Features
Handling
Performance
Verdict
Specification
The Samsung WB350F updates the Samsung WB800F, and adds NFC, as well as giving the camera a more compact body, yet still retaining the same 21x optical zoom lens, 16 megapixel backlit CMOS sensor, full HD video recording and manual controls, as well as a 3inch touch screen.
Samsung WB350F Features
The Samsung WB350F offers a wide-angle 21x optical zoom lens equivalent to 23-483mm in 35mm terms, a 16 megapixel backlit CMOS sensor and optical image stabilisation for improved low light performance. On the back is a 3inch touch screen so that you can set options as well as set the focus point, or alternatively there is still the usual number of buttons found on a camera, so that you have the choice of control methods. Full manual controls are available with the camera featuring P, A, S, and M shooting modes.
Another headline feature it has is built-in Wi-Fi and NFC, making it possible to share your images quickly and easily to places such as Facebook, Picasa, Photobucket or by email directly from the camera. Videos can be uploaded to YouTube. The camera even has a new "Baby Monitor" mode that lets you remotely monitor what the camera is viewing from your smartphone.
Key Features
- 16mp backlit CMOS sensor
- 21x optical zoom lens, f/2.8-f/5.9, 23-483mm equivalent
- Optical image stabilisation
- 3inch touch screen
- Manual controls
- ISO80 to ISO3200
- Full HD video recording
- HDR and panoramic shooting
- Wi-Fi connectivity, NFC
- Lithium Ion battery
- MicroSD card slot
- Available in white or "cobalt black" / deep blue
Samsung WB350F Handling
The Samsung WB350F has a decent textured body, and although there is no raised grip on the front, there is a rubber area on the back for your thumb. Build quality appears good although the camera is made entirely out of plastic, and the bright white design of this version may not be to everyone's taste.
The controls and handling of the camera are good, with the buttons all arranged within reach of your right hand, with the zoom control on top surrounding the shutter release button. There are a number of buttons on the back and you can operate the camera easily without having to use the touch screen if you don't want to. On top a mode dial gives access to shooting modes, as well as dedicated setup, and Wi-Fi menus. The small pop up flash is opened with a mechanical button, and to close you simply push it back down.
The menus are well laid out with clear text, that is large and easy to read with built in guidance that pops up, and the Fn (Function) button on the back will bring up a control panel on the screen to give you quick access to settings. This can either be controlled and adjusted using the 4-way controller on the back or alternatively using the touchscreen. The screen is clear and responsive to touch, although viewing it in bright sunlight can be difficult.
Wi-Fi connectivity: You can share photos from the playback mode, directly to KnowHow, Facebook, Picasa, Dropbox, MobileLink, Samsung Link, and Email. On top of the camera is a Direct Link button, which can be set to MobileLink, Remote Viewfinder, Baby Monitor, Autobackup, Email, SNS+Cloud, and Samsung Link. Videos can be uploaded directly to YouTube, and the camera has a built in web browser for logging on to social network sites, or to open Wi-Fi networks when needed. This means you can get connected quickly and easily from almost anywhere with a Wi-Fi signal.
Battery life - Battery life is rated at 310 shots according to Samsung / CIPA test results, this is quite good for a compact camera, although extended use of Wi-Fi is likely to reduce the number of shots possible.
Speed - We took a number of shots to test the camera's responsiveness, from switch on to first photo, shot to shot, focusing speed etc. We take a number of shots and then use the average to ensure accurate and consistent tests, making it easy to compare with other cameras.
| Samsung WB350F | |
| Shutter Response | <0.05 |
| Wide - Focus / Shutter Response | 0.2 |
| Full zoom - Focus / Shutter Response | 0.3 |
| Switch on Time to Taking a Photo | 2.6 |
| Shot to Shot without Flash | 1.1 |
| Shot to Shot with Flash | 3.0 |
| Continuous Shooting - JPEG (shots before slow down) |
6fps (6 shots) |
| Continuous Shooting - Flash | N/A |
Flash charge time can be very slow, with the camera taking a long time to charge the flash when you first switch it on, however the camera performs quickly the rest of the time.
Samsung WB350F Performance
Additional sample photos and product shots are available in the Equipment Database, where you can add your own review, photos and product ratings.
Samsung WB350F Sample Photos
Samsung WB350F Lens test images
Lens Performance - Detail is reasonably good, although at the wide-angle end of the lens images can sometimes appear soft, particularly in the corners. Distortion is quite low with very little signs of vignetting or barrel distortion, although there is some distortion visible at full zoom. Macro performance is reasonable, with the camera focusing on subjects 10cm away from the lens. Purple fringing can be seen nearer the edges of the frame, in areas of high contrast, but for most photos this is not an issue.
Samsung WB350F ISO test images
Samsung WB350F White-balance test images
Panoramic | 1/750 sec | f/4.0 | 4.1 mm | ISO 320
Panorama mode - The panoramic mode lets you press the shutter button and simply pan the camera from one side to another. Results are reasonable, although quite low resolution.
Samsung WB350F Digital filters
Video - Optical zoom is available when recording videos, and you can pause the video while recording, as well as take photos. Video is recorded in Full HD, and quality is good, however sound is recorded in mono.
Value For Money
The Samsung WB350F is available for £249 which makes it more expensive compared to the competition although we would expect the price to drop over time, as a number of alternatives feature more optical zoom, as well as built in GPS. Alternatives to consider include the following cameras:
Panasonic Lumix TZ60, 30x optical zoom, GPS, Wi-Fi, NFC, £229
Sony Cyber-shot HX50, 30x optical zoom, Wi-Fi, £242
Olympus Stylus SH-50, 24x optical zoom, £189
Canon Powershot SX280 HS, 20x optical zoom, Wi-Fi, GPS, £209
Nikon Coolpix S9500, 22x optical zoom, Wi-Fi, GPS, £180
Fujifilm FinePix F900EXR, 20x optical zoom, Wi-Fi, £159
Samsung WB800F, 21x optical zoom, Wi-Fi, £155
You'll also need to buy a memory card and a case or bag to keep your camera safe and protected - have a look at our complete guide to camera bags.
Samsung WB350F Verdict
The Samsung WB350F gives a 21x optical zoom, and a lot of connectivity options with one of the best implementations of Wi-Fi on any camera, making it extremely easy to share photos directly to Facebook and other social network sites. The addition of NFC makes it easier to connect to a compatible smartphone, however the price of the new model does make the previous model, the WB800F, seem like excellent value for money if you don't mind the lack of NFC.
Although image quality is not the best in the class, for those that want it all, the Samsung WB350F is a good option, particularly for sharing to social network sites where the cameras colour performance is good, although a number of the competitors offer built in GPS or additional zoom.