Samsung WB250F vs Sigma DP1s: Compact Cameras from Two Different Worlds

When it comes to compact cameras, the market is a vibrant tapestry - offering everything from pocket superzooms to niche, high-quality large-sensor shooters. Today, I’m excited to pit two seemingly opposite beasts against each other: the Samsung WB250F, a small-sensor superzoom compact brimming with versatility, and the Sigma DP1s, a large-sensor compact that took a purist approach with its fixed wide prime and Foveon sensor technology. Both are older models, announced years apart, but they each hold lessons and value for photographers hungry for portability and image quality.

I’ve had hands-on experience with both cameras through extensive testing and comparisons over my career, experimenting with different subjects, lighting, and shooting styles. My goal here is to help enthusiasts and pros alike understand their core differences, strengths, and shortcomings, and ultimately decide - is it the zoom-and-go versatility of the WB250F or the artisanal image quality of the DP1s that suits you best? Buckle up; we’re diving deep.

Getting Acquainted: What’s on Offer?

At a glance, these cameras couldn’t be more different in their DNA:

• Samsung WB250F: A compact superzoom geared toward casual photographers craving convenience. It features a 1/2.3” BSI-CMOS sensor with 14MP resolution and an 18x zoom lens covering 24-432mm in 35mm terms. Touchscreen LCD, built-in Wi-Fi, and an optical image stabilizer sweeten the package.

• Sigma DP1s: A meticulously designed large-sensor compact targeting the image quality purist. It boasts an APS-C-sized Foveon X3 sensor (5MP nominal resolution) paired with a fast fixed 28mm f/4 lens. Manual focus only, no video, and a boxy, straightforward design that puts image quality above all else.

Size-wise, the Samsung is noticeably slimmer and lighter (226g vs 270g), benefiting from a sleeker body design. Meanwhile, the Sigma's chunkier build reflects its more robust sensor and lens assembly, fitting comfortably in the hand for extended shooting.

Sensor Showdown: Small vs Large, CCD vs CMOS?

Sensor technology and size profoundly impact image quality, dynamic range, low-light handling, and color fidelity.

The WB250F’s 1/2.3” BSI-CMOS sensor is tiny by modern standards – just 6.17x4.55mm, with a 14MP count. BSI (Back Side Illuminated) helps improve low-light sensitivity compared to traditional CMOS sensors, but its physical size limits dynamic range and noise control. The 14MP count helps maintain detail in bright conditions but can get noisy in dimmer situations.

In contrast, the DP1s sports an APS-C sized Foveon X3 sensor, measuring a massive 20.7x13.8mm (about 10x the area of the Samsung’s sensor). Foveon sensors capture RGB color information at every pixel layer, producing crisp images with excellent color depth and sharpness - albeit at a lower pixel count of 5MP. While this sounds modest today, remember the DP1s’s pixels pack a punch: excellent edge detail and natural hues, particularly in controlled lighting.

This difference makes the DP1s a formidable performer for image-purists. Expect higher color fidelity, beautifully rendered textures, and less noise at lower ISO. Meanwhile, Samsung balances resolution with the convenience of zoom and on-the-go shooting.

Design and Controls: Ready for Action or Thoughtful Composition?

What’s a camera if not your tactile partner? Let’s talk ergonomics and interface.

The WB250F brings a classic point-and-shoot feel: a thumb-friendly rear with a smooth, 3-inch touchscreen display (460k dots), single control dial, and intuitive menus. Its lens rings smoothly, autofocus locks quickly, and zoom action feels direct and satisfying. The touchscreen also enhances navigation and settings tweaking - a rarity in 2013 compacts.

The Sigma DP1s is more minimalist - no touchscreen, a smaller 2.5-inch, 230k-dot fixed LCD, and a handful of dedicated buttons. Focusing is manual via a simple physical ring around the lens - slow but precise when you take the time. This camera demands intentionality, rewarding you with deliberate composition rather than snap decisions. Autofocus is contrast-detection only, and no face detection here, which can be frustrating for fast-paced shooting.

If ease-of-use and instant gratification are priorities, Samsung wins. But if you enjoy being intimately involved in your exposure and focus control, the DP1s encourages that creative patience.

Frame Rates and Autofocus: Who’s Faster to Catch the Moment?

Burst capture and autofocus systems differentiate many cameras in their ability to nab fleeting expressions or wildlife action.

Samsung’s WB250F packs a respectable 8 fps burst in JPEG (no RAW support), making it surprisingly nimble for a superzoom compact. Its autofocus system primarily relies on contrast detection but incorporates face detection to help lock on subjects swiftly. However, it lacks true continuous autofocus tracking, meaning subjects moving erratically can fall out of focus.

The Sigma DP1s throws no punches here: burst shooting is non-existent (no continuous shooting mode), and autofocus is single-shot, manual-focus-friendly contrast detection. You'll need to nail focus intentionally and patiently, not burst shoot through a hectic scene.

Sports and wildlife photographers, who revel in rapid-fire shooting and hyper-focused subject tracking, would find the WB250F more practical despite its modest sensor size. The DP1s is better suited for quiet, measured shooting rather than action.

Image Stabilization and Lens Versatility: Zoom with Confidence or Fixed Prime Purity?

The Samsung’s 24-432mm 18x zoom gives versatility at the cost of somewhat slow apertures (f/3.2–5.8). Optical image stabilization greatly helps mitigate shake across this extensive zoom range, enabling handheld shooting even at telephoto lengths in moderate light conditions.

Sigma’s DP1s has a prime 28mm lens with no image stabilization, meaning sharper images demand stable handling or a tripod. Its larger sensor and thoughtful lens design produce sharp images with wonderfully smooth bokeh, but the fixed focal length limits framing flexibility.

For travelers or event shooters needing varied focal reach without swapping lenses, Samsung’s WB250F opens many doors. For landscapes, portraits, and situations where one prime lens suffices and you prioritize quality over convenience, the DP1s delivers superior sharpness and detail.

Screens and User Interfaces: Where You See Matters

I can’t overstate the importance of a bright, responsive display to frame, verify focus, and navigate menus on the fly.

The WB250F’s vibrant 3-inch touchscreen allows fast touchscreen focusing, quick menu navigation, and touch shutter release. Its screen brightness and anti-reflective coating also hold up reasonably well outdoors.

DP1s sports a smaller, dimmer LCD that lags behind modern standards. It’s functional but requires peering closely in bright conditions, forcing dependence on precise manual focus.

For casual shooters and those who rely on live view for composition, the Samsung is a clear winner here. For purists used to external viewfinders or comfortable with focusing aids (sometimes even magnified live view on a tripod), the Sigma’s screen suffices.

Let’s See Some Real Photos

Enough theory - how do these cameras perform in the field across different photography genres?

Samsung WB250F front Samsung WB250F screen back Sigma DP1s screen back

• Portraits: The Sigma DP1s’s large sensor naturally excels at skin texture rendering and tonal gradation, offering creamy bokeh at 28mm f/4 that flatters faces beautifully. Samsung’s zoom flexibility lets you shoot tighter portraits telephoto, but bokeh is more clinical and textures less nuanced.

• Landscape: Here the DP1s shines with superior dynamic range and detail delivery, capturing subtle tonal shifts in skies and foliage. Its APS-C sensor pulls more information from the scene, albeit with moderate resolution. The WB250F’s smaller sensor and smaller pixel pitch limit dynamic range, but the wide-angle end of the zoom is versatile for composition.

• Wildlife and Sports: The Samsung WB250F’s 18x zoom and fast burst mode are handy for distant subjects, but autofocus tracking can’t keep pace with fast action. The DP1s isn’t suited to sports or wildlife given its manual focus and lack of rapid shooting.

• Street Photography: A tight contest here. The Samsung’s fast start-up, zoom flexibility, and Wi-Fi sharing make it handy for quick street snaps. The Sigma’s fixed wide lens fosters an intimate approach, but its slower responsiveness might frustrate candid shooting.

• Macro and Close-up: Samsung’s maximum macro capabilities are limited (no dedicated macro focus range specified), but image stabilization helps. Sigma lacks macro ability due to fixed focal length.

• Night and Astro: Neither camera is ideal for dark sky work, but the Sigma’s large sensor and lower noise floor give it an edge for night landscapes, albeit at ISO 800 max. Samsung claims ISO 3200 max but image noise climbs steeply.

• Video: The Samsung wins here with 1080p at 30 fps video recording and built-in stabilization; the DP1s offers no real video capabilities.

• Travel and Professional Use: Samsung is lightweight, flexible, and Wi-Fi-enabled for easy sharing on the go. Sigma is bulky and slow but offers better image quality for portfolio work where convenience is secondary.

Durability, Build, and Battery Life: Endurance on the Road

Neither camera sports weather sealing or rugged features.

Samsung’s lightweight plastic body feels decent but lacks robust build. No wonders for freezeproof, dustproof, or shockproof capabilities.

Sigma feels more solid but heavier.

Battery life data is scarce for both, but expect average endurance given compact form factors. Samsung uses standard Lithium-Ion, while Sigma’s is also proprietary but reputedly modest.

Storage-wise, both accept SD/SDHC cards, with Samsung supporting the newer SDXC standard.

Connectivity and Extras: The Modern Photographer’s Must-Haves?

Samsung delivers built-in Wi-Fi connectivity for remote shooting and photo sharing - a notable perk for casual daily shooters and travel photographers.

Sigma DP1s is very barebones: no wireless features, no HDMI, no mic jack, and USB 1.0 for file transfers. No frictionless workflow here.

Samsung’s touchscreen and live view autofocus with face detection are strikingly modern compared to Sigma’s stripped-down interface.

Price and Value: What’s Your Budget Worth?

The WB250F launched at around $250 new and remains an affordable superzoom compact, especially useful for casual photographers wanting a do-it-all camera without breaking the bank.

The DP1s is discontinued, often only found used, and its pricing varies. Its niche appeal to dedicated image purists or those seeking a unique Foveon experience situates it as more of a collector’s or enthusiast’s item rather than an everyday shooter.

Summary of Strengths and Weaknesses

Recommendations: Who Should Buy Which?

• Choose the Samsung WB250F if:

  • You want a versatile, easy-to-use superzoom for travel, casual snapshots, wildlife spotting, or event photography.
  • You value connectivity (Wi-Fi), touchscreen operation, and video capability.
  • You need lightweight gear capable of capturing a wide range of subjects on the fly.
  • Your budget is tight and you want a modern compact without breaking the bank.

• Choose the Sigma DP1s if:

  • You are a devoted image quality purist who values ultimate color fidelity, sharpness, and dynamic range within a compact form.
  • You don’t mind slower manual focusing and single-lens limitation in exchange for a unique Foveon sensor experience.
  • You primarily shoot landscapes, portraits, or still life with patience and careful composition.
  • You seek a unique photographic tool for creative exploration rather than fast-paced, versatile photography.

Final Thoughts: Different Paths, Different Joys

Comparing Samsung’s WB250F and Sigma’s DP1s is like contrasting a reliable Swiss Army knife with a bespoke handcrafted tool - you won’t pick one for all tasks equally, but each excels within its domain.

The WB250F embodies the spirit of convenience, flexibility, and modern connectivity for the everyday photographer who appreciates zoom reach and video capability.

The DP1s is a love letter to photographic craftsmanship, prioritizing image quality and detail over gimmicks or zoom versatility, rewarding patience, and deliberate shooting.

In my years testing cameras, I’ve come to cherish both styles. The Samsung is a trusty companion for travel and fun, while the Sigma is a statement piece - one for quiet moments and studied imagery.

Choosing between them means embracing what you value most: speed and reach or purity and depth. Whichever your choice, both have stories to tell - through your lens and beyond.

Happy shooting!