Samsung WB850F vs Sony NEX-5N: A Hands-On Comparison From the Trenches of Photography

Choosing between two cameras from very different categories - a compact superzoom shooter and an entry-level mirrorless interchangeable-lens system - is no small feat. The Samsung WB850F and the Sony NEX-5N both debuted in the early 2010s; yet they appeal to radically different expectations and photographic ambitions. As someone who has spent thousands of hours testing cameras both in the lab and out in the wild, I’ve found that understanding these devices isn’t just about specs - it’s about real-world use, ergonomic feel, image quality nuances, and the workflows they enable.

Today, let’s unpack how these two cameras measure up across multiple photography genres, their core technologies, and practical performance to help you pick the best fit for your shooting style and budget.

Size and Handling: Compact Convenience vs Mirrorless Versatility

Right out of the gate, the physicality of these cameras makes a strong statement.

Samsung’s WB850F is a sleek compact - a pocketable superzoom weighing just 250 grams with dimensions of 109 x 62 x 25 mm. It packs a long 21x optical zoom lens (23-483 mm 35mm equivalent) into a small frame, making it a prime candidate for travel shooters or anyone after one camera that does it all without the bulk.

In contrast, the Sony NEX-5N, sized at 111 x 59 x 38 mm and 269 grams body-only, steps into the realm of interchangeable-lens mirrorless cameras. It embraces a rangefinder-style mirrorless body with a Sony E-mount lens system offering over 120 lenses to pick from.

Ergonomically, the WB850F’s fixed lens keeps the camera slim and nimble - great for street photography or casual shooting when you want to blend in. The WB850F features a simple control scheme geared towards ease of use, but don’t expect advanced tactile dials or a complex grip.

The slightly larger Sony NEX-5N offers a more substantial grip and the flexibility to adopt different lenses, from wide primes to telephotos. Its rangefinder design is a bit chunkier but still extremely pocket-friendly compared to DSLRs. This design can feel better balanced when paired with larger lenses typical for portrait or wildlife.

Handheld comfort, in my experience, leans toward the NEX-5N for extended sessions, especially if you tend to switch lenses - its physical controls and customizable buttons give you more direct control and a polished shooting experience.

Design Philosophy and Control Layout: Simplicity vs Customization

Both cameras sport 3-inch displays, but the user interfaces and control layouts couldn’t be more different.

Samsung kept the WB850F straightforward: fixed AMOLED screen, no electronic viewfinder, minimalistic button placement, and no touchscreen. It’s a traditional compact feel - point and shoot with manual overrides available if you want to fiddle with aperture, shutter speed, or ISO.

Sony’s NEX-5N ups the ante with a tilting 3-inch TFT LCD, 920k-dot resolution, and touchscreen capability - a boon for creative compositions at weird angles. While it lacks a built-in electronic viewfinder (an optional accessory is available), the body offers multiple customizable dials and buttons, combining user-friendliness with enough complexity for advanced users.

If you’re someone who thrives on direct manual control and likes tactile feedback in your workflow, the NEX-5N’s design philosophy supports that. Conversely, if you prefer simplicity and all-in-one convenience, the WB850F keeps things minimal without overwhelming you.

Sensor Technology and Image Quality: Small Sensor Superzoom vs APS-C Powerhouse

Now, on to one of the most critical aspects that separate these two cameras: their sensors.

The WB850F features a 1/2.3-inch BSI-CMOS sensor measuring just 6.17 x 4.55 mm (about 28 mm²) with a 16MP resolution. The Sony NEX-5N boasts a large APS-C sized CMOS sensor (23.4 x 15.6 mm), also 16MP but territory 13x larger in sensor area (nearly 365 mm²). This is a fundamental difference that influences everything from image quality to depth of field control.

Small sensors like the WB850F’s limit noise suppression capabilities and dynamic range but help keep the camera compact. The Samsung performs adequately for web and casual prints, but noise becomes visible by ISO 800 and above.

On the other hand, the Sony’s APS-C sensor delivers significantly better color depth, dynamic range (measured at a robust 12.7 EV on DXOMark), and low-light performance. Thanks to a much larger surface area, the NEX-5N achieves excellent image quality even at high ISOs, up to 3200 and beyond, making it very adaptable for various shooting conditions - including challenging indoor or low-light scenes.

Samsung’s sensor is married to a fixed 21x zoom lens, producing reasonable image quality but with optical compromises common in compact superzooms - softness at the long telephoto end and some distortion wide open.

Sony’s interchangeable lens design unlocks bolder possibilities in image quality, form factor, and creative control, as you can mount many primes, macro, or tele lenses designed for high performance.

Display and Interface Experience: AMOLED vs Tilting Touch

Samsung went with a 3-inch AMOLED display on the WB850F, delivering punchy colors and great contrast. This screen is fantastic for reviewing images in bright daylight and generally responsive, but lacks touch sensitivity.

Sony’s NEX-5N offers a tilting TFT LCD that can flip up 80° or tilt down 45°. The screen’s higher resolution (920k dots) and touchscreen capabilities provide responsive autofocus point selection and menu navigation - an edge in both studio and outdoor shooting for precision framing or adjusting settings on the fly.

Although the WB850F screen is vibrant and sharp, the Sony’s tilting design gives it versatility for vlogging, low-angle shots, and awkward compositions. The touchscreen also allows quicker focus adjustments, much appreciated during dynamic shoots.

Autofocus Performance: Hybrid Agility vs Basic Contrast Detection

Autofocus systems are critical - especially for action, wildlife, and street photographers.

Samsung’s WB850F relies on a contrast-detection AF system with feature detection (faces included). It supports single AF and tracking modes but lacks continuous autofocus for video or burst shooting. While decent for casual portraiture or everyday snapshots, autofocus hunting can become noticeable in low contrast or fast-moving subjects.

Sony’s NEX-5N features a 25-point contrast-detection AF system integrated with Live View and touch focus. The autofocus is faster and more accurate than typical compacts of its era, benefiting from the camera’s larger sensor and faster processor (Bionz). However, it lacks phase-detect AF points, so extremely speedy tracking for sports or wildlife isn’t as reliable as modern cameras but still superior to compact superzooms.

If you require quick snapshots of fleeting moments or must track moving subjects, NEX-5N’s autofocus feels more robust and flexible.

Build Quality and Weather Sealing: Lightweight But Risky Outdoors

Neither camera offers weather sealing, but build quality impacts long-term durability and confidence in field use.

The Samsung WB850F’s compact plastic body feels light but not fragile - suitable for everyday casual shooting rather than rugged adventures.

Sony’s NEX-5N, with a metal and polycarbonate body, feels sturdier and more professional. Although it’s not weather sealed, I’ve used it in various conditions with care, and it holds up well.

If you plan serious outdoor or travel work, both cameras will require protective measures against moisture or dust.

Lens Ecosystem and Optical Versatility: Fixed Zoom vs Extensive E-Mount Options

This is where the Sony NEX-5N shines. Its Sony E mount supports a huge selection of lenses - over 120 models including primes renowned for sharpness and large apertures, zoom lenses, macros, and specialty lenses. This flexibility makes it a powerful creative tool.

In stark contrast, the Samsung WB850F is limited to its built-in 23-483 mm f/2.8-5.9 lens, excellent for zoom reach but with optical compromises in sharpness and aperture speed.

For portrait shooters seeking creamy bokeh and sharp focus on eyes, Sony’s large aperture primes (e.g., 50mm f/1.8) blow the WB850F’s fixed lens out of the water.

Similarly, macro and wildlife photographers will benefit enormously from the NEX-5N’s lens choices.

Real-World Performance in Photography Genres

Portraits: Skin Tones, Bokeh, and Eye Detection

Samsung’s WB850F delivers sharp, vibrant images suitable for casual portraits, but the small sensor and lens aperture limit background blur (bokeh), making isolating subjects challenging.

Sony’s APS-C sensor, paired with fast E-mount primes, produces smooth skin tones and creamy bokeh that compliments professional-looking portraits. The NEX-5N also offers face detection autofocus, helpful for sharp eye focus.

Landscape Photography: Detail, Dynamic Range, and Weather Considerations

With its compactness, the WB850F is travel-friendly, but image quality in landscapes is limited by sensor size and zoom lens performance. Dynamic range is narrower, often requiring post-processing to recover highlights and shadows.

The NEX-5N’s large sensor captures exceptional detail and dynamic range, making it preferable for landscape photographers who print large or seek rich tonal gradations.

Wildlife and Sports: Autofocus and Burst Shooting

The WB850F supports 10 fps burst shooting (impressive for its class) but has limited autofocus tracking.

Sony’s NEX-5N also offers 10 fps but features better AF responsiveness; however, it is still behind modern cameras designed specifically for action.

Telephoto lens availability on the NEX-5N outclasses the fixed zoom, enabling better reach and faster apertures.

Street Photography: Discretion and Low-Light Capability

The compact WB850F shines with its discreet size and quiet operation - a stealthy companion in urban environments.

Sony NEX-5N, while still compact, is bulkier and possibly more conspicuous. However, its superior low-light capability and manual control options make it versatile for creative street shots after dark.

Macro Photography: Magnification and Focusing Precision

Samsung’s WB850F offers a minimum focusing distance of 5 cm but lacks specialized macro optics, resulting in decent but not exceptional close-ups.

Sony’s interchangeable lenses include macro-specific options with high magnification and precise manual focus controls, suited for serious macro shooters.

Night and Astrophotography: ISO Performance and Exposure Control

Samsung’s small sensor stumbles in this department, with noise evident above ISO 800.

The NEX-5N’s sensor performs well up to ISO 3200 and supports longer shutter times (up to 30 seconds), favorable for nightscapes and star photography.

Video Capabilities: Full HD Options with Varying Flexibility

Both cameras record full HD video, but with differences.

Samsung captures 1080p at 30 fps with MPEG-4 and H.264 codecs, including slow-motion modes.

Sony delivers 1080p up to 60 fps in AVCHD format, providing smoother video and higher quality compression.

Neither supports external microphones or headphone jacks, a drawback for professional video shooters. The NEX-5N’s touchscreen autofocus during video is more responsive, giving it a slight edge.

Travel Photography: Battery Life, Weight, and Versatility

Sony’s NEX-5N offers superior battery life (approx. 460 shots per charge), essential for long trips without charging options.

Samsung’s battery life is unspecified but generally lower based on real-world usage.

The WB850F’s lightweight, fixed-lens design is ideal for travelers who want simplicity.

The NEX-5N’s flexibility in lenses and better image quality appeals to travelers who prioritize photographic versatility over minimalism.

Professional Use and Workflow Integration

Sony’s support for RAW files and robust manual controls make it suited for professional workflows involving post-processing.

Samsung’s JPEG-only output and limited manual features constrain professional applications.

Connectivity-wise, Samsung includes built-in GPS for geotagging, beneficial for documenting travel shoots.

Sony supports Eye-Fi card compatibility for wireless transfers but lacks native GPS.

Connectivity and Storage: Modern Conveniences vs Basic

Both cameras rely on SD cards, with NEX-5N also supporting Memory Stick formats.

Samsung features built-in WiFi for sharing - advanced for its launch period - but no Bluetooth or NFC.

Sony’s WiFi capabilities use Eye-Fi cards, less convenient than built-in connectivity.

HDMI and USB 2.0 ports are standard on both.

Price-to-Performance Ratio: What Does Your Investment Buy?

At their launch, Samsung’s WB850F price hovered around $599, and Sony’s NEX-5N near $550 - the latter offering more bang for your buck considering APS-C sensor quality and lens ecosystem.

For enthusiasts wanting better image quality and growth potential, the NEX-5N is a more serious investment.

Casual users or those wanting a travel-friendly all-in-one may find the WB850F’s convenience worth the price.

Summary and Verdict: Picking Your Perfect Match

When it comes down to it, these cameras suit radically different audiences.

Recommendations by Use Case

• Casual Photography & Travel: Samsung WB850F is perfect if you value convenience, want a long zoom in a pocketable package, and don’t require RAW or advanced manual controls.

• Enthusiasts & Professionals: Sony NEX-5N excels with superior image quality, extensive lens options, robust manual features, and better low-light performance.

• Portrait & Wedding Photography: The NEX’s large sensor and lens ecosystem provide bokeh-rich portraits, crucial for professional needs.

• Wildlife & Sports: While neither is a high-end sports camera, NEX-5N’s lenses and better AF make it preferable.

• Macro & Night Photography: The NEX-5N is the clear favorite for specialized genres - its sensor and lenses reign supreme.

• Video Use: The NEX-5N edges out with smoother FPS options and better codec support.

Closing Thoughts

I once tried catching a playful dog running through the park with the Samsung WB850F. The zoom was impressive, but the autofocus struggled to keep pace. Switching to the Sony NEX-5N with a fast 55-210mm telephoto lens felt dramatically more satisfying - quick, sharp shots frozen in time.

Still, not everyone craves interchangeable lens systems, and that’s okay. Sometimes, the simplest solution wins - especially if you want a camera that makes you smile every time you uncap the lens without fuss.

If you need a compact all-in-one superzoom for vacations or casual use, the Samsung WB850F remains a capable companion in 2024. However, if image quality, creative control, and future expandability are your cornerstones, the Sony NEX-5N stands the test of time remarkably well.

Additional Visual Insights

To round out this analysis, here are some sample images from both cameras at various focal lengths and lighting conditions. Notice the difference in depth, color fidelity, and noise levels.

Samsung WB850F front Samsung WB850F screen back Sony NEX 5N front Sony NEX 5N screen back

Here’s how these cameras rank by photography type according to hands-on testing and user feedback:

Thank you for walking through this comprehensive comparison with me! Hopefully, this hands-on breakdown helps you navigate the specs jungle and pick a camera truly suited to your style - whether that’s zooming in on cityscapes or crafting portraits that sing.

Happy shooting!

Note: All battery lives and performance figures are approximate, based on extensive hands-on tests under controlled conditions and real-world shooting scenarios. Image quality impressions consider sensor technology, lens sharpness, and in-camera processing typical for the era and class.

If you have questions about specific shooting styles or want suggestions for lenses or accessories, drop a comment below - happy to share more from the field!