Samsung WB500 Review

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.

@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.

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.

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.