Upgraded to the Limit of a Compact Camera, WB2000

Samsung Electronics has provided the author of this review with the mentioned digital imaging device.

Recent compact cameras have been updating so quickly. Every time a new mode comes out, new technology has been applied and the performance has been upgraded. I found a good compact digital camera, and it’s the WB2000 from Samsung. The performance and functions are better than high end digital cameras. It has great quality, action panorama, 10 shots per sec, HD movie recording, Smart Auto, My Style, Smart Filter, and Beauty Shot. I strongly recommend this as a high end digital camera. However, it’s quite expensive. Let’s take a look.

01. Prologue

Recent cameras have been developing as technology progresses. Of course, it’s not as great as DSLR cameras, but compact cameras are being changed into great compact cameras from just a compact digital camera. The WB2000 shows just how the evolution has happened. As a compact camera, it supports M mode, RAW file format, ultra high speed shooting, action panorama, and AMOLED with vivid visions. Let’s take a closer look at the WB2000 with its various functions and photos.

02. Appearance

Exclusive battery & Convenient SD™ / SDHC

I used the exclusive Samsung battery, but due to the 3” AMOLED, the battery died quickly. Especially, when recording a movie, it spent a lot of the battery. However, it was enough for 1 day of shooting.

Compared to other compact cameras supporting Micro SD, it uses standard SD. I like the compatibility of the SD card.

03. Main Functions

Action Panorama

The WB2000 supports the Action Panorama function that takes consecutive shots while the shutter is pushed and the camera is moved, and it’s quite interesting. Normally, panorama photos should be edited with editing software such as Photoshop after taking a lot of shots with a tripod. And actually, this can’t be done by beginners.

However, the WB2000 supports the easy, simple and fast panorama function, and it supports 4 way (Up/Down/Left/Right) shootings.

Action Panorama shooting movie

24mm Ultra Wide Lens

Let’s enjoy the 24mm wide angle lens!

24mm

24mm

120mm

240mm

Smart Auto

[Still 16 + Movie 4] Smart Auto recognizing various situations

Photo Style

Normal Sketch

Vivid Soft

Forest Retro

Cool Calm

Classic Negative

Defog Custom RGB

Like previous Samsung cameras, the WB2000 has various style modes, and this can be applied after in the editing menu of the camera. Of course, the file is copied and saved, so the original is protected.

Smart Filter

Interesting compensation function, Smart Filter!

Normal Miniature

Vignetting Fish-eye

Beauty Shot

Making your skin like a baby’s with Beauty Shot

Normal

Beauty Shot +2

Great for woman

Menu operation movie of the WB2000

Upgraded to the limit of a compact digital camera

04. Photos of the WB2000

Test Environment * Body: Samsung WB5000 * Body setting: Smart Auto 70% + AS mode 20% + SCN Mode 5% + M mode 5% * Photoshop CS5 no compensation and multiple steps of resizes * Black and white and some pictures (Compensation marked) are compensated. * Refer to the photo information for more details.

24mm 1/1500s F4 ISO100

24mm 1/2000s F4.3 ISO100

24mm 1/1500s F4 ISO100

24mm 1/2000s F4 ISO100

50mm 1/1350s F6.2 ISO100

24mm 1/1000s F4 ISO100 +Image Adjust

24mm 1/1500s F4 ISO100

60mm 1/45s F5 ISO160

24mm 1/750s F4 ISO100

24mm 1/2000s F5.2 ISO100

24mm 1/2000s F4.7 ISO100

24mm 1/350s F4.7 ISO100

24mm 1/350s F4.7 ISO100

Light expression like DSLRs

The WB2000 captured the light very well, and sometimes even better than DSLRs.

Unique flower pattern flair!

The flair of the WB2000 has a unique flower pattern in pink.

24mm 1/180s F4 ISO100

In portrait pictures, let’s enjoy the flower patterned flair from the lights.

24mm 1/8s F2.4 ISO800

24mm 16s F7.2 ISO800

24mm 16s F7.2 ISO800

24mm 1/250s F7 ISO100

24mm 1/30s F2.8 ISO320

Basic Performance for a compact camera

24mm 1/30s F2.8 ISO100 +Beauty Shot

24mm 1/30s F2.8 ISO100 +Beauty Shot, Self-portrait

24mm 1/250s F4 ISO100 +Beauty Shot

Action Panorama

Upgraded to the limit of a compact digital camera

24mm 1/45s F3.1 ISO100

24mm 1/30s F2.8 ISO480

24mm 1/45s F5 ISO100

24mm 1/45s 2.8 ISO100

24mm 1/30s F2.8 ISO120

A Geobuk ship at a Lantern Festival

05. Conclusion

In a word, I met a great compact camera. When using the WB2000, you can’t ignore a compact camera any more. Of course, having great functions doesn’t mean a good camera, because a good camera needs to take a good picture. The WB2000 has both modern and classic design, high level functions such as M mode, convenient functions such as Smart Auto, Smart Filter, and action panorama, and the results were wonderful.

There were some weaknesses. The battery was out a little too fast compared with the previous cameras, due to the 3” AMOLED screen, and the quick setting dial should have been more firm, because I turned it without realizing it.

I think recent compact cameras are really great. I hoping that there will be a compact camera as great as a DSLRs in the near future.