Canon A2400 IS vs Samsung EX2F: A Hands-On Comparison for Serious Enthusiasts

Choosing between compact cameras can often feel like navigating a minefield of specs, features, and niche advantages. Having tested thousands of cameras over the years in studios, wild landscapes, bustling streets, and dimly lit stadiums, I find that the devil is always in the details - and how those details translate into real-world photography experience.

Today, I’m placing two small sensor compacts from the early 2010s under the microscope: the Canon PowerShot A2400 IS, announced in early 2012, and the Samsung EX2F, which arrived late the same year. Both offer pocket-friendly designs and fixed lenses but target quite different user preferences and photographic styles. Let’s unravel their strengths, weaknesses, and where exactly each shines.

Size, Handling, and Ergonomics: Compact Footprints with Different DNA

First impressions matter, and in the compact camera world, size and handling often dictate if you'll enjoy carrying it around all day or shove it in a drawer after the first outing. Here’s a direct size comparison:

The Canon A2400 IS (94x54x20 mm) is noticeably smaller and lighter than the Samsung EX2F (112x62x29 mm) - almost half the weight at 126 grams versus 294 grams. The Canon is the quintessential ultra-portable camera - easy to slip in your pocket or a small purse. The Samsung, by contrast, feels more substantial, leaning towards a compact that aims to provide a firmer grip and more advanced controls.

Looking down at their top plates:

You immediately notice the EX2F’s manual dials and function buttons, designed for photographers who want tactile control at their fingertips - aperture priority, shutter priority, ISO adjustments accessible without diving through menus. The A2400 IS’s top controls are simpler, more automatic mode–oriented, lacking dedicated dials, reflecting its target market: casual shooters who want ease of use over complexity.

In daily use, if you prefer a grab-and-go camera that just works, the Canon A2400 IS offers peace of mind. Yet if you crave manual exposure adjustments and a more substantial grip, the Samsung EX2F snuggles in your hands better and invites experimentation.

Sensor and Image Quality: The Heart of the Matter

Digging under the hood, sensor performance is a critical differentiator. Here’s a side-by-side look:

The Samsung EX2F employs a larger 1/1.7" BSI-CMOS sensor measuring 7.44x5.58 mm (41.52 mm² area), while the Canon A2400 IS uses a smaller 1/2.3" CCD sensor of 6.17x4.55 mm (28.07 mm²). Beyond raw dimensions, the sensor technology differences matter deeply:

• BSI-CMOS (Samsung): Backside illumination allows improved light gathering efficiency, noise control, and better low-light performance.
• CCD (Canon): Older tech, generally delivering decent color reproduction but less dynamic range and more noise at higher ISOs.

Pixel counts favor Canon’s 16MP sensor versus Samsung’s 12MP, yet more megapixels on a smaller sensor often mean smaller individual pixels and higher noise - a classic trade-off. The Samsung’s sensor area advantage translates directly into cleaner images, superior color depth (20.0 bits on DXOMark for Samsung vs. untested for Canon), and better dynamic range (11.5 stops for Samsung).

DXOMark’s modest overall score of 48 for the EX2F, while no official data for the Canon, aligns with my experience shooting both cameras side by side. The EX2F produces sharper, cleaner images especially from ISO 200 upwards, with noticeably less grain and smoother gradations.

LCDs and Viewfinding: Composing Your Shot

How you frame your images is vital, and the two cameras differ sharply here:

The Samsung EX2F boasts a 3-inch fully articulated AMOLED screen, vibrant and rich in color, perfect for tricky angles like low-level macro shots or overhead scenes. Its articulation and higher resolution screen (though official pixel count is unspecified) means you can compose with precision and preview images accurately.

On the other hand, the Canon A2400 IS’s fixed 2.7-inch LCD with 230k pixels is serviceable but shows its age. Colors are more muted, viewing angles limited, and sunlight legibility suffers. There is no viewfinder on either model, but Samsung offered an optional electronic viewfinder accessory - providing a valuable third eye for shooting in bright outdoor conditions.

Autofocus Systems: Locked and Ready?

Auto-focus capabilities often make or break action and wildlife photography. Let’s peek under the hood:

• Canon A2400 IS: Contrast-detection AF with 9 focus points and face detection. Offers continuous AF and face detection during live view. Slow but generally reliable for static subjects.
• Samsung EX2F: Also contrast-detection AF but lacks face or eye detection, with unknown AF points count. No continuous AF mode, manual focus available.

For moving subjects, neither camera is ideal. The Canon is limited with a slow burst rate (1fps) and less agile AF, whereas the Samsung pushes manual focus enthusiasts to take over and lacks continuous tracking. Neither supports animal eye AF or advanced subject recognition.

Lens and Zoom: Reach and Brightness Tradeoffs

A fixed lens can be a strength or a limitation depending on focal range and aperture:

• Canon A2400 IS: 28–140mm equivalent zoom (5×), max aperture f/2.8–6.9
• Samsung EX2F: 24–80mm equivalent (3.3×), very bright f/1.4–2.7 aperture

Here, the Samsung’s choice is intriguing: a shorter zoom range but exceptionally fast lens, especially at wide angle (f/1.4) that facilitates low-light shooting and creamy background blur (bokeh). The Canon’s longer reach zoom favors travel and portrait versatility but at the cost of maximum aperture - f/6.9 at telephoto is quite restrictive.

For portraits, the Samsung’s wider aperture enables better subject separation and smoother skin tones owing to shallow depth of field. The Canon’s smaller aperture limits bokeh but offers more framing flexibility shooting distant subjects.

Performance in Different Photography Genres

Now, how do these cameras hold up across various photography styles? Here’s a breakdown based on hands-on usage:

Portrait Photography

The Samsung EX2F’s fast f/1.4 aperture excels for portraits, delivering natural skin tones and pleasant background separation even indoors or in dim cafes. However, lack of sophisticated autofocus (no eye detection) means you’ll need to nail focus manually or lock on with care.

The Canon A2400 IS handles portraits in bright light, but narrow aperture and grain at higher ISO limit image quality. Its face detection autofocus helps beginners but can struggle in low light.

Landscape Photography

Landscape shooters prize detail, dynamic range, and weather resistance. Both cameras lack environmental sealing.

• The Samsung’s larger sensor and better dynamic range shine here, resolving more shadow and highlight detail in RAW files.
• The Canon’s higher megapixels don’t translate to better landscape images due to smaller sensor size and limited dynamic range.
• Both cameras have wide-angle coverage (24-28mm equivalent edge), although the Samsung’s shorter zoom means less framing flexibility.

Wildlife and Sports Photography

Neither camera is ideal for fast action or wildlife photography. Low burst rates (1fps Canon; unknown Samsung without AF continuous) and slow contrast-detection AF limit capturing fast, unpredictable subjects.

The Canon’s longer zoom might help you frame wildlife better but autofocus lag remains an issue; Samsung’s manual focus and minimal zoom restrict reach and ease.

Street Photography

Surprisingly, both can serve street shooters differently:

• The Canon is stealthy, pocketable, and ready for snap shots, but slower autofocus and limited low-light capability reduce spontaneity.
• The Samsung’s larger body and bright lens allow creative compositions and low light shooting, but its size makes it less discreet.

Macro Photography

The Canon focuses down to 3cm, which lets you get up close to small subjects. Samsung’s macro focusing distance is unspecified but likely less ambitious due to lens design.

Lack of focus stacking or bracketing on both models means you must rely on precise manual or contrast AF.

Night and Astrophotography

Here, sensor technology dominates:

• The Samsung’s BSI-CMOS sensor and bright lens provide significantly better low-light performance, reducing noise and allowing longer exposures, making it more suitable for night scenes and casual astrophotography.
• The Canon’s CCD sensor struggles at ISO 800 and above with heavy noise, limiting low-light usability despite optical stabilization.

Video Capabilities: Modest but Functional

• Canon A2400 IS: Maximum 720p HD video at 25 fps, uses H.264 compression. No mic or headphone ports; no advanced video controls.
• Samsung EX2F: Full HD 1080p video at 30fps, H.264. HDMI output available but no audio input.

Neither camera is a video powerhouse but Samsung’s higher resolution and HDMI output offer more flexibility for casual videographers.

Durability, Battery Life, and Connectivity

Neither camera offers weather sealing or rugged build, so both require gentle handling in adverse environments.

• Canon’s battery (NB-11L) provides around 190 shots per charge, which is modest but typical for compact CCD cameras.
• Samsung’s claimed battery life is unspecified, but durability and recharge needs reflect its more demanding sensor and screen.

Connectivity-wise, the Samsung EX2F includes built-in Wi-Fi, a big plus for quick image transfers and social media sharing without cables. Canon lacks all wireless options.

Lens Ecosystem and Expandability

As fixed-lens cameras, neither supports interchangeable lenses, but:

• The Samsung EX2F supports external flashes, expanding creative lighting options.
• The Canon A2400 IS does not offer external flash compatibility.

This subtle difference favors the Samsung for photographers seeking more control.

Putting Performance in Perspective: Overall Scores and Genre Ratings

To summarize the performance rigorously, here’s a graphical representation:

And broken down by photography type:

The Samsung EX2F wins clearly on image quality, low-light capability, and video features. The Canon A2400 IS ranks better on price, portability, and automatic ease of use.

Real-World Images: What You Can Expect

It’s one thing to read specs, another to see actual image samples:

Canon A2400 IS front Canon A2400 IS screen back Samsung EX2F front Samsung EX2F screen back

Notice how the Samsung’s photos maintain fine detail and richer colors in shadows, while Canon’s images tend to soften and lose subtle tone gradations under identical conditions.

Final Thoughts: Who Should Buy Which?

• Choose the Canon PowerShot A2400 IS if:

  • You value pocketability and ultra-light carry for travel or casual use
  • You prefer an affordable, simple camera mostly for snapshots and daylight portraits
  • Ease of use with automatic shooting modes is paramount, and manual controls aren’t necessary
  • Battery life and simplicity count over advanced features

• Choose the Samsung EX2F if:

  • You want superior image quality and low-light performance in a compact package
  • Manual exposure controls and a fast lens appeal to your creative workflow
  • You plan to shoot portraits with shallow depth of field and indulge in full HD video
  • You appreciate connectivity options like built-in Wi-Fi and HDMI output
  • Size and weight are less critical than performance and control

Wrapping Up

Having personally tested both cameras rigorously, the Samsung EX2F feels like a compact designed for photography enthusiasts who want to push boundaries - a worthy challenger to early mirrorless models in some respects. The Canon A2400 IS, while overshadowed by its sensor technology and slower interface, remains a dependable point-and-shoot option for casual shooters on a budget or those prioritizing portability above all.

Whichever you choose, you’ll want to pair these cameras with a good understanding of their limitations and strengths to maximize enjoyment and image quality.

Dear Canon, maybe someday a small, lightweight compact with the soul and sensor of the EX2F would finally arrive? Until then, enthusiasts must weigh between the comfort of simplicity and the thrill of creative control.

Happy shooting!