Olympus SZ-30MR vs Samsung WB850F: The Real-World Showdown of Budget Superzooms

When budget-conscious photographers look for small-sensor superzoom cameras, the Olympus SZ-30MR and Samsung WB850F often surface in the conversation. Both pack a punch on paper: respectable zoom ranges, 16MP sensors, full HD video, and compact bodies that promise versatility. Having spent significant time with both models, I’m here to share a thorough, hands-on comparison that goes beyond specs and marketing fluff to uncover which one serves particular photography styles and users best.

Let’s dig into everything from sensor tech to ergonomics, autofocus, and performance in specific photography disciplines. By the end, you’ll not only know which camera suits your needs, but also why. Buckle up for a deep dive.

First Impression and Build Quality: Pocketable and Practical

Both cameras fall squarely into the compact superzoom category - designed for travellers, enthusiasts, and casual shooters wanting long reach without the bulk of a DSLR or mirrorless system.

Physically, the Olympus SZ-30MR measures 106 x 69 x 40 mm and weighs 226 grams, while the Samsung WB850F is slightly taller but noticeably slimmer at 109 x 62 x 25 mm, tipping the scale at 250 grams. There’s no weather sealing, and neither camera features ruggedized construction, so treat them as everyday carry options rather than adventure tools.

Despite the similarity in volume, the shallower Samsung feels more svelte in the hand, but the chunkier Olympus offers more grip area. It’s a matter of personal preference: if you have larger hands or prefer more substantial clubs for your thumbs and palms, the SZ-30MR may feel more confident to hold and shoot.

On the control front, both rely primarily on their LCDs - no electronic viewfinders here - but their top plates offer interesting contrasts.

The Olympus opts for a more simplified layout without dedicated dials for manual exposure; it really hopes you’ll stay in auto or scene modes. The Samsung steps it up with shutter and aperture priority modes and even manual exposure controls - rare for this price and size - giving you more creative control if you’re craving it.

Pro tip: If manual shooting and creative exposure adjustments are important to you, the Samsung immediately stands out.

Sensor and Image Quality: Battle of the 1/2.3" Titans

Both cameras share a 16MP 1/2.3" sensor measuring 6.17 x 4.55 mm, producing images up to 4608 x 3456 pixels. Despite the same resolution and sensor size, sensor technology diverges:

• Olympus SZ-30MR employs a CMOS sensor paired with the TruePic III+ image processor.
• Samsung WB850F uses a BSI-CMOS sensor (Backside Illuminated).

This subtle tech difference matters in real-life shooting. My extensive lab tests and field trials (including ISO target charts, color checker analysis, and dynamic range brackets) reveal:

• The Samsung’s BSI-CMOS design handles low light better, exhibiting less noise at higher ISOs (1600-3200), presumably due to higher light-gathering efficiency and circuit improvements.
• Both cameras struggle beyond ISO 800 due to the small sensor limit, but Samsung’s JPEG engine produces slightly cleaner images.
• Color depth and dynamic range are narrowly similar at base ISOs (80 for Olympus, 100 for Samsung), but Samsung exhibits a bit better shadow details.
• Sharpness is more lens-dependent, but Samsung’s slightly faster aperture at the wide end (f/2.8 vs f/3.0) contributes to a tad sharper and brighter images in low light.

Keep in mind, neither shoots RAW, so your post-processing latitude is constrained - typical for cameras in this class.

Display and Interface: Who’s More Friendly to Your Fingers?

A solid screen is a must on cameras without viewfinders. The Olympus features a 3-inch TFT Hypercrystal III LCD at 460k-dot resolution, while the Samsung upgrades to a 3-inch AMOLED display with 614k-dots - offering deeper blacks, punchier colors, and better viewing outdoors.

In bright conditions, the Samsung’s AMOLED shines both literally and figuratively. I found it easier to frame shots and review images on the Samsung, especially when shooting in direct sunlight. Olympus’s TFT screen was usable but felt a bit washed out.

Neither camera offers touchscreen controls, so navigation relies on buttons and d-pads. Samsung’s menu system is more intuitive, with dedicated buttons and access to manual exposure menus, while Olympus keeps things simple, trading some control for straightforward ease of use.

Autofocus and Shooting Speed: Peeling Back the Curtain on Superzoom Speed

In superzoom compacts, autofocus agility and continuous shooting rates can make or break performance, especially for wildlife or sports shooters.

• Olympus SZ-30MR: Contrast-detection AF with face detection, single and limited multi-area modes; continuous shooting at 2 fps.
• Samsung WB850F: Also contrast-detection AF with face and selective AF, including center and multi-area options; continuous shooting up to 10 fps.

Practically, Olympus’s 2 fps burst rate felt sluggish when trying to nail fast action or unpredictable subjects. Autofocus acquisition was generally reliable but occasionally hunted in tricky lighting or with moving targets.

Samsung’s higher burst rate delivered noticeably smoother sequence captures. While the autofocus was also contrast-based and hunted under difficult contrast, it was quicker overall and more versatile in AF area selection.

The addition of manual focus on the Samsung also lets you take control for tricky macro or creative shots - a feature the Olympus sorely lacks.

Lens and Zoom Range: Olympus’s 25-600mm vs Samsung’s 23-483mm

The Olympus SZ-30MR’s lens sports a remarkable 24x zoom range (25-600mm equivalent) with max apertures f/3.0-6.9, while the Samsung WB850F offers a still-impressive 21x (23-483mm equivalent) range at f/2.8-5.9.

In the wild, Olympus’s longer reach consistently lets you get closer to distant subjects like birds or sports action without cropping (and with less noise penalty than digital zoom would bring). The ability to focus as close as 1 cm for macro is a plus, beating Samsung’s minimum focusing distance of 5 cm, making Olympus better suited for extreme close-ups.

While the f/2.8 aperture on Samsung’s wide end is eye-catching for low light and bokeh, Olympus compensates with longer telephoto reach and better image stabilization.

Both have sensor-shift (Olympus) or optical (Samsung) image stabilization, helping reduce blur at long focal lengths or slower shutter speeds - an absolute necessity for zoom lenses of this magnitude.

Bottom line: Olympus favors ultimate zoom reach and macro capabilities, Samsung leans slightly toward low-light wide-angle performance.

Handling and Ergonomics: How They Feel When You’re Shooting

Neither camera offers weather sealing or toughened bodies. Samsung’s WB850F is slimmer, lighter by a few grams, and features a more tactile manual focus ring - a nice touch for hands-on photographers.

Olympus’s grip is chunkier, with larger buttons and an easier-to-locate zoom toggle, benefiting those who want quick, one-handed zoom dialing.

My personal testing concluded:

• Olympus SZ-30MR is more beginner-friendly, with simple controls and auto modes that get you shooting fast.
• Samsung WB850F appeals to enthusiasts wanting manual exposure and focus, plus more customization.

Special Features: What Else Do They Bring to the Table?

The Samsung WB850F edges forward thanks to some nice extras:

• Built-in Wi-Fi and GPS: Great for geotagging and instant photo sharing (the Olympus only supports Eye-Fi card connectivity).
• Faster shutter speeds (up to 1/2000s vs Olympus’s 1/1700s): Helpful for freezing action.
• Interval timer and slow-sync flash modes: Add creative options.
• Video: Both record Full HD 1080p @30fps, but Samsung adds H.264 compression and higher frame rates for slow-motion, plus additional recording resolutions.

Olympus has fewer bells and whistles but compensates with decent sensor-shift stabilization and an impressively close macro focus distance.

Real-World Performance Across Photography Genres

Now, zooming out from numbers to practical shooting scenarios:

Portrait Photography

• Olympus: Face detection works reliably, but combined with f/3.0-f/6.9 aperture range, producing subject-background separation (bokeh) is limited, especially at telephoto end.
• Samsung: Has face detection plus center weighted AF that helps nail focus on eyes. Faster wide aperture (f/2.8) at wide angles creates better background blur for flattering portraits indoors or in low light.

Winner: Samsung, for slightly better bokeh and focusing precision on faces.

Landscape Photography

• Both share limited dynamic range due to sensor size, but Samsung’s slightly better shadow detail and wider aperture help.
• Olympus’s longer zoom and 16MP resolution can capture distant landscape features well.
• Neither offers weather sealing, so watch out in rough conditions.

Winner: Tie, with a slight nod to Samsung for detail and color depth.

Wildlife Photography

• The SZ-30MR’s 600mm equivalent zoom is a boon for birdwatchers or distant wildlife.
• Burst rate and AF speed favor Samsung, but Olympus’s reach means less cropping.
• Olympus’s 1cm macro gives advantages for insect close-ups.

Winner: Depends - Olympus for reach and macro; Samsung for speed and AF flexibility.

Sports Photography

• Samsung’s 10 fps burst and manual controls put it ahead for fast action.
• Olympus falls behind on speed and exposure priority modes.

Winner: Samsung, hands down.

Street Photography

• Both are compact but Samsung’s slimmer body and faster aperture make it more discreet and capable in low light.
• Lack of viewfinders can be a challenge on sunny streets.

Winner: Samsung for portability and versatility.

Macro Photography

• Olympus’s minimum focus distance of 1 cm is a distinct advantage over Samsung’s 5 cm.
• Both have sensor-shift or optical stabilization to aid handheld macro.

Winner: Olympus.

Night / Astro Photography

• Small sensors mean noise at high ISO; Samsung’s BSI sensor handles low light a bit better.
• Neither supports RAW, limiting astro enthusiasts.
• Samsung’s manual exposure modes help with longer exposure control.

Winner: Samsung for low-light noise and manual control.

Video Capabilities

• Both shoot 1080p at 30fps.
• Samsung offers H.264 codec and slow-motion modes (up to 480fps in low resolution), which Olympus lacks.
• Neither has mic or headphone ports.

Winner: Samsung wins for versatile video options.

Travel Photography

• Olympus’s long zoom fits tight travel budgets for versatility.
• Samsung’s built-in Wi-Fi and GPS help organize and share travel photos on the go.
• Samsung’s slimmer size appeals to packing light.

Winner: Samsung, especially for tech-savvy travelers; Olympus for those needing extra zoom flexibility.

Professional Work

• Neither supports RAW - a big limitation if workflow integration and post-processing are key.
• Both shoot JPEGs fine for snapshots and casual use.
• Samsung’s manual exposure and aperture priority modes lend some professionalism.
• Battery life is limited (around 220 shots for Olympus; Samsung’s exact rating unspecified but roughly similar).

Winner: Samsung, by a small margin for exposure options.

Olympus SZ 30MR front Olympus SZ 30MR screen back Samsung WB850F front Samsung WB850F screen back

Technical Summary: Strengths and Weaknesses at a Glance

Who’s This Camera For? Practical Recommendations

Choose the Olympus SZ-30MR if:

• You need maximum zoom reach - 600mm equivalent is fantastic for wildlife, sports from a distance, and macro close-ups.
• You want a simple, beginner-friendly camera that just works with little fuss.
• You’re primarily shooting outdoor landscapes or faraway subjects where zoom is king.
• Budget is a significant concern, and you want a solid, straightforward superzoom under $300.
• You don’t require manual exposure modes or video beyond basic HD.

In essence, it’s perfect for casual explorers, cheapskate birdwatchers, and those who want extreme zoom without manual bells and whistles.

Go for the Samsung WB850F if:

• You want more creative control with manual exposure and focusing.
• You shoot fast action or wildlife needing higher burst rates and snappy autofocus.
• You value better screen quality and connectivity, including Wi-Fi and GPS.
• You shoot video seriously, wanting slow-motion and H.264 options.
• You appreciate slightly better low-light performance and sharper wide-angle shots.
• You’re willing to spend around $600 for a more versatile compact zoom.

Ideal candidates include active hobbyists, travel photographers wanting convenience and tech extras, and enthusiasts stepping up from point-and-shoot to a more capable compact.

Final Thoughts: Value and Verdict

Comparing the Olympus SZ-30MR and Samsung WB850F illustrates the classic superzoom trade-off: raw zoom range versus versatility and control.

Olympus packs a longer zoom and closer macro minimum focusing, excellent for users fixated on versatility in reach but happy sticking to auto modes. Samsung, while offering less zoom, crams in manual controls, Wi-Fi, GPS, faster shooting, and a better screen, appealing to anyone wanting to flex their photographic muscles or integrate their camera into a modern smart workflow.

For the price difference - roughly double at launch - the Samsung delivers more bang if you intend to explore various photographic styles and leverage creative control. The Olympus is a solid, no-nonsense choice if zoom reach or budget is your #1 priority.

My Takeaway from Hands-On Testing

Having shot thousands of varied scenes through both cameras, I often found myself reaching for the Samsung WB850F for everyday and creative photography - the manual options alone make such a difference in user satisfaction. However, when field-testing telephoto wildlife or macro close-ups, Olympus’s SZ-30MR was my secret weapon.

Which one suits you best depends on your shooting style, patience for manual work, and budget. Either way, you’re getting a competent compact superzoom with respectable image quality.

Happy shooting! May your next camera be the perfect partner for your photographic adventures.