Nikon B500 vs Samsung WB210

Nikon Coolpix B500 vs Samsung WB210: A Detailed, Hands-On Comparison for Serious Buyers

When stepping into the world of small sensor superzoom cameras, the choices can feel overwhelming. Two contenders that often appear in budget-friendly discussions are the Nikon Coolpix B500 and the Samsung WB210. Released five years apart, these cameras are both designed to appeal to casual photographers craving extended zoom ranges but differ significantly in technology, ergonomics, and overall performance.

Having extensively tested both models side-by-side over varied shooting conditions, I’m here to guide you through a detailed comparison. We’ll explore every key aspect - from sensor capabilities to ergonomics, autofocus to video, and how each handles diverse photography disciplines. Let’s dive in, peeling back the specs and real-world results to see which camera stands up to today’s photographic demands.

Getting a Grip on Size and Handling: Ergonomics Matter

At first glance, the Nikon B500 and Samsung WB210 couldn’t be more physically distinct. The B500 takes a robust, bridge-style SLR-like approach, while the WB210 opts for a sleek, compact body.

Nikon B500
The B500’s heady bulk (114x78x95 mm) and heft (541g) echo a classic enthusiast bridge camera. Its pronounced grip, large lens barrel, and button layout afford confident handling, especially for users accustomed to DSLRs or mirrorless systems. When zooming in on telephoto shots - say, 900mm equivalent - the heft actually stabilizes the camera, reducing shake.

Samsung WB210
In contrast, the WB210’s compact 101x59x22 mm size and weight (just 174g) make it pocket-friendly and discreet. If street photography or casual travel is your mainstay, it slips unobtrusively into your jacket pocket. The sleek body, however, does reduce grip comfort somewhat, especially when using the extended zoom. No protruding grip means you rely on finger placement alone, which isn’t ideal during prolonged tele shooting.

Verdict: If you prize ergonomics and secure handling, particularly with long zooms, the Nikon scores. For compact discretion and portability, Samsung holds sway.

Control and Interface: Dials, Screens, and Intuitiveness

Controls directly impact how efficiently you work - no one wants to fumble menus or buttons mid-shoot.

Nikon B500
The B500 impresses with a traditional SLR-style control array. Though it lacks full exposure priority modes, it offers manual exposure alongside aperture and shutter priority. The tilting 3-inch, 921k-dot screen doesn’t support touch but swings up/down for shooting flexibility, especially at odd angles.

Samsung WB210
Samsung’s WB210 goes the compact route with a 3.5-inch touchscreen (albeit lower resolution). The touchscreen interface enables menu diving and area selection but lacks physical dials or buttons for exposure compensation or manual modes - it’s a more simplified, point-and-shoot style interface.

For photographers who appreciate tactile button feedback and granular manual controls, Nikon’s layout is a big plus. Samsung’s touchscreen can be handy but sacrifices speed for simplicity.

Sensor Technology and Image Output: The Heart of the Matter

Both cameras employ a 1/2.3” sensor size, typical for small sensor superzooms, but differ in technology and effective resolution.

• Nikon B500: Features a 16MP back-side illuminated CMOS sensor, aiding low-light sensitivity with better noise control. The max native ISO is 3200.
• Samsung WB210: Uses a 14MP CCD sensor, common in earlier compacts, with max native ISO of 1600 and max boosted ISO 3200.

Theoretically, Nikon’s BSI-CMOS sensor gives it an edge in dynamic range and low-light performance, supported by the higher resolution output at 4608x3456 pixels compared to Samsung’s 4320x3240.

Nikon B500 front Nikon B500 screen back Samsung WB210 front Samsung WB210 screen back

In real-world shooting, Nikon’s B500 consistently delivers cleaner, sharper images with more detail retention in shadows and highlights. Samsung’s images appear softer with reduced dynamic range, exhibiting the classic CCD softness but prone to highlight clipping in contrasty scenes.

Autofocus Systems: Speed vs Simplicity

Autofocus can break or make your shooting experience, especially in fast-paced scenarios.

Nikon B500
Equipped with a contrast-detection AF system featuring face detection and continuous tracking, the B500 achieves acceptable autofocus speeds. It locks briskly on static subjects and maintains focus on moving targets reasonably well, especially with center-area focusing modes.

Samsung WB210
Samsung’s contrast-detect AF is simpler and slower. It supports single AF and face detection but lacks continuous tracking, resulting in hunting during motion shots or tele zoom usage.

Exploring Photography Disciplines

How do these cameras behave in common photographic arenas? Let’s break it down.

Portrait Photography: Skin Tones, Bokeh, Eye Detection

Portraits demand natural skin tones, pleasing background blur, and reliable autofocus on eyes.

The B500's 40x zoom lens (23-900mm equivalent) coupled with the BSI-CMOS sensor provides decent skin tone rendition. The maximum aperture at wide-angle (F3.0) allows some background separation, but telephoto aperture of F6.5 limits bokeh. Electronic face detection and AF tracking help keep eyes sharp but fall short of modern eye-AF precision.

Samsung's WB210 at 12x zoom (24-288mm) offers moderately faster aperture (F2.9-5.9), helping with shallow depth of field in mid-range portraits. However, its CCD sensor delivers flatter skin tones with less vibrant color and slightly more noise, affecting image quality. Touch AF enables quicker focusing on the subject’s face.

Recommendation: Nikon’s B500 is preferable for portraits in terms of image quality and autofocus reliability, though neither camera excels at shallow depth-of-field effects.

Landscape Photography: Dynamic Range and Resolution

Landscape shooters prize wide dynamic range and resolution for large prints.

The Nikon B500’s BSI sensor architecture captures more detail in shadowed foliage and bright skies, supported by 16MP resolution. Its optical image stabilization aids handheld shots at slow shutter speeds often required in landscapes.

Samsung’s WB210 suffers from narrower dynamic range and fewer megapixels, yielding flatter images that require more post-processing to recover shadows. The WB210's wider aperture at wide end (F2.9) can help for dusk shots but still suffers from sensor limitations.

Neither camera offers weather sealing, so care is needed in outdoor settings.

Wildlife and Sports Photography: Autofocus Speed and Continuous Shooting

Here is where things get interesting.

The Nikon B500 offers continuous shooting at 7.4 frames per second, which is respectable for a superzoom. Combined with AF tracking, it allows capturing moderate action, although the slow buffer clearance holds you back from extended bursts. Telephoto reach of 900mm equivalent is exceptional for spotting distant wildlife.

Samsung WB210 has no continuous shooting mode - a significant disadvantage for capturing motion. Its telephoto zoom maxes at 288mm, insufficient for serious wildlife photography.

Verdict: Nikon dominates this domain with superior AF, burst speed, and zoom reach.

Street Photography: Portability and Discreet Profiles

Street photographers favor compact, quiet, and inconspicuous cameras.

Samsung’s diminutive form factor and quiet operation are assets here. Its touchscreen focus and simpler interface mean quick candid shots without fumbling controls.

Nikon B500’s bulk and louder zoom motor make it more conspicuous. The absence of an electronic viewfinder means relying on the LCD for composition, potentially awkward in bright daylight.

Macro Photography: Close Focusing and Stabilization

Close focusing distances differ notably: Nikon claims down to 1cm, Samsung to 5cm.

While both deliver macro capability, Nikon’s B500 benefits from its optical image stabilization, compensating for shake at close focus lengths - invaluable for handheld macro shots in the field. Samsung relies on steadiness alone, limiting its effective macro usability.

Night and Astro Photography: ISO Performance and Exposure Modes

Shooting at night or stars tests ISO on small sensors severely.

The Nikon B500’s BSI-CMOS sensor and max ISO 3200 provide usable low-light images with less noise, albeit grain still visible at ISO 1600 and above. No bulb mode or long exposure features are offered, limiting astrophotography potential.

Samsung’s CCD sensor caps at ISO 1600 native, with noisier images and reduced detail retention. It also lacks advanced exposure modes.

Video Capabilities: Resolution, Stabilization, and Audio

Many users demand video in addition to stills.

• Nikon B500 supports Full HD 1080p video at up to 60 interlaced frames per second (60i), encoded in H.264. Optical image stabilization helps smooth handheld footage, but there's no microphone or headphone ports for external audio.
• Samsung WB210 stops at 720p video, recorded in Motion JPEG format. Video lacks stabilization and external audio inputs.

Build Quality, Battery Life, and Connectivity

Constructed largely from plastics, both cameras lack weather sealing or ruggedness. The Nikon B500’s size translates to a more solid feel, while Samsung’s lightness borders on frail.

Battery-wise, Nikon uses 4 AA batteries, a mixed blessing - easy to find replacements but adds weight and bulk. Rated battery life is strong at around 600 shots. Samsung offers no official battery specs, but its compact lithium-ion battery provides moderate usage time; be prepared with spares for longer sessions.

Regarding connectivity, Nikon’s built-in WiFi and Bluetooth allow remote shooting and easy image transfer, a clear modern advantage. Samsung WB210 has no wireless features.

Lens Ecosystem and Expandability

Both cameras have fixed lenses with no interchangeable lens support. Nikon’s 40x zoom range (23-900mm) is one of the most extensive around, versatile from wide landscapes to distant wildlife. Samsung’s narrower 12x zoom (24-288mm) covers everyday shooting but less specialized needs.

Price vs Performance: Value Assessment

• Nikon B500: Around $300 at launch, offering 40x zoom, 16MP BSI-CMOS sensor, manual exposure modes, tilting screen, and wireless connectivity.
• Samsung WB210: Approximately $279 at launch, with limited 12x zoom, lower resolution CCD sensor, fixed touchscreen, and basic controls.

Considering capabilities, Nikon’s B500 provides more bang for buck despite modest price difference.

Summary Ratings and Genre Scores at a Glance

In practical scoring, Nikon B500 pulls ahead across most photography types, particularly in wildlife, sports, and video, while Samsung WB210 holds modest ground in portability and casual street photography.

Final Thoughts: Which Camera Suits You Best?

If you seek a versatile bridge camera capable of tackling a variety of photographic adventures, the Nikon Coolpix B500 stands out with its balanced feature set, decent image quality, and thoughtful ergonomics. For users prioritizing pocketability and casual snapshot simplicity, particularly on the go, the Samsung WB210 remains a lightweight option, albeit with clear technological compromises.

I hope this detailed comparison helps you find the camera that best matches your photographic ambitions and budget. Selecting gear is always personal, but with a grounded understanding of these models’ strengths and limitations, you’re better equipped to make a confident choice.

Happy shooting!

Images sourced from official product materials and hands-on testing for clarity and accuracy.