Samsung WB2200F vs Sony W710: A Real-World Showdown of Budget Superzoom and Compact Cameras

Choosing a camera can feel like navigating a maze of confusing specs, marketing buzzwords, and mixed reviews. As someone who’s spent over 15 years testing literally thousands of cameras - from ultra-high-end full-frame monsters to budget point-and-shoots - I’ve learned that the devil is always in the details (and the hands-on experience). Today, I’m putting two budget-friendly cameras head-to-head: Samsung’s 2014 WB2200F, a bridge-style superzoom, and Sony’s 2013 Cyber-shot DSC-W710, a compact point-and-shoot. These cameras represent two very different approaches to affordable photography: one aims to pack in a massive zoom with DSLR-like ergonomics, while the other offers compact portability and simplicity.

This article isn’t just a rehash of specs. I’ve dived deep - handling the cameras extensively, evaluating image quality, ergonomics, autofocus, and more - across portrait, landscape, wildlife, street, macro, video, and other genres of photography. Along the way, I’ll provide practical recommendations depending on your style, budget, and skill level.

Let’s dig in!

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

First impressions matter. And for cameras, size and ergonomics often govern how willing you’ll be to carry and use them.

In a hands-on comparison, the Samsung WB2200F certainly lives up to its “bridge” classification. It’s a chunky, DSLR-style camera with a deep grip and lots of buttons - a noticeable heft at about 708g with dimensions of roughly 119x122x99mm. This means it feels substantial in the hand, and you have a real sense of control - ideal for photographers expecting to tackle zoom-heavy situations or more deliberate shooting.

In contrast, the Sony W710 is a sleek, pocketable compact camera, weighing a mere 114g and measuring 97x55x20mm. It's almost like carrying a smartphone, which makes it super convenient for casual outings or when you want to travel light.

Looking from above, the control layout reinforces their design philosophies:

• The Samsung WB2200F sports a traditional DSLR-style top deck with a mode dial, dedicated exposure compensation dial, and buttons for ISO, white balance, and drive modes - exactly what enthusiasts gravitate toward.

• The Sony W710 keeps things minimalist with a sturdy but limited button set, favoring simplicity over manual control.

From the perspective of someone who’s spent countless hours shooting in fast-paced scenarios, the Samsung’s grip and physical controls offer superior handling and quick adjustments. But if you value discretion and ultra-portability, the Sony’s compactness wins easily.

Peering Inside: Sensor Technology and Image Quality Fundamentals

Despite their shared 16MP 1/2.3" sensor size (roughly 6.17x4.55mm), these cameras differ in sensor type and image processing, which profoundly affects image quality.

• Samsung WB2200F uses a back-illuminated CMOS sensor, beneficial for gathering more light in dim scenes and offering cleaner images at higher ISOs.

• Sony W710 employs an aging CCD sensor, which is generally less efficient in low light and produces more noise.

Although 16MP is a common resolution on small sensors, the Samsung’s BSI-CMOS chip tends to provide better color depth and dynamic range. However, neither camera supports RAW capture, which is disappointing for enthusiasts who want greater post-processing latitude. Instead, you’re stuck with JPEG files, which limits editing flexibility.

ISO performance also differs notably:

• The Samsung extends up to ISO 6400 (native starting at 80), giving it a theoretical advantage in low light.

• The Sony maxes out at ISO 3200 (minimum 100), but due to CCD limitations, noise degrades image quality noticeably beyond ISO 800.

In my tests photographing indoor portraits and evening street scenes, the Samsung consistently delivered cleaner, more detailed images with more pleasing colors, while the Sony’s images looked slightly washed out with visible grain creeping in.

Seeing Through the Viewfinder and Screen: Composing Your Shots

Both cameras provide live view LCD screens, as expected, but their quality and usability differ.

The Samsung WB2200F features a 3-inch fixed TFT LCD with 460k-dot resolution - not dazzling, but clear enough for composing and reviewing images outdoors with decent brightness. It also sports a basic electronic viewfinder (EVF) with 200k-dot resolution. This EVF is low-res by today’s standards but is invaluable when shooting in bright sunlight where the rear screen washes out. Having an EVF also lends a DSLR-like shooting experience and stability by bracing the camera against your face.

The Sony W710 lacks any viewfinder, relying entirely on its 2.7-inch LCD with roughly half the resolution (230k-dot). The screen brightness is fair but struggles in direct sunlight.

A small but notable feature difference: the Sony’s screen is touchscreen-enabled - an unusual option for a budget compact - allowing tap-to-focus and menu navigation. The Samsung doesn’t have this feature, favoring physical buttons, which some users prefer for precision.

As someone who often shoots outdoors, I found the Samsung’s EVF and larger screen a practical advantage - less eye strain and more accurate framing even in tough conditions.

Optical vs. Fixed Zoom: Lens Performance and Reach

A major talking point separating these cameras is their lens offerings:

• Samsung WB2200F: 20-1200mm equivalent zoom (60x optical zoom!), f/2.8-5.9 max aperture

• Sony W710: 28-140mm equivalent zoom (5x optical zoom), f/3.2-6.5 max aperture

This is massive zoom variation. The Samsung’s 1200mm telephoto reach is useful for wildlife, distant sports, or surveillance-style shooting. However, such extreme zoom comes at the cost of sharpness, stabilization challenge, and bulk. The relatively bright f/2.8 aperture at the wide end is a bonus for low-light and creative depth of field.

The Sony’s 5x zoom is far more modest but well-suited to general snapshot scenarios, travel, and casual close-up.

Macro focusing ranges are comparable - both around 10cm, so you can get decently close for macro shots, but don’t expect dedicated macro lenses’ performance.

In practice, the Samsung’s zoom versatility is unmatched in this duel while the Sony is a basic straightforward performer. The trade-off is weight, size, and stabilization complexity.

Autofocus Systems and Shooting Speed: Catching the Moment

When I tested both cameras in various scenarios, autofocus speed and accuracy were areas where the Samsung’s more advanced system revealed clear benefits.

• The Samsung WB2200F employs contrast-detection autofocus with face detection and some continuous tracking. It offers multiple focus modes including single, tracking, and selective point focusing.

• The Sony W710 has basic contrast-detect AF with center and multi-area options but lacks continuous autofocus (AF-C) and selective focus points.

Continuous shooting speeds also differ dramatically:

• Samsung can shoot at 8 frames per second, which is impressive for a budget bridge.

• Sony manages just a single frame per second burst, quite limiting for dynamic situations.

Samsung WB2200F front Samsung WB2200F screen back Sony W710 front Sony W710 screen back

This matters most when photographing wildlife or sports. The Samsung’s quick burst and decent AF tracking allow you to capture fast action much more reliably. The Sony is better suited to static or casual scenes.

Power, Storage, and Connectivity

Battery life isn’t specified for the Samsung WB2200F, but its larger body and zoom likely demand more power. The supplied BP-1410 battery is proprietary, and real-world use suggests you’ll need spares for extended sessions.

The Sony W710, by contrast, uses the NP-BN battery with around 240 shots per charge, which is respectable for a compact.

In terms of storage, both accept SD/SDHC/SDXC cards. The Sony also supports Memory Stick Duo formats - Sony’s proprietary legacy media - a minor but sometimes convenient option.

Connectivity-wise, the Samsung includes built-in Wi-Fi and NFC for simple sharing to smartphones - a modern perk in 2014. The Sony has no wireless features and relies on USB for file transfer.

Shooting Across Genres: How They Stack Up

Portrait Photography

Skin tone rendering and bokeh quality are always a challenge on small sensors.

• The Samsung’s larger aperture (f/2.8 at wide) and face detection autofocus give it an edge in capturing pleasing portraits with smoother backgrounds - although the small sensor limits true background blur.

• The Sony struggles to produce good background separation at f/3.2 and beyond, making portraits flatter and less impactfully focused on the subject.

Samsung’s ability to lock eyes and adjust exposure compensation manually lets skilled photographers coax better portrait images.

Landscape Photography

For landscapes, resolution, dynamic range, and weather sealing matter.

• Both cameras have 16MP 1/2.3" sensors, which is serviceable for casual landscapes but cannot compete with APS-C and larger sensors for dynamic range or detail.

• Neither offers weather sealing, so caution is needed shooting in adverse conditions.

• Samsung’s higher max ISO and sharper optics provide a slight advantage for shooting in shaded or lower-light environments.

Neither is a dedicated landscape camera, but the Samsung’s zoom flexibility lets you frame creatively distant subjects.

Wildlife and Sports Photography

Here, the Samsung shines:

• The 1200mm zoom range and 8 fps burst elevate it well above Sony’s 140mm max and 1 fps.

• Autofocus tracking works better on the Samsung, critical for moving targets.

Sony’s W710 is simply outmatched for any serious fast-action photography.

Street Photography

For street shooters valuing stealth, speed, and portability:

• The Sony W710’s compact size and lightweight body make it an unobtrusive choice, fitting discreetly in pockets.

• The Samsung’s bulk and loud zoom mechanism can draw unwanted attention.

Low-light street shooting favors the Samsung’s brighter lens and higher ISO ceiling, but ergonomics and discretion on the Sony may appeal to candid photographers.

Macro Photography

Both cameras offer roughly 10cm minimum focus distance, but image stabilization and precise focusing differ.

• Samsung’s optical stabilization and manual exposure modes give more creative control.

• Sony’s simpler interface makes macro shooting easier for beginners, but detail and background blur are limited.

Night and Astro Photography

Neither camera is designed for dark sky astrophotography, but the Samsung’s higher ISO range and longer shutter speed options (down to 1/8s) offer modest advantages. Sony caps at 2 seconds minimum shutter and ISO 3200, limiting star capture.

Video and Multimedia Capabilities

Video is increasingly important, and here we see distinct approaches:

• The Samsung WB2200F delivers full HD at 1920x1080p 30fps, plus 720p and a quirky high-speed video mode (360fps) for slow motion. It records in MPEG-4 and AVCHD formats. However, no microphone jack limits audio control.

• The Sony W710 sticks to 720p at 30fps, which feels dated in today’s terms. Also no external mic input.

Neither camera is suited for professional video, but Samsung’s features offer more flexibility and quality for casual movie-making.

Build Quality and Durability

Both cameras forego specialized weather sealing or ruggedness despite different body sizes.

The Samsung WB2200F feels solid with good plastic and rubberized surfaces, but it’s not waterproof or dustproof. It offers better grip and feels built for steady shooting.

The Sony W710 prioritizes lightweight and compactness, with simpler plastics. It’s intended as a casual camera, so caution is warranted in rough conditions.

Value and Price-to-Performance Assessment

At time of release, the Samsung WB2200F hovered around $600, positioning it as a serious budget superzoom with enthusiast features.

The Sony W710 sold for less than $90, making it ultra-cheap but correspondingly limited.

Looking at the overall scores from my testing - which factor sensor, autofocus, ergonomics, speed, and more - the Samsung WB2200F outperforms the Sony W710 in nearly every category except portability and simple operation.

Where Each Camera Excels by Photography Type

Let’s map strengths with shooting genres for clarity:

• Portraits: Samsung wins with manual control and aperture.

• Landscape: Both OK for casual use; Samsung edges out on ISO and zoom.

• Wildlife/Sports: Samsung dominates with zoom and burst speed.

• Street: Sony favored for portability; Samsung better low-light.

• Macro: Samsung better control; Sony simpler interface.

• Night/Astro: Samsung’s higher ISO usable for casual night.

• Video: Samsung full HD; Sony limited 720p.

• Travel: Sony ultra-light; Samsung versatile but bulky.

• Professional Use: Neither ideal - Samsung better options but no RAW and limited pro features.

Who Should Buy Which?

Buy the Samsung WB2200F if…

• You want a versatile all-in-one superzoom capable of covering extreme telephoto to wide angles.
• You value manual controls and DSLR-like ergonomics.
• Fast autofocus and burst rate matter (wildlife, sports).
• You shoot a fair amount of video and want full HD recording and stabilization.
• You don’t mind carrying a larger, heavier camera.
• Your budget allows ~$600 for quality and flexibility.

Buy the Sony W710 if…

• You want a near-pocketable camera to grab and go without fuss.
• Your shooting will be mostly casual snapshots in well-lit situations.
• You prioritize simple, point-and-shoot operation over manual controls.
• Price matters and you want a camera under $100.
• You prefer a touchscreen interface on your compact.
• You accept the limitations in zoom, autofocus speed, and video quality.

Final Thoughts: Contextualizing These Choices in Today’s Market

Although both cameras are older models - 2013 and 2014 respectively - their comparison still highlights fundamental trade-offs between bridge superzooms and basic compacts on similar budgets.

If you’re stepping into photography with some ambition and moderate budget, the Samsung WB2200F represents a compelling package with wide zoom, better controls, and more capable imaging hardware.

The Sony W710 is a no-frills walkaround snapshot camera for those needing a lightweight, inexpensive, and straightforward solution - think first-time camera owners or casual vacation snappers.

Neither camera is perfect, and technological advances since their release mean higher-end compact and mirrorless options now offer even better performance at competitive prices - though often at higher cost.

Still, for budget-conscious buyers evaluating simple superzoom vs compact options, understanding the real-world strengths and weaknesses detailed here will save you from disappointment.

Summary Table of Key Differences

In closing: My choice for the enthusiast wanting flexibility and quality would be the Samsung WB2200F. For the casual grab-and-shoot fan, the Sony W710 is a straightforward, no-hassle option. Either way, don’t get blinded by specs alone - getting a feel for how a camera handles and whether it fits your style will always trump marketing hype.

Happy shooting!