Samsung NX500 - Still worth it in 2019?

Hey everyone,

I currently own a Canon M50 which I use for both photo taking and 4K video, but a friend came across the NX500. They are on sale in Australia, second hand, for at least $100 less than a used M50...

Is it still worth buying an NX500 in 2019? And is the image quality that much better than the M50?

One thing to note is the lack of a mic port, but in my research I found that I could attach a Zoom microphone to the hot shoe mount and record separately (a bit of a hassle I know).

Also, is the kit lens any good? And are there any other good cheap lenses for it?

Thanks for your help,

Joe

I suppose that depends really. It sounds as if you don't own any other NX lenses, so to get the best from the camera, you'll need to spend even more money.

The kit lens usually bundled with the nx500 is the 16-50 powerzoom lens and it's arguably the best out of all the others - it's compact, relatively sharp and had good stabilisation and autofocus.

If you wanted the nx500 as a compact camera I'd go for the 30mm, the 45mm and maybe the 10mm. They are all great lenses but I'm not sure whether prices have come down significantly over the years. If anything they are holding value it seems.

All in all I'm pleased with my nx500 and the lenses but if I were starting again I'd probably buy into another system.

The question you need to ask yourself is "Is buying into an unsupported system a good idea?"

Samsung's "kit" lenses are perfectly serviceable, but beyond that most lenses designed for the system will only be available second-hand, with who knows what history and little or no chance of repair if needed.

One good point, if you're into using lenses from other manufacturers in manual mode with an adaptor, adaptors are currently available cheaply to fit most mounts as dealers try to clear obsolescent stock

For you - no.

Joe1212 wrote:

Hey everyone,

I currently own a Canon M50 which I use for both photo taking and 4K video, but a friend came across the NX500. They are on sale in Australia, second hand, for at least $100 less than a used M50...

Is it still worth buying an NX500 in 2019? And is the image quality that much better than the M50?

One thing to note is the lack of a mic port, but in my research I found that I could attach a Zoom microphone to the hot shoe mount and record separately (a bit of a hassle I know).

Also, is the kit lens any good? And are there any other good cheap lenses for it?

Thanks for your help,

Joe

NX500 has still the highest ranked APS-C size sensor in a mirrorless. So, yes, in many ways, it is the most advance camera even in 2019. The kit lens 16-50mm is fantastic; one of the best kit lenses you will ever get with any camera (irrespective of brand). I’m very pleased with my Samsung kit, and if given a choice, I would buy into Samsung NX again, even in 2019. Why? Because NX500 with NX 20mm f/2.8 or NX 30mm f/2.0 is the slimmest mirrorless camera, with a great sensor as icing on cake. Lenses and Flashes are available new on Ebay and they are often cheaper than Sony’s APS-C E and Canon EF-M lenses and flashes for their mirrorless cameras.

Kind regards,

Massao

First of all, temporarily shelving all that we obviously know - meaning, the Samsung camera line is no longer active, etc, etc., there are quite a few things in the NX500's favor.

1.  Even to this day, the NX500 can hold its own among many contemporary cameras.  Ergonomically, it is perhaps one of the finest form factors in a camera ever made.  I shoot with a wealth of cameras and every time I hold an NX300 or NX500, I just enjoy holding it (all while smiling of course).

2.  If you can find a good one - that's the key.  By "good one," I mean either new (which will certainly cost you), or sifting through the garbage in advertising while you search for an excellent to mint one with low mileage.

3.  I would not give up your other systems in order to get the NX500.  Right now I'm actively shooting with various Micro 4/3, Canon EOS M, Fuji X, and of course, the Samsung NX system.  Each camera I use gives me immense pleasure - but I've got to tell you that when I reach for the NX500 and begin shooting, the images, IMO, stand out of the crowd.  Think about it, the NX500 has a 28 MP sensor, whereas contemporary cameras have either 24 or 26.

4.  My NX participation includes an NX30, NX300, NX500, EX2F, and more recently, I acquired a brand spankin' new NX Mini, which is impressing the hell out of me so far.

5.  Keep it inexpensive by getting the the wonderful 16-50 F3.5-5.6 IS Power Zoom lens.  It punches far above its weight and you can still find them new in Korea on eBay.  I have 3 copies of this lens and each one is tack sharp - considering the genre of lens it occupies.  In fact, here is the link to the US eBay site for this particular lens:

https://www.ebay.com/sch/i.html?_nkw=Samsung%20NX%2016-50%20F3.5-5.6%20IS%20Power%20Zoom%20lens

So in short, if you can find a superb copy of the NX500, I wouldn't hold back, unless the cost is prohibitively high - then it becomes decision time.   I know I will NOT part with my N500 (nor NX300 for that matter).  I'm keepin' it until it becomes kaput.