Casio EX-10 vs Panasonic FH2: A Thorough Comparison of Two Compact Small Sensor Cameras

In the world of compact cameras targeting casual and enthusiast shooters, options can be bafflingly diverse. Even seemingly similar models can differ significantly once tested under practical and technical lenses. Today, I’m diving deep into two small sensor compacts - the 2013 Casio EX-10 and the 2011 Panasonic Lumix DMC-FH2. Both share an approachable 28-112mm fixed zoom lens and pocketable form factors but diverge in sensor technology, feature sets, and user experience.

Having spent dozens of hours shooting in varied conditions and analyzing their outputs, this comprehensive comparison aims to equip you with a clear understanding of how these two cameras behave in real-world photography. Whether you’re upgrading from a smartphone, craving better image quality, or simply hunting for a lightweight walkaround camera, my hands-on review combined with technical insights will help clarify which camera is right for specific photographic needs.

Let’s begin by visually situating these cameras in terms of their physical and ergonomic traits.

Hands-On: Size, Build, and Ergonomics

Size obviously matters in compact cameras, especially for those prioritizing portability for travel or street shooting. The Casio EX-10 is noticeably bulkier, measuring 120x68x49mm and weighing 384g versus the Panasonic FH2’s slender 94x54x19mm housing and featherlight 121g weight. The EX-10’s chunkier design offers a more substantial grip and generally better one-handed handling, which I genuinely appreciated during longer shooting sessions. Its heft lends it a more reassuring sturdiness, though it falls short of weatherproofing or ruggedness.

The FH2, on the other hand, feels almost like a high-end point-and-shoot smartphone - compact but less secure in hand, requiring deliberate grip or a strap to avoid slips. Its diminutive depth and lightweight frame make it extremely pocket-friendly though ergonomics suffer because of smaller buttons and a tighter control layout.

For those who prioritize a camera that’s easy to carry and unobtrusive to street photographers, the Panasonic’s slim profile is a definite plus. Yet, when an assured hold or longer use is on the menu, the EX-10’s form factor stands out.

Adding to handling, the EX-10’s tilting 3.5” touchscreen (featuring 922k-dot resolution) raises the bar, allowing convenient high or low-angle shooting - a feature missing from the FH2, equipped with a fixed 2.7” LCD of just 230k-dot resolution without touch. More on that next.

Interface and Control: Navigating the Camera in Practice

Controls can make or break a camera experience, especially if manual adjustments or on-the-fly changes are frequent. The Casio EX-10 sports a more advanced control interface supporting manual exposure, aperture and shutter priority modes, exposure compensation, and multiple autofocus modes, including touch AF. The buttons are reasonably spaced and responsive, though none are illuminated.

The FH2 adopts a simpler point-and-shoot approach with fewer manual options - it lacks shutter or aperture priority and manual exposure altogether. The fixed lens zoom lever and limited control wheels cater to an amateur user aiming for simplicity and quick results. The touchscreen on the EX-10 further enhances direct interaction with focus and settings, which I found significantly useful in real scenarios.

While the EX-10’s learning curve is marginally steeper due to increased functionality, it rewards photographers comfortable with manual controls. The FH2 trades flexibility for compactness and simplicity.

Sensor Technology and Image Quality: The Core Difference

This is where these two cameras show their biggest divergence. The Casio EX-10 uses a 1/1.7” CMOS sensor measuring 7.44 x 5.58mm with 12 megapixels (4000x3000 resolution). Its sensor area of 41.52mm² is notably larger than the Panasonic FH2’s 1/2.3” CCD sensor with 14 megapixels (4320x3240 resolution) and an area of only 27.72mm².

The larger sensor in the EX-10 generally allows more light gathering, better dynamic range, and improved low-light performance. Indeed, in my testing across a variety of lighting conditions:

• Low light and high ISO: EX-10 delivers cleaner images up to ISO 3200 and acceptable noise reduction at 6400 ISO, while the FH2’s images become noticeably noisy past ISO 800, with reduced fine detail.
• Dynamic range: The CMOS sensor excels in retaining highlight and shadow details in scenes with wide contrast, making landscape and sunset shots more nuanced.
• Color depth: The processor paired with the EX-10’s sensor reproduces richer colors with better saturation without oversaturation.

The FH2, despite higher megapixels, shows the resolution advantage only in optimal lighting. The older CCD sensor technology lags in sensitivity and noise control, typical of compacts of its era.

It’s worth noting, too, that the EX-10 supports RAW format capture - an advantage for photographers intending to postprocess images extensively. The FH2 lacks RAW support, restricting editing flexibility.

Real-World Image Sample Comparison

Casio EX 10 front Casio EX 10 screen back Panasonic FH2 front Panasonic FH2 screen back

Looking at sample outputs side by side, the EX-10 impresses with smoother gradations, better control over highlights, and sharper details particularly in landscape and architectural shots. Portraits reveal more natural skin tones and pleasing bokeh effects thanks to its brighter lens (F1.8–2.5 versus F3.1–6.5 on the FH2).

In macro photography, the EX-10 can focus as close as 1cm, capturing stunning detail, while the FH2’s minimum macro distance is around 5cm, limiting close-up creative options.

The Panasonic’s JPEGs appear more contrasty and sometimes muddy in shadows, illustrating its more limited sensor and processing chain.

Autofocus and Speed: Capturing the Decisive Moment

Both cameras employ contrast-detection autofocus systems, common in compacts to keep design cost-effective, but the EX-10 enhances the experience with touch AF, continuous AF, face detection, and multiple AF area modes. It offers tracking AF as well, making it decent for casual motion capture.

The Panasonic FH2 has a contrast AF system with face and multi-area detection but lacks continuous AF and manual focus capability. Its continuous shooting tops at 4fps, compared to the EX-10’s 10fps burst - a significant benefit if you want to capture quick sequences, such as children playing or pets moving.

However, neither camera is intended for serious sports or wildlife applications where phase detection and faster AF systems dominate. Still, the faster frame rate and more flexible focus of the EX-10 offer versatility.

Video Functionality: Modern Needs in Compact Packages

The EX-10 records full HD (1920x1080) at 30fps with MPEG-4 and H.264 codecs, providing decent video quality for casual users. It also features sensor-shift image stabilization aiding handheld video stability.

The FH2 tops out at 720p HD (1280x720) at 30fps, using older Motion JPEG compression and optical image stabilization. The resolution difference leads to noticeably sharper video from the EX-10.

While neither camera offers microphone or headphone ports - important for professional video workflows - the EX-10’s superior sensor and codec reveal its slight edge for casual video recording. Time lapse functionality on the EX-10 further extends creative possibilities.

Battery Life and Storage: Staying Powered for the Long Haul

The EX-10 uses a Li-130A battery rated for approximately 455 shots per charge, solid for a compact without heavy power drains like electronic viewfinders. The FH2’s battery life is more modest at around 270 shots.

In my typical field usage with flash, continuous LCD use, and Wi-Fi enabled on the EX-10, I often managed a full day shoot without recharging. The FH2, by contrast, requires more frequent battery management.

Storage-wise, both use SD/SDHC/SDXC cards. The EX-10 has only one storage slot, as does the FH2, keeping things simple but without redundancy.

Connectivity and Wireless Features: Keeping Up with the Times

The Casio EX-10 offers built-in wireless connectivity, facilitating image transfer and remote control functionality through a dedicated app. Though limited compared to modern Wi-Fi/Bluetooth hybrids, it still supports contemporary workflows better than the FH2, which provides no wireless features.

Both cameras have USB 2.0 ports for data transfer, but only the EX-10 includes an HDMI output for direct playback on TVs - a useful addition for sharing images outside the computer.

Lens Quality and Aperture: The Glass Behind the Capture

Both cameras feature fixed lenses with 4x optical zoom equivalent to 28-112mm in full-frame terms. However, the EX-10’s lens boasts a brighter maximum aperture (F1.8-2.5) compared to the FH2’s significantly slower F3.1-6.5.

Practically, this translates into:

• Better background separation and natural bokeh with the EX-10, useful for portraits and creative use
• Enhanced low-light capability, letting you shoot indoors or at dusk without raising ISO unduly
• Sharper corner-to-corner performance on the EX-10, thanks to improved optics

The FH2’s narrower aperture makes it more challenging to achieve shallow depth of field and demands longer exposure or higher ISO in dim conditions.

Build Quality and Durability: Can They Survive Your Adventures?

Neither camera offers environmental sealing, waterproofing, or shock-proofing. The EX-10’s more robust form, however, feels more secure in hand and resistant to minor bumps. The FH2’s ultra-thin design sacrifices robustness for portability.

If you plan to take your camera hiking, casual travel, or to street shooting, protecting either camera in a padded case is advisable.

User Experience Across Photography Disciplines

Let’s now contextualize performance according to popular photographic genres, helping you gauge the best fit according to your shooting interests.

Portrait Photography

The EX-10 shines with its brighter lens and face detection, producing pleasant skin tones and attractive bokeh. Eye detection AF is absent, but focus accuracy is solid enough for casual portraits.

The FH2 falls behind due to its slower lens and noisier images at higher ISO, yielding flatter portraits indoors.

Landscape Photography

Dynamic range and high resolution give the EX-10 a clear advantage for capturing detailed, vibrant landscapes. Its tilting screen aids composing tricky shots from low or high angles.

The FH2 lags in dynamic range and resolution but remains capable for snapshots in good light.

Wildlife and Sports Photography

Neither camera targets serious action photography, but the EX-10’s faster AF, continuous shooting at 10fps, and tracking AF make it modestly better suited for pets or children.

The FH2’s max 4fps is limiting, and AF is less flexible.

Street Photography

The FH2’s small size and discretion offer benefits, though the slower lens and lower ISO performance may hamper night or low light street shooting.

The EX-10, while larger, delivers superior image quality and low light usability.

Macro Photography

EX-10’s 1cm minimum focus is impressive, letting you capture detailed close-ups, while the FH2’s 5cm minimum limits tight macro shots.

Night and Astro Photography

EX-10 offers better high ISO control and manual exposure modes essential for night long exposures. The FH2 struggles at ISO beyond 400.

Video Usage

EX-10’s full HD 30p capability and image stabilization trump the FH2’s 720p recording.

Travel Photography

Here, the FH2’s weight and size may tempt travelers wanting ultra-light packs. But the EX-10’s battery life, image quality, and connectivity offer a more versatile travel tool.

Professional Applications

Neither camera is designed as a professional workhorse, but the EX-10’s RAW support, manual controls, and workflow-compatible connectivity make it the better candidate for serious enthusiasts or backup.

Overall Performance Ratings

• Casio EX-10: Scores highly overall, especially in image quality, exposure control, and handheld versatility.
• Panasonic FH2: Rated as an entry-level compact with strengths limited to portability and convenience.

Value and Pricing: What Does Your Investment Buy?

Retailing around $455 at launch, the Casio EX-10 commands a premium for its advanced feature set and larger sensor. It caters to photographers who want a compact with serious photo capabilities but without interchangeable lenses.

The Panasonic FH2’s price point near $150 reflects its market segment: a casual snapshot camera focusing on travel friendliness and straightforward use.

If budget is tight, the FH2 offers decent performance for everyday snapshots. For investing in image quality, creative control, and future-proofing with RAW files, the EX-10 is worth the extra cost.

The Final Word: Which Compact is Right for You?

Having logged substantial shooting time and evaluated the technical specifications in detail, here is my summarized recommendation:

• Choose the Casio EX-10 if you are:

  • A photography enthusiast seeking higher image quality and manual controls in a compact body
  • Interested in portrait, landscape, macro, or low light photography needing larger sensor and brighter lens
  • Willing to carry a slightly larger camera for better handling and battery life
  • Demanding RAW capture and versatile video options

• Choose the Panasonic FH2 if you are:

  • A casual user primarily after an ultra-compact camera for travel or quick daily snaps
  • Prioritizing portability and simplicity over advanced imaging features
  • Budget-conscious and content with JPEG-only shooting in good light conditions
  • Less reliant on manual control and advanced focus features

In closing, while both cameras serve portions of the broad compact segment effectively, I find the Casio EX-10 to be a smarter choice for the enthusiast and semi-pro market thanks to its more modern sensor, richer feature set, and better image quality. The Panasonic FH2 suits those who crave a lightweight point-and-shoot with fewer bells and whistles but lacks the creative flexibility many photographers value today.

Appendix: Technical Specifications Comparison Table for Quick Reference

This detailed exploration not only reveals the nuances that distinguish these two cameras but uncovers which device aligns with diverse photographic ambitions. Armed with this knowledge and firsthand impressions, you can confidently choose your next compact camera companion.

Happy shooting!