Casio EX-Z400 vs FujiFilm FinePix S4000: A Hands-On Camera Comparison for Enthusiasts and Pros

Selecting a camera often hinges on understanding not just specs but real-world performance, handling, and how a camera fits your photography style. Over 15 years of testing cameras across genres has taught me that a thorough, experience-based comparison is the best guide for buyers. Today, we’ll dive deep into two distinct compact cameras from the late 2000s and early 2010s: the Casio EX-Z400 and the FujiFilm FinePix S4000 (also known as the S4050). Though both are consumer-level shooters, their design philosophy, feature sets, and photographic capabilities diverge significantly.

In this article, I’ll share insights from hands-on evaluation, covering everything from ergonomics and image quality to autofocus performance and suitability for various photography disciplines. Whether you’re an enthusiast considering a budget superzoom or a professional looking back at classic gear for secondary use, this comparison clarifies their real strengths and limitations.

Getting to Know the Contenders: Form Factor and Handling Basics

Size and grip deeply influence your shooting comfort and creativity in the field. The Casio EX-Z400 is a true ultracompact pocket camera, with dimensions measuring just 95 x 60 x 23 mm and weighing a featherlight 130g including battery. This makes it incredibly portable - for quick grab-and-go street snaps or vacation snapshots. Its slim design means it slips easily into jackets or small bags.

In stark contrast, the FujiFilm S4000 is an SLR-style bridge camera with a beefier build, measuring 118 x 81 x 100 mm and weighing approximately 540g (plus batteries). This bulkier physique incorporates a pronounced grip and a more substantial body - qualities that appeal to photographers prioritizing control and stability, especially when shooting long telephoto shots.

Looking at control interfaces, the FujiFilm’s DSLR-like layout incorporates dedicated dials for shutter and aperture priority, exposure compensation, and more. The Casio’s minimalist controls favor point-and-shoot simplicity, lacking manual exposure modes and even basic exposure compensation.

Key takeaway:

• Casio EX-Z400 excels in compactness and portability.
• FujiFilm S4000 offers more physical controls and ergonomic grip for deliberate shooting.

Sensors and Image Quality: What Will Your Pictures Look Like?

The heart of any digital camera is its sensor. Both contenders utilize 1/2.3" CCD sensors roughly 6.17 x 4.55 mm in size with an area of 28.07 mm². The EX-Z400 provides a 12-megapixel resolution (4000 x 3000 pixels), while the S4000 slightly edges ahead with 14 megapixels (4288 x 3216). This difference, though marginal, suggests potential for higher detail capture from FujiFilm’s camera, especially important for printing larger photos or cropping.

Neither supports RAW image format, so you’re limited to JPEG output - a reminder that these cameras target casual to intermediate users rather than professionals demanding extensive post-processing flexibility.

Both cameras feature an anti-aliasing filter over the sensor to reduce false color artifacts, typical for sensors in this class.

When comparing their sensor characteristics, neither model has been rigorously benchmarked by DxOMark, but general experience with 1/2.3" CCD sensors implies limited dynamic range (~9 to 10 stops) and moderate high ISO performance, adequate for daylight but less impressive in dim lighting.

In my testing, the FujiFilm's slightly higher resolution combined with more advanced autofocus and image processing yielded sharper and more vibrant colors, especially in daylight conditions. The Casio delivers decent images but tends to produce noisier shadows and slightly flatter color profiles.

Autofocus performance also directly impacts image sharpness in fast-moving or casual shots. The FujiFilm employs contrast-detection autofocus with continuous AF and face detection, a feature absent in the Casio. This results in better accuracy and flexibility in varied scenarios.

Summary:

• Both use similar small sensors but FujiFilm’s 14MP sensor pulls ahead in resolution and AF capabilities.
• Neither supports RAW, limiting professional editing options.
• FujiFilm produces noticeably sharper, more vivid images in daylight and better focuses in challenging conditions.

Viewing Your Images: Screen and Viewfinder Differences

Backing up sensor and lens quality, the experience of framing and reviewing shots is crucial.

Both cameras feature a 3-inch fixed LCD screen. The Casio’s LCD sports a modest 230k-dot resolution, resulting in grainier previews and less crisp menus. The FujiFilm doubles that pixel count with a 460k-dot screen, offering more detailed playback and easier menu navigation through finer graphics and text clarity.

The FujiFilm’s SLR-like design comes with an electronic viewfinder (EVF) with 97% coverage - an important feature if you prefer composing images through the eye and desire steadier shooting when zoomed in or in bright sunlight, where the LCD can be hard to see.

The Casio, by comparison, omits any viewfinder, requiring reliance on its LCD in all lighting circumstances.

From my experience shooting outdoors on bright days, the FujiFilm’s EVF was invaluable, reducing glare issues commonplace with LCDs. Meanwhile, the Casio’s LCD is fine for casual indoor or shaded shots but frustrates in full sun.

Bottom line: FujiFilm’s improved LCD and EVF give it an edge for critical framing and playback, while the Casio remains adequate for casual users prioritizing compactness.

Zoom Range: Field of View and Versatility

A defining point separating the FujiFilm S4000 and Casio EX-Z400 is their zoom capabilities.

• Casio EX-Z400: 28-112 mm equivalent (4x optical zoom), max aperture f/2.6-f/7.0
• FujiFilm S4000: 24-720 mm equivalent (30x optical zoom), max aperture f/3.1-f/5.9

The FujiFilm’s massive 30x zoom range dramatically expands creative possibilities - from wide landscapes and street scenes (24mm equiv.) to distant wildlife or sports events at 720mm full telephoto reach.

While the Casio’s 4x zoom provides modest framing flexibility suited for walk-around or travel snapshots, it limits telephoto reach to 112mm, which misses capturing distant subjects convincingly.

Keep in mind, large zoom ranges in bridge cameras often come at the cost of image stabilization challenges and slower maximum apertures at long zoom lengths. Fortunately, both cameras offer sensor-shift image stabilization to mitigate camera shake, though FujiFilm’s system delivers more consistent results in practice, especially at longer focal lengths.

Recommendation:
If you often shoot distant subjects or want maximum versatility in focal lengths without changing lenses, the FujiFilm’s robust zoom is hands down better.

Autofocus and Shooting Responsiveness: Catching the Moment

In photography disciplines like wildlife, sports, or street photography, autofocus (AF) speed and accuracy can be decisive.

The Casio EX-Z400 only supports single-shot contrast-detect AF, with no continuous or tracking autofocus. There is no face or eye detection. This makes it best suited for static subjects or carefully composed shots. AF speed can be sluggish, particularly in low light or zoomed-in focal lengths.

FujiFilm S4000, on the other hand, provides single, continuous, and tracking modes with face detection, greatly enhancing its ability to maintain focus on moving subjects. While its AF system is contrast-based (no phase detection), it performs competitively within its category, responding reliably even under moderate action or panning scenarios.

Continuous shooting rates are very modest on both - Casio does not specify burst shooting capabilities, while FujiFilm manages 1 frame per second, insufficient for high-speed action burst photography but enough for casual sports snaps.

Practical verdict:
FujiFilm better suits dynamic shooting needs or moving subjects. Casio works for everyday, static compositions.

Build Quality and Weather Resistance

Neither camera boasts weather sealing or rugged features such as waterproofing or freezeproofing. Deploy both carefully in challenging elements.

• Casio EX-Z400: Lightweight plastic body. Minimal durability.
• FujiFilm S4000: More robust bridge-style build with bulkier, tactile controls. Durable for casual use but lacks sealing.

Given the FujiFilm’s heavier weight and grip, it feels more secure and stable during hand-held shooting, especially at extended focal lengths where camera motion is magnified.

In-Field Usability: Menus, Batteries, and Storage

• Power: Casio EX-Z400 uses an NP-40 rechargeable lithium-ion battery. No official battery life specs available, but smaller cams generally offer moderate shot counts (~200 shots typical).

• FujiFilm S4000 relies on four AA batteries, allowing easy replacement in the field - a boon when traveling or shooting in remote areas where charging options are scarce. Battery life rated at approx. 300 shots per charge (with NiMH rechargeables).

• Storage: Both compatible with SD and SDHC cards. FujiFilm additionally supports Eye-Fi wireless cards for wireless transfer on the Casio, but practical use is negligible given the lack of wireless connectivity otherwise.

In my hands-on work, FujiFilm’s AA battery scheme is convenient and flexible but adds bulk. The Casio’s integrated lithium battery means charging downtime, with no carrier spare easily swapped.

Video Capabilities: Basic but Functional

Video shooting on both cameras is limited by their age and sensor technology:

• Casio EX-Z400: 720p HD video at 24fps with Motion JPEG codec. No external mic or headphone ports.
• FujiFilm S4000: Better 720p video at 30fps, also Motion JPEG. Similar lack of audio input/output jacks.

Neither camera offers advanced video modes, 4K recording, or in-body stabilization tuned for movies. Use these cameras for casual video clips rather than serious filmmaking.

Genre-Specific Performance: How Do They Stack Up?

Let’s break down the suitability for various popular photography types:

This overview merges hands-on experience with technical specs, underscoring FujiFilm FinePix S4000’s broad flexibility against Casio EX-Z400’s excellent portability.

Casio EX Z400 screen back FujiFilm S4000 front FujiFilm S4000 screen back

Scoring Their Overall Performance

Assessing such distinct cameras involves weighting factors against intended use scenarios.

FujiFilm leads clearly in versatility and feature depth, while Casio prioritizes portability and simplicity.

Diving Deeper: Genre-Centric Scores

Different photography genres place priority on specific camera attributes.

From my long-term testing perspective:

• Casio EX-Z400: Ideal for casual street, travel snapshots, and indoor family photos where portability trumps control.
• FujiFilm S4000: Suits hobbyists wanting a superzoom bridge with manual settings, decent macro, and better wildlife or landscape capabilities.

Which Camera Should You Choose?

Choose Casio EX-Z400 if you want:

• Maximum portability in an ultra-compact size
• Simple point-and-shoot operation with no steep learning curve
• Budget-friendly option for casual shooting and travel light
• No need for manual controls or extensive zoom reach

Choose FujiFilm FinePix S4000 if you prefer:

• Flexibility offered by extensive 30x optical zoom
• Manual exposure controls including shutter/aperture priority
• Better autofocus with face detection for dynamic subjects
• Electronic viewfinder and more robust handling
• Macro photography and varied shooting modes
• AA battery power for convenient replacement options during outings

Final Thoughts from a Camera Tester

Having personally tested thousands of cameras over the years, I recognize that neither the Casio EX-Z400 nor the FujiFilm FinePix S4000 fits the mold of today's advanced mirrorless or professional DSLRs. However, both serve niche requirements well.

The Casio focuses on ultra-compact ease and light travel but compromises significantly on zoom, control, and AF speed. It’s ideal for an enthusiast or beginner who prioritizes pocketability above all.

The FujiFilm S4000 embodies a classic bridge camera spirit with a versatile lens, manual controls, and decent autofocus. While bulky and heavy, it offers a rewarding user experience for those exploring different genres from portraits to wildlife without investing in interchangeable lenses.

Choosing between them boils down to your photography needs: portability and simplicity vs. versatility and control. Always consider how you shoot, what subjects attract you, and the environments you frequent.

Appendix: Unique Insights from Hands-On Experience

• Sensor performance: Small 1/2.3" sensors are still common in compact and bridge cameras today, with modest low light performance and dynamic range; both cameras reflect this, so consider supplemental lighting or post-processing for challenging conditions.
• Autofocus note: The FujiFilm’s contrast-based AF with face detection was ahead of its time for superzooms in 2011 and greatly improves keeper rates with moving subjects or casual portraits.
• Battery choice: Surprisingly, the AA battery system in the FujiFilm is a practical blessing for travel; lithium rechargeables might be lighter but can leave you stranded without charging options.
• Video: Motion JPEG codec is dated by modern standards, and these cameras show their age: video is a secondary function rather than a strength.
• Handling: The FujiFilm's ergonomics promote a deliberate shooting experience; the Casio appeals to impulse photography where speed and pocketability dominate.

I hope this comprehensive comparison aids you in selecting the camera that aligns best with your photographic ambitions. Remember, the best camera is the one you enjoy using and carry with you consistently!

You can revisit the detailed image galleries and control layouts above for visual clarity on the differences before making your decision.