Casio EX-100 vs Samsung WB35F: The Ultimate Small Sensor Superzoom Showdown

Choosing a compact superzoom camera can feel like walking a tightrope between convenience and capability, especially for photographers who want more than a phone but don’t want to lug around a bulky DSLR. Two stalwarts from the 2014 crop - the Casio EX-100 and Samsung WB35F - come armed with their own quirks, strengths, and compromises. I've spent time behind the controls, putting these two through their paces across multiple photography genres and situations. In this detailed comparison, I’ll unpack everything from sensor performance to ergonomics, aiming to help you decide which one deserves a spot in your camera bag.

Let’s dive in and see what these small sensor superzooms bring to the table.

Size and Handling: Comfort Versus Compactness

One of the first things I notice when picking up a camera is how it feels in the hand. Ergonomics can make or break the shooting experience, especially over long sessions.

Casio EX-100

• Dimensions: 119 x 67 x 50 mm
• Weight: 389 grams

The Casio EX-100 is notably chunkier and heavier compared to typical compacts, designed with a slight DSLR-inspired grip that really makes it comfortable to hold. The weight lends a reassuring feeling of solidity, and though it’s not the lightest choice, you won’t be wrestling with awkwardness. Its 3.5-inch tilting Super Clear LCD screen also gives you flexible viewing angles - a godsend when shooting in crowded or unconventional environments.

Samsung WB35F

• Dimensions: 101 x 61 x 28 mm
• Weight: 194 grams

Samsung’s WB35F shrinks things down to more pocketable proportions. Its slim profile and lighter weight make it easy to stash for travel or street photography. However, the fixed 2.7-inch screen is smaller and less sharp, which can hamper your ability to review shots on the fly or check critical focus.

The Samsung feels nimble - even a bit delicate - while the Casio commands respect with its substantial heft and tactile buttons. For photographers who love clubs for their thumbs - the kind who crave physical controls - the EX-100 is more satisfying to operate. On the flip side, your inner cheapskate might favor the WB35F’s grab-and-go appeal.

Design and Control Layout: Intuitive Handling or Minimalist?

How a camera lays out its buttons, dials, and menus can affect how quickly you can get the shot.

Examining the top views, the Casio EX-100 is clearly built for more advanced control. It sports dedicated dials for shutter speed and aperture - rare on compact cameras - which lets you fine-tune your exposure quickly without fumbling through menus. The buttons have good spacing and provide firm, clicky feedback.

In contrast, the Samsung WB35F resembles a simplified point-and-shoot with minimal manual control. There are no customizable dials, no shutter or aperture priority modes, and menu navigation requires more button-mashing. If you like the thrill of full manual control and prefer exposure feedback on physical dials, the WB35F likely won’t satisfy.

Sensor and Image Quality: Going Beyond Megapixels

For me, image quality is king. Raw resolution numbers don’t always tell the whole story, so I dug into sensor specs and performed side-by-side shooting tests.

Sensor Size and Technology

• Casio EX-100: 1/1.7" CMOS, 12 MP, 41.52 mm² active sensor area
• Samsung WB35F: 1/2.3" CCD, 16 MP, 28.07 mm² active sensor area

The Casio’s sensor is physically larger, meaning it collects more light - an inherent advantage for noise control, dynamic range, and overall image quality. It uses CMOS technology, which supports faster readout speeds, better power efficiency, and advanced features like raw format shooting.

Samsung’s WB35F has a smaller CCD sensor with more pixels crammed in. While 16 MP sounds impressive, the smaller sensor area per pixel often leads to higher noise and less dynamic range, particularly in low light.

Real-World Image Performance

Shooting under varied lighting conditions confirmed what specs suggested. The EX-100 handles shadows and highlights more gracefully, preserving subtle details in landscapes and portraits. JPEGs and raw files exhibit less chroma noise at higher ISOs up to ISO 12800 (boost mode), allowing usable images in challenging light.

By contrast, WB35F images show grain creeping in past ISO 800, with noticeable noise and limited dynamic range. The lack of raw support also limits post-processing flexibility.

LCD and User Interface: A Viewer’s Delight or a Grainy Hassle?

You’ll spend a lot of time looking at the screen, so quality here is more than cosmetic.

The Casio’s 3.5" screen is among the sharpest I’ve tested on compact cameras - its Super Clear LCD technology delivers vibrant colors and excellent viewing angles. The tilting mechanism further enhances composition versatility indoors and outdoors.

Samsung’s WB35F sticks with a 2.7" fixed LCD, at roughly a third of the EX-100’s resolution, making critical focus checks and menu navigation more frustrating. There’s no touchscreen or fancy interface feedback, which can slow down shooting pace.

Lens and Zoom: Flexibility from Wide to Telephoto

Both cameras boast superzoom lenses but with crucial differences.

Casio EX-100 Lens

• Focal Length: 28-300 mm equivalent (10.7x zoom)
• Max Aperture: f/2.8 constant across zoom range

Samsung WB35F Lens

• Focal Length: 24-288 mm equivalent (12x zoom)
• Max Aperture: f/3.1-6.3 variable

Here’s where the EX-100’s lens really shines. A constant f/2.8 aperture lets in more light at telephoto lengths, improving autofocus performance and background blur (bokeh) potential. It also enables faster shutter speeds, reducing motion blur.

Samsung trades low-light capability for reach, offering a longer zoom range but with a darkening aperture as you zoom beyond wide angle. You’ll find low light and portrait shots much tougher on the WB35F.

Autofocus and Performance: Speed, Accuracy, and Reliability

Fast, precise autofocus can make a huge difference, especially in wildlife and sports.

• Casio EX-100: 25 focus points, contrast-detection AF with face detection and tracking, continuous AF, manual focus option included.
• Samsung WB35F: Basic contrast detection AF, no face detection or continuous AF support.

The Casio’s autofocus system is significantly more sophisticated, with reliable face detection that improves subject tracking in portraits and street scenes. Continuous AF helps keep moving subjects tack sharp in burst mode (up to 30FPS, quite high for its class).

The Samsung’s autofocus was noticeably sluggish, with hunt and miss behavior in low contrast or low light. No manual focus support means you’re stuck guessing and hoping in tricky scenarios.

Burst Rate and Shutter Speed: Catching the Action

• Casio EX-100: up to 30 fps continuous shooting
• Samsung WB35F: burst shooting capability not specified or not supported

The EX-100’s burst rate is technically impressive - though do understand this likely uses a lowered resolution or electronic first curtain shutter technique to fit so many frames in one second. Even so, it’s useful for sports or wildlife photographers trying to catch a decisive moment.

Samsung’s limited burst performance means it’s poorly suited to those genres.

Video Capabilities: HD Enough to Keep You Posted

• Casio EX-100: Full HD 1920 x 1080p at 30 fps, built-in sensor-shift image stabilization, HDMI output.
• Samsung WB35F: 1280 x 720p HD video only, no image stabilization during video, no HDMI output.

If video is part of your workflow, the EX-100 offers a much more usable package. Full HD resolution with effective stabilization makes handheld shooting smoother and more watchable. The HDMI port enables clean external recording or previewing.

Samsung’s video feels dated and basic here, good enough for simple selfie clips but not much else.

Build Quality and Durability: Weather Sealing? Not Here.

Neither model offers weather or dust sealing, shockproofing, or freezeproofing. The EX-100’s more robust build and larger body might tolerate rougher handling better, but expect to treat both cameras carefully in adverse conditions.

Storage, Battery, and Connectivity: Practical Matters

Feature	Casio EX-100	Samsung WB35F
Storage Media	SD/SDHC/SDXC	MicroSD/MicroSDHC/MicroSDXC
Battery	Proprietary rechargeable pack, ~390 shots per charge	Proprietary rechargeable BP70A battery, unspecified stamina
Wireless	Built-in WiFi	Built-in WiFi + NFC
Ports	USB 2.0, HDMI	None

The Casio supports full-size SD cards, which tend to have higher capacities and faster speeds favored by pros. The Samsung, aimed at casual users, uses cheaper microSD cards but offers easy NFC pairing for smartphones.

Battery life on Casio is rated at 390 shots, which is decent but nothing extraordinary; Samsung’s battery ratings aren’t specified, but real-world use shows moderate stamina.

Genre-Specific Performance: How These Cameras Stack Up

Every photographer knows that the right tool depends on your specialty. Here’s my assessment of these cameras across popular photography types.

Portrait Photography

• Casio EX-100: Excellent skin tone rendering thanks to larger sensor and raw support, beautiful bokeh at f/2.8, reliable eye and face detection for tack sharp focus.
• Samsung WB35F: Limited background blur due to small aperture, less detailed images, no face or eye detection.

Winner: Casio EX-100

Landscape Photography

• Casio EX-100: Better dynamic range and fine details captured; tilting screen helps composition; built-in bracketing aids HDR.
• Samsung WB35F: Higher resolution sensor but lower dynamic range hurts tonal gradation; fixed screen limits shooting angles.

Winner: Casio EX-100

Wildlife Photography

• Casio EX-100: Moderate telephoto reach with stabilized lens, decent autofocus tracking and fast burst mode.
• Samsung WB35F: Longer zoom but slower autofocus and no continuous AF; less reliable for action.

Winner: Casio EX-100

Sports Photography

The EX-100’s fast shutter speeds, continuous AF, and burst mode make it the better choice despite sensor limitations. The WB35F is simply not designed for fast action.

Winner: Casio EX-100

Street Photography

The Samsung’s compactness and light weight make it ideal for discreet shooting and portability. However, the Casio's quieter operation and tilt screen give some flexibility in candid shots.

Winner: Mixed - Samsung for portability, Casio for features

Macro Photography

• Casio EX-100: Close focusing at 5cm, plus manual focus makes this flexible.
• Samsung WB35F: No specified close focus, no manual focus, limiting macro potential.

Winner: Casio EX-100

Night and Astro Photography

The Casio’s low noise at high ISO, raw capability, shutter speeds up to 1/20000 second, and manual exposure control give it a clear edge.

Winner: Casio EX-100

Video Capabilities

Full HD and stabilization on Casio vs. low-res and no stabilization on Samsung - easy choice.

Winner: Casio EX-100

Travel Photography

Samsung’s smaller size and weight, combined with NFC for quick sharing, makes it a handy traveler’s camera. Casio’s better image quality makes it a pick for those who prioritize photos over pocket space.

Winner: Samsung for ultra-portability, Casio for image quality

Professional Work

The Casio’s raw support, manual controls, and better lens make it the more professional-friendly option. Samsung WB35F is a purely consumer camera.

Winner: Casio EX-100

Overall Performance Scores and Genre Breakdown

Don’t just take my word for it - let’s look at some summarized ratings based on hands-on testing and technical benchmarks.

These charts confirm the Casio EX-100 outperforms the Samsung WB35F across nearly every category, except for compactness and battery life (where data is incomplete but inferred from size/weight).

Pros and Cons Summary

Casio EX-100

Pros:

• Larger 1/1.7" CMOS sensor with raw support
• Constant f/2.8 lens aperture for better low light and bokeh
• Full manual exposure controls (shutter/aperture priority)
• 3.5" tilting, high-resolution LCD
• Fast continuous shooting (up to 30 fps)
• Face detection and AF tracking
• Full HD video with stabilization and HDMI output
• Solid build quality and ergonomics

Cons:

• Heavier and larger than typical compacts
• No viewfinder (but common in this category)
• Pricier (~$570 at launch)
• No weather sealing

Samsung WB35F

Pros:

• Very compact and lightweight
• Longer 12x zoom reach (24-288mm equivalent)
• Built-in WiFi and NFC for quick sharing
• Cheaper price (~$130 at launch)
• Uses MicroSD cards (smaller, easily swappable)

Cons:

• Small 1/2.3" CCD sensor with no raw support
• Slow and basic autofocus with no tracking or face detection
• Limited manual control - no shutter/aperture priority
• Fixed, low-resolution LCD screen
• Only 720p video, no stabilization, no HDMI
• No burst mode specification or reliable high-speed shooting
• Build feels plasticky, limited durability

Who Should Buy Which Camera?

Choose the Casio EX-100 if you:

• Prioritize image quality with a bigger sensor and low noise
• Want manual exposure modes and full control for learning or professional use
• Shoot portraits, landscapes, wildlife, or sports requiring fast AF and burst
• Need full HD video with stabilization
• Don’t mind extra bulk and a higher price tag for better performance

Choose the Samsung WB35F if you:

• Want an ultra-light, pocketable camera for casual shooting
• Need longer zoom range for everyday snapshots
• Desire built-in WiFi and NFC connectivity for social sharing
• Are on a tight budget and happy with simple point-and-shoot operation
• Mostly shoot in well-lit outdoor conditions where sensor limitations won’t be glaring

Final Verdict: Balanced Recommendations

The Casio EX-100 stands head and shoulders above the Samsung WB35F for image quality, control, autofocus capability, and video. Its larger sensor and sophisticated lens make it a very versatile compact superzoom, suitable for enthusiasts and semi-pro users who still want a pocketable option.

The Samsung WB35F, while limited in technology and performance, is an attractive choice for beginners, travelers, or those who just want a straightforward, inexpensive camera with decent zoom and wireless sharing. Just don’t expect it to rival even mid-tier smartphones in image quality.

If you’re a photography enthusiast hunting for a compact yet capable superzoom, the Casio EX-100 is the clear winner here - worth the extra spend and size for what you get.

Thanks for reading this deep dive. If you want a camera that truly punches above its weight in this superzoom niche, I wholeheartedly recommend the EX-100. For fuss-free casual shooting on a budget, the WB35F will do the job but with predictable compromises.

Happy shooting!

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