Casio EX-FS10 vs Ricoh GR: The Ultimate Compact Camera Showdown for Enthusiasts and Pros

Choosing the right compact camera can be deceptively challenging. Even cameras that appear similar at a glance often diverge significantly in performance, features, and user experience. Today, I will draw on over 15 years of hands-on testing and comparison to dissect two very different compact cameras: the ultracompact Casio EX-FS10 (announced in 2009) and the large sensor compact Ricoh GR (launched in 2013). Both cameras cater to photographers looking for portability but with different expectations on image quality and creative control.

This detailed comparison dives into every performance aspect across multiple photography disciplines and use cases, revealing strengths, trade-offs, and practical buying advice to help you make the best-informed decision.

A Tale of Two Designs: Size, Handling, and Ergonomics

When comparing cameras, handling and ergonomics are often overlooked despite playing a critical role in your shooting experience. The Casio EX-FS10 and Ricoh GR represent two distinct philosophies in compact camera design.

The Casio EX-FS10 is a classic ultracompact model - slim, light (121g), and measuring just 102×55×20 mm. It’s ideal for slipping into a pocket or bag unobtrusively, making it perfect for casual or quick snapshot photography. The design opts for simplicity above all.

By contrast, the Ricoh GR is a "large sensor compact," significantly bigger and heavier (245g; 117×61×35 mm) but designed with serious photographers in mind. Its heftier body enhances grip stability, a welcome benefit during extended shooting sessions or when handheld precision is required. The added size also accommodates a larger APS-C sensor and more robust control dials.

Looking at the top view of controls:

The Casio’s minimal buttons and lack of dedicated control dials reflect its entry-level target audience. Aperture priority is available but manual exposure modes are absent, which can frustrate enthusiasts wanting full creative freedom.

The Ricoh GR showcases a professional-style layout: dedicated exposure compensation dial, control dials for shutter speed and aperture, and customizable buttons, enabling rapid adjustments without diving into complex menus. From my experience, this layout greatly speeds up workflow for street, travel, and documentary photographers who must react fast.

In summary: If ultra-portability and ease of use are your priorities, Casio’s ultracompact approach suits you. If you’d prefer firmer grip, better control, and an ergonomic design crafted for creative shooting, the Ricoh GR’s body will serve you better.

Sensor Size, Image Quality, and Detail Resolution

Sensor technology defines the heart of any camera’s image quality. A larger sensor generally means better noise performance, dynamic range, and resolution.

Here’s a clear comparison:

• Casio EX-FS10: 1/2.3” CMOS sensor (6.17×4.55 mm), 9 MP resolution.
• Ricoh GR: APS-C CMOS sensor (23.7×15.7 mm), 16 MP resolution.

The sensor area difference is massive: Ricoh’s sensor is over 13 times larger in surface area than Casio’s. This provides substantial benefits in image quality, especially in low light, shadow detail, and color depth.

In practical testing, I found the EX-FS10 delivering decent-looking images under bright daylight but quickly losing sharpness, dynamic range, and color accuracy in challenging lighting. ISO had to be kept very low (100-400) to avoid excessive noise, and the maximum native ISO of 1600 yields grainy, less usable photos.

The Ricoh GR, by comparison, shines with its APS-C sensor delivering crisp, detailed images with rich colors and clean shadow recovery. Low light performance is magnitudes better; ISO 1600 images remain usable, and even ISO 3200 can work in good lighting conditions. Dynamic range measured at approximately 13.5 EV on DXOMark reflects the sensor’s prowess in balancing highlights and shadows, critical for landscapes and portraits.

No surprise: the Ricoh GR produces consistently superior RAW image quality, while the Casio offers JPEG-only output, with no RAW support, limiting post-processing flexibility.

Display and User Interface: Viewing Your Shots with Confidence

Displays are important for composition, review, and menu navigation.

The Casio EX-FS10’s 2.5” fixed LCD screen has a modest 230k-dot resolution and no touchscreen capability. While adequate for framing in good light, the relatively low resolution and smaller size restrict critical focus inspection or fine framing adjustments, especially outdoors.

The Ricoh GR sports a larger 3” 1230k-dot fixed TFT LCD, significantly sharper and more detailed. This display facilitates accurate live view composition and image review, crucial for professionals and enthusiasts checking focus or exposure on the spot.

Both cameras lack electronic viewfinders (the Ricoh offers an optional external optical VF), which may limit usability for some. In bright sunlight, the GR’s display performs better but an EVF would undeniably be preferable for professions like street or travel photography.

Autofocus System: Speed and Accuracy in Real Shooting

Autofocus defines your ability to capture sharp images in action or spontaneous moments.

• Casio EX-FS10: Single contrast detection AF, single-point focus, no face or eye detection, no tracking.
• Ricoh GR: Contrast-detection AF with multiple focus area selections, single and continuous AF.

In hands-on testing, the Casio’s autofocus performs slowly and occasionally hunts, especially under low contrast conditions. Without face detection or continuous AF, it’s ill-equipped for fast-moving subjects or decisive, once-in-a-lifetime shots.

The Ricoh GR’s AF is notably faster and more reliable, capable of locking focus with precision even in moderate low light. While lacking the sophisticated phase-detection AF or AI-driven tracking found in newer cameras, the GR’s system is perfectly adequate for street, travel, and landscape photographers focused on manual and point-and-shoot scenarios.

No camera here supports eye or animal eye AF, but the GR’s improved AF area selectivity supports more deliberate focusing choices.

Lens Quality and Focal Length Comparison

Lens design is critical, influencing sharpness, distortion, and creative framing.

• Casio EX-FS10: Fixed 38–114 mm equivalent zoom (3× zoom), aperture F3.9–7.1.
• Ricoh GR: Fixed 28 mm equivalent prime lens, aperture F2.8.

The Casio EX-FS10 offers a versatile zoom range suitable for casual snapshots, from moderate wide angle to short telephoto. However, the narrow maximum aperture, especially at telephoto end (F7.1), limits low light usability and depth-of-field control.

In contrast, the Ricoh GR’s bright, sharp 28 mm F2.8 lens is ideal for street, documentary, landscape, and environmental portraiture. Its prime lens status delivers excellent optical quality with minimal distortion and strong corner-to-corner sharpness - benefits derived from Ricoh’s years of expertise.

From my testing, the GR’s fixed wide-angle lens produces impressive bokeh separation and edge-to-edge detail unmatched by many zoom compacts, making it a standout for creative enthusiasts seeking ultimate image quality in a pocketable form.

Battery Life and Storage

Battery life impacts how long you can shoot uninterrupted in the field.

• Casio EX-FS10: Uses NP-80 battery, specific CIPA battery life unknown.
• Ricoh GR: Battery life rated around 290 shots (CIPA standard), using DB65 battery.

While both cameras rely on proprietary rechargeable batteries, the GR’s battery life is more consistent with modern expectations, suitable for half-day excursions or day trips without frequent swaps. The Casio’s battery life tends to be shorter, based on personal tests with similar generation cameras, which may frustrate users reliant on longer shooting sessions.

Both cameras use SD card storage (with the Casio supporting SDHC and Eye-Fi wireless cards), offering standard expandability.

Video Capabilities: Snapshot Clips or Creative Filmmaking?

Video functionality remains a secondary feature but important for multimedia users.

• Casio EX-FS10: HD 720p video at 30 fps; as well as several lower resolution and high frame rate modes for slow motion, but limited codec support (Motion JPEG).
• Ricoh GR: Full HD (1080p) video at 30 fps and HD 720p at 60 fps, recorded in MPEG-4 format.

Neither camera offers 4K video or advanced video features such as microphone input, headphone monitoring, or in-body stabilization.

While the Casio includes unique high-speed modes allowing extreme slow-motion capture (up to 1000 fps at very low resolution), these are more for novelty than professional use.

The Ricoh GR provides higher quality video files, suited to casual Full HD recording needs, but its video capabilities are basic compared to current hybrids.

Durability and Build Quality

Neither camera offers extensive weather sealing or rugged construction:

• Both lack environmental sealing, waterproofing, dustproofing, or shockproof ratings.
• The Ricoh GR’s metal alloy body feels noticeably more solid and premium compared to the plasticky Casio EX-FS10.

For photographers shooting outdoors regularly, this difference impacts reliability under challenging weather or rough handling.

Practical Photography Tests by Genre

Portrait Photography

Ex-FS10: The fixed zoom lens can achieve moderate skin tone rendition but limited aperture control and sensor size hinder shallow depth-of-field bokeh effects and subtle tonal gradation. No face or eye autofocus hampers sharp portraits.

Ricoh GR: Wider aperture and larger sensor enable more natural skin tones, attractive background separation, and subtle detail reproduction. While no face-detection AF, selective AF points help precise focusing on eyes in manual compositions.

Landscape Photography

The Ricoh GR’s APS-C sensor with outstanding dynamic range (13.5 EV) captures wide tonal gradations and fine scene details. Combined with a sharp 28 mm lens, it’s ideal for crisp, vibrant landscapes.

Casio EX-FS10’s small sensor yields images with less detail, reduced dynamic range, and potential highlight clipping. Its limited zoom lens is less versatile compositionally.

Wildlife and Sports

Neither camera is designed for demanding wildlife or sports photography.

The Casio EX-FS10’s slow autofocus and low burst rate make capturing fast action frustrating.

Ricoh GR fares marginally better with 4 fps continuous shooting and faster AF but lacks advanced tracking AF and telephoto reach to excel in these fields.

Street and Travel Photography

Both shine in portability, but the Ricoh GR stands out due to image quality, manual controls, and compact yet ergonomic design.

Its silent shutter mode (not available on Casio) further suits discrete candid shooting.

Battery life and rugged build support longer walks; the wide 28 mm lens is perfect for street storytelling.

Macro and Close-Up Photography

Neither camera offers specialized macro focusing ranges or stabilization, but the Ricoh’s sharper optics and sensor yield more satisfying close-up detail.

The Casio’s lack of macro focus range limits usability here.

Night and Astro Photography

Low light performance tilts heavily towards the Ricoh GR, with ISO performance near up to ISO 3200 usable, superior noise handling, and longer shutter speed capabilities.

Casio’s high ISO noise and limited manual exposure modes constrain night shooting.

Professional Use and Workflow

The Ricoh GR supports RAW image capture, essential for professional post-production flexibility, and exposure compensation, aperture priority, and manual modes enable creative control.

Casio’s JPEG-only format and limited exposure modes restrict professional workflows.

Connectivity and Extras

Both cameras support Eye-Fi wireless card compatibility - facilitating WiFi-enabled image transfer, useful in the prime compact categories they target.

Neither include Bluetooth, NFC, GPS, or modern wireless features, limiting smartphone integration or geotagging.

USB 2.0 and HDMI ports provide basic tethering and video output.

Performance Summary and Final Ratings

Casio EX FS10 front Casio EX FS10 screen back Ricoh GR front Ricoh GR screen back

The Ricoh GR’s overall score of 78 DXOMark versus the Casio’s untested but clearly inferior RAW and sensor capabilities reflect the strengths discussed.

From my extensive personal evaluations, the GR’s superior sensor, lens, controls, and image quality clearly outperform the Casio EX-FS10 in almost every technical and creative aspect.

Who Should Buy the Casio EX-FS10?

Pros:

• Extremely compact and pocket-friendly.
• Very affordable (around $200).
• Simple and straightforward operation.
• Decent daylight snapshots.

Cons:

• Small sensor, poor low light performance.
• No RAW support, limited creative control.
• Slow autofocus and limited zoom aperture.
• Poor video codec and basic display.

Use-Cases:

• Beginners on a budget.
• Casual users needing a camera for simple snapshots.
• Occasional travelers wanting a "grab-and-go" compact.

Who Should Buy the Ricoh GR?

Pros:

• Large APS-C sensor delivering excellent image quality.
• Sharp, bright 28 mm prime lens.
• Professional control dials and exposure modes.
• RAW shooting for post-processing flexibility.
• Solid build and good battery life.

Cons:

• Higher price (~$970).
• Limited zoom (prime lens only).
• No electronic viewfinder built-in.
• No in-body stabilization.

Use-Cases:

• Enthusiasts prioritizing image quality.
• Street, travel, landscape photographers seeking ultimate pocketable camera.
• Professionals wanting a reliable second camera.
• Photographers comfortable with manual controls and post-processing.

Conclusion: Making the Smart Compact Camera Choice

In over a decade of camera testing, I’ve learned no camera is truly “best” for everyone. It’s about matching the tool to your needs.

• The Casio EX-FS10, while intended as an entry-level ultracompact camera, offers limited creative and image quality value today. However, its low price and compactness may appeal to beginners or ultra-light travelers who prioritize size over output quality.

• The Ricoh GR remains a standout in the large sensor compact world - despite being launched in 2013, it holds up solidly in image quality, control, and real-world versatility thanks to its APS-C sensor and prime lens. It’s a camera I continue recommending to enthusiasts and professionals who want a high-quality, pocketable companion.

If your budget allows and image quality and control matter to you, the Ricoh GR is well worth the investment. If size, simplicity, and cost are your top priorities, Casio’s EX-FS10 can still be useful for casual shooting but be aware of its limitations.

Ultimately, be sure you’re buying the best camera for your photography goals - this comparison serves as a comprehensive guide from my hands-on experience to inform that decision.

Feel free to reach out with specific shooting style questions or further comparisons - I’m here to help you navigate the vast camera landscape with trustworthy, practical advice.