NX500 plus kit zoom Vs RX100 iv

So, a few weeks ago I accidentally bought a used rx100 iv on eBay. I say accidentally, because I'd seen that there was a 10% discount and wanted to see if it worked - I'd forgotten I had one click purchasing enabled so it went straight through.

Anyhow, I kind of told my wife that I would be either selling it on or selling something else, probably the nx500.

I'm wondering now whether I really want to let go of the nx500 and whether the rx100iv is a suitable replacement. I've mostly been using the nx500 for trips out where I want to travel light, and holidays. I've been using it with either the kit lens or the 30mm /45mm or fisheye.

I really like the Sony, especially the fact that it is so small and actually pocketable. I've found that it delivers great image quality and I'm impressed with the 4k.

However, the nx500 is certainly better in terms of IQ and colour reproduction.

For those who have used both, what would you suggest? I'm tempted to keep both but if I were to get rid of one, which should it be? Incidentally I still have my nx1.

How much was it and what can tou get for each one? I would probably sell the NX500 but only you know.

markyboy81 wrote:

..I accidentally bought a used rx100 iv on eBay.

Anyhow, I kind of told my wife that I would be either selling it on or selling something else, probably the nx500.

Markyboy81,

I just couldn't resist writing my joking response below (from a very happily married man of 32 wonderful years!)

wife?

There was a time I liked the tiny cameras like Samsung EX1/2, etc, but I’ve came to the conclusion that none of the small sensor cameras are worth it. Yes, they take good photos considering their size, but the difference in image quality between a camera like NX500 and any small-sensor camera is night and day. These small-sensor cameras are becoming redundant because of improvement in images taken from mobile phones. For any serious photo, NX500 with a 30mm lens is small-enough for me.

Maybe consider the current state of your Cell Phones; great seamless integration to Internet Social Media i.e. if either you or your wife's Cell Phone is ready for upgrade that is.

otto k wrote:

How much was it and what can tou get for each one? I would probably sell the NX500 but only you know.

The rx100iv was just under £350 and I could probably get the same back, and maybe as much as £450 ish for the nx500.

I take on board the comments about smaller sensor compacts being inferior and of course they are. However in my view the Sony is still significantly better than any phone I've used, and arguably better than anything on the market right now. I'm not overly bothered about being able to share stuff straight away and in fact with the Sony it's quite simple to connect to my phone and import stuff.

I know the nx500 with the 30mm produces outstanding results but I'm stuck at that focal length, the autofocus isn't great, and there's no ois for video, plus I'd only realistically be able to shoot 1080p in confined spaces due to the 4k crop.

Other advantages of the Sony are the evf and having a built in flash that you can also bounce.

Hmm, still undecided!

TuVuVu wrote:

markyboy81 wrote:

..I accidentally bought a used rx100 iv on eBay.

Anyhow, I kind of told my wife that I would be either selling it on or selling something else, probably the nx500.

Markyboy81,

I just couldn't resist writing my joking response below (from a very happily married man of 32 wonderful years!)

wife?

Haha wife at the moment,yes...

Kisaha wrote:

I do not see even one advantage over the NX500 and the PZ kit lens. Seriously. Smaller sensor, less megapixels count, terrible battery life (have you tested how much it records in 4K and how much battery consumes?).

Phones are so good now that the sensor size is pretty significant.

I knew only one person having one, and here in the Mediterranean it overheated in 4K in 2-3minutes. The ergonomics were terrible, kind of "slippery", and back then it was very expensive also. You got a great deal - sell it with profit!

My 2 years old phone has an ultra wide (14-15mm) and a 32mm (approx.) and it is enough for super light and super fast and for social media use (which I do not use anyway!). The NX500 and NX3000 are small enough for much better stuff, and I also have an Insta X 360 for mixed use.

The advantages for me are definitely size. Although the nx500 is certainly not big, it's not pocketable and I'm more likely to take the Sony with me on short trips etc. I might not be right, but I still think the iq of the Sony is quite a bit better than any phone I've used. There might be phones out there that are equal or better but I'm not ready to upgrade just yet.

I haven't experienced any issues with overheating as yet and I've shot lots of 4k, albeit short clips.

Also, in terms of battery life, I haven't had any issues although I don't shoot all day long. I've found it's got me through the day each time I've used it.

However I will seriously consider selling the Sony as I'm quite disappointed with the video af and maybe not having it would force me to carry the nx500 more.

...the areas of definition/resoloution and color reproduction.  The 28 MP's on the NX500 is a huge plus and not until recently have some camera companies caught up (well, in a way - i.e. 26 MP's for APS-C sized sensors).

As far as color reproduction is concerned - and here's where it becomes subjective - I  never found the Sony colors to be attractive.  I have no doubt that Sony makes nice cameras - after all, look at their following.  However, for me personally, I've never warmed up to Sony colors.  The Samsung NX colors are unique, that's for sure.  Some of the finest scenic photographs that I've taken over the past decade have occurred with the use of the NX300, NX30, and NX500 - nothing came close.  And that's why I'm holding on to mine.  Well, actually, I recently sold the NX300 because I enjoyed the NX30 and NX500 better.

But to compare an RX100 with a 1" sensor (color preferences aside) with the NX500, which is still quite relevant today, seems a bit of a stretch IMO.

Ben Herrmann wrote:

...the areas of definition/resoloution and color reproduction. The 28 MP's on the NX500 is a huge plus and not until recently have some camera companies caught up (well, in a way - i.e. 26 MP's for APS-C sized sensors).

As far as color reproduction is concerned - and here's where it becomes subjective - I never found the Sony colors to be attractive. I have no doubt that Sony makes nice cameras - after all, look at their following. However, for me personally, I've never warmed up to Sony colors. The Samsung NX colors are unique, that's for sure. Some of the finest scenic photographs that I've taken over the past decade have occurred with the use of the NX300, NX30, and NX500 - nothing came close. And that's why I'm holding on to mine. Well, actually, I recently sold the NX300 because I enjoyed the NX30 and NX500 better.

But to compare an RX100 with a 1" sensor (color preferences aside) with the NX500, which is still quite relevant today, seems a bit of a stretch IMO.

Thanks for your input Ben. Fully agree with you on the quality side of things, no contest there. However it's one of those convenience Vs quality dilemmas for me. I'm far more likely to take the Sony with me and to my eyes it's far better than my phone. If I could easily take the nx500 everywhere it'd be a no brainer.

I think I'm going to end up keeping both and hope my wife has forgotten my promise to sell one or the other 😄

Over the past decade and half, I've been suggesting (on various forums) that at a minimum, folks should have a DSLR (well, now mirrorless) for pro/serious work, while at the same time maintaining a really good enthusiast camera for convenience.  So keeping both is a good idea - although, "da Misses" aside, you'll eventually wind up getting more cameras (I know I did).

Ben Herrmann wrote:

Over the past decade and half, I've been suggesting (on various forums) that at a minimum, folks should have a DSLR (well, now mirrorless) for pro/serious work, while at the same time maintaining a really good enthusiast camera for convenience. So keeping both is a good idea - although, "da Misses" aside, you'll eventually wind up getting more cameras (I know I did).

Very true, although I'm afraid that boat has already sailed. I already have an NX1 and nx1000 and nx3000 (just for backup you understand..)

I'm going to endeavour to make more use of the nx500 though, I've underestimated what a fantastic camera it is.

I'd keep both if you can swing it. I own an NX500 and an RX100 VI (I used to own the RX100 IV). I know many will disagree with this, but if you can keep only one, I'd pick the RX100 in a heartbeat. It is extremely versatile, has a viewfinder, very good 4K video, with good enough IQ for most uses. The IQ difference is negligible unless you are a professional or have to have the best possible image - I have printed 24x36 from both cameras and most of my fellow photographers can't tell the difference. When I recently sorted pictures in LR, I noticed that my RX100 VI is my most used camera by a good margin despite owning crop sensor and full frame cameras. You really can't go wrong as both the NX500 and RX100 are excellent choices. The best camera is the one that you get the most use of given your photography goals and only you can decide that!

I've had a chance to compare indoor video footage and the results have surprised me somewhat.

I was expecting the rx100iv to come out on top due to the faster lens (although admittedly smaller sensor).

Generally I shoot in FHD at 50fps with the nx500 as I'm not keen on the crop, so this is what I did. I shot 4k on the Sony.

Although the Sony footage looked great I actually prefer the footage from the NX500. Although I was comparing the two cameras by viewing the footage on my note 9 screen, which is between FHD and 4k (1440p I think) I couldn't see any great advantage to shooting 4k - there was no discernible increase in detail, and in fact there was more noise where the light dimmed. Add to this that the colours looked better and the autofocus was also better on the nx500, for me that camera is the winner. Perhaps the Sony would be better outdoors I'm not sure.

I'm still keeping both at the moment, but I'm mainly keeping the Sony for the convenience factor - it's also significantly better than my note 9.