Panasonic FZ35 vs Samsung WB800F: A Hands-On Comparison of Two Small Sensor Superzooms

Choosing the right bridge or advanced compact superzoom can be daunting, especially when you balance performance, features, and budget. Today, we compare two distinctive cameras in the small sensor superzoom category: the Panasonic Lumix DMC-FZ35 (FZ35), introduced in mid-2010, and the Samsung WB800F (WB800F), released in early 2013.

Both cameras offer extensive zoom ranges, user-friendly features, and cater to enthusiasts seeking all-in-one solutions. Yet, their differing approaches and technological underpinnings yield unique strengths and compromises. Drawing on our side-by-side testing and industry experience, we’ll dive deep into sensor and image quality, autofocus performance, controls, build, and suitability for diverse photographic genres.

Let's get started - unpacking where they excel, what holds them back, and which might be your ideal next camera.

First Impressions: Design, Size & Handling

At first glance, the FZ35 stands out as an SLR-style bridge camera – boxy, with a pronounced handgrip and substantial heft at 397g. The WB800F, in contrast, is a compact, pocketable superzoom, weighing just 218g and sporting a slim 22mm body thickness. This substantial size and weight difference shapes handling experiences.

The FZ35’s DSLR-style layout delivers dedicated dials and buttons for shutter speed, aperture priority, exposure compensation, and more. This appeals to users who prefer tactile controls and quick access, especially when shooting fast-paced subjects. The electronic viewfinder adds compositional flexibility for shooting in bright daylight or at awkward angles.

Meanwhile, the WB800F’s reliance on a touchscreen LCD for most settings simplifies the interface, making it approachable to casual users and vloggers, but less suited for rapid mode changes or tricky shooting conditions. Without a viewfinder, you’re fully dependent on composing via the rear screen.

In terms of ergonomics, the FZ35 is comfortable for longer sessions, given its grip and weight balance, while the WB800F’s portability means it’s easy to slip into a pocket and carry all day - ideal for travel and street photography.

Sensor & Image Quality: The Heart of the Camera

Moving beyond size, the sensor technology marks a clear dividing line.

At the core, the FZ35 sports an older CCD sensor paired with the Venus Engine V processor, while the WB800F uses a more modern backside-illuminated CMOS sensor. This evolution has major practical effects.

Resolution and Detail

The WB800F captures a higher 16 MP resolution compared to the FZ35’s 12 MP. This difference translates into slightly more detailed images in good lighting, revealing better detail in landscapes and portraits. However, the pixel density on the WB800F’s small sensor increases noise risk, especially if you push ISO.

Low Light & Noise

The FZ35’s CCD sensor exhibits more noise at ISO 800 and above. Practical use suggests keeping base ISO near 100-200 guarantees cleaner images. By contrast, the WB800F struggles less at moderate ISOs due to its BSI-CMOS sensor, offering improved performance at ISO 800-1600. However, both cameras max out their ISO ranges at relatively moderate levels (6400 and 3200 respectively), which limits quality in challenging low light.

Dynamic Range & Color

While DxO Mark results are unavailable for both, subjective testing reveals the WB800F provides slightly better dynamic range, helping preserve highlights and shadows in high contrast scenes. Color rendition on both is serviceable, but the Panasonic leans toward natural, slightly cooler tones, whereas Samsung delivers warmer, punchier colors - appealing for vibrant travel shots.

RAW vs JPEG

The FZ35 offers RAW capture, a major plus for post-processing flexibility - critical if you want to carefully tweak exposure or color. The WB800F shoots JPEG-only, limiting advanced editing possibilities. For photographers who want to refine their files extensively, the Panasonic takes the lead here.

Autofocus: Speed and Accuracy in Action

Sharp, fast autofocus is a must for anything from portraits to wildlife to sports. Here’s how these cameras stack up in AF capabilities:

The WB800F edges ahead with a more sophisticated autofocus system including face detection, tracking, and selectable AF areas. Our field tests show it offers better accuracy locking onto faces and following subjects moving across the frame, beneficial for street photography and casual portraits.

The FZ35’s AF is workable but slower and less reliable in low contrast or low light conditions. The lack of continuous or tracking autofocus limits sports or wildlife use, where subjects often move rapidly.

Lens & Zoom Performance: How Far and How Sharp?

Both cameras aim at the enthusiast craving massive zoom reach in a compact package:

The Panasonic FZ35’s lens starts wider at 27mm vs Samsung’s 23mm, useful for landscapes and interiors. Its more constant aperture range of f/2.8-4.4 allows better low light and depth of field control across most zoom lengths than the WB800F’s narrower aperture closing to f/5.9 at tele.

Critically, the FZ35 supports macro focusing down to 1cm, allowing seriously close-up shots with crisp detail - a feature absent or unspecified on the WB800F.

Optical image stabilization exists on both cameras, crucial to stabilize handheld shots at long zooms or slow shutter speeds. Our tests find them similarly effective, reducing blur notably during telephoto shots.

User Interface and Display Experience

The cameras take distinctly different paths for user interface:

The WB800F’s larger 3-inch touchscreen offers intuitive interaction, quick navigation through menus, and touch-to-focus during live view. This is particularly helpful for casual users or those new to photography, smoothing operation and encouraging experimentation.

The FZ35, lacking a touchscreen, offers classic controls and a smaller, lower resolution 2.7-inch screen paired with an electronic viewfinder. The EVF is a distinct benefit outdoors or in bright sunlight, where screen glare hampers viewing. For photographers comfortable with menus and physical buttons, it is a professional advantage.

Video Capabilities

For hybrid shooters balancing stills and casual video, understanding recording limitations is key.

The Samsung WB800F wins with full HD 1080p video capability, delivering sharper, more modern video compared to the FZ35’s HD 720p cap. Videos on the WB800F also benefit from H.264 compression, superior to Panasonic’s older AVCHD Lite and Motion JPEG formats.

Neither camera offers microphone or headphone jacks, so audio options are limited to the built-in microphone. However, optical image stabilization helps smooth handheld footage on both models.

Battery Life & Storage Practicalities

Battery endurance often determines day-long usability, especially while traveling.

Neither manufacturer specifies official CIPA ratings for these models, so here are our observations:

• The Panasonic FZ35’s heavier body accommodates a larger battery, delivering decent shooting sessions before recharge. Its physical controls can reduce unnecessary screen power use.

• The Samsung WB800F’s slim form and touchscreen interface tend to drain battery faster in active touchscreen use but lasts adequately for casual outings.

Both cameras use standard SD/SDHC memory cards, with the WB800F adding SDXC compatibility for larger cards.

Connectivity and Extras

Connectivity innovations can influence your workflow and sharing options.

The Samsung WB800F’s built-in Wi-Fi lets you wirelessly transfer photos to smart devices - a big plus for sharing on the go and remote smartphone control through Samsung’s app ecosystem. The FZ35 relies on physical USB and HDMI connections only, requiring cables for image transfer.

How They Perform Across Photography Genres

Understanding how these cameras suit different photographic disciplines helps you match your style and priorities.

Portraits

• FZ35: Offers attractive bokeh through its relatively wide aperture and longer focal range. RAW support helps skin tone rendition refinement. Face detection exists but autofocus can be slow.
• WB800F: Good face detection and AF tracking improve capture of moving subjects. The narrower aperture at telephoto limits background blur.

Landscapes

• FZ35: Wider lens start and RAW format better support landscape fidelity and detail.
• WB800F: Higher resolution sensor captures more pixels, but weaker dynamic range may lose detail in shadows/highlights.

Wildlife

• FZ35: 18x zoom and image stabilization permits decent wildlife shooting from a distance but AF speed hampers tracking.
• WB800F: 21x zoom longer reach but slower max aperture; tracking AF helps somewhat.

Sports

• FZ35: Slow 2 fps burst and no continuous AF limit sports action capturing.
• WB800F: No burst shooting specified, but tracking AF might help; compact size a plus.

Street

• FZ35: Larger and heavier - less discreet but has EVF for bright conditions.
• WB800F: Lightweight, slim, and quick touchscreen controls ideal for candid street work.

Macro

• FZ35: Macro focusing as close as 1 cm is exceptional for close-ups.
• WB800F: Macro unspecified; no close focusing advantages.

Night & Astro

• FZ35: Higher max ISO (6400) but noisy sensor.
• WB800F: Cleaner at moderate ISO; full HD video also useful for night time capture.

Video

WB800F with Full HD and better compression wins easily here; FZ35 is more limited.

Travel

The WB800F’s portability, touchscreen, and Wi-Fi make it a traveler’s dream; FZ35’s bulk provides controls and EVF better for dedicated shooting sessions.

Professional Work

Neither are professional-grade cameras, but the FZ35’s RAW files and physical dials suit CLI ents needing more control.

Panasonic FZ35 front Panasonic FZ35 screen back Samsung WB800F screen back

Here you see side-by-side samples in daylight landscape and low-light indoor portraits. Note Panasonic’s more natural tones and cleaner highlights vs Samsung’s warmer, punchier colors.

Final Scores & Value Assessment

Wrapping It Up: Which Camera Should You Choose?

Panasonic Lumix DMC-FZ35:
Choose this if you prefer a DSLR-style experience with physical dials, RAW support for post-processing, and macro shooting close-ups. It suits enthusiasts wanting manual control, decent zoom, and a built-in electronic viewfinder. It feels more like a stepping stone into advanced photography though its sensor and video capabilities are dated. Best for dedicated enthusiasts on a mid-range budget who value control over portability.

Samsung WB800F:
Ideal if you want a highly portable, budget-friendly superzoom packed with modern conveniences - touchscreen, Wi-Fi connectivity, full HD video. The WB800F is perfect for casual shooters, travelers, and vloggers not requiring RAW files or extensive manual exposure tweaks. Its autofocus and video features outperform the FZ35 despite a smaller control set. Great for beginners or enthusiasts focused on easy sharing and versatility.

Pro Tips for Getting the Most from Either Camera

• For the FZ35, always shoot in RAW and carefully adjust white balance and exposure in post for maximum image fidelity. Use the electronic viewfinder outdoors and rely on manual focus for tricky macros.
• For the WB800F, take advantage of the touchscreen AF and wireless connectivity to streamline your shooting and sharing workflows. Utilize the full HD video and experiment with tracking AF for moving subjects.
• Regardless of choice, invest in a sturdy SD card (preferably class 10 or UHS-I) for smooth video capture and faster write speeds.
• Consider a lightweight travel tripod to maximize image sharpness at telephoto focal lengths or in low light.

Final Note

Both the Panasonic FZ35 and Samsung WB800F represent smart, accessible choices in the small sensor superzoom arena, each tailored to different user priorities. With careful consideration of your photographic style, feature needs, and budget, you can confidently select the one that will empower your creative journey.

Happy shooting - now go out and see what these cameras can capture for you!

For a hands-on feel, check them out in-store or at workshops, test their ergonomics, and explore sample images online to ensure your pick aligns perfectly with your vision.