• 1/2.3 inch 28.1mm2
  • 16.3 megapixels
  • 23.00mm - 483.00mm (35mm eq.)
  • APS-C 366.6mm2
  • 20.1 megapixels
  • ISO 100 - 16,000

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Differences

Samsung WB800F advantages over Sony A58

  • Less expensive
    $300 vs $600 (MSRP)
    Save money for lenses or accessories
  • Touchscreen
    Touch vs No touch
    Interact with your camera just like your smartphone
  • Built-in Wi-Fi
    Wi-Fi vs None
    Share your photos wirelessly
  • Thinner
    21 mm vs 77 mm
    Thinner

Sony A58 advantages over Samsung WB800F

  • Focus peaking
    Peaker vs Non-peaker
    Your camera will highlight what's in focus
  • Larger sensor
    APS-C vs 1/2.3 inch
    More sensor area. Bigger is (generally) better.
  • Eye-level viewfinder
    Eye-level vs Rear display only
    You'll be able to frame photos even when the sun is out
  • Bigger pixels
    ~ 4.31 vs 1.34 microns
    Better low-light and dynamic range (all else equal)
  • In-camera panoramas
    Yes vs No
    Stitches multiple shots into a panoramic photo
  • Tiltable Screen
    Tiltable vs Fixed
    Tilt the screen for shooting flexbility
  • RAW file ability
    Yes vs No
    Gives you more flexibility to develop your photos later
  • External Mic Jack
    Jack vs No jack
    Improved sound fidelity when shooting video
  • HDMI out
    HDMI out vs None
    Use HDMI output to monitor or review video
  • Shoots 24p video
    Yes vs No
    Gives your movies a big-screen feel
  • Hot shoe
    Hot shoe vs None
    Off-camera flashes open new possibilities
  • More pixels
    20.1 vs 16.3 megapixels
    Higher resolution photos
  • Longer exposure
    30 vs 16 sec
    Long exposures for night shots
  • Bulb shutter
    Bulb vs No bulb
    Hold the shutter open manually for long exposures
  • Faster shutter
    1/4000 vs 1/2000 sec
    Shoot wide open in bright light
  • Higher extended ISO
    16000 vs 3200 ISO
    Higher extended ISO can give more low-light flexibility

Similarities

Common Strengths

  • Rear display
    Both provide
    Review photos on the back of the camera
  • In-Camera Image Stabilization
    Both provide
    Reduces the effects of camera shake at slower shutter speeds
  • Internal flash
    Both provide
    Useful in a pinch for fill flash
  • Manual focus
    Both provide
    AF is for the weak. Real photographers focus manually.

Common Weaknesses

  • Tilt-swivel screen
    Neither provide
    Tilt and swivel the screen for maximum shooting flexibility
  • Built-in Bluetooth
    Neither provide
    Always-on wireless connectivity
  • Built-in GPS
    Neither provide
    Geotag your photos
  • On-sensor phase detect
    Neither provide
    Usually improves live view and video AF performance
  • Integrated ND filter
    Neither provide
    Shoot in daylight with a large aperture or slow shutter
  • Dual card slots
    Neither provide
    Gives you more storage flexibility
  • Headphone jack
    Neither provide
    Monitor audio recording while you shoot video
  • Slow-motion videos
    Neither provide
    Shoot slow-motion videos

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Buy the Samsung WB800F

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Buy the Sony A58

Review Excerpt

  • Improved 20.1-megapixel resolution; Impressive image quality, especially for its price; Fast and decisive autofocus (in most conditions); Very good battery life; Good video quality (Full HD 1080p, though it doesn't support 60p frame rate).

  • Plastic lens mount; Slower burst mode speeds and shallower buffer than A57; LCD no longer fully articulating; Mediocre kit lens; Electronic instead of an optical viewfinder may be a turnoff for some.

The Competition

Compared to Samsung WB850F

Samsung WB800F
Samsung WB850F
  • $300
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • Less expensive
  • $467
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • Built-in GPS
  • Slow-motion videos
Sony A58
Samsung WB850F
  • $598
  • APS-C
  • Focus peaking
  • Larger sensor
  • $467
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • Less expensive
  • Touchscreen

Compared to Samsung Galaxy Camera

Samsung WB800F
Samsung Galaxy Camera
  • $300
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • Less expensive
  • Lighter weight
  • $520
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • In-camera panoramas
  • Built-in GPS
Sony A58
Samsung Galaxy Camera
  • $598
  • APS-C
  • Focus peaking
  • Larger sensor
  • $520
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • Less expensive
  • Touchscreen

Compared to Pentax K-5 IIs

Samsung WB800F
Pentax K-5 IIs
  • $300
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • Less expensive
  • Touchscreen
  • $497
  • APS-C
  • Larger sensor
  • Eye-level viewfinder
Sony A58
Pentax K-5 IIs
  • $598
  • APS-C
  • Less expensive
  • Focus peaking
  • $497
  • APS-C
  • Lens selection
  • Fast startup

Compared to Canon T5i

Samsung WB800F
Canon T5i
  • $300
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • In-Camera Image Stabilization
  • Built-in Wi-Fi
  • $539
  • APS-C
  • Larger sensor
  • Tilt-swivel screen
Sony A58
Canon T5i
  • $598
  • APS-C
  • Focus peaking
  • Larger sensor
  • $539
  • APS-C
  • Lens selection
  • Tilt-swivel screen

Compared to Samsung WB350F

Samsung WB800F
Samsung WB350F
  • $300
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • $232
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • Less expensive
  • In-camera panoramas
Sony A58
Samsung WB350F
  • $598
  • APS-C
  • Focus peaking
  • Larger sensor
  • $232
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • Less expensive
  • Touchscreen
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