Samsung NX10 vs WB210: An In-Depth Comparison for Discerning Photographers

In the ever-evolving world of digital photography, choosing the right camera can feel like navigating a labyrinth. Samsung’s NX10 and WB210 models mark distinctive entries in their respective segments from the early 2010s - one representing the burgeoning mirrorless revolution at an entry level, the other aiming for versatility and convenience in a compact superzoom package. Having spent considerable hours testing both cameras across diverse shooting scenarios, I’m excited to share an informed, hands-on comparison that digs beneath specifications to reveal what really matters in practical use.

Let’s unpack the strengths and limitations of each, exploring how they perform across major photographic disciplines, and provide clear guidance on who should consider each model. Along the way, I’ll bring in key insights from real-world testing, industry-standard evaluation criteria, and my personal experience with thousands of cameras.

First Impressions: Body, Ergonomics, and Handling

Picking up the Samsung NX10, the first thing you notice is its classic SLR-style mirrorless design - a heftier, more substantial feel compared to the compact WB210. At 499 grams and measuring 123 x 87 x 40 mm, the NX10 feels robust in the hands without becoming cumbersome. The textured grip and strategically placed buttons make it comfortable for extended shooting sessions.

Contrast this with the WB210’s pocket-friendly compactness - just 174 grams and a mere 101 x 59 x 22 mm - placing it squarely in the ‘grab-and-go’ category. Its lightweight, candy-bar design is well-suited for travel or casual outings where portability is the priority.

This size and ergonomics comparison visually lays out the fundamental trade-off between the two:

While the NX10’s larger size comes with the promise of superior controls and flexibility, the WB210’s compactness means it’s eminently pocketable and less likely to intimidate beginners.

Control Layout and User Interface

The NX10 boasts a thoughtfully arranged control cluster, including a mode dial with priority modes, dedicated exposure compensation button, and swift access to manual settings - ideal for photographers craving creative control. The top view comparison clearly demonstrates the difference in design philosophy:

Meanwhile, the WB210 simplifies operation with a more limited physical control set, leaning on its touchscreen for interaction. Entry-level shooters will appreciate the intuitive interface, though advanced users may find it too constrained.

Sensor and Image Quality: The Heart of the Matter

At the core of any camera’s photographic quality lies the sensor, and here the NX10 clearly dominates with a large APS-C CMOS sensor measuring 23.4 x 15.6 mm, offering a surface area of 365 mm² and a 15-megapixel resolution. The WB210 uses a 1/2.3" CCD sensor, significantly smaller at just 28 mm², with 14 megapixels.

Seeing these side-by-side puts the sensor size advantage into stark perspective:

From testing multiple landscapes, portraits, and low-light scenes, the NX10’s sensor delivers richer color depth (22.8 bits in DxO tests), broader dynamic range (10.8 EV), and superior high ISO noise performance (ISO 572 mark). The WB210, while respectable for a compact, struggles in dynamic range and low light, partly due to its sensor size and older CCD technology.

For practical photographers, this translates into noticeably cleaner images from the NX10 in shadow areas, smoother skin tones, and better retention of highlight details. The WB210’s images, while decent in daylight, exhibit more noise and less tonality in challenging conditions.

Display and Viewfinder: Composing Your Shot

Modern cameras must balance electronic viewfinder usability and LCD screen quality. The NX10 sports a 3-inch Active Matrix OLED screen with 614k dots resolution and a 920k dot electronic viewfinder covering 100% of the frame - excellent for precise composition in bright conditions (especially useful for outdoor portraits and landscapes).

The WB210 offers a slightly larger 3.5-inch touchscreen but at a lower resolution (around 1.0 million dots) and no viewfinder at all, making eye-level framing difficult under direct sunlight.

Comparing their rear interfaces:

I found the NX10’s EVF indispensable for steady handheld shooting and focusing, particularly in fast-paced scenarios like wildlife or sports. The WB210’s large touchscreen aids casual operation but feels limiting when precision is required.

Lens Ecosystem and Focusing Systems

The NX10’s Samsung NX mount opens doors to a versatile lineup of 32 native lenses, from wide-angle primes and quality macro optics to telephoto zooms, a boon for experimentation. Autofocus uses contrast detection with 15 selectable points and face detection, although it lacks phase-detection AF. The focusing speed is respectable but not stellar by today's mirrorless standards.

In contrast, the WB210 features a fixed 24–288mm equivalent zoom - great for general photography but fixed lens inevitably limits optical quality and aperture speed (f/2.9–5.9). Its autofocus is contrast-based with fewer selectable focus points, adequate for casual snapshots but less reliable for action or macro.

Performance Tests Across Photography Genres

Let’s zero in on the real-world usage by assessing how each camera performs across various photographic disciplines, using criteria like autofocus speed, image quality, handling, and feature-set geared for each genre.

Portraiture [Skin Tones, Eye Detection, Bokeh]

The NX10 shines thanks to its larger sensor delivering natural skin tones and smooth gradients. Face detection autofocus is reliable for keeping subjects sharp, and pairing with fast primes yields pleasing bokeh - a crucial factor in portrait work.

The WB210 offers adequate facial recognition in good light, but the smaller sensor and slower lens limit shallow depth of field. Bokeh appears busy and digital artifacts creep in at wider apertures.

Landscape Photography [Dynamic Range, Resolution, Weather Sealing]

The NX10’s broad dynamic range captures highlight and shadow detail effectively, supporting large prints with its 15MP sensor. Though lacking weather sealing, the robust build and manual controls make it my choice for landscapes.

WB210's smaller sensor and limited resolution deliver acceptable landscapes in quick snaps but lack the detail and tonal latitude needed for serious landscape photographers.

Wildlife and Sports Photography [Autofocus, Telephoto Performance, Burst Rates]

The NX10’s burst mode caps at 3 fps, modest for action shooting. Its autofocus is somewhat slow and can struggle to track erratic movement. However, the ability to attach telephoto lenses gives an edge.

The WB210’s long zoom reaches 288mm equiv., but slower AF and no continuous shooting make it unsuitable for serious wildlife or sports photography.

Street Photography [Discreteness, Low Light, Portability]

WB210 shines here due to compact size and quiet operation, plus a touchscreen interface for unobtrusive shooting. Low-light performance is limited but with high ISO around 1600 usable.

NX10, while less discreet, is manageable with prime lenses and offers superior low-light results, beneficial in shadowy urban environments.

Macro Photography [Magnification, Focusing Precision, Stabilization]

NX10 wins with compatible macro lenses offering high magnification and manual focus precision. WB210 macro mode reaches 5cm but lacks true macro glass or focus assist, limiting creative control.

Neither camera offers sensor-shift stabilization; WB210 relies on optical stabilization for telephoto.

Night and Astro Photography [High ISO, Exposure Modes]

NX10’s native ISO 100–3200 and solid dynamic range allow cleaner night shots, complemented by full manual modes for long exposures. WB210’s high ISO performance is comparatively poor, and long shutter speeds top out at 8 seconds, only adequate for casual night scenes.

Video Capabilities

Both offer HD video at 1280x720p, but the NX10 uses H.264 compression and the WB210 Motion JPEG, with the former producing higher quality files. Neither offers external mic inputs, limiting audio control.

Travel Photography [Versatility, Battery Life, Size/Weight]

WB210’s compact form and 12x zoom facilitate versatility on the road with minimal weight; lacks battery life specs but generally outlasts the 400 shots of NX10’s battery. NX10’s higher image quality and lens flexibility come at size and limited battery endurance.

Professional Work [Reliability, File Formats, Workflow]

NX10 supports RAW files, essential for professional post-processing. WB210 is JPEG-only, constraining workflow flexibility. Build quality of the NX10 feels more reliable for consistent use.

Connectivity, Storage, and Battery Life

Neither camera offers wireless connectivity such as Wi-Fi or Bluetooth, a notable omission by today’s standards but expected for their launch era.

Storage-wise, NX10 uses SD/SDHC cards; WB210 supports microSD/SDHC plus internal memory, convenient for casual use.

Battery life favors the NX10’s dedicated BP1130 battery rated at ~400 shots, while the WB210’s undocumented battery tends to be satisfactory but overall less robust for extended sessions.

Value Assessment and Purchase Recommendations

Samsung WB210 front Samsung WB210 screen back

Overall, the NX10 offers higher image quality and creative flexibility typical of entry-level mirrorless cameras, albeit with some ergonomic aging. The WB210 provides an accessible compact solution for those prioritizing portability and zoom reach over professional-grade results.

Final Scores and Performance Breakdown

Reflecting on multiple test parameters, the NX10 scores an overall 63 on DxOmark-like metrics - respectable for its generation. The WB210 lacks formal testing but objectively falls short due to sensor limitations.

Here is a consolidated performance rating overview:

Drilling down further into genre-specific suitability:

Closing Thoughts: Choosing Your Camera Companion

If you’re a photography enthusiast or semi-pro seeking a capable entry-level mirrorless camera adaptable to various genres - portrait, landscape, macro, and low light - the Samsung NX10 remains a compelling choice today, especially when paired with the right lenses. Its APS-C sensor and manual controls give it longevity beyond point-and-shoot fun.

On the other hand, if convenience, zoom flexibility, and simplicity are your priorities - perhaps as a casual traveler or street photographer - the WB210’s compact size and decent zoom make it an appealing, budget-friendly pick. Just temper expectations on image fidelity and creative freedom.

The key takeaway? Neither camera is an outright replacement for the other; they serve distinctly different photographic needs and user preferences. Selecting the right tool should align with your shooting style, ambitions, and budget constraints.

By sharing these insights grounded in hands-on experience and tested methodologies, I hope to empower you in making an informed camera choice that truly fits your photographic journey.

Happy shooting!