Is It Worth Upgrading from The Samsung NX200 to The NX500?

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  BuyoTheCat on 28/09/2015 - 22:25

  +1

  I find that camera freezes is likely due to memory card. Have you tried a new memory card? or perhaps investigate if there is a new firmware?

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  bargainchamp on 29/09/2015 - 11:41

  +1

  I had a NX200 which constantly freeze too, couldn't fix it even with firmware updates & a new memory card. Eventually I sold it off on Gumtree with the bundled 18-55mm kit for $150 & got a NX30.

  The NX500 is leaps and bounds better than the NX200. It has the same NX1 sensor which is the best APS-C sensor at the moment, shots 4K (although in cropped mode), touch-screen, wifi/bluetooth, much better AF, focus peaking, tiltable screen etc. The only downside is the lack of EVF, although that depends on personal preferences. I find myself rely on the screen to compose my shots 95% of the time, but EVF does come handy in a bright sunny day.

  The 20-50mm lens that you have is one of the slowest among all NX lenses in terms of focusing speed, & it doesn't have OIS. If you were to get the NX500, I would suggest you to get the bundled 16-50mm PZ lens to make full use of NX500's much improved AF system. There are some reviews claim that it is one of the best bundled kit lenses on the market. Also, get the 30mm f2 pancake or 45mm f1.8 & you'll be greatly amazed.

  As for the Sony A7 series, they are at a much different category. The bodies and FE lenses are significantly more expensive (cheapest A7 body is still close to $1k). Image quality wise, you can check out reviews on NX1 vs A7. The NX1 stacks up pretty well against the A7. Unless you are a pixel peeper or professional photographer, I would say NX500 is pretty darn decent. Of course if budget is not a concern, go for the A7 series. A much fairer comparison for NX500 would be against the A6000, E-M10 i/ii, GX8, or X-T10. That would come down to which system do you want to invest in. m43s are known for their great selection of lenses, & the NX system is the least popular among all…I hardly (or never?) come across bargains on NX lenses. That being said, the resale values for NX cameras/lenses are horrible. But to be fair, most NX lenses are pretty affordable when compared to Sony's E-Mounts and Fuji's X-Mounts.

  • 

    revo on 30/09/2015 - 20:29

    Thanks for your detailed response!
    I had a long think about it, and thought maybe I'll pass this time round. I find myself not using my cam as often as before and dishing out 399 (at least if i don't buy lenses) for something I might use on the odd occasion didn't seem like a wise thing to do. That being said when I do get the chance I still have a lot of fun with my current NX200.
    Some sample shots:
    https://www.dropbox.com/s/b0skw9fiprgw9hn/_SAM1335.JPG?dl=0
    https://www.dropbox.com/s/ox0u0uqay7ybk5g/_SAM1402.jpg?dl=0
    https://www.dropbox.com/s/z5znq8pptf62k28/_SAM1556.jpg?dl=0

    If you think there is a huge improvement and it'll greatly add to my photos then I'd reconsider. I'd like to hear your personal opinion! Let me know

    Cheers!

    • 

      revo on 30/09/2015 - 22:33

      +1

      Thinking about it now… It might be worth it since i can claim tax back. 19c per the $1 which means around $80 return (cam body equivalent to about 320 afterwards) Which seems like a pretty good deal…

      • 

        bargainchamp on 01/10/2015 - 11:15

        Your shots are pretty sharp, though the night shot suffers a bit of noise. That's when the new sensor shines, usable shots up to ISO3200 according to some reviews. From your shots I assume that you do more street photography? A 30mm pancake would be nice, the only downside is its slow & noisy AF.
        NX200 is still a pretty decent camera, but at $320 for a new camera body which was released this year IT IS A STEAL! Go for it! :D LOL. I'm quite tempted to sell my NX30 for a smaller NX500 body since I don't use the EVF as much as I thought I would…although I love the grip on the NX30. :/
        Btw, mind to share how do you claim the tax back?

      • 

        revo on 01/10/2015 - 12:06

        @bargainchamp: I'm an architect and so I do a lot of Architectural photography as well. I suppose since it is related/'needed' in my field of work it's something I can claim during my tax return. Alternatively I am going overseas at the end of the year and I assume I can claim it during then (but at 10%).

        So my tax refund I believe should be:
        less tax during tax time by reducing my taxable income (~20%)
        or
        upfront return off the camera. (~10%)

        I might be wrong but I think that's how it is.