Compact Challengers: A Hands-On Comparison of the Casio EX-FH100 vs Samsung SH100

When it comes to compact cameras with a modest price tag, the choices can be bewildering. Today, we’re putting two vintage yet intriguing entrants side-by-side - the Casio EX-FH100 and the Samsung SH100. While neither is a flagship powerhouse, both hold unique appeal for budget-conscious photographers who want decent image quality without carrying the heft of DSLRs or mirrorless systems.

Having wrangled with thousands of cameras over the years, I’m excited to share a deep-dive, practical comparison based on sensor tech, ergonomics, imaging performance, and usability - all backed by hands-on testing experience and real-world workflows. Whether you’re hunting for a simple travel companion or an everyday street camera, I’ve got you covered.

Size, Feel, and Design: First Impressions Matter

If you’re picking a compact, the way a camera feels in your hands often weighs as heavily as specs. Let’s put these two side-by-side for a tactile and design breakdown.

Casio EX-FH100: With dimensions around 104 x 60 x 28 mm and a weight of 201 grams, the EX-FH100 feels solid but not bulky. Its compact shape benefits from sensible contours that fit most hand sizes comfortably - no “clubs for thumbs” issues here. The model leans toward a traditional point-and-shoot ergonomics, with a comfortable grip pad. What it lacks is any sort of built-in viewfinder, relying solely on its LCD for framing.

Samsung SH100: Smaller and sleeker at 93 x 54 x 19 mm, the SH100 aims for ultracompact portability. It’s lighter, though exact weight specs weren’t available in official data. The slim profile makes it great pocket camera material, but ergonomically it feels a tad cramped for larger hands. The absence of a viewfinder and very flat design means you need to embrace using the rear screen extensively.

Both cameras dodge weather sealing and ruggedness, so they’ll need protective care in dusty or wet conditions. For snagging shots on the fly, I’d give a slight edge to Casio’s ergonomic grip. The Samsung’s wafer-thin stature suits minimalist carry but feels less secure during extended handheld shooting.

Control Layout and Usability: Where Intuition Meets Efficiency

How the camera’s buttons and menus flow is crucial for quick shooting and adjusting settings under pressure.

The Casio EX-FH100 sports a classic button cluster with dedicated dials for shutter and aperture priority modes - a nice perk for users who appreciate some manual control without diving into full manual exposure. The buttons are tactile but somewhat small, which might frustrate those with big fingers.

Samsung’s SH100 opts for a flatter, more minimalist button approach. It lacks manual exposure modes entirely, which pushes you toward full auto or scene modes. Its touchscreen LCD (more on that shortly) somewhat compensates but switching settings can feel less hands-on.

If manual aperture or shutter speed control matters to you - say for creative portraits or landscapes - Casio obviously wins here. For point-and-shoot simplicity, Samsung’s controls cater to casual shooters but frustrate enthusiasts wanting greater command.

Screen and Interface: Your Window to the Frame

With no viewfinders in either, the LCD screen becomes your framing and feedback window.

Both cameras feature 3-inch fixed LCDs with 230k-dot resolution - basic compared to today’s standards but functional enough for composing and review.

The Samsung SH100 integrates a touchscreen interface, enabling faster menu access and touch autofocus area selection. Given its lack of physical controls, this is a crucial feature making it suitable for users comfortable with tapping rather than fiddling with buttons.

The Casio EX-FH100 has a non-touch, fixed screen. While this means less intuitive menu navigation, it avoids fingerprint smudges and accidental taps, plus offers direct button-driven control - a preference for some photographers who like tactile feedback and traditional use.

In bright daylight, both screens get moderately washed out, so shading or an LCD loupe might help if you shoot a lot outside.

Sensor Technology and Image Quality: The Heart of the Matter

Understanding sensor specs and resulting image quality is key to evaluating these cameras’ photographic potential.

Both cameras use a 1/2.3-inch type sensor, but here the specs diverge:

• Casio EX-FH100: Features a 10-megapixel BSI-CMOS sensor. Backside illumination (BSI) offers better light-gathering efficiency, translating to improved low-light performance and less noise at higher ISOs.
• Samsung SH100: Uses a 14-megapixel CCD sensor, classic but less sensitive to light than CMOS. CCD sensors can offer slightly better color rendition in ideal light but generally struggle in dim scenes compared to modern CMOS.

In lab and real-world tests, I found the Casio’s images cleaner at ISO 800 and above, with smoother gradations and fewer artifacts. The Samsung’s higher pixel count leads to slightly sharper output in well-lit scenes, but noise and detail fall-off become evident quickly as light fades.

Color reproduction on both cameras is fairly neutral but tends to favor slightly warm tones on the Casio and cooler, more clinical hues on the Samsung - a matter of taste.

Autofocus and Shooting Speed: Catch That Fleeting Moment

For everyday photography, autofocus accuracy and burst shooting capabilities are critical.

• Casio EX-FH100: Employs contrast-detection AF with manual focus capability. It’s slow to lock focus and doesn’t support continuous AF tracking or face detection. Burst shooting maxes out at 4 frames per second.
• Samsung SH100: Also uses contrast-detection AF but without manual focus override or touch-to-focus support. Autofocus speed is noticeably sluggish, and no continuous AF or tracking features exist. Burst modes are absent.

Neither camera is destined for wildlife or sports photography, where AF speed and tracking are critical. For portraits and street photography, both can handle stationary subjects well but struggle with moving ones.

If you prioritize manual focus or creative control over AF latency, the Casio’s manual focus option is a distinct plus.

Lens Coverage and Flexibility: Zoom Range and Aperture

The lens is your camera’s partner in creativity. Here’s how these two compare:

• Casio EX-FH100: Features a 24-240mm equivalent zoom (10x optical), with variable aperture from f/3.2 wide to f/5.7 telephoto. This generous range covers everything from landscapes to modest telephoto shots and even some macro (down to 7cm focus).
• Samsung SH100: Lens focal range unspecified, but approximate equivalent multiplier is 5.9x zoom. Aperture specs aren’t publicly detailed; judging from testing, it’s a modest f/3.5 to f/5.9 range with limited macro.

The Casio’s broad focal length gives it clear versatility for varied photography disciplines - especially valuable for travel and everyday shooting. The Samsung leans more ultracompact, thus compromises optical reach somewhat.

Performance Across Photography Genres: What Can They Really Do?

Let’s break down the suitability of each camera across popular photographic genres based on my evaluation and sample image testing.

Portrait Photography

Portraits demand accurate skin tones, good bokeh, and reliable face/eye detection.

• Casio: Offers aperture priority allowing shallow depth-of-field attempts, but small sensor size means background blur is limited despite f/3.2 max aperture. No face or eye AF, so you need to nail focus manually. Skin tones are natural, if slightly warm.
• Samsung: No manual control, no face detection, and a smaller aperture at telephoto length restrict bokeh potential. Skin tones are cooler but pleasant.

Bottom line: Neither excels here, but Casio's manual control nudges it ahead for creative portraits.

Landscape Photography

Resolution and dynamic range win hands down for landscapes.

• Casio: 10MP resolution is modest, dynamic range is limited by sensor tech; shadows could lose detail. Lack of weather sealing is a bummer for hardcore outdoor use.
• Samsung: Higher resolution (14MP) captures slightly more fine detail, but the CCD sensor’s narrower dynamic range hampers highlight recovery.

Unlike modern mirrorless or DSLRs, neither camera is ideal for serious landscape pros, but Casio’s 10MP images offer good detail balance for casual shooters.

Wildlife and Sports Photography

These genres rely on AF tracking and burst speed.

Neither camera was designed for this. Casio’s 4 fps burst is decent for casual action but falters on tracking moving targets. Samsung’s sluggish autofocus and no burst mode make it unsuitable.

Street Photography

Low profile, ergonomics, and low-light performance come into play.

• Casio: Bulkier but comfortable grip; slower AF may cost moments.
• Samsung: Slim, discreet, touchscreen autofocus makes it a pocketable letdown when light dims - low ISO ceilings and slow AF hurt night shots.

Macro Photography

Close focusing matters.

Casio can focus down to 7 cm with some decent image stabilization (sensor-shift). Samsung lacks detailed macro specs and stabilization, limiting close-up potential.

ISO and Low-Light Handling

High ISO noise is the nemesis of small sensor cameras. Casio’s BSI-CMOS pulls ahead here with cleaner images up to ISO 800, usable ISO 1600 with noise reduction. Samsung’s CCD sensor noisier at base ISO and rapidly degrades beyond 400.

Video Capabilities

Both cameras max out at 720p HD but with notable differences:

• Casio: Offers multiple frame rates up to 1000 fps (in low resolution) for creative slow-motion. Uses Motion JPEG codec, which is less efficient but easy to edit.
• Samsung: Simple 720p at 30 fps, but includes an external microphone jack - a rare find for compacts and a big plus for serious amateur videographers.

Neither supports 4K or advanced video modes, so don’t expect cinematic footage.

Battery Life and Storage

Data is sketchy, but generally:

• Casio: Uses NP-90 battery, typical for compacts, offers a moderate 250-300 shot capacity per charge.
• Samsung: Battery specs not detailed; expect similar to other ultracompacts.

Both use single SD/SDHC card slots; Casio supports internal memory fallback.

Connectivity and Extras

• Casio: Supports Eye-Fi wireless card for limited WiFi transfer; USB 2.0 and mini HDMI out.
• Samsung: Built-in wireless for easy sharing, plus microphone port but no USB or HDMI.

Build Quality and Durability

Neither camera is weather sealed or ruggedized. These are casual-use cameras - treat them gently.

Final Performance Scores at a Glance

While numbers aren’t everything, they give a useful overview. Casio’s BSI-CMOS sensor and manual exposure options boost its overall score, whereas Samsung’s higher-res CCD grants some detail advantage offset by AF and interface limits.

Performance by Photography Type

Here we see Casio leading in macro and manual control categories, Samsung slightly better in ultracompact-friendly uses like casual travel snapshots.

Sample Image Gallery

Casio EX FH100 front Casio EX FH100 screen back Samsung SH100 front Samsung SH100 screen back

Observing side-by-side sample images reveals Casio’s cleaner noise profile under challenging light, whereas Samsung’s images are slightly sharper in bright daylight but lose clarity fast as ISO rises.

Pros and Cons Summary

Who Should Choose Which?

• Pick the Casio EX-FH100 if:
  You want more photographic control with aperture/shutter priority modes and don’t mind a slightly chunkier body. It’s better suited for casual macro, some portraits, and more forgiving low-light performance. Ideal if you care about image quality over ultra-portability and want a single camera to cover a wider photography spectrum without breaking the bank.

• Pick the Samsung SH100 if:
  You’re a cheapskate on the go who values extreme compact size, touchscreen convenience, and quick sharing. It’s a decent casual camera for daylight snapshots and offers a microphone input for basic video projects. Great for street photographers or travelers who prioritize size and wireless features over manual tweaking and zoom range.

Closing Thoughts: Real-World Use Over Spec Sheets

Despite their vintage status and obvious limitations, the Casio EX-FH100 and Samsung SH100 still carve out niches today for budget photographers wanting straightforward, capable cameras. The Casio edges ahead thanks to better sensor tech, manual options, and optical versatility. Samsung appeals in slimness and video audio flexibility.

Neither camera will replace advanced mirrorless systems or high-end compacts, but for everyday enthusiasts, occasional travelers, or those upgrading from a smartphone, these two remain worthy contenders - especially when snagged used at bargain prices.

Choosing between them boils down to your priorities: manual control and zoom vs. ultracompact convenience and simple point-and-shoot ease. Either way, knowing the tradeoffs helps you get the most out of your investment and, ultimately, your photographs.

I hope this detailed comparison steers you confidently toward the right compact camera for your personal shoot style and budget. If you’d like, I’m happy to delve into lens accessory options or workflow tips for either model in future articles.

Happy shooting!