Sometimes bigger can have its advantages. Looking down on the camera's top plate we find a row of chunky controls set into a wide mirrored chrome strip that lends the Samsung WB a modicum of style.
Starting at the right, and 'sunk' slightly into the bodywork is a familiar bottle top style dial for the shooting modes. This feels firm to the touch and well implemented, in that the user can't accidentally slip from one setting to the other. Ranged around the dial are the expected Auto, Program and Manual settings. Incidentally, as you turn the shooting dial, a virtual version which the same eight settings rotates in tandem on screen, highlighting and explaining each one as you select it.
Also found on the dial are a 'Dual IS' mode - which offers both optical image stabilization and the ISO boosting digital variety. We'll of course be examining how well it does at its higher settings in the 'Image Quality' section of our review.
Continuing around the dial we discover Samsung's 'beauty shot' mode, useful for both acne-d adolescents and those of us who have over indulged by automatically retouching out spots and blemishes. Spotlighting the WB's intended audience as the family, Samsung clearly wants its users to have to spend as little time post-processing images as possible - if any.
Also on offer is a dedicated scene mode. But rather than this mode automatically displaying its settings as icons, the user has to press the 'menu' button at the camera's rear and scroll down the text options to find them.
Along with 'Portait', 'Children' and 'Landscape' we get 'text', 'sunset', 'dawn' and 'backlight, with a total of 14 choices in all. The adjacent setting on the dial is for video mode. Here users get the opportunity to either shoot at top resolution, a less memory hungry x pixels, or x pixels; choice dependant on intended use whether playing back on an HDTV or merely posting on the Internet.
Maximum frame rate at x resolution is 30fps, with a reduced 15fps rate also selectable with a press of the button marked 'Fn' or 'Function' on the camera back. Should users however plump for the very lowest picture quality, a higher frame rate of 60fps is selectable. Horses for courses obviously. Staying on the Samsung WB's top plate, the next control along is the large-ish and springy shutter release button, surrounded by a rocker switch for operating the zoom.
Controlled by a protruding lip that falls naturally under the forefinger, the zoom takes around three seconds to travel from maximum wide angle to full telephoto - which is pretty much par for the course for its focal range. We did find on occasion that said zoom took a moment or two to 'wake up' - and that its transitions are sound-tracked by a low mechanical blur; but said sound is low enough to avoid being off-putting.
Confusingly, there's also a second toggle switch top right of the camera back - where we might otherwise find a zoom lever on competing models - that is narrow and uncomfortable, digging into the thumb. That aside, once you've zoomed in and got your composition how you want, with a half press of the shutter button the Samsung WB is commendably swift to determine focus and exposure, the AF point highlighted in green and an operational 'beep' confirming you're good to go on and take the shot.
With little noticeable shutter lag, at highest resolution setting an image is committed to memory in just under two seconds, the screen blanking out briefly, which isn't bad at all. Not perhaps what you'd want if trying to use the camera surreptitiously at night, but then glow from the 2. Finally, at the far end of the top plate to the mode dial is located the WB's built-in speaker, acting as an accompaniment to video clips.
Instead more run-of-the-mill connections are found over on the right hand flank of the camera - specifically a joint port for USB and AV out, with said cables provided. Also in the box is a quick-start guide as a hard copy, the full manual on CD ROM, plus a wrist strap.
Moving to the back of the Samsung WB, this is dominated by the 2. LCD visibility is adequate indoors and out, though you inevitably find yourself cupping a hand or angling the camera for a better view with the latter.
We preferred the slightly larger 3 inch , higher-resolution K dots screen of the WB This handily doubles up as a delete button in playback mode.
As expected the amount of information and options accessed via a press of 'Fn' varies dependant on which shooting mode is selected. For example in regular auto mode the user merely has the ability to adjust image size and resolution.
Twist the dial around to the program mode however and there's the ability to swap focus area, metering modes, change from single shot to continuous capture, choose from the range of ISO settings, adjust white balance or turn the ubiquitous face detection mode on or off.
Like its rivals, Samsung also allows user access to blink detection and smile shot in this mode. Directly underneath the function button is a four-way directional control pad. A press of menu will again provide a range of selectable options, the brevity or otherwise of which is dependant on the particular mode the user is in.
Let's assume, for example, we're shooting in program mode. With menu selected an icon illustrated top bar provides drop down access to fine tuning the recording options. These include the ability to switch that fiddly command lever from adjusting exposure to ISO or white balance.
One can also tweak operational sounds, LCD display, plus access to a setting menu, enabling memory to formatted or previously selected functions reset.
Hi Matt, from image quality viewpoint specially for indoor photos, do you think there is a big difference between WB and NV9? MattGrayson 14 3. For looks, go for the NV9, for image quality, go for the WB You must be a member to leave a comment. Remember me. Join For Free Upload photos, chat with photographers, win prizes and much more. Reach 1. Get the latest photography news straight to your inbox by signing up to our newsletter.
Newsletter Signup Visit our Competitions Forum, where you'll find our monthly competition and other external competitions to enter. Photography Competitions. Directory Pages Search for all the latest photography gear and services in our dedicated photography directories. Calibrate your monitor so you can see 16 different shades :. Can't access your account? Join Today! The back boasts a large LCD screen and a simple layout.
Rear controls are firm and responsive. Samsung creates these small software programs to allow your WB to interact with the specific version of your operating system. Manually, you can update WB drivers through Device Manager, or automatically using a driver update software.
The common recommendation is to update your WB drivers after major Windows updates. WB errors can be rooted in an outdated or corrupted device driver. PC drivers can become problematic without any obvious cause. There is hope for Digital Camera users because they can usually solve the problem by updating their device drivers. It is often hard to find a right solution to a WB hardware-related error by visiting Samsung's website.
Even if you have the expertise, finding, downloading, and updating WB drivers can still be a tedious and messy process.
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