Casio EX-ZR400 vs Fujifilm FinePix HS35EXR: Which Superzoom Compact Is Right for You?

When sifting through the sea of superzoom cameras, two 2013 models stand out with their compelling feature sets: Casio’s EX-ZR400 and Fujifilm’s HS35EXR. At first glance, both promise versatile zoom ranges and DSLR-like handling, but they cater to somewhat different niches within the enthusiast compact segment. I’ve spent ample hands-on time testing both, running through everything from portrait lighting setups to high-speed burst shooting in wildlife scenarios. The following detailed comparison unpacks exactly how these cameras perform across key photography domains and technical metrics - helping you decide which suits your shooting style and budget best.

Before we dive in, a quick heads-up: Both cameras feature relatively small 1/2.3-inch class sensors (though subtly different shapes and tech), fixed superzoom lenses, and lack weather sealing or raw video capabilities - so keep expectations grounded around compact superzoom performance rather than advanced pro-grade bodies.

First Impressions: Size and Handling Matter

Handling a camera is about more than just specs - ergonomics can make or break your shooting experience. The Casio EX-ZR400 is a compact, pocketable 105 x 59 x 29 mm, weighing roughly 205 grams, making it delightfully portable for travel or street shooting. The Fujifilm HS35EXR meanwhile is a heftier bridge-style camera at 131 x 97 x 126 mm and 687 grams - more substantial but also more substantial in hand-feel, providing a more DSLR-like grip and better stability with its large zoom lens.

This size difference influences comfort and ease of control. Casio’s pocket-sized design is perfect if you value stealth and lightweight gear - slipping into a jacket pocket is a cinch. Fujifilm, conversely, feels more deliberate and professional to grip, with a prominent thumb rest and large zoom ring benefiting telephoto-focused shooting. If you’re planning extended outdoor shoots or wildlife photography, the Fujifilm’s bulk may actually be an advantage by reducing hand fatigue.

On the Outside: Button Layout and Control

The control layout on these cameras is another testament to their intended users. Casio’s EX-ZR400 follows a minimalist “point-and-shoot” ethos with a limited but effective set of buttons, no external viewfinder, and a fixed LCD. Its 3-inch, 461k-dot “Super Clear” TFT LCD is bright and easy to read but can struggle in very bright sunlight.

Fujifilm’s HS35EXR, by contrast, is shaped like a classic DSLR and features a 3-inch 460k-dot tilting LCD, coupled with a 100% coverage electronic viewfinder (EVF). The inclusion of an EVF is a major benefit for outdoor photographers and anyone who prefers shooting with their eye to the camera for stability and better framing.

The Fujifilm body gives you direct access to exposure compensation, ISO controls, and various shooting modes via dedicated dials and buttons - a boon for enthusiasts accustomed to manual override. Casio’s simpler interface leans more on menu navigation, which might frustrate seasoned shooters but simplified modes surely appeal to casual users or first-timers.

In my tests, the Fujifilm’s tilting screen also shines for tricky angles, whether shooting macro on the ground or capturing landscapes off-center. Casio’s fixed screen feels rigid and less versatile but adequate for casual snapshots.

Digging Into the Sensor and Image Quality

Both models sport 16MP resolution on small 1/2.3-inch sensors, but with subtle differences in sensor technology and dimensions: Casio’s 6.17 x 4.55 mm BSI-CMOS versus Fujifilm’s slightly larger 6.4 x 4.8 mm EXRCMOS sensor. This difference, though minor on paper, manifests in image quality nuances under varied lighting.

Casio’s sensor benefits from Backside Illumination (BSI) technology that generally helps in low light by improving quantum efficiency. Fujifilm’s EXR CMOS sensor, meanwhile, implements their proprietary EXR color filter array designed to optimize dynamic range and noise performance through pixel binning modes (though this technology’s full strength is somewhat muted on this model).

In practical shooting, the Fujifilm produces marginally cleaner images at higher ISO values (especially after ISO 800), with better shadow detail retention and smoother tonal gradations in highlights and skin tones. Casio’s images tend to show more noise and earlier smoothing at ISO 800 and above.

For portrait photography, I noticed Fujifilm’s color rendition favors warm tones and flattering skin colors, supported by its face detection autofocus - a feature Casio lacks. Casio, however, achieves respectable bokeh at wide apertures thanks to its 24-300mm lens, although subject isolation is limited by sensor size more than lens speed.

Lens Versatility: Zoom Range and Aperture

Zoom range perhaps is the defining aspect for these superzoom cameras. Casio EX-ZR400 offers a 24-300mm equivalent focal length - a sweet spot for general photography, including wide-angle landscapes and moderate telephoto portraits. Fujifilm HS35EXR stretches further with a massive 24-720mm zoom, tripling the reach.

Casio EX ZR400 front Casio EX ZR400 screen back Fujifilm HS35EXR front Fujifilm HS35EXR screen back

Fujifilm’s extended reach shines in wildlife and sports situations, letting you frame distant subjects without changing lenses (which, after all, you can’t). Aperture-wise, Fujifilm starts wider at f/2.8 at the wide end versus Casio’s f/3.0, which may help in low-light scenarios or creating shallower depth of field.

However, the trade-off is that Fujifilm’s lens tends to be bulkier and heavier, and telephoto sharpness moderately softens at maximum zoom, a common compromise on superzooms.

For macro enthusiasts, both cameras deliver impressive close-focus capabilities down to approximately 1cm - enabling striking close-ups without additional gear.

Autofocus Systems and Burst Shooting: Speed and Accuracy

Autofocus performance in everyday shooting can make all the difference, especially in fast-moving scenes. Casio’s autofocus relies on contrast detection with multi-area capability but lacks continuous AF support and face detection. In my tests photographing pets and children indoors, I found the autofocus sometimes a little hesitant with slower acquisition and occasional hunting, making fast burst sequences tricky.

Fujifilm adds continuous autofocus and a dedicated face detection system, helpful for keeping pace with moving subjects. It also includes center-weighted and multi-area AF modes, lending flexibility across shooting conditions.

In sports or wildlife bursts, Fujifilm’s 11fps continuous shooting mode, paired with continuous AF, gives a distinct advantage over Casio’s impressive but uncontrolled 30fps burst (which is a fixed focus mode more suited to quick point-and-shoot situations).

Video Capabilities: Full HD and Frame Rates

Both models offer full HD 1080p video capture at 30fps, but with different codecs and frame rates for slow motion. Casio’s EX-ZR400 impresses with an extensive slow-motion range, capturing up to 1000fps at low resolution for ultra slow-motion clips - a niche feature entertaining for experimenters but less practical for everyday video.

Fujifilm HS35EXR provides more standard MPEG-4 and H.264 video capture, with smooth full HD and robust exposure control during recording. Neither camera has microphone or headphone ports - limiting audio input options - so video enthusiasts might find both lacking in professional usability.

Build Quality and Environmental Resistance

Neither camera offers weather sealing, dustproofing, or shockproof features - expected at their price point and sensor class. Construction is mostly plastic but well assembled in both cases.

The Fujifilm’s larger body feels more rugged and balanced for handheld shooting across extended sessions, while Casio is more delicate, better suited to casual or travel use where lightness is paramount.

Battery Life and Storage Solutions

Battery life favors Fuji slightly with an approximate 600-shot rating versus Casio’s 500 shots. While neither boasts a memory card slot beyond SD/SDHC/SDXC support, both cameras use proprietary batteries (NP-130 for Casio, NP-W126 for Fujifilm), requiring either a spare battery or on-the-go charging to avoid downtime.

Connectivity and Interface

Casio impresses with built-in Eye-Fi connectivity for seamless wireless photo transfers, a neat feature for quick sharing. Unfortunately, neither camera supports Bluetooth or NFC, and both rely on USB 2.0 and HDMI outputs for wired image transfer or playback.

User interface-wise, Casio’s non-touch fixed LCD is simple but functional, while Fujifilm’s tilting LCD and EVF combo give more versatility across shooting styles.

How Do They Perform in Different Photography Genres?

To bring it all together, I broke down their performance in various genres using familiar real-world shoots and lab tests.

Portrait Photography

Fujifilm HS35EXR shines with face detection AF, warmer color science, and better dynamic range, yielding more flattering skin tones and sharper eyes. Casio is adequate for casual portraits but lacks the finesse and subject tracking features.

Landscape Photography

Casio’s wide-angle and light weight make it more travel-friendly for landscapes, but Fujifilm’s EXR sensor and tilting screen give it an edge in dynamic range and framing flexibility. The Fujifilm’s higher max shutter speed (1/4000s) also helps hand-held daylight shots with wider apertures.

Wildlife and Sports

Fujifilm’s longer zoom and continuous AF with decent burst performance clearly dominate here. Casio’s compactness is less advantageous when reaching distant, fast targets.

Street Photography

Casio’s portable design wins for discretion and quick candid shots. Fujifilm’s bulk can be intrusive depending on your style, though the EVF aids in composition.

Macro Photography

Both provide strong close-focusing down to 1cm with sensor-shift stabilization, but Fujifilm’s tilting screen eases challenging low-angle shots.

Night and Astrophotography

Neither is ideal, but Fujifilm’s better noise handling beyond ISO 800 and longer max exposure (30s) offer modest advantages.

Video Use

Casio’s impressive high frame rate slow motion stands out for creative projects, but Fujifilm’s more conventional codecs and full HD output deliver more consistently smooth footage.

Travel and Everyday Use

Casio’s compactness, lightweight design, and wireless sharing fit casual travelers. Fujifilm appeals to enthusiasts wanting more manual control and zoom reach but willing to carry extra bulk.

Overall Performance and Scores

Here I collate my technical measurements and real-world testing into summarized ratings (considering image quality, autofocus, build, usability, video, and value).

The Fujifilm HS35EXR edges out as the more serious camera for hybrid shooters prioritizing zoom reach and control, with scores boosted by its superior AF system and macro handling. Casio’s EX-ZR400 ranks as a balanced travel compact offering convenience and decent image quality given its size and price bracket.

Wrapping Up: Which One Should You Buy?

Choosing between the Casio EX-ZR400 and Fujifilm HS35EXR comes down largely to your priorities:

• If you want a pocketable, lightweight camera for travel, street, and casual shooting with a versatile zoom and friendly interface, Casio EX-ZR400 delivers. It’s a reliable point-and-shoot with some manual modes and clever slow-motion video. Just don’t expect high ISO mastery or rapid action capture.

• If you value maximum zoom reach, improved autofocus, manual controls, and a viewfinder for more serious photography or wildlife shooting, Fujifilm HS35EXR is well worth the bulk and price premium. Its superior versatility and image quality nuances become clearer across demanding scenarios.

Both cameras cater to different enthusiast archetypes but share a commitment to packing superzoom practicality into relatively compact footprints (relatively, that is). Prices have softened over time, making either a worthy option for budget-conscious shooters exploring superzoom compacts in 2024.

Final Notes from My Lab and Field Testing

I approached these cameras using standard evaluation protocols: controlled lab tests for ISO performance, dynamic range mapping, and burst timing; field tests across multiple disciplines (portraits under mixed lighting, landscapes at golden hour, wildlife tracking, urban street shoots) to assess autofocus reliability, ergonomics, and image aesthetics. I also compared file outputs side-by-side under identical settings to isolate sensor and processor performance.

Neither camera replaces an APS-C or full-frame interchangeable lens model but for photographers seeking an all-in-one zoom solution with manual override, they remain interesting niche players, especially given their unique feature sets like Casio’s ultra high-speed shooting and Fujifilm’s EVF and tilting touchscreen.

Dear manufacturers: showing us more refined focus tracking and sensor improvements in future iterations would truly elevate these superzoom compacts from fun gadgets to indispensable everyday tools.

I hope this comparison guides you closer to your ideal camera choice - whichever side of the superzoom fence you land on! Feel free to share your experiences or questions, I’m always keen to talk shop.

Happy shooting!