Canon PowerShot S100 vs Casio Exilim EX-ZR400: A Detailed Compact Camera Showdown

Choosing the ideal compact camera involves more than skimming spec sheets - it requires understanding how cameras perform in the real world across diverse photography needs. Today, I put two intriguing small-sensor compacts head-to-head: the Canon PowerShot S100 and the Casio Exilim EX-ZR400. Both launched around the early 2010s, these models target enthusiasts demanding more than typical point-and-shoots, but with very different design philosophies and feature sets.

Drawing on extensive hands-on testing covering sensor performance, autofocus, ergonomics, shooting versatility, and more - this detailed comparison will help you figure out which of these compacts best fits your photographic style and budget.

Physical size and ergonomics matter a lot in pocket cameras - here’s how these two compare.

First Impressions: Size, Build, and Handling

Both cameras fit comfortably in your hand and pocket, but subtle size and weight differences influence long-term handling.

• Canon S100: Measures 99 x 60 x 28 mm and weighs 198 g. Its compact size emphasizes portability with a premium feel. Canon uses a textured grip and well-positioned controls for easy one-handed access. Despite no weather sealing, the build quality feels reassuringly solid for a compact.

• Casio EX-ZR400: Slightly bigger and heavier at 105 x 59 x 29 mm and 205 g. The body is a bit blockier due to the superzoom lens. It’s still pocketable but prioritizes zoom range over minimalism. The plastic finish is less refined but functional, and control layout is straightforward, though not as ergonomic as the Canon.

If you prioritize ultra-compact size and a refined tactile experience, the S100 holds an edge here. For users craving zoom versatility while maintaining relatively small footprint, the EX-ZR400 balances size and capabilities well.

Lens and Zoom: Versatility vs. Speed

Lens specs highlight one of the key philosophical divides between these two:

Canon S100 Lens Characteristics:

• Fixed 24-120mm equivalent zoom (5x optical)
• Bright aperture from f/2.0 at wide angle, narrowing to f/5.9 at tele
• Macro focusing down to 3 cm, helpful for close-ups
• Benefit: Wide aperture aids low light and depth of field control

Casio EX-ZR400 Lens Characteristics:

• Fixed 24-300mm equivalent superzoom (12.5x optical)
• Aperture range f/3.0 to f/5.9 (less bright wide angle than Canon)
• Extended telephoto reach allows distant subjects without swapping lenses
• Macro focus as close as 1 cm - excellent for detailed close-ups

On real-world use, I found the Canon’s faster wide aperture beneficial for indoor, portrait, and low-light scenes where background separation and clarity matter most. The EX-ZR400’s longer reach shines for travel, wildlife in moderate distance, and event snapshots without changing lenses.

Top view comparison showing layout. Canon favors a more tactile design; Casio’s controls accommodate zoom emphasis.

Controls and Interface: Making Photography Intuitive

Both cameras lack touchscreens, but share a 3-inch, 461k-dot fixed LCD. Controls are thoughtfully placed, but different in feel:

• Canon S100 features dedicated dial and buttons for aperture/shutter control, exposure compensation, and quick menu access. This manual control focus is great for enthusiasts who like direct, tactile interaction.

• Casio EX-ZR400 streamlines buttons and zoom toggle to simplify operation. While effective for casual shooters wanting quick zoom and scene selection, it lacks the nuanced manual controls of the Canon.

Neither camera offers an electronic viewfinder, which may be a drawback for bright daylight shooting. Both rely on live view framing, but Canon’s exposure and focus aids felt slightly more responsive in my experience.

Sensor and Image Quality: Inside the Compact Bodies

Let’s talk about the heart of image quality - the sensor and its impact on image output.

Sensor sizes compared: Notice Canon’s larger 1/1.7" vs Casio’s 1/2.3" sensor.

Sensor Specs:

• Canon S100: 1/1.7" CMOS sensor (7.44x5.58mm), 12 MP resolution
• Casio EX-ZR400: Smaller 1/2.3" BSI-CMOS sensor (6.17x4.55mm), higher resolution at 16 MP

What does this mean practically?

• Canon’s larger sensor collects more light per pixel, improving low-light noise levels and dynamic range.
• Casio’s higher pixel count offers more resolution but can introduce noisier images under dim conditions.
• Both use anti-aliasing filters to reduce moiré effects, slightly softening sharpness.

In my side-by-side RAW and JPEG tests, the Canon S100 consistently produced superior image quality in challenging lighting - richer colors, smoother tonal gradations, and better details in shadows and highlights. The EX-ZR400 benefits from its BSI technology improving sensitivity, yet struggles more with noise at ISO 800 and above, especially visible on a full computer screen or print.

Back LCD screen and UI interface - both fixed screens, similar resolution but differences in display tech.

Autofocus and Shooting Performance: Speed vs Precision

Autofocus systems in compacts often define shooting success - particularly for moving subjects.

Canon S100 Autofocus:

• 9 autofocus points with contrast detection
• Face detection enabled (helpful for portraits)
• Single autofocus with limited continuous tracking
• Slower continuous shooting at ~2 fps

Casio EX-ZR400 Autofocus:

• Unknown number of focus points, contrast detection only
• No face or eye detection autofocus
• Burst mode up to 30 fps for fast action capture

While the Casio’s burst rate is impressive on paper for sports or wildlife, its slower, less responsive autofocus can result in missed shots or hunting focus in low contrast scenes. The Canon offers more confidence with refined AF tracking and face detection, especially helpful for portraits and street photography.

For wildlife and sports, neither camera matches DSLR or mirrorless counterparts in AF speed, but the EX-ZR400 burst capability can capture fleeting moments if you pre-focus accurately.

Image Stabilization: Keeping Shots Sharp

Both cameras feature optical image stabilization but use different approaches:

• Canon S100 employs lens-shift optical stabilization, effective across focal lengths.
• Casio EX-ZR400 uses sensor-shift stabilization, compensating vibrations internally.

In handheld low light or telephoto shooting, I found both systems comparable, providing 2-3 stops of shake reduction. The Canon’s stabilization combined nicely with the brighter lens for sharper results shooting indoors or at night.

Canon S100 front Canon S100 screen back Casio EX ZR400 front Casio EX ZR400 screen back

Real-World Photography Tests: Strengths by Genre

Let’s evaluate these cameras through typical photography scenarios drawing from extensive field testing.

Portraits

• Canon S100 wins with its bright f/2.0 aperture delivering pleasant bokeh and smooth skin tone rendition.
• Face detection autofocus enhanced framing and focus accuracy.
• EX-ZR400 struggled producing background blur but handled skin tones reasonably well in good light.

Landscapes

• Canon’s larger sensor and superior dynamic range captured shadows and highlights faithfully.
• Both cameras shine in bright daylight, but Canon’s RAW support (lacking in Casio) offers post-processing flexibility.
• Neither has weather sealing, but Canon’s compactness aids portability on hikes.

Wildlife

• Casio’s 300mm equivalent zoom extends framing options for distant subjects.
• Burst shooting at 30 fps useful for fast bird flight or movement.
• Canon’s sharper autofocus gives it an edge capturing precise moments.

Sports

• Casio’s high-speed burst is advantageous.
• Canon’s slower continuous rate limits action capture, but better focus tracking can improve success rate on fewer frames.

Street Photography

• Canon’s smaller size, faster lens, and face detection favor candid shots in tricky light.
• Casio’s zoom adds versatility but is bulkier and more conspicuous.

Macro

• Casio’s 1 cm macro focusing is remarkable for detail; however, shallow depth of field is limited by smaller sensor.
• Canon allows close focusing too with pleasing blur and color rendition.

Night and Astro

• Canon’s superior high ISO performance and longer exposure capability (up to 15 seconds shutter) produce clearer night shots.
• Casio’s max native ISO of 3200 is lower, and noise more apparent.

Video Capabilities: Which Compact Films Better?

Both can record full HD video but with notable differences.

While Canon’s video offers more natural motion with 24 fps, Casio wins for creative slow motion videos with impressive frame rates, albeit at extremely low resolution. Both lack microphone inputs, limiting audio quality control.

For general HD video recording, either camera suffices, but video enthusiasts may find Casio more playful with slow-motion features.

Travel and Everyday Use: Power, Storage, and Connectivity

• Battery Life: Casio’s rated 500 shots far exceeds Canon’s 200 shots (both tested under CIPA standards). This makes the Casio friendly for long shooting days without spare batteries.
• Storage: Both accept SD/SDHC/SDXC cards with one slot.
• Connectivity: Both integrate Eye-Fi Card support for wireless image transfer via Wi-Fi enabled SD cards.
• GPS: Only Canon S100 has built-in GPS, useful for geotagging travel photos.
• Ports: HDMI included on both, USB 2.0 for quick file transfer. No Bluetooth or NFC.

Travelers seeking longer battery life and zoom flexibility might appreciate the Casio, but Canon’s GPS and light weight appeal to metadata-conscious photographers.

Technical Verdict: Sensor and Performance Summary

• Canon PowerShot S100 scores high on sensor quality, dynamic range, and color depth, verified by DxO and in-hand tests.
• Casio EX-ZR400 lacks DxO ratings but offers exceptional zoom reach and burst speed at the expense of lower sensor quality.
• Image stabilization and autofocus systems are competent but tailored to differing priorities: precision and low-light ability for Canon, speed and reach for Casio.

Who Should Buy Each Camera?

Buy the Canon S100 if:

• You need superior image quality and low-light performance.
• You’re passionate about portraits, street, landscape, or night photography.
• You value compactness, ergonomic manual controls, and geotagging.
• You prefer shooting RAW for post-processing flexibility.
• Battery life trade-offs are acceptable for image excellence.

Buy the Casio EX-ZR400 if:

• You want ample zoom for travel, wildlife, or sports photography.
• High frame-rate burst and creative slow-motion video are priorities.
• You need extended battery life for all-day shooting.
• You shoot mostly JPEG and value versatility over ultimate image quality.
• You appreciate intuitive controls and a robust zoom lens.

Final Thoughts: Balancing Camera Strengths for Your Needs

Both the Canon PowerShot S100 and Casio EX-ZR400 serve enthusiasts looking beyond basic compacts but diverge significantly in strengths.

• The Canon S100 shines as a pocketable, high-quality imaging tool with refined controls and bright lens, perfect for photographers who prioritize picture quality over zoom reach.
• The Casio EX-ZR400 excels by packing a powerful superzoom, rapid burst capabilities, and long battery life, catering to users craving versatility and dynamic shooting over ultra-sharp images.

Selecting the right compact depends on your primary photographic style and typical shooting scenarios. If you want a reliable secondary camera with superb image fidelity, the S100 is a trusted companion. For adventurers and zoom addicts needing a do-it-all travel camera, the EX-ZR400 is a worthy contender.

In Summary: Side-by-Side Pros and Cons

I hope this in-depth review helps you navigate the subtle but important differences between these two acclaimed compact cameras. Both deliver unique values to your photography kit. Ultimately, aligning their strengths with your shooting habits and priorities will ensure you get the best possible compact camera for your creative journey.

If you want to dig deeper or see the sample photos in full resolution, feel free to reach out or check trusted camera review platforms for additional image galleries and user feedback.

Happy shooting!