Samsung WB850F Review | 108 Data compared

The What Digital Camera review of the Samsung WB850F awards the camera 87%, highlighting its robust build, 21x zoom, and bright 3-inch AMOLED screen as key strengths. It is praised for practical features including Wi-Fi connectivity and a secure, functional mode dial. However, the review cites significant performance issues, notably a slow processing speed that causes long delays between shots and freezes the lens, hindering usability. Additionally, the camera suffers from frequent autofocus struggles in PASM modes and noticeable lens flare. What Digital Camera

Samsung WB850F Smart Camera Review Summary The Samsung WB850F is a highly capable and durable 16.2-megapixel compact travel zoom camera that stands out for its exceptional build quality and robust feature set. The reviewer praises its solid construction, highlighting that components like the lens mechanism and popup flash feel much sturdier compared to competitors like the FujiFilm FinePix F770EXR. It features an intuitive menu design where physical mode selections on the top dial are mirrored on a recessed, scratch-protected 3.0-inch AMOLED display. Its operation appeals to both beginners and advanced users by offering a automated SMART shooting mode alongside unexpected granular options like full manual exposure and manual lens focusing via the rear control pad dial. Image quality is excellent across indoor and outdoor environments, producing sharp details, low noise, and rich colors. The camera's highly effective in-camera image stabilization allows for clear, blur-free captures even at full 21x optical zoom from a moving vehicle. Furthermore, its advanced Smart Wi-Fi capabilities vastly outperform basic alternatives; users can seamlessly transfer files via the Samsung MobileLink app or connect directly to wireless...

The ⁠Samsung WB850F is a travel-zoom compact camera featuring an ambitious 21x optical zoom lens, full manual (PASM) shooting controls, and emerging tech features like built-in GPS and Wi-Fi connectivity. On the positive side (pros), the camera delivers a remarkably capable lens that avoids the typical trap of sacrificing sharpness for longer zoom ranges, achieving strong edge-to-edge detail in lab resolution tests. Action photographers will highly appreciate its ergonomic textured handgrip and an impressive, action-ready burst mode capable of firing at a swift 10 frames per second at any ISO setting. Additionally, the revised menu layout is quick and intuitive, and the flash emitter has been successfully relocated into a much-improved mechanical pop-up enclosure. Conversely, the camera suffers from notable performance flaws and design gimmicks (cons). A primary drawback is its disappointing, over-processed image quality; heavy in-camera smoothing and artificial edge enhancement lead to visible pixelation even at ISO 100, oversaturated colors, and thick chromatic aberration (blue or yellow color fringing) in high-contrast lab environments. Physical controls also leave room for improvement, as the rear directional pad tends to stick,...

The Samsung WB850F is a 16.2MP compact camera designed for travellers seeking a pocketable device with expansive zoom capabilities. Equipped with a 21x Schneider-Kreuznach lens covering an impressive 23-483mm equivalent focal length range, it offers full manual control along with automatic and semi-automatic shooting modes to accommodate various skill levels. It distinguishes itself through advanced connectivity and location features, including built-in Wi-Fi for direct social media sharing and email, alongside built-in GPS with map navigation and a digital compass. Images and settings are framed on a 3-inch, 614,000-dot AMOLED screen, which remains usable in direct sunlight despite not being touch-sensitive. The camera's primary strengths lie in its excellent low ISO image quality, remarkable zoom range, full manual flexibility, and robust Wi-Fi capabilities. However, it suffers from several functional drawbacks. Users must contend with oversaturated red tones in photos and a total lack of raw shooting support. Furthermore, the GPS functionality is slow to lock onto a satellite and severely drains the battery life. Handling is also slightly compromised by the omission of a touchscreen, a fiddly video recording button, and...

Samsung WB850F Review Summary The Samsung WB850F is a feature-packed compact megazoom camera praised for its versatile 21x zoom lens, which starts at a bright f/2.8 23mm, making it the widest and brightest lens in its class. It delivers very good daylight picture quality using a back-illuminated CMOS sensor, which helps keep low-light noise at bay when shooting at the wide end. Users benefit from a brilliant 3-inch high-resolution AMOLED display that remains legible in bright sunlight. A major highlight is its advanced built-in 802.11n Wi-Fi capabilities, which allow for seamless wireless backups, email sharing, direct camera-to-camera transfers, and remote smartphone control. The camera's body includes functional design elements like a tactile metal chassis, a handy shooting mode dial, and a quick-access Smart Panel user interface for changing settings rapidly. However, the camera suffers from several distinct drawbacks, most notably its mediocre battery life rated for just 200 shots, which drains even quicker when utilizing the zoom, GPS, or Wi-Fi functions. Shooting performance is mixed; while it achieves a fast 10fps burst mode, the camera locks up and stops responding...

The Samsung WB850F is a feature-rich, 16-megapixel travel zoom camera that stands out for its impressive 21x optical zoom and an ultra-wide 23mm equivalent focal range, allowing photographers to capture broader panoramic views than the human eye typically sees. It provides user-friendly handling through an integrated physical handgrip and convenient physical controls—such as a dedicated shooting mode wheel, a zoom lever, and a DSLR-like drive mode lever. The camera's main highlights include an exceptional, high-contrast 3-inch AMOLED display that renders incredibly sharp images and menus, alongside advanced built-in functionalities like GPS image tagging and wireless Wi-Fi connectivity. However, the WB850F's packed feature set is offset by several notable performance and design limitations. Reviewers found that the camera suffers from inconsistent autofocus performance, occasionally shooting soft images or becoming confused by busy scenes. Additionally, its GPS functionality proved unreliable indoors or when surrounded by tall buildings, and the battery life is average at roughly 200 shots per charge. The charging mechanism is also restrictive because it requires plugging the cable directly into the camera body, leaving the device unusable whenever a...

The ePHOTOzine review highlights the Samsung WB850F as a feature-packed travel compact offering great value, boasting a versatile 21x optical zoom lens, effective built-in Wi-Fi, and useful GPS functionality. It is praised for producing colourful, detailed images and featuring a secure, rubberized grip with accessible, physical controls. However, the camera suffers from poor battery management, with power draining quickly even when off, alongside a cumbersome, PC-dependent, map-downloading process for GPS. Despite these drawbacks, it is considered a solid, well-connected, and versatile travel companion.

The Samsung WB850F is a compact superzoom camera featuring a 21x optical zoom lens with a wide 23mm equivalent field of view, making it ideal for capturing expansive scenes in tight spaces. Its standout features include a high-resolution 3-inch OLED display, integrated GPS with a "Live Landmarks" module, and a robust Wi-Fi suite that allows for direct social media sharing and remote control via smartphone apps. While the camera delivers sharp images at base ISO levels and records high-quality 1080p video, its overall performance is hampered by a slow startup time of 2.4 seconds and a frustrating physical design where the flash release is awkwardly placed near the user's finger. The review highlights several pros and cons that define the user experience. On the positive side, the camera boasts a sharp lens, long zoom range, and a vibrant OLED screen, alongside advanced connectivity like GPS and Wi-Fi. However, significant drawbacks include slow operation and a drastic loss of image detail when shooting at ISO 400 or higher, which limits its effectiveness in low-light or indoor settings. Additionally, the button layout...