Samsung WB500 - Test Shots - ISO Performance

Over the next few pages we show a range of test shots. On this page the full size image at the minimum and maximum ISO settings have been reduced to let you see the full image, and a series of full resolution crops have taken from original images at a range of ISO settings to show the overall image quality. These pictures were taken indoors in a shaded area.

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This is the full frame at 80 ISO. It's the 15th century astronomical clock in Exeter Cathedral.

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No noise and pin-sharp detail at 80 ISO.

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Identical results at 100 ISO, unsurprisingly.

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Still no noise problems at 200 ISO.

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There is a hint of noise at 400 ISO, but overall quality is still very good.

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More noise at 800 ISO, but colour and contrast remain good, and the picture is quite printable.

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Much more noise at 1600 ISO, with loss of detail and faded contrast.

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3200 ISO is available at 3MP, but the quality is not brilliant.

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This is the full frame at 3200 ISO.

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Comments

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10 comments

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Malderon

12:07 PM on 9 October, 2009

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This looks absolutely perfect for me, was really wanting the TZ7 but with so much other stuff i want at the moment finding it hard to justify the outlay. Awesome!

Score:

Zero

10:25 PM on 9 October, 2009

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WOW! its about time i saw a review on this camera! I was hoping for a video review as well. ???

Marlon

1:07 PM on 10 October, 2009

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Great value for the money.

Mmmmm I was hoping for a video sample too at 720p hehehe.

JellyUK

9:42 PM on 11 October, 2009

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I've owned one of these since march of this year, quite surprised that there weren't any reviews out before i bought it, but i liked it in the shop, so went for it. The full manual mode is good, but the limited manual controls are frustrating with extended use, as they are difficult to access.

When compared to my dad's TZ5 and TZ7 the pictures that it produces are appreciably less vibrant and sharp in full auto mode.

Not saying that i wouldn't recommend it, but if you can handle the (IMO) ugly UI and the price of the TZ series, go with one of them.

Tristan Hawkins

7:30 AM on 13 October, 2009

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Thanks for that JellyUK. I'm been comparing looking into a pocketable camera / camcorder primarily to record videos but also take photos.

Originally I was leaning toward the Kodak Zi8 which is very much camcorder with a camera bit thrown in, then I flirted thinking about the more expensive TZ7.... finally my attention turned to the WB500 after this glowing TR reveiw.... your comment has pushed me back to the TZ7. It's more expensive but better to spend a bit more and get exactly what I want. A device that records excellent HD videos and can take very good quality photos too.

PeterB666

10:36 AM on 13 October, 2009

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Do note that when comparing the WB500 to the TZ series cameras that the TZ cameras give you NO control over aperture and shutter speed. They are program auto and scene modes only. Mind you, The TZ cameras to come up with excellent results.

4:24 PM on 13 October, 2009

@PeterB666 and Tristian

Yeah, the TZ series have no manual mode, but in my opinion, the manual mode for the WB500 isn't really worth the hassle of using. If you want to spend time getting the shot right, then maybe it will work for you, but in the case i would go with a less compact camera, as quick shots obviously aren't as much of a priority.

At the end of the day, i always just leave it in full auto mode, and the difference between the WB500 and the TZ7 in that regard is pretty big.

newhit

5:15 PM on 15 October, 2009

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Whoa......I have a TZ5 and WB550. The TZ is not way better at all. There is a marginal difference but my TZ is worse in low light and loses focus to easily when zooming. I prefer the WB550 also because it gives me a bit more settings to play with, admittedly, not a lot but enough to make me carry it around in preference to the TZ. Also there is HD video as well which has a very useful pause button so that you don't have to stop the movie clip if there is an "inbetween bit" that you don't want, you can pause the clip until ready. Also the video duration is 29+ minutes whereas the TZ is only 8-11 here in the UK. The H264 video is easily edited as well. Batteries for the WB550 are not proprietary as in the case of the TZ7 as well (£50 for one!!)so any make will fit which adds to the ability to carry two or three when out for the day.

RobertMcKenzie

11:18 AM on 2 November, 2009

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I bought this camera last week for a £146 on sale - I open it and was initial staggered at the operating interface which is cluttered and not well thought out. I had to configure the camera because it had the factory default settings in situ and this took me 10 minutes - whereas with an intuitive interface it should have been 1 min or so.

I proceded to take some photos in auto mode - and I was gobsmacked - the quality - the exposure control - the clarity - the sharpness absolutely touch notch. I then started to play around with the various settings including manual configuartions and yes trying to get the right control was fiddly - but it was achievable. The zoom capabability was very nice to have and the optical is excellent - the digital really does required a tripod and using the timer delay for the shutter release.

Overall - I am well pleased to have bought this camera and the wife now has the EZ-1080. The only real issue I have now is trying to get a hard camera case for it.

At the weekend a friend sought me out as he had just purchased a TZ7 for £270 and said he was having problems and he asked me to look at the setting - yes the interface is more intuitive but the level of control over the photographs did not seem as advance as the WB500. I gave him a 30 minute lesson in what the settings were and basically said always shoot in auto mode or use the standard scene mode setting - dont try and be creative. The zoom was accurate and responsive and the picture quality seemed the same for both cameras.

The point is from a holiday snap type environment it too close to call between the WB500 and the TZ7 in full auto mode, both give excellent high definition photos with perfect exposure and lighting - but when the photographer wants to be more creative the WB500 has the lead albeit through a much harder interface, but that will become easier as you get familiar with it.

So overall Im well please having bought this camera.

hesperus

11:08 PM on 23 December, 2009

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Been using the WB500 for a few months now for everyday use and it does feel nice to hold and has some good features. The USB interface does feel somewhat feeble and I cant see it lasting long with constant charging downloading etc. The pictures do suffer from a LOT of chromatic aberration even at the wide angle end which I find very anoying. On a positive note low light capability is very impresive. I read mixed reviews before I bought it but got a bargain price, however its back to my pentax optio S10 from now on!

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