- Conclusion Get the lowdown
- Features How it compares
- Performance Real world benchmarks
- Differences Technical showdown
- Reviews Word on the street
- Competition Others to consider
- Discussion Answers and opinions
Samsung WB850F
- 15.9 MP
- 21x f/2.8
- 1/2" CMOS
- 3" OLED
Released January, 2012
Rated 80% by by Photography Blog (Aug, 2012)A shooting mode dial on the top plate also reveals a combined array of not just 'smart auto' settings but manual ones too, the presence of the dial a very useful shortcut to the key settings - 1920x1080 pixels video at 30fps, GPS and Wi-Fi options included.
Conclusion Check out the Samsung WB850F
First reviewed February, 2012
Features Key features of the Samsung WB850F
15.9 MP
1/2"
Rated 80% by by Randy-Wakeman--Randy-Wakeman (Jul, 2012)Too soon we forget the movies we enjoyed, and still enjoy from the "lousy" DVD format: 29.97 fps, 480 interlaced resolution.
megapixels
| 0 MP | 13.8 MP    | 20 MP |
WB850F by Photography Blog (Aug, 2012)The Samsung WB850F is a 16 megapixel travel-zoom compact camera featuring built-in Wi-fi connectivity.
WB850F by Photography Blog (Aug, 2012)Not only does the outwardly rather conventionally designed pocket model feature a best-in-class 21x optical zoom with a focal range the 35mm equivalent of an ultra wide 23-483mm supported by optical image stabilisation, it marries this to a 16-megapixel effective resolution from the standard sized 1/2.3-inch CMOS sensor sporting 16.8 total MP.
sensor size
WB850F by Randy-Wakeman--Randy-Wakeman (Jul, 2012)Sensor size is perhaps the best barometer of image potential, though the industry seems to go to great lengths to disguise it.
WB850F by Larry-McGee-III (Aug, 2012)For this size of sensor, you really don't want to over pack it with way too many pixels b/c it would increase noise.
wide angle lens
WB850F by P.-TuggleThe reason I purchased the camera was the 24mm wide angle capability and the relatively low price.
WB850F by Photography Blog (Aug, 2012)The WB850 offers a wide-angle 21x zoom lens, 16.2 megapixels, Full 1080p video recording, 3 inch AMOLED screen, built-in wi-fi and GPS, plus full manual controls.
aperture size
WB850F by P.-TuggleNot explained is that to switch back and forth for shutter and aperture setting (while in manual mode, you control BOTH), you must press down on the left side of the ring (where it is labeled for flash) while one or the other controls is highlighted in blue.
WB850F by Photography Blog (Aug, 2012)The other options on the same dial are the familiar Program mode, which stands alone, plus aperture, shutter priority and manual mode - which are grouped together.
zoom range
| 0x | 10x  | 30x |
WB850F by Randy-Wakeman--Randy-Wakeman (Jul, 2012)The basics, in 2012, for a camera to qualify as a modern compact travel zoom appears to be 15x zoom or better, a BSI sensor, and at least some HD video capability.
WB850F by Photography Blog (Aug, 2012)The 16 megapixel, 21x optical zoom Samsung WB850F is a feature packed metal build pocket camera that offers just about all the must-have features one would want from a travel zoom compact in 2012 - including a 3-inch AMOLED screen, GPS and Wi-Fi connectivity - plus delivers images straight from the camera that non enthusiasts will be perfectly happy with.
body size
110 x 62 x 25 mm
92 x 56 x 21 mm
107 x 62 x 35 mm
WB850F by Randy-Wakeman--Randy-Wakeman (Jul, 2012)x 2.34 in x .98 inch thick and a weight of 6.7 oz., the Samsung is notably slimmer than the 6.6 oz.
WB850F by Randy-Wakeman--Randy-Wakeman (Jul, 2012)The Samsung is a slight winner in pocketability, with a thickness of just under an inch, in at least some areas.
Performance Real world tests of Samsung WB850F
Our analysis How does it stack up against its top 10 competitors
pros
-
f/2.8 -
HD video -
921 k dots -
23 mm -
Records the location of your photos automatically -
HD video -
Create 3D photos to view on a 3D TV -
0.31 fps -
Combines multiple photos together to capture both bright and dark areas -
Stitches together multiple photos into a single ultra-wide view -
25 mm -
110 x 62 x 25 mm
cons
-
21x -
None -
3,200 ISO -
The screen is fixed in place -
Jan, 2012 -
Lacks the ability to create slow motion video -
79.69%
Reviews Word on the street
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 | Rated by 28 users at amazon.com Rated 60% by by Peter-Madison--Jr. (May, 2012) Rated 100% by by Michael-Christofield--michael (Sep, 2012) |
Lens
Samsung WB850F | Rated 100% by by Paul (Jun, 2012)In addition to a lot of videos about this camera on Youtube, I am simply amazed at what this camera does right out of the box, so easy to use and this Amazon bundle package is a pretty good deal-The picture quality is outstanding and the "zoom" phenominal!
Samsung WB850F | Rated 80% by by Randy-Wakeman--Randy-Wakeman (Jul, 2012)A seven ounce camera is more pleasant to carry than a two or four pound hunk of equipment; a 16x zoom offers composition possibilities that no 3.8x, 4x, and 5x zoom can possibly match.
Samsung WB850F | Rated 80% by by Randy-Wakeman--Randy-Wakeman (Jul, 2012)The Panasonic "Intelligent Zoom" does retain image sharpness better than its competitors when exceeding its true optical limitation; Samsung has a "24x Smart Zoom" that is essentially an in-camera crop.
Zoom
Samsung WB850F | Rated 100% by by Rostik (Jul, 2012)The quality of the full-zoom-in is just amazing - over any expectations I had - it's like you are actually shooting standing next to an object.
Samsung WB850F | Rated 100% by by Michael-Christofield--michael (Sep, 2012)The only settings I adjusted were the flash (on or off, though there's a lot of customization available with how the flash is used), shutter speed, exposure time, one picture was taken using HDR, a couple others on bracket mode, and a few zoomed in.
Samsung WB850F | Rated 100% by by Nathaniel-B. (May, 2012)My Tamron lens which has one of the widest ranges that you can find (and it costs $600+) only goes from 18-270 so the WB850 zoom is absolutely fantastic.
Video
Samsung WB850F | Rated 100% by by roger--roger (Dec, 2011)it takes great hd video and pictures, and anti shake real works great even at full 18x.
Samsung WB850F | Rated 100% by by roger--roger (Dec, 2011)1080p HD video recording, you can take pictures while you are recording video.
Samsung WB850F | Rated 60% by by Peter-Madison--Jr. (May, 2012)My family has also been impressed with the quality of the pictures.
Sensor
Samsung WB850F | Rated 76% by by c|net (Aug, 2012)You can control flash, timer, resolution (2 or 10 megapixels), zoom, and the shutter release.
Samsung WB850F | Rated 100% by by Nathaniel-B. (May, 2012)To be honest, I think the megapixel spec is overblown and overemphasized, unless you are printing really big pictures which in truth only pros do and even most pros don't print poster sized pictures.
Samsung WB850F | Rated 80% by by Photography Blog (Aug, 2012)In terms of the WB850F's low light performance, the available ISO light sensitivity selection here runs from ISO100 to ISO3200, which is fairly modest in an age when rivals are offering ISO12800.
Screen
Samsung WB850F | Rated 80% by by Randy-Wakeman--Randy-Wakeman (Jul, 2012)The Panasonic display is more reflective, yet that is combated by Power LCD" and "High Angle" modes.
Samsung WB850F | Rated 80% by by TrustedReviews (Jul, 2012)With a resolution of 614k-dots, it offers impressive image reproduction with the same vibrant colour and generous levels of contrast that’s come to be associated with AMOLED screens.
Samsung WB850F | Rated 80% by by Randy-Wakeman--Randy-Wakeman (Jul, 2012)None are anywhere close to perfection in bright, sunny conditions but all are improved and far more helpful when reviewing images prior to transfer to your PC.
Competition What else you should consider
 | 1 | Sony Cyber-shot DSC-HX20V 2-way tie: Highest ISO Sony Cyber-shot DSC-HX20V vs Samsung WB850F |
 | 2 | Panasonic Lumix ZS20 More contrast-detection focus points Panasonic Lumix ZS20 vs Samsung WB850F |
 | 3 | Samsung WB750 Rated the best by consumers WB750 vs WB850F |
 | 4 | Sony Cyber-shot DSC-HX10V 2-way tie: Highest ISO Sony Cyber-shot DSC-HX10V vs Samsung WB850F |
 | 5 | Nikon Coolpix S800c Largest screen Nikon Coolpix S800c vs Samsung WB850F |
 | 6 | Samsung WB150F 3-way tie: Largest sensor WB150F vs WB850F |
 | 8 | Samsung WB800F Newest WB800F vs WB850F |
New duel?
Let the battle continue or dare to compare.
Popular Questions
May 18, 2012
Taking outdoor scenery, distant views, mix of travel photos
I love taking photos and uploading to web sites to share with family and friends. I am planning a trip to Vietnam and expect to take tons of photos. Mostly outdoor photos, mixed light and like...
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Answers May 21, 2012
Accuracy of information.
The Samsung WB850F has according to its manual the capability of doing high speed movies at 480 or 240 fps. How would this affect the ranking of the Samsung if this were corrected in the data of...
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November 2, 2012
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Answers October 11, 2012
Image quality,low light.better zoom,the baterry life,shutter speed
I need what i should to buy? i need the better
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Answers June 14, 2012
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