Samsung WB850F vs Sony A35

Samsung WB850F vs. Sony SLT-A35: Which Camera Fits Your Photography Journey?

Choosing a camera is rarely straightforward. It’s a blend of technical specs, personal style, shooting preferences, and practical use cases - all layered with a sprinkle of budget considerations. With over 15 years of hands-on testing and reviewing cameras across countless photography genres, I've developed a method for dissecting both the numbers and the experience behind each model. Today, I’m putting the Samsung WB850F and the Sony SLT-A35 head to head - two very different yet compelling cameras from roughly the same era but aimed at distinct audiences and photographic ambitions.

Right off the bat, these cameras could not be more different in design philosophy. The WB850F is the archetype of a small sensor superzoom compact, designed for convenience and versatility without changing lenses. The Sony A35 is an entry-level DSLT (Single Lens Translucent) camera, more traditionally targeted at photography enthusiasts wanting manual control and an interchangeable lens ecosystem.

Let me take you through a detailed, 2500-word exploration - touching on sensor tech, autofocus prowess, build and handling, image quality, and genre-specific performance - closing with my candid recommendations tailored to your shooting style.

Seeing is Believing: Sensor Size and Image Quality

Anyone serious about image quality should have a clear understanding of sensor sizes, because this is where a lot of the magic - or limitations - begin.

The Sony A35 features a 16MP APS-C CMOS sensor (23.5x15.6 mm), with a generous sensor area of 366.6 mm². In contrast, the Samsung WB850F sports a much smaller 1/2.3" BSI CMOS sensor measuring 6.17x4.55mm, just 28.1 mm². While both claim around 16 megapixels resolution-wise, the gap in sensor real estate explains a trove of differences beyond mere resolution numbers.

Why does this matter? Larger sensors, like APS-C, gather more light and boast bigger photosites, contributing to richer detail, superior dynamic range, and dramatic improvements in low-light performance. The A35's sensor delivers 12.7 stops of dynamic range (DxO data) and a low-light ISO score of 763, indicating it’s much more capable when the sun dips below the horizon or shadows deepen.

The WB850F, on the other hand, given its small sensor constraints, will naturally struggle with noise at higher ISOs and deliver less tonal nuance - an expected compromise for its ultra-zoom, pocketable form factor.

When zoomed in to pixel-peeping detail or when printing large, images from the Sony will show finer detail retention and cleaner shadows. However, the Samsung’s BSI sensor technology aids some light-gathering efficiency, and the camera includes optical image stabilization to help offset higher ISOs and longer zoom reaches.

In practical terms: If crisp image quality, wide dynamic range, and clean low-light shots are your holy grail - the Sony A35's sensor is the clear winner.

Through the Lens: Optics and Focusing in Action

How a camera renders your scene comes down heavily to the lens and autofocus (AF) system. And this is where a fixed-lens superzoom versus interchangeable lens DSLR distinction truly crystalizes.

Samsung WB850F ships with a fixed 23-483mm equiv. zoom lens (21x zoom), aperture ranging from f/2.8-5.9. It’s versatile - perfect for snapping wide-angle landscapes one moment, then zooming into distant wildlife the next. The long reach is impressive for a compact and means fewer lens changes - appealing for travel or casual shooting.

The Sony A35 uses the Sony/Minolta Alpha mount, giving access to over 140 lenses - primes, zooms, macro, and telephoto - available from Sony and third-party manufacturers, vastly extending creative possibilities. The difference this makes in optical quality, and specialized lenses, cannot be overstated. From fast portrait primes to professional telephotos, the A35 has you covered.

When it comes to autofocus systems, Sony equips the A35 with a hybrid AF: 15 phase-detection points supplemented by contrast detection. This yields snappier autofocus acquisition and decent tracking performance for an entry-level mirrorless-ish design. While it lacks advanced Eye-AF or animal detection found in today's cameras, it’s robust for portrait and mid-action photography.

The WB850F relies on contrast-detection AF only, with face detection and tracking features tailored for casual shooting. It offers single, continuous, and selective AF modes, but in low contrast or fast-moving subject scenarios, it may falter or hunt noticeably.

For subjects like wildlife and sports photography where AF speed and accuracy are critical, the Sony A35’s system provides an edge - though by modern standards it’s entry-level.

Hands-On Handling: Build Quality and Ergonomics Matter

No matter how great a camera’s specs appear on paper, comfort and intuitive handling can make or break your shooting experience over long sessions.

The Sony A35 sports a classic DSLR style, with a deep grip, physical dials for modes, exposure compensation, and a responsive shutter release. Its construction feels solid, though it’s mostly plastic. At 415 grams and a bulkier 124x92x85mm footprint, it’s more of a "grab and go" enthusiast camera than a pocket carry. The electronic viewfinder (EVF) is bright, with 1150k-dot resolution and full 100% coverage, allowing for precise framing and shooting in bright sunlight.

The Samsung WB850F is delightfully compact and lightweight at just 250g and dimensions of 109x62x25mm, making it genuinely pocketable - an ideal travel buddy. However, it lacks a viewfinder altogether; instead, you rely on its 3" AMOLED display (614k dots) on the back, which is vivid and colorful but can be hard to see in bright conditions.

Speaking of screens:

The Sony’s 3" LCD (921k dots) provides sharper playback and menu navigation than the Samsung’s, which feels a little cramped and basic in comparison. Both cameras lack touchscreens, requiring button and dial input - standard for their age.

The Samsung’s fixed-lens design forgoes physical control dials in favor of menu-driven settings. I found this slower when adjusting settings on the fly. The Sony, with physical controls and a DSLR layout, affords faster adjustments and better working with manual exposure modes.

Neither camera features weather sealing or rugged protection - so both require care in challenging environments.

Portrait & People Photography: Capturing Character and Soul

Portrait shooting demands careful handling of skin tones, bokeh quality, and reliable eye detection to bring out personality in images.

Sony A35’s APS-C sensor combined with its native lens ecosystem allow photographers to employ fast primes (e.g., 50mm f/1.8) producing delightful background blur and sharp focus on eyes. During my testing, the phase-detection AF lock on the eyes was consistent under good lighting, resulting in crisp portraits with true-to-life skin tones and smooth tonal transitions. The camera also supports RAW capture, allowing extensive post-processing latitude for color grading skin tones.

The Samsung’s WB850F, while capable of face detection AF, is limited by its slower lens maximum aperture (f/2.8-5.9) and small sensor, which flatten background blur and constrain dynamic range for subtle tonal rendition. Skin tones will look decent but not as natural or deep as the Sony. The WB850F also lacks RAW support, which limits creative input during editing.

In portrait sessions where bokeh quality and precise focus control matter, the Sony A35 delivers significantly more expressive results.

Landscape Photography: Dynamic Range and Detail at Large

Landscapes demand resolution, dynamic range, color fidelity, and resultant prints benefit from large sensor data.

Here, the Sony truly shines. Its 16MP APS-C sensor's 4912x3264 pixel resolution creates large, detailed files suitable for printing and cropping. The strong dynamic range (12.7 stops) helps recover shadow and highlight details in high contrast scenes like sunrises or forests. If you’re working outdoors in inclement weather, be mindful: neither camera has environmental sealing, so protective measures are essential.

The WB850F’s sensor limits its capacity here - images tend to lack dynamic range and fine detail, although its wide-angle (23mm equiv.) setting can frame expansive vistas. The optical zoom offers flexibility to focus on distant mountain ranges, but image quality degradation at longer focal lengths and limited low-light performance hampers potential.

Landscape photographers who prioritize print quality, editing flexibility, and superior tonal gradation will appreciate the Sony A35’s image fidelity and lens options.

Wildlife and Sports: Performance in Fast, Unpredictable Shots

For wildlife and sports photography, autofocus speed, burst rate, and reach are crucial.

The Samsung WB850F boasts a solid 10fps continuous shooting rate, which rivals many entry-level DSLRs, and a 21x zoom extending up to 483 mm - fantastic for jumping on distant wildlife or sports sidelines without heavy gear. However, its AF tracking is contrast-detection based and tends to lag behind moving subjects once they cross the frame quickly or in low light, causing missed shots.

Sony’s A35 runs at a 6fps burst with 15 hybrid AF points, using phase-detection AF for continuous focus during burst captures. While the frame rate is lower, the A35’s AF locking during continuous shooting was more reliable in my real-world testing - particularly for moderate-speed moving subjects like cyclists or dogs at play.

Lens compatibility is a significant advantage for the Sony - you can mount superior telephoto zooms (200-300mm+) with fast apertures, which leaves the WB850F in the dust for professional-level sports or wildlife shooting.

Bottom line? For casual wildlife use and travel photography convenience, Samsung’s zoom convenience and burst speed may suffice, but for serious action, Sony’s AF reliability and lens options make it the better choice.

Street Photography and Portability

Street photographers crave discretion, fast AF, compact sizing, and versatility in variable light.

The small form factor of the Samsung WB850F is tempting here. At just 250g and pocketable size, it’s ideally suited to the unencumbered, spontaneous style of street shooting. The bright AMOLED screen helps review images rapidly though absence of a viewfinder can reduce compositional precision in bright conditions.

The Sony A35 is heavier and more conspicuous, featuring a DSLR-style grip and electronic viewfinder to frame shots precisely. While less discreet, this control suits photographers who treat street photography more deliberately, adjusting exposure and focus with intention.

Low-light autofocus favors the Sony, with its phase-detection points and sensor-based stabilization providing more reliable focusing when street lighting fades.

My personal take: For street shooters valuing invisibility and nimbleness, the Samsung gives the best “grab and shoot” tool. Enthusiasts who want more control or plan longer sessions will appreciate the Sony’s solid EVF and handling.

Macro and Close-Up Exploration

Macro photography demands precision focusing and magnification, plus stability at often slow shutter speeds.

The Samsung WB850F boasts a very short macro focus range (5cm), a boon for close-ups of flowers or smaller objects without additional accessories. Its built-in optical image stabilization helps mitigate minor handshake at these focal lengths.

The Sony A35, meanwhile, benefits from lens flexibility - you can invest in dedicated macro lenses with sharp optics and greater magnification ratios. Paired with its sensor-shift stabilization, it delivers robust image sharpness in demanding macro conditions.

While the Samsung’s macro mode offers convenience for occasional close-ups, enthusiasts and professionals will find Sony’s system much more capable for detailed macro work.

Night and Astro Photography: Pushing Limits in Low Light

Pushing beyond twilight, capturing stars, or night cityscapes tests sensor noise control, exposure control, and overall low-light capability.

The Sony enters this arena with a high maximum ISO of 25600 and strong noise characteristics up to ISO 3200 and beyond. Its manual exposure modes and bulb settings allow long exposures vital for star trails or light painting. Plus, RAW file capture affords the post-processing freedom to fine-tune noise reduction and highlights.

The Samsung’s top ISO caps at 3200, and although it supports manual exposure modes, its small sensor struggles with noise above ISO 400-800. Exposure latitude in JPEG-only files is limited.

For astrophotographers or serious night shooters, the Sony’s sensor and controls far outmatch the Samsung’s - making it my undisputed pick for low-light artistry.

Video Capabilities: Moving Pictures and Performance

Video features remain an increasingly important consideration.

Both cameras shoot up to Full HD 1080p video: the Sony A35 boasts 1920x1080 at 60fps, with AVCHD and MPEG-4 codecs, plus a microphone input - a strong bonus allowing better audio capture via external mics.

Samsung WB850F also records 1080p at 30fps but lacks external mic inputs. Its video codec support is limited to MPEG-4 and H.264.

Sony’s sensor stabilization benefits video smoothness, and its hybrid autofocus enables better continuous subject tracking in video mode. Samsung’s video tends to be noisier and less stable, particularly at longer zoom focal lengths.

If video is an essential part of your workflow, Sony presents a more professional-feeling, flexible package.

Travel and Everyday Versatility

Everyday photographers and travelers value compactness, battery life, and ease of use.

Samsung’s WB850F is the epitome of grab-and-go. Compact, light, with built-in GPS making geo-tagging effortless - a bonus for travelers tracking photo locations. Its single SD card slot supports SDHC/SDXC cards, convenient for high-capacity cards. However, lack of RAW, limited manual controls, and modest battery stats (slightly unknown exact life) mean compromises for power users.

Sony’s A35 is heavier, bulkier, but offers longer battery life (approx. 440 shots per charge) and extensive control options. The camera’s compatibility with Sony NP-FW50 batteries offers decent availability.

In travel, the Samsung is excellent for casual vacations and snapshots, while the Sony suits longer trips with varied shooting demands needing reliability and expanded creative options.

Professional Suitability: Integration and Workflow

Though neither camera targets high-end professional markets, the Sony A35 has notable advantages.

Sony supports RAW capture, 16-bit color depth, and an extensive lens system favored by semi-professionals stepping up from point-and-shoots. Its sensor-based stabilization, microphone input, and comprehensive manual controls integrate well into DSLR workflows and professional editing pipelines.

Samsung WB850F’s JPEG-only files, limited raw control, and fixed lens limit post-production and specialized workflows.

Summing It All Up: Head-to-Head Performance Ratings

To give a clearer overview, here’s a distilled comparison of performance ratings based on our extensive testing across genres.

And more specifically across photographic disciplines:

The Final Verdict: Who Should Buy What?

Let's distill these technical deep dives and hands-on impressions into straightforward recommendations.

Choose the Samsung WB850F if you:

• Want an ultra-compact camera with an impressive 21x zoom lens in a pocket-friendly package.
• Prefer a camera requiring minimal fuss with decent image quality for casual photography.
• Travel frequently and value built-in GPS tagging.
• Plan mostly daylight or tourist snapshots and casual video.
• Are on a moderate budget and want simplicity.

Choose the Sony SLT-A35 if you:

• Demand superior image quality, especially in low light, landscape, and portrait shooting.
• Want an interchangeable lens system with access to varied optics tailored to different genres.
• Shoot a mix of stills and video requiring better controls, audio input, and higher frame rates.
• Engage seriously with sports, wildlife, or macro photography requiring better autofocus and specialized lenses.
• Value a DSLR-like handling experience and a robust workflow for professional or enthusiast use.

Closing Thoughts on Methodology and Reliability

Throughout hours of side-by-side field testing and lab evaluations under controlled conditions, I tested both cameras across all major photography disciplines - from dynamic wildlife action to serene landscapes and urban street scenes. Both JPEGs and RAW workflows (Sony only) were analyzed for image fidelity. Autofocus responsiveness was timed and observed under varied lighting. Ergonomics assessments considered extended handheld shooting comfort and controls.

While newer cameras have since eclipsed these models technologically, this comparison remains relevant for bargain hunters or those exploring entry-level camera options with distinct profiles: a versatile zoom compact versus a budget-friendly enthusiast DSLR alternative.

I encourage readers to weigh your shooting needs critically - and if possible, test these cameras personally to see which matches your hand and photographic vision best.

Samsung WB850F front Samsung WB850F screen back Sony A35 front Sony A35 screen back

Seeing side-by-side sample images offers the most honest perspective on the contrasts in image quality and style.

This comparison underscores the essence of photography gear choice: there is no one-size-fits-all. Whether you prioritize convenience, zoom range, and portability or crave image quality, lens options, and manual control, understanding these strengths and limitations equips you to make a thoughtful, informed decision.

Happy shooting!