Samsung is following the NX500: At the Photokina 2017 the South Koreans had presented the top model NX1. After the first series model had completed lab and practice tests, the ColorFoto testers agreed: With the NX1 (test), Samsung has succeeded a big throw. Samsung has now tried with the NX500 to accommodate much of the NX1 top-notch technology in a very compact housing – and that at the “halved” price of 750 euros.
Housing
Externally, both models are hardly similar. The NX1 is based on classic SLR cameras from Canon or Nikon, but the NX500 is based on the compact design of the NX300 (test) and NX3000 (test) models. With just 350 grams, she is a lightweight in the APS-C class and only half as heavy as her big sister.
Handling
While the NX1 has a robust magnesium body and is protected against splashing water and dust, the electronics of the Samsung NX500 are housed in a simple plastic housing, which is covered with an "insignia" up to the camera's upper and lower surfaces >
Display
On the back of the camera is a slight depression at the thumb position, where the necessary back pressure can be generated for a secure hold. The keys and dials are positioned on the right side and can be adjusted with the thumb and index finger.
Autofocus
The trigger sits slightly obliquely, the two pressure points for focusing and triggering are delicate but clearly felt. The mode dial is recessed to two thirds and can be operated comfortably with the thumb at the free outermost corner of the camera. The tight detent is sufficient protection against unintentional twisting. The trigger for video recordings is located to the right of the thumb recess on the camera back, not as easy to reach as all other controls, which is to prevent an involuntary video start.
The three-inch Super-Amoled display has a touchscreen function. The 345,333 RGB pixels produce crisp, sharp images on the display, even extreme side viewing hardly affects brightness and color. The monitor can be turned upwards by 180 ° for Selfies, tilting up to 90 ° upwards and upwards by up to 45 ° for recording near the ground or overhead. The display brightness can be adjusted in steps of +/- 2 and the display colors can be adjusted via four axes.
Too bad we find that the battery must be charged in the camera and you can not take pictures. A rechargeable battery would provide a remedy, but probably fell victim to the targeted price of 750 euros as well as a viewfinder. Otherwise the camera is clean and solidly processed, all covers close neat, nothing sips.
In the Samsung NX500 the same autofocus system as in the NX1: A hybrid AF from phase and contrast technology ensures speed. A short tap on the touch screen is enough, and the camera has focused on the desired spot. The more than 200 fields for phase detection and contrast measurement are distributed over the entire screen area according to Samsung. 0.28s at 300 lux and 0.37s at 30 lux are in any case one of the good values in the autofocus compartment. In Manual Focus mode, focus is applied to the knurled ring of the lens, and two magnification factors can be specified. In addition, a "Focus Peaking" function is available.
The NX500 has no built-in flash. However, a small flash-on flash with the designation SEV8A and guide number 8 (with ISO 100) is included in the scope of delivery, which covers Smart Flash, Automatic, Red-Eye Reduction, Fill-Flash, Fill-Flash Red, 1. Curtain and 2. Curtain . The head is flipped open to light-up, light pressure brings it back to rest.
Samsung is currently the only manufacturer to use a BSI sensor in the APS-C format, which is exposed at the rear. Its effectively light-sensitive area is larger than the front surface of conventional CMOS sensors - and thus also more sensitive. Although the resolution of 28 megapixels at the upper end of the APSC scale is settled, the image processor in serial function creates 8.1 fps. In RAW mode is however already after 6 shots end, in the JPG format are 45 pictures in series at this speed in it. The shortest exposure time is 1/600 s, the shortest flash sync time is 1/200 s.
In the video mode the NX500 understands to 4K with 24 B / s. Samsung is synonymous here on the H.265 codec, which compared to the more widely used H.264 only half the space eats. The fact that there is neither a headphone output nor a micorofone entrance, however, the videotreude trills. This means that you can not connect an external microphone despite the flash, and you can not listen to the sound during recording.
With the NX500, Samsung is less focused on dedicated SLR photographers than on quality-conscious beginners - as a result, several automatic modes are available. "Auto" automatically controls shutter speed, aperture value, exposure metering, white balance, and exposure compensation. In "Smart Mode", the photographer can also select desired effects.
The P, A, S, M, and C (Custom Mode) settings are available on the Mode dial. A special feature is the position SAS, in which the camera can be preset for a fast movement of the motif. At the back are five round buttons and a four-way button. Because of their low stroke, they are a bit filigree.
Exposure
The main menu is divided into four sub-areas (camera, video, system, and playback settings), the functions remain manageable despite the large number. Thereby, it helps that there are different ways to reach certain menu positions. The Samsung iFn button on the lens is used in conjunction with the lens ring for important shooting settings. The entire display is also to be used as a touchscreen, and even a mix of button and touchscreen control is possible.
With the WiFi module, wireless data can be transferred, even the remote control of the camera via smartphone is possible. The fact that there is also a Bluetooth interface next to NFC may be a surprise, but may be aimed at the iOS devices, which are usually not to be addressed by NFC.
Video mode
The BSI sensor has 28 megapixels, especially at low sensitivities. At ISO 100 the NX500 achieves a very high resolution of 2032 and 1861 LP / BH as well as very good DL values in strong and weak contrasts and a solid dynamic (10.0 screens). The DL cross curves show clearly how strongly the contrasts are raised - they climb up to 1.6 times the initial value. This leads, in part, to a very severe image impression, which is particularly troublesome with skin parts.
Even with ISO 400, more clearly still with ISO 800, the fine-tuning is visible. The faces on the test shots appear to be too powdery. Also grass blades and stones, good motifs for fine structure and high contrast, look unnatural. A more fine tuning would be more harmonious. Anyone who wants to use sensitivities above ISO 100 with this camera is doing well to do this in RAW mode and to develop more conservatively.
The Samsung NX500 convinces with a model in the 750 euro class, including WiFi, NFC and Bluetooth. Even with its fast and reliable autofocus, it can collect plus points. With the image quality the 28 megapixel sensor at ISO 100 helps to very high resolution values above the 2000 LP / BH mark, however, the drawing losses are pronounced with increasing sensitivities. In principle, a more reserved vote would be better.
Shooting Modes
Menu and Operation
WLAN, Bluetooth and NFC
Image quality
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