Comparing the Samsung WB800F and Sony RX100 V: A Hands-On Look at Two Compact Cameras for Your Creative Journey

Choosing your next camera is always exciting – it’s a tool that shapes how you capture memories, tell stories, and express your artistic vision. In this detailed comparison, we put two compact cameras head-to-head: the Samsung WB800F, a small sensor superzoom aimed at casual travel and everyday shooting, and the Sony Cyber-shot DSC-RX100 V, a premium large sensor compact designed to deliver high-end performance in a pocketable form.

Both cameras cater to distinct needs and budgets, and understanding their strengths and weaknesses across a range of photography disciplines will help you make an informed decision before your next purchase. We’ll dive into sensor technology, build and ergonomics, autofocus prowess, image quality, video features, and more – ending with clear recommendations tailored to different types of photographers.

Getting to Know Their Physical Footprints and Design

When choosing a camera, how it feels in your hands - and how easy it is to carry around - matters as much as outright specs. Let’s start by comparing their size and ergonomics.

The WB800F is clearly thinner and lighter, making it easy to slip into a small bag or pocket. It features a fixed 3-inch touchscreen ideal for quick navigation but lacks a dedicated viewfinder. In contrast, the Sony RX100 V feels more substantial; it’s thicker to accommodate its larger sensor and more advanced components. Notably, it features a 3-inch tilting screen (though not touchscreen), and an integrated high-res electronic viewfinder (EVF). This EVF is a huge advantage in bright outdoor conditions and when precise composition is critical.

In practical use, if ultimate portability is your top priority for street or travel photography, the WB800F’s slim profile will appeal. But if you value handling precision, tactile controls, and versatility, the Sony’s design stands out.

Looking from the top reveals how the Sony adds more direct control dials and buttons, reflecting its more enthusiast-focused target user. The Samsung opts for simplicity, focusing on ease of use with fewer physical controls.

A Deep Dive into Sensor and Image Quality Differences

Image quality hinges largely on sensor size, resolution, and processing capability. Here, the two cameras show fundamental differences.

The RX100 V boasts a sensor over four times larger in surface area than the WB800F, which translates into significant advantages in image quality:

• Dynamic Range: The larger pixels on the Sony’s 1” sensor capture a broader range of tones, preserving highlights and shadows much better.
• Low-Light Performance: Thanks to better light-gathering ability, the RX100 V handles higher ISOs with less noise and more detail retention.
• Detail and Sharpness: 20MP resolution combined with advanced Bionz X processing provides crisper details, especially noticeable in landscape and macro photography.
• RAW Format: Having access to RAW files on the Sony camera is critical for photographers who want full control over post-processing.

Conversely, the WB800F uses a common compact camera sensor size optimized for affordability and zoom capability but at the expense of noise and detail in less-than-ideal light. This sensor excels mainly in bright daylight or casual use.

In our hands-on testing, landscapes shot with the RX100 V showed richer color gradation and finer textures - even in shadowed areas - while the WB800F’s images exhibited earlier noise onset and less vibrant colors.

User Interface and Viewing Experience: Screen and Viewfinder Insights

Modern cameras rely heavily on their screens and viewfinders for framing shots and navigating menus.

While the Samsung’s touchscreen makes quick menu navigation and focus point selection intuitive - even for beginners - the low resolution screen limits critical image evaluation. Its fixed position restricts creative composing angles.

The Sony RX100 V’s tilting screen, although non-touch, is sharper and brighter, perfect for low-angle or high-angle shooting. The EVF offers a substantial advantage, ensuring sharp and steady composition in strong sunlight or for fast action where holding the camera steady at eye-level is preferable. This capability sets the RX100 V apart for professional or serious enthusiast photographers who rely on precise framing.

Autofocus Systems: Tracking, Speed, and Accuracy

A camera’s autofocus (AF) system is critical across almost all shooting scenarios - especially fast-moving subjects like wildlife and sports.

Given the WB800F’s relatively basic contrast-detection AF, you can expect slower locking and focus hunting, especially in low contrast or low light. It lacks continuous autofocus modes crucial for tracking moving subjects.

The Sony RX100 V leverages an advanced hybrid AF system featuring 315 phase-detect points spread widely across the frame. This yields fast, near-instant autofocus lock even in challenging conditions. It also supports continuous autofocus with impressive tracking performance. While it doesn’t have animal eye AF, its speed and accuracy remain strong in wildlife and sports scenarios.

For fast-paced photography - sports or wildlife - the RX100 V is in a different league. The WB800F is better suited for static subjects or casual snapshots.

Lens Versatility and Zoom Range: What Are You Shooting?

The built-in lenses define the creative potential of fixed-lens cameras.

The Samsung WB800F’s incredible 21x zoom range dramatically outdistances the Sony’s 2.9x zoom, making it ideal if your photography gravitates toward far-reaching telephoto shots - think distant wildlife on vacation without bulky gear.

However, this comes at the cost of slower maximum apertures at long ends (f/5.9), which limits low light ability and bokeh quality. The lens on the WB800F is also less sharp towards the tele-zoom end due to optical compromises.

Sony’s RX100 V features a much wider maximum aperture throughout (f/1.8 at wide-angle, f/2.8 at telephoto), allowing better low-light shooting and creamy background blur - ideal for portraiture and artistic use. Its superior sharpness and close focusing (5 cm macro) also add creative flexibility, though it sacrifices reach.

So, if super-zoom versatility at a budget is your priority, the WB800F wins. For optical quality and low light, RX100 V excels.

How Do They Perform in Different Photography Disciplines?

We’ll break down how these cameras fare across varied genres to help your specific needs.

Samsung WB800F screen back Sony RX100 V front Sony RX100 V screen back

Above you see a selection of sample photos illustrating the Sony’s richness in color, sharpness, and low light performance compared to the Samsung’s more straightforward output.

Battery Life, Storage, and Connectivity: Staying Powered and Connected

Long battery life and versatile storage options matter for on-the-go shooting.

While official battery life ratings are unavailable for the WB800F, in real-world use it performs adequately for casual day trips. The Sony offers a rated 220 shots - a typical figure for compacts with larger sensors. Both cameras share similar storage flexibility, though Sony supports additional proprietary memory sticks.

Sony’s NFC simplifies pairing with compatible devices, whereas Samsung’s system is Wi-Fi only, lacking Bluetooth or NFC. Neither camera provides microphone or headphone jacks, limiting advanced videographers.

Durability and Weather Sealing

Neither camera boasts weather sealing or rugged build. The Samsung and Sony are best reserved for casual to enthusiast-level usage rather than harsh outdoor conditions.

Price and Value for Money

Given the massive leap in sensor and autofocus tech, the RX100 V's price may be justified for those seeking image quality and speed. The Samsung is an economical choice for casual zoom enthusiasts.

Our scoring charts above reflect the RX100 V’s clear superiority in core performance metrics.

Specialized Performance: How They Score by Photography Genre

This breakdown reaffirms the RX100 V’s edge in demanding areas like sports, wildlife, and night shooting, and the WB800F’s niche in casual superzoom use.

Final Recommendations: Which Camera Should You Choose?

Choose the Samsung WB800F if:

• You desire an ultra-lightweight superzoom with simple operation.
• Your photography centers on travel snapshots, casual shooting, and long reach zoom without concern for RAW or low-light performance.
• Budget constraints steer you toward an affordable zoom compact.
• Touchscreen control and Wi-Fi connectivity are key conveniences.

Choose the Sony RX100 V if:

• Image quality, dynamic range, and low-light capability are critical.
• You shoot fast action: sports, wildlife, or street photography needing excellent autofocus and burst speed.
• Video recording with 4K resolution and higher bitrate matters.
• You want RAW file flexibility and superior handling with an EVF.
• You’re a serious enthusiast or professional seeking a pocketable backup camera.

Exploring Beyond the Cameras: Accessories and Getting the Most Out of Your Gear

Once you've settled on your camera, maximizing its potential with accessories can enhance your creative results:

• For the RX100 V, consider a pocket tripod and an external remote shutter for long exposures or night photography.
• For the WB800F, a protective case and extra SD cards are must-haves for travel.
• Both benefit from high-speed SD cards to enable smooth burst shooting and high-bitrate video.

Experiment with various lenses (where applicable), filters, and editing software to elevate your images from good to spectacular.

Wrapping Up: Your Next Step in Photography

Embarking on a new camera purchase is all about matching your creative goals with the technical tools that empower them. The Samsung WB800F and Sony RX100 V occupy different ends of the compact camera spectrum. Through our extensive testing and side-by-side analysis, it’s clear the RX100 V delivers an exceptional balance of image quality, autofocus speed, and versatility at a higher price.

The WB800F is a friendly, budget-conscious option with real superzoom strength and straightforward usability, especially attractive for travel and casual users.

No matter which you choose, learning your camera’s features deeply and practicing diverse photography styles unlocks its true capabilities. So, check out your favorite stores for hands-on trials, compare sample images, and find the camera that inspires you to create and explore your photographic vision.

Happy shooting!

This comparison is informed by extensive hands-on testing across numerous camera models and real-world shooting scenarios. Our insights aim to empower you with clear, actionable knowledge so you can confidently select a camera that fits your unique photography journey.