Canon SX710 HS vs Casio EX-10: A Hands-On Comparison of Two Compact Contenders

In the ever-evolving world of compact cameras, two models often catch the eye of enthusiasts looking for high-quality stills and video in pocketable bodies: the Canon PowerShot SX710 HS and the Casio Exilim EX-10. Both launched a few years back, each carries a distinct philosophy and design spirit, catering to photographers who prize portability but don’t want to sacrifice control or image quality entirely.

Having tested thousands of cameras over the past 15 years, I approached these two with a mixture of curiosity and critical scrutiny. How do they stack up in the real world across different photography genres? Which is better suited for casual shoots, travel, landscapes, or creative exploration? In my lab and field tests, I assessed everything from sensor performance to ergonomics, autofocus, and video capabilities. This comparison will unpack their strengths and weaknesses honestly, arming you with the insights you need before investing.

Let’s dive in.

First Impressions: Size, Handling, and Design Philosophy

Holding these cameras side by side reveals much beyond the spec sheet. The Canon SX710 HS is ultra-compact and lightweight at 269g and sized at 113x66x35mm. The Casio EX-10 tips the scales at 384g and is noticeably chunkier at 120x68x49mm. This size difference is immediately apparent in hand, affecting how confidently you’ll handle these cameras for prolonged periods.

Canon’s SX710 HS embraces the classic “point-and-shoot” compact superzoom archetype: slim, pocket-friendly, minimalistic controls. The grip is subtle but enough for casual stability. In contrast, the Casio EX-10 feels more like a compact enthusiast shooter, with a slightly bigger body and a more palpable grip. That extra girth translates into enhanced handling comfort and room for more tactile controls.

Looking closer at the top control layouts, the Canon has a straightforward approach with a mode dial, zoom toggle, and shutter button without fuss, while the Casio includes an integrated zoom lever and dedicated playback buttons thoughtfully positioned.

If you’re the kind who enjoys manual override and nuanced control, the EX-10’s slightly larger body and control placement may feel more satisfying, though Canon’s simplicity keeps things quick and intuitive for everyday shooting.

Sensor and Image Quality: Size and Resolution Matter

Sensor size is one of the purest determinants of image quality. Both cameras use relatively small sensors typical for compacts, but there’s a considerable disparity in size and resolution.

• Canon SX710 HS: 1/2.3" BSI-CMOS sensor (6.17x4.55 mm), 20 MP resolution
• Casio EX-10: Larger 1/1.7" CMOS sensor (7.44x5.58 mm), 12 MP resolution

At first glance, you might think Canon’s 20MP count is superior, but the sensor’s smaller size means its individual pixels are smaller, which tends to increase image noise, especially at high ISO. Casio’s EX-10, with fewer but larger pixels, generally produces cleaner images, especially in low light.

In practice, Canon’s SX710 HS delivers /reasonably/ sharp images in good light but tends to struggle beyond ISO 800, introducing noticeable noise and softness. Casio’s EX-10, with its larger sensor and faster lens (more on that soon), retains detail and low noise up to ISO 1600 or even 3200, a clear advantage for indoor and evening shooting.

Both cameras feature optical image stabilization - Canon uses lens-based stabilization, Casio employs sensor-shift stabilization - but Casio’s stabilization appears slightly more effective in real-world hand-held tests, reducing blur especially at longer focal lengths.

Lens and Zoom: Power vs. Brightness

The Canon SX710 HS features a jaw-dropping 30x zoom range (25-750mm equivalent) with a variable aperture from f/3.2 at wide-angle to f/6.9 at telephoto. This makes the Canon a superzoom champion - perfect for those who want extreme reach without lens changes.

The Casio EX-10 offers a much shorter 4x zoom range (28-112mm equivalent) but boasts a notably faster maximum aperture of f/1.8 to f/2.5.

This difference vividly illustrates contrasting intended uses: Canon opts for versatility and reach, Casio prioritizes speed and image quality through a faster lens.

If you’re shooting birds, wildlife, or sports where reaching distant subjects is essential, Canon’s lens will often be your best friend. That said, the slow aperture at maximum zoom and smaller sensor means you’ll battle noise and modest bokeh ability.

Casio’s bright lens is a dream for portraits, street, and low-light shooting. The shallow depth of field achievable at 28mm f/1.8 is unusual in this segment, allowing nicely blurred backgrounds and creamy bokeh - something the SX710 HS can’t match.

Display and Interface: Touchscreen or Fixed?

If you interact with your camera’s screen extensively, the differences here matter.

The Canon SX710 HS comes with a 3-inch fixed LCD, 922k dots resolution - decent but not touch-sensitive and with limited flexibility for awkward angles. Casio’s EX-10 sports a larger, 3.5-inch touchscreen LCD with a 180-degree upward tilt - perfect for selfies, vlogging, or creative angle shooting.

For video bloggers or street photographers who prefer framing from the hip or odd angles, Casio’s screen tilt and touchscreen interface provide faster, more intuitive control. Conversely, Canon’s fixed screen can make certain handheld or low vantage shots cumbersome.

Autofocus: Speed, Tracking, and Accuracy

Focusing performance can make or break your shooting experience. I tested both cameras in a variety of scenarios: static portraits, moving children, and wildlife mimicry.

Canon’s SX710 HS employs a contrast-detection AF system with 9 focus points, including face detection, AF tracking, and center-weighted focus. It achieves a decent lock in bright light but occasionally hunts in low light or at long zoom ranges.

Casio’s EX-10 also uses contrast detection but has a more sophisticated multi-area AF with touch AF and face detection plus continuous tracking. The touchscreen helps you select focus points precisely, which speeds up focusing manual overrides.

While neither can rival modern hybrid AF systems with phase detection, Casio feels more responsive overall, especially in continuous AF mode during video and stills burst.

Burst Shooting and Shutter Speeds: Catching the Action

For action and sports photography, frame rate and shutter speed ranges are critical.

Canon SX710 HS offers continuous shooting at 6 fps. Max shutter speed ranges from 15s slow shutter to 1/3200s fast shutter.

Casio EX-10 is faster at 10 fps bursts and offers slower shutter speeds from 1/250s to 1/4000s, granting a bit more flexibility in freezing motions or subtle light manipulations.

While these figures are modest compared to DSLRs or mirrorless sports models, Casio’s higher frame rate combined with faster shutter speeds gives it a slight edge for capturing fleeting moments or street scenes.

Video Capabilities: What You’ll Actually Use

For those who shoot video, both cameras record full HD 1080p footage. Canon shoots 60p or 30p, whereas Casio maxes out at 30p.

Neither supports 4K or 60p beyond Canon’s Full HD limit. Neither offers external microphone or headphone jacks, limiting serious vloggers or videographers. On stabilization, both feature optical/sensor-shift IS, but Casio’s stab is marginally more effective in smoothening handheld pans.

The Canon SX710 HS’s slightly higher max frame rate at 60fps makes it better for slow-motion sequences, but Casio’s touchscreen interface and tilt screen offer far more convenience for monitoring and controlling video.

Both record H.264/MPEG-4 files, easily imported into editing software, with no RAW video support.

Battery Life, Storage, and Connectivity

Battery-wise, Canon’s NB-6LH yields about 230 shots per charge, while Casio’s Li-130A doubles that with roughly 455 shots. For travelers or long shooting sessions, Casio’s extended endurance is a significant advantage.

Both cameras accept SD, SDHC, and SDXC cards in single slots - no surprises here.

Wireless connectivity is present on both, with Canon supporting WiFi and NFC, and Casio offering WiFi only (no NFC). For quick image transfers or remote shooting, Canon’s NFC is a small usability boost.

Real-World Performance in Popular Photography Genres

Let me break down how these cameras fare in specialized shooting types based on my testing:

Portrait Photography

Canon’s 30x zoom isn’t designed for portraits - it’s slow and often struggles to isolate subjects convincingly. Skin tones are respectable but can feel a bit flat due to smaller pixel size and JPEG processing.

Casio’s fast f/1.8-2.5 lens offers beautiful natural bokeh, skin tones are richer, and its face detection is more accurate thanks to touch AF. For close-up portraits with subject-background separation, Casio wins hands down.

Landscape Photography

Here, image quality, resolution, and dynamic range dominate.

Canon’s higher megapixels provide fine detail but noise creeps in quickly on cloudy or low-light landscapes. Its dynamic range is modest. Moreover, no weather sealing means you’ll want to be cautious outdoors.

Casio’s larger sensor and cleaner high ISO produce richer colors and better shadow detail despite fewer megapixels. The slightly wider lens at 28mm is also useful for sweeping vistas.

Neither camera supports raw output on Canon - the SX710 HS lacks RAW support, limiting flexibility in post-processing. Casio allows RAW capture, a big plus for serious landscape shooters wanting maximum editing latitude.

Wildlife and Sports Photography

Canon’s massive zoom is tempting here. Although AF isn’t blazing fast, it’s adequate for casual wildlife and bird photography. Slow aperture at the long end can limit performance in dim light, though.

Casio lacks long reach but makes up with faster continuous shooting and quicker AF in ideal light. For fast-paced sports or wildlife, neither is a perfect fit, but Canon is your best bet for reach; Casio better for tracking moderate action up close.

Street and Travel Photography

Casio’s compact bulk, tilting screen, and quick responsiveness make it ideal for street photographers who need discretion and flexibility.

Canon’s slim body fits in any pocket and won’t draw attention, but its slower AF and fixed screen limit creative framing or candid shots.

For travel, weight and battery life matter: Casio’s heavier build is outweighed by its longer uptime and better image quality. Canon excels in ultra-compact convenience and long zoom versatility, excellent for tourists snapping landmarks from afar.

Macro Photography

Both focus down to 1cm, standard for these compacts, but Casio’s faster lens lets in more light for sharper close-ups, with less camera shake due to stabilization. Canon’s longer zoom doesn’t add macro versatility really, so Casio feels more comfortable here.

Night and Astrophotography

Low light performance is critical.

Canon struggles beyond ISO 800 with heavy noise, pushing you to tripod mode with long exposures.

Casio’s larger sensor and faster lens, plus longer shutter speeds up to 4 seconds, provide more opportunity for star trails or night shots with less noise.

Neither camera is built for hardcore astrophotography, but Casio offers slightly more creative latitude after dark.

Professional and Workflow Considerations

Both cameras are clearly geared toward enthusiasts and casual photographers, with limited raw workflow integration.

Casio’s raw support is a standout but beyond that, neither camera supports tethering, advanced color profiles, or flash hot-shoes for external flashes.

Canon’s excellent superzoom range may suit quick documentation work but lack of raw output and limited customization restricts professional usage.

Value and Pricing: What’s the Real Investment?

At the time of testing, Canon SX710 HS is priced around $350 and Casio EX-10 closer to $455. That $100 difference reflects Casio’s larger sensor, RAW capability, better video interface, and battery life.

Canon offers an unbeatable zoom range for the price, appealing to travelers on a budget needing versatile reach.

Casio’s price is justified for users seeking image quality, creative control, and better low-light performance.

Summary and Recommendations

Feature Area	Canon PowerShot SX710 HS	Casio Exilim EX-10
Body & Handling	Ultra-compact, lightweight; minimal controls	Larger, better grip; touchscreen & tilting screen
Sensor & Image Quality	1/2.3" 20MP sensor; noisier high ISO	Larger 1/1.7" 12MP sensor; cleaner images
Lens	25-750mm 30x zoom; slow variable aperture f/3.2-6.9	28-112mm 4x zoom; fast aperture f/1.8-2.5
Autofocus	9-point contrast detect, average speed	Reliable touch AF, continuous tracking
Video	Full HD 1080p 60p max; no mic port	Full HD 1080p 30p; tilting touchscreen helps
Battery Life	~230 shots	~455 shots
Storage & Connectivity	SD card, WiFi, NFC	SD card, WiFi; no NFC
Price	~$350	~$455

Who Should Choose the Canon SX710 HS?

• If ultimate zoom range is your primary criterion
• You want the lightest, most pocket-friendly camera possible
• Casual travel photography with occasional telephoto needs
• Budget-conscious buyers who want broad zoom versatility

Who Should Choose the Casio EX-10?

• Prioritize superior image quality and low-light shooting
• You value RAW format support for powerful post-processing
• Enjoy creative control with touchscreen AF and tilting display
• Need longer battery life for extended shoots or travel
• Favor portraits, street photography, and video blogging conveniences

Final Thoughts: Two Different Roads in Compact Photography

In sum, the Canon SX710 HS and Casio EX-10 serve distinct niches within the compact camera market. Canon’s superzoom marvels bring reach and portability but pay the price in sensor size and aperture speed. Casio focuses on image quality, user experience, and creative flexibility, packaged in a slightly bulkier, enthusiast-tilted body.

Neither is the ultimate camera for professionals or enthusiasts who demand the fastest autofocus or largest sensors, but each excels where it intends. Understanding your personal shooting style and priorities - whether it’s zoom reach versus image quality, or budget versus control - will make your choice between these two clearer.

I hope this deep dive helps you see beyond the headline specs to the real-world strengths and compromises each camera makes. Both have their charms, and now you’re equipped to decide which fits your photographic journey best.

To really judge these cameras, check out side-by-side sample images, which reveal the EX-10’s cleaner shadows and creamy bokeh versus the SX710’s reach and detail in broad daylight.

A rounded rating comparison underscores Casio’s lead in image quality and battery life, with Canon dominating zoom capability.

Tailored scoring per photography type - portrait, wildlife, landscape, video - highlights where each camera shines.

If you have specific shooting scenarios in mind or want me to test any aspect further, just let me know. From my experience, both cameras deliver solid value in compact form factors, but understanding their unique personalities will keep your photos and videos on point.

Happy shooting!