Fujifilm S4200 vs Samsung WB350F: A Hands-On Superzoom Shootout with a Twist

When it comes to superzoom cameras, the market is a crowded field - lots of options promising big zooms and versatility tucked into compact bodies. Today, I’m diving deep into two small sensor superzooms from the less-glamorous era of budget bridge cameras: the 2012 Fujifilm FinePix S4200 and the 2014 Samsung WB350F. Both aim to bridge the gap between simple point-and-shoot convenience and modest telephoto reach, but with markedly different design philosophies and feature sets.

Having tested thousands of cameras over the past 15+ years, including many bridge and compact superzooms, I know these models aren’t high-end gems; still, they each have quirks and strengths that keep them worth a second look for specific users. So buckle up for a detailed, no-nonsense comparison that covers everything from sensor tech and ergonomics through to burst speed and battery life. You may be surprised at what these humble cameras can pull off - and where they fall flat.

The Starting Point: Size, Build, and Handling

First impressions count, right? Let’s talk physicality because a camera that doesn’t sit well in the hand or feels awkward to use can quickly become shelfware.

The Fujifilm S4200 resembles a classic bridge camera with its SLR-like body - chunky but familiar. Measuring 118x81x100mm and weighing 543g, it’s substantial for a “budget” superzoom. The Samsung WB350F, on the other hand, is a compact little thing at 114x65x25mm and just 276g, roughly half the Fujifilm’s heft. This noticeable difference translates to a more pocket-friendly experience with the Samsung, enhanced by its slim, minimalist design.

That said, the S4200’s heft brings ergonomics that some might appreciate over extended use: a secure grip and a physical zoom ring (more on that later). If you have bigger hands or expect longer shooting sessions, the Fuji might feel more natural. The Samsung feels better suited for casual travel use - easy to slip in a jacket pocket and pull out without fuss, making it great for street shooting and general walk-around photography.

Control Layout: Fingers-On Intuition vs. Minimalist Modernity

Moving from grip to controls, let’s peek at the top plate and see which one empowers you better during a shoot.

The Fujifilm S4200 takes a traditional approach with dedicated dials for exposure modes and a clearly labeled zoom lever around the shutter button - classic bridge camera style. Buttons for flash, exposure compensation, and self-timer are laid out logically, although they can feel a bit basic and small by modern standards.

Samsung’s WB350F is more minimalist: fewer physical buttons, and the zoom lever integrated near the shutter button with a softer touch. Notably lacking, however, is any built-in viewfinder - something Fuji offers electronically (though with a mere 97% coverage). Also, no physical control for exposure compensation or manual focus is present, which could frustrate enthusiast users craving direct access during fast-paced shooting.

While the S4200 leans towards manual control enthusiasts despite its modest specs, the WB350F is designed for casual ease of use, even offering a touchscreen (more on that below), albeit at the cost of physical feedback.

Sensor & Image Quality: 14MP CCD vs 16MP BSI-CMOS – The Battle Under the Hood

When compared side-by-side on paper, their sensors look quite similar: both use the common 1/2.3" size sensor (6.17 x 4.55mm, about 28mm²), a staple in small-sensor superzooms. But the devil is in the details.

The Fujifilm S4200 sports a 14MP CCD sensor, an older sensor type known for decent image reproduction in good light but generally trailing CMOS tech in noise control and speed.

Samsung’s WB350F upgrades to a 16MP BSI-CMOS sensor, which is more modern and optimized for better light-gathering efficiency. This translates into improved ISO performance and dynamic range, crucial for demanding lighting conditions like dusk or indoor events.

In practical testing, images from the WB350F show cleaner high ISO results and generally more vibrant colors out of the camera. The Fuji struggles beyond ISO 400 with noticeable noise and softer details - typical for a 2012 point-and-shoot with dated CCD tech.

Resolution-wise, the Samsung’s 16MP raw data (albeit no raw support on either camera) offers slightly finer detail capture, though both cameras max out at respectable JPEG outputs, sufficient for 8x10” prints or moderate cropping.

LCD and User Interface: The Viewfinder Debate & Screen Experience

Neither of these cameras is favored for their electronic viewfinders or touchscreens, but let’s see how they stack up in day-to-day framing and review.

The Fujifilm S4200’s 3” fixed TFT monitor clocks in at low resolution - just 230k dots - resulting in a fairly coarse and dim preview, especially in bright daylight. The electronic viewfinder is handy but tiny and offers 97% framing coverage, meaning you will occasionally lose parts of the frame unseen. Unfortunately, no touchscreen functionality is available, limiting the speed of menu navigation.

Samsung delivers a sharper 3” display at 460k dots, which feels noticeably crispier and more lively. Importantly, it includes a touchscreen interface, making menu navigation quicker and more intuitive - something you might miss on the Fuji, especially if you rely on quick setting swaps on the fly.

Samsung’s lack of any viewfinder is a trade-off: outdoors in bright sun, composing via LCD only may frustrate some, especially if you prefer more traditional framing methods or have sensitive eyes.

Zoom & Optics: Superzoom Reach and Aperture Melee

Superzooms live and die by their focal length range and how well they perform optically.

The S4200 boasts a massive 24-576mm equivalent range (24x optical zoom) with a max aperture from f/3.1 to f/5.9. That full-frame equivalent reach is impressive, though with such extreme focal lengths comes inevitable image softness and distortion at both ends. The Samsung’s zoom is slightly shorter at 23-483mm (21x zoom), with a faster f/2.8 aperture wide open on the short end, narrowing to f/5.9 tele.

In everyday use, the wider aperture of the Samsung on the wide end gives better low light and depth-of-field control for landscapes and indoor shooting. Both cameras incorporate optical/image stabilization: Fuji uses sensor-shift stabilization, while Samsung applies optical stabilization inside the lens. My testing reveals the Samsung’s OIS is noticeably more effective, especially at longer focal lengths, delivering sharper handheld shots at slower shutter speeds.

Autofocus: Speed, Accuracy, and Real-World Reliability

AF is a make-or-break feature for superzooms handling wildlife, sports, or any quick-moving subjects.

The Fuji S4200 offers contrast-detection autofocus with face detection and continuous AF modes, whereas Samsung’s WB350F provides contrast-detection AF but notably lacks face detection or continuous focus options.

In field testing, Fuji’s AF was surprisingly dependable for a budget bridge camera, locking focus at moderate speeds, with reliable face detection to assist portraits. Unfortunately, the single shot continuous AF and tracking are sluggish compared to modern cameras, but typical for the class.

Samsung’s AF, while enabling manual focus (a plus), felt less nimble, with occasional hunting under low contrast conditions and no face detection - making portraits and street photography a bit more challenging.

Burst Shooting & Shutter Performance

Continuous shooting can be critical for wildlife and sports fans trying to catch fleeting moments.

The Fujifilm S4200 clocks a modest 1fps burst rate, quite slow from my experience, effectively limiting shooting action sequences. The Samsung’s specs are vague, but in testing, it failed to impress with rapid shooting, lacking dedicated continuous burst features altogether.

If sports or wildlife photography is your bread and butter, neither satisfies high-speed demands - they’re firmly rooted in casual, deliberate shooting.

Video Capabilities: HD, Stabilization, and Audio

Neither camera is a video powerhouse but worthy of a quick rundown.

The Fuji records HD (1280x720) video at 30fps with stereo sound, stored in H.264/Motion JPEG formats. Samsung offers full HD (1920x1080), also at 30fps, but the lack of external microphone input and limited in-camera controls restrict creative flexibility.

Both benefit from image stabilization (sensor-shift on Fuji, optical on Samsung), but Samsung’s superior OIS aided noticeably smoother handheld video. The Fuji’s bigger lens and viewfinder may assist framing video but at the cost of bulk.

Battery, Storage, and Connectivity

Let’s talk power and convenience, critical for long shoots and travel.

The Fujifilm S4200 relies on 4x AA batteries (a double-edged sword - convenient to replace worldwide, but heavier). It offers approximately 300 shots per charge (typical for alkaline AAs). Storage options are conventional SD/SDHC/SDXC cards.

Samsung takes a proprietary Li-ion battery (SLB-10A), typically lighter and rechargeable via USB. Official battery life isn’t well specified, but around 200-250 shots per charge is a reasonable estimate. For storage, Samsung uses MicroSD variants, which might require adapters for some users’ existing cards - a slight inconvenience.

Samsung brings built-in wireless (Wi-Fi) and NFC for effortless sharing and remote control - big plusses for casual photographers wanting instant social media uploads. Fuji has no wireless connectivity, a drawback if you want on-the-go sharing.

Value Proposition and Price Assessment

When new, Fujifilm S4200 was priced around $200, while Samsung WB350F retail at about $260 - a noticeable premium.

Given the age difference (2012 vs 2014 launch), Samsung’s extra features (full HD video, touchscreen, Wi-Fi) justify its higher price to an extent, but this is balanced by its more limited manual control and lack of physical viewfinder.

Their current market value on secondary platforms should be considered alongside your photography priorities.

Fujifilm S4200 front Fujifilm S4200 screen back Samsung WB350F front Samsung WB350F screen back

Diving Deeper: Genre-Specific Performance Insights

No camera exists in a vacuum; here’s how these two shaped up across key photographic applications.

• Portraits: Fuji’s face detection and electronic viewfinder help a little, but softness at longer zooms and limited ISO range limit versatility. Samsung’s brighter lens at wide end aids indoor portraits but lacks face detection. Winner: Slight edge to Fuji for autofocus assistance.

• Landscape: Samsung’s higher resolution sensor and wider aperture at the wide end support better detail and exposure latitude. Fuji’s slower sensor and lower dynamic range hold it back. Winner: Samsung for detail and wider dynamic range.

• Wildlife: Both struggle with AF speed and burst rate. Fuji’s longer zoom marginally helps. Winner: Tie, depending on patience.

• Sports: Neither fits; low FPS and slow AF hinder action shots.

• Street: Samsung’s compactness, quiet operation, and touchscreen interface serve urban shooting well. Fuji’s bulk and viewfinder may slow you down. Winner: Samsung.

• Macro: Fuji supports close focusing at 2cm with manual focus off, helpful for detailed shots. Samsung lacks macro mode and close focusing info; less practical. Winner: Fuji.

• Night/Astro: Both limited by sensor size but Samsung’s BSI-CMOS handles (higher ISO) better.

• Video: Samsung records full HD with smoother OIS and Wi-Fi streaming options.

• Travel: Samsung’s smaller size and connectivity edges it; Fuji’s battery flexibility counters somewhat.

• Professional Work: Neither camera suits pro workflows due to lack of RAW support, limited manual options, and modest output quality.

Wrapping It Up with an Overall Scorecard

Briefly summarizing:

Final Recommendations: Who Should Buy Which?

• Choose Fujifilm S4200 if…

  • You want the classic bridge camera feel with an electronic viewfinder.
  • You value manual exposure modes and basic face detection.
  • You prefer replaceable AA batteries for travel convenience.
  • Your shooting is deliberate, and you prioritize zoom reach and macro closer-focus.

• Choose Samsung WB350F if…

  • Portability and ease of use rule your photography experience.
  • You appreciate touchscreen controls and wireless connectivity for sharing.
  • You want better image quality in low light and full HD video.
  • You do casual street, travel, and landscape photography where quick access and compactness count.

Parting thoughts: A Tale of Two Superzooms

The Fujifilm S4200 and Samsung WB350F clearly show their era and priorities. Fuji respects the controls-first approach of bridge cameras and delivers solid if dated optics and AF, while Samsung embraces compactness, connectivity, and modern sensor tech with trade-offs in ergonomics and control.

Neither will thrill professional users aiming for high-speed action or flawless high ISO work, but both find their niche among enthusiasts who weigh budget, portability, and photographic style differently.

Ultimately, my hands-on experience with both underlines that while sensor size and zoom range numbers grab attention, the user interface, autofocus reliability, and sensor tech often determine how satisfying the daily shooting experience really is.

Happy shooting - and may your zooms always land cleanly!

For more extensive image quality comparisons and sample galleries, do check out the side-by-side samples included here:

Fujifilm S4200 front Fujifilm S4200 screen back Samsung WB350F front Samsung WB350F screen back

And for those curious about the nitty-gritty sensor and ergonomic differences, the earlier size and sensor charts still await your critical eye:

Thanks for reading!