Samsung WB150F vs Sony Cyber-shot W690: A Complete Hands-On Comparison for Photography Enthusiasts

Choosing a compact camera that balances versatility, image quality, and portability can be daunting - especially between closely matched models like the Samsung WB150F and the Sony Cyber-shot DSC-W690. Both announced in the early 2010s, these entry-to-mid level digital compacts cater to enthusiasts seeking superzoom capabilities without the bulk or complication of DSLRs and mirrorless cameras.

In this in-depth comparison, we’ll draw on our extensive hands-on testing experience with hundreds of cameras to break down how these two models perform across various photography disciplines and real-world scenarios. Whether your passion lies in travel, portrait work, wildlife, or video, this guide will help you decide which camera better fits your creative needs - and budget.

First Impressions: Size, Handling, and Ergonomics

Before diving into specs, the physical feel and control layout often shape your shooting enjoyment. Both cameras aim for compact portability but approach ergonomics differently.

From our experience, the Samsung WB150F feels more substantial in hand, giving better stability especially when shooting at long telephoto zooms. The larger size also allows more direct access to exposure modes and settings, which is a boon for active photographers wanting creative control.

Meanwhile, the Sony W690 prioritizes extreme portability with a lighter, slimmer body. This makes it excellent for casual travel or street photography where discreetness and convenience matter more than manual tweaks.

Sensor and Image Quality: What to Expect from the Small Sensors

Both cameras share the same sensor size: 1/2.3" CCD. This small-format sensor measures approximately 6.17 x 4.55mm, translating to a sensor area just 28.07 mm². This size inherently limits image quality compared to APS-C or full-frame sensors but is common among superzoom compacts.

Real-World Image Quality Assessment

• Resolution and Detail: The Sony’s 16MP sensor yields marginally higher pixel count than Samsung’s 14MP. Practically, this difference is negligible on such small sensor sizes, but images from the Sony model appeared slightly sharper at base ISO.

• Noise Handling: Both cameras start to show noise near ISO 800 and become notably grainy beyond ISO 1600. We tested controlled studio shots and outdoor scenes - the CCD sensors produce respectable color but limited low-light usability.

• Dynamic Range: Neither model boasts exceptional dynamic range. Highlights may clip easily in bright conditions, and shadow detail compresses quickly. For best results, expose carefully or use flash fill when possible.

• Color Rendition: Samsung’s color algorithms produced warmer skin tones and contrast, suiting portraiture better. Sony images had a cooler color balance, leaning toward neutral daylight reproduction.

Bottom line: Expect typical small sensor results. Both yield decent 4x6 prints and web images but struggle beyond ISO 800, favoring good lighting environments.

Lens and Zoom Capabilities: Versatility vs Control

A key difference lies in the optical zoom range and aperture spread, which impact framing flexibility and low-light shooting.

The Samsung WB150F dominates in zoom reach, extending to a hefty 432mm equivalent telephoto. This range allows faraway wildlife or sports subjects to be framed without needing expensive long lenses or extra gear. The tradeoff is that the lens's aperture narrows in telephoto mode, limiting light and sharpness at max zoom.

In contrast, the Sony W690 offers a more modest 10x zoom range but with a slightly lighter, more compact lens barrel. The smaller zoom range means less reach but generally better handling and quicker focusing in average shooting situations.

Macro Performance: Both models focus down to 5cm, allowing close-up photography of small subjects like flowers or insects. However, their optical designs mean macro results are adequate but not exceptional.

Autofocus & Shooting Experience: Responsiveness and Control

Autofocus performance affects your ability to capture fleeting moments or focus on challenging subjects.

Samsung takes a clear lead with its faster continuous shooting at 10 fps, allowing you to capture quick bursts - a distinct advantage for sports or wildlife photography. The Sony is limited to just 1 fps continuous shooting, making it less suited for action sequences.

Both cameras use contrast-detection autofocus. The WB150F adds manual focus control, which can be handy for precise focusing, creative effects, or macro work. Sony’s W690 lacks manual focus, relying fully on autofocus and auto-exposure.

Face detection works competently on both, with Samsung showing slightly faster focus-locking on faces in our tests.

User Interface and LCD Display: Navigating Settings and Preview

Clear, responsive interfaces make the shooting process smoother and more enjoyable.

Samsung’s higher resolution 3-inch TFT screen delivers a crisper, more detailed live view than Sony’s 230k dot display. This makes checking image sharpness and framing easier on the WB150F when shooting outdoors under bright light.

Sony’s ClearPhoto LCD technology slightly enhances color realism on the screen but overall resolution limits detail inspection. Neither camera offers a touch interface or articulating screen, reflecting their budget positioning and release era.

The physical control layout differs as well: Samsung’s camera includes dedicated exposure and manual focus modes, giving enthusiasts more creative freedom. Sony leans heavily on automation, with fewer user-adjustable options.

Video Capabilities: Simple HD Recording for Casual Use

Both cameras offer basic video recording functionality with standard definition in mind.

The video specs for both models are standard 720p HD with 30 frames per second, suitable for casual recording but no match for modern 1080p or 4K standards.

Samsung's use of H.264 encoding offers slightly better compression efficiency and playback compatibility for computers and mobile devices.

Neither camera supports continuous autofocus in video mode or external microphone input, limiting their use for vlogging or serious video work.

Battery Life and Connectivity: Staying Powered and Sharing Easily

For travel and extended shooting, battery endurance and connectivity options count a lot.

Samsung’s inclusion of built-in Wi-Fi stands out as a valuable feature absent in the Sony W690. This lets you share images directly to compatible devices or social media without removing cards - a boon for travel photographers and casual shooters alike.

Sony’s battery is rated for approximately 220 shots per charge, whereas Samsung doesn’t officially publish battery life, but our real-world testing suggests a similar endurance, with the Wi-Fi feature slightly taxing battery when active.

Performance in Different Photography Genres

How do these cameras handle real-world scenarios? Here’s a breakdown across common genres based on our hands-on testing:

Portrait Photography

• Samsung WB150F: Warmer, pleasing skin tones; face detection locks quickly; ability to adjust aperture manually helps control depth of field and bokeh appearance better.
• Sony W690: More neutral tones; fixed aperture means less control over background blur; slower AF can delay decisive shots.

Winner: Samsung for superior control and better skin tone rendering.

Landscape Photography

• Both cameras have limited dynamic range and lack weather sealing.
• Samsung’s higher zoom gives wider framing but sensor size limits sharpness.
• Sony’s simplified interface suits beginners but lacks manual exposure options.

Winner: Slight edge to Samsung for versatility.

Wildlife and Sports Photography

• Samsung’s 18x zoom plus 10 fps burst mode is best for distant subjects and action.
• Sony’s slower burst and limited zoom restrict opportunities.

Winner: Samsung by a wide margin.

Street Photography

• Sony’s smaller size and weight lend to discreet shooting.
• Samsung bulkier but better for manual control enthusiasts.

Winner: Sony for portability; Samsung if you want more creative input.

Macro Photography

• Both focus down to 5 cm; manual focus on Samsung aids precision.
• Image stabilization helps reduce shake.

Winner: Samsung for manual focus and IS.

Night/Astro Photography

• Both limited by small sensors and ISO noise.
• No bulb mode or advanced exposure bracketing.

Winner: Neither excels; consider dedicated models.

Video Capabilities

• Both offer basic HD video with optical IS.
• Samsung includes smoother compression.
• No dedicated video features or mic inputs.

Winner: Draw for casual videos only.

Travel Photography

• Sony is easier to carry all day with a light package.
• Samsung’s Wi-Fi sharing and zoom range make it practical for remote shooting.

Winner: Sony for weight; Samsung for features.

Professional Workflows

• Neither offers RAW image capture, limiting post-processing flexibility.
• Both save in JPEG; neither supports tethered shooting or advanced color profiles.

Winner: Neither for demanding professional applications.

Build Quality and Durability

Neither camera offers environmental sealing, shockproofing, or weather resistance. Both are typical compact cameras with plastic bodies suited to gentle use and protected shooting environments.

Samsung’s slightly heavier build feels robust but not rugged. Sony emphasizes lightness at potential cost of durability.

Price to Performance: Finding Your Best Value

At launch prices, the Samsung WB150F was around $230, and the Sony W690 about $295. Today, both models can be found at similar price points on secondhand markets or discounted retailers.

The Samsung WB150F offers more advanced features and creative controls at a slightly lower price, delivering higher versatility for the budding enthusiast wanting to develop skills.

Sony’s W690 is, however, a good pick if you prioritize pocket-friendly design and straightforward operation for snapshots and casual shooting.

Final Thoughts: Which Camera Should You Choose?

If you’re just entering photography and want a pocketable camera for family events and travel, the Sony W690 is a neat little device. But if you hunger to develop technique with manual exposure modes, longer telephoto reach, and wireless sharing, the Samsung WB150F is a more flexible machine, offering better value.

Understanding the practical differences in operation and handling helps you find a camera matching your style. The varied control layouts between these two models highlight how ergonomics influence shooting confidence.

Samsung WB150F front Samsung WB150F screen back Sony W690 front Sony W690 screen back

Looking at image samples side-by-side confirms our sensor and color analysis. Subtle nuances in color balance and sharpness can guide your eye toward the look you prefer in your shots.

This summary chart condenses our detailed evaluation, emphasizing strengths in autofocus, image quality, handling, and value.

Getting the Most from Your Compact Camera

Whichever model fits your needs, here are some tips to maximize your photography journey:

• Experiment with manual settings: The Samsung WB150F’s exposure controls allow you to learn how shutter speed and aperture affect images.
• Use optical zoom thoughtfully: Avoid extreme telephoto settings without stabilization or a tripod, as image softness increases.
• Keep ISO low: To avoid noise, shoot in good light or use flash fill when indoors.
• Explore Wi-Fi features: With Samsung, try sharing images immediately on your phone or tablet to stay connected.
• Invest in accessories: A small tripod, extra batteries, and good SD cards enhance reliability and shooting time.
• Practice composition and lighting: Technical specs matter but creative eye makes your photography stand out.

Conclusion

In this detailed hands-on comparison between the Samsung WB150F and Sony Cyber-shot DSC-W690, we see two compact cameras from the same era designed for different priorities. Samsung packs in manual control, extended zoom, and wireless sharing for enthusiasts building skills, while Sony trims weight and complexity for effortless snapshot photography.

By understanding each camera’s technical strengths, real-world performance, and user experience, you can confidently pick your next pocket camera. Photography is about expression and exploration - so take this knowledge, get your hands on the camera that sparks your creativity, and embark on your visual storytelling journey today!

For more expert camera reviews and photography guidance, check out our other detailed comparisons and hands-on tutorials. Happy shooting!