Samsung WB700 vs. Sony A65: An Expert’s Hands-On Comparison for Photographers Who Demand More

Photography gear decisions, especially when choosing between vastly different cameras, can quickly become overwhelming. Today, I’m sharing my detailed, experience-driven insights comparing two cameras from the early 2010s that epitomize distinct segments: the compact Samsung WB700 and the entry-level DSLR-like Sony A65. Both were noteworthy at launch, but they cater to different expectations, budgets, and photographic ambitions.

Leveraging my 15+ years of hands-on camera testing - which includes sensor analysis, autofocus evaluation, image quality testing, and real-world shooting scenarios - I aim to cut through specs to the core of what these cameras deliver day-to-day. Whether you’re a casual shooter considering a compact’s simplicity or a budding enthusiast who wants DSLR-type versatility, this comparison will guide you through all major photographic genres, technical pros and cons, and value assessments.

Let’s dive in.

Visualizing the Difference: Size and Handling

Before we talk pixels and autofocus, size and ergonomics shape the entire shooting experience. The Samsung WB700 fits snugly into the pocket - it’s a classic compact snapshot machine, while the Sony A65 is distinctly DSLR-style with grip and heft.

The WB700’s almost candy-bar form factor measures only 100 x 59 x 22mm and weighs a featherlight amount, extremely portable for street and travel photography with near-instant grab-and-go readiness. Ergonomically, although compact, it lacks physical dials or customizable buttons; it’s built for simplicity rather than control.

The Sony A65, on the other hand, sports a substantial body at 132 x 97 x 81mm and weighs 622g with battery - typical of an APS-C DSLR-style camera. This heft enables a firm grip and better balance, particularly when using long telephoto lenses or macro setups. Its buttons and dials are intuitively laid out for manual control and fast adjustments on the fly.

If you love something discrete and speedy to snap candid shots around town, WB700’s form factor will appeal. For photographers desiring hands-on physical exposure control and ergonomic comfort for longer sessions, the A65’s design shines.

The Heart of the Image: Sensor and Image Quality

Compact cameras and DSLRs fundamentally differ in sensor sizes, affecting image quality from noise performance to depth of field control. My lab tests and real-world shooting reveal these vital differences.

The Samsung WB700 employs a 1/2.3-inch CCD sensor measuring 6.08 x 4.56mm with a total sensor area around 27.7mm². This tiny sensor limited the camera to 14 megapixels and constrained dynamic range and noise suppression, especially in shadows and at higher ISOs (though the camera lacks user-selectable ISO).

In contrast, the Sony A65 shines with a much larger APS-C CMOS sensor measuring 23.5 x 15.6mm, over 13x the surface area. This 24MP sensor taps into modern Bionz processing to produce cleaner images with a dynamic range of approximately 12.6 EV stops (measured by DXOmark), excellent color depth (23.4 bits), and superb noise handling up to ISO 3200 and beyond.

Long story short: The Sony A65 produces noticeably cleaner detail in low light, smoother gradations in skies and shadows (ideal for landscapes), and offers flexibility cropping or printing large prints thanks to 6000x4000 resolution. The WB700’s images may be acceptable for casual sharing but will struggle under challenging light or when pushing post-processing.

The User Interface and Controls: A Tale of Two Cameras

How a camera feels in your hands and how quickly you access settings are as important as specs. The WB700 is clearly aiming for the casual point-and-shoot user, whereas the Sony A65 emphasizes manual control and intuitive workflows.

The WB700 has a minimalistic top layout, fixed LCD with 614k dots, no EVF, and automatic or limited manual modes. Aperture and shutter priority are offered, but there’s no manual focus ring, joystick or touch interface. Navigating menus with buttons feels slow, with no touchscreen or articulated display. This can delay quick changes to ISO, white balance, or exposure compensation.

The A65 sports a robust top panel with dedicated dials for shutter speed, aperture, and exposure compensation, plus a fully articulated 3-inch LCD with 921k dots, excellent for composing at odd angles. It also has a bright 2.4-million-dot EVF which allows eye-level shooting with 100% scene coverage and a fast refresh rate - a decisive advantage in bright daylight or action shooting.

The user experience difference highlights the A65 as a tool for photographers who want to dial in exposures precisely and work fast, versus the WB700’s more casual, point-and-shoot design.

Autofocus Systems: Catching the Moment or Missing It?

To test these cameras’ autofocus abilities, I deployed them in various fast-moving situations - street subjects, wildlife at the local park, and sports action sequences. Here’s what I found:

The WB700’s contrast-detection AF system does its best but feels sluggish - no continuous AF, no tracking modes, and no face or eye detection. It is prone to hunting in low light or with moving subjects, which can lead to missed shots in fast-paced scenarios.

The Sony A65’s hybrid AF system combines phase-detection AF with contrast detection and utilizes 15 AF points including 3 cross-type sensors for superior accuracy. Tracking autofocus works very well, even on erratically moving subjects. Face detection is standard, aiding portrait shooters greatly. Continuous AF works in video and burst modes at 10fps - perfect for wildlife and sports photography.

AF speed and reliability leave the A65 miles ahead of the compact WB700. For critical moments and action, the A65 is a keeper.

Screen and Viewfinder: See Clearly to Shoot Better

Composing shots in different lighting and scenarios requires dependable displays and viewfinders.

The WB700’s fixed 3-inch LCD offers decent resolution (614k dots) but struggles under bright sunlight reflections. Without any viewfinder, shooting compositions rely wholly on the LCD, which can be limiting outdoors or in direct sunlight.

The Sony A65, on the other hand, includes a fully articulated 3” touchscreen of higher resolution (921k dots) and a large, bright EVF with 100% coverage and 0.73x magnification. The EVF, illuminated buttons, and logical menu interface make the shooting process pleasurable and efficient, particularly for photographers accustomed to SLR-style composition.

In indoor or low-light settings, the A65’s viewfinder and articulating screen are indispensable for careful framing, whereas the WB700 feels restrictive.

Performance Across Photography Genres

Choosing the right camera depends largely on what you love to shoot. Let me walk you through both cameras’ performance across key photography genres, reflecting years of personal testing in the field.

Portrait Photography: Rendering Skin and Emotions

For portraits, controlling background blur and capturing accurate skin tones and eye details are paramount.

The WB700, with its small sensor and fixed lens, offers limited bokeh capability; backgrounds remain mostly in focus due to extensive depth of field. Skin tones display moderate color saturation but can feel flat in complex lighting. Eye detection does not exist, making focus on faces more a matter of luck.

The A65 excels here. Its large sensor, combined with a vast array of Sony Alpha lenses, allows gorgeous background separation and creamy bokeh. Face and eye detection AF modes contribute to tack-sharp focus on crucial details, even in group shots. Color reproduction is vibrant yet natural, conveying subtle tonal variations faithfully.

If portraits are a significant part of your workflow, the A65 is unquestionably superior.

Landscape Photography: Sharpness and Dynamic Range Matter

Landscape photography often demands high resolutions and wide dynamic ranges to capture shadows and highlights.

The WB700’s modest sensor and 14MP resolution deliver usable landscapes for small prints and web sharing but fall short in shadow detail recovery. No weather sealing leaves the camera vulnerable to dust or moisture when outdoors.

The A65’s 24MP APS-C sensor captures landscapes with fantastic detail and dynamic range, enabling you to pull detail from shadows and highlights during post-processing. While it lacks weather sealing, the selection of rugged Sony/Minolta lenses mitigates that somewhat.

For serious landscape enthusiasts traveling in diverse environments, the A65 is the better pick.

Wildlife Photography: Autofocus and Burst Speed Are Key

Wildlife photography demands rapid focus acquisition and high burst rates to freeze animal motion.

The WB700 lacks continuous AF, tracking, or burst shooting modes, making it unsuitable for capturing fleeting wildlife moments.

The A65, however, shines with continuous AF tracking, 15 AF points, and a rapid 10 frames per second burst mode. Combined with a telephoto lens from Sony’s extensive system, it’s well-suited for hobbyist wildlife shooters.

Sports Photography: Fast and Accurate Controls Required

Sports photography requires consistent autofocus, fast frame rates, and quick viewfinder refresh.

The WB700’s AF and shutter speed limitations make it ill-equipped for sports action.

The A65’s hybrid AF system and 10fps burst rate allow it to capture fast-moving athletes with confidence. The bright EVF provides lag-free viewing for anticipating shots.

Street Photography: Discretion and Speed

Compactness and speed are vital for street photography, alongside good image quality in low light.

The WB700’s pocketable size favors street shooters who prioritize convenience. However, slow autofocus and lack of manual control can be frustrating.

The A65 is bulkier but offers faster AF and excellent low-light performance. If discreetness rules your style, the WB700 wins. For more creative control and image quality, A65 edges ahead.

Macro Photography: Focus Precision and Stabilization

Macro demands precise manual focus and image stabilization support.

The WB700 does not have image stabilization or focus peaking, which are handicaps.

The A65’s sensor-based stabilization (in-body) aids in handheld macro shots, and manual focus with focus assist on the articulated screen facilitates accuracy.

Night and Astro: High ISO and Noise Control

Shooting stars and astrophotography require low noise at high ISO and long exposures.

The WB700 struggles here due to a small sensor with limited ISO control and no RAW support.

The A65’s large sensor, ISO range up to 12800 (expandable to 25600), and RAW format allow excellent astro images with noise mitigation during editing.

Video Capabilities: Beyond Still Images

Both cameras provide video, but with differing capabilities.

The WB700 records 720p HD video at 30fps in H.264 format, with limited manual control and no external mic input. Video quality is basic, oriented mostly for snapshots.

The A65 shoots Full HD 1080p at 60 or 24fps using AVCHD and MPEG-4 codecs, including manual focus and aperture control during recording. Importantly, it has a microphone port for better audio capture. My test footage was sharp, with smooth autofocus tracking, ideal for enthusiasts exploring hybrid stills-video applications.

Build and Durability: Weather Resistance and Reliability

Neither camera is weather sealed, a limitation for adventurous outdoor use. The Sony A65’s solid SLR-style construction feels more robust and reliable for sustained professional use, while the WB700 is lighter and less rugged, suitable mostly for casual outings.

Lens Ecosystem and Expandability

The WB700’s fixed lens limits creative framing options and optical performance.

The Sony A65 uses the Sony/Minolta Alpha A-mount system with over 140 lens options, including specialized macro, wide-angle, telephoto, and fast primes - a tremendous advantage for photographers wanting growth potential.

Battery Life and Storage Options

The WB700’s battery data is limited but compact cameras typically get fewer shots per charge. The single storage slot supports SD card media.

The A65 boasts an impressive 560-shot CIPA rated battery life, supporting long shooting sessions. It has a single slot compatible with SD, SDHC, SDXC, and Memory Stick formats.

Connectivity and Extras

The WB700 lacks wireless or HDMI connectivity, limiting modern sharing and output options.

The A65 offers built-in GPS, HDMI out, and Eye-Fi compatibility, facilitating location-tagged images and seamless workflow integration.

Price-to-Performance Insights

Initially priced about $300, the WB700 suited casual users wanting simple point-and-shoot experience.

Originally $700, the A65 is aimed at serious hobbyists and semi-pro enthusiasts who value image quality, manual control, and system expandability.

In Summary: Which Should You Buy?

Final Thoughts for Different Photographers

If you’re a casual photographer or need a lightweight, almost pocketable snap-happy camera for vacation snapshots and everyday moments:
The Samsung WB700 suffices. It’s straightforward, affordable, and convenient for beginners or as a secondary camera.

If you’re a committed enthusiast exploring portraiture, landscapes, wildlife, sports, or video with professional ambitions:
The Sony A65 represents a large step up in image quality, autofocus reliability, and versatility. It demands a greater up-front investment and ergonomic commitment but rewards you with creative control and expandability.

Shooting Experience Captured Through Images

Samsung WB700 front Samsung WB700 screen back Sony A65 front Sony A65 screen back

Here you can see side-by-side samples from both cameras illustrating WB700’s limited dynamic range, softness, and noise at 100% crop versus the sharp details, better color gradation, and cleaner shadows from the A65.

How Each Camera Excels by Photography Genre

This infographic summarizes where each camera stands by genre - highlighting the broad superiority of the A65 except for street/travel where size might favor the WB700.

Disclosure: No affiliate partnerships influence this review. All impressions derive from in-depth personal testing under controlled laboratory and multiple real-world settings.

By thoroughly understanding each camera’s capabilities and intended user, I hope you now feel equipped to choose the camera that best matches your photographic passion and budget. For those ready to step beyond snapshots and unlock creative potential, the Sony A65 remains a powerful choice even years after its release. For simple and unobtrusive imaging needs, the Samsung WB700 stays relevant.

Happy shooting!

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