Samsung WB350F Image Quality

Review Date: April 1, 2014

Category: Point-and-Shoot

Samsung WB350F

IMAGE QUALITY

The Samsung WB350F targets point-and-shoot photographers who also desire to be able to switch to manual modes for more control. It features 16.3MP resolution (on a 1/2.3-inch BSI CMOS image sensor), a 21x wide-angle optical zoom (23-483mm Equiv.135) lens with optical stabilisation, and a maximum aperture of F2.8(W)-F5.9(T). The F2.8 max. aperture is specially welcomed in low light situations.

We find the overall image quality of the Samsung WB350F to be good at ISO 100 with low noise. Image quality is good up to ISO 200. At higher ISOs, images suffer from increasing noise and/or loss of detail.

21x Optical Zoom

Wide-angle 4.1mm(23mm, 35mm equivalent)	Telephoto 86.1mm(483mm, 35mm equivalent)

The Samsung WB350F has a 21x wide-angle optical zoom lens. In the above pictures, we show the coverage for 23mm and 483mm. We love the 23mm wide-angle coverage that allows us to capture wide landscapes or large crowds. In bright lights, you can handhold the camera at the max tele with the help of the optical image stabilisation [Menu – OIS – On] allowing you to zoom in on distant action from a safe distance.

Macro

Macro can be as close as 10 cm (4 in.) at wide-angle. There are 3 metering modes: Spot, Multi-Pattern, Center-weighted. Touch AF allows you to touch the screen where you want the camera to focus.

Auto White Balance Indoors

AWB	Custom WB

As the above two pictures show, the Auto White Balance (AWB) is not quite accurate indoors under artificial lighting [I have two energy-saving fluorescent light bulbs on the ceiling]. The Samsung WB350F allows WB to be easily set manually and this brings out the real colors. AWB works very well in natural light.

ISO Comparisons

ISO 100


ISO 200	ISO 400


ISO 800	ISO 1600


ISO 3200

The Samsung WB350F has 7 ISO settings going from ISO 80 to ISO 3200. The 100% crops above (area delimited by the white square) demonstrate the noise at the available ISO Speeds. At ISO 80, noise is under control. Noise starts to show at ISO 400 and up, with detail lost. Depending on your use for the pictures, they may be adequate for sharing on social networks.

CA (Purple Fringing)

CA can be present in very high contrast shots. The corner delimited by the red square at top left, and reproduced at 100% crop at bottom right, shows some purple fringing.

Long Exposure – 25.2mm (141mm), Manual, Multi-Pattern, 16 sec., F6, ISO 80, Self-timer (10 sec.), Tripod Used

Our Long Shutter Speed test is a torture test for digital cameras. Here we test whether (and how well) a camera can lock focus, provide accurate WB and obtain a correct exposure in extreme low light situations. The WB350F passes this test well: it focuses fast and precisely, and gets a correct exposure in Manual mode.

The Samsung WB350F allows the use of a long shutter speed of up to 16 sec. in S and M modes which allows you to manually select a shutter speed (from 1 sec. to 16 sec., or Auto). Some night photography is therefore possible. Generally, with image sensors, noise becomes more prominent at long shutter speeds.

To test this noise reduction algorithm, we take an extreme low-light shot. I experiment a bit to obtain the optimum exposure, eventually settling on 16 sec. at F6. Even at this long shutter speed, the Samsung WB350F’s noise reduction seems to be working well, producing a nice smooth blurring effect of the background.

We find the overall image quality of the Samsung WB350F at ISO 80 to be good with low noise. Images taken at higher ISOs exhibit noise and detail loss but are usable in small prints and for Web display.

View the Samsung WB350F Photo Gallery [In the Photo Gallery, click on the picture of the camera to return here.]

Next: Samsung WB350F Handling & Feel

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