Canon SD780 IS vs Casio EX-S5: An Ultracompact Camera Face-Off From 2009 with Real-World Insights

When delving into the realm of ultracompact digital cameras circa 2009, two models often surface in nostalgic conversations among photographers: Canon’s PowerShot SD780 IS (also known as the Digital IXUS 100 IS) and Casio’s Exilim EX-S5. Both are slimline pocket-friendly shooters that catered to casual shooters craving convenience and image quality without the bulk of a DSLR. Having scrutinized, shot with, and even begrudgingly coaxed decent photos from many cameras of this era, I thought it fitting to pit these two against each other in a detailed, practical comparison.

So, buckle up as we sift through their design DNA, image quality, autofocus dance, and more - all peppered with candid reflections from years of camera-testing fatigue and exhilaration.

This Size Matters: Handling and Ergonomics in Your Pocket

Let's start at the physical level because if a camera can’t comfortably hitch a ride in your pocket or purse, no amount of specs will save the day.

Canon’s SD780 IS is a classic slender ultracompact, measuring approximately 87 x 56 x 18 mm and weighing about 155 g. In contrast, the Casio EX-S5 is a tad longer and thinner, with dimensions of 102 x 35 x 22 mm and a lighter weight of 100 g.

On paper and in the hand, the SD780 IS feels like a slightly chunkier, more substantial piece - something you can grip firmly without fumbling. The Casio opts for a wafer-thin design that’s borderline credit-card slim, undoubtedly designed for those hyper-minimalists who treat heft as a capitalist conspiracy.

Ergonomically, the Canon’s more traditional form factors lend it better control access and fewer accidental button presses, while the Casio’s ultra-thin design sacrifices some grip comfort. This compromises extended one-handed shooting or operation while moving. In other words, if you plan to take a brisk walk or shoot while grabbing coffee, the Canon nestles in your palm better. The Casio? Best deployed with both hands or on a steady surface.

First Impressions on Controls: The Art and Science of Camera Layout

Control layout can make or break your day on the field. Quick-access buttons and dials are essential for those ‘gotta-get-the-shot’ moments.

Here’s a top-down look at both cameras:

Canon’s SD780 IS shows its roots as a slightly more mature design: a conspicuous shutter button with a zoom rocker surrounding it, a mode dial (though limited in function), and a few well-spaced control buttons. It speaks the language of quick navigation and intuitive feel.

Casio’s EX-S5 is more minimalist - fewer buttons, no dedicated mode dial, and a different shape on the control pad. The very slim body means fewer physical controls to avoid clutter, but also means more menu diving for certain adjustments. For power users or those accustomed to toggling quickly, this is a bottleneck.

Sensor Size, Resolution, and Image Quality: What’s Under the Hood?

So, what about that sensor that actually captures the shot? Both cameras settle on the typical ultracompact standard of the era: a 1/2.3” CCD sensor, sized roughly 6.17 x 4.55 mm (sensor area 28.07 mm²). This same sensor size is common in consumer point-and-shoots, balancing compactness with acceptable image quality.

Canon’s SD780 IS weighs in with a 12-megapixel resolution, while Casio’s EX-S5 offers 9 megapixels.

On paper, Canon’s higher resolution would seem advantageous, but how does this translate to practical image quality and post-processing eating?

• Sharpness & Detail: The Canon edges out Casio slightly thanks to the higher pixel count and refined processing, rendering images crisper when viewed at full resolution or printed moderately.

• Noise & ISO Performance: Both cameras top out at ISO 1600, but noise control at higher ISO is a challenge for these small sensors. Canon’s images demonstrate marginally cleaner shadows and less chroma noise thanks to better noise reduction algorithms.

• Color Reproduction: The Canon leans toward warmer, more natural skin tones and vibrant color rendition - essential for portraits or general photography. Casio’s images can look slightly cooler or flatter by comparison.

• Dynamic Range: Neither model dazzles here, but Canon’s slightly better exposure algorithms help retain highlights better in tricky lighting.

If you’re thinking “Well, surely the Canon’s better for landscapes or portraits?” - yes, if modest sensor specs are your baseline. Neither camera will compete with APS-C or full-frame DSLRs, but for casual ultracompacts in their day, Canon’s sensor offering is a fraction superior.

Display and User Interface: Looking at the World Through Their Eyes

Now, how about interacting with the camera’s live view to frame your shots?

Here’s a glimpse at their rear LCDs:

Canon’s SD780 IS sports a 2.5-inch fixed LCD with 230k-dot resolution, while Casio’s EX-S5 offers a slightly larger 2.7-inch screen but with a lower resolution of only 115k dots.

The pixel quality difference is immediately noticeable in daylight - Canon’s clearer and more detailed preview feels less grainy, helping with critical focusing and composition. Casio’s screen can feel a bit dim and lacks fine detail, making manual focusing or checking finer details a challenge.

The user interfaces reflect their lineage - Canon’s menus are straightforward, with logical categorization and easy-to-understand icons. It caters more warmly to beginners and enthusiasts.

Casio’s interface is more utilitarian, somewhat confusing for a first-timer with fewer explanations, and less friendly to quick adjustments.

Autofocus, Speed, and Responsiveness: Catching That Decisive Moment

Autofocus (AF) systems can make or break spontaneous photography, especially in wildlife, sports, or street genres where split-seconds count.

Both cameras employ contrast-detection AF with no phase-detection points, limiting autofocus speed and tracking capabilities. The Canon’s SD780 IS features 9 AF points and supports face detection; Casio’s EX-S5 sports fewer AF points and lacks face detection altogether.

Canon:

• AF speed: Moderately quick in good light, but sluggish in low light or for moving subjects.
• AF accuracy: Reliable in predicable conditions, but hunts noticeably in dim environments.
• Face Detection: Yes, enhances portrait framing, especially useful for casual portraits.

Casio:

• AF speed: Noticeably slower; I experienced significant hunting even in decent lighting.
• AF accuracy: More prone to missed focus, risky for moving targets.
• Face Detection: Absent; manual focusing options exist but are less user-friendly.

For fast-moving photography like sports or wildlife snapshots, neither camera excels. But for portraits or static scenes, Canon’s autofocus system provides a marginal advantage.

Zoom, Lens Quality, and Macro Capability: The All-Important Lens

Fixed lenses shape the entire shooting experience here. Both pack a 5.8x zoom multiplier, but their focal length specs tell a different story.

• Canon SD780 IS: 33-100 mm (35mm equivalent), apertures range F3.2-5.8
• Casio EX-S5: Unspecified exact focal length, approximately similar zoom factor, apertures F3.1-5.6

Canon’s 33-100 mm range is versatile for portraits and casual telephoto use but is limited on the wide end for expansive landscapes or interiors.

The maximum apertures imply neither lens will perform excellently in low light or produce very shallow DOF for luscious bokeh - more on that in the next section.

Macro performance is a highlight for Canon; the macro focus range of 3 cm (~1.2 inches) allows close-ups with reasonable image quality. Casio lacks official macro specs, and its focusing system doesn’t support very close work reliably.

To summarize: Canon offers a more pragmatic zoom range and better macro shooting capabilities - good for travel, food, or flower photography.

Portraits and Bokeh: Skin Tones, Face Detection, and Background Blur

Portraiture demands more than sharp lenses - it’s about rendering natural skin tones, catching nuanced expressions, and producing pleasing background separation.

Canon’s face detection and relatively better color science contribute to flattering skin tones. While the small sensor and aperture limit shallow depth of field, pushing the camera to the telephoto end (100 mm) and zooming in close can produce decent subject-background separation.

The Casio EX-S5, lacking face detection and with its slower AF, struggles here. Its colors are cooler, and without lens wide apertures, bokeh is muted and sometimes harsh.

For those keen on casual portraits (think friends and family shots), Canon is the safer bet.

Landscape Photography: Dynamic Range, Resolution, and Weather Considerations

Landscape photography requires resolution, dynamic range, and - ideally - weather-sealed gear ready for outdoors abuse.

While both cameras pack roughly similar sensor areas, Canon’s 12MP resolution places it in a slight advantage - more megapixels mean more detail in sprawling vistas.

Their CCD sensors provide decent color accuracy but fall short on dynamic range compared to contemporary CMOS sensors, which means shadow and highlight detail can be sacrificed. Neither camera offers weather sealing, so caution is advised shooting in the rain or dusty conditions.

Still, the Canon’s optical image stabilization can aid handheld landscape shots, slightly blunting camera shake during slower shutter speeds typical of golden hour scenes.

Casio’s lower resolution and noisier low-light tendencies reduce its appeal for landscape buffs, and its less robust build limits outdoor confidence.

Wildlife and Sports: Autofocus Tracking, Zoom Length, and Burst Speed

Here’s where both cameras reveal their consumer-grade limitations.

Neither was designed for professional wildlife or sports photography. The slow continuous shooting mode on the Canon ruins any chance for rapid action capture - one frame per second is simply too sluggish.

Neither camera offers tracking AF or high frame rates.

The zoom length tops out at a modest 100 mm equivalent, insufficient for serious wildlife where 300+ mm lenses shine.

Put simply - these cameras are no match for DSLRs or mirrorless systems built for animal or action sports.

However, for casual nature walks or neighborhood sports, the Canon’s sharper optics and stabilizer can occasionally rescue a decent photo. Casio’s autofocus delays and noisier images make it less appealing.

Street Photography and Discretion: Size, Noise Control, and Handling

What about picking up your camera discreetly in urban sprawl?

Here the Casio’s wafer-thin, ultra-light design shines - literally, it vanishes in a pocket and attracts minimal attention.

Canon’s chunkier build is still pocketable but more obtrusive.

Noise from shutter activation is subtle on both cameras but arguably Casio’s smaller shutter mechanism sounds less.

Low light performance is mediocre for both, but Canon’s slightly better ISO handling nudges it ahead.

For street photographers seeking minimalism, Casio could be tempting - but at the expense of image quality and AF confidence.

Macro and Close-Up: How Do They Handle the Tiny Details?

If you’re a macro aficionado on a budget or shooting casual close-ups, Canon wins this face-off.

The SD780 IS can focus as close as 3 cm, delivering sharp, detailed shots. That’s a rarity among ultracompacts of this era.

Casio lacks a dedicated macro mode or well-documented close focusing distance, leading to fuzzier, less satisfying results in tight shoots.

Optical image stabilization on Canon also supports clearer handheld macros.

Night and Astrophotography: High ISO and Exposure Performance

Shooting stars, city lights, or candlelit scenes beams some of the cruelest light on a compact’s sensor limitations.

Both cameras have a max native ISO of 1600, which is not much for low-light mastery.

Canon performs slightly better here, with less pronounced noise and better detail retention at higher ISOs, but long exposures introduce serious grain and loss of sharpness.

Neither camera offers bulb mode or extensive exposure controls - limiting astrophotography potential.

Still, the Canon’s wider shutter speed range (up to 15 seconds) allows modest long exposures.

Casio’s lowest shutter speed hits just 0.5 seconds, putting a hard ceiling on long-exposure ambitions.

Video Capabilities: Recording Resolutions, Stabilization, and Audio Options

Both cameras offer basic HD video capture, but neither is suitable for serious videographers.

Canon SD780 IS records HD at 1280x720 at 30 fps, using MPEG-4 / H.264 compression. Optical image stabilization benefits video steadiness, but autofocus trails during focusing changes.

Casio EX-S5 records only up to 848x480 (VGA-like resolution) at 30 fps, in Motion JPEG format. No stabilization to speak of, resulting in jitters.

Neither camera has microphone or headphone jacks, limiting audio control.

Hence, the Canon offers a qualitatively better video experience but is still basic compared to modern standards.

Travel Photography: Versatility, Battery Life, and Portability

Here, every saved gram and every battery cycle counts.

Both compact cameras run on proprietary batteries (Canon’s NB-4L; Casio’s NP-80). Battery life for ultracompacts of this vintage tends to be modest - expect 150–250 shots per charge depending on use.

Canon’s slightly heavier body adds robustness for travel bumps, and optical stabilization reduces chance of blurry images handheld.

Casio’s compactness and light weight appeal greatly for minimalist travelers but at trade-offs in usability and quality.

Both accept SD/SDHC cards, with Casio uniquely compatible with Eye-Fi wireless cards, an interesting early wireless photo transfer option.

Durability, Environmental Sealing, and Weatherproofing: Should You Trust These Outdoors?

Neither camera boasts any weather sealing, shockproofing, or ruggedized features. Avoid exposure to rain or dust.

Canon feels more sturdily built, thanks to its slightly heftier dimensions and metal parts, but this is far from professional-grade durability.

Casio’s ultrathin design is more liable to cosmetic damage or accidental flexing.

If you’re a rugged outdoors type, neither is optimal.

Connectivity and Wireless Features: Sharing Your Shots in the Pre-Smartphone Era

The Canon SD780 IS lacks wireless connectivity altogether - no Wi-Fi, no Bluetooth, no NFC.

Casio’s EX-S5 stands out with Eye-Fi compatibility, enabling wireless image transfers via SD card to your computer or devices (when paired with the dedicated hardware). This was quite cutting-edge for 2009 and could be a selling point for Wi-Fi buffs.

Both have USB 2.0 ports; Canon features an HDMI output for direct TV viewing, Casio does not.

Value Assessment: Price, Availability, and Who Should Buy What?

Priced around $129.99 at launch, Casio’s EX-S5 presents a budget ultracompact option with innovative wireless features and a svelte form factor.

Canon’s SD780 IS, often pricier, appeals to those valuing better image quality, more natural color, optical image stabilization, and more versatile controls.

Final Thoughts: Who Wins This Ultracompact Throwdown?

Both cameras have their niche:

• Canon SD780 IS is the more balanced performer: superior sensor resolution, image stabilization, face detection AF, better macro capabilities, and respectable video. It’s the sensible choice for casual photographers who want better image quality and more control without carrying bulk.

• Casio EX-S5 champions extreme portability and wireless transfer, suited for those who prize discretion, minimalism, and early wireless convenience over imaging excellence.

Use Cases Breakdown:

Photography Genre	Best Fit
Portraits	Canon SD780 IS (better skin tones, AF)
Landscape	Canon SD780 IS (higher resolution, DR)
Wildlife	Neither (both limited AF and zoom)
Sports	Neither (slow burst and AF)
Street	Casio EX-S5 (stealth, minimalist design)
Macro	Canon SD780 IS (close focus, stabilization)
Night/Astro	Canon SD780 IS (longer shutter speed)
Video	Canon SD780 IS (HD resolution, stabilization)
Travel	Depends: Canon for versatility, Casio for portability
Professional Work	Neither (too limited for pros)

Both cameras now stand as charming vintage relics. Yet, if you stumble across either in a bargain bin or thrift store (and want a pocketable shooter for casual snapshots), this comparison might help you choose based on your personal priorities.

To Wrap Up

In the ultracompact 2009 camera wars, the Canon PowerShot SD780 IS emerges as the more capable all-rounder - a thoughtful blend of traditional ergonomics and balanced imaging performance. The Casio Exilim EX-S5, with its razor-slim profile and wireless novelty, appeals to those who want barely there gear and can live with trade-offs.

Either way, these cameras encapsulate an era when ultracompacts held sway before smartphones turned the tide - a reminder of when a tiny, dedicated camera still mattered.

I hope this detailed comparison paints a vivid picture - helping you navigate this retro tech with modern eyes and practical insights from someone who’s fired off thousands of shutter clicks across countless cameras.