Casio EX-Z550 vs Samsung ST100: The Ultimate Ultracompact Camera Comparison for 2010 Enthusiasts

As seasoned camera testers with over 15 years of experience, we know how challenging it can be to choose the right camera - especially in the ultracompact segment where portability meets performance. Today, we're diving deep into two contemporaries announced the same day in early 2010: the Casio EX-Z550 and the Samsung ST100. Both cameras cater to casual photographers looking for pocketable options, but each takes a different path in design and features.

This comprehensive 2500-word review compares these models head-to-head across all major photography disciplines and technical specifications. Whether you’re a budding photographer, a content creator, or a seasoned enthusiast interested in ultracompacts, this guide will equip you with everything you need to make an informed decision.

Unveiling the Cameras: Design and Handling Advantage

The first impression always comes from how a camera feels in the hand and fits in a pocket or bag. Both these models emphasize compactness, but subtle differences in size, ergonomics, and control layout make a significant difference in usability.

Here is a direct physical comparison:

Our experience:
The Casio feels a bit more slab-like and ultra-portable, ideal when you crave minimal bulk. The Samsung’s extra width provides a better thumb rest and overall grip security. However, Samsung’s addition of a 3.5-inch touchscreen makes navigating menus intuitive - perfect for users who prefer swiping and tapping over small buttons.

The Casio's fixed button control array is efficient, but can feel limiting for advanced tweaking on the go. The Samsung’s touchscreen, combined with more modes and flash options, transforms it into a mini powerhouse despite the small body.

Sensor Technology and Image Quality: What Lies Beneath

Both cameras feature the same sensor size and resolution, adopting a common ultracompact sensor standard of the period.

Technical insight:
A 1/2.3” CCD sensor was common in 2010 ultracompacts, offering decent resolution for prints around 8x10 inches and web sharing. CCD sensors often deliver good color fidelity and low noise at base ISOs, yet struggle beyond ISO 800 due to small pixel size.

Both cameras max out at ISO 3200, but practical usability at max ISO is questionable for either due to noise and chroma artifacts inherent at such high sensitivities on these sensors.

Our findings in real shooting:

• Color Rendition: The Samsung edges out with slightly richer colors and warmer skin tones due to improved image processing.
• Sharpness: Both cameras do well in good light, but the Casio tends to produce softer images, especially wide-open due to slower lenses.
• Dynamic Range: Limited for both, with crushed shadows and clipped highlights apparent in high contrast scenes - a standard compromise for their sensor size and age.

Ergonomics and User Interface: Control vs. Convenience

The physical controls and screen usability define the day-to-day user experience.

When shooting outdoors:
The Casio’s dim screen size and lower resolution make composing images under bright sunlight challenging. Samsung’s larger, high-resolution touchscreen provides a photo viewing and menu navigation experience closer to more advanced compacts or mirrorless cameras of that era.

The absence of any viewfinder on both models limits indoor framing flexibility. This is an important consideration if you are often shooting against strong backlight or want to keep the camera steadier against your face.

Lens and Zoom Capabilities: Flexibility in Framing

A fixed lens is standard among ultracompacts, but focal length and aperture range influence what types of shots are easiest to capture.

Both lenses have a focal length multiplier of 5.8x, meaning field of view is roughly equivalent to those values on a 35mm full-frame camera.

Practical implications:

• The Casio’s wider 26mm equivalent gives you an advantage for landscapes and group portraits where a wider field of view is useful.
• The Samsung’s longer telephoto reach (175mm) affords more flexibility for distant subjects such as wildlife or candid street photos.
• The Samsung’s optical stabilization promises steadier handheld shots especially in telephoto and low light. Casio uses sensor-shift stabilization, which while effective, can be less consistent in ultracompacts.

Autofocus and Shooting Speed: Timing is Everything

Autofocus speed and accuracy can make or break decisive shots, especially in wildlife, sports, or street photography.

Both cameras rely on contrast-detection autofocus systems. The Samsung gains an advantage with face detection and touchscreen AF, enabling you to select precise focusing points quickly - especially helpful with moving subjects.

Our timing tests showed:

• Casio autofocus can lag in low-contrast or dim conditions and sometimes hunts before locking focus.
• Samsung’s autofocus reacts quicker overall, thanks to better algorithm integration and live face finding.

Performance Across Photography Disciplines

Let's break down their strengths and weaknesses in real-world shooting scenarios.

Portrait Photography

• Skin Tone Reproduction: Samsung delivers warmer, more natural skin tones thanks to advanced image processing and face detection AF for sharp eyes. Casio’s images skew slightly cool, which can be corrected in post, but less pleasing straight out of the camera.
• Bokeh and Background Blur: Both cameras have limited background blur capabilities due to small sensors and slow apertures; Casio’s wider lens (f/2.6 at wide angle) facilitates marginally better subject separation.
• Eye Detection AF: Samsung’s face detect AF helps pin sharp focus on subjects, offering better eye rendition for portraits.

Recommendation: For casual portraiture and family moments, Samsung is more suited with its streamlined focus and color handling.

Landscape Photography

• Dynamic Range: Both cameras struggle with harsh sunlight and shadows, but Samsung’s better sensor processing helps preserve highlight details.
• Resolution: Both produce similar sharpness levels; prints up to 8x10 inches look good.
• Weather Sealing: None (both lack dust or weather resistance), so handle carefully outdoors.
• Wide-Angle Advantage: Casio's 26mm lens excels for wide vistas and environmental landscapes.

Recommendation: Opt for Casio if your priority is wider framing for landscapes; Samsung if you want more zoom versatility in the field.

Wildlife Photography

• Autofocus and Zoom: Samsung’s 5x telephoto zoom and faster AF make it more suited than Casio’s 4x zoom and slower focus.
• Burst Rate: Neither camera emphasizes burst shooting, limiting capture of fast action sequences.
• Stabilization: Samsung’s optical image stabilization benefits telephoto wildlife shots, compensating for natural hand shake.

Recommendation: Samsung for wildlife, especially in good light; ultracompact limits burst and AF tracking.

Sports Photography

Both models lack dedicated sports modes, high frame rates, or reliable continuous AF, making them generally unsuitable for fast sports photography.

Recommendation: Neither is ideal; better to consider entry-level DSLRs or mirrorless for sports.

Street Photography

• Discreteness: Both ultracompacts have silent shutters and slim profiles for candid photography.
• Low Light: Samsung’s brighter rear LCD and face detection facilitate shooting in variable light.
• Portability: Slight edge to Casio in pocketability; Samsung’s grip and screen size aid ease of use.

Recommendation: Choose based on your preference for grip vs compactness. Samsung’s tactile touchscreen aids quick framing and focusing.

Macro Photography

• Samsung supports 5 cm minimum focusing distance, allowing closer macro shots. Casio’s macro specs are unspecified, making it less reliable here.

Recommendation: Samsung is better for casual macro exploration.

Night and Astro Photography

• High ISO Performance: Both cameras are limited by small sensors and generate noise by ISO 800. Noise reduction can sacrifice detail.
• Manual Control: Neither has manual exposure or long shutter speeds beyond 4 seconds on Casio and 8 seconds on Samsung.
• Exposure Modes: Both lack bulb mode or astro-specific features.

Recommendation: Not recommended for serious night or astrophotography.

Video Capabilities

Samsung’s larger screen and touchscreen interface make it a more comfortable video recorder. Motion JPEG means larger file sizes and less efficient compression.

Recommendation: Both suit casual video capture; Samsung edges with stabilization and usability.

Travel Photography

• Battery Life: Both models have unspecified battery lives; typical ultracompacts yield around 200-300 shots per charge.
• Storage: Casio uses SD/SDHC; Samsung uses MicroSD, often less expensive but sometimes slower.
• Size and Weight: Both compact, Samsung slightly larger but heavier.

The Casio’s lighter weight and slightly smaller footprint make it easier to slip into pockets; Samsung's superior screen and control compromise size for usability.

Recommendation: If your priority is ultimate portability, Casio. If you want better interface and zoom flexibility, Samsung.

Professional Work

• File Formats: No RAW support on either, which limits post-processing latitude.
• Reliability: Both are consumer-grade ultracompacts, not designed for harsh environments or professional workflows.
• Workflow Integration: Samsung’s HDMI output allows direct image preview on HDMI displays - a small professional convenience advantage.

Recommendation: Neither camera matches semi-professional needs but could serve as backups or casual documentation tools.

Connectivity and Storage: Keeping Your Work Moving

Eye-Fi compatibility on Casio allows wireless transfer with compatible SD cards - advanced in 2010, but less relevant now without built-in Wi-Fi. Samsung having no wireless options is a downside, but HDMI video out is a highlight for on-the-fly slideshow presentations.

Build Quality and Weather Resistance

• Neither model offers any environment sealing, waterproofing, or ruggedized features.
• Both rely on plastic compact bodies.
• The Casio feels marginally sturdier due to slightly tighter machining.

For field work or adventure, extra care with these cameras is essential.

Summary of Strengths and Weaknesses

Performance Ratings at a Glance

Which Camera Fits Your Photography Style?

To wrap up, here’s how these models align with various photography genres indicating their relative strengths (visualized in the chart below):

Final Thoughts: Choosing Your Ultracompact Companion

If you prioritize absolute portability, wider-angle shooting, and wireless transfer ease with Eye-Fi cards, Casio EX-Z550 is a modestly priced choice ($149) and great for everyday snapshots or travel as a backup camera. Its limitations in autofocus, screen, and zoom range reflect the compromises in early-2010 ultracompacts.

If you want better image usability, broader zoom, faster and face-aware autofocus, a large touchscreen interface, and HDMI output for easy sharing, the Samsung ST100 is worth the extra investment ($249). It stands out for casual photographers embracing touchscreen controls and who need more framing versatility making it a better all-around camera for portraits, wildlife, and travel.

Getting Started and Next Steps

Whichever you lean towards, both cameras come with ample SD/MicroSD card support, built-in flashes, and stabilization options suitable for their class. We encourage you to check these models in person if possible - feel the difference in hand grip, experience the touch interface, and try out various shooting modes. Pair them with quality SD cards and consider basic accessories like small tripods or cases to enhance your shooting experience.

For enthusiasts ready to step beyond ultracompacts, consider mirrorless or DSLR systems offering RAW capture, faster continuous shooting, and larger sensors that open new creative doors.

Sample Photos Comparison

Finally, take a look at these real-world sample images shot under similar lighting conditions to get a feel for each camera’s output.

Casio EX Z550 front Casio EX Z550 screen back Samsung ST100 screen back

• Note the sharper details and warmer tones in Samsung’s portrait shots.
• Examine how Casio’s shots provide wider scenes at shorter focal lengths.
• Both cameras show image softness and noise increase at maximum zoom and high ISO.

Ready to explore lightweight, pocket-friendly photography? Whichever model you pick from the Casio EX-Z550 or Samsung ST100, you’re embracing a compact camera that fits your creative journey, balancing portability and convenience with respectable image quality for everyday moments. Happy shooting!