Casio EX-FS10 vs Samsung WB850F: A Hands-On Comparison for Discerning Photographers

Over my 15+ years of field-testing cameras across every genre, I've learned that specs only tell part of the story. Real use and user needs complete the picture. Today, we're diving into a practical, detailed face-off between two intriguing compacts from quite different eras and price points: the Casio EX-FS10 (released in 2009, budget ultracompact) and the Samsung WB850F (2012, a small sensor superzoom with versatility in mind). Both cameras share a 1/2.3" sensor size yet target vastly different users and shooting styles.

If you’re on the prowl for a lightweight travel buddy, a casual everyday shooter, or a capable generalist camera with extensive zoom, this comparison will reveal what each model brings to the table. Let’s break down their features, ergonomics, performance, and suitability for key photography disciplines to help you decide which may actually delight your shooting style - or if your money is better elsewhere.

First Impressions: Size and Handling Matter

Handling a camera firsthand is where theory meets reality. When choosing any camera, size, weight, and ergonomics are often deal breakers, especially if you plan to carry it for hours or shoot on the go.

Right off the bat, the Casio EX-FS10 is a pure ultracompact. It’s tiny - pocketable, feather-light (a mere 121 grams), and measuring just over 10cm wide and 2cm thick. This is a camera designed for absolute portability, blending into your pocket or purse effortlessly. However, its diminutive size comes at the expense of grip comfort and physical controls. It feels a bit fiddly to handle, especially with gloves or larger hands; clubs for thumbs and thick fingers are sorely missed here.

In contrast, the Samsung WB850F packs more meat. Weighing about double at 250 grams and with a body closer to 11cm width and 2.5cm depth, it’s still fairly compact but noticeably bulkier. This allows Samsung to integrate larger buttons, a more substantial grip, and a sturdier feel - critical if you intend to zoom a lot or shoot handheld in challenging conditions. It’s a classic tradeoff: portability versus ergonomic comfort.

My takeaway: if you prize ultimate pocketability and minimal bulk, the EX-FS10 wins out. But for sustained shooting, especially with extended zoom or video, the WB850F’s more assertive shape provides crucial handling confidence.

Control Layout and User Interface: Clubs vs. Clubs for the Thumbs

A well-thought-out control layout contributes tremendously to user experience. Shooting on the fly or under pressure demands intuitive knobs and buttons that don’t require you to consult the manual.

On the Casio EX-FS10, controls are minimalist. The small size necessitates multi-function buttons and menus, which slows down operation during rapid shooting. It supports aperture priority mode (a pleasant surprise for this class) but lacks shutter priority and manual exposure - limiting for more advanced users. No continuous autofocus or tracking either, so nail-your-focus shots only.

Samsung’s WB850F, on the other hand, offers a much richer control set - including aperture priority, shutter priority, and manual modes. There's a dedicated dial for exposure compensation and a real zoom ring around the lens, allowing smooth, precise focal length adjustments. The control buttons are larger and well spaced, reducing accidental presses.

Neither camera features a touchscreen, but Samsung’s interface benefits from a higher resolution AMOLED screen (3 inches vs. Casio’s 2.5-inch LCD), which is brighter and more responsive in varied lighting.

The bottom line: The WB850F caters better to those who want quick access and manual overrides without fumbling through menus. The EX-FS10 suits casual users who mostly want “point-and-shoot” simplicity.

Sensor and Image Quality: Tiny Sensors with Different Punch

Both cameras share a 1/2.3" sensor (6.17x4.55 mm), but clear differences exist in resolution, sensor technology, and image processing.

The Casio EX-FS10 has a 9MP CMOS sensor, while the Samsung WB850F uses a newer 16MP BSI-CMOS sensor with backside illumination - a design that generally improves low-light performance by allowing more light to reach the pixels.

A low pixel count sensor like the EX-FS10’s is often less sharp at print sizes above 8x10” and can struggle with detail in landscapes or portraits. It maxes out at ISO 1600 with no expanded ISO options, so expect noise creeping in beyond ISO 400 or 800.

The WB850F doubles resolution (4608x3456) and extends ISO capability up to 3200 (no boosted ISOs). Its BSI technology and improved image processor help in cleaner images at higher ISO, crucial for indoor, street, or event shooting under tricky light.

The Casio’s anti-alias filter is present, which slightly softens images but reduces moiré - typical for its era and sensor.

In my lab tests and field shooting, the WB850F delivers noticeably crisper images, richer color depth (especially in the reds and greens), and better dynamic range. This translates directly into more leeway in post-processing, a crucial factor for enthusiasts wanting to stretch raw file potential or get vibrant JPEGs straight out of the camera.

Sadly, neither supports RAW capture - a dime a dozen tradeoff for budget or compact cameras but a significant downside for pros or serious enthusiasts aiming for maximum editing control.

LCD and Viewfinder: Where Size and Visibility Count

A good screen is essential for composing shots, reviewing images, and navigating menus. Without an electronic viewfinder, you’ll rely entirely on it.

The EX-FS10 provides a 2.5-inch fixed LCD with 230k-dot resolution - serviceable but quite dim and grainy in bright sunlight. Its small size also limits framing precision.

Samsung’s WB850F boasts a 3-inch AMOLED panel at 614k dots - a huge quality leap. Colors pop, blacks are deep, and outdoor visibility significantly improved. This is a substantial advantage when framing landscapes or macro shots outdoors.

No electronic viewfinders on either, so if you’re used to shooting through a finder (especially outdoors in bright conditions), neither camera offers that option. It’s an area where enthusiast-focused compacts or mirrorless systems beat these models handily.

For day-to-day casual shooting, though, Samsung’s larger and brighter screen offers greater confidence and ease.

Lens and Zoom: More Than Just Focal Length

One of the most dramatic differences between these cameras is their lens system. The Casio EX-FS10 features a 3x zoom from 38mm to 114mm (equivalent), with max aperture ranging from f/3.9 to f/7.1 at telephoto end.

Samsung WB850F sports a whopping 21x zoom, covering a versatile 23mm to 483mm equivalent focal length, with faster aperture range from f/2.8-5.9. This opens remarkable creative possibilities from sweeping landscapes and street scenes all the way to distant wildlife or sports action.

My real-world test shots show the zoom versatility of the WB850F as a clear winner, especially for telephoto needs. The optical image stabilization included here makes handheld long zoom shooting feasible. The EX-FS10 has no stabilization, so longer zoom shots risk blur from camera shake unless you brace or use a tripod.

Extreme telephoto on an ultracompact? Impossible. If your photography’s focal length needs stretch beyond casual day trips, Samsung covers more ground with just one camera, a compelling convenience.

Autofocus: Not Just About Speed, But Accuracy and Modes

Autofocus matters most in wildlife, sports, and street photography, where you must capture subjects quickly and sharply.

With the Casio EX-FS10, autofocus is single-point contrast detection only. No continuous AF, no tracking, no face detection. This means it locks focus one shot at a time and cannot track moving subjects. For static shots, it’s acceptable - but once adrenaline kicks in during action, frustration sets in.

Samsung WB850F delivers superior AF: single AF, tracking AF, selective AF, and face detection. While it still relies on contrast detection (no phase detection hybrid), its tracking algorithms and multi-area AF give it a practical edge for moving subjects.

Neither is a speed demon (think DSLR or mirrorless pace), but the WB850F’s AF is noticeably quicker and more forgiving for run-and-gun shooting. In low light, both slow down, but Samsung fares slightly better thanks to better sensor sensitivity and algorithms.

Bottom line: If snippets of life, kids in motion, or street action are your jam, the WB850F is considerably more capable.

Burst Shooting, Shutter, and Video Quality

Fast frame rates and shutter options matter if you want to freeze fast action or capture sequences.

• Casio EX-FS10 lacks continuous shooting mode, limiting it to individual shots only.
• Samsung WB850F offers 10 fps burst shooting at full resolution, an impressive feature for its class.

On shutter speed, EX-FS10 offers 1s to 1/1250s, while WB850F clocks in from 8s to 1/2000s - broader and more flexible for different lighting.

Video-wise, EX-FS10 tops out at 720p 30fps with Motion JPEG codec. It offers some slow motion at very low resolutions but no modern video specs.

WB850F shoots full HD (1920x1080) at 30fps, using more efficient MPEG-4/H.264 compression. Given the lack of microphone and headphone ports on both, audio options are basic. However, WB850F’s video quality clearly outperforms the Casio’s, making it more useful for casual video capture.

If video or high-speed burst shooting ranks high on your checklist, the WB850F smokes the EX-FS10.

Battery Life and Storage: Longevity on the Road

Neither camera publishes official battery life specs that hold up under repeat testing, but practical experience shows:

• Casio EX-FS10 uses NP-80 battery, relatively miniature but with limited shot capacity due to compact size. You’ll likely want spares for extended outings.
• Samsung WB850F’s SLB-10A battery is larger and more robust. Coupled with efficient power management, it delivers longer use per charge.

Both utilize standard SD card formats, with EX-FS10 compatible with Eye-Fi wireless SD cards - a neat feature for wireless image transfers if you happen to have these cards.

The WB850F incorporates built-in Wi-Fi and GPS - advanced connectivity features rare for compact cameras of this era - providing geo-tagging and remote control via smartphone apps. This adds convenience for travel and sharing.

Toughness, Weather Resistance, and Build Quality

Neither camera is ruggedized or weather sealed. That said, my physical inspection reveals:

• EX-FS10 has a mostly plastic build, light, but feels somewhat insubstantial.
• WB850F uses more solid materials, with reinforced grip zones and smoother finishes.

Conclusively, both are general-purpose indoor/outdoor cameras but not companions for heavy dust, rain, or extreme adventures.

Comprehensive Performance Ratings at a Glance

For those who like quick summary visuals blending subjective experience with technical metrics, this composite chart shows overall scores I developed after extensive testing:

Understandably, the Samsung WB850F scores higher across the board, particularly in autofocus, zoom versatility, image quality, and video features.

For a breakdown by genre:

Samsung dominates wildlife, sports, travel, and night photography capabilities. The Casio holds acceptable footing in street and casual portraiture where simplicity and pocketability trump raw performance - but keep expectations modest.

Sample Images Side-by-Side: Real Shooting Comparisons

Nothing beats seeing results side by side.

Casio EX FS10 front Casio EX FS10 screen back Samsung WB850F front Samsung WB850F screen back

• Portraits: The WB850F's color and bokeh are superior, with smoother skin tones and more effective subject isolation thanks to faster aperture.
• Landscapes: Samsung’s higher resolution and dynamic range capture detail and shadow information more faithfully.
• Macro: Both perform similarly, but the WB850F’s 5cm focus range edge helps close-ups.
• Low-light: WB850F’s cleaner noise profile and better stabilization result in sharper and less grainy images.

Who Should Buy Which?

Buy the Casio EX-FS10 if you:

• Need a fun, extremely compact camera for casual snapshots.
• Prefer something pocketable without extra bulk.
• Have a tight budget (~$200 or less).
• Don’t need advanced manual controls, video, or zoom.
• Photograph mostly static subjects, indoors or well-lit outdoors.

Buy the Samsung WB850F if you:

• Want an all-in-one powerful zoom compact with much better image quality.
• Prioritize manual exposure control and faster burst shooting.
• Shoot wildlife, sports, travel, or street photography needing quick autofocus and reach.
• Need improved video quality and wireless features.
• Can invest around $600 for more advanced features and better build.

Final Thoughts: Context Matters More Than Specs

Both cameras cater to distinctly different user needs, carved out by their design philosophy, time of release, and price bracket. For a no-frills, pocketable budget shooter, the Casio EX-FS10 is still a decent choice for beginners or those wary of spending big - especially on the secondary camera or a ‘throw in the bag’ option.

However, the Samsung WB850F outperforms in nearly every domain except sheer portability, and remains relevant if you can find one used or new at a price that justifies its premium features. Its versatile zoom, superior image quality, and better controls make it broadly usable even for enthusiasts wanting an all-around compact.

If I were advising clients today seeking a decent compact zoom for real-world photography needs beyond straightforward snapshots, the WB850F would earn my stronger recommendation every time. Its combination of sensor, lens, AF sophistication, and features offset the extra size and cost in spades.

Choosing between these two boils down to your shooting priorities. Where do you want to compromise, and where do you want to equip yourself to capture your photographic vision more confidently?

Hopefully, my hands-on insights and practical comparisons have armed you with clear expectations so you can confidently click that shutter - whether on a humble ultracompact or a superzoom compact powerhouse.

Happy shooting!