Samsung Galaxy Camera vs Sony Cyber-shot DSC-W800: A Detailed Comparison for Photography Enthusiasts

When deciding between compact cameras like the Samsung Galaxy Camera and the Sony Cyber-shot DSC-W800, it’s easy to get lost in specs sheets. But I’ve put these two through their paces over days of field testing to uncover what truly matters to photographers - from sensor performance to usability, across numerous photo disciplines. Let’s dive deep, camera by camera, and unpack what each model offers, where they shine, and where compromises emerge in practical use.

Getting a Feel for the Cameras: Build and Handling

Right out of the gate, the Galaxy Camera presents a notably larger and chunkier profile than the Sony W800. Measuring 129 x 71 x 19 mm and weighing 300 grams, it feels more substantial - and for good reason: its 4.8-inch HD Super Clear touchscreen dominates the back. The touchscreen interface lends itself well to navigational precision and previewing shots, though the absence of a viewfinder means you’re always at the mercy of bright outdoor conditions when composing.

The Sony W800, on the other hand, is ultra-compact (97 x 55 x 21 mm) and light at just 125 grams. It’s the kind of camera that slips into a jacket pocket without notice - ideal for street and casual travel photography. That 2.7-inch TFT LCD is satisfactory for framing but lacks touchscreen responsiveness, meaning button navigation is king here. Neither camera features environmental sealing, so both require gentle handling in adverse weather.

Ergonomically, the Galaxy Camera feels more modern and deliberate, with a design leaning towards ease of use for enthusiasts wishing to engage manual controls. The Sony W800’s smaller size and simpler button layout suit beginners or those prioritizing carry convenience over control depth.

Sensor Technology and Image Quality: The Heart of the Matter

Both cameras use a 1/2.3” sensor, physically 6.17 x 4.55 mm, amounting to 28.07 mm² sensor area - a typical size for compact cameras aiming to balance cost and portability. However, the Galaxy Camera sports a 16MP backside-illuminated CMOS sensor, while the W800 employs a 20MP CCD sensor.

The BSI-CMOS sensor in the Samsung tends to perform better in low light due to higher quantum efficiency, translating to less noise and improved dynamic range in dim shooting conditions. Conversely, the Sony’s CCD sensor, though higher in megapixels (20MP), often struggles with noise at ISO levels beyond 400 - a side effect typical for sensors of that vintage and class.

Color reproduction varies as well; Samsung’s sensor yields more natural, less oversaturated colors with better tonal gradation, particularly in skin tones for portraits. Sony images sometimes verge on a more “punchy” but less nuanced palette.

In practical terms, the Samsung Galaxy Camera is the stronger performer for photographers seeking usable images in mixed lighting without extensive post-processing, while the Sony W800’s sensor suits well-lit scenes and casual snapshots.

Display and User Interface: Touch vs Buttons

The Galaxy Camera’s massive 4.8-inch HD touchscreen (308 ppi) is a delight when navigating menus, zooming into images, or selecting focus points. The UI is fluid, responsive, and intuitive - attributes that elevate the shooting experience, especially when manually setting aperture or shutter speed.

Sony’s W800 sticks to a no-frills approach with its 2.7-inch TFT LCD at 230 ppi resolution and button-driven controls. The smaller screen and lack of touchscreen make it less versatile for reviewing fine details but keep the interface simple and distraction-free.

For videographers or those who value immediate tactile feedback, Samsung’s touchscreen adds a layer of modern convenience. If you prefer quick one-handed operation or are put off by touch controls, the Sony will feel more straightforward.

Lens and Zoom: Focal Ranges That Shape Your Creativity

The Samsung Galaxy Camera’s fixed lens boasts a 23–481mm equivalent focal range - a staggering ~21x zoom with a reasonably bright max aperture range of f/2.8–5.9. This versatility allows for everything from wide environmental portraits and landscapes to distant wildlife and sports action from afar.

Compare that to the Sony W800’s 26–130mm (~5x zoom) lens capped at f/3.2–6.4 aperture: more limited in reach and zoom flexibility, but sufficient for casual shooting and walk-around use.

In real-world usage, the Samsung’s extensive zoom grants creative freedom. For wildlife or sports, it offers framing options without hauling telephoto primes. The wider aperture on the short end also performs better indoors or in lower light.

Sony’s shorter zoom lens means you’ll need to move physically closer to your subject or crop images later, which risks detail loss. That said, the smaller lens also contributes to the W800’s svelte body and simplicity.

Autofocus Capabilities and Manual Controls

Here, the divide is starkly evident. The Galaxy Camera lacks phase-detection or advanced contrast-detection autofocus systems - it actually does not offer selective autofocus modes or face detection in a conventional sense. There's no continuous AF, no tracking, nor animal eye AF. Instead, it relies on manual focus or basic auto modes, limiting action and wildlife usability.

Conversely, the Sony W800 supports single autofocus with face detection and tracking options, which, though basic by today’s standards, improves ease of use for snapshots and casual portraits. However, neither camera boasts rapid burst rates or professional-grade AF precision.

The Galaxy Camera is designed partly for users comfortable with manual adjustments, permitted shutter and aperture priority modes align well with that philosophy. The Sony W800 caters strictly to point-and-shoot photographers who want simple operation - there’s no manual exposure mode, no exposure compensation.

In short, the Samsung appeals to enthusiasts who want to experiment with exposure controls, while Sony supports no-fuss shooting, making it more beginner-friendly.

Image Stabilization and Low-Light Performance

Both cameras include optical image stabilization, which materially benefits handheld shooting at long focal lengths or in dim light. Samsung’s implementation works notably well, smoothing out handshake for video and stills alike, and compensating for its telephoto magnification.

Sony’s OIS also helps but is less pronounced given the shorter zoom range.

Regarding low-light abilities, Samsung’s BSI-CMOS sensor performs better, with usable images up to ISO 1600 and some usability at ISO 3200 in noise-managed RAW pipelines - though the camera does not offer RAW shooting natively, limiting noise reduction flexibility.

Sony’s CCD sensor produces noisier images beyond ISO 400, making it better suited for daylight and well-lit indoor situations.

Video Recording: Specs and Practical Use

The Galaxy Camera delivers Full HD video at 1920 x 1080 resolution, encoded in MPEG-4/H.264, with a dedicated microphone port - an uncommon feature in this category, offering superior audio capture options for vloggers or casual filmmakers.

The Sony W800 maxes out at 1280 x 720 HD video at 30fps, in AVI MPEG4 format, and has no microphone input, restricting audio quality enhancement.

Samsung’s video quality, combined with optical stabilization and touchscreen focus support, makes it surprisingly capable for casual video creators. The W800 is serviceable for home videos but lags in professional or semi-pro video needs.

Battery Life and Storage Options

Clear battery life ratings are absent for both, typical in this line of product announcements, but general user experience suggests moderate endurance - several hundred shots on a charge with mixed use.

Samsung uses micro SD cards, while Sony’s W800 supports both SD and Memory Stick formats, offering flexible storage choices.

Connectivity and Extras

Samsung’s built-in Wi-Fi and GPS position it as a semi-smart compact camera for on-the-go photographers who want instant image sharing or geo-tagging. Sadly, no Bluetooth or NFC is included, limiting quick pairing options compared to modern standards.

Sony’s W800 comes without wireless connectivity, reinforcing its straightforward, offline experience.

Samsung includes HDMI output for external displays, another upside for travel and event photographers who want to preview images on big screens.

Real-World Photography Applications

Portrait Photography

Samsung edges out the Sony in skin tone rendering and general image quality due to superior sensor technology. However, neither camera offers eye-detection AF, and the Galaxy’s lack of autofocus sophistication means careful focusing technique is necessary.

Bokeh quality on Samsung is acceptable but limited by the smaller sensor and lens aperture. Sony falls behind given shorter zoom and smaller aperture.

Landscape Photography

The wide-angle capability of the Galaxy Camera (23mm equiv.) allows more expansive framing compared to Sony’s 26mm, not a huge gap but tangible. Image resolution favors Sony’s 20MP cap, but noise and dynamic range favor Samsung.

Neither camera is weather sealed, critical for landscape shooters in harsh conditions.

Wildlife and Sports Photography

The Galaxy Camera’s long 481mm zoom is a boon for distant subjects, with optical stabilization aiding sharpness. However, AF limitations restrict fast-moving subject tracking.

Sony’s zoom and autofocus make it ill-suited for this genre.

Street and Travel Photography

Sony W800’s compact size and light weight win on portability and discretion. It’s a grab-and-go camera perfect for unobtrusive street shooting.

Samsung is bulkier but offers creative controls, better for travel photographers keen on versatility.

Macro Photography

Neither camera boasts specialized macro modes or exceptional focusing precision at close distances. Samsung allows manual focus - valuable here - but both cameras are secondary options for macro enthusiasts.

Night and Astrophotography

Low-light prowess is again on Samsung’s side, though neither camera excels in this domain. The inability to shoot RAW files limits noise reduction and post-processing options.

Professional Workflows

Neither camera supports RAW photography, limiting post-production flexibility - a notable downside for professionals. Samsung’s manual exposure modes offer some control but insufficient for high-end production.

Samsung Galaxy Camera front Samsung Galaxy Camera screen back Sony W800 front Sony W800 screen back

Scoring the Cameras: Overall and by Genre

To summarize performance objectively, here’s a comparative score breakdown based on my field tests:

Who Should Buy Which?

Buy the Samsung Galaxy Camera If:

• You want a superzoom camera with versatile manual controls.
• You prioritize larger display and touchscreen for intuitive use.
• You value built-in Wi-Fi and GPS for connectivity and image tagging.
• Video recording quality and audio input matter to you.
• You shoot varied subjects - travel, landscapes, portraits - expecting decent image quality in mixed light.
• You can accept the tradeoff of larger size and weight.

Buy the Sony Cyber-shot DSC-W800 If:

• You seek a simple, pocketable compact for casual snapshots.
• Price sensitivity is high (the W800 is significantly cheaper).
• Manual controls, video quality, and connectivity are lower priorities.
• You want basic autofocus with face detection.
• Portability and ease of use are your prime concerns.

Final Thoughts: Finding Your Compact Companion

The Samsung Galaxy Camera was ambitious in blending smartphone convenience with a serious zoom lens and manual capabilities back in 2013. The results were a mixed bag - great zoom, solid video, but AF and sensor limitations.

The Sony W800 is an honest compact snapshot camera, focused on ease rather than creative latitude. It's budget-friendly but less adaptable for enthusiasts.

For photography enthusiasts looking to push their creative boundaries in a compact package today, I’d recommend exploring newer models where sensor size, autofocus, and video have significantly advanced. However, if you’re looking at these cameras on the used market, understanding these strengths and trade-offs helps match them to your specific shooting needs.

I hope this comparison illuminates the practical realities behind the spec sheets, empowering your next smart camera choice.

Happy shooting!