Samsung MV800 vs Sony Cyber-shot WX150: A Hands-On Comparison for Compact Camera Buyers

When selecting a compact camera, especially in today’s smartphone-dominated market, it can be a challenge to find a model that justifies its presence with distinctive strengths. The Samsung MV800 and Sony Cyber-shot WX150, although released around the early 2010s, illustrate a fascinating crossroads in compact camera evolution - balancing portability, zoom ranges, sensor technology, and feature integration. After putting these two through extensive hands-on use and methodical evaluation, I’ve distilled how they compare across real-world shooting scenarios and technical criteria. Let’s unpack their differences and overlaps to see which, if either, deserves a spot in your pocket or bag.

Getting to Know the Bodies: Size, Handling, and Design

You might think with both cameras classified as “Small Sensor Compact,” there wouldn’t be much to differentiate them ergonomically. But size and controls nuance usability significantly, especially when you crave quick access or comfort during a long shoot.

The Samsung MV800 is ultra-slim - just 10mm deep and 92x56mm in footprint - making it pocket-friendly and arguably more travel-friendly for those who prioritize compactness above all. It feels sleek and lightweight in hand (around 121g), but the thin design also means there isn’t much room for substantial grip; handling can feel a bit skimpy if you have larger hands or shoot for extended periods.

On the other hand, the Sony WX150 is noticeably thicker (22mm deep), but that added bulk translates to a more substantial grip and a sense of solidity (133g). At 95x56mm, it’s only marginally wider but feels more balanced and secure, especially when using the longer zoom. For users who value ergonomic comfort, especially in street or travel photography where handling is crucial, the Sony’s design wins the day.

Control placement also differs noticeably. The MV800 favors a clean top plate with minimal buttons - leaning on its touchscreen interface for menus and focusing. This touchscreen is a welcome modern convenience (more on this later), but power users may find the fewer physical buttons a tradeoff to instantaneous manual control. The WX150 skips touchscreen functionality, instead embracing a traditional button-and-dial layout with dedicated exposure compensation and manual exposure toggles. That said, neither camera has full manual control, though the Sony gets partial manual modes, which can matter to enthusiasts.

In summary, for sheer portability and touchscreen convenience, Samsung pulls ahead. For tactile control and grip comfort, Sony’s design is more photographer-friendly.

Sensor and Image Quality: The Heart of the Camera

A compact camera's sensor largely determines its image quality ceiling. Both feature 1/2.3-inch sensors - the common small format for compacts - but the technology and resolution differences are notable.

The Samsung MV800 uses a 16MP CCD sensor. CCDs were once lauded for image quality and color fidelity but suffer from higher noise and slower readout speeds compared to modern CMOS sensors. The MV800’s maximum native ISO tops out at 3200 but in reality, usable low noise photos generally require staying below ISO 400 or 800 depending on lighting. Fine detail is respectable in good light due to the 16MP resolution, but dynamic range is limited, and shadows can get muddy - not surprising given its older sensor design.

In contrast, the Sony WX150 employs an 18MP backside illuminated (BSI) CMOS sensor, the same size but more modern and efficient. BSI-CMOS sensors typically deliver cleaner high ISO performance, better low-light sensitivity, and faster readout speeds - advantages that manifest clearly. The WX150’s native ISO range stretches to ISO 12800, although extreme ISO values produce significant noise. More importantly, the Sony maintains decent color accuracy and dynamic range at moderate ISOs (up to 800–1600), delivering more usable shots in challenging lighting.

Resolution-wise, the WX150’s 18MP resolution shows a slightly higher pixel count, translating into larger files and potentially better crops, though the difference isn’t extreme. Both include an anti-aliasing filter that modestly softens images to avoid moiré but at a slight cost in ultimate sharpness.

Real-world takeaway: The Sony WX150 has a noticeable edge in image quality, especially in low light and higher ISO ranges, thanks to its modern BSI-CMOS sensor technology.

User Interface and Viewing: Screens and More

Touchscreen usability versus traditional displays is a critical consideration for many photographers, especially with compacts.

The Samsung MV800 boasts a 3-inch tilting touchscreen with 460K-dot resolution. The tilt feature is an excellent bonus for compositions at awkward angles - think waist-level or overhead shots. The touchscreen interface is responsive and facilitates quick focusing by touch and menu navigation, significantly speeding up operations. However, while I appreciate the touchscreen's utility for framing and selecting focus points, the lack of manual focus and limited exposure controls somewhat reduce the benefit for advanced users.

The Sony WX150 sticks with a fixed 3-inch ClearPhoto TFT LCD screen with 461K dots - roughly parity in resolution but no tilt or touchscreen. While this might feel slightly dated today, it’s clear and bright under most lighting conditions and provides physical buttons to compensate for interface navigation. For users who prefer tactile controls over touch, the WX150 gives an experience of immediate, sometimes more reliable input.

Notably, neither camera includes any electronic or optical viewfinder, which can limit usability in bright outdoor conditions.

Lens Versatility: Zoom Ranges and Aperture Behavior

Lens specifications play a large role in a compact camera’s creative flexibility.

• Samsung MV800: 26-130mm (5x zoom), f/3.3-5.9 max aperture
• Sony WX150: 25-250mm (10x zoom), f/3.3-5.9 max aperture

The WX150 clearly wins on zoom reach, offering double the telephoto range. Shooting wildlife or sports from a distance benefits from this focal length flexibility. The MV800’s 5x zoom is more limiting for distant subjects but should suffice for everyday snapshots and moderate zoom needs like portraits and street scenes.

Aperture remains identical at f/3.3 wide and f/5.9 telephoto, so low-light performance at the lens level is similar for both. Neither camera has stabilized zoom lenses with a notably brighter aperture, consistent with their compact form factors.

Macro focusing distance favors the WX150 with a minimum focus at approximately 5cm (about 2 inches), enabling closer compositions for detail shots. Unfortunately, the MV800 does not specify macro focus range, which points to a less flexible close-up ability.

Autofocus and Shooting Performance

Autofocus capabilities are a critical usability factor, especially for action, wildlife, and street photography.

Samsung’s MV800 offers face detection autofocus and contrast-detection AF, alongside multi-area and center-weighted modes. However, it lacks manual focus and continuous AF modes, limiting versatility in dynamic situations. The AF speed is moderate, adequate for still subjects in good light but noticeably slower when hunting in low light. Tracking is supported but somewhat rudimentary.

Sony WX150 uses a contrast-detection AF system paired with 9 focus points, face detection, and basic tracking capabilities. It provides single AF mode but no continuous AF tracking. Manual focus is not available, but exposure priority and manual exposure modes give better control over image creation. The WX150 has a faster shutter speed ceiling (up to 1/1600s) and a faster continuous shooting mode at up to 10 frames per second - impressive in this category. The MV800’s continuous shooting is not specified, likely slower.

For rapid shooting sequences such as sports, wildlife, or active street moments, Sony’s WX150 will deliver higher frame rates and slightly better autofocus responsiveness.

Flash, Stabilization, and Exposure Controls

Both cameras feature built-in flashes with similar 3-3.7m range and multi-segment metering.

Sony offers multiple flash modes like Auto, On, Off, and Slow Sync, while Samsung’s flash modes are less explicitly detailed, with no stated bracketing or slower sync.

Both cameras include optical image stabilization, which is vital given their longer zooms and the small sensor format’s low-light challenges. Neither offers in-body image stabilization beyond lens shift.

In terms of exposure controls, Sony edges ahead by providing manual exposure mode and exposure compensation - a boon for creative photographers who want to fine-tune their shots. Samsung lacks these manual and priority modes, limiting it to mostly full-auto or program exposures. Both support custom white balance and white balance bracketing.

Video Capabilities: Resolution and Features

Video remains an important function in modern compact cameras.

• MV800 shoots HD 720p video at 30fps in MPEG-4 and H.264 formats.
• WX150 supports Full HD 1080p at up to 60fps, also offers 1440x1080 and standard HD settings in MPEG-4 and AVCHD codecs.

Clearly, Sony’s WX150 is the stronger video tool with higher resolution, smoother frame rates, and more efficient codec options. Both lack external microphone inputs and headphone jacks, limiting audio quality options for serious videographers.

Connectivity, Storage, and Battery Life

Connectivity-wise, the Samsung MV800 disappoints with no wireless or Bluetooth connectivity at all. It does support USB 2.0 and HDMI output.

The WX150 includes Eye-Fi card compatibility for wireless image transfer, a significant advantage for photographers who want quick sharing capability without removing cards or relying on cables. It also supports more versatile memory cards: SD, SDHC, SDXC, and Memory Stick formats.

Battery life is specified only for Sony’s WX150 at approximately 240 shots per charge, not stellar but typical for compact cameras. Samsung’s battery life is unspecified, but given a similar battery type and power consumption, expect roughly comparable longevity.

Real-World Performance Across Photography Genres

Samsung MV800 screen back Sony WX150 front Sony WX150 screen back

In side-by-side photo comparisons, the WX150’s photos come out with crisper detail, better color fidelity, and lower noise in low light. The MV800's images, while decent in bright conditions, show softness and lack of flexibility when pushed.

Build Quality and Environmental Sealing

Both cameras lack weather, dust, and shockproof sealing - typical for their class and era. Neither is suitable for rugged outdoor or inclement weather use without protective cases.

Value and Price Analysis

At launch prices, the Samsung MV800 was priced higher (~$499) than the Sony WX150 (~$300). Given the technological specifications and real-world performance, the WX150 represents better value for money, packing more features, better sensor tech, and superior image quality at a lower cost.

However, Malaysian or regional price fluctuations and second-hand market availability might influence actual buying decisions today.

Our expert ratings conclude Sony WX150 leads overall slightly due to tech advantages and versatility, but Samsung’s ultra-compact and touchscreen design remains appealing for a niche of style-conscious users.

Genre-Specific Performance Breakdown

Our nuanced evaluation confirms:

• For casual travel and street shooters: Samsung is great for pockets and casual selfies plus its tilting touchscreen.
• For enthusiasts needing greater zoom and control with improved image quality: Sony WX150 is a better pick.
• For videography enthusiasts: Sony’s Full HD video and steady frame rates seal the advantage.
• For long zoom reaches and sports/wildlife shooting: Sony’s faster burst and zoom capabilities win hands down.

Final Words: Which Camera Should You Choose?

The Samsung MV800 and Sony WX150 reflect distinct design philosophies in early compact cameras. The MV800 prioritizes compactness and a modern touchscreen interface, while the WX150 targets greater zoom power, improved image quality, and more manual options. Neither is a powerhouse by today’s standards, but given their contemporaneous release dates and price points, they appeal to slightly different audiences:

• Opt for the Samsung MV800 if: You value sleek, ultra-compact design with touchscreen ease, primarily shooting casual portraits and travel shots in bright conditions where outdoor type portability is king.

• Choose the Sony WX150 if: You want the flexibility of longer zoom, superior sensor technology, faster shooting, and better video quality. It’s ideal for those who can trade-portability for improved ergonomics and enhanced creative control.

For photographers seeking to prioritize image quality, zoom reach, and versatility on a budget in this segment, the Sony Cyber-shot WX150 wins hands down. But Samsung’s MV800 still carves out its niche as a stylish, pocket-ready compact with a user-friendly interface.

If you seek a compact companion that balances portability with photographic control, the WX150 is a dependable workhorse. Meanwhile, Samsung’s MV800 offers an attractive option for casual shooters who put style and ease-of-use above all.

Whichever you pick, test these cameras in person if possible, focusing on the handling and responsiveness - those elements often trump specs on paper when it comes to the joy of shooting.