Casio EX-Z450 vs Samsung TL350: A Hands-On Comparative Review for Enthusiasts and Professionals

In my fifteen years of field testing cameras across genres - from the delicate intricacies of macro to the blistering pace of sports photography - I’ve found that small sensor compacts, though often overlooked, can fill very specific niches for enthusiasts and professionals alike. Two cameras from the late 2000s/early 2010s that sometimes arise in budget-conscious discussions are the Casio EX-Z450 and the Samsung TL350 (also known as the WB2000). While both target the compact category with fixed zoom lenses and small 1/2.3" sensors, they differ meaningfully in their approach to image quality, controls, and versatility.

In this detailed comparison, I’ll draw on my practical experience using both cameras extensively - across various photography disciplines and lighting situations - and provide an honest, balanced assessment. Whether you’re looking for a secondary travel camera, learning tool, or a quirky pocketable option, this analysis will help you decide if either of these deserve a place in your kit, even today.

Ergonomics and Build: First Impressions Matter

Picking up both cameras my first impression was their clearly compact forms, designed for convenience rather than rugged use. The Casio EX-Z450 is a slim, pocketable device measuring roughly 81 x 56 x 21 mm and weighing just 128 grams with battery. The Samsung TL350, a little bulkier and heftier at 100 x 59 x 22 mm and 195 grams, feels more substantial in hand - which I often find lends a slight edge in stability for shooting.

The Casio’s design is minimalist but functional. It lacks a dedicated viewfinder (none of these compacts has one), has a 3-inch fixed screen with a modest 230k-dot resolution, and the controls feel basic. The Samsung offers a similar 3-inch screen but with a much sharper 920k-dot resolution that makes reviewing images far more pleasant. Its control layout includes more advanced manual exposure modes, shutter priority, and aperture priority modes - something the Casio simply lacks.

If you value portability over controls, the EX-Z450 will appeal more to your fingers. But if you want a compact that still offers a more tactile, manual shooting experience, Samsung’s design prioritizes that without feeling overwhelming.

Image Sensor and Quality: The Heart of Any Camera

Diving under the hood, both cameras employ a 1/2.3” sensor, the industry-standard small-sensor size seen in many compacts of this era. The Casio uses a 12MP CCD sensor, while the Samsung adopts a 10MP CMOS sensor. At first glance, one might assume Casio’s higher megapixel count is better, but real-world use reveals more.

CCD sensors, like the one in the Casio, historically produce pleasing color rendition but tend to struggle in low light and deliver poorer high ISO noise performance. In contrast, Samsung’s CMOS sensor benefits from more efficient readout and less power consumption with better low-light sensitivity, especially given its higher maximum ISO of 3200 compared to Casio’s ISO 1600 limit.

The actual sensor dimensions are very close - Casio’s sensor area is 28.07 mm² vs Samsung’s 27.72 mm² - meaning neither holds a technical advantage in gathering light per pixel based on size alone. However, Samsung’s inclusion of built-in optical image stabilization (OIS) gives a practical edge in handheld shooting at slower shutter speeds, enabling sharper images in dim settings.

Here is a direct sensor comparison to illustrate these points visually:

From my testing, the Samsung TL350 produced cleaner images at ISO 800 and above, with better retention of detail and less color shift. Meanwhile, the Casio EX-Z450 was best suited for brightly lit scenarios or daylight shooting, where the extra megapixels helped create reasonably detailed images.

Handling Focus and Exposure: Where Samsung Pulls Ahead

In terms of autofocus (AF), both cameras rely on contrast-detection AF, which is expected for their sensor and processor age. Casio’s EX-Z450 offers single AF only, no face detection, and a fixed center-weighted metering system. The Samsung TL350 introduces some more sophisticated AF options, including center-weighted and multiple-area AF, plus face detection options (though animal eye AF is absent).

Because the Samsung also offers shutter priority, aperture priority, and fully manual exposure modes, I found it much more flexible for creative photography. The Casio provides very limited exposure control; no shutter or aperture priority, no exposure compensation, and no raw file support, meaning you are locked into JPEG capture with minimal intervention.

The Samsung’s higher resolution LCD made manual focusing and exposure tweaks easier, particularly with the interface that supports quick switching between modes. The Casio’s basic screen - while adequate for framing - becomes a handicap when trying detailed work or reviewing focus accuracy.

Lens Performance: Zoom and Macro Capabilities

Both cameras feature fixed zoom lenses common to compacts but vary in focal length and aperture. The Casio’s 28-112mm equivalent with F2.6-5.8 max aperture contrasts with Samsung’s slightly wider and longer 24-120mm equivalent with F2.4-5.8 aperture.

I noticed that Samsung’s slightly wider 24mm wide-angle is more versatile for landscapes and interiors, and its macro focus down to 5 cm compared to Casio’s 10 cm enables more creative close-up captures. Neither lens is particularly fast, but Samsung’s lens coupled with OIS compensates well for low-light or extended telephoto shots.

Performance in Various Photography Genres

Portrait Photography

Capturing natural skin tones and background separation requires good sensor performance and lens character. Here, both cameras have limitations given their sensor size and lens maximum aperture. The Casio’s wider aperture at the wide end (F2.6) allowed decent background blur at 28mm equivalent, but at longer focal lengths the aperture narrows considerably, limiting bokeh quality.

Samsung’s camera, while having a similar aperture range, benefits from more precise focusing with center and multi-area AF. However, neither offers advanced eye detection or face recognition AF - so sharp eye focus depends on careful manual AF technique.

In portraits under controlled lighting, Samsung’s better ISO sensitivity helped produce more natural skin tones with less grain, and the aperture priority mode allowed me to better control depth of field creatively.

Landscape Photography

I always push compact cameras to their limits for landscapes, focusing on dynamic range and resolution. The Casio’s higher megapixel count seemed promising, but its CCD sensor struggled with highlight preservation, showing earlier clipping and noticeable shadow noise.

Samsung’s CMOS sensor handled skies and shadow detail better, and the lens’s 24mm wide angle enhanced composition options. However, the lack of weather sealing or rugged build introduced concerns on rough outdoor shoots for both cameras.

Given these limitations, a tripod and careful exposure bracketing (where available) are essential for both cameras to achieve optimum landscape shots - as neither were built with advanced bracketing functionality built-in.

Wildlife and Sports Photography

Neither camera is truly designed for fast action. Both offer continuous shooting at 10 fps, but the buffer depth and autofocus speed were disappointing in practice. The Casio’s single AF and lack of AF tracking made keeping moving subjects sharp a challenge.

Samsung’s better autofocus modes - particularly multi-area and center AF - offered slightly better success at locking on, but at 10 fps bursts of 2-3 shots came before slowing down. Neither camera supports phase detection or advanced AI-based focus modes you find in more modern cameras aimed at sports.

For wildlife photography requiring telephoto reach and rapid focus, these cameras are better suited for static or slow-moving subjects rather than fast birds or athletes.

Street Photography

For discreet, everyday shooting, pocketability matters alongside quick responsiveness. Here, Casio’s lighter and smaller body is excellent footwork gear, easily slipped in a jacket pocket. Its limited manual controls can frustrate enthusiasts who want creative freedom, however.

Samsung’s somewhat larger size is a trade-off for faster access to manual exposure modes and better image review, plus optical stabilization aids in available light.

Low-light street scenes highlight Samsung’s advantage, as its stabilization and better noise control yield more usable images without flash. Casio’s lack of stabilization and lower ISO ceiling necessitates flash or bright light.

Macro Photography

Macro requires precise focusing and close minimum focus distances. Samsung shines here with a 5 cm macro focusing distance and lens stabilization to reduce blur. The EX-Z450’s 10 cm limit feels restrictive for true macro work, and lack of stabilization hampers sharp handheld shots.

Neither camera offers focus bracketing or stacking features, so achieving extended depth of field is limited to aperture and shooting technique.

Night and Astrophotography

High ISO performance and long exposure capability define night shooters’ needs. Both cameras can only go to ISO 1600 (Casio) or 3200 (Samsung) max. Samsung’s higher ceiling and built-in OIS, combined with a maximum shutter speed of 1/2000s versus Casio’s 1/1000s (minimum shutter speeds 16s on Samsung vs 0.5s on Casio is notable here), allow some more flexibility for night scenes.

However, the lack of raw support in Casio handicaps noise removal and editing options. Samsung’s raw capability, manual modes, and recording at full 1080p video are assets for creative night and astrophotographers.

Video Capabilities

Video on the Casio is limited to 720p at 24 fps in MJPEG format, resulting in larger file sizes and lower quality compared to Samsung’s 1080p at 30 fps H.264 encoding with a variety of frame size options.

Neither camera offers external microphone inputs or headphone jacks, limiting audio control.

Samsung’s timelapse mode and HDMI output enhance its video performance, making it more attractive to casual videographers.

Travel Photography and Practical Use

Battery life for both cameras is modest and not formally rated in specs, but my experience showed the Samsung’s larger battery model (SLB-11A) held charge longer under typical shooting conditions. Both cameras use proprietary batteries, so carrying spares is a must.

Storage is via a single SD/SDHC card slot for both, with internal storage as emergency fallback.

Samsung’s HDMI out and USB 2.0 provide better connectivity options, whereas Casio offers Eye-Fi card compatibility for wireless transfer - which remains cumbersome today but was innovative at release.

Professional Work and Workflow Integration

Neither compact is a professional-level tool, especially considering the lack of raw support in the Casio and relatively limited lens and sensor capabilities of both units.

For professionals needing a backup compact or shoot-from-pocket solution, Samsung’s manual exposure modes and raw files allow better integration into workflows. Casio is useful only for quick snapshots or casual documentation.

Casio EX Z450 front Casio EX Z450 screen back Samsung TL350 front Samsung TL350 screen back

Here you can compare real-world JPEG outputs of both cameras side-by-side in daylight, low light, and macro test shots. Note Samsung’s cleaner shadows and sharper details.

Technical Deep-Dive and User Interface

Both cameras lack modern touchscreen interfaces but provide live view with full autofocus. Samsung’s manual modes and exposure compensation provide photographers necessary tools to creatively control images.

The Casio’s non-existent exposure compensation and no priority modes severely limit creative control.

From my tests and synthesis of relevant offline benchmarks, Samsung clearly wins in overall performance and in all photography types except for pure portability where Casio nudges ahead.

Pricing and Value

At launch, Casio EX-Z450 was priced around $229, while Samsung TL350 retailed for nearly $400. Today, these cameras are mostly found secondhand at bargain prices.

Given Samsung’s broader feature set and superior image quality, it offers better value for serious users who want a capable compact camera on a budget.

Casio remains a good choice for ultra-light, casual capturing without manual complexity.

Final Thoughts: Who Should Buy Which?

• Pick the Casio EX-Z450 if you want a truly pocketable camera for simple snapshot photography in daylight, don’t require manual control or raw files, and prioritize the smallest, lightest carry option. Great for beginners or casual travelers with tight budgets.

• Choose the Samsung TL350 if you want more creative freedom with manual exposure modes, better image quality especially in low light, full HD video, more exacting macro ability, and the option for raw file shooting. It suits enthusiasts who want a compact camera with serious photographic capabilities.

While neither camera competes with today’s mirrorless or advanced compacts, each offers a unique blend of features for specific styles and budgets. Always consider your key use cases before deciding - my years of testing tell me that neither camera is a one-size-fits-all, but both can serve dedicated roles with satisfying results.

Thank you for reading this thorough comparison. If you’re after practical advice on compact cameras or want to share your experiences with these models, I’m eager to hear from you. Happy shooting!