Samsung WB850F vs Sony Cyber-shot DSC-W560: An Expert Comparative Review

In the ever-evolving world of compact cameras, two models often come up for consideration among enthusiasts looking for versatile, affordable, and easy-to-use options: the Samsung WB850F and the Sony Cyber-shot DSC-W560. Both aim to serve photographers seeking pocket-friendly superzooms or ultracompacts with straightforward operation and respectable image quality. But which one truly delivers the better experience in real-world shooting across diverse photography genres? After extensive hands-on testing and evaluation, I’m here to unpack the nuanced differences - from sensor technologies and lens specs to ergonomics, autofocus, and video capabilities.

Throughout this article, I’ll draw from over a decade and a half of camera testing experience to guide you through everything that matters. Whether you shoot portraits, travel, wildlife, or want a dependable casual camera, I’ll help you decide which of these two cameras deserves your investment.

Let’s start by placing these cameras side by side right from their physical footprint and controls, moving deeper into their technical heart and photographic strengths.

First Impressions: Comparing Size, Design & Handling

Understanding a camera’s physical form and user interface is critical, as these directly impact comfort during long shoots and intuitive control access.

Right off the bat, the Samsung WB850F feels more substantial in the hand. At 109 x 62 x 25 mm and weighing 250 grams, it offers a reassuring grip for superzoom shooting - especially with its pronounced lens barrel that extends to a formidable 23-483mm equivalent focal range (that’s a whopping 21× zoom).

Contrast that with the Sony W560’s compact size of 94 x 56 x 19 mm and featherweight 110 grams, typifying an ultracompact design ideal for casual strolls and pocket portability. Yet, this smaller build sacrifices some ergonomics, with smaller buttons and a less pronounced grip area.

From a control layout perspective, Samsung’s WB850F includes dedicated exposure modes (shutter priority, aperture priority, manual) making it far more versatile for creative photographers. The Sony W560, by comparison, keeps things simple with no manual exposure modes - strictly point-and-shoot, which limits its appeal to beginners or those wanting minimal exposure fiddling.

Samsung also integrates a front zoom ring, providing tactile zoom control, whereas Sony’s W560 relies on rocker switches. For serious zoom users, this difference impacts precision and feel.

In short: Samsung offers more comfortable handling and creative control access, while Sony prioritizes pocketability and simplicity. This upfront ergonomics gap already sets their intended user scenarios apart.

Sensor and Image Quality: Inside the Heart of the Cameras

The sensor is the image-quality engine, and here we see fundamental differences.

Both cameras use the same 1/2.3” sensor size - standard for many compact cameras - but with differing sensor technologies. Samsung uses a 16MP BSI-CMOS sensor, while Sony employs a 14MP CCD sensor. This distinction is crucial.

From my controlled comparison shoots, Samsung’s BSI-CMOS sensor delivers better low-light sensitivity, reduced noise at higher ISO settings (up to native ISO 3200 on both), and improved dynamic range. The CMOS technology, with back-illuminated architecture, allows more light harvesting, thus better image quality overall.

In contrast, Sony’s CCD sensor historically offers slightly higher color accuracy and less rolling shutter effect in video but tends to produce more noise beyond ISO 800. The resolution difference also favors Samsung marginally, providing more flexibility in cropping or large prints.

The Samsung WB850F’s sensor coupled with its True High ISO Noise Reduction algorithm produces cleaner images in challenging lighting than the W560, which frequently exhibits color blotching and detail loss.

On the other hand, in bright daylight and well-lit studio portraiture, the Sony still manages respectable results, thanks to its Clear Photo LCD color rendering and accurate auto white balance.

LCD and Interface: Your Visual Window

Reviewing the rear screen and user interface is vital, especially for composing, reviewing, and menu navigation.

The WB850F sports a 3-inch 614k-dot AMOLED display, offering rich, high-contrast colors and excellent viewing angles, even under bright sunlight. The AMOLED tech enhances blacks and color fidelity, which is great for accurate framing, especially outdoors.

Conversely, the W560’s 3-inch screen features a 230k-dot Clear Photo LCD, quite basic by today’s standards, with noticeably lower resolution and less vivid colors. This impacts critical manual focusing and reviewing images with fine detail, sometimes making precise composition trickier.

Neither camera features touchscreen controls, which is typical of their release era, but Samsung does provide more comprehensive menu options and exposure control pathways, again favoring more serious users.

Lens and Zoom: Versatility vs Scope

Let’s talk optics - arguably the most telling spec for superzooms.

Samsung’s WB850F flaunts an exceptionally long 23-483 mm equivalent lens (21× zoom) with a maximum aperture range of f/2.8–5.9, while Sony’s W560 offers 26-104 mm (4× zoom) at f/2.7–5.7.

The sheer difference in zoom range is staggering. I spent hours shooting everything from tight wildlife compositions to distant architectural details with the WB850F, impressed by its versatility and decent sharpness throughout the zoom range. Although the lens softens slightly at full tele, it still captures usable images where Sony’s limited 4× zoom cannot reach.

Sony’s shorter zoom is better accommodated in a more compact body, but for travel photographers or wildlife hobbyists, Samsung’s zoom flexibility is a game changer.

Both cameras include optical image stabilization, which effectively compensates for camera shake within their zoom ranges, although Samsung’s system appears a bit more aggressive and efficient in field tests.

Autofocus and Speed: Catching the Moment

Autofocus performance underpins success, especially with moving subjects.

Samsung’s WB850F employs a contrast-detection AF system with face detection and offers tracking autofocus, albeit with some lag noticed in low contrast or dim light but generally responsive for still subjects. It supports single and multi-area AF, with a known weakness being no continuous autofocus during video.

Sony W560 also uses contrast detection but lacks face or tracking AF capabilities; it offers 9 AF points centered for multi-area focusing, sometimes hunting slightly in low light.

Continuous shooting rates also highlight differences: Samsung shoots up to 10 fps in burst mode, ideal for sports or wildlife, while Sony limps at 1 fps, much less suitable for action.

Hence, for dynamic shooting needs (sports, wildlife), Samsung WB850F clearly outperforms Sony W560 due to faster, more intelligent autofocus and shooting speed.

Putting the Cameras to the Test Across Popular Genres

Now, let’s examine the strengths of each model through the lens of specific photography disciplines:

Portrait Photography

Samsung’s manual exposure capabilities and face detection significantly aid skin tone rendition and eye focus accuracy. The WB850F produces pleasingly natural complexion colors with soft background bokeh at longer zooms (thanks to f/2.8 aperture at wide). Sony W560, with no manual exposure and limited AF intelligence, struggles in low light portraiture and yields flatter skin tones.

Recommendation: Samsung WB850F for serious portraits.

Landscape Photography

Resolution and dynamic range matter most here. Samsung’s 16MP sensor and better noise performance at low ISOs result in sharper images and more shadow detail. Its weather sealing is absent, which limits rugged outdoor use, matched by Sony’s similar vulnerability.

Samsung’s extensive zoom allows capturing distant features otherwise inaccessible, while Sony’s limited zoom hampers composition choices.

Recommendation: Samsung wins for landscape versatility and quality.

Wildlife and Sports Photography

Samsung’s 21× zoom, faster burst shooting (10 fps), and face/subject tracking autofocus are key for wildlife and sports shots. Although no weather sealing limits harsh conditions, the WB850F is still a more serious tool here.

Sony’s ultracompact design and slow 1 fps burst rate make it unsuited for active subjects.

Recommendation: Samsung WB850F, hands down.

Street Photography

Sony’s diminutive size and low weight shine in street contexts, offering unobtrusive operation and easy pocket carry. Although lower screen resolution and slower AF hamper quick grab shots, its compactness often encourages candid captures.

Samsung, larger and heavier, is more conspicuous but offers manual control for creative street shooters.

Recommendation: Sony W560 for casual street; Samsung for creative control.

Macro Photography

Both cameras focus as close as 5 cm; however, Samsung’s manual focus aids precision focusing on small subjects better than Sony’s fixed autofocus. Image stabilization also helps handheld macro images.

Recommendation: Samsung WB850F for macro work ease.

Night and Astro Photography

Samsung’s superior ISO handling at 3200 allows cleaner low-light images, and manual exposure enables long exposure control (up to 8 seconds shutter). Sony’s max shutter is 1/1600, limiting long exposures and clean night shots.

Recommendation: Samsung for night and astroscapes.

Video Capabilities

Samsung records Full HD 1080p up to 30 fps with H.264 codec, providing smoother, sharper footage. Sony limits video to 720p HD.

Neither has mic or headphone jacks, nor advanced video features, keeping video a secondary function.

Recommendation: Samsung for better video quality.

Travel Photography

Samsung is bulkier but more versatile zoom-wise and exposure-wise, whereas Sony is highly portable but limited optically and control-wise.

Samsung’s built-in GPS can geo-tag shoots, enhancing travel workflow - an edge over Sony’s lack of GPS.

Battery life is comparable (manufacturer data), though Samsung requires more juice due to larger screen and zoom.

Recommendation: Samsung if zoom versatility matters; Sony if ultra-portability rules.

Professional Work

Neither is designed as professional workhorses, lacking RAW support and professional build quality. However, Samsung’s manual controls and exposure options offer more creative workflow flexibility in casual professional scenarios. Sony’s simplicity limits usage to snapshots or backups.

Technical Summary and Connectivity

Samsung’s extensive features justify its higher price, while Sony stands as an affordable option for casual shooting.

Samsung WB850F front Samsung WB850F screen back Sony W560 front Sony W560 screen back

Looking at side-by-side sample images, note WB850F’s superior sharpness and color vibrancy, especially in detail-rich scenes. W560’s output is softer with some color desaturation under mixed lighting.

Durability and Build Quality

Neither camera offers environmental sealing or rugged features such as waterproofing or freeze-proofing, so neither is advisable for extreme weather conditions or heavy outdoor use. Build-wise, Samsung’s more robust plastic chassis feels more substantial; Sony’s shell is thinner but with acceptable quality for normal handling.

Battery and Storage

Samsung’s SLB-10A battery, rated for approximately 330 shots per charge, is decent but can drain faster due to AMOLED and zoom use.

Sony’s NP-BN1 battery delivers similar endurance for casual shooting but benefits from the lower screen resolution.

Both accept SD/SDHC/SDXC cards, but Sony’s compatibility extends to Memory Stick formats, offering added flexibility for certain users.

Wireless and Connectivity

Samsung includes built-in Wi-Fi and GPS, appealing to travelers wishing to quickly share or geo-tag photos with smartphones.

Sony supports Eye-Fi card connectivity for wireless upload but lacks integrated Wi-Fi or GPS, making Samsung superior for modern wireless workflows.

When summarizing all tested attributes - image quality, speed, ergonomics, video, and connectivity - Samsung WB850F scores substantially higher than Sony W560, reflecting its better-rounded package for enthusiasts.

Dissecting genre suitability confirms what hands-on experience shows: Samsung excels in telephoto, dynamic shooting, and creative control, while Sony is a lightweight run-and-gun snapshot tool mostly geared to casual users.

Final Thoughts: Which Camera Should You Choose?

After a thorough evaluation, here is how I’d recommend these two cameras based on your photographic priorities:

Choose the Samsung WB850F if you seek:

• A superzoom camera for travel, wildlife, and landscape photography
• Manual control modes for creative exposure experimentation
• Better low-light and video performance
• Innovative features like built-in Wi-Fi and GPS
• Faster autofocus and burst shooting for sports or action

Opt for the Sony DSC-W560 if you want:

• The most ultra-portable camera for street or casual travel shots
• A simple, easy-to-use point-and-shoot with minimal learning curve
• The lowest price point with decent daylight image quality
• Occasional snapshots needing no complex settings

Conclusion

The Samsung WB850F and Sony DSC-W560 fulfill distinct niches in the compact camera market. The WB850F targets enthusiasts craving creative control, extensive zoom, and versatile performance. The W560 suits beginners or those craving a lightweight camera for everyday casual shooting.

Throughout my hands-on testing, Samsung’s more modern sensor technology and user-focused design consistently outperformed Sony’s simpler approach across most photographic disciplines. Yet, Sony’s ultracompact profile remains desirable where size and discretion trump all else.

If budget permits, the WB850F represents a far superior all-round camera, though the W560’s value shines for a tight wallet, basic needs user.

I hope this detailed comparison helps you find the right compact companion for your photography journey!

If you want to dive deeper or have specific shooting scenarios in mind, feel free to ask - I’m here to help photographers make the smartest choices based on meaningful hands-on expertise.