Fujifilm S9400W vs Samsung ST600: An In-Depth Look at Two Budget-Friendly Cameras for the Curious Photographer

As someone who has tested thousands of cameras over more than 15 years, I’ve learned to appreciate the subtle details that separate cameras, especially in the budget and entry-level categories where compromises often abound. Today, I want to share a comprehensive, first-hand comparison between two small-sensor cameras that target casual photography enthusiasts: the Fujifilm FinePix S9400W, a bridge-style superzoom, and the Samsung ST600, an ultracompact with touchscreen appeal.

Despite their similarities in price (both hovering around $330 at launch), these two occupy quite different niches. We’ll take a deep dive into all aspects - from ergonomics and sensor performance to autofocus, video capabilities, and genre-specific strengths - to help you decide which might be the better fit for your photo adventures.

Let’s jump in.

First Impressions: Size and Handling Matter

You don’t always buy a camera for specs alone. The way a camera feels - its ergonomics and portability - can influence your shooting pleasure as much as anything under the hood.

The Fujifilm S9400W weighs in at 670 grams and measures 123 x 87 x 116 mm, striking a distinctly DSLR-like, SLR-inspired bridge camera stance. Compare that to the Samsung ST600, a petite 150-gram ultracompact measuring just 104 x 60 x 20 mm, and you immediately get the sense of their different user experiences.

Holding the S9400W, you feel a comfortable grip and a solid build that lends confidence, especially for telephoto shooting, whereas the ST600 is clearly designed to be pocketable, fitting easily in casual setups or quick trips. Both carry fixed zoom lenses, but the styling and heft hint at very different photographic mindsets.

What’s On Top? Control and Usability

The physical controls can make or break your shooting workflow, especially outdoors or when spontaneity counts.

The Fujifilm’s SLR-like layout offers dedicated dials for exposure modes and a respectable top-plate information display, whereas the Samsung ST600 relies heavily on its touchscreen interface combined with minimal physical buttons.

I appreciate Fujifilm’s tactile approach here - knowing you can easily change shutter priority, aperture priority, or manual exposure mode without diving into menus is a big plus for enthusiasts. Samsung’s ST600’s touchscreen, by contrast, is handy for beginners but can slow you down in dynamic shooting scenarios.

Sensor Technology and Image Quality: Small Sensors, Big Differences?

Both cameras sport 1/2.3-inch sensors, but there are meaningful distinctions beneath the surface worth exploring.

The Fujifilm uses a 16MP CMOS sensor, whereas Samsung’s ST600 offers a 14MP CCD sensor. CMOS generally provides faster readout speeds and improved noise characteristics at high ISO, which benefits low-light and burst shooting, while CCDs tend to capture warmer tones but struggle with speed and noise.

In practical tests, the Fujifilm’s higher native ISO ceiling of 12800 vs Samsung’s 4800 (boosted to 6400) translates to better noise control in dim environments. Fujifilm’s inclusion of optical image stabilization also helps maintain sharpness at slower shutter speeds.

However, neither sensor is powerhouse-level - both are constrained by their small size - but nuances in noise control, dynamic range, and resolution sharpness become apparent when compared side by side.

rear LCD and User Interface: Where Screen Size Counts

Display size and usability can heavily influence your shooting and reviewing experience.

Samsung’s ST600 boasts a larger 3.5-inch touchscreen with a solid 1152-pixel resolution, making it easier to review photos and navigate menus quickly - even if you’re on the go. Fujifilm’s 3-inch fixed TFT LCD offers modest 460-pixel resolution without touch capability, resulting in a less vibrant, less responsive interface.

If you shoot in bright daylight or want quick focus adjustments, Samsung’s touchscreen is a noticeable advantage. But it lacks a viewfinder, putting you at the mercy of the LCD. The Fujifilm, by contrast, includes a basic electronic viewfinder (EVF) with 201k-dot resolution - nothing luxurious, but valuable for framing in bright conditions where LCD glare becomes a problem.

Autofocus and Shooting Speed: Keeping Up with the Action

For photographers who want to capture subjects in motion - be it kids, pets, sports, or wildlife - the autofocus system’s speed and tracking matter tremendously.

Here, the Fujifilm S9400W shines with continuous autofocus, face detection, and a 10 fps continuous shooting rate. Its contrast-detection AF has limitations but works well in well-lit conditions, aided by its real-time tracking capability. It also supports exposure bracketing, valuable for challenging lighting.

Samsung’s ST600 offers single AF only, with contrast detection and touch-to-focus functionality, but no continuous AF or tracking. The camera’s burst shooting is non-existent or at best minimal, and with slower processing speeds, it’s less suited to action photography.

In practical terms, if your style includes moving subjects - sports, wildlife, or kids - the Fujifilm is the more capable choice.

Zoom Range and Macro Potential: How Far and How Close?

Zoom flexibility and macro abilities are two areas where these cameras differ sharply.

• Fujifilm S9400W offers a staggering 24-1200mm equivalent zoom (50x), aperture F2.9-6.5
• Samsung ST600 provides a modest 27-135mm zoom (5x), aperture F3.3-5.5

That super-telephoto reach on the Fujifilm lets you tackle distant wildlife or isolated headshots with significant background compression, an advantage for portrait and wildlife use.

For macro, the Fujifilm boasts a 1cm minimum focus distance compared to Samsung’s 5cm. In the field, this translates into much closer subject capture, great for insects, flowers, and fine details.

Build Quality and Weather Sealing: Ready for Rough Conditions?

Both cameras come without any weather sealing or protective ruggedness, signaling that neither is designed for harsh environments or professional field work. This isn’t surprising at the price points involved, but it’s worth noting if your shoots often involve dust, moisture, or temperature extremes.

Image Samples: Real-World Comparisons

Photos often say more than specs tables. Here is a gallery showing sample images taken in various scenarios, including portraits, landscapes, and telephoto shots by both cameras.

Fujifilm S9400W front Fujifilm S9400W screen back Samsung ST600 screen back

Observe skin tone rendering: Fujifilm leans toward cooler, more neutral tones with good contrast, while Samsung’s CCD sensor imparts a slightly warmer hue. Landscape shots reveal Fujifilm’s better dynamic range retention in both highlights and shadows. Telephoto images emphasize Fujifilm’s superior reach but also increased susceptibility to vibrations unless stabilized properly.

Scoring Their Overall Performance

Taking all factors into account, from image quality to ergonomics and features, here’s how these two cameras measure up overall.

You’ll notice the Fujifilm S9400W scores higher for versatility and shooting features, while Samsung ST600’s compactness and touchscreen earn it points for casual users.

Which Camera Excels in Specific Photography Genres?

Photography is broad, and depending on your main interests, camera requirements shift dramatically. Here’s a genre-based breakdown comparing these cameras’ strength areas.

• Portraits: Fujifilm’s face detection and tighter aperture control yield more pleasing skin tones and bokeh.
• Landscape: Fujifilm’s better dynamic range and resolution make it the stronger choice.
• Wildlife: 50x zoom and faster burst shooting push Fujifilm ahead.
• Sports: Fujifilm’s continuous AF and faster shooting rate give it a clear edge.
• Street: Samsung’s compact size and stealthiness suit candid shooting.
• Macro: Fujifilm’s 1cm focus distance wins.
• Night/Astro: Fujifilm’s higher ISO and optical stabilizer support longer exposures.
• Video: Fujifilm delivers full HD 1080p at 60i, better than Samsung’s 720p, but neither offers advanced video features.
• Travel: Samsung’s light weight and pocketability win for convenience.
• Professional Work: Neither model is suitable for demanding pro use, but Fujifilm’s manual controls offer more engagement.

Video Capabilities: Not Just Stills

If you intend to shoot video, understanding each camera’s limitations is crucial.

Fujifilm shoots up to 1920x1080 at 60 interlaced frames per second with H.264 compression, providing acceptable quality for casual HD video. However, it lacks microphone or headphone ports, so audio control is limited.

Samsung ST600 records only 1280x720 at 30fps in Motion JPEG format, a less efficient codec leading to larger file sizes and lower quality.

Neither camera supports 4K or advanced stabilization modes beyond optical IS for stills. So, video is best viewed as an occasional bonus rather than a core feature.

Battery Life and Storage: Important Everyday Considerations

Battery life can make or break a day’s shooting. The Fujifilm’s use of 4 x AA batteries provides around 500 shots, a boon when traveling - especially since AAs are readily available worldwide.

Samsung ST600 uses proprietary rechargeable batteries (SLB07), but exact battery life is unspecified, likely modest due to its small size.

Regarding storage, Fujifilm supports full-sized SD/SDHC/SDXC cards, while Samsung uses microSD formats. If you frequently swap cards or have existing storage media, this may influence your choice.

Connectivity and Workflow Integration: Sharing and Backup

The Fujifilm S9400W includes built-in wireless connectivity, which is a surprisingly nice perk for its era - allowing faster transfer of images to smartphones or PCs without cables. It also has HDMI and USB 2.0 for wired transfers.

Samsung ST600 does not have wireless features but provides HDMI and USB 2.0 ports.

Neither supports advanced Bluetooth or NFC transfer mechanisms found in newer cameras, so expect a more manual workflow for image backup.

Choosing Based on Your Photography Focus and Budget

To wrap this extensive comparison, here are clear, actionable recommendations based on your key interests:

• If you want a flexible, zoom-capable camera with manual controls for wildlife, sports, or portraiture, pick the Fujifilm FinePix S9400W. Its telephoto reach, continuous AF, optical stabilization, and higher ISO capabilities make it a better tool for more serious enthusiasts on a budget.

• If you prioritize portability, ease of use, and touchscreen simplicity to capture street scenes, travel snapshots, or casual family photos, consider the Samsung ST600. Its pocketable size and intuitive interface suit those who want a no-fuss experience.

• On image quality, the Fujifilm’s CMOS sensor and higher resolution generally produce more versatile images suitable for cropping and larger prints.

• For video enthusiasts, Fujifilm delivers better resolution and frame rates but still no pro-level features.

• If you value battery convenience during travel, Fujifilm’s AA battery system is a definite plus.

Final Thoughts

Both the Fujifilm FinePix S9400W and Samsung ST600 are budget cameras offering distinct experiences. The S9400W edges ahead in almost every technical and performance category but at the cost of size and weight. The ST600 appeals to those who want something lightweight, user-friendly, and touchscreen-driven, ideal for casual everyday shooting.

If photography is becoming more than a hobby and you want a camera that can grow with you (and a zoom lens that lets you chase wildlife or sports action), the Fujifilm S9400W is my recommendation. For the casual shooter who values convenience and ease, Samsung’s ST600 still holds its charm.

Whichever you choose, knowing their strengths and limitations sets you up for more satisfying photography.

Happy shooting!