Looking into the distance

As with other Samsung products, the WB700 comes in a very space-saving package, which contains the camera software CD, carrying strap and Quick Start Guide. Practically, the small power supply, which is combined with the USB cable, so you can save clutter. However, the cable is a bit short, a port on the PC without front USB is therefore likely to be difficult.

The camera is slightly wider than my beloved, unfortunately faded Finepix 31d, but fits comfortably in your hand. As already mentioned by others, making the housing through the metal front a high impression. However, the big lens is firmly not completely, which seems strange, but so far the operation has no effect. Criticism of the keys I can not share - the small metal buttons, the operator Cross and the selector switch are stuck and have a good pressure point. The large shutter release is, however, a bit spongy, but this does not bother, because the pressure point for focusing is well felt.

In the age of touchscreen cameras and cell phones I had to get used to a manual operation at first again. However, the menus are quite clear and not overloaded with information. The large display acts in the representation somewhat "grainy" and pale. My specimen is about 1-2 seconds ready to fire after power. The focus usually works quickly. Required for storing the image, the WB700 - regardless of the resolution - good 2 seconds which seemed very long. The zoom is impressive compared to conventional "small cameras", as can be eg. The page Texts of CDs on the shelf to read on the other side of the room, which was not possible with conventional zoom. Nevertheless, the images still look great detail at maximum zoom.

However, the image sharpness compared to my old Finepix can not keep up, despite more than twice the number of pixels. Even when the sun shows itself on closer inspection, an image noise, images are generally neat in direct sunlight or using flash. When shooting indoors with no direct sunlight but the pictures tend already to clear blur and noise. Could the Finepix even in dark areas (eg churches, Pharaonic tombs) incredibly fabricate colorful, low noise and precise aim with the remaining light without flash, this is at the WB700 - at least in the automatic mode - not possible. Dark remains dark and kriselig here. The videos are mediocre and are faded.

Conclusion: The good workmanship and the large zoom face a mediocre image quality. For normal summer it forms a solid companion, at current price, the value for money is likely to be very good. Anyone with time, can certainly get even some with the many manual settings. A worthy replacement for my Finepix 31d can not represent but.