Today the focus is on what's happening in the world of DSLRs and mirrorless cameras, but equally interesting developments are emerging among compact models. The very first camera of this type was the Kodak Brownie, introduced in 1900. For almost 100 years, compacts have been the easiest and cheapest way to get a photo. All this has been changed by the digital revolution. In less than 20 years, basic compact cameras have evolved into many varieties, including ultra-compact, waterproof, automatic, ultra-zoom and finally travel zoom.
Samsung WB350F Specifications
Travel zoom compacts look and work like standard ones, but are equipped with long focal length lenses and allow manual exposure. The Samsung WB350F is a prime example of this type of camera. This is a digital compact with 21x magnification, 16 MP BSI CMOS 1/2.3, 3” sensor and a 460k dot TFT LCD touchscreen that allows you to recordfull HD video at 30 fps, manual exposure control, and Wi-Fi and NFC wireless connectivity. In the event of a breakdown, the manufacturer guarantees a free repair of the Samsung WB350F within a year after purchase.
Build & Design
Under the outwardly ordinary compact, a device with great capabilities is hidden. The WB350F case has dust- and moisture-resistant seals and is finished in white, black, brown, red, or blue leatherette, which is pleasant to the touch. The Samsung WB350F is priced between $250-$300.
The user interface of the WB350F is simple and logical, and although the camera's screen is touch-sensitive, it has a full range of buttons, knobs and switches so you don't have to rely solely on the display to operate the camera. All items are clearly marked, sensibly placed and easily accessible.
Samsung WB350F standard description for compacts. The top panel contains the classic set of on/off switch, mode dial, larger than usual shutter button with zoom control and pop-up flash. The activation button of the latter is located at the beveled top edge, as is the Wi-Fi "direct connection" key. On the rear panel, the controls are also traditional. A 3-inch fixed LCD monitor occupies about 2/3 of the surface. There is also a textured thumb pad, to the right of which is a red video record button, eliminating the need to use the screen. 4-way navigation bar provides direct access todisplay, flash, self-timer and macro settings. Below there is a play button and a function key that calls up a menu of customizable parameters - shutter speed, aperture, exposure compensation, ISO, white balance, exposure metering, autofocus, resolution, etc., and during playback is used to delete pictures. As with most travel zoom models, there is no hand grip.
Operating instructions: operating modes
The dial on the top of the camera contains the following camera control options:
- Smart Auto - automatic scene recognition, in which the camera compares what is in front of the lens with the on-board database, and then immediately before the image is recorded, correlates this information with object distance, white balance, contrast, dynamic range, lighting and color to choose the best scene. In this case, the user can only turn the flash on and off.
- Program - Automatic exposure mode with limited manual settings (sensitivity, white balance, exposure compensation and flash).
- ASM - Allows manual aperture-priority exposure, where the photographer selects the aperture and the camera selects the appropriate shutter speed, and shutter-priority, where the camera chooses the aperture itself.
- Full manual mode allowing all exposure options to be selected.
- Smart Scene sets a scene that is bettercorresponds to the object being filmed.
- Best Face is a comprehensive face recognition mode.
- Selection of effects - Low Light, HDR, Split Shot, etc.
- Custom setting mode with the ability to set your own shooting parameters.
- Wi-Fi - allows you to share images.
Display
Like most modern digital cameras, there is no optical viewfinder. Instead, users must rely on the 3” 460k-dot TFT screen for framing, viewing shots and navigating menus. Photographers rarely use optical viewfinders, even if they have them, because in many cases it is faster and easier to track the decisive moment on the screen than through the scope. The display is bright, color accurate, automatically adjusts to ambient light conditions, and covers approximately 100% of the frame. As with all LCD screens, the Samsung WB350F's visibility is hampered by glare that appears in bright outdoor lighting. The default display shows all the information that the target audience of this model may need.
Shooting performance
Turning on the camera takes forever - 3.4 seconds, but then the camera speeds up noticeably.
Auto exposure in Smart Auto and Program modes is reliable and impressively fast. The Samsung WB350F is equipped with a fairly standard contrast AF system with center, multi and tracking AF. In this case, the scene is analyzed, the distance toobject, the closest point to it is determined and the focus is fixed on it. The center AF option is great for both portraits and traditional landscapes, as well as street photography, as it doesn't require face selection. All this takes no more than 0.1 s, and a series of 6 shots is recorded at a speed of 7.1 fps.
Backlight
Pressing the flash button will bring it to the working position. It is attached to a metal folding mechanism that raises it almost 25mm above the top panel. Since the light source is located to the left of the lens axis, the red-eye problem should be significantly reduced.
Samsung WB350F's small multi-mode pop-up flash is praised by users for its acceptable range of lighting options, including auto, auto with red-eye reduction, fill flash, slow sync, red-eye reduction, and manual. It also allows you to illuminate by reflected light - just hold it at the required angle with the index finger of your left hand (while holding the camera of the other). This function greatly enhances the possibilities of portrait shooting. According to user reviews, the flash recycle time is 3-4 seconds.
Vibration compensation
A particularly important feature of the Samsung WB350F is the image stabilization provided by the longer zoom, as it is nearly impossible to hold the camera still at maximum magnification. Image blureliminated by quickly and accurately moving the sensor to compensate for vibration. Image stabilization reduces shutter speed by 3 stops. It is also useful when shooting without a flash in dimly lit rooms or in situations where the presence of an additional light source would be too obvious.
Working time
The battery life of the SLB-10A 1030 mAh lithium-ion battery is about average for this type of camera. The instructions for the Samsung WB350F indicate the number of 310 shots, which corresponds to 155 minutes of photo or 120 video. The battery is charged inside the camera - an external charger is not included but is available as an optional accessory (along with a case, A/V cable and memory card with adapter). The battery can be charged via a USB port from a computer or using the included AC cable.
WB350F saves high-definition JPEG photos and videos to MicroSD storage media.
Lens operation
When the camera is turned on, the lens extends out of the body, and when it is turned off, it retracts. This closes the built-in cover to protect the front lens. The zoom is smooth, fairly fast and relatively quiet, especially for such a long lens. With its large zoom and compact profile, the camera is ideal for an incredibly wide range of applications, but its greatest strengths are the small weight and dimensions demanded bytravelers.
There is no point in installing a zoom lens on the camera that will not allow you to take a high-quality photo. Not so long ago, 10x magnification was considered the limit, so 4.1-86.1 mm (23-483 in 35mm equivalent) brought the camera to a whole new level. The maximum aperture of f2.8 is sufficient for shooting outdoors, although indoors and in low light this can become more difficult as noise becomes a problem above ISO 400. Sharpness in the center of the frame is good, but corners become noticeably softer at the wide-angle end of the zoom. There is no vignetting. The barrel and pincushion distortion of the Samsung WB350F is described by users as well corrected.
Contrast is a bit "hard" and colors are accurate but noticeably oversaturated. Chromatic aberration is remarkably controlled, but color fringing is sometimes visible in transition areas between dark foreground objects and bright backgrounds. Zooming is smooth but slow compared to cameras with shorter focal lengths. Lens noise is much less than expected. Shots taken at longer telephoto settings are noticeably softer but still retain more sharpness than most other models in this price range.
Video quality
Samsung WB350F Black captures HD video in MP4 format at 1080p or 720p at 30 fps, and zoom can be changed during video recording. Image is clear and colorful, focus is smooth but a bit slowadapts to all changes in the scene. The sound quality for a compact camera is good. Voices are clear and the sound of the lens motor is inaudible. The camera does not have an HDMI output to allow video clips to be viewed on a TV.
Image quality
According to user reviews, the pictures are noticeably oversaturated, with slightly harsh contrast. The images are of good resolution and essentially noise-free up to ISO 400. As the light sensitivity increases, the noise becomes more obvious. The vast majority of digital compacts increase color saturation - reds are too warm, blues are brighter than in real life, and greens and yellows are more expressive, and the WB350F is no exception. Photos taken with the Samsung WB350F are praised by reviews for good detail and amazing clarity. Image quality is better than average for this class, at least at ISO 400 and below.
Wireless
You can share your captured photos and videos directly to Picasa, Facebook, YouTube, Dropbox, Samsung Link or email. The MobileLink app for iOS and Android allows you to transfer images to a smartphone or remotely control the camera. Supports automatic backup with saving content on the PC. The AutoShare feature instantly duplicates pictures as they are captured. It is possible to use the camera as a children's monitor with video broadcast to a smartphone in real time. ATIn addition to a Wi-Fi connection, the Samsung WB350F supports NFC, allowing you to communicate with your smartphone (or similar devices) by touching them. The camera also downloads the required apps from the Google Play Store without having to search for them.
In conclusion
While the camera outperforms most of its competitors in terms of features and convenience, the higher average noise levels above ISO 400 may be a deal breaker for some potential buyers. The Samsung WB350F is described as a compact, well-designed, rugged and easy-to-use 21x digital camera that will appeal to both traveling and street photographers. It's small, fast enough not to miss a decisive moment, discreet, doesn't look intimidating, and can reliably capture high-quality photos. The camera is a pleasure to use, and although it has its flaws, they are not critical.
