Navigating the Choice: Samsung WB700 vs Sony A33 – A Deep Dive for Photography Enthusiasts

When it comes to picking a camera, especially in the dynamic landscape of 2010-era gear, knowing exactly what fits your photographic needs is key. Today, we take an expert’s close look at two distinctly different cameras announced around the same time frame: the compact Samsung WB700 and the entry-level SLR-style Sony SLT-A33 (commonly known as Sony A33). Both come with their unique design philosophies, technology choices, and target users, making this a rich comparison.

Whether you’re a burgeoning enthusiast, a seasoned amateur looking for a reliable backup, or someone charting a path toward professional-level imaging, this thorough comparison will clarify how these cameras perform in real-world photography scenarios - across portraiture, landscapes, wildlife, and beyond. Buckle up as we break down the tech, ergonomics, handles in the field, and creative potential.

First Impressions: Build, Size & Handling

Let’s start with how these cameras feel. Size and ergonomics largely dictate how comfortable and practical a camera is for your shooting style.

Samsung WB700:

• Compact “point-and-shoot” style with slim dimensions (100x59x22 mm).
• Lightweight and pocketable, no optical or electronic viewfinder.
• Fixed lens; no interchangeable optics.
• 3-inch fixed LCD screen.
• Plastic body, designed for casual carry and quick snaps.

Sony A33:

• Compact DSLR style, but with an SLT (Single-Lens Translucent) mirror design.
• Larger physique at 124x92x85 mm, more substantial 500g weight.
• Offers a comfortable grip, physical controls, and a deeper body for better handling.
• Fully articulating 3-inch LCD with higher resolution.
• Electronic viewfinder present with 100% coverage and good magnification for precise framing.

In real-world use, the WB700’s slim and lightweight body is fantastic when you want ultra-portability - traveling lightly or quick street photos. However, its lack of a viewfinder and minimal tactile controls means you’ll rely heavily on the LCD. The Sony A33, meanwhile, strikes a balance by offering DSLR-style control without bulk, plus the comfort and compositional accuracy of an EVF.

Design & Controls: How They Feel in Your Hands

If you like manual control and quick access to essential functions, this is an important section.

• Samsung WB700

  • Minimal buttons. No dedicated focus or exposure dials.
  • Reliance on menu navigation for aperture or shutter priority modes.
  • No manual focus ring; zoom controlled electronically.
  • No touchscreen or illuminated buttons.

• Sony A33

  • Traditional layout with dedicated dials and buttons for ISO, exposure compensation, drive modes.
  • Manual focus available through lens ring; smooth manual aperture setting.
  • Customizable buttons let you tailor the experience.
  • Fold-out articulating screen great for flexible shooting angles.

For photographers who crave hands-on control to tweak settings on the fly - particularly in dynamic conditions like street or sports - the Sony A33’s control scheme is vastly superior and more enjoyable to use. The WB700 leans toward casual users who prefer simplicity over granular adjustment.

Sensor and Image Quality: The Heart of the Matter

The most significant difference here is sensor technology and size, which directly affects image quality, noise performance, and dynamic range.

The Sony A33’s APS-C CMOS sensor stands out with its larger physical size. The larger sensor captures substantially more light, delivering better detail, lower noise especially at higher ISO speeds, and greater dynamic range. This helps immensely in challenging light conditions - shooting indoors, sunsets, or nighttime scenes.

In contrast, the Samsung WB700’s 1/2.3" CCD sensor is severely limited by physical size. While 14 MP sounds competitive on paper, the smaller sensor size yields more noise and less control over depth of field. Expect typical point-and-shoot image quality that’s perfectly fine for casual use or web sharing but not professional-grade output.

Real-World Photography Performance Across Genres

Let’s look closer at how each camera holds up in various photographic disciplines.

Portrait Photography: Rendering Skin Tones and Bokeh

• Samsung WB700

  • Limited control over aperture (lens fixed and small sensor).
  • No face or eye detection autofocus.
  • Bokeh effect minimal due to small sensor and lens constraints.
  • Skin tones can appear flat in mixed lighting; JPEG processing can introduce artifacts.

• Sony A33

  • Offers selective aperture control with compatible lenses.
  • 15 autofocus points, including face detection for sharp portraits.
  • Larger sensor provides natural bokeh and subject separation.
  • RAW support enables flexible color grading and retouching skin tones.

Portrait shooters will find the A33’s capabilities far more satisfying. Its autofocus and sensor size allow beautiful separation and precise focus on eyes - crucial for compelling portraits. The WB700 is convenient for snapshots but less capable for creative portraiture.

Landscape Photography: Resolution and Dynamic Range

• Samsung WB700

  • The 14 MP sensor provides decent resolution for casual landscapes.
  • Dynamic range is average; struggles with high-contrast scenes.
  • No weather sealing; vulnerable to elements.
  • Fixed lens limits focal range options (zoom oriented rather than wide-angle).

• Sony A33

  • Better dynamic range preserves shadow and highlight detail in scenes.
  • Higher resolution in a 3:2 aspect ratio favored for printing.
  • Can mount a variety of quality wide-angle lenses.
  • No official weather sealing, but robust construction.

Landscape photographers benefit greatly from the Sony A33’s sensor quality and lens flexibility. You can use prime or ultra-wide lenses to capture sweeping vistas in high fidelity. The WB700 is fine for casual travel landscapes but not suited to fine art or professional use.

Wildlife Photography: Autofocus and Burst Performance

• Samsung WB700

  • No continuous autofocus or tracking.
  • No burst shooting specification available (likely slow).
  • Limited zoom range usable for wildlife without teleconverters.
  • No image stabilization.

• Sony A33

  • 15 phase-detection AF points with eye detection; reliable subject tracking.
  • 7 frames per second continuous shooting.
  • Compatible with a huge ecosystem of telephoto lenses.
  • Sensor-shift image stabilization to aid handheld shooting with long lenses.

If your passion is wildlife, the Sony A33 is the clear winner. Its autofocus system and frame rate allow you to capture fast-moving animals with accuracy. The WB700 struggles due to its fixed lens, limited focusing, and slow performance.

Sports Photography: Tracking, Lighting, and Speed

• Samsung WB700

  • No continuous AF or advanced subject tracking.
  • No high-speed burst modes.
  • Poor low-light capability limits indoor sports use.

• Sony A33

  • Continuous autofocus with selectable AF points.
  • 7 FPS burst for capturing action sequences.
  • High ISO performance helps in dimly lit venues.
  • Good exposure controls assist with tricky lighting.

Sports shooters will appreciate the A33’s superior autofocus tracking and burst capacity, crucial for freezing and following unpredictable movement. WB700 is best relegated to family picnics or casual play coverage.

Street Photography: Discreteness and Speed

• Samsung WB700

  • Slim and discreet profile, ideal for street candid shots.
  • Quiet operation due to electronic zoom.
  • Simplicity makes it easy to grab and shoot.

• Sony A33

  • Larger and more conspicuous.
  • Silent shooting not available; shutter noise noticeable.
  • Fully articulating screen aids low-angle or creative shots.

While the WB700 excels in unobtrusive street photography due to its compact form, the A33’s size can draw attention. However, the DSLR-style manual controls on the A33 allow for more creative exposure choices on the fly.

Macro Photography: Magnification and Focus Precision

• Samsung WB700

  • No dedicated macro mode; focusing distance limited by lens.
  • Lacks manual focusing.

• Sony A33

  • Can use macro lenses with the mount.
  • Manual focus and focus assist aids precise close-up work.
  • Image stabilization helps handheld macro shots.

The A33’s interchangeable lens system makes macro shooting far more versatile and satisfying.

Night and Astrophotography: High ISO and Exposure

• Samsung WB700

  • Limited ISO controls; likely capped at ISO 400 or less.
  • No long-exposure bulb mode.
  • No RAW support limits post-processing flexibility.

• Sony A33

  • ISO up to 12800 native, extendable to 25600.
  • Manual shutter control to 30 seconds for night shots.
  • RAW format enables noise reduction and exposure blending.

If night scenes and astrophotography inspire you, the Sony A33’s sensor and controls give you a significant leg up.

Video Capabilities: Formats and Stabilization

• Samsung WB700

  • Records 720p HD video in H.264.
  • No external microphone input.
  • No image stabilization.

• Sony A33

  • Full HD 1080p recording at 60fps with AVCHD.
  • External microphone port for better audio.
  • Sensor-shift stabilization aids handheld video smoothness.

Video enthusiasts are better served with the Sony A33’s superior recording formats, resolution, and audio flexibility.

Travel Photography: Versatility and Convenience

• Samsung WB700

  • Ultra-compact and lightweight - great for minimalist travel.
  • Limited manual controls and fixed lens.
  • No wireless connectivity.

• Sony A33

  • Bulkier but highly adaptable with lenses.
  • Decent battery life (~340 shots per charge).
  • Eye-Fi Wi-Fi compatibility for easy image transfer.

For travelers prioritizing minimal gear, the WB700 is easy to stow and carry light. But if versatility and image quality are paramount, the A33 wins.

Professional Usage: Workflow and Reliability

• Samsung WB700

  • No RAW support limits professional editing.
  • No tethering or workflow integrations.
  • Plastic build less durable.

• Sony A33

  • RAW files fit standard processing pipelines.
  • USB and HDMI connectivity for external use.
  • Robust lens ecosystem for specialized uses.

Professionals and semi-pros will favor the Sony A33’s format flexibility and proven system reliability.

User Interface & Display Quality

The Sony’s higher resolution and articulated screen provide more confidence in focus checking and composition flexibility. The WB700’s fixed, lower resolution screen is adequate but limits creative framing.

Samsung WB700 front Samsung WB700 screen back Sony A33 screen back

Image Samples: What You Can Expect

Examining test shots side-by-side reveals the Sony A33’s richer tonal gradations, finer detail, and cleaner shadows. The WB700 images look softer with more JPEG compression artifacts, especially in low light and shadow areas.

Expert Performance Ratings Summary

Which Camera Fits Your Photography Style?

Technical Summary: Features in a Nutshell

Final Thoughts & Recommendations

Choosing between the Samsung WB700 and the Sony A33 is essentially deciding between convenience and creative control. Both cameras belong to the same generation but target very different photographers.

• For beginners, casual snapshooters, or those valuing ultimate portability, the Samsung WB700 is a friendly, pocketable entry point. It’s easy to use, doesn’t intimidate, and is great for everyday moments. However, its limitations become apparent once you want to push creative boundaries.

• For enthusiasts and semi-professionals seeking image quality, versatility, and progressive photographic features, the Sony A33 shines. With a larger sensor, interchangeable lenses, manual controls, and sophisticated autofocus, it provides the foundation to grow and tackle demanding subjects like portraits, action, and low light. Plus, professional workflows are supported with RAW capture and connectivity options.

If you want hands-on experience, try holding both cameras to see what fits your grip and workflow. Think about the subjects you want to shoot most - travel snapshots or diverse photography styles - and factor in how much you want to grow your skillset.

For a compact with respectable stills and super portability, check out the WB700.

For an affordable entry DSLR system with room to evolve, start your journey with the Sony A33.

With this detailed comparison, you’re armed with the knowledge to align your camera choice with your creative goals. Whichever camera you pick, the key is to get familiar, explore new techniques, and keep creating!

Happy shooting!