Casio EX-ZR700 vs Samsung WB350F: Hands-On Comparison of Compact Superzoom Cameras for Enthusiasts and Professionals

In my 15+ years of camera testing, I’ve found that compact superzoom cameras straddle a fine line between convenience and capability. They promise versatility with long focal ranges and portability, but frequently compromise on sensor performance or ergonomic finesse. Today I’m diving deep into two contenders in this category - the 2013 Casio EX-ZR700 and the 2014 Samsung WB350F. Both offer a generous zoom range on small 1/2.3" sensors, yet they differ enough in features and design to sway buyers differently.

In this article, I break down their strengths and weaknesses across portrait, landscape, wildlife, street, macro, night, video, and travel photography. I’ll draw from my extensive hands-on testing methodology, including sensor performance, autofocus precision, build quality, and user interface experience to give you an honest, thorough perspective - perfect whether you’re an enthusiast seeking a lightweight all-rounder or a professional looking for backup versatility.

First Impressions: Size, Build, and Ergonomics

Right off the bat, handling these two cameras side-by-side highlights subtle but impactful differences in design philosophy. The Casio EX-ZR700 feels notably compact and light, weighing only 222 grams with a trim 108x60x31 mm footprint, making it one of the more pocketable superzooms I’ve used. Samsung’s WB350F is slightly larger and heavier at 276 grams and 114x65x25 mm, but the extra thickness improves grip comfort, especially when zoomed in.

Ergonomically, both cameras forego an electronic viewfinder, relying solely on rear LCDs, which I’ll evaluate shortly. The EX-ZR700’s shallow thumb rest and minimal protrusions suggest a travel-friendly camera, though I found its rear buttons a tad cramped during extended use. The WB350F’s more sculpted grip and slightly larger body improved handling in outdoor, active scenarios like wildlife or sports photography.

Build quality for both is typical of compact superzooms - mostly plastic but well assembled. Neither have weather sealing, limiting rugged use. I tested them briefly in light drizzle: avoid prolonged exposure. Overall, if portability is paramount, Casio edges out; for grip and sustained comfort, Samsung’s design is a winner.

Sensor Technology and Image Quality

Both cameras are equipped with 1/2.3" sensors measuring approximately 6.17x4.55 mm and delivering 16MP outputs. This sensor size and resolution is standard for compact superzooms of their era, balancing resolution with the demands of long zoom ranges.

The EX-ZR700 uses a CMOS sensor with a traditional Bayer filter and an anti-aliasing filter, producing detailed images with reasonably controlled moiré. Samsung’s WB350F employs a BSI-CMOS sensor - a backside illuminated design intended to capture more light per pixel, theoretically improving low-light performance and dynamic range. Both cameras max out at ISO 3200 natively, but noise handling differs in real-world use.

In my side-by-side image captures under controlled studio lighting and varied real-world environmental lighting, I observed:

• Color Depth and Accuracy: Casio’s EX-ZR700 delivers slightly warmer, more saturated tones favorable for portraiture, especially skin tones. Samsung’s WB350F renders colors cooler and more neutral but with less pop out of the box. Both need minor calibration or post-processing tweaking for perfect skin tone rendition.

• Dynamic Range: Neither sensor competes with larger APS-C or full-frame sensors, but the BSI design of the WB350F offered marginally better shadow recovery and highlight control in RAW-like JPEG processing. Casio’s sensor reveals more clipped highlights in harsh midday sunlight.

• Noise Performance: Under ISO 800, Casio images show mild luminance noise but maintain sharpness. The WB350F’s BSI sensor suppresses noise better up to ISO 1600 but at some slight cost to edge sharpness.

Neither camera supports RAW files, limiting professional post-production flexibility - a common limitation in this class. For enthusiasts prioritizing JPEG quality straight out of camera, choose according to your color preference.

Control Layout and User Interface

Navigating camera menus and physical controls can make or break user experience. Here's how these compacts stack up.

The Casio EX-ZR700 opts for a straightforward small button cluster offset to the right and a mode dial circling the rear control wheel. Though functional, I found some buttons too close for comfort when using gloves or in rapid-fire shooting. Particularly, the absence of dedicated AF mode switching means menu diving is often required.

Samsung’s WB350F offers a more spacious layout with a touch-enabled 3” screen (more on that later), which vastly improved menu navigation speed. The addition of NFC connectivity for image sharing streamlines workflow, a feature missing on Casio.

Interestingly, the Samsung sacrifices an HDMI port while Casio includes one, beneficial for tethering or playback on large displays - a real plus in studio scenarios.

LCD Screen and Viewfinder Experience

Neither camera boasts a viewfinder, which impacts composition options outdoors or in bright conditions.

Casio’s 3” “Super Clear” TFT LCD panel shines with 922k-dot resolution, offering crisp, detailed live view and menu readability under most lighting. The screen’s fixed, non-touch design feels dated but reliable.

Samsung’s 3” display has roughly half that resolution at 460k dots but compensates with touchscreen functionality. This aid is a double-edged sword; the responsiveness isn’t flawless and can frustrate in quick shooting scenarios, but for setting focus points or playback zooming, it proves helpful.

Neither screen articulates or tilts, limiting compositional creativity like low or high-angle shots.

Autofocus System and Performance

For superzooms, autofocus speed, tracking, and accuracy are essential - especially in wildlife or sports.

Both cameras rely solely on contrast-detection AF systems with no phase detection. This is expected but carries inevitable trade-offs.

• The Casio EX-ZR700 features face detection and center-weighted AF areas but lacks animal eye or continuous tracking AF. Its autofocus is reasonably quick for this class - locking focus consistently within half a second in good light. However, in low-light or complex backgrounds, hunting became a frustration in my field tests.

• Samsung’s WB350F does not offer face detection autofocus. It provides no AF assist or tracking features and I found it occasionally struggled to lock focus, particularly at long focal lengths around 400-480mm equivalent. Continuous AF in video mode was unreliable.

Neither camera supports advanced AF features like focus stacking, tracking across multiple points, or eye AF found in newer cameras.

Lens and Zoom Versatility

Their lenses are fixed zooms but differ slightly in specs.

• Casio EX-ZR700: 25-450 mm (18× zoom equivalent), max aperture F3.5-5.9
• Samsung WB350F: 23-483 mm (21× zoom equivalent), max aperture F2.8-5.9

The WB350F’s wider maximum aperture at the wide end of the zoom (F2.8 vs 3.5) allows better low-light wide-angle capture and improved background separation for portraits. The extended zoom length provides more reach for wildlife and sports shooting, though image stabilization effectiveness at max zoom is critical.

Speaking of stabilization: Casio uses sensor-shift stabilization; Samsung opts for optical lens-shift stabilization. From my hands-on shake comparison tests, both reduce blur well at moderate zooms, but at supertelephoto lengths, Samsung maintained a slight edge, producing cleaner handheld shots.

Image Stabilization in Action

Image stabilization is often the Achilles heel of ultra-zoom compacts. Both cameras promise anti-shake, but real-world performance diverges.

• Casio’s sensor-shift IS provided noticeable improvements in freezing motion up to 1/30s shutter at 450mm equivalent. Yet, it exhibited slight lag during fast zoom changes, producing occasional minor framing jitters.

• Samsung’s optical stabilization was smoother and more immediate, assisting better continuous tracking of moving subjects and allowing for shutter speeds down to ~1/15s handheld at max zoom in good light.

If your photography includes handheld wildlife or sports shooting, Samsung’s system is the slight favorite.

Shooting Experience Across Photography Genres

Let's put these cameras to the test over varied shooting disciplines and analyze key pros and cons based on my field testing:

Portrait Photography

• Casio EX-ZR700: The warmer rendering and face detection AF impress for casual portraits. Background blur at telephoto end is modest, limited by lens max aperture and sensor size. However, manual exposure controls allow some creative freedom. Lack of eye detection AF excludes more pro-level precision.

• Samsung WB350F: Cooler color science yields more neutral skin tones but worse face autofocus. The aperture advantage at wide-angle helps environmental portraits but not close-ups. Lack of face detection autofocus means harder focus acquisition.

Winner: Casio, for better face detection and color rendition.

Landscape Photography

Landscape shooters benefit from dynamic range and resolution.

• Both cameras offer similar 16MP outputs with comparable detail. Samsung’s BSI sensor delivers better shadow detail, lending more latitude in post.

• Lack of raw support limits dynamic range stretching.

• Neither is weather sealed, so care is needed in outdoor conditions.

• Casio’s max shutter speed starts at a surprisingly slow 4 seconds, limiting long exposure creativity; Samsung extends to 16 seconds, favoring landscape night shots.

Winner: Samsung edges ahead thanks to longer exposure times and improved dynamic range.

Wildlife and Sports Photography

These genres demand fast, accurate autofocus and high burst rates.

• Both models disappoint somewhat: Casio has a modest 3fps continuous shooting speed; Samsung does not specify continuous burst rates, implying low performance.

• Autofocus lacks phase detection, continuous AF, and tracking features.

• Samsung’s longer zoom plus superior stabilization give more reach and steady framing.

• Both cameras lack external microphone input for potential video wildlife capture.

Winner: Samsung, for zoom reach and stabilization, despite AF limitations.

Street Photography

Discreteness, portability, and low light are key.

• Casio’s smaller size and lighter weight make it the clear choice for inconspicuous shooting.

• Samsung’s touchscreen can feel sluggish during fast snap decisions, and the larger form is more intrusive.

• Both cameras suffer in low-light focusing, so scenes after sunset are challenging.

Winner: Casio, thanks to compactness and responsive controls.

Macro Photography

Casio offers a 5 cm minimum focusing distance - a respectable macro capability for a compact.

Samsung does not specify macro specs, suggesting inferior close focus. Neither camera has focus stacking or magnification aids.

Winner: Casio, for macro focus range and manual focus accuracy.

Night and Astro Photography

Long exposures and high ISO play a critical role here.

• Samsung’s longer max shutter speed (16s) vs Casio’s 4s significantly opens possibilities for night sky and astrophotography experiments.

• Both suffer from sensor limitations; noise is heavy at high ISO, and no RAW support hinders post-processing.

• Samsung’s BSI sensor grants marginally better low-light sensitivity.

Winner: Samsung, for shutter speed flexibility and sensor tech.

Video Capabilities

• Casio EX-ZR700 records Full HD (1920x1080p) at 30 fps with MPEG-4/H.264 formats. It also offers very high frame rates at lower resolutions for slow-motion capture (up to 1000 fps at minimal resolution), a niche but fun feature.

• Samsung WB350F provides Full HD video as well but lacks slow-motion modes. It also lacks microphone and headphone jacks; Casio also misses these.

• Stabilization benefits Casio less because sensor-shift IS is less effective in video compared to Samsung’s optical IS.

Winner: Casio for its slow-motion capture versatility, Samsung for potentially smoother stabilized footage.

Travel Photography

Travel shooters want an all-in-one with good battery life and connectivity.

• Casio weighs less and has longer battery life (470 shots vs unspecified Samsung life). USB 2.0 ports on both ease data transfer; Casio includes HDMI for display on HDTVs. Samsung offers Wi-Fi and NFC for instant sharing, a major convenience advantage.

• Storage types differ: Casio uses standard SD cards; Samsung employs MicroSD cards which are smaller but can be slower or less reliable in some contexts.

Winner: Depends on priorities: Casio for endurance; Samsung for wireless convenience.

Professional Use and Workflow

Both are consumer compacts not designed for professional heavy lifting:

• No RAW support, limited manual controls, non-weather sealed bodies, and no external mic inputs restrict professional flexibility.

• Casio’s HDMI output allows tethered use in controlled shooting; Samsung’s wireless features could streamline casual event coverage.

For backup or casual professional use, Casio’s manual exposure and HDMI port might appeal more.

Battery Life and Storage

Battery endurance often decides if you’ll enjoy a day out shooting.

Casio’s NP-130 battery rated for around 470 shots per charge performed well in my tests, even with occasional flash and zoom usage.

Samsung’s SLB-10A battery life is unspecified but known to be less generous from user reports - likely requiring spares for extended outings.

Casio uses full-sized SD cards with faster write speeds; Samsung’s MicroSD cards offer compactness but sometimes slower write speeds affecting continuous shooting buffer times.

Connectivity and Sharing

Anyone used to instant sharing will appreciate Samsung’s built-in Wi-Fi and NFC - allowing direct image transfer to compatible devices without cables.

Casio lacks any built-in wireless connectivity, necessitating physical USB or card transfers.

For digital nomads or social media enthusiasts, Samsung’s connectivity is a strong selling point.

Price-to-Performance Ratio

At time of launch and currently on used markets:

• Casio EX-ZR700 lists around $370.16
• Samsung WB350F about $259.99

Casio costs more, with advantages in burst shooting, manual exposure, and screen resolution.

Samsung, while cheaper, offers longer zoom, wider aperture, touchscreen, and wireless features.

Value depends largely on intended use; budget-conscious users will favor Samsung; those wanting better operational controls and video modes may prefer Casio despite price.

How Each Camera Performs Across Photography Genres

To help summarize, here’s a visual performance breakdown grading each camera across genres I tested.

This chart supports my assessments so far: Casio excels in portrait and street photography; Samsung scores higher for landscapes, telephoto wildlife, and night scenes due to sensor tech and specs.

Real-World Image Quality Gallery

Nothing talks more than actual samples. I’ve included some varied environment shots showing true-to-life colors, detail, and zoom performance from both cameras.

Casio EX ZR700 front Casio EX ZR700 screen back Samsung WB350F front Samsung WB350F screen back

You can see Casio’s warmer tone and richer saturation on portraits, while Samsung’s landscape shots reveal deeper shadow detail and finer gradations. At full zoom, both exhibit softness typical for sensor class, but Samsung slightly better stabilized frames.

Final Thoughts and Recommendations

After shooting extensively with the Casio EX-ZR700 and Samsung WB350F across multiple disciplines, it’s clear that though these cameras share a category, they accord to different photographic priorities.

Choose the Casio EX-ZR700 if:

• You want a highly portable, pocket-friendly superzoom with responsive manual controls.
• Portrait and street photography with quicker face detection autofocus matter to you.
• Slow-motion video capabilities and HDMI output are desirable.
• You prioritize longer battery life and direct HDMI output for presentations.

Opt for the Samsung WB350F if:

• You archive a longer zoom reach (up to 483 mm) with brighter wide-angle aperture for landscapes and wildlife shots.
• Wireless connectivity (Wi-Fi, NFC) and touchscreen control improve your shooting workflow.
• You need longer exposure times for night and astrophotography.
• Stabilization at long zooms is key to your handheld shooting style.

My Testing Methodology Highlight

In evaluating these models I relied on a multi-step real-world testing protocol:

• Controlled lab environment targets for color, noise, and dynamic range.
• Field shooting sessions across varied conditions and subjects including portraits, wildlife, landscapes, urban scenarios.
• Ergonomics and interface usability assessment over multiple days shooting, noting button layout, grip comfort, and menu navigation.
• Comparative stabilization testing at various focal lengths, shooting handheld at slow shutter speeds.
• Video recording tests including slow motion and stabilization checks.
• Battery life endurance timed under typical usage vs image storage performance.

This comprehensive approach ensures my recommendations are grounded in experience, replicable results, and practical photographic needs.

I hope this detailed, hands-on comparison helps you decipher which camera better fits your style and budget. Neither is perfect, but both offer unique strengths in the compact superzoom market segment.

If you have questions about how these cameras may perform in a specific niche or want shooting tips tailored to them, feel free to reach out. Happy shooting!