Compact Contenders: Canon PowerShot S110 vs. Casio EX-H15 – A Hands-On Comparison for Enthusiasts

In the crowded arena of compact digital cameras, two rivals from the early 2010s stand out for providing strong features tailored to enthusiasts seeking a capable pocket camera without the bulk of a DSLR or mirrorless system. Canon’s PowerShot S110 and Casio’s Exilim EX-H15 each brought something different to the table when they launched - the S110 targeting superior optics and image quality with modern touches, and the EX-H15 banking on versatile zoom and rapid responses. After spending hours testing each under varied shooting conditions, I’m ready to break down their core strengths, technical chops, and practical use cases.

Whether you’re a casual traveler, a budding portraitist, or simply hunting for that “just right” all-round snapshot tool, this thorough comparison will help you weigh these two small sensor compacts against today’s demanding photography scenarios.

First Impressions: Size, Handling, and Build Quality

Grabbing both cameras for the initial feel test immediately reveals two compact devices that fit nicely in the hand but offer notably different ergonomics.

The Canon PowerShot S110 measures 99 x 59 x 27 mm and weighs a modest 198 grams, packing a solid-feeling finish typical of Canon’s higher-end compact line. Its grip feels confident for photography on the go, and the buttons, while small, are logically placed for quick access without fumbling.

The Casio EX-H15, fractionally larger at 101 x 60 x 28 mm but lighter at 161 grams, opts for a slicker, almost pocketable design. However, the more plastic feel and minimal textured grip mean it’s less reassuring in hand over longer shoots or in challenging weather.

While neither offers weather sealing or ruggedization, the Canon’s sturdier build quality signals it as the choice if you need more optimal handling for longer sessions - especially apparent once you start climbing the menu trees or composing shots in fast-changing situations.

Control Layout and User Interface

Having reliable, intuitive controls is vital for compact cameras, where menus and physical buttons compete for space. On this front, Canon and Casio diverge notably.

The S110 features a well-organized top plate with dedicated dials for exposure compensation, mode selection, and a small zoom toggle within the shutter button. There’s an intelligent blend of hardware and touchscreen control - a 3-inch, 461k-dot TFT PureColor II G Touchscreen - to speed up autofocus area selection and menu navigation.

Casio’s EX-H15 feels more stripped back. It lacks a touchscreen, relying solely on physical buttons and a dial system that can feel sluggish when adjusting settings. The top plate is minimalistic without an exposure compensation dial or manual mode - a notable omission, especially for serious enthusiasts who prefer creative control.

In real-world use, I found the Canon’s interface friendlier, especially for manual and semi-manual shooting modes. The Casio, by contrast, suits shooters who prefer auto modes or simple point-and-shoot operation, though that simplicity comes at the expense of fine-tuning flexibility.

Sensor Size and Image Quality: The Heart of the Camera

Image quality ultimately hinges heavily on sensor technology. In this segment, Canon’s 1/1.7-inch CMOS sensor challenges Casio’s smaller 1/2.3-inch CCD sensor in resolution and raw processing ability.

The Canon S110 sports a 12-megapixel sensor, measuring 7.44 x 5.58 mm, offering a large effective sensor area of 41.52 mm². The CMOS platform combined with Canon’s Digic 5 processor enables RAW capture, allowing extensive post-processing. Additionally, Canon provides an impressive native ISO range of 80-12800, although image quality beyond ISO 1600 starts to degrade noticeably.

In contrast, Casio’s EX-H15 has a higher nominal resolution at 14 megapixels but on a smaller 6.17 x 4.55 mm CCD sensor, about 28.07 mm² in area. The smaller sensor coupled with CCD technology typically means more noise at higher ISOs and no RAW shooting capability. The maximum ISO tops out at 3200, but image noise becomes a limiting factor much earlier.

Testing side-by-side, the S110 delivers cleaner details, superior dynamic range, and richer color depth, especially in low-light or shadow recovery. Casio images tend to feel a bit softer with more highlight clipping under challenging lighting but remain competitive for daylight snapshots.

Viewing Experience: LCD and Viewfinder

Both cameras eschew electronic viewfinders, relying exclusively on rear LCDs to compose and review images.

The Canon’s touchscreen LCD has a slight edge with its capacitive interface - rapid, responsive, and pleasant to use. The 3-inch screen resolution of 461k dots renders previews clearly and supports touch-based autofocus points and menu navigation.

Casio offers the same size and resolution LCD but without touch functionality. While still bright and clear, the absence of touch can slow focusing speed nuances and hamper menu access times.

Neither camera features any articulated or tilting display design, which restricts low- and high-angle composition. The lack of a viewfinder in both models makes shooting in very bright light challenging - I relied heavily on shading the screen or using hands to improve visibility.

Autofocus and Performance: Speed Meets Accuracy

Autofocus (AF) performance is often the most practical aspect impacted by sensor and processor technology.

The Canon S110 employs a 9-point contrast-detection AF system with face detection and continuous autofocus, aided by the fast Digic 5 processor. While contrast-detection AF is inherently slower than phase detection, the S110’s system is responsive for a small sensor compact, locking focus in approximately 0.3–0.5 seconds under normal conditions. Tracking moving subjects is basic but viable for casual action shots.

The Casio EX-H15 uses contrast detection as well but lacks face detection. It offers only single AF mode (no continuous or tracking), making it less suited to shooting unpredictable subjects. AF lock time can fluctuate noticeably, with occasional hunting in low light or lower-contrast scenarios.

For action or wildlife photography, the Canon’s improved AF options and face detection give it an edge - although neither should be your first choice if speed and precision are paramount. The S110’s 10 fps burst rate is impressive among compacts of its era, whereas Casio’s continuous shooting speed isn’t publicly rated, indicating less emphasis on rapid capture.

Lens and Zoom Versatility: Who Covers More Ground?

Lens flexibility can be a game-changer for compact cameras - it impacts everything from portrait bokeh to landscape reach.

Canon’s fixed 24-120 mm (35 mm equivalent) f/2.0–5.9 zoom lens covers a modest 5x zoom range. The bright f/2.0 wide angle aperture promises better low-light and background separation capabilities, ideal for portraits or artistic subjects where bokeh plays a role. Image stabilization is optical, which contributes to nice sharpness in hand-held shots.

Casio’s EX-H15 excels in zoom range, offering a 24-240 mm equivalent with a 10x zoom, doubling Canon’s reach. However, the maximum aperture narrows to f/3.2 at wide angle and f/5.7 at telephoto, which means less effective background blur and lower light tolerance at longer focal lengths. It features sensor-shift image stabilization, which works well but can struggle compared to optical stabilization for certain movements.

For travel photographers valuing versatility or street shooters wanting to capture spontaneous distant moments, Casio’s zoom outweighs the narrower Canon range. But if image quality and creative aperture control are priorities, Canon’s lens quality and speed win out.

Real-World Photography Styles: Practical Use Tests

Both cameras were put through their paces in a variety of shooting situations to reveal their best and worst use cases.

Portrait Photography

Canon’s fast f/2.0 aperture wide angle combined with face-detection autofocus made it a clear winner for portraits. Skin tones rendered naturally with its well-tuned color science, and the limited depth of field achievable at wide aperture provided pleasantly smooth background bokeh. Eye detection is not sophisticated by today’s standards but still helped in centering subject faces sharply.

Casio’s smaller sensor and slower lens yielded flatter backgrounds and less pop in portraits. Without face detection, focus was less reliable on moving subjects, resulting in occasional softness.

Landscape Photography

Here, dynamic range and resolution come to the forefront. The Canon S110’s sensor measured 11.2 EV dynamic range on DxOMark testing, enabling it to retain highlight and shadow detail in complex scenes. The 12 MP resolution is sufficient for detailed prints or cropping modestly.

Casio, lacking DxOMark data, shows visible signs of earlier highlight clipping and reduced shadow detail in high-contrast landscapes. Its 14 MP sensor detail advantage is mostly offset by noise and softness.

Neither camera offers weather sealing - neither is designed as an outdoor rugged companion - but Canon’s superior image quality makes it better suited for serious landscapes.

Wildlife and Sports Photography

Neither compact is specialized here, but Canon’s quicker autofocus, burst rate, and face detection again provide a practical advantage for casual wildlife or action shooting. Casio’s zoom reach can help bring distant subjects closer but slower focusing and single AF mode reduce the success rate.

Street Photography

Compact size and quiet operation favor both, but Casio’s longer zoom adds flexibility when shooting from a discreet distance. Canon’s slightly larger size and touchscreen don’t affect portability but give more control. Low-light capability favors Canon again.

Macro Photography

The Canon enables focusing as close as 3 cm, perfect for flower or small object shots. Casio lacks a documented macro range, limiting its effectiveness for close-up work.

Night and Astro Photography

ISO performance counts here. Canon goes up to ISO 12800 with limited quality, still usable up to ISO 1600 with noise reduction and sharpening. Casio’s ISO tops at 3200 but noise worsens by ISO 800.

Canon’s ability to shoot RAW and manual exposure modes simplifies astro shots, while Casio’s more limited controls and JPEG-only workflow make precise night photography challenging.

Video Capabilities

Canon records Full HD 1080p video at 24 fps using H.264 compression - still commendable for the time. It lacks external microphone input but offers minimal stabilization.

Casio maxes out at 720p video and records in Motion JPEG format, which is heavier on storage and lower in quality. No HDMI output limits monitoring flexibility.

For casual videography, Canon’s superior codec and resolution will be appreciated.

Travel and Professional Use

Battery life favors the power-efficient Canon (about 200 shots per charge on the NB-5L battery) compared to Casio’s unspecified but likely shorter runtime.

Canon’s inclusion of RAW support, Wi-Fi connectivity (built-in vs. Casio’s Eye-Fi dependence), and HDMI make it more adaptable to professional workflows.

Storage on both supports SD/SDHC/SDXC cards, but Canon’s USB 2.0 and HDMI output add versatility.

Connectivity and Extras

Canon includes Wi-Fi out of the box, enabling wireless image transfer - a big plus for travelers and those who want quick sharing. Casio’s Eye-Fi support means wireless transfer only with proprietary cards, which can be limiting.

Neither camera offers Bluetooth, NFC, or GPS integration; optional GPS is available only via accessory on the Canon.

Battery and Storage

The Canon S110 uses the NB-5L battery pack with about 200 shots per charge - average for compacts but manageable for day trips. Casio’s NP-90 battery lacks published endurance, but smaller physical size and lack of power-hungry touchscreen may extend actual runtime.

Both camera bodies have a single SD card slot supporting SDHC and SDXC cards, offering flexible storage options.

Pricing and Value: Which One Delivers More Bang?

At their initial launch, both sat around $299, offering attractive price points for their feature sets.

Considering current prices in secondary markets, the Canon tends to hold value better due to its superior image quality, RAW support, and better video capabilities.

Overall Performance Scores: Number Crunching Meets Reality

Let’s take a look at the overall ratings derived from measured performance parameters and field tests:

The Canon S110 earns a respectable score of 48 on DxOMark, reflecting better sensor performance, dynamic range, and ISO advantage.

Casio EX-H15, untested on DxOMark, falls behind in practical terms due to older sensor technology and limited control.

Matching Cameras to Photography Genres

Different genres call for different strengths. Here, the scores per style clarify which camera suits which photographer best.

• Portrait: Canon outperforms with bokeh and skin tone fidelity.
• Landscape: Canon excels with dynamic range.
• Wildlife: Canon better with AF speed and burst.
• Sports: Canon edges out for tracking.
• Street: Casio wins for zoom reach and discretess.
• Macro: Canon definitive choice.
• Night/Astro: Canon provides needed manual modes and sensor behavior.
• Video: Canon dominates with 1080p and codec.
• Travel: Slight edge to Canon given versatile features.
• Professional: Canon preferred for RAW, connectivity, and reliability.

Sample Shots: Side-by-Side Comparison

Seeing is believing. The following gallery showcases JPEG output from both cameras under similar conditions:

Canon S110 front Canon S110 screen back Casio EX H15 front Casio EX H15 screen back

Notice Canon’s sharper detail and color richness; Casio offers decent exposure but softer focus and less saturated colors.

Final Recommendations: Who Should Buy Which?

In my extensive hands-on testing, the Canon PowerShot S110 emerges as the better-rounded compact camera for photography enthusiasts seeking control, quality, and flexibility in a pocketable form. Its superior sensor, lens speed, RAW shooting, and video features make it a versatile companion for portraits, landscapes, macro, and low-light work.

The Casio EX-H15 trades some image quality for longer zoom reach and lighter weight, better suited for casual shooters who prioritize zoom versatility over ultimate image fidelity or manual controls. The lack of RAW and modern codecs limit post-processing workflow, which enthusiasts will miss.

Summing Up the Technical Scorecard

In Closing: Which Compact Camera Earns Your Pocket?

The Canon PowerShot S110’s combination of advanced image processing, practical manual controls, and superior sensor places it a step ahead for enthusiasts who want a compact with versatility and quality. The Casio EX-H15 nevertheless offers a compelling zoom range and lighter weight that might appeal to casual users or those valuing reach over depth of control.

If I had to pick one after dozens of hours juggling each in the field, the S110 wins hands down for anyone serious about image quality, flexibility, and adaptability to varied shooting environments. For a casual snapshooter wanting maximum zoom and ease, Casio’s offering is a worthy budget-minded candidate.

I hope this detailed comparison demystifies the strengths and compromises of these siblings in compact camera form - helping you make the right choice based on what you shoot, how, and where.

Happy shooting!