Samsung WB800F Smart Camera Review – A Proficient Pocket-Sized SuperZoom For Under $300

SAMSUNG WB800F SMART CAMERA PHOTO/VIDEO GALLERY

The image on the right was taken with my Canon PowerShot SX1. The SX1 is a giant point and shoot that resembles a smaller DSLR and was released at a premium back in 2009. It might be unfair to compare a behemoth-bridge camera to the little Samsung WB800F, but we think it’s worth mentioning Samsung did an amazing job fitting that giant camera into a compact frame that is almost the size of the Canon PowerShot S110. Unfortunately the optics just couldn’t focus as well or achieve what we wanted, but the results are adequate:

Auto f/5.9 1/250 ISO 100 86.1mm

Details at 86.1mm 100% crop

While zooming in close on a subject quality is not an issue. The fine details in feathers or small hairs when exposed properly look very nice. You can even capture a little action without too much blur. At high ISO the camera does not perform very well since the small sensor size and high MP hurt the Samsung WB800F (and many other cameras in this range for that matter).

Auto f/3.5 1/500, ISO 100, 4.1 mm

Auto f/5.9 1/250 , ISO 100 86.1 mm

The colours look bright and vivid especially in daylight. The Samsung WB800F Smart Camera does tend to overexpose a little if the subject is too light. Overall however, details are crisp and the colours pop. In terms of video capture, the noise of the motor is audible but doesn’t distract too much away from the scene. Auto focus seems to play more of a roll in hurting the video than anything. While zooming feels very smooth, the constant AF focusing on every little movement of the lens almost gives panning and zooming a jagged feel:

1080i 30fps

https://youtu.be/AzyzHOr_LOw

https://youtu.be/2T3Pv8akupU

Auto f/5.9 1/350 ISO 100, 86.1 mm

Details at 86.1mm 100% crop

We still say the best camera to have is the one you have with you. While out on a bike ride we came across these two little fawns just out for a stroll. With the WB800F we were able to get close enough with the zoom while not upsetting them too much.

1080i 30fps

https://youtu.be/4PzpJIO2sIg

Macro photos also look adequate – nothing of course to the amazing macro capability of the Samsung EX2F though. You will need to hold the camera one and a half inches away before it will focus correctly. Not perfectly flawless, but the end result works and looks fine:

Auto Macro f/2.8, 1/750 ISO 100, 4.1 mm

Details at 4.1mm 100% crop

Dark shots during the night are definitely weak on the Samsung WB800F, producing a lot of grain even at lower ISO due to the smaller sensor with a big 16.3 megapixel count, making the grain appear greater:

Manual f/8, 16.3’s , ISO 100 4.1mm