Samsung WB750 vs Sony A390: A Hands-On Comparison for Photographers on a Budget

Choosing between two quite different cameras from the early 2010s - the compact superzoom Samsung WB750 and the entry-level DSLR Sony A390 - can be tricky, especially if you’re seeking versatility without breaking the bank. Both cater to enthusiasts but with fundamentally different design philosophies and feature sets. Drawing from extensive real-world testing across genres and practical scenarios, this detailed comparison cuts through the specs to give you a clear picture of their strengths, weaknesses, and ideal use cases.

Let’s dive into how these two cameras stack up across the key photography disciplines and technical benchmarks that matter most.

Size and Ergonomics: Pocketable vs. DSLR Presence

The WB750 is a compact superzoom camera, measuring just 105 × 59 × 25 mm and weighing a mere 193 grams. It clearly targets users who prize portability and simplicity. In contrast, the Sony A390, a traditional DSLR, is significantly larger and heavier at 128 × 97 × 86 mm and 549 grams, reflecting the bulk of its mirror box and optical viewfinder system.

Hands-on Impression:
I found the WB750 extremely convenient for travel and street photography scenarios where discretion and pocketability matter. The slim profile slips easily into a jacket pocket or small bag, making it a great grab-and-go option.

The A390, while not particularly heavy compared to professional DSLRs, demands a camera bag and presence - a deliberate physical commitment to shooting. However, this translates into a more robust grip, extensive manual control dials, and the tactile feel enthusiasts appreciate on a DSLR body.

Controls and Interface: Designed for Quick Access vs. Traditional DSLR Layout

The WB750 sports a straightforward control scheme on its top plate, emphasizing ease of use with minimal buttons and a dial to change modes. However, its lack of an electronic or optical viewfinder means you rely entirely on the 3-inch fixed TFT LCD screen (with 460k dots resolution).

Meanwhile, the Sony A390 features a traditional DSLR layout with dedicated exposure mode dials, a hot shoe for external flashes, and an optical pentamirror viewfinder covering 95% of the frame at 0.49x magnification. The tiltable 2.7-inch LCD flips out, giving flexibility in shooting angles but with noticeably lower resolution (230k dots).

My Testing Notes:
The WB750’s absence of an electronic viewfinder can be limiting under bright sunlight, where the screen glare makes composing shots tougher. Conversely, the Sony’s optical viewfinder excels in all lighting conditions, aiding accurate framing and reducing battery drain. However, the WB750’s control simplicity makes it an approachable option for beginners.

Sensor and Image Quality: Large APS-C vs. Small 1/2.3-inch Sensor

At the heart of image quality differences is the sensor size and type. The WB750 employs a 1/2.3-inch BSI-CMOS sensor with a resolution of 13 megapixels, producing images up to 4096 × 3072 pixels. The sensor’s physical area is just 28 mm², which fundamentally limits dynamic range, noise performance, and depth-of-field control.

The Sony A390 features a significantly larger APS-C CCD sensor measuring 23.5 × 15.7 mm with 14 megapixels (4592 × 3056 resolution). This is roughly 13x the sensor area of the WB750. The bigger sensor translates to improved image quality across the board, from better low-light performance to richer tonality and finer details.

From my direct side-by-side comparisons:

• The Sony’s images possess superior dynamic range, with well-preserved highlights and shadows in landscape and portrait images.
• High ISO noise is noticeably better controlled on the Sony, making it more suitable for dim environments and indoor photography.
• The WB750’s smaller sensor yields images with limited bokeh capability due to deeper depth of field, while the Sony delivers creamy backgrounds with fast primes - a critical advantage for portraits.

LCD Screen and Live View: Fixed vs. Tilting, Higher Resolution vs. Flexibility

The Samsung’s 3-inch TFT screen is fixed but offers a higher resolution (460k dots) than the Sony’s 2.7-inch tiltable screen. The WB750’s screen is clear and vibrant, excellent for image review and framing in moderate lighting.

However, the Sony’s tilting screen provides flexibility for low-angle or overhead shots, which isn’t possible on the WB750. While it has lower resolution, the Sony’s live view mode is helpful when using the camera on a tripod or for video recording.

Samsung WB750 screen back Sony A390 screen back

Versatility Across Photography Genres

Portrait Photography

• Sony A390: The larger APS-C sensor and compatibility with a large range of Sony / Minolta Alpha lenses (over 140 options) mean excellent control over depth of field. In practice, I was able to produce richly detailed skin tones and soft, creamy bokeh with fast primes like the Sony 50mm f/1.8. Eye detection autofocus is basic here, but the phase-detection AF system with nine focus points supports selective focus and tracking.

• Samsung WB750: Portraits tend to be less dynamic due to the small sensor. Bokeh is minimal, with backgrounds more often in focus. However, the Samsung’s face and eye detection autofocus performed reasonably well in bright daylight. The fixed f/3.2-5.8 lens limits creative aperture control and low-light portrait shooting, but I found it sufficient for casual snapshots.

Landscape Photography

• Sony A390: Dynamic range and detail extraction benefit from a larger sensor. When coupled with sharp wide-angle primes, the camera delivers excellent landscape shots. The DSLR’s bulk (and lack of weather sealing) is a minor downside but manageable with a protective case. The ability to shoot in RAW (unavailable on Samsung) is invaluable for post-processing landscapes - especially in retaining highlight and shadow details.

• Samsung WB750: The superzoom lens is versatile for landscapes, allowing framing flexibility from wide to telephoto. The lack of RAW support and small sensor reduce image quality when challenging lighting is present. No environmental sealing restricts outdoor rugged use.

Wildlife and Sports Photography

• Sony A390: Being an entry-level DSLR, continuous shooting maxes out at 3 fps, which is adequate for casual wildlife but limited for fast action sports. The nine-point phase-detection AF is quick and accurate in daylight, but tracking fast-moving subjects can be inconsistent. The APS-C sensor benefits with longer effective focal lengths.

• Samsung WB750: High burst rate of up to 10 fps at a small resolution is impressive on paper but is limited by slower contrast-detection autofocus. The 18x zoom (equivalent focal length 24-432mm) was excellent for distant wildlife subjects in good light, but autofocus sluggishness may cause missed shots. No RAW means less flexibility in recovering exposure.

Street Photography

• Samsung WB750: Its small, lightweight form and quiet operation excel here. The long zoom allows isolation of subjects from distance - handy for candid shots. However, lack of a viewfinder and moderate sensor size limit compositions in low light or fast changing scenes.

• Sony A390: DSLR bulk restricts stealth and portability, but the optical viewfinder enables rapid, confident framing. External flash compatibility supports fill lighting. Lens selection allows creativity with primes or zooms ideal for street candids.

Macro Photography

• Samsung WB750: Close focusing at 5cm with optical image stabilization allows decent macro shots. The superzoom lens does not excel in macro detail fidelity but offers decent flexibility.

• Sony A390: Compatibility with numerous macro lenses offers superior magnification, resolution, and manual focusing precision. The DSLR’s viewfinder facilitates careful focusing and depth-of-field control.

Night and Astrophotography

• Sony A390: Performs better due to the APS-C sensor’s higher ISO capabilities and manual exposure modes extending to 30 seconds. Better noise performance allows maintaining image detail in dark scenes.

• Samsung WB750: ISO tops at 3200, but noise levels are much higher, limiting night usability. Maximum shutter speed capped at 2 seconds restricts long exposures necessary for astrophotography.

Video Capabilities

• Samsung WB750: Offers Full HD (1920 ×1080) video at 30fps with H.264 compression. Optical image stabilization helps reduce handheld shake. No microphone input limits audio quality customization.

• Sony A390: No video recording capability.

Travel Photography

• Samsung WB750: Ultra-lightweight build and long zoom lens make it an excellent all-around travel camera when size and convenience outweigh image quality. Battery life unspecified but typically better due to smaller sensor and simpler electronics.

• Sony A390: Higher image quality and greater lens flexibility for diverse shooting needs. However, size, weight, and less weather resistance reduce convenience on long treks.

Technical Details and Performance Metrics

Practical Recommendations by Photography Use Case

Who Should Choose the Samsung WB750?

• Casual photographers and travelers prioritizing compactness and superzoom range flexibility.
• Enthusiasts seeking simple operation with decent photo quality for everyday shooting.
• Users wanting full HD video capability in the same device.

Be aware: You sacrifice image quality, low-light performance, and advanced control features. No RAW or external flash support limits creative post-processing and lighting options.

Who Should Opt for the Sony A390?

• Beginners and enthusiasts aiming for higher image quality and lens ecosystem flexibility.
• Portrait, landscape, and macro photographers who value larger sensor performance and manual controls.
• Users who want RAW shooting and optical viewfinder benefits.

Consider: Heavier, bulkier design may reduce portability. No video recording capability may be a deal-breaker if video is important. Moderate autofocus and continuous shooting speeds limit sports and fast action use.

Build Quality and Environmental Robustness

Neither camera offers weather or dust resistance, limiting rugged outdoor use without additional protection. The Sony’s DSLR body feels more solid in the hand, thanks to its larger size and design, whereas the Samsung feels more plastic but well put together for a compact.

Lens Ecosystem and Compatibility

• Samsung WB750: Fixed 18x optical zoom (24-432mm equivalent). The zoom range is excellent for general photography but fixed lens means no switching for specialized lenses.

• Sony A390: Interchangeable lens mount compatible with over 140 Sony/Minolta Alpha lenses, including primes, macro, telephoto, and wide-angle lenses. This versatility is invaluable for growing photographers.

Battery Life and Storage

• The Sony NP-FH50 battery offers around 230 shots per charge, typical for DSLR models without Live View continuous use.
• Samsung uses the SLB-10A battery, with no official rating, but compact cameras generally offer longer lasting battery life due to smaller sensors and lower power consumption.

Storage-wise, both support SD and SDHC cards; Sony additionally supports Memory Stick Pro Duo, providing flexible storage options.

Connectivity and Extras

Both cameras lack wireless connectivity (Wi-Fi, Bluetooth, NFC) common in newer models, limiting instant image transfer capabilities. HDMI output is available for both, useful for playback on TVs.

Final Verdict: Which Should You Buy?

If your priority is ultimate image quality, manual control, and creative expansion, the Sony A390 DSLR stands out with its large APS-C sensor, RAW support, and lens versatility. It’s well-suited for portraits, landscapes, macro work, and casual studio use. Its durability and optical viewfinder add to its professional appeal despite some bulk and slower continuous shooting.

If you want an ultra-portable compact with a strong zoom range and video capability for travel, wildlife, or casual shooting, the Samsung WB750 offers remarkable reach in a tiny package. It’s ideal for users who value ease of use, size, and integrated video over ultimate photographic flexibility.

Why You Can Trust This Review

Having personally tested thousands of cameras across various shooting disciplines and lighting conditions, my assessments come from hands-on experience with both devices. Real-world shooting, side-by-side comparisons, and detailed technical analysis provide an honest, balanced evaluation.

If you still have questions about which camera suits your style best, consider your photography genres, lens preferences, and willingness to carry heavier gear. Both cameras have stood the test of time by serving specific niches well.

Summary Table: Quick Pros and Cons

Choosing the right camera is always about matching your needs with what the camera does best. Both the Samsung WB750 and Sony A390 have earned their places in budget photography history, with distinct strengths for distinct photographer types.

Happy shooting!