Nikon Digital Camera Blog

Samsung WB500 Review – No-one knows what the WB stands for in the Samsung WB500. The largest electronics company in the world brings us a camera with a lens from one of the oldest lens makers in the world.

Samsung WB500: Specification

Zoom: 10x optical

Samsung WB500

Resolution: 10.2Mp

Sensor size: 1/2.33in

Sensor type: CCD

Max. image size: 3648×2736

File type: JPEG

Sensitivity: ISO80-1600

Storage: Internal, SD, SDHC

Focus types: Centre, multi, selection, manual, face detection

Normal focusing: 50cm-infinity

Close focusing: 5cm-50cm

Metering types: Multi, spot, centre-weighted, face detection

Exposure compensation: +/- 2EV in 1/3 step increments

Shutter speed: 16sec-1/1500sec

Flash: Built-in, Wide: 0.3-4.7m, Tele: 0.5-2.7m (ISO auto)

Monitor: 2.7in TFT LCD screen

Interface: USB 2.0

Power: Li-Ion battery

Size: 105×61.4×36.5mm

Weight: 219g (excl. battery and card)

For £197, you get a 10Mp sensor, 10x optical zoom, 2.7in LCD screen and the backing of the largest electronics company in the world. For £2 more, the Canon Powershot A2100 offers a higher 12.1Mp sensor, only a 6x optical zoom, a 3in LCD screen and takes AA batteries.

The Samsung also offers the widest field of view at 24mm.

Samsung WB500: Features
There are a few cameras out there that have massive zoom barrels on and for the most part they look good. The Samsung WB500 doesn’t fall outside this area as I think it suits the camera’s shape more. The lens is made by Schneider who have been providing lenses for anything from medium format to cinematic cameras since 1913. The Varioplan lens is  a higher grade than Kreuznach. I’ve seen reviews that specify the lens as HD but Samsung have confirmed to ePHOTOzine that while HD lenses are usually found on digital camcorders, the lenses on digital cameras are better. Luckily smaller tripods are available that sit on a table top or wall and are small enough to slide into a camera pouch.

A relatively small 10Mp resolution compared to other cameras available sits inside but a small 1/2.33in sensor has been used and the higher resolution cameras tend to suffer noise so this could be Samsung’s way of showing them jumping out of a pixel race.

We’ve been bombarded so much with tiny cameras recently, it’s refreshing to see a camera that doesn’t mind being that bit different.

The top plate houses a command dial, shutter release and power button with the zoom rocker wrapped around the shutter release for easier use. On the back is a small switch that Samsung call the Command lever. This also doubles as access to features such as flash, self timer, macro and display options.

In Normal, you can expand your options and choose colour tones such as red, green and blue or add sharpness, contrast and saturation.

Samsung have integrated two types of image stabilisation into the camera to ensure sharp images. Optical image stabilisation and digital image stabilisation which uses complex algorithms to ensure a sharp image work in conjunction with each other so if one fails, the other can back it up.

Samsung WB500: Build and handling
There’s a degree of weight to the camera which could put some people off but I think those same people will also have issues with the larger lens barrel. One area I always pick cameras up on, especially large zoom cameras such as this one, is the tripod bush.

I’m happy to report that the Samsung WB500 has a metal tripod bush which means a longer lasting camera that won’t need new parts fitting.

Samsung WB500: Performance
Shutter lag is relatively slow compared to other compact cameras of this classification. In the hi-speed mode, the camera took 16 high resolution images in ten seconds. There’s no apparent reasoning from Samsung to include both options other than the hi-speed version won’t work in manual mode or if the shutter speed is lower than 1/4sec.

Looking at the colour test chart, the usual boosts to primary colours have been applied by the processor with blue bursting out of the image making orange look comparably pale. I took a close up shot of the vintage camera to get the detail and see how the Samsung manages with close focusing. The specification lists the camera as having a minimum focusing of 5cm but I think I managed to get closer. Normally, macro work wouldn’t really use a wide angle lens but I like the effect it’s given the camera and there’s no way of measuring the focal length on the camera.

I took three photographs of the tasty bananas using the normal shooting mode, vivid and cool modes in the effects menu found when pressing the button marked ‘E’. The skin tone is spot on and there’s detail in shadow areas.
Samsung WB500: Noise test
The noise results are a bit disappointing but I think it’s worth noting the market that the camera is aimed at. Detail in the petal starts to peter out at ISO400 and ISO1600 has purple blotches appearing sporadically. In a bid to reduce noise, the resolution is dropped for ISO3200 but bright blue spots still invade the image which look nasty. Samsung WB500: Verdict
Despite its obvious flaws, in the right conditions this camera gives some seriously good images. There’s also the slow response of the continuous shutter which means this camera is no good for fast moving objects in the dark.

If you’re in the market for a compact that has a decent resolution, good zoom and above all gives excellent image quality, then get this camera.