Nikon L840 vs Samsung WB750: The Ultimate Small Sensor Superzoom Showdown

When stepping into the realm of small sensor superzoom cameras, you’re often looking for a compact travel buddy that can deliver extraordinary reach, decent image quality, and a suite of easy-to-use features without breaking the bank. Today, we’re putting two contenders head-to-head: the Nikon Coolpix L840 and the Samsung WB750.

Both are attractive options, yet diverge quite a bit in handling, performance, and suitability across photography genres. Having spent a fair amount of time with each - running them through my usual battery of real-world tests - I’m excited to share a detailed comparison that’ll help you decide which one suits your photo ambitions and shooting style.

First Impressions & Handling: Size, Ergonomics, and Controls

Pickup either camera, and the feel in the hand often makes or breaks your initial willingness to explore deeper. The Nikon L840 embraces its bridge camera heritage with an SLR-like design - chunky, robust, and commanding a good grip. At 114x89x96 mm and weighing 538 grams, it definitely has presence.

In contrast, the Samsung WB750 is a more compact, pocketable model: at 105x59x25 mm and a featherweight 193 grams, it’s noticeably lighter and slimmer - ideal for discreet shooting and travel.

Look how the Nikon’s girth dwarfs the Samsung’s slender profile - your choice here depends on whether you value portability over heft and control.

From an ergonomics standpoint, the Nikon’s larger body allows for a more comfortable thumb rest and a larger grip zone. The Samsung, while nimble for pockets or bags, feels a bit cramped during long shoots or when handling in gloved or colder conditions.

The control layouts also reflect their design philosophies.

Nikon offers a traditional button and dial array with dedicated zoom control, a well-sized shutter release, and quick access to playback and mode options - great for beginners and enthusiasts who want tactile feedback. The Samsung’s top plate is simpler, letting you rely on menu navigation more - which is fine if you prefer minimalism but can slow you down when speed is essential.

My takeaway: If you prize ergonomics and readily accessible physical controls, Nikon’s L840 gives you more to grab onto. Samsung’s WB750 is better if weight and compactness are your top priorities.

Sensor Specifications and Image Quality: The Heart of the Camera

Now, onto the sensor, the critical piece influencing detail, noise, and dynamic range. Both cameras sport a 1/2.3-inch sensor measuring 6.17x4.55 mm, with the same physical surface area of around 28 mm² - as seen below.

The Nikon’s sensor is a 16-megapixel CMOS, while the Samsung’s is a 13-megapixel backside illuminated CMOS (BSI-CMOS). BSI sensors generally perform better in low light because they capture more light, courtesy of the sensor architecture. On paper, the Nikon has higher resolution but the Samsung’s BSI tech could yield better noise control.

In my lab and field tests, Nikon images offered crisper details at base ISO due to the higher pixel count, but became noticeably noisy beyond ISO 800. Samsung's images retained smoother noise suppression in dim light, despite slightly lower resolution.

Color rendition between the two was comparable, with Nikon leaning slightly towards cooler tones and Samsung producing warmer skin tones - important to note for portrait shooters.

Nikon caps ISO at 6400, Samsung at 3200; going beyond these limits resulted in heavy image degradation on both cameras. Neither supports RAW capture, so you’re limited to JPEG quality, making it crucial to nail exposure in-camera.

Practical advice: For sharp daylight shots rich in detail, Nikon edges ahead. For handheld low-light photography where noise control matters, Samsung performs a bit better thanks to its BSI sensor design.

LCD & Live View: Composing and Reviewing Shots

Both cameras have a 3-inch screen, but differences in resolution and flexibility impact usability.

The Nikon sports a tilting screen with 921k-dot resolution - bright, sharp, and versatile for shooting at awkward angles. Samsung’s fixed TFT LCD clocks in at a lower 460k-dot resolution, somewhat dimmer and less crisp, especially under direct sunlight.

Lack of an electronic viewfinder (EVF) in both means you’ll depend on these screens for framing. Nikon’s tilting design is a significant advantage for macro, low, or high-angle photography.

Live View Autofocus is contrast-based on both; Nikon offers continuous autofocus (AF-C) and face detection live while Samsung’s live view lacks AF-C, meaning focus is locked once set - potentially frustrating for moving subjects.

Lens and Zoom Performance: How Far and How Sharp?

The hallmark of superzooms is their impressive focal range.

• Nikon L840: 23-855 mm equivalent, 38x optical zoom, max aperture f/3.0-6.5
• Samsung WB750: 24-432 mm equivalent, 18x optical zoom, max aperture f/3.2-5.8

That gives Nikon more than double Samsung’s reach, which is a significant factor if wildlife or distant subjects appeal to you.

However, longer zooms come at the cost of sharpness and brightness, especially towards the telephoto end. I found Nikon’s lens maintained decent edge-to-edge sharpness at moderate zoom up to ~400 mm, but detail softened and chromatic aberration crept in at full zoom. Samsung’s shorter zoom produced slightly crisper results throughout its more limited range.

Both lenses feature optical image stabilization, crucial given the superzoom's tendency for camera shake. Nikon’s stabilization felt more effective during handheld telephoto shots, enabling usable images at slower shutter speeds.

For macro enthusiasts, the Nikon’s ability to focus within 1 cm of the subject is impressive - best for extreme close-ups. The Samsung’s minimum focus distance is 5 cm, which is lively but less dramatic.

Autofocus Systems and Speed: Capturing the Moment

Autofocus tech is a critical consideration, especially for fast-moving subjects and spontaneous photography.

Both models rely on contrast-detection AF without phase detection (typical for small sensor compacts), so focusing speed is modest compared to DSLRs or mirrorless cameras.

The Nikon supports continuous AF and face detection live. It uses multi-area, selective, and center-weighted modes but doesn’t specify the number of focus points. Samsung also offers multi-area and center contrast detection, along with face detection but lacks continuous AF during live view.

In burst tests, Nikon shoots continuous at 7.4 frames per second (fps), Samsung edges ahead at 10 fps. However, buffer limit and autofocus lag mean real-world advantages are marginal.

In practical shooting, Nikon’s AF felt more reliable in tracking faces and moving subjects, while Samsung occasionally hunted in low contrast scenes.

My recommendation: If you plan on shooting casual wildlife or sports, Nikon’s AF system - with continuous focus capability - is more usable despite slower burst rates.

Video Capabilities: Recording Full HD Memories

Video recording is a popular reason for choosing a compact zoom camera.

Both can capture Full HD 1920x1080 video at various frame rates - Nikon up to 60i and Samsung at 30 fps. Additionally, Nikon offers 50i and progressive options; Samsung sticks to 30 and 15 fps options with lower resolutions down to 320x240.

Neither boasts 4K or high frame rate modes; audio input ports for external mics are missing on both, limiting professional video work.

Nikon’s optical image stabilization works effectively in video mode, smoothing handheld footage better than Samsung.

One notable omission on both cameras is a touchscreen interface or mic jack, limiting ease of operation and audio control for creative video work.

Build Quality and Weather Resistance

Neither model is weather sealed, waterproof, or freezeproof - so outdoor photographers must exercise discretion in rough or wet conditions.

The Nikon’s robust plastic body feels solid enough for light travel bumps; Samsung’s ultra-compact body is more prone to flex under pressure.

Battery and Storage

The Nikon L840 operates on four AA batteries which - while bulky compared to proprietary lithium ion - are easy to replace globally, a boon for travelers who dislike searching for specific batteries. Battery life is rated at 590 shots (CIPA), plenty for a day’s shooting.

Samsung uses a proprietary SLB-10A Lithium-ion battery. Official life isn’t listed but is estimated closer to 200-250 shots, meaning you may need spares.

Both use standard SD/SDHC/SDXC cards in a single slot.

Connectivity: Sharing Your Images

Here’s where the Nikon L840 pulls ahead: it includes built-in Wi-Fi and NFC connectivity for quick image transfer to smartphones or social networks. Samsung WB750 offers none of these wireless options, meaning you’re tethered to cables or removing memory cards manually.

Both have USB 2.0 and HDMI ports, suitable for file transfer and playback on bigger screens.

Overall Performance Scores

I like to visualize how each camera stacks across various metrics.

The Nikon excels in:

• Zoom reach
• Battery life
• Screen quality
• Connectivity features

Samsung scores better in:

• Compactness
• Low light noise control
• Burst frame rate

How These Cameras Perform Across Photography Genres

Let’s talk about how each camera fares in popular photography disciplines - important if you’re targeting a particular niche.

Portrait Photography

• Nikon wins with face detection AF and better skin tone reproduction, though Samsung’s warmer tones are appealing for studio-like effects.
• Both lack RAW files, which limits post-processing flexibility.

Landscape Photography

• Nikon offers higher resolution and tilting screen - better for composing complex scenes.
• Samsung’s dynamic range is slightly limited but performs well in good lighting.

Wildlife Photography

• The Nikon’s 855mm zoom and continuous AF edge out Samsung’s shorter 432mm zoom and less advanced AF.

Sports Photography

• Both struggle due to contrast AF and lack of phase detection, but Nikon’s AF-C continuous mode is useful.

Street Photography

• Samsung’s compact size wins for discreet shooting; Nikon’s bulk may attract attention.
• Neither has an electronic viewfinder, but Nikon’s tilting screen helps compose shots at hip or waist level.

Macro Photography

• Nikon’s 1cm minimum focus distance lets you get truly close; Samsung’s 5cm is average.

Night / Astro Photography

• Neither superzoom excels here due to sensor size and lack of manual exposure control on Nikon. Samsung offers manual modes but limited ISO range.

Video

• Nikon’s higher frame rate options and image stabilization make it better for casual video.

Travel Photography

• If you want lightweight and pocketable, Samsung wins. For versatility and battery longevity, Nikon is better.

Professional Work

• Neither camera is ideal in professional contexts due to JPEG-only output and limited build.

Sample Images: Side By Side Comparison

To understand real-world image quality, I recommend checking samples captured in a variety of scenarios.

Nikon L840 front Nikon L840 screen back Samsung WB750 screen back

Notice Nikon’s greater detail in daylight scenes, richer dynamic range, and smoother zoom transitions. Samsung’s files exhibit less noise at ISO 800 and below but trade off fine detail.

Final Recommendations: Which Camera Matches Your Needs?

Having dissected these two cameras’ specs, handling, and performance, here’s my summary tailored for various users.

• Budget-Conscious Enthusiasts: Nikon L840 offers excellent value with its extensive zoom, tilting screen, and Wi-Fi. It’s a capable generalist for family vacations and wildlife photography if you’re not fussed about advanced controls or RAW.

• Travel and Street Shooters: Samsung WB750’s slim profile makes it an easy carry-anywhere camera. Its smooth noise control and respectable image quality suffice for casual snaps. You’ll miss out on connectivity but gain pocketability.

• Casual Video Users: Nikon’s video modes and stabilization serve casual vloggers better; Samsung offers basic 1080p video but lacks video autofocus options.

• Macro Fans: Nikon’s ultra-close focusing distance delivers creative macro possibilities lacking in Samsung.

• Beyond Point-and-Shoot: Neither is perfect for professional work or demanding low-light/fast-action photography due to sensor limitations and lack of RAW. They serve best as affordable, easy superzooms for everyday photography.

Wrapping Up

Neither Nikon L840 nor Samsung WB750 breaks new ground, but both pack a lot of convenience and zoom power into their modest price tags. Personally, I appreciate the Nikon’s combination of controls, connectivity, and reach which makes shooting more flexible and enjoyable for enthusiasts. Samsung’s WB750 is a fine choice if portability, subtlety, and smoother noise at low ISO are your priorities.

Whichever you pick, these cameras remind us that sometimes versatility and simplicity trump outright performance – especially if your goal is effortless all-in-one photography without fuss.

If you want to explore more about their usability, check out my in-depth video review where I put both models through real-world scenarios and share hands-on tips.

Happy shooting, and may your next camera be the perfect fit for your photographic journey!

Note: All assessments are based on extensive hands-on testing and comparisons with industry-standard evaluation techniques over varied shooting environments.