Casio EX-G1 vs Panasonic Lumix FS7: A Hands-On Ultracompact Showdown from 2009

When exploring the ultracompact camera landscape of the late 2000s, two contenders stand out for their intriguing blend of portability, image quality, and usability: the Casio EX-G1 and the Panasonic Lumix FS7. Both released in 2009, these cameras targeted casual shooters and enthusiasts who wanted respectable imaging chops without lugging around bulky gear. Nearly a decade and a half later, it's fascinating to revisit how these devices approached the same goals with very different philosophies and engineering choices.

As someone who’s spent years testing a dizzying array of cameras - from DSLR beasts to pocketable trail cams - I’ve handled both of these models extensively. Today, I’ll share a deep dive into their technical features, real-world performance, and suitability across various photography niches. Whether you’re a collector, tech historian, or just curious about compact camera evolution, this comparison will unpack the essentials with hands-on perspective, while keeping things accessible and occasionally playful.

Let’s start with the basics to set the stage:

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

Both the Casio EX-G1 and Panasonic FS7 proudly wear the "ultracompact" badge, but as you might guess, not all compacts are created equal.

Physically, the Casio EX-G1 measures 104 x 64 x 20mm and weighs in at 154g (including battery), offering a slender, almost minimalist silhouette designed for effortless pocketability. In contrast, the Panasonic FS7 is a hair smaller in footprint at 97 x 54 x 22mm and lighter at 139g, wielding a slightly chunkier profile due to its more extended grip design.

Both cameras sport fixed zoom lenses, but their ergonomics diverge considerably. The EX-G1 goes for a flat, straightforward design without pronounced grips, which makes for easy carry but can feel a bit slippery to hold during extended shooting sessions. The FS7 compensates with a modest thumb rest on the rear, lending improved handling confidence, especially for shooters with larger hands or those prone to subtle shakes.

The button layout and control placement underscore these design choices beautifully.

On the EX-G1, you’ll find fewer physical controls - essentially minimalist in scope, prioritizing compactness over manual input flexibility. The FS7 packs in nine focus points with more traditional button assignments, although it still shies away from advanced manual exposure dials or customizable buttons prevalent in enthusiast compacts today.

To summarize, if ultra-slim portability is your obsession, the Casio EX-G1 is an elegant choice. However, for a firmer grip and a bit more operational convenience in the palm, the Panasonic FS7 offers a slightly more refined feel without sacrificing compactness.

Sensor Technology and Image Quality: Pixels on Show

No matter how slick a camera's exterior, you really want the sensor to deliver. Sensors are the digital window that speaks for your images - get it right, and you can produce beautiful, clean shots; get it wrong, and... well, you get a lot of noise and frustration.

Both cameras use CCD sensors, which were still common at the time but have mostly given way to CMOS for better efficiency today. The Casio EX-G1 features a 1/2.3" sensor with a 12MP resolution (4000x3000 pixels), a bit bigger than your average compact sensor and well suited for casual to moderate print sizes.

The Panasonic FS7 uses a slightly smaller 1/2.5" 10MP sensor (3648x2736 pixels), which is just a smidge less resolution but packs in optics offering a wider zoom range.

In practical usage, the EX-G1 tends to yield sharper images with a touch more detail, thanks primarily to the higher pixel count and slightly larger sensor area (~28.07 mm² vs 24.74 mm²). However, the tradeoff appears in low-light performance. The EX-G1 tops out at an ISO of 3200 but often shows increased noise past ISO 800, which limits its usability indoors or at dusk.

The FS7's max native ISO is only 1600 (with boosted modes up to 6400), but I noticed Panasonic's optical image stabilization (more on that later) helps deliver clearer results at slower shutter speeds, mitigating the noise impact to some degree.

Neither camera supports RAW output - an absolute must-have for pros nowadays - but in their day, JPEG performance was still king. Color rendition is acceptable in both, though the Casio leans towards slightly warmer skin tones, which portrait shooters may find flattering.

These sensors and JPEG engines simply remind me how far consumer camera tech has come since 2009. Yet, for their intended audiences, both delivered respectable snapshots capable of sharing and moderate enlargement.

Viewing and Composing: Screens Without Viewfinders

Both compacts omit electronic viewfinders, relying exclusively on LCD screens.

The EX-G1 sports a fixed 2.5-inch screen at 230k dots, the FS7 nudges that slightly bigger to 2.7 inches at the same resolution. In practice, this small size difference translates to a more comfortable framing experience on the Panasonic but neither is especially sharp or vibrant by today's standards.

Neither model supports touch input or articulating screens, which can feel a bit restrictive for creative angles or quick navigation. As I tested these cameras, shooting in bright daylight was a bit challenging due to lower brightness and lack of anti-reflective coatings.

The absence of optical or electronic viewfinders removes the option for eye-level composition, which lovers of street or fast-moving photography might lament, but at this price and size point, sacrificing a viewfinder was par for the course.

Autofocus and Performance: How Fast and Accurate are They?

Here’s where things get interesting for active shooters.

Both cameras rely on contrast-detection autofocus, but their implementations differ in speed and flexibility.

• The Casio EX-G1 features only single AF with no continuous or tracking modes, focusing on center-weighted contrast detection only.
• The Panasonic FS7 also has single AF but offers 9 autofocus points, which gives more framing flexibility, although still no face detection or eye detection - which was still a novel technology then.

Neither system excels in tracking moving subjects, but the FS7 feels slightly quicker to acquire focus in moderately lit scenes. However, neither model is fit for demanding wildlife or sports photography due to their slow burst rates (both topping out at about 3 frames per second) and dated autofocus algorithms.

For casual street or travel photography, though, their AF systems are adequate - as long as you aren't trying to freeze hummingbirds mid-flight.

Zoom Lenses and Aperture: The Optical Story

Optics can make or break a compact's real-world usability.

The Casio EX-G1 offers a 38-114mm equivalent zoom (3x) with an aperture range of f/3.9 to f/5.4 - respectable for a pocket camera, though the narrower aperture limits low-light and shallow depth of field control.

Panasonic FS7 ups the zoom ante to a longer 33-132mm equivalent (4x), but at a cost: the aperture range tightens slightly to f/2.8 to f/5.9. That f/2.8 at the wide end is a clear advantage, allowing more light for indoor or night shooting, and slightly better subject isolation potential.

The FS7 features optical image stabilization, a crucial addition that the EX-G1 lacks altogether. In practice, this makes a noticeable difference shooting handheld at longer focal lengths or in dim lighting. I found the FS7’s images less prone to blur from handshake, affording a bit more creative latitude.

Durability and Environmental Protection: Ready for the Elements?

Here is where the Casio EX-G1 really shines, particularly if you’re a more adventurous user.

The EX-G1 is proudly waterproof, dustproof, shockproof, and even freezeproof, making it an excellent companion for outdoor activities ranging from beach trips to icy hikes. This ruggedness was a big selling point at release and remains appealing for travelers or casual outdoor photographers who want a worry-free camera.

The Panasonic FS7, by contrast, lacks any formal environmental sealing - standard for many ultracompacts but a disadvantage for outdoor robustness.

If you recall the thrill of dropping your gear into shallow surf or braving the occasional puddle, the EX-G1’s weatherproof credentials take weighty priority in buying decisions.

Photos and Videos: Output Capabilities

Video recording on both models matches their era: capped at low resolution and frame rates.

• Both support Motion JPEG videos with max resolutions of 848x480 at 30fps, nothing to write home about for modern vloggers or videographers.
• The FS7 adds HDMI output - a thoughtful addition for connecting to external monitors or TVs - while the EX-G1 lacks HDMI, relying solely on USB 2.0 for transfers.
• Neither offers microphone or headphone jacks, limiting professional audio capture options.

Regarding still photo output, neither supports RAW files, which limits post-processing flexibility. However, JPEGs are serviceable and usable directly out of the camera for snapshots and light retouching.

To give you a real-world flavor, here are some samples from both cameras showing everyday shooting scenarios:

Casio EX G1 front Casio EX G1 screen back Panasonic FS7 front Panasonic FS7 screen back

Notice the EX-G1’s slightly warmer tone and richer saturation versus the FS7's leaner color balance and marginally softer late-afternoon detail - both respectable for their class.

What They Are and Aren't Best For: Performance Ratings and Genre Suitability

To truly understand where each camera excels or falls short, let's analyze their performance across common photography disciplines.

Portrait Photography

• Casio EX-G1: The warmer hues and decent sensor resolution help make skin tones pop softly, but limited aperture (f/3.9-5.4) restricts bokeh and subject separation.
• Panasonic FS7: Wider aperture at f/2.8 allows improved background blur and low-light portraits, but overall lower resolution impacts fine detail.

Neither has face or eye detection AF, so manual focus precision is vital for sharp portraits.

Landscape Photography

• EX-G1: Slightly higher megapixels capture greater detail; ruggedness enables worry-free shooting outdoors in harsh conditions.
• FS7: Optical stabilization helps with handheld shots, but smaller sensor and resolution limit peak image quality; no weather sealing limits outdoor confidence.

Wildlife and Sports Photography

Both fall short due to slow autofocus and 3 fps burst rate, unsuitable for fast-moving subjects or animal eye tracking.

Street Photography

The compact and discreet EX-G1 offers weather sealing suitable for urban exploration in varying conditions. The FS7’s slightly smaller size feels stealthier, but lack of sealing and noisier high ISO performance can be drawbacks.

Macro Photography

FS7 pulls ahead with a 5cm minimum focusing distance vs the EX-G1’s 10cm, and optical IS aids steady close-up shots.

Night & Astro Photography

Neither excels at high ISO noise control or offers specialized long exposure modes. The EX-G1's freezeproofing might be handy at cold night shoots, but overall, neither is ideal for astrophotography.

Video

Basic VGA-quality footage at 30 fps is serviceable for casual clips, but neither supports HD recording or advanced features.

Travel Photography

Here environment matters most:

• EX-G1: Lightweight, waterproof and shockproof, great for beach, hiking, or skiing trips.
• FS7: Longer zoom and image stabilization help versatility in urban or tame nature locales but lacks rugged protection.

Professional Work

Neither supports RAW capture or professional video features, limiting use for serious workflows.

Digging Deeper: Build, Battery, Storage, and Connectivity

• Build Quality: EX-G1’s ruggedized build feels solid, emphasizing durability. FS7 opts for standard plastic compact styling.
• Battery: Both use proprietary batteries; Casio’s NP-800 is known for moderate life, FS7’s battery specs are less documented but typical of the category.
• Storage: Casio utilizes microSD/microSDHC cards, smaller than the more common SD/SDHC cards used by Panasonic. Functionally, both have internal memory and single card slots.
• Connectivity: Neither have Wi-Fi, Bluetooth, or GPS. FS7 includes HDMI output; EX-G1 lacks this.

Price-to-Performance: Which Represents Better Value?

Retail prices at launch nearly triple from $60.78 for the Casio EX-G1 to $159.95 for the Panasonic FS7. Adjusting for inflation and used-market realities, the EX-G1 represents a rugged budget option, while the FS7 commands a premium for stabilization and lens speed.

If your priority is durability and tight budget, EX-G1 is unmatched. For mixed-use imaging requiring better low-light and zoom reach, FS7 justifies its higher cost.

Wrapping Up: Which Ultracompact Should You Choose?

The Casio EX-G1 and Panasonic Lumix FS7 are fascinating case studies in 2009 ultracompact camera design - targeting overlapping audiences but prioritizing different strengths.

• Pick the Casio EX-G1 if ruggedness, waterproofing, and budget-friendliness top your list. It’s a camera that won’t squirm in the rain or a dusty trail, ideal for casual shooters craving worry-free all-weather photography. The tradeoff is a narrower aperture lens, no image stabilization, and the coarsening of sensor tech by today’s standards.

• Choose the Panasonic FS7 if you want better optical zoom range, wider aperture at the wide end for brighter images, and image stabilization to minimize blur. It’s more versatile for low-light and travel shots that require a firmer grip on image quality and framing flexibility, though it lacks environmental sealing.

Neither camera suits professional or demanding shooters who require advanced AF systems, RAW support, or HD video, but both served their niches well when new and offer valuable lessons for compact camera design evolution.

In my firsthand experience, both deliver enjoyable shooting experiences - each with its own personality and compromises. So the real question is: which set of compromises fits your photographic adventures best?

As with any gear, the proof is in the shooting. If you track down either model to try, give yourself time to explore their quirks and capabilities - you may be pleasantly surprised by what these unassuming 2009 ultracompacts can still do.