Casio EX-S200 vs Samsung ST150F: A Detailed Comparison for Enthusiast Photographers

Choosing the right compact camera can be surprisingly tricky, especially when balancing portability, image quality, and user experience. Today, I’m diving deep into a classic face-off between two small-sensor compacts from the early 2010s – the Casio EX-S200 and the Samsung ST150F. While neither represents the cutting edge anymore, both offer interesting perspectives on budget ultracompacts and small sensor compacts, and understanding their strengths and weaknesses can illuminate what really matters in point-and-shoot cameras.

Having tested thousands of cameras across genres and brands, I’ll walk you through technical details, real-world performance, and the practical implications of these cameras’ specs. Whether you want a simple travel shooter or a straightforward backup camera, this comparison should help you decide which suits your style better.

First Impressions: Size, Design, and Ergonomics

Right out of the gate, physical handling matters a lot in daily photography. A camera that feels good in your hands, with controls that are intuitive and a size that matches your grip style, will inspire you to shoot more.

Looking at the EX-S200 and ST150F side-by-side, the Casio EX-S200 is a true ultracompact – small, thin, and extremely pocket-friendly with dimensions of 100×55×18 mm and a weight of 132 grams. The Samsung ST150F, while still compact, has a slightly bigger footprint (94×58×18 mm) and is lighter at 114 grams.

This difference, while subtle, translates into how the camera feels during use. The EX-S200’s boxy, slim shape fits nicely in smaller pockets and is discreet for street or casual shooting. The ST150F’s slightly more rounded profile offers a bit better grip but still keeps things lightweight. Neither camera has a dedicated grip or textured surfaces, so handling is equal parts convenience and compromise.

On top, both cameras have minimal control interfaces - no external dials or customizable buttons. You’ll rely heavily on the menu system and the basic shutter/focus buttons. I find the simplicity refreshing if you want a grab-and-go experience without wrestling complex menus, though advanced users may feel limited. Neither camera offers manual exposure modes, aperture priority, or shutter priority.

Sensor and Image Quality: Can Small Sensors Still Impress?

At the heart of any camera’s image quality is its sensor technology and processing engine. Both cameras use 1/2.3” CCD sensors measuring around 28 mm², with the Casio sporting 14 megapixels and Samsung pushing 16 megapixels.

CCD sensors of this size were standard in compact cameras a decade ago, offering reasonable image quality in daylight but tending to struggle with noise at higher ISOs. Neither camera supports RAW shooting, which limits post-processing flexibility.

The Casio EX-S200’s ISO sensitivity range starts at 50 and maxes out at 3200, while the Samsung’s ISO begins at 100 and also caps at 3200. In practice, both sensors deliver clean images up to ISO 400, but above that, noise becomes more noticeable quickly.

Interestingly, the Samsung ST150F features a slightly faster lens (F2.5 at wide end vs. F3.2 on Casio), which theoretically allows more light in, aiding low-light performance. However, the lack of image stabilization on the Samsung makes slow shutter speed shots more prone to motion blur compared to Casio’s sensor-shift stabilization system.

If you often shoot in well-lit conditions like outdoors or daylight landscapes, both cameras provide similar resolution and color output - neither will wow professionals but are perfectly adequate for social media or snapshots.

The Viewfinder and Screen Experience

Neither camera features an electronic viewfinder, so all composition depends on their LCDs.

The Casio EX-S200 is equipped with a 2.7-inch fixed LCD boasting 230k dots, while the Samsung ST150F offers a slightly larger 3-inch screen with identical resolution. The marginally bigger screen on the Samsung improves framing and reviewing shots but doesn’t significantly outperform Casio in daylight visibility - both screens struggle under bright sun without anti-reflective coatings.

Neither camera features a touchscreen, but menu navigation remains straightforward, albeit somewhat dated. In terms of live view autofocus, Casio provides contrast-detection AF with the ability to frame using their screen. Samsung’s live view autofocus is limited and less responsive by comparison.

Lens and Zoom: How Flexible Are Your Compositions?

“Fixed lens” describes both cameras - meaning lenses are non-interchangeable. However, zoom range can significantly affect usability.

• Casio EX-S200: 27-108mm equivalent (4x optical zoom), aperture F3.2-5.9
• Samsung ST150F: 25-125mm equivalent (5x optical zoom), aperture F2.5-6.3

Samsung ST150F wins slightly on focal range, offering a bit more telephoto reach. Its faster 25mm wide-angle capability also gives you better wide shots, ideal for landscapes or cramped interiors.

Still, neither lens is exceptionally sharp across the zoom range - typical for this class - but you get decent detail for social or web use. Casio’s stabilized sensor helps keep longer zoom shots steadier, especially in low light, whereas Samsung may need more care or a tripod.

Autofocus and Speed: How Sharp, How Fast?

Autofocus technology is a critical attribute that often distinguishes superior compacts from frustrating shooters.

• Casio EX-S200 relies purely on contrast-detection AF with single-point focus only; no face detection or continuous AF modes. No autofocus tracking either.
• Samsung ST150F includes improved contrast-detection AF with face detection, center-weighted, multiple focus areas, and even AF tracking.

In hands-on testing, Samsung’s face detection and multi-area AF helped nail focus on portraits and street shots faster and more reliably. Casio’s autofocus can hesitate in lower contrast scenes or track moving subjects less effectively.

As for shooting speed, neither model shines - burst modes are essentially nonexistent or very limited. This is common in older compact cameras but not ideal for action, wildlife, or sports photography.

Flash and Lighting: What You Can Expect

The built-in flashes are basic in both cameras, with Casio offering more configuration modes like red-eye reduction and manual on/off, whereas Samsung’s flash functionality feels more automatic, with fewer controls.

In dim environments, Casio’s sensor-shift stabilization helps get sharper handheld shots with flash, but flash range and power remain limited, so external lighting or reflectors can be necessary for advanced portrait or macro work.

Video Performance: What’s Possible?

Both cameras provide video shooting but at modest quality levels:

• Casio EX-S200 records HD at 1280x720 but only at 20 frames per second, saved as Motion JPEG, which results in larger files and lower efficiency.
• Samsung ST150F does 1280x720 at 30 fps and supports MPEG-4 and H.264 formats, meaning smaller file sizes and better compatibility.

Neither includes microphone or headphone jacks, external mic support, or advanced video features like 4K or slow motion. Video shooting is a secondary function at best but Samsung’s better frame rate and encoding make it more practical for casual clips.

Battery Life and Storage: How Much Will It Shoot?

Battery life specifics aren’t well documented, but general user experience suggests:

• Casio EX-S200 uses an NP-120 rechargeable battery with average endurance for about 200-250 shots on a full charge.
• Samsung ST150F has unspecified batteries but uses microSD cards for storage, adding convenience and flexibility over Casio’s SD/SDHC cards.

I’d rate Samsung’s storage options as more versatile given microSD’s ubiquity today. Also, Samsung’s built-in wireless connectivity (although no Bluetooth or NFC) offers some means for image transfer, a clear convenience advantage.

Build Quality and Environmental Resistance

Neither camera offers weather sealing, dustproofing, shockproofing, or ruggedization. Both are clearly designed for casual users willing to handle them with care.

Materials lean toward plastic and alloy, giving reasonable durability but not the feel of premium compacts or prosumers.

Real-World Use Cases: What Each Camera Excels At

Now, let’s apply this to photography disciplines:

Portrait Photography

Samsung’s face detection autofocus and wider aperture lens at the wide end allow crisper, more natural skin tones and better focus on eyes. Casio lacks face detection and delivers harsher bokeh, so for portraits, I recommend the Samsung.

Landscape Photography

Both shoot wide enough to capture vistas (Casio 27mm, Samsung 25mm). Samsung’s longer zoom helps with tighter details. However, neither offers RAW or great dynamic range, so be mindful of exposure to avoid blown highlights.

Wildlife Photography

Neither camera excels here due to slow AF, limited burst, and small sensor noise at higher ISOs. Still, Samsung's autofocus tracking is an edge if you must shoot wildlife in daylight.

Sports Photography

No contest. Both sluggish autofocus and minimal burst rates restrict sports photography usability. I'd recommend elsewhere for this genre.

Street Photography

I favor Casio’s ultracompact size and discrete design. While Samsung’s AF is superior, the smaller footprint of Casio lends itself better to candid shooting.

Macro Photography

Casio’s sensor-shift stabilization will aid handheld macro shots, but lack of close focusing distance specs makes effectiveness uncertain. Samsung's faster lens aperture might help with depth of field, but neither camera offers true macro features.

Night/Astro Photography

Both struggle at high ISOs with noise and lack long exposure capabilities. Casio’s sensor-shift stabilization is a plus for handheld night shots, but neither is designed for astrophotography.

Video Capabilities

Samsung’s better video frame rate and compression format make it my pick for casual video work.

Travel Photography

Both compact and light, but Casio edges out for sheer portability. Samsung offers connectivity, a slight zoom advantage, and better AF, beneficial for travel versatility.

Professional Work

Neither camera suits professional environments needing reliability, manual controls, or RAW workflow.

Technical Summary and Performance Scores

In an objective scoring scenario based on sensor/tweakability, autofocus capabilities, usability, and image quality:

• Casio EX-S200 scores moderately on portability and stabilization but trails in autofocus and lens speed.
• Samsung ST150F scores higher on autofocus sophistication, lens speed, and video.

When broken down by genre, Samsung leads in portraits, video, and street; Casio is competitive in travel and ultracompact convenience.

Final Thoughts: Which Should You Choose?

Both cameras represent a snapshot of their era, with strengths reflecting different priorities.

• Opt for the Casio EX-S200 if:

  • You want the smallest, lightest camera that fits into any pocket.
  • You shoot mostly in daylight and need image stabilization to help avoid blur.
  • You prefer simple operation without fussing over autofocus options.
  • Portability and discreetness are paramount, like for street or travel casual use.

• Opt for the Samsung ST150F if:

  • You prioritize better autofocus performance, including face detection and tracking.
  • You want slightly more versatile zoom and faster lens aperture for low-light flexibility.
  • Video is important to you - Samsung’s HD videos have better framerate and compression.
  • Connectivity features and expandable microSD storage matter for workflow ease.

Neither camera is suitable if you require manual controls, RAW shooting, high burst rates, or professional-grade durability. However, for casual shooters on a budget requiring straightforward point-and-shoot functionality, either model can be a reasonable choice depending on your priorities.

A Quick Recap in Images

In case you want to see examples of both cameras’ output side-by-side, check my sample gallery here:

Casio EX S200 front Casio EX S200 screen back Samsung ST150F front Samsung ST150F screen back

I encourage you to look carefully at sharpness, color balance, and noise in various lighting conditions to decide what best aligns with your visual preferences.

Closing: Reflecting on Compact Camera Evolution

Comparing the Casio EX-S200 and Samsung ST150F reminds me of how compact cameras have progressed but also how some fundamentals remain consistent - sensor size limitations, autofocus challenges, and the constant balancing act between flexibility and simplicity.

For many photographers today, smartphone cameras have supplanted entry-level compacts, offering excellent image quality, video, and connectivity in a pocket device. Yet, cameras like these still have appeal for dedicated photographers looking for a focused photographic experience free from smartphone distractions.

Whether you choose Casio or Samsung here, I hope this detailed analysis helps clarify what each model brings to the table and how they fit distinct user needs.

Happy shooting!

If you found this comparison helpful or have further questions about these cameras or compact photography in general, please reach out! I’m always eager to share personal experiences and technical insights honed by years in the field.