Samsung WB800F vs Sony Cyber-shot HX10V: An In-Depth Superzoom Compact Camera Comparison for the Discerning Photographer

When it comes to superzoom compact cameras in the early 2010s, two models often stand out: Samsung's WB800F and Sony's Cyber-shot HX10V. Both stood as accessible yet potent options for enthusiasts seeking all-in-one flexibility without the bulk of DSLRs or mirrorless systems. Having personally put both through extensive testing in a variety of conditions, I’m here to dissect their design choices, imaging performance, and real-world usability. This will help you decide which is a better fit for your style, needs, and budget - and to set expectations appropriately.

Let’s dive deep, starting with what you hold in your hands when picking up either of these compact superzooms.

Feeling the Cameras: Size, Ergonomics, and Control Layout

The Samsung WB800F presents itself as a sleek, ultra-compact travel companion - its dimensions are 111 x 65 x 22 mm, weighing just 218 grams. The design is minimalist yet modern with a notable touchscreen interface. On the other hand, the Sony HX10V is slightly chunkier, measuring 105 x 60 x 34 mm and tipping the scales at 234 grams. The additional thickness accommodates the longer zoom range and a more traditional control layout.

Picking up both side-by-side, the WB800F wins points for pocketability and unobtrusive size, something street photographers and travelers will appreciate. However, the HX10V’s grip feels more substantial and secure, especially if you’re holding it for extended shooting sessions or in less steady scenarios such as wildlife or sports.

Moving to the top control surfaces, Samsung adopts a minimalist route: a simple mode dial paired with a few buttons around the shutter release, primarily relying on the touchscreen for advanced control. Sony maintains a more tactile approach, dedicating physical dials and buttons for ISO, zoom, and exposure compensation - valuable when quick adjustments are needed without fumbling through menus.

In my experience, the HX10V’s button-rich design is arguably better ergonomically for shooting on the go, letting you keep eyes on the scene rather than the screen, whereas Samsung’s touchscreen can occasionally become a hinderance in bright sunlight or with gloves. Both cameras lack electronic viewfinders, leaning on their LCDs exclusively.

Sensor Technology and Imaging Fundamentals

Both share the same sensor size - a 1/2.3" BSI-CMOS sensor measuring 6.17 x 4.55 mm and an imaging area of approximately 28.07 mm² - typical for superzoom compacts of this era. However, sensor resolution and processing diverge.

Sony pulls ahead on megapixels (18 vs 16) and max ISO (12800 native against Samsung’s 3200). While the advantage in resolution is marginal in practical terms - especially given sensor size constraints - the greater ISO range on Sony indicates a better potential for low-light performance. This is a critical factor for anyone shooting night scenes, indoor sports, or events with fluctuating lighting.

During side-by-side test shoots in the studio and outdoors, the HX10V demonstrated better image quality at higher ISOs, with less chroma noise and smoother tonality. The Sony’s BIONZ processor brings refinement to noise reduction and color rendition, delivering truer colors and richer dynamic range, albeit still limited by sensor size.

Samsung’s images tend to favor a slightly warmer color tone, more pleasing for portraits but less consistent in mixed lighting environments. Both cameras include an antialiasing filter, which balances moiré suppression with sharpness, but neither excels particularly in resolving extremely fine textures given physical sensor limits.

LCD Screen and Interface: Touching on Usability

Having an intuitive interface is vital, especially on compact cams where menu depth often complicates fast shooting.

The Samsung WB800F sports a 3.0-inch, 460k-dot TFT LCD touchscreen. The touchscreen interface is responsive, enabling quick navigation, pinch to zoom, and even touchscreen focus in still photography, which is a luxury for cameras of this class and time.

Conversely, the Sony HX10V features a 3.0-inch XtraFine TruBlack TFT LCD at a notably higher resolution of 922k dots, but without touchscreen capability. The increase in resolution produces sharper, more detailed live view images, helping when composing or checking fine detail outdoors in bright light.

While I found Sony’s superior screen resolution lends itself better to precise framing and review, the absence of touch can slow down novice users. Samsung’s touchscreen is commendable for its responsiveness but falls short in resolution and daylight visibility. Both screens generally struggle with glare outdoors - a common challenge in the category.

Lens Performance and Zoom Capabilities

Optically, these cameras sport very different focal ranges affecting use-case suitability.

• Samsung WB800F: 23–483 mm equivalent (21x zoom), aperture f/2.8–5.9
• Sony HX10V: 24–400 mm equivalent (16.7x zoom), aperture f/3.3–5.9

Samsung wins in maximum aperture at the wide end, offering slightly more light (f/2.8 vs f/3.3), helpful for low-light wide-angle shots. The extra zoom range of the WB800F’s 21x means more reach for distant subjects - valuable in wildlife or travel photography.

Sony’s lens excels in close focusing, with a macro focus range of 5 centimeters, allowing detailed close-ups unseen in Samsung’s unspecified macro.

In practical shooting tests, Samsung’s supertelephoto extension proved handy for isolated wildlife subjects from a distance, but at maximum zoom, image stabilization and autofocus noticeably struggled. Sony’s lens maintained better edge-to-edge sharpness at wide and mid-range, with smoother bokeh transitions in portrait modes.

Both cameras employ optical image stabilization critical for hand-held superzoom use, though Samsung’s system felt marginally less effective in my handheld testing at full zoom, where the slightest twitch degrades image sharpness.

Autofocus: Speed, Accuracy, and Versatility

Precise and speedy autofocus is paramount when capturing fleeting moments - sports, wildlife, street photography.

Both models use contrast-detection AF, though the HX10V offers a 9-point focus area compared to Samsung’s unspecified number.

I found Sony’s autofocus faster to lock and more consistent in tracking moving subjects, especially under bright daylight. Samsung was adequate for stationary or deliberate compositional work but occasionally lagged when tracking fast action or erratic wildlife movement.

Neither supports continuous autofocus during burst shooting, limiting potential for fast-action shots, but the Sony HX10V’s 10fps burst rate significantly outpaces Samsung’s no specified continuous shooting speed. This makes the HX10V a stronger choice for sports enthusiasts relying on rapid frame capture.

Burst Shooting and Shutter Speeds

Sony HX10V supports continuous shooting up to 10 frames per second, a remarkable feat for compact cameras at the time, ideal for capturing dynamic action sequences in sports or wildlife. Samsung WB800F does not specify a burst mode, implying a more leisurely single shot cadence.

Shutter speed ranges show Samsung’s camera offering 16 to 1/2000 sec, while Sony spans 30 to 1/1600 sec. Samsung’s lower minimum shutter speed (16 sec) may offer slightly longer exposures useful for night or astrophotography, though likely hindered by the lack of manual bulb mode.

Video Capabilities: HD Recording and Formats

Both cameras enable full HD 1920×1080 video recording but differ in frame rates and codecs:

Sony’s ability to shoot full HD at 60 fps allows for smoother footage and better slow-motion potential, which filmmakers and vloggers may appreciate. Samsung is capped at 30 fps. Neither camera supports external microphones, limiting audio control.

Image stabilization is optical on both models, helpful for handheld video shooting, but testing showed Sony’s system slightly more effective in reducing handshake.

Self-Timer, Connectivity, and Storage

Samsung includes a touchscreen-driven self-timer but no wireless connectivity beyond built-in Wi-Fi for quick sharing. Sony, by contrast, leverages Eye-Fi compatibility, facilitating wireless image transfer via compatible SD cards, alongside GPS tagging - a big plus for travel photographers keeping geotagged catalogs.

Both accept SD/SDHC/SDXC cards, but Sony extends support to Memory Stick formats, enhancing ecosystem flexibility. Battery life favors Sony as well, rated at approximately 320 shots per charge versus an undefined lifespan for Samsung - in my tests, the HX10V reliably outlasted the WB800F, lasting longer in continuous shooting sessions.

Durability, Weather Sealing, and Build Quality

Neither camera is weather-sealed, dustproof, or shock-resistant. Both are fairly compact but not designed for harsh weather or rugged use. That said, the Sony feels more solidly built with a sturdier grip and more tactile buttons, potentially better suited to active settings or rough handling.

Real-World Photography: How Both Perform Across Genres

Let’s bring this all together across core photography disciplines. Bear in mind, both cameras share sensor size limitations that define their ultimate image quality ceilings.

Portrait Photography

Sony’s higher resolution and more consistent autofocus support better skin tone reproduction and noticeable eye detection that enhances subject sharpness. Samsung’s slightly wider aperture at the wide end helps in lower light or creates softer backgrounds but is limited by the small sensor and lens specs for truly dramatic bokeh. Neither offers RAW shooting, limiting post-processing flexibility - a sore point for professionals.

Landscape Photography

Both can shoot decent landscapes with respectable resolution for web or moderate print sizes. Dynamic range is limited by size but Sony’s higher maximum ISO and superior sensor processing give it a slight edge in shadow detail preservation. The lack of weather sealing is a drawback if you are shooting outdoors frequently in variable weather.

Wildlife and Sports Photography

Sony’s 10fps burst and faster autofocus tracking outperform Samsung’s capabilities easily, though neither will replace dedicated DSLR or mirrorless setups here. Samsung’s longer zoom extends reach, but autofocus lag and slower burst reduce its utility for fast-moving subjects.

Street Photography

Samsung’s smaller size and touchscreen might appeal for candid shots and portability, but Sony's better controls and brighter lens at the wide end make it a versatile companion. Neither offers silent shutter capability, which limits discretion.

Macro Photography

Sony’s 5cm minimum focus distance beats Samsung’s unspecified macro, allowing greater detail capture in close-up shots. Both lack features like focus stacking or post-focus, common in modern compacts.

Night and Astro Photography

Samsung allows longer exposures (16 sec vs. 30 sec min shutter for Sony), which can be useful for low-light scenes, but neither supports RAW, bulb mode, or advanced noise reduction, so astrophotography remains a significant challenge on either.

Video Use

Sony edges ahead with smooth 60fps 1080p recording and AVCHD support for better compression, suitable for casual videographers needing quality HD clips. Samsung’s 30fps cap and simpler codecs may suffice for social media but are more limited.

Travel Photography

Samsung’s lightweight and compact dimensions make it an easy travel mate. Sony’s superior battery life, manual control accessibility, and built-in GPS tagging, however, add practical advantages for documenting and organizing travel photography.

Summary Scores and Recommendations

Bringing together our analysis, here’s how they stack up overall.

And genre-by-genre:

Final Verdict: Which Should You Buy?

• Choose Samsung WB800F if:

  • You prioritize ultra-compact size and want a touchscreen interface.
  • Your photography leans toward casual travel or street shooting where portability is paramount.
  • You value a longer zoom range and slightly wider lens aperture at the wide end.
  • Limited burst shooting and lower ISO ceiling are acceptable trade-offs for a friendlier price (~$300).

• Choose Sony Cyber-shot HX10V if:

  • You need higher resolution images and better low-light performance.
  • Fast autofocus, burst shooting, and better video specs matter, especially for wildlife, sports, or indoor shooting.
  • You welcome manual control via physical dials and integrated GPS support.
  • You have the budget for a higher priced camera (~$600) but want a versatile, well-rounded superzoom compact.

In Closing: An Experienced Perspective on Two Superzoom Compacts

Testing these cameras in real environments - from urban streets to natural parks - helped clarify their strengths and compromises. The Samsung WB800F is decidedly an ultraportable, approachable device ideal for casual use or first-time buyers who want simple touch navigation and decent zoom reach in a package that fits easily into a pocket.

The Sony HX10V targets enthusiasts who need more responsive handling, faster autofocus, longer battery life, and enhanced video options. Its physical controls and GPS integration add workflow efficiencies and creative options often overlooked in this segment.

Ultimately, neither camera fully replaces a larger-sensor system for professional photographic work but each delivers respectable image quality and features within their compact superzoom niche. Your choice should hinge on the balance between portability, responsiveness, and imaging quality you demand for your photographic adventures.

Sample Images Showcase

Before you go, here’s a gallery featuring representative shots from both cameras highlighting their imaging characteristics side-by-side.

Samsung WB800F screen back Sony HX10V front Sony HX10V screen back

Thank you for journeying through this detailed comparison. I hope the insights empower you to make an informed camera choice tailored exactly to your photography passion and projects. Happy shooting!