Nikon B500 vs Samsung WB35F

Bridging the Gap: Nikon B500 vs. Samsung WB35F - A Deep Dive into Small Sensor Superzoom Cameras

When it comes to compact superzoom cameras, the landscape is filled with models that promise versatility, convenience, and decent image quality without breaking the bank. Today, we pit two intriguing contenders against each other: the Nikon Coolpix B500 and the Samsung WB35F. Although both sit within the “small sensor superzoom” category, these cameras cater to slightly different user needs and budgets, with distinctive feature sets that impact their real-world performance significantly.

Having spent extensive hands-on time testing and evaluating hundreds of cameras in this category, I’m eager to share with you a detailed, no-nonsense comparative analysis. We’ll cover everything from sensor specs to ergonomics, from autofocus to video, and include practical feedback to help you decide which of these may be worth considering or which to avoid. Let’s jump in.

First Impressions and Physical Handling: Size Matters, But So Does Comfort

One of the first things you’ll notice grabbing these cameras side by side is their contrasting physical designs and sizes. The Nikon B500 is built as a bridge or “SLR-like” camera, clearly trying to mimic the handling heft and grip of DSLR cameras, despite its modest sensor size. Meanwhile, the Samsung WB35F opts for a compact, pocket-friendly form factor that’s far lighter and less imposing.

Measuring it out: the Nikon B500 comes in at approximately 114x78x95 mm and weighs 541 grams. The Samsung WB35F is considerably smaller and lighter with dimensions of 101x61x28 mm and weighing only 194 grams. This size difference is no small factor - the B500’s larger body means better grip stability for longer shooting sessions, but it’s noticeably less pocketable compared to the WB35F’s sleek, compact chassis.

Ergonomically, the Nikon feels more substantial and thoughtfully put together, especially for users accustomed to DSLRs or mirrorless cameras. Controls are spaced out nicely with a decent grip and textured surfaces, encouraging confident one-handed shooting. On the other hand, the Samsung’s compactness means fewer dedicated controls and a more cramped interface, affecting shooting speed and handling finesse.

Design Intuition: Controls and User Interface

Shifting to interface layout, the Nikon B500 again reveals a more traditional photographer-friendly design with physical buttons and dials laid out intuitively - helpful for quick parameter changes in the field.

We have a clear winner here for control ergonomics: Nikon’s top plate sports a mode dial, zoom lever, shutter release button, and a handy customizable button. Without a touchscreen, reliance on physical controls is high, but Nikon nails their placement with logical grouping reflecting years of DSLR heritage.

Samsung’s WB35F, as expected from a compact, features minimal physical buttons, and no mode dial. Its zoom and shutter controls are small, flat, and less tactile. User interface navigation is done primarily through menus, which can feel slow, especially when attempting to change settings on the fly.

This hints at the WB35F’s design intent: casual snapshots and travel convenience, whereas the B500 targets the enthusiast who values faster, more versatile operation.

Sensor and Image Quality: Small Sensors, Big Differences

Both cameras share the same physical sensor dimensions - a 1/2.3” sensor size measuring 6.17 x 4.55 mm with approximately 28 mm² area. Each offers 16 megapixels of resolution (4608 x 3456 pixels), and both employ an anti-aliasing filter to reduce moiré. However, when we dive deeper, the sensor technologies diverge significantly.

The Nikon B500 uses a BSI-CMOS sensor, a back-illuminated design that offers improved light gathering capability and generally better dynamic range and low light performance compared to traditional CCD sensors. The Samsung WB35F, conversely, utilizes an older CCD sensor.

This technological distinction shows in practical shooting. The B500 delivers cleaner images at higher ISO values (up to ISO 3200 native), and produces punchier colors with better contrast. Samsung’s CCD sensor produces slightly more noise at elevated ISO levels, with less vibrant color rendition and a limited native ISO range.

The trade-off? CCD sensors historically excel at color depth in controlled lighting, and can sometimes appear sharper at base ISO - but these differences have narrowed with the rise of CMOS technologies.

In dynamic range tests and real-world shadow recovery, Nikon pulls noticeably ahead, translating to richer landscape shots and improved highlight retention. The Samsung WB35F’s sensor limitations mean blown highlights and crushed shadows are more common in high contrast scenes.

In short: for photography disciplines demanding image quality - think landscape, portrait, and travel - the Nikon is the better equipped contender.

The Zoom Debate: Reach Versus Pragmatism

Both cameras offer substantial zoom ranges, but here’s where they diverge further in application.

• Nikon B500: 23-900 mm equivalent (40x zoom), max aperture F3.0-6.5
• Samsung WB35F: 24-288 mm equivalent (12x zoom), max aperture F3.1-6.3

The Nikon’s vast 40x optical zoom is impressive on paper, giving tremendous flexibility from wide-angle landscapes through to distant wildlife or sports subjects. However, long-zoom usage on small sensors often comes with drawbacks such as softness and decreased image quality due to diffraction, lens limitations, and camera shake.

Samsung’s more modest 12x zoom is less extreme but benefits from physically shorter focal length extension, making its lens potentially crisper throughout its range and easier to stabilize handheld. The trade-off is the reduced reach, limiting long-range framing options.

For casual users or general travel photographers, the Samsung’s zoom is perfectly adequate. But if you envision needing that massive telephoto reach - such as birding or sports from distance - the Nikon’s zoom advantage will be a real asset.

Autofocus and Manual Control

Autofocus performance is a common pain point when evaluating budget superzoom cameras. Here, the Nikon B500 excels for its class.

It offers contrast-detection autofocus with face detection and tracking, including continuous AF and multiple AF area modes, allowing it to track moving subjects reasonably well. Manual exposure control is offered, but no true manual focus ring (though tapping the zoom lever can somewhat simulate this). Unfortunately, the B500 lacks advanced eye-detection or animal eye-AF, which would have pushed it closer to enthusiast standards.

The Samsung WB35F’s AF is much simpler: contrast detection only, no continuous AF or subject tracking. No face detection, no manual exposure control, and manual focus is supported but via a menu interface, not by direct lens ring adjustment.

Practically, if you’re shooting portraits, events, or wildlife where autofocus accuracy and speed are critical, Nikon’s B500 is much more capable. Samsung’s AF may frustrate when things get dynamic or light gets low.

Displays and Viewfinders

Neither camera features an electronic viewfinder, which is somewhat expected in this class and price point. Both rely on LCD screens for composing images and reviewing shots.

Nikon’s 3-inch tilting LCD screen with 921k-dot resolution provides bright, relatively sharp images and flexible shooting angles - a significant advantage for shooting at awkward perspectives or video.

Samsung’s 2.7-inch fixed screen is smaller with a very low resolution (230k dots), making it harder to critically evaluate images in the field. It’s also fixed, meaning you lose compositional flexibility.

For any photographer accustomed to modern displays, the Nikon’s screen is markedly superior, aiding in better exposure assessment and focus confirmation.

Battery and Storage

Battery life can make or break a shooting session, especially during travel and outdoor use.

The Nikon B500 runs on readily available AA batteries (4x), rated for approximately 600 shots. This is both a blessing and a curse: AA availability worldwide is excellent - no proprietary charger stress - but lithium AAs are recommended, as alkaline batteries could drain quickly under heavy use. Also, AA batteries add to the camera’s heft.

Samsung’s WB35F uses a proprietary BP70A rechargeable Li-ion battery. Official battery life specs are unavailable, but in practice, the lighter camera uses less power, potentially yielding longer uptime per charge. However, the need to carry a specific battery and charger can be less convenient in remote locations.

Both accept SD/SDHC/SDXC cards; the Samsung only supports microSD cards, which are slightly more fiddly but widely available.

Video Capabilities

Looking beyond stills, video is an important consideration for many users.

• Nikon B500: Full HD 1080p up to 60i frames per second (progressive at 30p and 25p), MPEG-4 and H.264 compression, HDMI output, no external mic input.
• Samsung WB35F: HD 720p max resolution, limited frame rates, no HDMI, no dedicated audio ports.

Nikon’s video capabilities are more modern, with smoother frame rates and higher resolution. The absence of microphone and headphone ports limits professional audio recording options, but for casual use, the camera is competent.

Samsung’s video is more basic. Limited resolution and older compression make it less appealing for those seeking quality video content.

Build Quality and Weather Resistance

Neither camera comes with environmental sealing or robust protection against dust and moisture, which is common for cameras in this price and sensor category.

Build quality-wise, the Nikon B500’s larger body feels sturdier with better materials, whereas the WB35F’s plastic compact body feels lighter and less rugged.

If you expect to shoot in challenging outdoor conditions regularly, neither camera is ideal, but Nikon’s more assertive build is a safer bet.

Connectivity and Extras

Both offer wireless connectivity, but with different emphasis.

Nikon B500 includes built-in Wi-Fi and Bluetooth, enabling image transfers and remote control from a smartphone app. This modern wireless suite enhances convenience substantially and fits today’s connected workflow.

Samsung WB35F has built-in Wi-Fi and NFC support but lacks Bluetooth and HDMI. Its connectivity is more limited and less seamless for contemporary users.

No GPS tagging on either, which would have helped travel photographers log locations automatically.

Shooting Across Genres - How Do They Perform?

Let me break down how each camera fares in specific photographic domains, drawing from extensive testing and user experience insights.

Nikon B500 front Nikon B500 screen back Samsung WB35F front Samsung WB35F screen back

Portrait Photography: Nikon’s face detection AF and larger zoom give it an edge for portraits, providing decent bokeh at longer focal lengths. Samsung lacks face detection entirely and offers less creative control, resulting in flatter portrait imagery. Neither camera excels at skin tone rendering due to small sensors, but Nikon handles colors more naturally.

Landscape Photography: The Nikon’s wider zoom range, tilting screen, and superior dynamic range make it a better landscape tool. Samsung’s limited zoom and lower dynamic range force compromises. Neither is weather sealed, so caution is needed outdoors.

Wildlife Photography: Nikon’s 40x zoom and tracking AF make it an acceptable choice for casual wildlife photography; Samsung’s reach and focus speed are too limited for reliable long-distance capture.

Sports Photography: Neither camera is optimized for high-speed action, but Nikon’s continuous AF and faster maximum shutter (1/4000s) make it marginally better. Burst rates favor Nikon (7.4 fps continuous shooting), while Samsung offers no continuous shooting.

Street Photography: Samsung shines for street due to its compact size and discretion. Nikon’s bulk can be a drawback here. Low light autofocus favors Nikon, though neither is stellar.

Macro Photography: Nikon can focus down to 1 cm, offering some close-up flexibility; Samsung doesn’t specify a macro capability. Optical stabilization in both helps in handholding.

Night/Astrophotography: Small sensors limit both, but Nikon’s BSI-CMOS sensor and higher ISO performance mean it handles low light better, though long exposures are constrained by max shutter speed (1 sec minimum).

Video: Nikon clearly offers better video specs and formats, suited to casual video shooters rather than professionals.

Travel Photography: Battery versatility and zoom range favor Nikon, but Samsung’s compact size and weight win on portability. Both offer wireless transfer for quick sharing.

Professional Work: Neither camera is designed for professional workflows - no RAW support on either, limited controls, and modest sensors restrict their usability for high-end needs.

Overall Performance Ratings

Based on our hands-on testing and metric evaluation, here’s a snapshot of the performance scores summarizing all factors.

As expected, the Nikon B500 leads overall, offering a better balance of image quality, controls, and features, while the Samsung WB35F appeals as a simple, lightweight point-and-shoot alternative.

Genre-Specific Scores Summarized

For a more granular look, we broke down scores per photographic discipline:

Nikon bests Samsung in nearly every category except street photography and portability, where Samsung garners a slight nod.

The Final Call: Who Should Buy Which?

Choose the Nikon B500 if:

• You value a longer zoom range and versatile focal lengths (23-900 mm equivalent).
• You want a camera with better autofocus capabilities, including face detection and continuous AF.
• You need a tilting LCD with higher resolution for flexible shooting angles and clearer image review.
• You’re shooting in a variety of lighting conditions and want better ISO performance, especially for landscapes, portraits, wildlife, and casual sports.
• You appreciate physical controls and prefer DSLR-style handling ergonomics.
• You want more capable HD video recording.

Choose the Samsung WB35F if:

• You want an ultra-compact, lightweight camera that you can easily slip into a pocket or purse.
• You’re on a tighter budget and need basic zoom and point-and-shoot functionality without fuss.
• Portability and simplicity trump features - you want quick snaps without diving into menus or manual controls.
• You prioritize NFC wireless pairing for quick image sharing on compatible devices.
• You don’t anticipate relying on autofocus performance for fast-moving subjects or challenging lighting.

Closing Thoughts: A Snapshot Summary

Our journey comparing the Nikon Coolpix B500 and Samsung WB35F reveals two cameras born of different design philosophies. Nikon leverages newer sensor tech, robust zoom capability, and more immersive controls to serve enthusiastic casual photographers willing to carry a slightly larger camera. Samsung, with its minimalistic design and smaller zoom, fits the needs of users craving extreme portability and straightforward operation at a friendly price.

While neither is groundbreaking by today’s enthusiast or professional standards, they find niches where each can thrive. My strong recommendation, based on our testing and real-world handling, leans toward the Nikon B500 for those seeking a more capable and versatile all-rounder. The Samsung WB35F suits those whose priority is easy carry and simplicity over image quality or feature depth.

Selecting between these depends mostly on your priorities - reach and control against size and simplicity - and your photographic ambitions. Either way, understanding these subtle but significant differences empowers you to make the best choice without surprises.

Happy shooting!

All performance evaluations derived through rigorous side-by-side field testing in varied environments and lighting conditions with standardized protocols for exposure, AF accuracy, and image quality checks.