Samsung WB750 Ultra Zoom Review

Features
Handling
Performance
Verdict
Specification


Samsung WB750 Front

The Samsung WB750 is the latest update to Samsung's range of pocket zoom cameras, and much like the WB700 before it, features an 18x optical zoom lens, 3inch screen and manual controls. Where this model is different is in the sensor and features included as it now features a 12.5 megapixel backlit CMOS sensor enabling high speed shooting, sweep panorama and other effects.

Samsung WB750 Features

Samsung WB750 Wide

The Samsung WB750 features not only an 18x optical zoom lens, but also a high resolution hVGA screen, 460k pixels, 3:2 aspect ratio 480x360 pixel screen.


Samsung WB750 Full Zoom

Full HD video comes with stereo sound, optical zoom and the ability to take 10 megapixel photos at the same time as recording. The camera has manual controls allowing you to set the shutter and aperture speeds, as well as shoot at 10fps at full resolution.

Creative movie maker: Built into the camera this lets you choose photos and video in the camera, apply a theme and music choice (or switch off music) as well as choose a video resolution. Each theme has different music choices available. The effect is similar to Animoto where images are presented with some animation or effect, and then a video is played, with background music. You can either manually choose the photos and videos to use or just let the camera shuffle them.

Key Features

• 12.5 megapixel BSI CMOS Sensor
• 18x optical zoom, 24mm- equivalent
• 10fps shooting, pre-shooting, AEB
• 3 inch hVGA screen (Intelligent LCD)
• Dual Capture: Full HD Video + 10megapixel still
• Full HD Video, 1080p, 30fps, H.264
• Creative Movie Maker
• HDR Mode, Manual Focus
• A/S/M Full Manual mode
• Magic Frame
• Face Tracking
• Panoramic shot
• 3D Photo
• Smart Filter 3.0

Samsung WB750 Handling

Samsung WB750 Top Angle

Handling - The front of the camera has a textured hand grip, the back has a small set of dimples for your thumb to grip on to, although unfortunately it's not as effective as other thumb grips and feels a little slippery. The flash position on the front is easily covered by your hand, and I often found I had to remind myself to make sure my finger wasn't in the way.


Samsung WB750 Back

Menus - Access to most of the controls can be found by pressing the Fn button as this brings up an overlay of options so that you can see the effect instantly on the screen. I found I rarely had to enter the full menu system, but when I did it was easy to navigate and has a large number of options including the ability to alter contrast, sharpness and saturation.


Samsung WB750 Bottom

Battery Life - We took over 220 photos with the Samsung WB750 before the battery went flat, this is reasonable battery life, however if you plan on going a long time before charging, a spare battery is recommended.

Speed - We tested each camera's performance at focusing, shutter response, shot to shot time, continuous shooting etc, and have posted the results below. To test this we took 6 or more shots and calculated the average, so that consistent results were produced, we also made sure to test all the cameras at the same time to ensure the cameras were being tested under the same conditions.

	Samsung WB750	Canon S100
Shutter Reponse	0.05	0.05
Wide - Focus / Shutter Response	0.25	0.35
Full zoom - Focus / Shutter Response	0.30	0.40
Switch on Time to Taking a Photo	1.7	2.1
Shot to Shot (without flash)	1.3	1.8
Shot to Shot with Flash	3.0	3.0
Continuous Shooting (JPEG)	10fps (8 shots)	Norm: 2fps 10fps (8shots)
Continuous Shooting (with Flash)	N/A	1.8s
Continuous Shooting (RAW)	N/A	0.8s

The camera provides fast shutter response, quick focusing and excellent continuous shooting at 10fps for 8 shots. The biggest drawback is the slow flash charge time (quoted as 4s in the specifications on the Samsung website), it was more like 3 seconds in testing, but when you first switch the flash on it can be quite frustrating waiting for it to charge meaning you might miss the shot.

Samsung WB750 Performance

Click to view larger or click "Hi-Res" to view full size sample photos. Additional photos and product shots can be found in the Equipment Database for the Samsung WB750 - where you can add your own review and photos.

Samsung WB750 Sample Photos

Sample photos - Colour is good with bright saturated colours, although not excessive and the style can be altered to enhance or decrease saturation. Skin tones are good, however there was noticeable red-eye from the flash in this portrait shot. Macro performance - while the specifications say you can only focus on items 5cm from the camera, you can actually focus at around 3cm from the front of the lens, you can also zoom in to about 2x optical zoom, letting you get even closer to the subject.

Samsung WB750 Lens test images

Lens Test images - The camera performs well whether you are using the wide, 24mm equivalent end of the lens, or anywhere along the zoom, right up to 18x optical zoom. Purple fringing is low, as is lens distortion at both the wide and telephoto ends of the zoom.

Samsung WB750 ISO test images

ISO Noise Performance - Noise is low at ISO100, ISO200, and ISO400. At ISO800 noise is visible, and increases at ISO1600. Noise is worst at ISO3200 and this is best left unused or alternatively resized for use on the web.

Samsung WB750 White-balance test images

White Balance Performance - Using the Auto White Balance setting (AWB) under tungsten lighting there is a slight yellow cast. Using the tungsten preset, there is a slight magenta cast. Using AWB under fluorescent lighting the image shows neutral colour. Using the fluorescent preset there is a yellow preset. Detail is also reasonable.

Samsung WB750 Scene modes

1/350 sec | f/4.6 | 4.0 mm | ISO 100 - Panoramic - sweep in any direction.

Samsung WB750 Digital filters

Digital Filters - There are a large number of Smart Filters, and scene modes: Nomal / Palette Effect 1 / Palette Effect 2 / Palette Effect 3 / Palette Effect 4 / Miniature / Vignetting / Half Tone Dot / Sketch / Fish Eye / Classic / Retro.

Video - Records Full HD video, will also let you take 10 megapixel photos while recording, an example can be seen in the EQDB. The camera's built in Creative Movie maker can combine photos and video into a video with built in music, an example can be seen on the ephotozine youtube page. The camera also features 250fps (example here, 368x272) and 440fps (example here, 220x160) modes at reduced resolution.

Value For Money - The WB750 is available for £225, this makes it quite good value for money, alternatives with an 18x optical zoom lens include the Olympus SZ-10, and other high speed pocket zooms are the Casio Exilim ZR100 (40fps at 10megapixels), Nikon Coolpix S9100 (9.5fps), Panasonic Lumix TZ20 (10fps), Fujifilm FinePix F600 (8fps) and Sony Cyber-shot HX9v (10fps).

Samsung WB750 Verdict

The Samsung WB750 is a compact camera with a lot of zoom. Add in high speed shooting, HDR and numerous shooting options including panoramic sweep mode and you have an appealing camera. Especially with the camera being easy to use and producing good photos. Full HD with stereo sound is good and the ability to take 10 megapixel photos while recording is quite rare.

The Samsung WB750 is a feature packed camera that produces decent results.

Samsung WB750 Pros

Quick access to options with the Fn button
10fps continuous shooting
Full HD video and 10 megapixel photos
A lot of zoom in a compact camera
High resolution screen
High speed video
Wide panoramic shooting

Samsung WB750 Cons

Slow flash charging
Red-eye in portrait shot
Flash position

FEATURES
HANDLING
PERFORMANCE
VALUE FOR MONEY
OVERALL

Samsung WB750 Specifications

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