Casio EX-10 vs Sony WX5: An Expert’s In-Depth Comparison of Two Small Sensor Compacts

Selecting a compact camera for your photography arsenal can be unexpectedly challenging if you’re looking beyond the headline specs. Both the Casio EX-10 and the Sony WX5 hail from respected brands known for their innovation in the compact category, but despite some superficial similarities, these two cameras cater to different priorities and styles. Having spent extensive hands-on hours with both, I’ll take you through a detailed, real-world comparison of these cameras - from sensor details and autofocus to video chops and ergonomics - to help you decide which is the better fit for your needs.

Size and Handling: Pocketability vs Grip Confidence

At first glance, both the Casio EX-10 and Sony WX5 are compact travel-friendly cameras, but they differ substantially in form factor and build.

The EX-10 sports a chunky, robust frame with physical dimensions of 120x68x49 mm and weighs 384 grams. In contrast, the WX5 is much more pocketable at only 92x52x22 mm and a featherweight 146 grams. This difference is critical if you prioritize discreet street photography or want to slide the camera in and out of your pocket effortlessly on quick trips.

The EX-10 offers a much more substantial grip, aided by its thicker body and rubberized surfaces, lending more confidence to handheld shooting - especially with longer focal lengths and longer exposure times. The WX5, meanwhile, feels almost toy-like in hand but excels in portability.

From an ergonomic vantage point, the EX-10 is the clear winner if you plan on shooting for extended periods or require precise handling (e.g., macro or manual focus work). However, the WX5 is palatable for those who value minimalism and compactness above all else.

Top-Down Controls and Interface: A Tale of Two User Experiences

Moving to the cameras' control layouts, the EX-10 benefits from a well-thought-out, tactile top deck and rear control grouping. Its 3.5-inch Super Clear tilting touchscreen (922k dots) is a joy to compose with, offering a responsive interface that extends into autofocus and menu navigation.

The Sony WX5 features a smaller 2.8-inch fixed screen (461k dots) with no touchscreen capability, necessitating more reliance on physical buttons - which are durably built but sometimes cramped due to the camera’s diminutive size.

Manual controls clearly favor the Casio, which supports shutter and aperture priority, full manual exposure, and exposure compensation - crucial for photographers who want creative control. The Sony lacks these manual exposure modes entirely, relying more on fully automatic or limited semi-auto functions.

While the EX-10’s interface feels more modern and flexible, the WX5’s simplicity could appeal to casual shooters who prefer point-and-shoot convenience.

Sensors and Imaging: Size, Resolution, and Quality

Despite both boasting a 12-megapixel resolution, sensor tech and size make a considerable difference in image potential.

The EX-10 packs a 1/1.7” CMOS sensor (7.44 x 5.58 mm; 41.52 mm²), notably larger than the WX5’s smaller 1/2.3” BSI-CMOS sensor (6.17 x 4.55 mm; 28.07 mm²). Larger sensors generally translate to better image quality - offering improved dynamic range, higher signal-to-noise ratio, and superior low-light performance. The Casio’s sensor benefits from a newer generation Exilim Engine HS 3 processor, facilitating raw capture, something the Sony WX5 does not support.

In practical shooting tests, the difference is evident. The EX-10 delivers cleaner, sharper images with more natural color rendition and better detail retention in shadows and highlights. Sony’s WX5 struggles more above ISO 800, exhibiting increased noise and reduced clarity. However, the WX5 does supply an interesting bonus with a slightly longer zoom range (24-120mm 5× versus EX-10’s 28-112mm 4×) but at the expense of a slower aperture - F2.4-5.9 versus F1.8-2.5 - which further affects low-light capability.

Autofocus and Focus Flexibility

Autofocus is one of those real-world features often glossed over in spec sheets, but is essential for capturing sharply focused images, especially in moving subject scenarios or low light.

The Casio EX-10 shines here with a contrast-detection autofocus system that supports touch-focus, continuous AF, face detection, and multiple AF area modes - including single zone, multi-area, and tracking. Manual focus is also supported, allowing for precise adjustments - a welcome feature for macro enthusiasts and creative shooters alike.

The Sony WX5 offers a contrast detection system as well, but with a more limited 9-point AF area and no continuous AF or face detection - limiting its tracking and responsiveness. Manual focus is unavailable, relying solely on autofocus with single-shot priority.

In my experience, the EX-10 locks focus faster, is more accurate in low contrast scenes, and handles subject movement better with its continuous AF mode. The WX5’s AF can hunt in tricky lighting and is less reliable for fast action or portraiture that demands eye detection.

Display and Live View Usability

Let’s circle back to the rear screens, as they’re crucial to composition, especially since neither camera has an electronic viewfinder (EVF).

The EX-10 features a generous 3.5-inch tilting touchscreen, enabling flexible shooting angles including selfies or overhead street shots. The touchscreen responsiveness impressed me during travel shoots - allowing quick selection of focus points and swift navigation through settings.

The WX5’s 2.8-inch fixed LCD is smaller, lower resolution, and non-touch, requiring more button presses to make adjustments - a mild frustration leading to slower operation in complex scenes.

For photographers who relish manual focusing or framing precision, the EX-10’s liveview advantages are substantial.

Flash and Low Light Performance

In lower light or indoor shooting, a camera’s flash and high ISO performance come into play.

The EX-10 has a built-in flash with a range up to 10.9 meters and offers multiple flash modes: Auto, Off, Fill-In, and Red-Eye Reduction. Coupled with its bright aperture (F1.8) at wide angle, it’s capable of shooting in quite dim conditions without reliance on flash or excessive ISO noise.

The WX5 includes a flash rated at 5.1 meters max range, and offers traditional flash modes but limited ISO sensitivity tops out at 3200. The smaller sensor and slower lens compromise the WX5’s ability to capture clean images in low-light environments without flash.

Burst Shooting and Sports/Action Potential

For sports, wildlife, or any fast-action photography, continuous shooting speed and autofocus tracking prowess matter.

Both cameras advertise a 10 fps burst rate, but it’s essential to note that the EX-10’s continuous AF and face-detection tracking complement this speed more effectively than the WX5’s more limited AF system.

In real-world use, the Casio’s 10 fps with continuous AF results in more in-focus keepers when subjects are moving, whereas the Sony’s burst mode is less consistently sharp without continuous focus.

Video Capabilities: Everyday Recording and Creative Flexibility

Video has become a must-have feature in modern cameras, even compacts.

The EX-10 records full HD 1080p at 30fps with MPEG-4/H.264 codec, supports timelapse recording, and benefits from its in-body sensor-shift image stabilization to smooth handheld footage.

Sony’s WX5 offers 1080p video but at a higher frame rate of 50fps in AVCHD format, ensuring smooth motion, although it lacks any timelapse or advanced video features.

Neither camera sports a microphone input - a common limitation in older compact models.

From a practical perspective, the EX-10’s sensor-shift stabilization and easier manual exposure controls make it better suited to casual video projects. The WX5’s higher fps may appeal to those capturing fast motion, but overall image quality and flexibility skew in Casio’s favor.

Specialized Use Cases: Macro and Travel Shooting

Macro photography enthusiasts will appreciate the EX-10’s extremely close focusing distance of 1 cm, versus 5 cm on the WX5. This enables detailed close-ups with significant magnification, supported by precise manual focus control.

The EX-10’s sensor-shift stabilization aids in handheld macro shots, reducing blur due to camera shake - a critical advantage.

In travel settings, the Sony’s compact size and lightweight design may trump for those wanting ultra-portability. However, the EX-10’s superior image quality, more versatile control system, and longer battery life (~455 shots vs unclear on WX5) make it the more capable travel companion for enthusiasts who won’t compromise on performance.

Battery Life and Storage

The Casio EX-10 uses a proprietary Li-130A battery pack rated for approximately 455 shots per charge, a solid figure for a compact camera of its class.

Sony’s WX5 battery specs show use of the NP-BN1 battery, but official battery life is not well documented - typical Sony compacts from this era average around 200-300 shots per charge.

Storage-wise, both cameras use SD/SDHC/SDXC memory cards, with the WX5 also supporting Memory Stick Duo/Pro Duo, adding flexibility if you already own Sony accessories.

Connectivity Features and Extras

The Casio EX-10 offers built-in wireless connectivity (though no Bluetooth or NFC), letting you transfer images wirelessly - useful for sharing on the go.

The Sony WX5 provides Eye-Fi card compatibility for wireless transfers but lacks native Wi-Fi or Bluetooth.

Neither camera includes GPS, headphone ports, or advanced connectivity features, reflecting their small sensor compact class and release era.

Build Quality and Weather Resistance

Neither camera offers professional weather sealing, waterproofing, or shock resistance. Both are standard compact designs suited for general outdoor use but require care around moisture and harsh environments.

The EX-10 feels more robust in the hand, with a bulkier build and better grip texture, while the WX5’s ultra-slim, light plastic shell feels more delicate - factors that might influence durability over time.

Sample Image Quality and Real-World Shooting

After prolonged field testing including urban, portrait, macro, and travel scenarios, the Casio EX-10 emerges with convincingly superior image quality. Its files show more detail, better control over noise at higher ISO settings, and a natural color palette.

The Sony WX5 does produce respectable images at low ISO in good light, but struggles in shadows and noise control compared to the EX-10.

Casio EX 10 front Casio EX 10 screen back Sony WX5 front Sony WX5 screen back

Overall Ratings and Composite Scores

To encapsulate the comparison broadly, I compiled an overall rating matrix covering handling, image quality, performance, and value.

The Casio EX-10 scores higher due to superior image quality, manual controls, and a more versatile feature set. The Sony WX5 rates well for pure compact portability and ease of use but trails in critical technical and creative parameters.

Specialized Genre Performance Breakdown

Analyzing how each camera fares in specific photography disciplines yields further insights:

• Portraiture: EX-10’s sharper images, wide aperture, and face detection autofocus yield more pleasing skin tones and bokeh.
• Landscape: Larger sensor dynamic range and tilting screen on EX-10 excel; Sony’s smaller sensor limits image nuances.
• Wildlife/Sports: Both limited by small sensor; EX-10’s continuous AF slightly better for tracking.
• Street: WX5’s smaller size benefits discreet shooting, but EX-10’s quieter shutter and tilting screen add flexibility.
• Macro: EX-10 dominates with closer focusing distance and manual focus.
• Night/Astro: EX-10 offers higher max ISO and raw capability; clearer night sky shots.
• Video: EX-10’s sensor stabilization and manual control outpace fixed focus/limited video features on WX5.
• Travel: WX5 wins for sheer portability; EX-10 valued for versatility and image quality.
• Professional use: Neither designed as professional workhorses, but EX-10’s raw output appeals to serious enthusiasts integrating into workflows.

Recommendations for Different Users and Budgets

If you are:

• A photography enthusiast wanting creative control, superior low light performance, and manual exposure modes, the Casio EX-10 is worth the premium price (~$455) for its expanded capabilities and image quality.
• A traveler or casual shooter prioritizing a slim, lightweight compact for snapshots and easy carrying, the Sony WX5 (~$250) is a sensible entry-level option - especially if manual control and raw files aren’t priorities.
• Interested in macro or close-up art, the EX-10’s 1cm macro focus and sensor stabilization make it uniquely well suited in this pair.
• Concerned about video flexibility, EX-10 offers a steadier, sharper option with stabilization and timelapse features.
• Budget-conscious but wanting reasonable image quality in daylight, the WX5 can suffice, though you must accept limitations in manual control and noise performance.

Final Thoughts: A Tale of Two Small Sensor Compacts from Different Eras

Reflecting on extensive hands-on use of both cameras, it’s clear these models, despite their similarities on paper, serve markedly different photographer profiles and eras of design philosophy.

The Casio EX-10 feels like a bridge between serious enthusiast compacts and easy-to-use travel companions - with thoughtfully implemented manual controls, a tilting touchscreen, and very respectable imaging chops for its sensor size.

The Sony WX5, on the other hand, is a more traditional, simple point-and-shoot compact - notable for its ultra-small size and adequate image quality under good light, but limited by older tech, smaller sensor, and simplified exposure controls.

Choosing between them boils down to what you value: uncompromised creative control and image quality in a still-compact package (EX-10), or ultra-portability and ease-of-use with modest performance (WX5).

In closing, neither camera replaces the need for larger sensor mirrorless or DSLR systems for professional-grade work, but both carve out respectable niches for enthusiasts or travelers seeking simplicity without fully sacrificing quality or control.

I hope this thorough comparison helps clarify where each camera shines - and importantly, where they fall short. As always, investing some hands-on time yourself, when possible, brings invaluable perspective beyond specs and reviews. Happy shooting!

Image Credits:
Casio EX-10 and Sony WX5: Manufacturer images and original testing.

If you have specific questions about any aspect of the cameras or photography techniques for these compacts, feel free to ask!