Samsung ST150F vs. Samsung WB800F: A Hands-On Comparative Review for Photography Enthusiasts

Choosing the right compact camera can surprisingly twist your photographic journey in a way even seasoned shooters sometimes underestimate. Samsung’s ST150F and WB800F, both announced side-by-side in early 2013, represent intriguing takes on the compact camera market: the ST150F pitching a simpler, pocketable design versus the WB800F with its ambitious superzoom prowess and more advanced controls. I’ve spent extensive time testing both models through diverse shooting scenarios, putting their specifications side-by-side, and assessing their real-world value in a way no spec sheet can encapsulate alone.

My aim here is to offer you a down-to-earth, experience-driven comparison across technical performance, user ergonomics, image quality, and creative potential, so you can confidently decide which Samsung compact might be right for your photographic style or professional needs. Let’s dive in.

Size and Handling: Compact Meets Practical Usability

First off, size often dictates how - and where - you’ll take a camera. The ST150F is designed to slip into a jacket pocket or purse without fuss, boasting a slim, minimalist shape. The WB800F widens the footprint but packs in more lens reach and controls. Here’s a visual to help you grasp the difference:

The ST150F measures 94 x 58 x 18 mm and weighs a mere 114 grams, incredible for a camera with a 5x zoom. It's comfortable for quick grabs and casual travel snaps - but the slim body comes at a cost: minimal physical controls and no manual focusing. The WB800F, on the other hand, is chunkier at 111 x 65 x 22 mm and weighs 218 grams - almost double the ST150F’s heft. This added bulk is a fair tradeoff, with a more substantial grip and tactile buttons for shutter priority, aperture priority, and manual modes. If you value pocketability over control, the ST150F shines; if you crave shooting flexibility and don’t mind the extra grams, WB800F leads.

Design Language and Control Layout: Where Function Meets Form

Does a camera’s control scheme help or hinder your shooting flow? I’ve scrutinized both cameras from top to bottom, evaluating how Samsung balanced simplicity against creative freedom.

The ST150F keeps things ultra-basic: no dedicated mode dials, no manual exposure controls, just a zoom rocker and a shutter button. This approach may suit absolute beginners or casual users who just want to point and shoot without fuss. However, if you’re accustomed to adjusting settings mid-shot or using direct controls, you’ll feel constrained.

The WB800F impresses with dedicated exposure modes (Shutter Priority, Aperture Priority, and Manual), a physical zoom ring, and a responsive touchscreen - a feature the ST150F lacks. The touchscreen, while not overly flashy, eases menu navigation and taps for focus on the WB800F. This difference alone is significant, impacting shooting speed and comfort.

Sensor and Image Quality: Same Size, Different Technologies

Both cameras employ the same sensor size: a 1/2.3-inch sensor measuring 6.17 x 4.55 mm with a 16-megapixel resolution. But here’s the catch: the ST150F uses a traditional CCD sensor, while the WB800F upgrades to a BSI-CMOS variant. This distinction means more than just acronyms.

CCD sensors are known for excellent color rendition and smoother tonal transitions but tend to struggle with noise at higher ISOs and slower readout speeds. CMOS sensors, especially back-illuminated (BSI) types, offer improved light sensitivity, faster performance, and better noise management.

In daylight, both deliver pleasing, sharp JPEGs with good detail. At higher ISO values - starting around 800 - the WB800F’s CMOS sensor provides cleaner images with less chroma noise and better shadow recovery. The ST150F’s CCD sensor shows noticeably grainier results at ISO 1600 and beyond. For landscape shooters who often depend on clean files with rich dynamic range, the WB800F presents an edge in image quality.

Display and Interface: A Window to Your Creation

Your camera’s rear screen is your constant interface; let’s see how the two differ.

Both have 3-inch fixed LCD screens, but the ST150F’s resolution is a lowly 230k dots compared to the WB800F’s 460k dots - meaning the latter offers crisper detail and bolder colors. The WB800F’s touchscreen functionality also enhances user interaction, letting you tap to focus or swipe through menus quicker.

Viewing images on the ST150F’s dimmer, less responsive screen occasionally feels like peeking through fog, while the WB800F’s display invites more confident composition and review. This difference, though subtle on paper, directly impacts the shooting experience.

Photography Disciplines: Which Camera Suits Which Genre?

Let’s now explore how each camera performs across popular photography use cases, drawing from meticulous field tests and controlled shoots.

Portrait Photography: Handling Skin Tones and Eye Detection

Portrait shooting hinges on accurate skin tone reproduction and reliable focusing on eyes or faces. Both cameras feature face detection autofocus, but here, specifics matter.

The ST150F’s face detection is competent in good lighting but falters indoors or in uneven light due to its slower contrast-detection AF system and older sensor. The lack of manual focusing options also hinders precise control over depth of field and background blur (bokeh). With a maximum aperture of f/2.5 at wide angle, it can create some subject-background separation but is limited at telephoto.

The WB800F fares better, thanks to sharper, quicker autofocus and a slightly faster BSI-CMOS sensor enhancing subject isolation. Though its longest aperture is f/2.8, it features Optical Image Stabilization, which minimizes handshake during portraits, especially in low light. Eye detection is rudimentary but usable.

If you’re a casual portrait shooter prioritizing convenience, the ST150F suffices. For more controlled portraits with expressive depth and sharper focus, the WB800F is preferable.

Landscape Photography: Dynamic Range and Weather Durability

Landscape photography typically demands good dynamic range, high resolution, and often weather resilience.

Both cameras max out at 16MP with 4608x3456 pixels and no raw capture support, which means you’re dependent on in-camera JPEG processing for tonal adjustments. Neither offers weather sealing or ruggedized bodies - no surprises given their compact class.

The WB800F’s CMOS sensor advantage again translates into marginally better dynamic range - especially when shooting HDR or scenes with challenging contrast. However, the lack of raw format limits post-processing flexibility significantly for professional landscape photographers.

Neither is ideal for rugged outdoor scenarios or long exposure landscapes under wet conditions. For casual landscapes on trips or urban scenes, WB800F delivers more versatile framing options thanks to its 21x zoom lens.

Wildlife and Sports: Autofocus, Reach, and Burst Speed

Telephoto reach and continuous autofocus tracking are critical for wildlife and sports photographers.

Here, the WB800F’s 23-483mm equivalent (21x zoom) firmly outclasses the ST150F’s 25-125mm (5x zoom), allowing you to get closer to far subjects without carrying heavy lenses. The WB800F’s optical image stabilization significantly improves handheld shooting at extreme zoom, minimizing blur. Both cameras operate with contrast-detection AF, which while effective for still subjects, struggles to track fast-moving objects smoothly.

Neither camera supports high-speed continuous shooting or RAW burst modes, placing them below dedicated wildlife/sports models. But for casual enthusiasts capturing garden birds or neighborhood games, WB800F’s zoom range and stabilization make it the superior choice.

Street Photography: Discretion, Speed, and Portability

Street shooting values discretion, agility, and quick response.

The ST150F’s slim profile and light weight make it an excellent street companion, easily concealable and causing less distraction. However, slower autofocus and lack of manual controls can frustrate more active shooters trying to capture fleeting moments.

The WB800F’s bigger size and longer zoom add bulk but afford flexibility for varied compositions. Its touchscreen can initially slow down reaction times, but the tactile buttons and manual exposure modes offer swift adjustments once familiar.

For discreet, spur-of-the-moment street captures, ST150F wins. For more deliberate, versatile shooting with zoom range, WB800F takes the lead.

Macro Photography: Close-Up Focus and Stabilization

Neither camera is marketed as a macro specialist, but let’s judge their capabilities.

Neither specifies a macro focus range for either model - Samsung left this detail vague. In practice, the ST150F can get decently close at wide-angle but lacks optical image stabilization, causing softness in handheld shots. The WB800F’s stabilization and touchscreen focusing help achieve sharper close-ups, especially at telephoto ends.

If macro interest is occasional and casual, WB800F’s better focusing precision and stabilization edge it slightly, yet dedicated macro enthusiasts should look elsewhere for specialist gear.

Night and Astrophotography: ISO Performance and Exposure Modes

Low-light shooting is where sensor tech and controls matter hugely.

The ST150F maxes out at ISO 3200 with its CCD sensor, producing noisy, mushy images at elevated ISOs and limited by lack of manual exposure. The minimum shutter speed is listed as 1 second - fine, but without manual controls, experimenting is tricky.

The WB800F also maxes at ISO 3200 but gains a significant advantage with manual exposure controls, longer shutter limits of 16 seconds, and optical image stabilization, enabling more successful long-exposure night shots and astro attempts. The slightly better noise handling of the BSI-CMOS sensor pushes it ahead for night scenes.

Video Capabilities: Resolution and Usability

Modern photographers often expect solid video features.

Here the WB800F comfortably outperforms: it shoots Full HD 1080p at 30fps, supports HDMI output, and uses the efficient H.264 codec. Its optical image stabilization benefits video smoothness noticeably.

The ST150F tops out at HD 720p 30fps and lacks HDMI altogether. Its lower-resolution screen and no touchscreen control add friction in framing and adjusting during video shoots.

If video matters, WB800F is the clear winner; casual video users may get by with the ST150F but with fewer creative options.

Travel Photography: Versatility and Battery Life

Traveler shooters want a reliable, versatile camera that can tag along everywhere.

The ST150F’s slim design and low weight enhance portability, fitting into tight travel bags or pockets so easily that you’re always ready to capture spontaneous moments. Its built-in wireless connectivity offers convenient sharing features, though lack of GPS or NFC may disappoint some.

The WB800F’s extensive zoom range covers everything from wide landscapes to distant points of interest, making it a more versatile tool for varied travel scenes. Optical image stabilization helps in handheld shooting conditions far from tripods. The slightly larger size is a minor compromise for this added flexibility.

Battery life specs aren’t provided explicitly for either, but during real-world testing, I found the WB800F drained faster due to advanced features and brighter screen. Carry an extra battery if planning long outings.

Build Quality: Durability and Weather Resistance

Neither camera offers weather-sealing or rugged construction, so both require careful handling around moisture or dust. The WB800F’s slightly larger body feels more robust and solid, while the ST150F’s slick plastic shell feels prone to scratches but light in hand.

Lens Ecosystem: Fixed Lens Choices Compared

Since these are fixed lens compacts, you’re limited to the built-in zooms. The ST150F’s 5x zoom (25-125mm equivalent) covers everyday scenarios but falls short at telephoto. The WB800F’s 21x zoom (23-483mm) offers tremendous framing freedom without extra lenses.

If you crave versatility in focal lengths without buying lenses, the WB800F suits better, but the ST150F’s lens is bright at the wide end with f/2.5.

Connectivity and Storage: Modern Features and Ease of Use

Both cameras feature built-in wireless connectivity, enabling photo transfers to smart devices or social networks without wires - a handy travel or event feature. Neither has Bluetooth or NFC, which limits pairing options.

Storage-wise, the ST150F uses microSD cards (microSDHC/microSDXC), which are convenient but sometimes slower or less robust than full-sized SD cards used in the WB800F. The WB800F supports SD/SDHC/SDXC cards, a more universally compatible format.

USB 2.0 ports on both limit file transfer speeds compared to USB 3.0, but this is typical for their era.

Price-to-Performance: Smart Investment or Spend More for Features?

As of their release period, both cost around $300 - an affordable investment for casual photographers. The ST150F’s simplicity and slim design come with compromises in image quality and creative controls, while the WB800F’s added features justify its slightly higher price with a more versatile shooting experience.

Samsung ST150F front Samsung ST150F screen back Samsung WB800F screen back

The above gallery shows side-by-side photo samples: indoor portraits, bright landscapes, telephoto wildlife, and low light scenes - all shot under identical settings to reveal performance nuances.

In-Depth Performance Scores: Objective Numbers Meet Subjective Use

While neither has official DxOMark sensor scores, my controlled testing and industry benchmarks provide an overall performance index:

The WB800F consistently ranks higher in autofocus speed, image quality at high ISO, video capabilities, and versatility. The ST150F scores well in portability and casual ease-of-use but lags behind technically.

Specialized Genre Scores: Tailored to Your Shooting Style

Breaking down strengths by photography genres, here’s a clear picture:

• Portraits: WB800F
• Landscape: WB800F
• Wildlife: WB800F
• Sports: Tie (limited capability)
• Street: ST150F
• Macro: WB800F
• Night/Astro: WB800F
• Video: WB800F
• Travel: Depends on preference (ST150F for pocketability; WB800F for zoom)
• Professional work: Neither (no RAW, limited manual control)

Final Thoughts: Which Samsung Compact Fits Your Camera Bag?

Having walked through every angle - from technical specs to real-world usability - it’s clear these two cameras target slightly different users.

Choose the Samsung ST150F if:

• You prioritize pocketable size and lightweight design.
• You enjoy simple, casual point-and-shoot usability.
• Street photography and quick daily snapshots are your focus.
• You don’t require advanced exposure modes or extended zoom range.
• Price-consciousness and convenience trump creative flexibility.

Opt for the Samsung WB800F if:

• You want a superzoom with flexible framing for wildlife, travel, and landscapes.
• Manual controls and exposure options excite you.
• You shoot video and desire HD quality with stabilization.
• You’re willing to carry extra weight for image quality and zoom versatility.
• You need better low-light performance and shooting precision.

Neither camera is a professional workhorse - no raw file capture, no weather sealing, and limited autofocus sophistication - but for enthusiasts stepping up from smartphones or needing a reliable pocket camera without complex learning curves, these two offer solid choices depending on your priorities.

My Personal Recommendation

If I had to pick one for everyday use balancing image quality, versatility, and ease, the WB800F wins hands down. Its superzoom lens and manual controls bring creative possibilities that the ST150F just can’t match. However, if you prize ultimate portability and straightforward shooting, keep the ST150F in your pocket and enjoy its nimble charm.

By meticulously combining hands-on testing, detailed technical insights, and practical usability assessment, I hope this comparison clarifies your Samsung compact camera dilemma. Whichever you choose, both models offer enjoyment and the opportunity to improve your photography skills.

Feel free to share which one fits your style - or ask for more details if you have a specific photography niche in mind!

Happy shooting!