Casio EX-100 vs Panasonic FZ70: A Deep Dive into Two Small Sensor Superzoom Cameras

When it comes to small sensor superzoom cameras, the options can feel overwhelming - especially if you’re balancing specs, usability, and performance. Today, I've put the Casio EX-100 and Panasonic FZ70 under the microscope to help you decide which camera might best suit your photography ambitions. Both announced around the same time, yet each brings a distinctive design philosophy and feature set to the table. With hands-on testing and measured evaluation, I'll walk you through how they perform across a broad range of photography genres, and what you can expect beyond just pixel counts and zoom numbers.

Let’s get started by looking at their overall physical form and user experience.

Getting a Feel for the Cameras: Ergonomics and Design

At first glance, the Casio EX-100 and Panasonic FZ70 couldn't look more different. The EX-100 is a compact, minimalist design weighing in at a surprisingly light 389 grams with a clean, sleek body that’s just 119 x 67 x 50 mm. The FZ70, however, approaches the bridge camera style - chunkier and more pronounced with a DSLR-like grip, measuring 130 x 97 x 118 mm and tipping the scale at 606 grams.

From my experience, these physical differences translate into markedly different shooting experiences. The EX-100’s compactness makes it ideal for discreet street photography or travel, fitting easily in tighter bags without bulk. On the other hand, the FZ70, with its pronounced grip and bulk, offers a reassuring feel for long sessions, particularly when using the long zoom telephoto range - a domain where steady handling pays off.

The control layout reflects this distinction - the Panasonic’s numerous dials and quick-access buttons provide fast, tactile control, which I appreciated for dynamic shooting scenarios. Meanwhile, the Casio keeps things simpler and less intimidating for beginners or those who prefer a more streamlined interface.

Moving closer, let's take a peek from the top to see how control placement differs.

Control Layout and Top Panel Insights: Quick Access Matters

Looking from above, the FZ70’s DSLR-style shutter button, zoom lever, and mode dial are generously sized, providing quick, intuitive access mid-shoot. For photographers accustomed to dSLRs, this bridge camera’s handling feels instantly familiar.

The EX-100 is more minimalist, with fewer buttons and no dedicated mode dial on top; cycling through modes relies more on menus and a smaller number of physical controls. While this keeps distractions low, it may slow down photographers who prefer tactile, fast switching - say, from aperture priority to manual exposure on the fly.

This brings us to the heart of any camera: the sensor. Let’s compare sensor sizes, resolution, and the impact of these choices on image quality.

Sensor Technology and Image Quality: More Than Just Megapixels

Here’s where things get interesting. The Casio EX-100 packs a 1/1.7-inch CMOS sensor measuring 7.44 x 5.58 mm (approx. 41.52 mm²) at 12 megapixels, while the Panasonic FZ70 uses a smaller 1/2.3-inch CMOS sensor at 6.17 x 4.55 mm (28.07 mm²) with a higher 16-megapixel count.

Larger sensor size generally translates to better light gathering and superior image quality, especially in low-light conditions and dynamic range. So, even though the EX-100 has fewer megapixels, its larger sensor can deliver comparatively cleaner images, smoother gradations in skin tones, and better shadow detail.

In side-by-side testing, I found the EX-100 indeed maintains a cleaner file at ISO 800 and beyond, with less noise and better color fidelity. Fine detail rendering is a tie in good light, but the EX-100’s images hold up better in challenging lighting.

Panasonic’s increased pixel density on a smaller sensor means images can appear crisper in well-lit conditions straight from the camera but may suffer more noise as ISO climbs.

If you're a portrait shooter or someone who values nuanced color tones and smoother tonal transitions, the Casio’s sensor is a strong advantage.

Now, complementing hardware is the user interface - let's explore their rear screen and viewfinder.

Display and Viewing Experience: How You Frame Matters

The EX-100 boasts a large, 3.5-inch tilting "Super Clear" LCD at 922k dots, while the FZ70 settles for a fixed 3-inch TFT LCD at 460k dots alongside a 202k-dot electronic viewfinder with 100% coverage.

A tilting screen is invaluable for low or high-angle shots, and in my hands, the EX-100’s screen offered far more flexibility and clarity - a real boon for composing shots when eye-level viewing is tough.

The FZ70’s inclusion of an electronic viewfinder is a mixed bag. It’s handy for shooting in bright daylight when LCD glare would make framing difficult, providing a reassuring eye-level perspective that I found helpful during extended telephoto sessions (leaning into wildlife and sports uses). However, the EVF’s modest resolution isn’t as crisp as higher-end models, and sometimes the refresh rate felt laggy.

So, do you prefer the convenience and framing freedom of a larger, tilting screen, or the compositional security of an EVF for stable eye-level viewing? Your shooting style will dictate which suits better.

Time to see how these specs translate to image results.

Real-World Shots: Comparing Image Samples

Casio EX 100 front Casio EX 100 screen back Panasonic FZ70 front Panasonic FZ70 screen back

Examining sample galleries from both cameras reveals their strengths and weaknesses in practical usage.

Casio EX-100 images show excellent skin tone rendition with a creamy, natural bokeh from its fast F2.8 lens at the wide end - perfect for portraits and controlled shallow depth-of-field work. Landscapes come out with superb dynamic range and balanced highlights/shadows thanks to the larger sensor.

In contrast, the Panasonic FZ70 shines with reach - the 1200 mm equivalent telephoto zoom captures distant wildlife crisply, even when handheld. It’s a versatile travel companion for those who need that super-tele range, albeit with visible softness creeping in at full zoom and in lower light. Also, the faster burst rate is a clear advantage for sports and action captures, despite the smaller sensor’s compromises in tonal gradations.

In macro photography, the Panasonic’s ability to focus as close as 1 cm produces fascinating detail shots, while the Casio's 5 cm minimum focusing distance offers less extreme close-ups.

I found the EX-100 excels in general image quality and low-light portraiture, while the FZ70’s zoom and speed capabilities give it a niche as a highly versatile all-rounder at a more affordable price.

Autofocus Performance: Speed, Accuracy, and Tracking

Both cameras employ contrast-detection autofocus with 25 (EX-100) and 23 (FZ70) focus points.

The EX-100’s autofocus proved surprisingly snappy for a compact, with effective face and eye detection for steady focus on human subjects - ideal for portraits and street photography where keeping eyes tack-sharp matters most.

The FZ70, while slightly slower to lock focus due to its massive zoom range, delivered dependable continuous autofocus and tracking in daylight, critical for wildlife and sports shooting. The continuous shooting speed of 9 fps paired with its AF performance enables better action capture.

Neither offers phase-detection autofocus or animal-eye AF, so in dimmer scenes or fast wildlife scenarios, you may experience hunting or misses, but these are expected limits given their sensor size and class.

Burst and Shutter Speed Analysis: Getting the Moment Right

Casio EX-100’s impressive silent continuous shooting rate of up to 30 fps (albeit at reduced resolution) provides options for capturing fleeting moments quietly - great for discreet street photography or candid portraits.

Still, the maximum mechanical shutter speed of 1/20,000s is extraordinary and offers creative freedom in bright daylight, such as shooting wide open at F2.8 for motion blur effects.

The Panasonic FZ70 offers a maximum shutter speed of 1/2000s, slower but still sufficient for most action shots. Its continuous shooting sits at 9 fps, slower than Casio’s burst mode but at full resolution, meaning sharper, more usable sequences.

For sports or wildlife photographers relying on continuous frames to nail unpredictable split-second action, Panasonic’s steady 9 fps at full resolution is more practical.

Video Capabilities: Which Makes Moving Images Shine?

Both cameras record Full HD 1920x1080 video but differ in encoding and functionality.

The EX-100 offers simple MPEG-4 recording with no microphone input or manual audio control, limiting its use for serious video projects. The added benefit is sensor-shift image stabilization, which helps smooth handheld motion noticeably.

The Panasonic FZ70 records in both MPEG-4 and AVCHD formats, with interlaced options (50i/60i) as well as progressive modes (25p/30p). Stabilization is optical, which works well for a basic level of shake reduction.

Neither includes dedicated microphone or headphone ports, limiting audio quality control. Also, the lack of 4K or high frame-rate modes nudge both cameras out of the realm of advanced videography.

For casual video needs or family footage, either camera will suffice, but video-centric users might feel limited by both.

Weather Sealing and Durability: Ready for the Outdoors?

Neither camera offers environmental sealing, dustproof, or waterproof capabilities, common compromises in compact superzoom models.

The EX-100’s slim form factor trades robustness for portability, while the FZ70’s solid bridge-style body feels more rugged but lacks official weather resistance.

If your ambitions include adventure travel or extreme outdoors, neither camera excels here - consider audiovisual precautions or alternate gear with sealing if conditions get rough.

Battery Life and Storage Considerations

Battery life on paper is quite similar: Casio’s EX-100 rated around 390 shots per charge; Panasonic’s FZ70 slightly higher at about 400 shots.

In real terms, I found the EX-100’s low power consumption aided by its smaller sensor and slim design means it stretches battery life over extended field shooting, especially when relying on LCD only.

The FZ70’s EVF use can drain batteries faster, so packing spares is wise, especially on long photo days involving lots of zooming and continuous shooting.

Both use SD/SDHC/SDXC cards, with the Panasonic also supporting internal memory - minimal but occasionally useful as backup.

Connectivity and Modern Convenience Features

The Casio EX-100 wins here with built-in wireless (details scant but likely Wi-Fi) for image transfer and remote control, albeit no Bluetooth or NFC. This eases quick sharing or remote shooting on the go, a growing expectation in today’s DSLR-alternative market.

The Panasonic FZ70 lacks any wireless connectivity, which could be a dealbreaker for social-first shooters or remote operations.

Both have HDMI output and USB 2.0 for wired data transfer.

Pricing and Value: What Do You Get for Your Dollars?

When I last checked, the Casio EX-100 hovers around $570, while the Panasonic FZ70 can be found for about $300.

You pay a premium for the EX-100’s bigger sensor, faster lens aperture, tilting high-res screen, and wireless connectivity.

The FZ70’s bargain price reflects remarkable zoom reach, solid build, and reliable AF burst shooting but compromises on sensor size and interface refinement.

Your budget and priority use will decidedly sway your choice here.

Where Each Camera Excels: Use-Case Recommendations

Portrait Photography

Here, Casio EX-100 holds clear advantage. Its larger sensor size allows for smoother skin tones, appealing bokeh from its constant F2.8 at 28 mm wide-angle, and effective eye detection autofocus. The tilting screen makes self-framing easy as well.

Landscape Photography

EX-100’s superior dynamic range and higher image quality edges it ahead for landscapes. The Panasonic’s longer zoom range is generally unnecessary here, and the smaller sensor limits detail capture in shadows.

Wildlife Photography

The Panasonic FZ70 leads with its staggering 1200 mm equivalent reach, fast and consistent autofocus tracking, and decent 9 fps continuous shooting. The EX-100’s 300 mm max zoom and slower AF make it less wildlife-optimized.

Sports Photography

Again, FZ70’s burst shooting and AF tracking make it more suitable, although its max shutter speed limits ability to freeze ultra-fast motion in brightly lit venues compared to the EX-100.

Street Photography

EX-100’s compact size, near-silent shutter option, and tilting screen make it the more discreet choice for street shootings requiring stealth.

Macro Photography

FZ70’s 1 cm macro focus distance provides close-up possibilities unmatchable by EX-100 (5 cm).

Night and Astro Photography

EX-100’s larger sensor and higher maximum ISO give it an edge for low-light and astro shots.

Video Use

Both are entry-level video performers. Panasonic’s AVCHD support and frame rate variety provide slightly better versatility, but neither is a serious video tool.

Travel Photography

EX-100’s size and wireless connectivity, paired with solid still performance, make it the better all-around travel companion. FZ70’s mass and lens length excel if wildlife spotting is a trip highlight.

Professional Work

Neither camera fully meets pro demands for workflow integration or ruggedness. However, EX-100’s raw support and image quality may find casual professional or enthusiast applicabilities.

Overall Performance Scores and Genre-Specific Ratings

While neither camera is a flagship powerhouse, these ratings fairly reflect the EX-100’s edge in resolution, low-light capability, and general image quality, balanced by the FZ70’s unique superzoom reach and action shooting prowess.

Final Thoughts: Which Small Sensor Superzoom Should You Choose?

After extensive hands-on testing and side-by-side comparisons, my verdict runs along these lines:

• Choose the Casio EX-100 if you prioritize image quality, portraiture, low-light performance, and a compact, flexible shooting experience with wireless features. It demands a bigger investment but rewards you with cleaner images and a more refined user interface.

• Opt for the Panasonic FZ70 if extreme zoom reach, reliable burst shooting rate, and budget-friendly pricing attract you. It’s perfect for wildlife, sports, and macro enthusiasts who value versatility over sensor size.

Both cameras fulfill distinct roles, and I recommend matching your primary photography interests and budget to these strengths.

I hope this detailed, field-tested comparison aids your decision-making. Remember, no camera is perfect - understand your priorities, and one of these two will serve as a capable companion on your photographic journey.

Happy shooting!

For more hands-on footage and sample video clips comparing these cameras, see my video review above - where I put the autofocus and burst modes through their paces in real-world scenarios.