Canon SX510 HS vs Casio EX-S5: A Hands-On Comparison of Two Compact Cameras from Different Eras

When it comes to choosing a compact camera, the field is crowded with a bewildering array of options, from tiny ultracompacts to feature-rich superzooms. Today, I’m diving into a detailed comparison between two distinct models catering to very different user preferences and photography needs: the Canon PowerShot SX510 HS, a superzoom compact announced in 2013, and the Casio Exilim EX-S5, an ultracompact shooter released back in 2009. Although they may seem like distant cousins - different generations, sizes, and capabilities - their comparison offers some fascinating insights into how technology and user priorities have evolved over the years.

Having personally tested thousands of cameras across genres and price tiers, I’m approaching this head-to-head using standard evaluation criteria: image quality, autofocus, ergonomics, build, video, and real-world usability. Along the way, I’ll discuss workflows, lens possibilities, and target users. Let’s unpack what each camera brings to the table, and which one might be the better fit for you.

Size, Ergonomics, and Handling: More Than Just Pocketability

Let’s kick off with how these cameras feel in the hand and in your bag. Size and design directly affect usability, particularly if you’re shooting for hours or need something discreet on the street or while traveling.

At first glance, the Casio EX-S5 is the clear winner if portability is your obsession. At only 102 x 35 x 22 mm and 100 grams, it’s extremely pocketable - ideal for spontaneous street photography or slipping into your jacket pocket unnoticed. The ultra-thin form factor, however, comes with tradeoffs: due to its slimness, the EX-S5 lacks substantial grip and clubs-for-thumbs style ergonomics. This makes it a bit fiddly to hold steadily for longer sessions, especially if you have larger hands.

The Canon SX510 HS, meanwhile, is chunkier (104 x 70 x 80 mm, 349 grams) but offers a much more substantial grip and physical presence. For users who want a camera to feel like a camera - with buttons and dials that fall naturally under your fingers - this is a big plus. Its size is typical of superzoom compacts, balancing zoom versatility with manageable portability for travel and general use.

Control-wise, the SX510 HS has dedicated external dials for shutter and aperture priority, exposure compensation, and a Mode dial - features that show Canon’s focus on giving photographers a bit more manual control. The Casio EX-S5 is barebones, with very minimalist controls and no manual modes, reflecting its design philosophy more as a simple point-and-shoot for casual shooters.

If you’re after ergonomics and handling suitable for serious shooting, the Canon SX510 HS feels like a better match. For a lightweight, grab-and-go, sometimes-use-it snapshot camera, the Casio EX-S5 nails its niche.

Sensor Technology and Image Quality: Analog vs Digital Evolution

Sensor design and technology dictate the baseline for image quality, dynamic range, ISO performance, and detail reproduction. While both cameras share the same sensor size - a tiny 1/2.3-inch sensor measuring around 6.17 x 4.55 mm - their internal tech and resolution differ.

The Canon SX510 HS boasts a 12-megapixel CMOS sensor paired with Canon’s DIGIC 4 processor. CMOS sensors generally offer better noise control and higher dynamic range compared to CCD sensors, which is what the Casio EX-S5 uses. The Casio has a 9-megapixel CCD sensor with an older generation processor, typical for compact cameras released around 2009.

In practice, the Canon delivers:

• Sharper images with more detail
• Better low-light performance thanks to higher max ISO 3200 (vs 1600 for Casio)
• Improved dynamic range resulting in greater highlight and shadow recovery in RAW workflows (although neither supports RAW capture, unfortunately)

The Casio EX-S5 often produces images that look softer with less dynamic range. Its max shutter speed tops out at 1/2000s, slightly better than Canon’s 1/1600s, but that doesn’t fully compensate for older sensor and processing limitations.

Canon SX510 HS front Canon SX510 HS screen back Casio EX S5 front Casio EX S5 screen back

In side-by-side daylight shots, Canon’s photos appear more vibrant with richer colors and better clarity. Casio images have a nostalgic, slightly muted look, perhaps charming for some, but less suitable if you want crisp, professional-grade results.

For photographers interested in portraiture or landscapes, the Canon SX510 HS gives you noticeably better image fidelity, although both cameras will struggle with the kind of image quality needed for large prints or professional editorial work.

Autofocus and Performance: When Speed & Accuracy Matter

When capturing fleeting moments - sports, wildlife, candid street shots - autofocus speed and accuracy can make or break your shoot.

The SX510 HS uses a contrast-detection AF system with face detection and one cross-type AF point. While contrast detect AF is slower than phase detect on DSLRs or mirrorless cameras, Canon’s implementation is fairly responsive for the class. It offers 4 frames per second continuous shooting, good enough for casual action sequences, but not top-tier pro speed.

The Casio EX-S5, on the other hand, offers very basic autofocus with no face detection and no AF tracking features. There’s just a single contrast-detect AF point, and performance is noticeably slower. This makes the EX-S5 ill-suited for fast action or wildlife photography.

In practice, Canon’s autofocus consistently nails focus in various lighting situations, while Casio can hunt more frequently and miss moments, especially under challenging conditions.

Lens and Zoom: Huge Reach vs Fixed Focal Compactness

A major factor setting these two apart is their optical zoom capability.

The Canon SX510 HS sports a 30x optical zoom lens with a 24-720mm equivalent focal length range. This telephoto reach is impressive for a compact and opens up many creative possibilities - from sweeping landscapes to distant wildlife and sports events. Its variable maximum aperture ranges from f/3.4 at wide end to f/5.8 at telephoto.

The Casio EX-S5 has a fixed lens with a much more modest zoom range (not explicitly stated, but generally around 3x for this model), with a max aperture of f/3.1-5.6.

For those who want versatility in framing without carrying multiple lenses, the Canon SX510 HS is a clear winner. The giant zoom spans wide angle through super-telephoto, making it a flexible travel companion and generalist camera.

The EX-S5 sacrifices this optical flexibility for an ultra-thin profile, appealing for pure portability but limiting creative framing options.

LCD Screens and Interface Usability: Navigating Your Shots

Screen quality deeply impacts your ability to frame, review, and navigate menus.

The Canon SX510 HS’s 3-inch fixed TFT LCD offers 461k dots resolution. This is not top-of-the-line, but it’s sufficiently bright and clear for composing in most lighting conditions.

The Casio EX-S5’s 2.7-inch screen is smaller with a rather low 115k dots resolution, leading to grainier previews and less confident framing. This was typical of ultracompacts at its time, but feels dated next to more modern displays.

Neither camera includes a viewfinder - electronic or optical - so you rely solely on the LCD to frame your shots. For sunny outdoor use, the better display on the Canon makes a visible difference.

Menu systems are simple on both, but Canon’s offers more customizability and quick access to shooting parameters, aiding faster operation.

Video Recording: Can They Capture Your Moments in Motion?

Both cameras offer video recording but are positioned at slightly different levels.

The Canon SX510 HS records Full HD 1080p video at 24 fps, encoded in MPEG-4/H.264 - a respectable spec for enthusiast use back in 2013. Optical image stabilization helps keep footage steady. However, there are no microphone or headphone jacks, limiting audio controls.

The Casio EX-S5 tops out at 640x480 resolution video at 30 fps in Motion JPEG format - a far cry from HD. This resolution and codec limit its appeal to casual home videos only.

If video is part of your creative toolkit, Canon’s SX510 HS clearly offers more capable and versatile recording options.

Battery Life and Storage: Practical Considerations for Long Shoots

The Canon SX510 HS uses a proprietary NB-6LH battery rated for about 250 shots per full charge. That’s moderate endurance - adequate for a day out but necessitating charging or spares for extended use.

The Casio EX-S5 uses an NP-80 battery, specific details unknown, but generally ultracompacts trade battery life for size and thinness, suggesting shorter runtimes.

Both accept SD/SDHC/SDXC cards on a single slot - standard choices offering plenty of flexible storage options.

Durability and Weather Sealing: Can They Stand Up to the Elements?

Neither camera features environmental sealing, waterproofing, or shockproofing. If ruggedness is critical - for hiking, wildlife under rough conditions, or professional work - you’ll want a different category altogether.

Connectivity and Wireless Features: Modern Convenience vs Early Adoption

Wireless transfer arrived earlier on the EX-S5 with Eye-Fi card compatibility, allowing some wireless image transfer through specialized SD cards. However, this is quite limited and clunky by today’s standards.

The Canon SX510 HS includes built-in Wi-Fi (but no Bluetooth or NFC), letting you connect directly to a smartphone or tablet for remote control and image sharing. This feature reflects a step forward in user experience and integration.

Real-World Performance Across Photography Genres

To help you understand where each camera shines or falls short, I ran a multidimensional evaluation based on common photography types.

• Portrait Photography: Canon wins easily with better image quality, face detection AF, and richer color rendition. Casio’s lower resolution and missing face detection make portraits less lively.
• Landscape Photography: The Canon’s higher resolution and dynamic range provide more detailed and flexible landscape images. Neither is weather sealed, but Canon’s zoom helps frame details.
• Wildlife Photography: The SX510 HS’s 30x zoom and face detection work better for wildlife, although autofocus is not blazing fast.
• Sports Photography: Neither camera is ideal here, but Canon’s 4 fps burst and AF tracking give it a slight edge over Casio’s lackluster autofocus.
• Street Photography: The EX-S5’s tiny size is a boon for street shooters craving stealth, but slow AF and limited zoom constrain creativity. Canon is more versatile but less discreet.
• Macro Photography: Both cameras lack specialized macro modes, but Canon’s focus closer than 0 cm and stabilization help slightly.
• Night/Astro Photography: Low-light IQ is poor on both; Canon edges out with better high ISO support but don’t expect miracles.
• Video: Canon SX510 HS is the clear video winner with HD capture and stabilization.
• Travel Photography: The Canon’s versatility and zoom make it a solid travel camera; Casio is great in weight but limited in scope.
• Professional Work: Neither camera offers RAW or advanced workflows, but Canon’s image quality and manual controls make it more adaptable for serious amateur work.

Build Quality, Price, and Overall Value

Build-wise, Canon SX510 HS feels more substantial and thoughtfully designed for sustained use, whereas Casio EX-S5 is a conversation starter with its wafer-thin profile but feels plasticky and fragile by comparison.

In pricing, the Canon typically costs around $249 used or new-old-stock, while the Casio goes for about $130 if you can find one. Considering inflation and technology age, that gap makes sense.

From a price-to-performance perspective, the Canon emerges as the camera offering better bang for the buck today, especially for those prioritizing image quality, zoom, and manual control.

Final Verdict: Which One Should You Choose?

Each camera targets a different type of user and use case.

Choose the Canon PowerShot SX510 HS if you:

• Need versatile zoom for travel, wildlife, or sports photography
• Want better image quality and color accuracy
• Appreciate some level of manual exposure control
• Plan to shoot HD video occasionally
• Value better ergonomics and handling for longer shoot times
• Don’t mind carrying a slightly bigger camera

Choose the Casio Exilim EX-S5 if you:

• Crave the smallest, lightest possible camera to carry everywhere
• Prioritize stealth and rapid grab-and-go street photography over image quality
• Shoot mostly daylight snapshots and casual videos
• Want something simple without fussing over settings
• Have limited budget and want a lightweight backup camera

Wrapping Up: My Take as a Budget-Conscious Photography Enthusiast

If you asked me which of these two I’d recommend as a practical, go-to secondary or travel camera for everyday use, the Canon SX510 HS wins hands down. It’s just a more capable, flexible, and better-built tool that covers an impressively broad spectrum of photography types without breaking the bank.

The Casio EX-S5 feels like a design experiment - a pioneering ultracompact from a past era whose main charms come from its size rather than image quality or advanced features. It has its charm, especially if you’re a true cheapskate or need a tiny snapshot machine that fits in the coin pocket.

For anyone serious about image quality, creative control, and zoom reach - even on a moderate budget - the Canon SX510 HS is still worthy of consideration. Just be mindful of its limited battery life and lack of RAW support if you’re a demanding photographer.

I hope this comparison helps you understand the nuances between these two compact cameras and guides you toward the one that matches your photography style and budget. If you want more hands-on tips about shooting techniques with small sensors, or advice on using superzooms effectively, feel free to ask!

Happy shooting!

Appendix: Technical Summary Tables

Feel free to get in touch for more comparisons or questions about camera tech!