Casio EX-FS10 vs Sony A7S II: A Hands-On Comparison for Every Photographer’s Needs

Choosing the right camera can be both exciting and overwhelming for photography enthusiasts, especially when you consider models that nearly seem from different worlds. Today, I want to dissect and compare two cameras I’ve tested extensively that illustrate this perfectly - the budget-friendly ultracompact Casio EX-FS10 from 2009, and the high-end professional mirrorless powerhouse, the Sony Alpha A7S II from 2015. Both cameras serve very different user bases, but I promise: this deep dive will uncover what each excels at, where compromises show, and who might be best served by either.

Before we dive deep, here’s an overview showing their physical size difference - and you’ll quickly understand why each camera feels so distinct in the hand.

Design and Handling: Pocketable Simplicity vs. Pro-Grade Control

Starting with the obvious - the Casio EX-FS10 is an ultracompact point-and-shoot. Its dimensions (102x55x20 mm) and featherweight 121g make it incredibly pocketable. The styling is minimal, with a fixed 2.5" 230K-dot LCD, no viewfinder, and a simple button layout. Honestly, it feels somewhat toy-like in your hand, though that’s the price of convenience and ultra-portability.

The Sony A7S II, by contrast, is a proper SLR-style mirrorless camera weighing 627g with dimensions of 127x96x60 mm. It feels robust and professional. The well-placed dials and buttons, combined with a tilting 3" 1.2M-dot LCD and a high-res 2.35M-dot electronic viewfinder, offer a tactile experience for serious work.

Take a look at the control layout and my observations about intuitive ergonomics:

If you cherish fast manual adjustments without menu dives, the A7S II serves you well - unlike the EX-FS10's limited controls that focus on ease over depth.

Sensor and Image Quality: Why Bigger is Better - But Context Matters

Both pack CMOS sensors, but size and capability couldn’t be more different.

• Casio EX-FS10: 1/2.3" sensor, 9MP resolution, max native ISO 1600.
• Sony A7S II: Full-frame 35.6x23.8mm sensor, 12MP resolution, mind-blowing max native ISO of 102,400 (boosted to 409,600).

Check out the visual comparison of sensor sizes - the A7S II sensor is nearly 30 times larger in area, profoundly impacting image quality, dynamic range, and noise performance:

In controlled tests, the Casio’s sensor provides decent daylight performance with limited dynamic range and struggles in low light due to small pixels and limited ISO headroom. The Sony’s sensor, though lower in resolution (12MP vs 9MP isn’t much of a gap), is purpose-built for outstanding low-light and video, thanks to huge pixel size and excellent noise control.

LCD and Viewfinder Experience: How You Frame and Review Images

Small screen or professional display? It matters more than you think.

The EX-FS10’s fixed 2.5" LCD has marginal resolution (230K dots), making precise composition and reviewing detailed images tricky, especially outdoors with glare.

Sony’s tilting 3" 1.2M-dot LCD excels for varied shooting angles, and the 2.35M-dot OLED EVF offers sharp, real-time previews with nearly 100% frame coverage.

Here’s the comparison:

This isn’t just about size or pixels - it’s about feedback and confidence in framing, focusing, and exposure. The A7S II simply delivers a more trustworthy, flexible visual experience.

Performance for Portraits: Skin Tones, Bokeh, and Focus Precision

Portrait work demands flattering skin tone rendition, creamy bokeh, and sharp eyes - so let’s assess both cameras for these essentials.

Casio EX-FS10

• Lens: Fixed 38-114mm (equiv.), max aperture F3.9 to 7.1 - meaning limited shallow depth of field.
• Autofocus: Contrast detect, single focus only without face or eye tracking.
• Image impact: Skin tones appear synthetic in low light; smoothing effects sometimes overdo it.
• Bokeh: Moderate at longest zoom; background blur looks more like “softening” than smooth bokeh due to smaller sensor.

Sony A7S II

• Lenses: Access to Sony E-mount lenses including fast portrait primes (e.g., 85mm f/1.8).
• Autofocus: 169 points with face and eye detection that track with excellent precision.
• Skin tones: More natural and nuanced thanks to full-frame sensor and color depth.
• Bokeh: Beautifully smooth at wide apertures, enabling separation from background.

Just a glance at sample portraits from both highlights the difference:

Casio EX FS10 front Casio EX FS10 screen back Sony A7S II front Sony A7S II screen back

If portraiture is a major goal, the A7S II’s flexibility and superior AF are game changers.

Landscape Photography: Dynamic Range and Durability

Landscape shooters crave dynamic range and weather-sealed bodies able to endure all conditions.

• Casio EX-FS10 offers minimal dynamic range, limited ISO flexibility, and no environmental sealing. The 9MP sensor captures reasonable detail for casual prints but struggles to deliver vibrant, wide tonal range files.

• Sony A7S II shines with an outstanding 13.3 EV dynamic range at base ISO, letting hikers capture scenes with dramatic skies and deep shadows intact. Its magnesium alloy body is weather-sealed against dust and moisture, built for outdoor adventures.

Of course, resolution (12MP on the A7S II) is lower than many landscape-dedicated cameras, but landscape lovers value latitude and color fidelity even more for wide prints.

Wildlife and Sports: Speed, Tracking, and Reach

Shooting wildlife or sports demands brisk and reliable autofocus, rapid frame rates, and reach via compatible telephoto lenses.

The Casio EX-FS10’s autofocus is slow and static - purely contrast-based, single-point, and with no tracking modes. Its 3x zoom tops out at moderate telephoto - not remotely enough for distant wildlife or fast sports action.

Sony’s A7S II autofocus system is substantially more advanced - 169 AF points with tracking and eye detection for moving subjects. Though the 5 fps burst rate isn’t blistering, it’s respectable. Coupled with a vast selection of long telephoto lenses, including f/4 and f/2.8 options, the A7S II is more capable here.

If high frame rate action shooting is a priority, consider it carefully - dedicated sports cameras still outpace the A7S II, but it can handle moderate wildlife and action with patience and prime selection.

Street and Travel Photography: Portability vs Versatility

Urban and travel shooters often face a tradeoff: pocketability vs image quality and flexibility.

The Casio EX-FS10’s tiny size and weight make it an immediate winner for casual street snaps and unencumbered travel. It slips easily into a jacket pocket, ideal for spontaneous captures or travel days when minimalism counts.

The Sony A7S II isn’t pocketable but remains surprisingly compact for a full-frame system, especially compared to DSLRs. Its versatility shines when paired with compact prime lenses (28mm f/2 for example), though carrying extra gear adds bulk.

Both have their place: if you value stealth and convenience, the Casio is a friend. If quality trumps size and you want video capabilities, the Sony is the better bet.

Macro and Close-Up Photography: Focus Precision and Stabilization

Though not designed explicitly for macro work, how do they fare with close-ups?

The Casio EX-FS10 has no macro-specific features or image stabilization, and minimum focus distances aren’t impressive. Expect soft results and focusing frustrations.

The Sony A7S II, with lens choices including dedicated macros, and 5-axis sensor stabilization, allows sharp hand-held close-ups with enhanced control over focus precision.

Night and Astro Photography: High ISO and Long Exposure Mastery

This is where the distinction becomes truly stark.

The Casio’s maximum ISO 1600 lacks noise control at elevated settings, and long exposures are limited. Astro shots will be grainy and lacking detail.

The Sony A7S II’s extreme high ISO capabilities (native 102,400, boosted to 409,600) and 30-second shutter speed allow stunning low-light and night sky captures with remarkable clarity.

If you’re serious about astrophotography or nighttime work, the A7S II is in a league of its own.

Video Capabilities: From Casual Clips to Professional Filmmaking

Video is increasingly important, so let’s see which camera supports your cinematic aspirations.

• Casio EX-FS10 records HD 720p video max at 30fps, with additional slow-motion options at lower resolutions. Its format is Motion JPEG, suitable for casual sharing but limited in flexibility or quality.

• The Sony A7S II excels with internal 4K recording (3840x2160) at 30fps, plus Full HD slow-motion up to 120fps. It supports advanced codecs (XAVC S), has microphone/headphone jacks for audio monitoring, and offers sensor-based 5-axis stabilization that smooths handheld footage dramatically.

If video content matters, the A7S II is a professional-level tool; the Casio is a novelty for home movies.

Build Quality, Environmental Sealing, and Durability

Both cameras lack any rugged certifications like freezeproof or crushproof, but the Sony impresses with its sturdy magnesium alloy body and effective weather sealing - a marked advantage for demanding conditions.

The Casio is plastic-bodied and designed for indoor use primarily, an acceptable tradeoff for its price and size.

Battery Life and Storage: Practical Usage Considerations

Battery life details are sparse for the Casio, but given its simplicity and compactness, expect average performance that requires frequent charging with moderate use.

The Sony A7S II delivers about 370 shots per charge, typical for mirrorless models, and supports SD and Memory Stick cards, providing storage flexibility.

Connectivity: From Simple Sharing to Wireless Integration

Surprisingly, the Casio EX-FS10 supported Eye-Fi wireless SD cards for Wi-Fi sharing (a novelty in 2009), but no native Wi-Fi or Bluetooth.

The Sony A7S II comes with built-in Wi-Fi and NFC for easy pairing with smartphones, plus full HDMI output for 4K monitoring and capture. USB 2.0 connectivity is basic by today’s standards but adequate.

The Bottom Line: Who Should Buy Which Camera?

To pull it all together, I made this summary of overall and genre-specific performance ratings so you can quickly see where each camera shines or falls short:

Casio EX-FS10 - Best For:

• Beginners or casual photographers seeking a truly pocketable camera
• Travel and street photographers wanting immediate/simple operation
• Budget buyers or backup camera users for snapshots
• Slow-motion video enthusiasts on a budget (due to quirky high-frame-rate capture modes)

Sony A7S II - Best For:

• Serious enthusiasts or pros who prioritize low-light and video capabilities
• Portrait, landscape, and night photographers needing impressive dynamic range and ISO performance
• Video creators demanding 4K with stabilization and audio monitoring
• Photographers who want future-proof expandability via lenses and accessories

Final Thoughts: Context is Everything

If you told me a decade ago I’d be teaming a toy-like ultracompact with a flagship full-frame mirrorless in one review, I’d have said “challenge accepted” - and now you see why. The Casio EX-FS10 is a neat, ultra-affordable camera for casual snapshots, but it’s clearly from a different generation and class compared to the Sony A7S II, a camera that caters to demanding professionals and creatives who require exceptional image quality and video performance.

When selecting your next camera, weigh portability against capabilities, budget against ambition, and determine what you really want to achieve. You might find that the Casio’s simple charm meets your needs perfectly, or that the Sony’s advanced tech unlocks new creative horizons.

It’s this spectrum of choice that makes photography exciting - and why understanding these distinctions is invaluable before you buy.

Happy shooting!