Sony RX100 vs Samsung NX500

Cameras
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Sony RX100 vs Samsung NX500

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1 inch 116.2mm²
20.2 megapixels
28.00mm - 100.00mm (35mm eq.)

Go in depth with our full Sony RX100 Review.
How does it shoot? Sony RX100 in the real world.
See real-world photos taken with the RX100.
Compare Sony RX100 image quality against competitors.
What’s the bottom line? Read our Sony RX100 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.

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Differences

Sony RX100 advantages over Samsung NX500

Less expensive
$650 vs $800 (MSRP)
Save money for lenses or accessories
In-Camera Image Stabilization
Yes vs No
Reduces the effects of camera shake at slower shutter speeds
Internal flash
Internal flash vs None
Useful in a pinch for fill flash
Higher max flash sync
1/2000 vs 1/200 sec
Reduce the effect of ambient light in flash shots
Has anti-aliasing filter
Filter vs No Filter
Reduces unsightly moiré in photos
Faster JPEG shooting
10.0 fps vs 8.8 fps
Faster JPEG shooting (burst mode)
Faster RAW shooting
10.0 fps vs 8.5 fps
Faster RAW shooting in burst mode
Bigger RAW buffer
13 vs 6 shots
Larger buffer for RAW shots (burst mode)

Samsung NX500 advantages over Sony RX100

Larger sensor
APS-C vs 1 inch
More sensor area. Bigger is (generally) better.
Bigger pixels
~ 3.63 vs 2.41 microns
Better low-light and dynamic range (all else equal)
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
Tiltable Screen
Tiltable vs Fixed
Tilt the screen for shooting flexbility
Fast startup
~1.50 vs 2.8 sec
Faster startup lets you catch the moment
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 RX100 test data on DxO Mark

1,379 vs 390 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 RX100 test data on DxO Mark

13.9 vs 12.4 evs
Retain detail in highlight and shadows
On-sensor phase detect
Yes vs No
Usually improves live view and video AF performance
Shoots 24p video
Yes vs No
Gives your movies a big-screen feel
Hot shoe
Hot shoe vs None
Off-camera flashes open new possibilities
More pixels
28.2 vs 20.2 megapixels
Higher resolution photos
Lacks anti-aliasing filter
No Filter vs Filter
Enjoy sharper photos
Bigger JPEG buffer
38 vs 13 shots
Take more JPEG shots before waiting (burst mode)
Slow-motion videos
Yes vs No
Shoot slow-motion videos
Faster shutter
1/6000 vs 1/2000 sec
Shoot wide open in bright light
Higher extended ISO
51200 vs 25600 ISO
Higher extended ISO can give more low-light flexibility

Similarities

Common Strengths

Rear display
Both provide
Review photos on the back of the camera
Focus peaking
Both provide
Your camera will highlight what's in focus
In-camera panoramas
Both provide
Stitches multiple shots into a panoramic photo
RAW file ability
Both provide
Gives you more flexibility to develop your photos later
Manual focus
Both provide
AF is for the weak. Real photographers focus manually.
HDMI out
Both provide
Use HDMI output to monitor or review video
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
Eye-level viewfinder
Neither provide
You'll be able to frame photos even when the sun is out
Built-in GPS
Neither provide
Geotag your photos
Top deck display
Neither provide
Check settings with a screen on top of the camera
Integrated ND filter
Neither provide
Shoot in daylight with a large aperture or slow shutter
External Mic Jack
Neither provide
Improved sound fidelity when shooting video
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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Buy the Sony RX100

Sony RX100

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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

Excellent high-ISO performance for such a compact model; Smart controls; Small body; Bright lens; 10fps full-res burst mode; Very fast shutter response; Excellent LCD.
Lens flare at night; Poor rendering of yellows; Slow flash recycling; Soft corners wide open; Continuous AF mode slow to lock.
Read our Sony RX100 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 Sony RX100 II

Sony RX100

Sony RX100 II

$1095
1 inch

Faster RAW shooting

$598
1 inch

Tiltable Screen
Built-in Wi-Fi

Compare Sony RX100 vs Sony RX100 II

Samsung NX500

Sony RX100 II

$1600
APS-C

Larger sensor
Bigger pixels

$598
1 inch

In-Camera Image Stabilization
Internal flash

Compare Samsung NX500 vs Sony RX100 II

Compared to Sony RX100 III

Sony RX100

Sony RX100 III

$1095
1 inch

More telephoto lens reach
Faster RAW shooting

$748
1 inch

Eye-level viewfinder
Tiltable Screen

Compare Sony RX100 vs Sony RX100 III

Samsung NX500

Sony RX100 III

$1600
APS-C

Larger sensor
Bigger pixels

$748
1 inch

Eye-level viewfinder
In-Camera Image Stabilization

Compare Samsung NX500 vs Sony RX100 III

Compared to Canon G7X

Sony RX100

Canon G7X

$1095
1 inch

In-camera panoramas
Longer stills battery life

$1239
1 inch

Touchscreen
Tiltable Screen

Compare Sony RX100 vs Canon G7X

Samsung NX500

Canon G7X

$1600
APS-C

Larger sensor
Bigger pixels

$1239
1 inch

In-Camera Image Stabilization
Internal flash

Compare Samsung NX500 vs Canon G7X

Compared to Canon EOS M3

Sony RX100

Canon EOS M3

$1095
1 inch

In-Camera Image Stabilization
In-camera panoramas

$1049
APS-C

Larger sensor
Bigger pixels

Compare Sony RX100 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 RX100

Sony A6500

$1095
1 inch

Thinner
Higher max flash sync

$1198
APS-C

Larger sensor
Eye-level viewfinder

Compare Sony RX100 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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