Samsung has been a new name in the digital camera industry. In order to penetrate this market, the company has chosen to integrate many features, high resolution sensors and other high-end specifications and attractive prices in order to quickly gain market share. In the super-zoom segment, the Panasonic TZ series takes advantage, and immediately, Samsung has launched the WB series with more features, but the price is more attractive than the competition.
Panasonic brings Leica lenses to its products and is still heavily influenced by the German camera company in terms of production and technology. And to choose a similar partner to compete with the competition, Samsung chose the Schneider lens. What’s special is that despite using the lens with a hundred years of history, Korean electronics companies keep their products at a reasonable price.
The Samsung WB700 features a 14.2-megapixel 1 / 2.3-inch CCD sensor, Schneider-KREUZNACH 18x optical zoom lens with 24-322mm resolution, 3-inch rear screen resolution of 3-inch resolution QVGA. It can shoot 720p HD video at 30 frames, 15 frames per second.
Samsung EC-WB700 Digital Camera with 14 MP and 18x Optical Zoom (Black): Buy it now
Key Features
18x optical zoom. The headline spec here — 24-432mm equivalent, enough range to go from a wide landscape shot to something much farther away. Optical stabilization helps keep the long end usable without a tripod.
14.2MP CCD sensor. Combined with Samsung’s processing, it produces clean, well-exposed shots with decent detail.
Full HD video. 1080p at 30fps, dedicated movie button, and the zoom stays functional while recording — good for adding some dynamic movement to footage.
Smart Auto. Reads the scene and adjusts exposure, white balance, and focus automatically. Useful if you don’t want to think about settings.
Manual controls. Aperture priority, shutter priority, and full manual are all here if you want more control than Smart Auto gives you.
Panorama mode. Stitches multiple shots into a wide frame — handy for landscapes that don’t fit in one shot.
Performance
Autofocus uses contrast detection with face detection, tracking, and multi-point modes. It’s reasonably quick in good light, but slows down and hunts a bit once things get dark. Startup and shot-to-shot speed are fine for a compact — not fast compared to higher-end cameras, but not a bottleneck for casual shooting either.
Image quality holds up well for the class. Colors come out rich and accurate, and white balance stays consistent across different lighting. Low light is handled decently too — ISO tops out at 3200, and while noise increases at the top end, detail doesn’t fall apart completely. The built-in flash helps when you need it.
Video is a genuine strength: sharp, smooth 1080p footage with the zoom available throughout. Audio from the built-in mic is clear enough, though it picks up ambient noise easily.
User Experience
The menu is simple and easy to navigate, and the mode dial gets you to Smart Auto, Program, Aperture/Shutter Priority, or Manual without digging through submenus. Controls are responsive, the zoom lever sits conveniently by the shutter button, and the 3-inch LCD is bright enough to compose and review shots comfortably.
Battery life is rated around 240 shots per charge (CIPA) — enough for a casual day, but bring a spare if you’re shooting more than that.
Pros and Cons
The zoom range is the standout pro, backed up by solid image quality and genuinely good video. Manual controls add flexibility beyond what you’d expect from a compact, and the design is comfortable to shoot with day to day.
On the downside: autofocus slows down in low light, the mic picks up background noise easily, and battery life means carrying a spare for longer outings.
Comparison with Competitors
Against other compacts, the WB700’s 18x zoom is a real advantage — most competitors don’t reach as far. Image quality and color reproduction are on par with the category, though some rivals handle high-ISO noise a bit better. Video holds up well too, even if some competitors now offer 4K or external mic support that this camera skips.
Conclusion
The 18x zoom is the reason to consider the WB700, and it backs that up with solid image quality and video that punches above its price. Low-light autofocus and battery life are the compromises, but neither is a dealbreaker for a compact built around reach and versatility.
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Tech Reviewer & Product Analyst
Định Bia has spent over 10 years testing consumer electronics with a focus on smart technology. He work as a product advisor at Biareview where he helped customers find the right devices for their needs. He personally tests every product featured on this site using a consistent evaluation framework covering quality, durability, and value. All reviews are based on experience, not influenced by the manufacturer.