Review Camera manufacturers are always looking for some unique selling proposition. In the case of the Samsung WB500, it’s been marketed as world’s first compact with the equivalent of a 24mm, ultra wide optical 10x zoom. But with a few other models, such as Panasonic’s DMC-TZ6 and DMC-TZ7, already equipped with a 25mm lens, this isn’t exactly a massive leap forward in camera technology. However, the WB500 does have one or two other tricks up its sleeve.

Taking the wide view: Samsung's WB500

There are times when advertising copy makes you splutter into your coffee cup and Samsung’s website certainly had that effect on us. The website blurb says: “See how the unbelievably compact WB500 hides a 24mm ultra wide 10x optical zoom lens in its thin design”. Well, thinness is clearly in the eye of the beholder, because the WB500 is anything but slim. In fact, it’s a rather chunky model measuring 105 x 61.4 x 36.5mm and weighing 250g when loaded with battery and card.

A quick tour reveals, from the top, left to right, a small power button, zoom lever and mode dial. The back is dominated by a 2.7in LCD screen composed of 270,000 pixels. To the right is a command lever, which is used for adjusting various parameters including ISO, aperture and shutter speed. There’s also a function button, five-way control dial, playback button and Effect button, but more on this later.

On the right is a plastic cover for a mini USB port, which is used for power, PC connectivity and AV out – that’s one versatile connection. You can even use it to recharge the WB500 from a PC’s USB port. At the bottom is the usual battery/card compartment – the WB500 takes SD, SDHC and MMC Plus cards and also comes with 30MB of internal memory.

In terms of features, Samsung seems to have packed everything but the kitchen sink into the camera. There’s a 1/2.33in CCD with 10.2Mp (effective), a Schneider 4.2-42mm f/3.3-f/5.8 10x optical zoom lens, equivalent to a 24-240mm zoom on a 35mm camera. The standard shutter speed range is 1/8-1/500 sec and this can be increased up to 16 seconds in manual mode.

A sizeable 2.7in screen keeps you in the picture

ISO ranges from 80-3200, although the highest setting has a file size limit of 3MB. There’s also a dual (optical and digital) image stabilisation system. The image resolution ranges from 3648 x 2736 to XGA (1024 x 768) with three levels of compression.

Unusually for a camera at this price range, you also get a good selection of movie recording modes, including two HD recording settings: HQ and standard – both at 1280 x 720 with 30f/s and 15f/s options. You can also record VGA resolution movies at 30f/s and 15f/s, and there are three frame rates available for QVGA movies – 60f/s, 30fps and 15f/s. Video recordings are made in MPEG-4 AVC/ H.264 file format. The HD recording feature is a nice touch, a pity then, that Samsung has omitted a mini HDMI port on the WB500...

The lens delivers a wide angle view equivalent to 24mm on a 35mm camera

There are lots of effects available both for recording and playback. Press the Effect button and you can select a Photo Style for your image, including vivid, soft, forest and retro. Post-recording tweaks include resizing, trimming and rotating images as well adding various colour effects (such as black and white, sepia and blue), reducing red eye, and adjusting brightness, contrast and saturation.

Certainly, you can do all of this and more with a basic photo management software package, but we reckon many WB500 users will be point-and-shoot photographers who will appreciate the in-camera editing options.

There’s also a bunch of features designed to improve picture quality – or your subject’s appearance. One of these is beauty shot, which Samsung says is: “like having your own make-up artists in your camera...actively identifying imperfections and retouching them so face appears brighter and smooth.” Who needs botox when you’ve got a WB500?

When it comes to handling, the WB500’s large size means there’s plenty to grip and the right side of the body is curved and has a plastic finger grip pad. The WB500 is ready for action some three seconds after switch on and while shutter lag isn’t bad, there are occasions when you have to wait for the WB500 to write data to the card. The shutter action is not that positive and the zoom rocker is small and rather stiff, so fine focusing is a bit hit and miss.

Numerous shooting modes are included to appeal experimental users

The mode dial offers an interesting mix of shooting modes. In addition to the usual auto, program AE, manual and movie modes, you can also use it to select the Dual IS, Nightscene and Beauty Shot and Scene modes. There are fifteen scene modes to select including portrait, backlight, landscape, children and frame guide.

Sample Shots

ISO 80
Click for a full-resolution crop

ISO 100
Click for a full-resolution crop

ISO 200
Click for a full-resolution crop

ISO 400
Click for a full-resolution crop

ISO 800
Click for a full-resolution crop

ISO 1600
Click for a full-resolution crop

ISO 3200
Click for a full-resolution image

Sample Shots

Click for a full-resolution crop

Click for a full-resolution crop

Click for a full-resolution crop

Click for a full-resolution crop

Click for a full-resolution crop

Click for a full-resolution crop

QVGA: still from video

HD: still from video
Click for a full-resolution image

Sample Shots

Close up
Click for a full-resolution crop

Wide angle

Tele-photo
Click for a full-resolution crop

Normal – no effect

Cool effect

Retro effect

Auto setting

Beauty setting smoothes wrinkles on face and neck

Frame guide is handy if you want to compose a frame that will feature you in it, and you want someone else to take the shot. You frame the shot, press the shutter and the outer edge of the frame is recorded as a translucent border, which is used a guide for framing the shot as you composed it. One thing we didn’t like about the menus was that the text was rather small and there’s really no reason why Samsung couldn’t have made it much larger and clearer.

Excellent battery life even when recording HD video

The Function button offers easy access to various settings, such as file size, ISO speed, drive mode, focus area and metering mode. The menu button can be used for adjusting a number of parameters including one called ACB – Automatic Contrast Balance, which is designed to adjust the brightness of underexposed scenes, such as backlit subjects.

In manual exposure mode, the command lever can be used to adjust shutter speed or aperture size, although you only get a choice of two aperture settings. During Playback, you can use the Smart Album feature, which enables you to find shots by date, media type or even dominant colour.

In terms of performance, the WB500 acquits itself quite well for a camera at this price point. Noise isn’t noticeable until around ISO 400, although the highest settings exhibit a lot of it. Colours are rich, although fine detail is lacking. That said, we think many WB500 users would be more than satisfied with the results.

However, we weren’t convinced about the effectiveness of ACB, and manual exposure is not that flexible. HD video quality was good but, even at 30f/s we noticed some motion jerkiness with fast-moving vehicles. The 60fps QVGA shots were smoother, although of course, the price you pay is much lower resolution.

Verdict

The inclusion of the equivalent of a 24mm lens is to be welcomed and you certainly get a versatile zoom for your money. You also get plenty of features although quite how many of them users will get around to trying is debatable. But at least they’re there if you need them. Performance is good if not outstanding and the inclusion of HD video is a bonus, although it’s a shame Samsung makes it hard to view on a HD Ready set. If you you’re looking for a budget compact that will deliver decent results and aren’t too bothered about size, then the WB500 is certainly worth taking a look at. ®

More Compact Camera Reviews...

Kodak EasyShare M1093 IS

Pentax Optio E70L

Panasonic Lumix DMC-FS7

Fujifilm Finepix F100fd