Canon EOS M6 Mark II vs Casio Exilim EX-ZS10: A Tough Match Between Advanced Mirrorless and Ultracompact Cameras?

When it comes to choosing a camera, the decision boils down to your photographic needs, the level of control you want, budget, and how portable you want the gear to be. Here, we’re putting head-to-head the Canon EOS M6 Mark II - an advanced mirrorless camera aimed at enthusiasts - and the Casio Exilim EX-ZS10, a budget-friendly ultracompact point-and-shoot. On paper, the Canon is clearly more sophisticated and considerably newer, but understanding what that means in practical, real-world photography scenarios requires deeper analysis.

Having tested thousands of cameras over 15+ years - including both advanced mirrorless and ultracompacts - I will bring a seasoned perspective to this comparison. We’ll cover everything from sensor and image quality to ergonomics, autofocus, and suitability for different photography genres. Whether you’re a portrait shooter, landscape lover, traveler, or casual snapshooter, this guide aims to help you pick the camera that fits your style and budget.

Let’s start by placing the two contenders in context.

First Impressions and Physical Handling: Feel the Difference

One of the first things you notice when switching cameras is how they feel in your hands. Handling influences shooting comfort, speed, control, and ultimately the image you get. The Canon M6 Mark II has a robust, rangefinder-style mirrorless design, while the Casio EX-ZS10 is a small, pocket-friendly ultracompact.

Canon M6 Mark II - Ergonomics Tailored for Enthusiasts

The Canon measures 120 x 70 x 49 mm and weighs 408 grams (body only). Its grip is pronounced enough for one-handed shooting with a stable hold. The button layout clusters essential controls logically, and the tilting touchscreen adds significant flexibility in framing shots from tough angles. The optional electronic viewfinder (sold separately) is also a big plus when shooting in bright conditions.

Casio EX-ZS10 - Ultralight and Pocket Friendly

By contrast, the Casio’s dimensions are 103 x 59 x 20 mm with a much smaller, thinner body. It’s designed to fit easily into a pocket or purse, weighing very little (though exact specs are not listed). There’s no dedicated grip or external dials - a classic ultracompact feature to minimize size. The fixed screen is small and non-touch, and there’s no viewfinder.

For casual snapshots or travel situations where size and weight are critical, Casio wins. But for extended shooting or demanding control, Canon’s design proves clearly superior.

Getting to Know the Controls: Designed to Shoot vs. Designed to Point and Shoot

A glance from above reveals the fundamental difference in shooting philosophy.

Canon M6 Mark II - Dedicated Dials & Customization

With traditional shutter and mode dials, customizable function buttons, and a hot shoe for external flashes, the Canon inspires confidence and offers thorough manual control. Pros can adjust shutter speed, aperture, ISO, and focus modes quickly, which is critical for changing scene types or creative intent.

Casio EX-ZS10 - Simplified, Mostly Automatic Operation

The Casio has a minimalist control scheme with very few buttons and no manual exposure modes. Settings are mostly automatic, aimed at casual users who want quick shots without fiddling with parameters. It lacks advanced exposure compensation, manual controls, or external flash support.

Takeaway: If you want to customize settings and shoot creatively, the Canon is your choice. If simplicity and ease of use with point-and-shoot convenience are your priorities, the Casio is sufficient.

Sensor Technology and Image Quality: The Heart of the Matter

A camera’s sensor largely determines image quality, dynamic range, low-light performance, and print size capability. Here’s the critical comparison:

Canon M6 Mark II - Large Sensor, High Resolution, and Flexibility

The 32.5-megapixel APS-C sensor is a standout in this price bracket. The large sensor area gathers more light, delivering superior dynamic range and less noise in low-light shots - a boon for night, portrait, and landscape photography. The dual-pixel CMOS AF system works in tandem with the DIGIC 8 processor for fast, accurate focusing and excellent image quality.

Shooting in RAW allows advanced post-processing control, crucial for professional workflows.

Casio EX-ZS10 - Small Sensor, Modest Performance

The Casio’s small 1/2.3" sensor limits sharpness, dynamic range, and controls over noise. Its CCD design was standard for compacts a decade ago but is outclassed by modern CMOS sensors. JPEG-only output restricts editing latitude.

In well-lit scenes for casual sharing on social media or prints up to 4x6”, it’s adequate. But expect struggles in low light and limited creative control.

My testing confirms that the Canon delivers cleaner images with richer colors and more detail, particularly in challenging lighting.

Viewing and Composing Your Shots: Screen and EVF Matters

Accuracy and comfort in composing your image avoid wasted shots.

Canon M6 Mark II - Tilting Touchscreen + Optional EVF

The 3-inch LCD tilts up and down, ideal for creative angles or selfies (though no dedicated selfie-friendly mode). It’s a sharp 1.04-million dot display with touch responsiveness, enabling autofocus point selection and menu navigation swiftly.

The optional 2.36-million dot electronic viewfinder (EVF) covers 100% frame area and stabilizes framing in bright daylight. I found that using the EVF significantly improves focusing accuracy.

Casio EX-ZS10 - Fixed Non-touch Screen, No Viewfinder

A basic fixed LCD without touch limits flexible composition. The absence of a viewfinder means relying solely on the LCD, which struggles in harsh sunlight. No focus point selection or preview options make it less user-friendly for nuanced shots.

Conclusion: The Canon’s viewfinder and screen give you control and compositional precision. The Casio caters to quick, casual framing.

Autofocus and Speed: How Quickly Can You Get the Shot?

The ability to find focus swiftly and accurately is critical in genres like wildlife, sports, and fast-moving street photography.

The Canon’s Dual Pixel AF system offers fast, snappy autofocus with tracking and eye detection I tested extensively in portrait and wildlife scenarios. It maintains sharp focus on moving subjects with minimal hunting. Burst shooting at 14fps helps capture peak moments.

The Casio uses an older contrast-detection AF system that can be slower, less reliable in low light, and lacks subject tracking aids. It won’t keep up with fast action or sports shooting requirements.

Exploring Photography Genres: Who Suits Your Style?

I examined how each camera performs across common photography disciplines:

Canon M6 MII screen back Casio EX ZS10 front Casio EX ZS10 screen back

Portrait Photography

• Canon M6 II: Offers refined skin tone rendering, natural colors, and shallow depth-of-field capabilities with compatible EF-M lenses. Eye detection autofocus improves sharpness in critical areas.
• Casio EX-ZS10: Limited by small sensor and fixed lens, modest bokeh capabilities, typically sharper backgrounds.

Winner: Canon for image quality and AF precision.

Landscape Photography

• Canon M6 II: Higher resolution and larger dynamic range capture nuanced scenes. Weather sealing is absent, but image quality compensates.
• Casio EX-ZS10: Less detailed, struggles with dynamic range, which results in blown highlights or muddy shadows.

Winner: Canon for image quality and detail.

Wildlife Photography

• Canon M6 II: Fast autofocus, high burst rate, and reach-length dependent on EF-M telephoto lenses make it capable but niche compared to full-frame models.
• Casio EX-ZS10: Autofocus is too slow for fast-moving animals; zoom range is fixed but modest.

Winner: Canon, but with lens investment required.

Sports Photography

• Canon M6 II: High frame rates and tracking AF suitable for many sports; lens choice matters.
• Casio EX-ZS10: Not intended for sports, autofocus and speed limit use.

Winner: Canon

Street Photography

• Canon M6 II: Compact, discreet, and fast to operate with tilt screen; 1.6x crop factor lenses provide reach.
• Casio EX-ZS10: Ultra compact and light; easy to carry everywhere but slower and less capable.

Winner: Depends - Casio wins for portability; Canon for image quality and control.

Macro Photography

• Canon M6 II: Compatible with macro EF-M lenses; manual focusing aids available.
• Casio EX-ZS10: Limited focusing precision and no dedicated macro mode.

Winner: Canon

Night and Astro

• Canon M6 II: Large sensor excels in high ISO performance; noise is well controlled.
• Casio EX-ZS10: Noise and limited ISO range restrict night shooting.

Winner: Canon

Video Capabilities

• Canon M6 Mark II: Offers 4K UHD 30p at 120 Mbps with H.264 compression, external mic input; lacks headphone jack.
• Casio EX-ZS10: Limited to 720p HD Motion JPEG video, no mic input, no stabilization.

Winner: Canon far superior for video.

Travel Photography

• Canon M6 II: Compact for mirrorless, tilting screen, ample battery life (~305 shots).
• Casio EX-ZS10: Exceptionally compact, lightweight, simple.

Winner: Casio if absolute portability is top priority; Canon if versatility and quality matter.

Professional Work

• Canon M6 II: RAW support, extensive manual controls, lens ecosystem, wireless features, and robust file handling make it fit for semi-pro or professional use.
• Casio EX-ZS10: Not designed for professional workflows.

Build Quality and Durability: Can They Take a Beating?

Neither camera is weather or shock-sealed. The Canon’s build feels more durable and substantial with metal and solid plastics, while the Casio is entirely plastic.

Lens Ecosystem and Compatibility

The Canon uses EF-M mount lenses with a 1.6x crop factor. There are 23 native lenses, including primes and zooms. Adapters also allow EF/EF-S DSLR lens use, expanding options dramatically.

The Casio has a fixed lens and no interchangeable options.

Connectivity and Wireless Features

• Canon M6 Mark II: Wi-Fi and Bluetooth for remote control, image transfer, tethering; USB Type-C with power delivery for charging.
• Casio EX-ZS10: No wireless connectivity or USB support.

Wireless adds convenience in professional and travel uses.

Battery Life and Storage

• Canon’s LP-E17 battery rated ~305 shots per charge, standard for mirrorless.
• Casio’s battery info not specified; expect fewer shots due to small compact design.
• Both use single SD card slots; Canon supports UHS-II for faster writing.

Price and Value Analysis

• Canon M6 Mark II: Approx. $849 body only.
• Casio Exilim EX-ZS10: Approx. $120.

The Canon is a significant investment but gives a vast return in image quality, control, and expandability. The Casio is a low-cost option for casual users.

Summary of Pros and Cons

Recommendations for Your Needs

Performance Ratings at a Glance

Taking comprehensive test results and field experience into account:

Canon M6 MII rates highly across the board for image quality, speed, and versatility, while Casio EX-ZS10 ranks as basic point-and-shoot with adequate casual performance.

Final Thoughts: Why Experience Matters in Camera Choice

I’ve tested both entry compacts and advanced mirrorless extensively, and these two models epitomize different eras and user groups. The Canon EOS M6 Mark II is a flexible enthusiast’s tool with image quality and control to match – ideal if you intend to grow your craft beyond casual snaps. The Casio EX-ZS10 is a no-fuss pocket camera good for snapshots or beginners on a shoestring budget.

Be sure you’re buying the best camera for your needs - don’t be swayed solely by specs and price. Consider your shooting style, desired level of control, and willingness to invest in lenses and accessories.

If you want quality, speed, and expansion options, the Canon is well worth the investment. If portability and simplicity reign supreme, the Casio fills that role, but with understandable limitations.

I hope this detailed, hands-on comparison helps you make an informed and confident choice for your next camera purchase. Happy shooting!