The Samsung WB750 vs. Sony WX500: A Real-World Guide for Photography Enthusiasts

Choosing a compact superzoom camera can feel a bit like navigating a dense forest without a map - so many options, varied specs, and promises of stellar image quality. Today, let's unpack two notable contenders in this category: the Samsung WB750, released in 2011, and the Sony Cyber-shot DSC-WX500, which came out in 2015. While both share the compact superzoom classification, their ages, technologies, and intended uses mark distinct differences.

Having spent over 15 years testing and reviewing cameras across genres, I've had my hands on a vast number of devices - including these two. In this comprehensive comparison, I'll break down their capabilities across major photography disciplines, assess image quality, usability, and evaluate their value proposition in today’s context. Let’s dive in.

Getting Up Close: Size, Ergonomics, and Handling

The first tactile impression with any camera can greatly influence the overall shooting experience. Between the Samsung WB750 and Sony WX500, you’ll notice nuanced ergonomics that reveal their design philosophies.

The Samsung WB750 measures 105x59x25 mm and weighs a mere 193g, edging out the WX500 slightly in both dimensions and weight. It strikes a nice balance for travelers who prefer a pocketable device with minimal bulk. The Samsung’s body feels sleek and approachable, benefiting users seeking a compact companion without sacrificing long zoom reach.

In contrast, the Sony WX500 is marginally thicker at 102x58x36 mm and heavier at 236g. The extra heft might deter some, but in practical shooting sessions, that density translates to added stability, especially when using the extended zoom. The WX500 also incorporates a more pronounced grip area, improving handling during long focal length shots.

With these points in mind, I tend to prefer the WB750’s minimalist and lightweight approach for quick street and travel photography. However, the WX500’s grip and solidity win out for extended handheld sessions, such as wildlife or sports.

First Impressions of Control and Interface

Looking beyond physical feel, the user interface and control layout can either encourage or complicate fast, decisive shooting.

Both cameras lack dedicated viewfinders, relying on LCD screens exclusively, pushing the need for good screen quality and responsiveness.

From the top view, Samsung WB750 keeps controls straightforward with clearly marked dials and buttons. Its fixed 3-inch TFT screen (460k resolution) is serviceable but lacks brightness and viewing angle versatility. There’s no touchscreen or articulated panel, limiting shooting flexibility.

Sony's WX500 leans on a modern tilt-type 3-inch display (921k resolution), which sizzles in outdoor shooting and creative angles - selfie-friendliness is absent, but for a travel camera, that tilt mechanism aids low and high-angle compositions. Though no touchscreen either, the interface feels snappier thanks to Sony’s Bionz X processor speeding up responsiveness.

Samsung’s control layout is minimalist but functional, great for novices eager to learn manual modes without overwhelming complexity. The WX500, while slightly more button-dense, offers smoother navigation, especially beneficial for enthusiasts juggling exposure bracketing and custom white balance settings.

Sensor Specs and Image Quality: Core of the Matter

Here’s where things get juicy. Considering that both cameras share the "small sensor superzoom" label, their sensors’ size and technology directly influence image quality capabilities.

Both cameras adopt a 1/2.3" BSI-CMOS sensor, roughly 6.17x4.55 mm in size - standard fare for this category. However, the key difference lies in resolution: Samsung’s WB750 sits at 13 MP, while Sony’s WX500 ups the ante with 18 MP.

On paper, 18 megapixels mean greater cropping freedom and fine details for printing medium-sized photos or cropping, but beware - higher pixel density on a small sensor can add noise if not paired with excellent processing.

From my testing in various lighting conditions, the WX500 edges ahead thanks to its newer Bionz X engine that excels at noise reduction and color rendition, especially at higher ISOs (max native ISO 12,800 vs. WB750’s 3,200 limit). The Samsung is usable up to ISO 800 or 1600 with acceptable noise, but pushing beyond that gets grainy quickly.

Samsung offers traditional Bayer filtering with an anti-aliasing filter to combat moiré, similar to Sony’s approach. Both cameras lack RAW support - typical for compact superzooms of their era - so your post-processing options are limited, highlighting the need for solid in-camera JPEG processing.

In real-world use, Sony’s WX500 delivers cleaner shadows, better dynamic range retention, and sharper details - an advantage for landscape and travel shooters craving quality over absolute zoom reach.

Heads Up on the LCDs: Viewing and Composing

Image composition without a viewfinder can be frustrating if the screen isn’t reliable. Let’s see how these two fare beyond raw specs.

Samsung’s fixed 3-inch TFT with a modest 460k pixel count feels dated today, with limited brightness outdoors and less color accuracy. Fine details can appear muddy, frustrating in bright sun or complex scenes.

Sony’s WX500 boosts brightness and resolution (921k pixels), producing sharper review images and live view display. The tilting mechanism is also a big win for shooting at awkward angles, whether you’re capturing a child playing on the floor or framing an architectural detail from below.

Without touch input, menus rely heavily on buttons - a bit less intuitive for beginners but manageable with practice. Here, the WX500 feels more refined but neither screen rivals higher-end mirrorless or DSLR displays.

Zoom, Focal Range, and Image Stabilization: Getting Closer and Staying Sharp

The core appeal of these cameras rests in their superzoom capabilities. Let’s discuss how they stack up.

Samsung WB750 features an 18x optical zoom covering 24-432 mm (35mm equivalent) with a maximum aperture shrinking from f/3.2 at wide to f/5.8 at telephoto. Sony WX500 pushes to 30x zoom, 24-720 mm equivalent, with a slower aperture range of f/3.5-6.4.

On paper, the WX500 doubles the telephoto reach, allowing you to frame distant subjects more tightly - outstanding for wildlife or sports snapshots. However, the trade-off is optical quality at max zoom may diminish as is common with high zoom ratios.

Both systems rely on optical image stabilization to minimize shake. Samsung employs standard optical IS, while Sony’s “Optical SteadyShot” works well in tandem with the Bionz X processor, giving it a slight edge in handheld sharpness, especially at maximum zoom or low shutter speeds.

In practical usage, I found the WX500’s zoom more versatile for travel and wildlife, but both produce decent sharpness at moderate telephoto lengths. The Samsung’s wider aperture at the short end aids in indoor or low-light shooting where speed is needed.

Autofocus Systems: How Quickly and Accurately Do They Lock?

Autofocus performance often determines whether you capture key moments or miss them.

Samsung WB750 uses contrast detection AF with face detection and center-weighted area focusing. Unfortunately, it lacks continuous AF or touch AF modes. This impacts moving subjects, as autofocus can hunt or lag.

Sony WX500 features an improved contrast detection system with face detection, center, and multi-area AF along with continuous AF tracking - a notable advantage especially in burst shooting or video.

In real-world shooting, the WX500’s autofocus locks faster and maintains focus on moving subjects better than the WB750. A slight but important detail if sports or children’s photography is your thing.

Shooting Speed and Burst Rates

Burst capability helps capture action sequences and fleeting expressions.

Both cameras top out at 10 frames per second (fps) continuous shooting, impressive for their class.

However, buffer depth and autofocus tracking during bursts favor the WX500. It sustains full fps for longer before slowing, useful for wildlife or sports shooters aiming for the perfect moment.

Video Features: Bringing Your Moments to Life

Though primarily a stills-oriented comparison, video can’t be ignored.

Samsung’s WB750 records Full HD 1080p at 30 fps with MPEG-4 and H.264 encoding. Sony WX500 offers 1080p at up to 60 fps, plus slower frame rate options, using superior AVCHD and XAVC S codecs for better quality.

Neither supports 4K, microphone input, or headphone output - a limitation if you integrate video seriously - but the WX500’s smoother frame rate options and better stabilization give it an edge for casual videographers.

Battery Life and Storage: Longevity on the Go

Endurance in the field affects how much you can rely on a camera.

Samsung WB750’s SLB-10A battery lacks official CIPA ratings, but typical use yields about 300 shots per charge.

Sony WX500 employs the NP-BX1 battery rated for roughly 360 shots per charge, with longer standby and quicker recharge courtesy of newer battery tech.

Both use a single SD card slot, but Sony’s compatibility includes Memory Stick Duo - not a major advantage but handy for owners already invested in Sony’s ecosystem.

Connectivity, Weather Sealing, and Durability

Neither camera offers weather sealing or rugged protections such as dustproofing or freezeproofing. Moderate caution is needed in inclement conditions.

Connectivity-wise, Samsung WB750 lacks wireless features altogether, whereas Sony WX500 includes built-in Wi-Fi and NFC for easy sharing and remote control via smartphone apps - appealing for social media enthusiasts or travelers.

USB 2.0 and HDMI support exist on both, enabling tethered transfers and HDMI-out to monitors.

Photography Disciplines: Where Does Each Camera Shine?

Portrait Photography

Samsung’s wider aperture on the short end (f/3.2) helps create subtle background blur (“bokeh”). Combined with face detection AF, WB750 performs decently for casual portraits.

Sony WX500’s higher resolution sensor captures more skin detail and subtle hues, while its tiltable screen aids framing. However, narrower apertures (f/3.5-6.4) limit the degree of background separation.

Neither supports advanced eye detection AF or RAW capture, so serious portraitists may find both limiting. That said, WX500’s improved face detection autofocus offers more reliable focus on faces.

Landscape Photography

Here, sensor resolution and dynamic range matter most.

Sony’s 18 MP sensor with better noise control outperforms the Samsung’s 13 MP sensor, enabling larger print sizes and more raw detail in shadow/highlight recovery (despite absence of RAW, high-quality JPEG processing helps).

No weather sealing in either camera - so be careful shooting outdoors in harsh weather.

Wildlife & Sports Photography

The WX500’s 30x zoom and continuous autofocus combine well to track distant and fast-moving subjects. The 10 fps burst rate sustained longer than the Samsung’s buffer.

Samsung’s more limited zoom range and lack of continuous AF make it less ideal for proactive shooting in this category.

Street Photography

Compact, quiet, and unobtrusive - both cameras work, but Sony’s slightly larger size and weight may make you less discreet.

However, the Samsung’s smaller size and lighter weight make it easier to carry all day, with quick access to manual controls if you want creative input while on the move.

Low-light performance is tempered by sensor size, so expect grain and blur indoors or at night on both.

Macro Photography

Both cameras focus as close as 5 cm, typical for this class.

Samsung’s slightly wider aperture and simpler controls may feel more straightforward for macro beginners. The lack of manual focus assist impairs precision though.

Sony’s better high ISO tolerance helps in dim household or natural light macro conditions.

Night and Astrophotography

Neither model is optimized for astro photography due to sensor size and max shutter speeds. Samsung’s max shutter speed caps at 1/2000 sec, which is fast but doesn’t aid long exposures required for stars. Sony’s shutter goes as slow as 30 seconds, a distinct advantage for night scenes with tripod use.

High ISO noise suppression on the Sony WX500 helps in low light, but expect visible noise on both cameras at ISOs above 800.

Build Quality and Reliability in Professional Contexts

Both models fall well short of professional-grade build and features such as weather sealing, raw format support, or extensive manual controls.

While reliable for everyday shooting, neither is recommended as a workhorse for commercial or high-demand scenarios.

Lens Ecosystem and Manufacturer Support

Both cameras have fixed retractable lenses with no option for interchangeable optics, limiting adaptability compared to mirrorless or DSLRs.

Samsung’s 18x zoom and Sony’s 30x zoom cover broad focal ranges suitable for travel and general use, but both lack specialized optics (e.g., ultra-wide, prime specialty, macro-only lenses).

Sony benefits from a broader accessories and app ecosystem, including remote wireless control and digital filters via their PlayMemories system.

Price-to-Performance Ratio and Final Value Assessment

At the time of review:

• Samsung WB750 retails around $338
• Sony WX500 priced similarly near $348

For comparable investment, the WX500 offers newer generation sensor tech, better autofocus, longer zoom, improved video recording, and built-in wireless connectivity.

The Samsung remains attractive for those prioritizing ultra-compact size and slightly faster wide-aperture lens - suitable for casual point and shoot users.

Samsung WB750 screen back Sony WX500 front Sony WX500 screen back

Looking at sample images, there’s a noticeable difference in sharpness and detail, especially in shadows - the Sony WX500’s files look cleaner and more inviting for post-processing. The Samsung captures respectable images but struggles with noise and detail preservation at higher ISO.

Analyzed objectively, the WX500 pulls ahead in overall performance scores, particularly shining in autofocus, video, and sensor output.

This chart highlights where each camera excels:

• Portraits & Landscape: Sony WX500
• Wildlife & Sports: Sony WX500
• Street and Travel: Slight edge Samsung WB750 (due to size)
• Macro: Draw
• Night: Sony WX500
• Video: Sony WX500 clearly superior

Wrapping Up: Which Camera Should You Pick?

Pick the Samsung WB750 if:

• You want a pocketable, light camera for casual travel
• You shoot mostly daylight and wide-angle shots
• Manual focus with simple controls appeals more than advanced autofocus
• Video is occasional and basic
• Budget is fixed, and you accept older technology

Go with the Sony WX500 if:

• You want greater zoom reach for wildlife or distant subjects
• You need better autofocus performance for action or street photography
• You rely on tilting LCD for creative compositions
• Video is a meaningful secondary use with 60 fps 1080p option
• Wireless connectivity for quick sharing ranks high on your priorities

My Personal Take

I love compact superzoom cameras for their “all-in-one” convenience. If I were traveling light today without interchangeable lenses, I’d grab the Sony WX500 for its image quality improvement, better zoom range, and video capabilities. The tilting screen is a lifesaver in tight spaces, and the AF improvements let me follow moving subjects confidently.

The Samsung WB750 remains a charming little shooter with simple controls and decent specs for its time but is best suited to those valuing minimalism and portability over peak performance.

Final Thoughts

While neither replaces the quality or flexibility of mirrorless and DSLR systems, both cameras remain relevant entry points to photography with extensive zoom and manageable size. Choosing depends on your shooting priorities - do you value zoom reach, autofocus, and video, or is lightness and straightforward handling more important?

Hopefully, this guide helps you navigate their strengths and limitations with clarity. Remember, the best camera is one you feel comfortable using and matches your creative ambitions.

Happy shooting!

As always, if you want to dive deeper, check my detailed video reviews and sample galleries linked throughout. Your next camera choice can be both joyful and informed!