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Archives: Compact & Bridge Cameras 2010-2011 >

Samsung WB600

Caractéristiques
SensorCCD 1 MP (1/2.33) 1 MP, 1/2,33
Lens15 x 24-360mm (24-36 equivalent) f/3.2-5.8
Optical stabilisationYes
Internal/external memory- / SD / SDH
Sensitivity (ISO range)80 - 3200 ISO
Show all specifications
Video mode1280 x 720 pixels / 30 fps
Power sourceSLB -11A battery
Dimensions/Weight10.6 x 6 x 3.3 mm / 210 g
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Renaud Labracherie
Test date: July 2, 2010
The same but different

When we test digital cameras, we're only too aware that some of our tests and measurements are only really valid for the actual camera we have in our lab. This is particularly true of the lens, where even small differences in the position or assembly of the elements can have a slight impact on picture quality.

We noticed this phenomenon once again when testing the Samsung WB650 and WB600. Although both cameras have the same lens and sensor, the pictures taken by the WB600 for our product face-off turned out to be sharper and more contrasted, both in the centre and around the edges. That was the case in wide angle at least, as in telephoto, the WB650 did actually perform a little better than the WB600. We tried out three different models of WB650 to see if we could get exactly the same quality pictures as with the WB600, but to no avail. We did, however, notice a few differences between the various WB650s!

Apart from a few minor details, the Samsung WB600 is very similar to the WB650. You'll therefore find the same 15x wide-angle zoom and 12 Megapixel sensor. In the WB600, however, the WB650's AMOLED screen has been replaced by an LCD and there's no integrated GPS.

Handling

Apart from the LCD, which replaces the superb AMOLED screen, the WB600 offers exactly the same design and handling as the higher-end model. I therefore recommend you take a look at the WB650 test to find out more. On the whole, handling is pleasant and the graphic interface is logically designed. The LCD isn't as nice as the AMOLED screen as it has tighter viewing angles and displays colours that are slightly too warm. For that reason, the WB600 gets one less star than the WB650 in this category.



Responsiveness

There's no difference at all in responsiveness between the WB600 and the WB650. In other words, the Samsung WB600 is a responsive camera with a fast autofocus and a decent photo-to-photo turnaround time. Start-up is also faster than average.

Picture quality

With the same lens, the same sensor and almost certainly the same image processing, these two Samsung compacts take pictures that are very similar in quality. Similar, they may be, but they're not the same. Pictures taken with the WB600 are a little sharper and more accurate both in the centre and around the edges.


Noise is handled in a very similar way in both cameras, with good results up to 400 ISO. At 800 ISO image processing goes a little overboard, but this Samsung compact can still hold its own against the competition. What more could you ask for?


Video

The WB650 can film in a resolution of 1280 x 720 pixels at 30 full frames per second. It's compressed to H.264 but the bitrate (in HQ mode) seems very limited. In our video test scene, the bitrate struggled to reach 1 Mbps, whereas competitors' models generally range from 10 to 17 Mbps. The result is immediately noticeable as the video quality is disappointing as a result. However, you can use the zoom while filming and decent stereo sound is recorded.


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Pluses

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Versatile 15x stabilised wide-angle zoom

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Fast and reactive, in general and in P, S, A and M modes

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Good overall picture quality

Minuses

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Noise management could be better

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Disappointing 720p HD video mode

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Camera interface is a little limited for use in manual modes

3
Although less well equipped than the WB650 (no AMOLED screen or GPS), the WB600 is still a good compact superzoom camera that's fast, responsive and takes excellent pictures.

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