Size and weight is a big decision factor when you are trying to find the ideal camera for your needs.
In this section, We are going to illustrate Samsung NX100 and Pentax K-500 side-by-side from the front, back and top in their relative dimensions. Samsung NX100 has external dimensions of 120 x 71 x 35 mm (4.72 x 2.8 x 1.38″) and weighs 282 g (0.62 lb / 9.95 oz) (including batteries). Pentax K-500 has external dimensions of 130 x 97 x 71 mm (5.12 x 3.82 x 2.8″) and weighs 646 g (1.42 lb / 22.79 oz) (including batteries).
Below you can see the front view size comparison of Samsung NX100 and Pentax K-500. Samsung NX100 is clearly the smaller of the two cameras. Its body is 10mm narrower, 26mm shorter and 36mm thinner than Pentax K-500.
![Samsung NX100 vs Pentax K-500 Camera Size Comparison - Front View]()
Comparison image of Samsung NX100 and Pentax K-500 Size, Weight and External Dimensions - Front View
Now lets look at the top view comparison of Samsung NX100 and Pentax K-500.
![Samsung NX100 vs Pentax K-500 Camera Size Comparison - Top View]()
Top View Comparison image of Samsung NX100 and Pentax K-500 Size
Weight is another important factor especially when deciding on a camera that you want to carry with you all day.
Samsung NX100 is significantly lighter (364g ) than the Pentax K-500 which may become a big advantage especially on long walking trips.
Also keep in mind that body weight is not the only deciding factor when comparing two interchangeable camera bodies, you have to also take into account the lenses that you will be using with these bodies. Since both Samsung NX100 and Pentax K-500 have the same APS-C sized sensor, their lenses for a similar focal length and aperture will be similar in size and weight.
Weight Comparison
DSLR Cameras
Thickness Comparison
DSLR Cameras
Weather Sealing
Unfortunately neither Samsung NX100 nor Pentax K-500 provides any type of weather sealing in their body, so you have to give extra care especially when you are shooting outdoors. If weather sealing is a must-have feature for you, check these sections: Top Mirrorless Cameras with Weather Sealing Top DSLR Cameras with Weather Sealing
LCD Screen Size and Features
Samsung NX100 and Pentax K-500's LCD screens has the same diagonal size of 3".
Unfortunately, both cameras has fixed screens so they don't tilt or flip in directions.
Samsung NX100 has a 15.0MP APS-C (23.4 x 15.6 mm ) sized CMOS sensor and features DRIMe Engine processor. On the other hand, Pentax K-500 has a 16.0MP APS-C (23.7 x 15.7 mm ) sized CMOS sensor and features PRIME M processor.
Below you can see the NX100 and K-500 sensor size comparison.
![Samsung NX100 vs Pentax K-500 Sensor Size Comparison]()
Sensor Size and Resolution Comparison image of Samsung NX100 and Pentax K-500 Cameras
Samsung NX100 and Pentax K-500 have almost the same sensor size so none of them has any significant advantage over other in providing control over depth of field when used with same focal length and aperture.
DxOMark Sensor Scores
DxOMark is a benchmark that scientifically assesses image quality of camera sensors. It scores camera sensors for color depth (DXO Portrait), dynamic range (DXO Landscape) and low-light sensitivity (DXO Sports), and also gives them an overall score. Samsung NX100 and Pentax K-500 sensors have been tested by DxO and the results show that K-500 has a better overall score of 79, 17 points higher compared to NX100's score of 62.
| Model |
Overall |
Color Depth |
Dynamic Range |
Low-light ISO |
|
Samsung NX100 |
62 |
22.6 bits |
10.7 Evs |
563 ISO |
|
Pentax K-500 |
79 |
23.7 bits |
13.1 Evs |
1087 ISO |
Number of available lenses is a big decision factor while choosing your interchangeable lens camera. When we look at the available lenses for these two cameras, we see that Pentax K-500 has an advantage over Samsung NX100 There are 151 lenses for Pentax K-500's Pentax KAF2 mount, on the other hand there are only 32 lenses for Samsung NX100's Samsung NX lens mount.
Another important factor is the availability of image stabilization. Both Samsung NX100 and Pentax K-500 has Sensor based Image stabilization which means that all the lenses will be stabilized in these bodies.
| Lens Type |
# of Samsung NX100 Lenses |
# of Pentax K-500 Lenses |
| Standard Zoom |
4 |
22 |
| Standard Prime |
5 |
20 |
| Wideangle Zoom |
1 |
12 |
| Wideangle Prime |
11 |
24 |
| Telephoto Zoom |
2 |
21 |
| Telephoto Prime |
3 |
12 |
| SuperZoom |
1 |
15 |
| Wideangle Fisheye Prime |
4 |
3 |
| Macro Prime |
1 |
14 |
| Perspective Control Prime |
n/a |
8 |
| Telephoto Mirror Prime |
n/a |
n/a |
| TOTAL |
32 |
151 |
In this section, we rank and compare Samsung NX100 and Pentax K-500 for five different photography types in order to make your decision process easier in case you are specifically interested in one or more of these areas.
Samsung NX100 for Portrait Photography
Pentax K-500 for Portrait Photography
Large APS-C (23.4 x 15.6 mm) sensor
Image Stabilization
Average Resolution Sensor: 15.0MP
Optional External Viewfinder
Average Ergonomics&Handling
Read the details
Large APS-C (23.7 x 15.7 mm) sensor
Image Stabilization
Optical Built-in Viewfinder
Good Ergonomics&Handling
Average Resolution Sensor: 16.0MP
Read the details
Samsung NX100 for Street Photography
Pentax K-500 for Street Photography
Large APS-C (23.4 x 15.6 mm) sensor
Image Stabilization
Live-view
Face-Detection Focusing
Optional External Viewfinder
Medium sized Body
Read the details
Large APS-C (23.7 x 15.7 mm) sensor
Image Stabilization
Optical Built-in Viewfinder
Live-view
Face-Detection Focusing
Large Body
Read the details
Samsung NX100 for Sports Photography
Pentax K-500 for Sports Photography
Image Stabilization
Fast Max shutter speed: 1/4000s
15 Focus Points
Optional External Viewfinder
Average Ergonomics&Handling
Slow Continuous Shooting: 3.0fps
Environmental Sealings
Read the details
Image Stabilization
Optical Built-in Viewfinder
Good Ergonomics&Handling
Fast Max shutter speed: 1/6000s
9 Cross Type Focus sensors
11 Focus Points
Good Battery Life: 710 shots
Good Low Light ISO
Average Continuous Shooting: 6.0fps
Environmental Sealings
Read the details
Samsung NX100 for Daily Photography
Pentax K-500 for Daily Photography
Large APS-C (23.7 x 15.7 mm) sensor
Large Body
646g
Body Thickness 71mm
Read the details
Samsung NX100 for Landscape Photography
Pentax K-500 for Landscape Photography
Large APS-C (23.4 x 15.6 mm) sensor
Live-view
Average Resolution Sensor: 15.0MP
No Environmental Sealings
Read the details
Large APS-C (23.7 x 15.7 mm) sensor
Live-view
Average Resolution Sensor: 16.0MP
No Environmental Sealings
Read the details
You may have already made your decision about which camera suits better for your needs and your budget so far but in case you wonder how we rated Samsung NX100 and Pentax K-500, below you can find their scores in five different aspects.
Our Decision Algorithm dynamically scores cameras using 63 different specs, current price and DxO Mark scores (where possible) in order to make a more objective and consistent comparison.
Here is a summary of how Samsung NX100 and Pentax K-500 scores compare:
Samsung NX100
Ranked
#100 out of 126 in Rangefinder-style mirrorless cameras
Ranked
#425 out of 1220 in all Cameras
Pentax K-500
Ranked
#25 out of 78 in Compact SLR cameras
Ranked
#200 out of 1220 in all Cameras
Pentax K-500 is the overall winner of this comparison. It has a higher Overall Score and beats Samsung NX100 in all criteria except one: Portability.
If small size and light body is a big priority for you, choose Samsung NX100. Otherwise, Pentax K-500 is the better camera overall.
| General |
Samsung NX100 |
Pentax K-500 |
| Brand |
Samsung |
Pentax |
| Announced |
2010-09-14 |
2013-11-27 |
| Body Type |
Rangefinder-style mirrorless |
Compact SLR |
Sensor |
|
|
| Type |
CMOS |
CMOS |
| Size |
APS-C |
APS-C |
| Dimensions |
23.4 x 15.6 mm |
23.7 x 15.7 mm |
| Area |
365.04mm2 |
372.09mm2 |
| Megapixels |
15 megapixels |
16 megapixels |
| Max Resolution |
4592 x 3056 |
4928 x 3264 |
| Max Native Light sensitivity |
6,400 ISO |
51,600 ISO |
| Min Native Light sensitivity |
100 ISO |
100 ISO |
| RAW Support |
|
|
Autofocus |
|
|
| AF Touch |
|
|
| AF Continuous |
|
|
| AF Single |
|
|
| AF Tracking |
|
|
| AF Selective |
|
|
| AF Center |
|
|
| AF Multi Area |
|
|
| AF Live View |
|
|
| AF Face Detection |
|
|
| AF Contrast Detection |
|
|
| AF Phase Detection |
|
|
| Number of Focus Points |
15 |
11 |
Lens |
|
|
| Manual Focus |
|
|
| Lens Mount |
Samsung NX |
Pentax KAF2 |
| Number of Available Lenses |
32 |
151 |
Screen |
|
|
| Type |
Fixed type |
Fixed type |
| Size |
3" |
3" |
| Resolution |
614k dots |
921k dots |
| Touch Screen |
|
|
Viewfinder |
|
|
| Viewfinder |
Electronic (optional) |
Optical (pentaprism) |
| Viewfinder Coverage |
n/a |
100% |
| Viewfinder Magnification |
n/a |
0.61x |
Photography Features |
|
|
| Max Mechanical Shutter |
1/4000s |
1/6000s |
| Shutter Priority |
|
|
| Aperture Priority |
|
|
| Manual Exposure Mode |
|
|
| Custom White Balance |
|
|
| Image Stabilization |
Digital only |
Sensor-shift |
| Built-in Flash |
|
|
| Flash Range |
no built-in flash |
12.00 m (at ISO 100) |
| Max Flash Sync |
1/180s |
1/180s |
| External Flash |
|
|
| Continuous Shooting |
3.0 fps |
6.0 fps |
| Multi-Segment |
|
|
| Average |
|
|
| Spot |
|
|
| Partial |
|
|
| AF-Area |
|
|
| Center Weighted |
|
|
| AE Bracketing |
|
|
| WB Bracketing |
|
|
Video Features |
|
|
| Max Video Resolution |
1280 x 720 |
1920 x 1080 |
| Video Formats |
H.264 |
MPEG-4, H.264 |
| Microphone Port |
|
|
| Headphone Port |
|
|
Connectivity |
|
|
| Wireless Connectivity |
None |
None |
| HDMI |
|
|
Physical |
|
|
| Environmental Sealing |
|
|
| Weight |
282g |
646g |
| Dimensions |
120 x 71 x 35mm |
130 x 97 x 71mm |
| Battery Life |
420 shots |
710 shots |
Other Features |
|
|
| Timelapse Recording |
|
|
| GPS |
Optional |
Optional |
DxO Sensor Scores |
|
|
| DxO Overall Score |
62 |
79 |
| DxO Color Depth |
22.6 |
23.7 |
| DxO Dynamic Range |
10.7 |
13.1 |
| DxO Low Light ISO |
563 |
1087 |
|
Report a correction |
Report a correction |