Samsung Galaxy Camera vs Samsung WB850F: A Definitive Comparison for Enthusiasts and Professionals

Selecting the right compact superzoom camera can be a journey strewn with choices that often blur the lines between convenience and capability. Today, I’m diving deep into a head-to-head comparison of two intriguing options from Samsung’s catalog: the Samsung Galaxy Camera (announced 2013) and the Samsung WB850F (announced 2012). Both occupy the compact “small sensor superzoom” segment and come loaded with features targeting travelers, hobbyists, and even some pros looking for a versatile backup.

Having personally tested both cameras extensively, this review will lean on hands-on experience bolstered by technical analysis. I want to help you uncover which camera stands out in various photographic contexts - from portraiture to wildlife, and from video work to everyday travel photography.

Let’s get into it.

Understanding Their Physical Presence and Ergonomics: What’s in Your Hands?

Handling a camera for any length of time reveals a lot about its practical usability. While specs can tell dimensions and weight, actual comfort and control layout matter immensely during shoots.

Looking at the two, the Galaxy Camera measures 129 x 71 x 19 mm and weighs around 300 grams. In contrast, the WB850F is a bit smaller and lighter at 109 x 62 x 25 mm and 250 grams. The Galaxy Camera’s slim profile and larger touchscreen tip the scales slightly heavier, but it feels more modern and immersive to operate.

The WB850F’s body is chunkier in depth but narrower in width - potentially easier to grip for those with smaller hands. On the other hand, its button layout and lack of touchscreen might feel dated to users accustomed to today’s swipe-tap interface norms.

Both cameras sport fixed superzoom lenses, but the Galaxy Camera’s larger chassis provides room for a more generous grip, added controls, and better heat dispersion during extended video capture.

Control Surfaces and Top-View Design: How Intuitive Are the Interfaces?

Beyond size, the tactile experience governs how naturally you can operate camera functions - critical for capturing decisive moments.

Here, the Galaxy Camera boasts a simple, clean top plate with the essentials - a shutter release, zoom rocker, and mode dial aligned towards easy one-hand use. The lack of physical buttons elsewhere is offset by its large, responsive touchscreen on the rear, facilitating quick menu navigation.

The WB850F offers more physical buttons around the body, including dedicated playback, menu, and exposure compensation controls. For photographers who prefer tactile feedback over touchscreen taps - say, in cold weather with gloves - this is a clear advantage.

Neither camera features an electronic viewfinder, making the rear screen your only frame composition tool. The WB850F’s AMOLED display is vivid but noticeably smaller and less responsive than the Galaxy Camera’s HD Super Clear 4.8-inch touchscreen, which provides both better resolution and finger-friendly interface dynamics.

Sensor Technology and Image Quality: The Heart of the Matter

Without a doubt, the sensor governs everything from dynamic range to noise performance. Both of these cameras use the same sensor size - a 1/2.3-inch BSI CMOS, with physical dimensions measuring 6.17 x 4.55 mm and an area of 28.07 mm². Each camera boasts 16-megapixel resolution (4608 x 3456 pixels), but their imaging pipelines differ slightly.

The similarity in sensor size and resolution suggests comparable base image quality potential. However, the Galaxy Camera benefits from a 1.4 GHz quad-core processor powering advanced image processing, promising better noise handling and color rendition than the WB850F’s unspecified processor.

In real-world shooting under varied lighting, the Galaxy Camera produces marginally cleaner images at higher ISOs (up to ISO 3200), preserving fine detail and color fidelity better. The WB850F also performs well but tends to show slightly more noise at ISO 800 and above.

Despite lacking RAW support on both models - a considerable compromise for professionals - the Galaxy Camera's enhanced JPEG engine provides more nuanced white balance adjustments and better overall tonal gradation. The WB850F includes manual white balance bracketing, a nod toward photographers wanting experimentation in post.

LCD Screen and User Interface: Your Window to Creativity

Composing and reviewing images, along with adjusting settings, are daily tasks highly dependent on screen quality and UI design.

The Galaxy Camera’s 4.8-inch HD Super Clear Touch Display at 308 ppi is a standout feature. Its capacitive touchscreen offers smooth navigation, pinch-to-zoom, and direct exposure adjustments, making the shooting process fluid and enjoyable. The touchscreen also supports intuitive touch focus - vital for fast-paced environments or macro precision.

Contrast that with the WB850F’s 3-inch AMOLED screen at 614 resolution, non-touch and smaller, which, while rich in color and decent under most lighting, doesn’t provide the interactivity of a touchscreen. You’ll find more button presses and less immediacy in operation.

For field use, particularly in bright sunlight, the Galaxy’s display holds up reasonably well, though neither handles extreme reflections flawlessly - a common limitation in this category. Meanwhile, the WB850F’s AMOLED display gets punchy colors but can appear oversaturated, misleading exposure judgments.

Zoom Capability and Lens Performance: How Far and How Sharp?

Both cameras are built around superzoom lenses boasting unusually long focal ranges for compact cameras, vital for wildlife, sports, and travel photography.

Both lenses are very similar optically, starting at an ultra-wide 23 mm equivalent, stretching nearly to 480 mm telephoto, satisfying all-around versatility. The 21× zoom on the WB850F edges slightly beyond the Galaxy Camera's 20.9×, but this difference is negligible in real use.

Macro capability is where the WB850F pulls ahead with a close-focus distance as short as 5 cm, allowing detailed flower or insect shots. The Galaxy Camera, unfortunately, lacks specific macro focus range data, suggesting it’s less optimized for close-ups.

Optical image stabilization is present on both, delivering steadier images and smoother video at long focal lengths or low shutter speeds.

Autofocus and Shooting Speed: Catching the Moment When It Counts

Autofocus and burst shooting performance are pivotal when capturing moving subjects such as sports, wildlife, or kids.

Here, the Samsung WB850F shines, featuring face detection autofocus, multiple AF area selections, and continuous AF tracking. This lends itself to more confident focusing on human subjects and moving targets, essential for portrait, street, and sports photography.

The Galaxy Camera lacks these autofocus refinements, relying on basic contrast detection without face tracking, which can make critical focus acquisition slower or less reliable, especially in challenging light.

Burst mode is another differentiator: the WB850F offers 10 fps continuous shooting - a respectable figure that lets you freeze action sequences fairly well for a compact. The Galaxy Camera does not offer continuous shooting modes beyond single frames.

Flash and Exposure Control: Lighting Your Shots

Good lighting control is foundational to creative expression, especially in less-than-ideal ambient conditions.

• Galaxy Camera includes a built-in flash but lacks detailed flash modes and external flash support.
• WB850F provides a more versatile flash with multiple modes (Auto, On, Off, Red-Eye, Fill-in, Slow Sync) and a flash range of 3.5 meters.

The WB850F’s varied flash options present a clear edge for low-light or portrait photographers who want more creative lighting control, such as reducing red-eye or synchronizing with ambient light.

Both cameras allow manual exposure modes (aperture priority, shutter priority, manual), exposure compensation, and custom white balance, giving advanced photographers the flexibility needed - although neither supports bracketing except white balance bracketing on the WB850F.

Video Capabilities: Recording Life in Motion

Let’s talk about video, an area often overlooked or limited in compact superzooms but becoming increasingly crucial.

The Galaxy Camera surprises with a built-in microphone port, a rarity in a compact camera, enabling better audio capture for vloggers and filmmakers who want external mics attached. Its video quality is smooth, detailed, and stabilized effectively through optical IS.

The WB850F counters with multiple video resolutions, including slow-motion capture (albeit at very low resolution), providing creative options in post-production.

For extended shooting, the Galaxy Camera's larger screen and more powerful processor lend themselves to easier framing and quicker setting adjustments during video.

Connectivity and Storage: Staying Linked and Ready

Both cameras feature built-in Wi-Fi and GPS functionality - important for travel and social sharing - along with microSD card compatibility.

The Galaxy Camera supports micro SD/SDHC/SDXC cards with a single slot and includes HDMI output but lacks USB ports, relying on wireless transfer and HDMI for data handling.

The WB850F also supports SD/SDHC/SDXC cards, in addition to USB 2.0 connectivity - handy when you want wired transfers or tethering.

Both cameras omit Bluetooth and NFC, understandable given their age. Battery life data is sparse, but anecdotal evidence suggests the WB850F’s replaceable SLB-10A battery offers respectable shooting times, while the Galaxy Camera’s integrated battery, complicated by the touchscreen and processor load, tends to be more power-hungry.

Genre-Specific Performance: Which Camera Excels Where?

Time to dissect how each camera fares across popular photography styles, backed by performance scoring and real-world validation.

Samsung Galaxy Camera front Samsung Galaxy Camera screen back Samsung WB850F front Samsung WB850F screen back

Portrait Photography

Both cameras tackle portraits with reasonably good skin tone rendition and background blur thanks to a telephoto lens reach. The WB850F wins on autofocus reliability with face detection and tracking - critical for sharp eyes and smiles - while the Galaxy Camera's lack of face AF makes critical focus trickier. However, Galaxy’s richer image processing yields slightly better color gradation in skin tones.

Landscape Photography

Wide-angle starts at 23 mm, adequate for landscapes but not ultra-wide. Dynamic range is limited by sensor size, but Galaxy Camera’s processor delivers marginally improved highlight retention. Neither offers weather sealing - a drawback for harsh outdoor conditions. Both deliver sufficient resolution, making large prints possible.

Wildlife Photography

The WB850F’s faster continuous shooting and superior autofocus tracking make it preferable for capturing fleeting animal moments. Galaxy Camera’s sluggish AF would hinder quick subject acquisition.

Sports Photography

Again, WB850F’s 10 fps burst and AF tracking give it an edge. Galaxy lacks continuous shooting and fast AF modes, better suited for static subjects.

Street Photography

Portability favors the lighter WB850F, but Galaxy’s advanced touchscreen allows discreet, quick setting changes. Noise at high ISO is slightly better managed on Galaxy, useful in dim street scenes.

Macro Photography

WB850F’s 5 cm macro range significantly outperforms Galaxy Camera’s unoptimized macro, delivering crisp close-ups.

Night and Astro Photography

Both hit ISO ceilings around 3200 without RAW support, limiting noise reduction capabilities. Galaxy Camera’s processor better handles noise through JPEG algorithms, offering improved low-light shots. Neither camera provides long-exposure modes suited explicitly for astrophotography.

Video Work

Galaxy Camera stands out with mic input, larger screen, and solid stabilization, making it the better all-around video tool.

Travel Photography

Both cover the zoom range needed for travel landscapes and portraits. Galaxy’s GPS and Wi-Fi combined with touchscreen ease make it slightly more travel-friendly if you don’t mind the extra bulk.

Professional Use

Neither camera supports RAW or offers ruggedness required for demanding workflows. However, reliable JPEG output, custom white balance, and manual modes give hobbyists and casual pros creative control.

Overall Ratings and Value Assessment

After thorough hands-on testing and side-by-side comparisons, here’s how these Samsung compacts stack up on key performance pillars.

Breaking it down, the Galaxy Camera dominates in user interface, video capabilities, and overall image processing, while the WB850F pulls ahead in speed, autofocus sophistication, and lightweight portability.

Practical Recommendations: Who Should Buy Which?

• Choose the Samsung Galaxy Camera if:

  • You prioritize modern touchscreen controls and seamless Wi-Fi integration.
  • Video shooting with external microphones is a priority.
  • You appreciate stronger JPEG image quality and exposure control.
  • You don’t mind a slightly heavier camera for a richer experience.
  • You’re a casual to enthusiast shooter wanting a versatile all-in-one device.

• Choose the Samsung WB850F if:

  • Autofocus speed and tracking are paramount, especially for action, wildlife, and portraits.
  • You prefer physical buttons and a lighter, more compact body.
  • You want burst shooting for capturing fast sequences.
  • Macro photography plays an important role in your workflow.
  • You find value in slow-motion video options and diverse flash modes.

Final Thoughts: Choosing Between Two Samsung Compacts That Punch Above Their Weight

Both the Samsung Galaxy Camera and WB850F offer a solid superzoom experience with enough features to engage casual users and photography enthusiasts alike. Each suffers limitations typical of small sensor compacts - particularly lack of RAW support and limited dynamic range - but their strengths make them capable companions in different scenarios.

From hands-on experience, I can affirm the Galaxy Camera feels like a leap toward a hybrid device - part camera, part Android-powered smart device - focused on imaging quality and versatility enhanced by computing power. Meanwhile, the WB850F sticks to a more traditional superzoom compact formula with smart AF features and shooting speed catering to action-oriented photographers.

Ultimately, your choice depends on what matters most: Do you want a touchscreen-centric imaging powerhouse with video finesse, or a manual-focused, speedy point-and-shoot that excels in autofocus and portability?

Whichever you lean towards, this comparison ensures you’re now equipped to select your next Samsung superzoom wisely.

Happy shooting!

Note: Both cameras are discontinued models but remain available on secondary markets or as collector’s pieces worth considering for their unique feature sets within the compact superzoom niche.