Olympus Stylus 1 vs Samsung WB35F: The Definitive Small-Sensor Superzoom Showdown

When it comes to small-sensor superzoom cameras, the market caters to a diverse range of users - from casual snapshooters seeking convenience to serious enthusiasts hunting for one-camera versatility. Today, I put two distinct contenders head-to-head: the Olympus Stylus 1 (hereafter “Olympus 1”) released in late 2013, and Samsung’s budget-friendly WB35F from early 2014.

Both cameras share the small sensor superzoom category but cater to very different audiences and priorities. With over 15 years of camera testing experience, I evaluated these models across crucial photography disciplines and practical use cases. Let’s explore how they compare in image quality, handling, speed, video, and value - and help you decide which fits your needs best.

First Impressions: Design, Handling, and Build

Before diving deeper, handling and ergonomics are often deal-breakers. After testing these two extensively, I found a palpable difference in their physicality and user interaction.

The Olympus 1 feels robust and SLR-like, while the Samsung WB35F is compact and lightweight.

Olympus Stylus 1: SLR-Like Bridge Camera with Substance

Olympus adopts a bridge camera form factor with the Stylus 1 - bulky but thoughtfully designed. Its 116 x 87 x 57 mm dimensions and 402 g weight provide a solid, reassuring grip. The external controls are well spaced, dials feel responsive, and the TruePic VI processor helps deliver speedy handling. The camera sports a tilting 3.0-inch touchscreen LCD (1040k dots) and a high-resolution electronic viewfinder (EVF) with 1440k dots covering 100% frame.

Samsung WB35F: Compact for Travel and Snapshots

In contrast, the WB35F is a compact with a slim 101 x 61 x 28 mm body, weighing just 194 g. It’s pocket-friendly but sacrificed many manual controls for simplicity. The fixed 2.7-inch, lower resolution LCD (230k dots) is not touchscreen and there’s no viewfinder at all. Its design favors casual users who prioritize portability over intricate handling.

Olympus 1’s dedicated dials and buttons vs. Samsung’s minimalist layout.

Ergonomic Verdict: The Olympus 1’s larger size and comprehensive control layout suit enthusiasts who prefer manual settings and quick adjustments. Samsung’s tiny footprint and pared-down interface appeal to casual shooters wanting ultra-light, grab-and-go ease.

Sensor and Image Quality: Small Sensors, Big Differences

Sensor technology defines the image foundation. Both cameras feature small sensors, but differences in size, type, and processing show clear effects.

Olympus 1’s 1/1.7-inch BSI-CMOS sensor vs Samsung WB35F’s smaller 1/2.3-inch CCD sensor.

Olympus 1 Sensor: Bright BSI-CMOS with Moderate Resolution

The Olympus packs a 1/1.7-inch BSI-CMOS sensor measuring 7.44 x 5.58 mm (41.52 mm² area), recording 12-megapixel images at 3968 x 2976 resolution. The backside illumination (BSI) design enhances light gathering, improving low-light performance relative to older technology. It supports RAW shooting, crucial for serious photographers wanting post-processing flexibility.

Samsung WB35F Sensor: Smaller CCD with Higher Pixel Count

Samsung relies on a 1/2.3-inch CCD sensor, smaller at 6.17 x 4.55 mm (28.07 mm²), but with a higher 16-megapixel count (4608 x 3456 resolution). CCD sensors traditionally excel at color fidelity but tend to lag behind CMOS in processing speed and high ISO noise control. The WB35F lacks RAW support, limiting creative control.

Image Quality Performance

• Dynamic Range: Olympus holds a clear advantage with a measured dynamic range of 11.6 EV vs Samsung’s untested but expected to be lower. This means Olympus better preserves highlights and shadows - especially valuable for landscapes and high-contrast scenes.

• Color Depth: Olympus’ 20.7 bits outshine the typical CCD sensor, translating into richer color gradations.

• Low-Light ISO Performance: With a native max ISO of 12800, Olympus numerically outpaces Samsung's claimed max ISO of 3200, delivering cleaner images beyond 800 ISO. I found that Olympus images stay usable at ISO 1600–3200, whereas Samsung exhibits noise and softness past 400.

• Resolution vs Detail: Despite Samsung’s higher megapixels, the smaller sensor size and older CCD tech mean its images can be softer and noisier, limiting detail capture, especially in shadows.

Takeaway: Olympus 1 produces technically superior images, especially in difficult lighting, with cleaner files and more editing flexibility.

Autofocus and Shooting Speed: Capturing the Decisive Moment

Fast and accurate autofocus (AF) along with responsive burst shooting form the backbone of action and wildlife photography.

Olympus 1 Autofocus System: Contrast-Detect with Face Detection

Olympus uses a 25-point contrast-detect AF system with face detection and continuous AF tracking. While contrast-detect systems typically lag behind phase-detect in speed, the Olympus delivers respectable speed in daylight, locking focus reliably on subjects including faces.

Samsung WB35F Autofocus: Basic and Limited

Samsung offers no contrast or phase AF areas - relying on a mostly fixed or center AF point with no continuous AF or tracking. In my tests, focusing lag was noticeable, especially in low light or on moving subjects. It’s best suited for stationary scenes and casual snapshots.

Continuous Shooting and Shutter Speeds

The Olympus significantly outperforms with 7 fps burst and manual exposure modes, ideal for sports, wildlife, and creative control. Samsung’s limited shutter range starting at 8 seconds and lack of manual modes restricts use in fast action or creative scenarios.

Build Quality and Weather Resistance: Durability Matters

Neither camera offers environmental sealing or weatherproofing, so both require care in poor weather. However, judging by build:

• Olympus 1 exhibits a sturdier construction and firmer buttons.
• Samsung’s plastic shell feels more fragile, which may influence long-term durability.

LCD, Viewfinder, and User Interface

Visual feedback while shooting impacts user experience dramatically.

Olympus offers tilting touchscreen; Samsung has fixed low-res display.

• Olympus 1: 3-inch tilting touchscreen LCD with decent resolution and an excellent electronic viewfinder (100% coverage, 1440k dots). This combination offers flexible composition methods, especially in bright conditions where LCDs struggle.

• Samsung WB35F: Fixed 2.7-inch LCD with low resolution, no touchscreen or EVF, necessitating LCD-only framing, which can be a challenge in bright sunlight.

This difference is crucial for photographers working extensively outdoors or those who prefer composing through the viewfinder.

Lens Capabilities and Magnification Range

Lens versatility often defines a superzoom’s appeal.

Olympus 1’s constant bright F2.8 aperture across the zoom range is a standout - you won’t find many superzooms at this price with such speed. This creates better low-light capability and shallow depth of field for portraits and macros.

Samsung’s wider zoom ratio (12× vs 10.7×) offers slightly more reach but at the cost of slower apertures, meaning lower light situations or background separation are tougher.

Video Features: More Than Just Stills

When testing video capabilities:

Olympus Stylus 1

• Max video resolution: Full HD 1920x1080 at 30p
• Additional modes: 720p at 30p, high-speed slow motion (640x480 at 120p)
• Video formats: MPEG-4, H.264
• Limitation: No mic or headphone ports, limiting external audio options.
• Optical image stabilization active in video.

Samsung WB35F

• Max video resolution: 1280x720 HD only
• No external mic input
• Video feature set is minimal with no advanced frame rates or codecs

Olympus’s video quality is the stronger option for casual video makers wanting full HD recordings and some slow-motion. Samsung’s video offerings are basic.

Battery Life and Storage

• Olympus 1: Rated at about 410 shots per charge (CIPA standard) using the BLS-5 battery pack. Storage via secure digital (SD/SDHC/SDXC) cards.
• Samsung WB35F: Specific battery life numbers unavailable but with a smaller battery (BP70A), expect fewer shots per charge. Uses microSD cards.

If you’re on multi-day trips or rely on heavy shooting, Olympus’s longer endurance and full-size SD cards provide convenience.

Connectivity and Extras

Both cameras include built-in wireless connectivity:

• Olympus 1: Offers Wi-Fi for image transfer and remote control.
• Samsung WB35F: Includes built-in Wi-Fi and NFC for quick pairing but lacks USB and HDMI outputs.

Neither camera provides GPS, microphone input, or headphone jack.

Real-World Photography Use Cases

Let me break down how each camera performs in different photography genres based on field testing.

Olympus 1 front Olympus 1 screen back Samsung WB35F front Samsung WB35F screen back

Portraits

• Olympus 1: Fast constant f/2.8 aperture produces smooth background blur (bokeh), excellent flesh tones with wide dynamic range, and face detection autofocus ensures sharp eyes.
• Samsung WB35F: Limited aperture range and no face detection make portraits less distinct, with flatter backgrounds.

Winner: Olympus 1 for professional and pleasing portraits.

Landscapes

• Olympus shows higher resolution, better clarity, and wide DR crucial for scenes with bright skies and shadows.
• Samsung’s smaller sensor and lower dynamic range limit landscape appeal.

Wildlife and Sports

• Olympus 7 fps burst and continuous AF tracking give it a clear edge for action and wildlife.
• Samsung WB35F’s slow AF and no continuous shooting make it impractical here.

Street Photography

• Samsung’s smaller size and quiet operation make it discreet.
• Olympus is bigger but offers better control and image quality.

Macro Photography

• Olympus’s 5 cm macro focus with f/2.8 lens lets you capture detailed close-ups.
• Samsung lacks macro specifications.

Night/Astro Photography

• Olympus’s superior ISO performance and manual modes enable better night shots.
• Samsung struggles due to sensor and limited exposure controls.

Travel Photography

• Samsung excels in size and lightness.
• Olympus trades portability for versatility and performance.

Professional Use

• Olympus supports RAW files, manual modes, and efficient workflow integration.
• Samsung caters mainly to casual users without professional needs.

Performance Summary and Ratings

Scorecards by Genre

![Genre-specific performance)(photography-type-cameras-scores.jpg)
Olympus dominates in portraits, sports, landscape, video; Samsung best for travel portability and snapshot ease.

Conclusion: Which Small Sensor Superzoom Camera Should You Choose?

Olympus Stylus 1 – Best for Enthusiasts, Creatives, and Versatile Use

Pros:

• Superior sensor tech with RAW support
• Fast, constant f/2.8 lens across zoom range
• High-res EVF + tilting touchscreen LCD
• Manual controls and exposure modes
• Decent continuous shooting and AF tracking
• Solid battery life and wireless features
• Full HD video with stabilization

Cons:

• Heavier and larger body
• No weather sealing
• Pricier (~$700 in 2013)

Who should buy: Serious photographers wanting one camera to handle portraits, landscape, wildlife, and video; those who prioritize image quality and creative control.

Samsung WB35F – Ideal for Casual Photographers and Travel Lightweights

Pros:

• Compact, pocketable design
• Decent zoom range with 12× optical
• Built-in Wi-Fi and NFC
• Basic shooting simplicity for casual use
• Affordable (~$130)

Cons:

• Smaller CCD sensor with noisier images
• No RAW support or manual exposure options
• Weak autofocus and no continuous shooting
• Low-res fixed LCD, no EVF
• Limited video quality and controls

Who should buy: Beginners or casual users seeking a simple, affordable camera for snapshots and travel without complexity.

Final Thoughts from My Testing Experience

Having put both cameras through demanding tests - from handheld twilight shots to fast bursts of sports action - the Olympus Stylus 1 clearly outperforms the Samsung WB35F in nearly every technical and creative metric. However, for absolute portability and budget constraints, Samsung has an appeal for no-fuss photography.

When selecting your next small sensor superzoom, consider your photographic ambitions, shooting style, and budget. If image quality and flexibility matter most, the Olympus 1 is worth the investment. For those prioritizing convenience and light travel use, the Samsung WB35F will suit casual photographers well.

By blending firsthand experience with objective metrics and genre-based testing, this review aims to give you confidence in your choice. Happy shooting!

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