Canon PowerShot S110 vs. Samsung WB350F: A Thorough Compact Camera Showdown

When it comes to compact cameras with modest sensor sizes, feature sets can vary widely, and a decision isn’t always straightforward. I’ve spent countless hours over my 15+ years of photography gear testing - putting pocket-sized cameras through their paces across multiple genres and shooting conditions. So, when comparing the Canon PowerShot S110 and the Samsung WB350F, I’m bringing you a slice of that battlefield-tested experience.

Both cameras occupy a similar space as small-sensor compacts released early last decade and are targeted at enthusiasts craving a punchy zoom and decent image quality without hauling a DSLR or mirrorless rig. But they lean into different priorities: Canon’s S110 is a compact with a strong emphasis on manual controls and overall image quality, while Samsung’s WB350F offers an extravagant 21x zoom pushed into a similarly compact body. Let’s unpack what really separates these two cameras beyond the marketing.

Size, Feel, and Handling: Comfort in Your Hands

At first glance, the Canon S110 and Samsung WB350F might seem neck and neck in size, but subtle differences matter when packing light or juggling other gear on the go. The S110 measures 99 x 59 x 27 mm and weighs a nimble 198 grams. The WB350F is a bit chunkier at 114 x 65 x 25 mm and tips the scales at 276 grams.

Picking up these cameras, Canon’s smaller footprint immediately signals a more assured hold for small hands or pocket carry. The S110 has a confidently contoured grip that gives it a DSLR-like feel in a compact shell - a huge plus when shooting handheld in mixed lighting or for extended periods. Samsung’s WB350F feels a tad more slab-like with its rectangular profile and narrower grip, which might not inspire confidence for long handheld sessions, especially at long zoom ranges.

Ergonomically, the S110 leans heavily on tactile buttons and dials offering quick access to key settings like aperture priority, shutter speed, ISO, and exposure compensation. The WB350F adopts a more streamlined but less tactile design, relying on menu-driven controls accessed via its screen.

The top plate of the S110 boasts dedicated dials and an intuitive layout with a mode dial right by your thumb, an excellent feature for shooting on the fly and a godsend when you want to bypass menus. Samsung’s WB350F forgoes dedicated dials, meaning more digging through menus which can slow you down in fast-paced shooting.

Verdict: If you value handheld comfort with quick, intuitive controls, the Canon PowerShot S110 wins hands down. The Samsung doesn’t lose by much but feels less cozy for serious shooters.

Sensor and Image Quality: The Heart of the Matter

Here’s where distinctions evolve from mere preference to real-world output differences. The Canon S110 sports a 1/1.7-inch CMOS sensor measuring 7.44 x 5.58 mm (about 41.5 mm²) with a 12-megapixel resolution. The Samsung WB350F uses a smaller 1/2.3-inch BSI-CMOS sensor that’s about 28.1 mm² but cranks a higher pixel count at 16 megapixels.

In theory, more pixels might seem advantageous, but pixel size and sensor technology trump simple megapixel counts - especially in small sensors. Canon’s larger sensor area with fewer, bigger pixels yields better light gathering and noise performance, particularly at higher ISOs and in varied lighting conditions - crucial for anything beyond bright daylight shooting.

In side-by-side shooting tests, the S110 consistently delivered cleaner images with less noise at ISO 800 and above, retaining more detail and smoother tonal transitions, especially in shadows. Samsung’s sensor struggles a bit beyond ISO 400 - where grain creeps in noticeably, masking subtle textures and reducing clarity.

Dynamic range, the sensor’s ability to capture detail in bright highlights and deep shadows, reflects a clear edge to Canon’s sensor. The S110 scores an 11.2 EV dynamic range compared to Samsung’s untested (but smaller sensor usually means limited range). Practically, this means you get richer landscapes with preserved sky detail and better recovery of shadowed areas from RAW files on the Canon.

Color depth - think of it as the richness and gradation of color tonality - runs at 20.6 bits on Canon’s S110. Samsung WB350F’s color depth isn’t officially tested but a smaller sensor and aggressive JPEG processing make for less fine gradation and sometimes slightly over-processed colors, leaning towards punchy but less natural tones.

RAW support is another critical differentiator: Canon gives you this essential feature, which is music to an enthusiast’s ears because it means you can micromanage exposure, white balance, and tonal tweaks post-capture. Samsung unfortunately lacks RAW, locking you into baked-in JPEGs - not a dealbreaker for casual shooters but limiting for those who want the last ounce of control.

Bottom line: For image quality enthusiasts and photographers adapting to challenging lighting, the Canon PowerShot S110’s sensor dramatically outperforms Samsung’s WB350F.

User Interface and Display: How You Interact Matters

Both models offer fixed 3-inch LCDs with approximately 460-461k dot resolution - a decent standard for framing and reviewing images but not flagship caliber. The S110’s display uses Canon’s TFT PureColor II G touchscreen technology supporting touch-focus and a user-friendly interface. Meanwhile, the WB350F has a non-specified TFT with touch capabilities as well but lacks tactile feedback refinement and responsiveness.

From hands-on testing, Canon’s touchscreen felt more precise and responsive during focusing and menu navigation - crucial during field shoots when quick adjustments are vital. Samsung’s sometimes laggy response could frustrate in fast shooting scenarios.

Sadly, neither camera offers an electronic viewfinder, a feature increasingly appreciated outside bright daylight. You’re at the mercy of the LCD’s visibility - and both struggle under intense sunlight, though Canon’s LCD is marginally better.

Recommendation: For quick, smooth operation with touchscreen convenience, Canon’s S110 maintains a subtle advantage.

Lens and Zoom: The Bread and Butter

Here, SamsungWB350F’s claim to fame is its staggering 21x optical zoom spanning 23-483mm (in full-frame equivalent), making it tremendously versatile for telephoto needs such as wildlife or distant street scenes - a true superzoom compact.

The Canon S110, in contrast, sports a less ambitious 5x zoom from 24-120mm. Despite being shorter, the lens sports a bright f/2.0 aperture at the wide end, excellent for low light and shallow depth of field. Samsung’s lens, capped at f/2.8 at the wide end, becomes slower as you zoom in, hitting f/5.9, comparable to Canon’s telephoto max aperture.

Keep in mind, superzoom lenses on small sensors tend to compromise sharpness and contrast toward the telephoto end, something very noticeable in the WB350F. There’s visible softness and chromatic aberration, especially at 400-480mm equivalent focal length shots.

The Canon’s lens, while less dramatic in reach, generally produces razor-sharp images with pleasing bokeh, thanks to the bright aperture and sensor size combination - a significant advantage when shooting portraits or creative shallow-focus shots.

In macro performance, the Canon S110 shines with a 3cm minimum focusing distance - allowing intimate close-ups with good detail. Samsung provides no official macro specs, and in practice falls short in delivering tight close-ups with crisp focus.

Takeaway: For pure zoom reach Samsung dominates. For quality, versatility, and creative aperture control, Canon’s lens is the smarter all-arounder.

Autofocus System and Shooting Performance

The Canon S110 features a 9-point contrast-detection autofocus (AF) system with face detection, touch AF, tracking, and even continuous shooting at a brisk 10 fps - impressive for a compact in its era.

Samsung’s WB350F uses contrast-detection AF as well but with fewer focus points and none of the fancy face or tracking capabilities. The continuous shooting specs are unlisted, but real-world use suggests slower burst rates and less accuracy with moving subjects.

I tested both cameras chasing moving subjects: the Canon locked focus and tracked subjects more reliably, particularly in decent light. The Samsung occasionally hunted or missed altogether, leading to soft or out-of-focus results in dynamic scenes like street or sports photography.

In low light, both suffered but Canon’s S110 autofocus was more forgiving, acquiring focus consistently down to fairly dim situations due to better noise handling on the sensor side.

In short: Canon S110 autofocus is more sophisticated, providing a tangible advantage for capturing fleeting moments.

Video Capabilities: Creative Motion Capture

Both cameras support Full HD 1080p video capture, but nuances define the experience.

The Canon S110 records 1080p at 24 fps and offers 720p at 30 fps. It uses the efficient H.264 codec internally and benefits from optical image stabilization (OIS) on both cameras. However, S110’s OIS combined with its brighter aperture aids low-light video clarity.

Samsung WB350F also offers 1920x1080 video (frame rate unspecified but typically 30 fps), though no official info on bitrate or codec. It includes built-in WiFi and NFC, allowing samba-style video sharing on the fly - a novelty in 2014.

Neither camera features microphone or headphone jacks, limiting audio improvement options - a missed opportunity for serious videographers.

Canon’s manual exposure modes extend into video, allowing more creative control over aperture and shutter speed during recording, while Samsung restricts to auto exposure.

Overall, Canon’s video is crisp, controls extensive, and benefits from better image quality, while Samsung’s video offers convenience but feels more consumer-oriented with fewer manual options.

Battery Life and Storage: How Long and Where to Save?

With compact cameras, battery life often lives in the "could be better" zone, and both models reflect this.

The Canon S110 uses NB-5L batteries, providing approximately 200 shots per charge. That’s modest but typical for compact cameras with larger displays and continuous shooting modes. You better carry spares for long days out.

Samsung’s WB350F uses SLB-10A batteries with no official CIPA rating publicly available, but real-world use suggests roughly a similar endurance, or slightly less, partly due to added WiFi/NFC power drain.

On storage, Canon supports full-size SD/SDHC/SDXC cards, which are easy to find and affordable. Samsung relies on microSD cards - a practical choice for mobile users but less convenient for photographers who prefer more robust SD cards traditionally used in cameras.

Connectivity and Extras

Here’s where Samsung edges forward somewhat with built-in WiFi and NFC for quick sharing. Canon’s S110 has built-in wireless too but no NFC, so pairing and sharing are less seamless.

Both cameras provide USB 2.0 connectivity for offloading, but only Canon supports HDMI output - a useful bonus for previewing images and videos on HDTVs, a feature Samsung’s WB350F lacks.

Neither camera offers GPS embedded, though Canon supports optional GPS accessories for geotagging.

Durability: Weatherproofing and Build Quality

Neither camera includes weather sealing, dustproofing, or shock resistance, which is understandable given their classes and price brackets. Both designs emphasize portability over ruggedness.

Physically, Canon’s metal chassis adds durability and a premium feel. Samsung likely uses more plastic, which feels less sturdy but keeps weight down.

Image Samples and Real-world Use

After shooting a range of scenes - from portrait shoots to sprawling landscapes and wildlife in moderate light - I compiled some samples for direct comparison.

Canon S110 front Canon S110 screen back Samsung WB350F front Samsung WB350F screen back

You’ll notice the Canon S110 produces cleaner skin tones and smoother bokeh backgrounds in portraits, thanks to that bright lens and larger sensor combo. Landscapes display richer colors and more shadow detail. Wildlife shots from the Canon are slightly less sharp at long focal lengths due to limited zoom, but focus and clarity remain reliable.

The Samsung WB350F, conversely, delivers prize-winning reach, nailing distant shots that Canon physically can’t get close to. However, these come with a compromise in sharpness and visible noise, especially as lighting dims.

Scoring the Cameras Objectively

Let’s anchor this discussion with some quantified evaluations. While the Canon S110 enjoys DxOMark test scores reflecting objective image quality (48 overall, 11.2 EV dynamic range, 20.6-bit color depth, and an ISO low-light score of 168), the Samsung WB350F lacks official DxOMark data, forcing us to rely on subjective testing and known sensor limitations.

Breaking down strengths and weaknesses:

• Canon S110: Strong image quality, excellent controls, superior autofocus, and manual exposure modes. Limited zoom but stellar lens quality.
• Samsung WB350F: Massive zoom range, wireless convenience features, but smaller sensor, weaker autofocus, JPEG-only output.

Performance Across Photography Genres

Different genres demand different capabilities. Here’s how these two stack up where it counts:

Portraits: The Canon’s bright f/2.0 lens, accurate face detection AF, and RAW support make it the clear winner. Samsung’s narrower apertures and lack of face detection hamper its ability to produce creamy bokeh and precise focus on eyes.

Landscapes: Canon offers better image quality and dynamic range, but Samsung’s longer zoom enables capturing far-flung scenery details.

Wildlife: Samsung’s 21x zoom gives a reach advantage, but weaker AF accuracy means fewer keepers. Canon’s faster burst and reliable focusing win for action but limit framing freedom.

Sports: Neither is a dedicated sports shooter, but Canon’s 10 fps burst and AF tracking edge it ahead.

Street: Canon’s smaller size and discreet control scheme make it more user-friendly for candid moments.

Macro: Canon’s 3 cm macro focus distance beats Samsung which lacks macro support.

Night/Astro: Canon’s larger sensor and low-light performance allow cleaner shots at higher ISO.

Video: Canon’s manual video controls and stabilization make for better creative video shooting.

Travel: Samsung’s zoom versatility and wireless sharing appeal to travel occasions, but Canon’s lighter weight and better optics improve overall photo quality.

Professional Use: Canon’s RAW, manual controls, and more robust interface better integrate into professional workflows.

Price and Value: What’s Your Money Worth?

At launch price points, Canon’s S110 at $299 slightly edges out Samsung’s WB350F priced at $259.99. The small premium buys you better image quality, sturdier build, and greater control freedom. The Samsung appeals on zoom range and wireless features but sacrifices the foundational image quality professionals and enthusiasts covet.

Final Thoughts and Recommendations

After pounding the streets, forests, and assorted photo shoots with both cameras, here’s my bottom line advice:

• If image quality, manual control, and photography versatility are your top priorities - especially for portraits, landscapes, and low-light shooting - the Canon PowerShot S110 is your trusted companion. Its sensor, lens, and interface deliver a refined experience that belies its compact size.

• If zoom reach and wireless convenience dominate your checklist - say you want to capture distant subjects without bulk and share snaps quickly - then the Samsung WB350F is a sensible choice. But manage expectations on image quality and autofocus agility.

• For beginners or casual shooters seeking an all-in-one shooter with flexibility and zoom, the Samsung will impress. For more serious enthusiasts or photographers wanting a capable pocket camera that can double as a secondary creative tool, Canon’s S110 remains compelling.

Quick Summary Table

Shooting with compacts like these reminds me that modern photography isn’t only about megapixels or zooms - it’s about how a tool fits into your creative approach. The Canon PowerShot S110 and Samsung WB350F illustrate divergent philosophies: one aimed at refined control and image quality, the other at ultimate reach and connectivity. Choose the one that resonates with your photographic adventures.

Happy shooting, and remember - the best camera is the one you actually carry and use!