for EVF; No built-in flash (external one included); 4K Video is cropped with narrower FOV.
Read our Samsung NX500 Review

The Competition

Compared to Pentax K-5 IIs

Sony A58

Pentax K-5 IIs

$598
APS-C

Less expensive
Focus peaking

$497
APS-C

Lens selection
Fast startup

Compare Sony A58 vs Pentax K-5 IIs

Samsung NX500

Pentax K-5 IIs

$1600
APS-C

Focus peaking
Less expensive

$497
APS-C

Lens selection
Eye-level viewfinder

Compare Samsung NX500 vs Pentax K-5 IIs

Compared to Nikon D5200

Sony A58

Nikon D5200

$598
APS-C

Less expensive
Focus peaking

$590
APS-C

Lens selection
Tilt-swivel screen

Compare Sony A58 vs Nikon D5200

Samsung NX500

Nikon D5200

$1600
APS-C

Focus peaking
Shoot 4K video

$590
APS-C

Lens selection
Tilt-swivel screen

Compare Samsung NX500 vs Nikon D5200

Compared to Canon T5i

Sony A58

Canon T5i

$598
APS-C

Focus peaking
Larger sensor

$539
APS-C

Lens selection
Tilt-swivel screen

Compare Sony A58 vs Canon T5i

Samsung NX500

Canon T5i

$1600
APS-C

Focus peaking
Larger sensor

$539
APS-C

Lens selection
Tilt-swivel screen

Compare Samsung NX500 vs Canon T5i

Compared to Canon EOS M3

Sony A58

Canon EOS M3

$598
APS-C

Lens selection
Larger sensor

$1049
APS-C

Touchscreen
Built-in Wi-Fi

Compare Sony A58 vs Canon EOS M3

Samsung NX500

Canon EOS M3

$1600
APS-C

Larger sensor
Shoot 4K video

$1049
APS-C

More telephoto lens reach
Internal flash

Compare Samsung NX500 vs Canon EOS M3

Compared to Sony A6500

Sony A58

Sony A6500

$598
APS-C

Longer stills battery life

$1198
APS-C

Shoot 4K video
Touchscreen

Compare Sony A58 vs Sony A6500

Samsung NX500

Sony A6500

$1600
APS-C

More pixels
Lacks anti-aliasing filter

$1198
APS-C

Lens selection
Eye-level viewfinder

Compare Samsung NX500 vs Sony A6500

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