New Samsung WB350F

New Samsung WB350 Smart camera unboxing and review.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GD_U9qWUjZY&feature=youtu.be

The results I've achieved have been excellent. I especially like the built in effects filters. The touchscreen makes it fun to be creative. The Wifi allows me to share on Picasa, Facebook, email and the cloud. I carry a Samsung Galaxy Note 8.0 tablet so I can easily transfer my images to the 8" screen without wires.

NOTE! From 1/30/2014 to 2/23/2014 this camera will be sale priced at Costco, $199.99.
Shoot and Share Effortlessly in a Zoom with Samsung WB350 Smart Camera. Samsung Link Allows Seamless Sharing and Playback Across all Devices. Remotely Control Your Camera from a Smartphone or Tablet. The Samsung WB350 Smart Camera's powerful 21x optical zoom brings you closer to your subject and its easy sharing capabilities bring you closer to the rest of the world. With its 21x optical zoom and 23mm wide-angle lens, you'll be able to capture powerful images. The compact, cloud-enabled camera features Wi-Fi and NFC capabilities so you can share your creations just about any way imaginable. Both style and functionality are covered thanks to its retro and modern design that lets you control your camera with added elegance.
16.3MP BSI CMOS sensor.
There are times you don't want to use a flash, like when you want to capture special moments indoors without disturbing others around you. The 16.3-megapixel BSI (backside-illuminated) CMOS sensor needs less light than conventional sensors, so you can capture properly exposed images without a flash. There's also Low Light Shot mode, which merges three continuous shots into one clear photo.
3.0" TFT LCD Hybrid Touch Screen.
The Hybrid Touch User Interface offers two options: use the 5-way button to quickly move the cursor up, down, left and right to intuitively navigate the menu and make selections on the 3.0" TFT LCD screen. Alternately, when you want to enter text, simply input the characters on the touch screen, much like you would on a smartphone. Navigating controls and sharing images couldn't be easier.
Mobile Link.
Now you can select and send photos or albums directly to a smartphone or tablet with Samsung Mobile Link. No Wi-Fi hotspot is required; the wireless connection is enabled by NFC technology. You don't even have to send the photos as a text message or an email. With Mobile Link, you can control the album on your phone and the changes will be saved to your camera, too.

I'm not employed by nor have I received payment from Samsung Corp. for this review.

Magic Plus Mode - Effect Artist

Magic Plus Mode - Effect Artist

After using this camera for a while I wrote this review;

This is a really nice camera that takes very sharp photos using a 16.3 backside-illuminated CMOS sensor. What that means is that it can take photos in very low light without a flash. I took a picture in low light and the camera in Smart Auto mode choose an ISO of 1280. There wasn't any discernible noise even when viewed on my 22" Samsung monitor.

The 21x zoom offers an extremely wide range of viewing angles. From 23mm wide to 483mm telephoto.

One of the features that makes a touchscreen very desirable is the ability to use your finger to choose the area where you want the camera to focus. Other cameras (even my DSLR) require you to focus on your subject using a half press of the shutter and then move the camera to compose the shot while still holding down the shutter. With the touchscreen you just compose the shot and then select the area you want in focus and then press the shutter.

The Wifi works really well. I can easily share my photos with anyone who has an NFC equipped phone, email recipients or a host of other social networking sites. The Auto backup works very well but you must first install the Auto backup software onto you computer.

The Samsung Smart camera app works very well and has the highest rating of any such app. The Sony, Panasonic, Canon and Nikon apps aren't nearly as robust or as compatible and have lower ratings. Of course this camera does have a small sensor so don't expect the same picture quality you will get with a much larger camera. But that's the thing. I wanted a pocket sized camera with a long zoom, that would be easy to upload my photos to my Samsung Galaxy Note 8.0 tablet. Cameras with larger sensors have much larger lenses and won't fit in your pocket.

This camera does what it's supposed to. Clear bright photos that are easy to compose and control with the hybrid touchscreen interface. Unlike cameras that only offer touchscreen, this hybrid camera lets you use either the touchscreen or tactile buttons.

Currently this camera is only available at Costco where they bundle it with a Case Logic Case and a 16gb micro SD card. It uses the Samsung SLB-10A battery which is widely available. It charges in the camera but for less than $10 you can buy an external charger and a spare battery.

The camera body has a nice leather-like covering that is easy to grip and there is a thumb rest on the back. There is a one button video recording feature and you can even take stills while shooting video. I've shopped around and no other small, pocket sized camera offers the same features and ease of sharing that this camera offers at anything close to this price. Sure the Samsung NX300 offers better photo quality but it's hardly pocketable and even with two lenses you won't have the same range. Plus it's price sets it in the DSLR range.

The WB350F is small and unobtrusive so you won't be a target for camera thieves. I hesitate to take my DSLR to places where there is a lot of dust or sand but a low cost, sealed lens camera is much less of a gamble.

Look at the user reviews of Samsung cameras such as the WB800F which is very similar to this camera. 4 and a half stars overall. The WB250F also scores very well.

This camera takes way better pictures than any phone or tablet. This camera has a glass multi-element lens that blows away a plastic phone lens with no optical zoom. Also the in camera effects filters are fun and easy to use. When this camera hits the stores it will be very popular for it's features, performance, wifi sharing and it's cool retro look. Highly recommended.

thanks for a nice review, will look into getting one...

I'm sure that 21 months after he posted his message the OP will be delighted for you.

has this camera total manual control like shutter/aperture and ISO control?

FrancoD wrote:

DanBahrami wrote:

has this camera total manual control like shutter/aperture and ISO control?

just for fun I had a look and unusually so for an entry level point and shoot camera, yes it does have aperture and shutter speed priority. https://www.manualslib.com/manual/760419/Samsung-Wb350f.html?page=49#manual

thanks