Casio EX-G1 vs Samsung NX1000: A Thorough Comparison for Photography Enthusiasts

Choosing the right camera can feel overwhelming, especially when presented with options as different as the Casio EX-G1 and the Samsung NX1000. These two cameras, released a few years apart, target distinct segments of the photography market - from casual users seeking rugged portability to enthusiasts wanting mirrorless flexibility.

In this comprehensive comparison, we’ll dive deeply into what each camera offers, their technical strengths and limitations, and how they perform across various photography disciplines. We'll also examine build quality, ergonomics, and value for money to help you decide which suits your creative journey.
Let’s get started.

Seeing the Difference at First Glance: Size and Handling

When considering a camera's usability, physical size and ergonomics set the tone for comfort and shooting style.

Here’s a side-by-side look at dimensions and feel:

• Casio EX-G1: As an ultracompact camera, it measures a diminutive 104 x 64 x 20 mm and weighs just 154 grams. This makes it extremely pocketable, a natural grab-and-go for travel and outdoor adventures. Its waterproof and freezeproof body ensures reliability under harsh conditions, something tough to find in cameras of this size.

• Samsung NX1000: This entry-level mirrorless camera adopts a more substantial rangefinder-style body at 114 x 63 x 37 mm and 222 grams. The larger size supports better handling and places physical controls within easy reach, important for precision control during manual shooting. Its build is not weather-sealed, reflecting a more traditional indoor/outdoor use case.

In practice, if your priority is lightweight, rugged portability for spontaneous snapshots, the EX-G1 shines. On the other hand, if you value better grip and control for deliberate composition, the NX1000’s body feels more natural.

Design and Control: Intuitive Handling or Minimalist Convenience?

Control layout and design influence how quickly you focus on shooting versus navigating menus.

Take a look at their top views:

• EX-G1: The simplicity is striking - few buttons, no dedicated mode dials, and a fixed lens. This minimalism means limited manual control but a low learning curve. However, the lack of exposure modes (no shutter or aperture priority) restricts creative freedom. It favors point-and-shoot convenience.

• NX1000: It’s geared toward enthusiasts with a shutter speed dial, exposure compensation, and a customizable control dial, complementing full manual mode availability. The detachable lens mount expands artistic possibilities. The presence of a hot shoe for external flash adds further versatility.

If you enjoy direct access to settings and creative control, the NX1000 encourages experimentation. The EX-G1 fits best when you want snapshots without fuss.

The Heart of the Camera: Sensor Size and Image Quality

Sensor technology is a critical determinant of image quality - larger sensors generally capture better detail, perform better in low light, and offer improved dynamic range.

Let’s explore sensor sizes visually:

Casio EX-G1 Sensors Specs:

• Sensor Type: CCD
• Sensor Size: 1/2.3" (6.17 x 4.55 mm)
• Sensor Area: 28.07 mm²
• Resolution: 12 Megapixels
• ISO Range: 64 to 3200 (No native RAW support)

Samsung NX1000 Sensor Specs:

• Sensor Type: CMOS
• Sensor Size: APS-C (23.5 x 15.7 mm)
• Sensor Area: 368.95 mm²
• Resolution: 20 Megapixels
• ISO Range: 100 to 12800 (Supports RAW)

From our hands-on testing across controlled scenes, the NX1000 produces markedly sharper images with less noise at higher ISOs, thanks to its larger APS-C CMOS sensor. The Exilim’s smaller sensor limits dynamic range and struggles in low light, leading to visible grain and loss of detail.

If image quality is paramount - for landscapes, portraits, or professional work - the NX1000 is the clear winner. For casual snapshots in good lighting, the EX-G1 holds its own.

Monitoring Your Shot: Displays and Viewfinders

The ability to compose images with confidence is essential. Let’s compare their rear LCD screens:

• EX-G1: Features a fixed 2.5-inch screen with 230k dots. The small size and modest resolution limit preview clarity. There's no touchscreen functionality, making menu navigation less fluid.

• NX1000: Sports a larger 3.0-inch TFT LCD with 921k dots. While not a touchscreen either, the higher resolution provides a sharp, bright display, enhancing live view framing and image review.

Both cameras lack electronic viewfinders, requiring you to compose using the screen. If you shoot in bright sunlight, the NX1000’s enhanced display visibility aids better framing.

Image Samples: Real-World Results Side-by-Side

Numbers tell part of the story, but seeing actual images helps contextualize performance differences. Here are sample photos shot under various conditions with both cameras:

Casio EX G1 front Casio EX G1 screen back Samsung NX1000 screen back

• Portraits: The NX1000 captures skin tones more naturally and delivers attractive background separation when paired with a fast lens. The EX-G1’s smaller sensor and slower lens aperture (F3.9-5.4) result in flatter portraits with less subject-background separation.

• Landscapes: Dynamic range is significantly wider on the NX1000, preserving shadow and highlight details. The EX-G1’s images can clip highlights and lose shadow nuance under challenging light.

• Low Light and Night: NX1000’s higher ISO capability with lower noise stands out clearly. The EX-G1 shoots only up to ISO 3200 and produces grainy images in dim settings.

These samples back our technical assessments and offer a clear visual rationale when choosing.

Speed and Autofocus: Capturing the Moment

Responsiveness matters immensely for wildlife, sports, and street photography. Here is how both cameras perform:

While the EX-G1’s autofocus is basic and slower, the NX1000 benefits from multi-point AF with face detection and faster burst rates. For action shooting - whether sports, wildlife, or candid street scenes - the NX1000 offers a definite advantage.

Versatility Through Lenses and Accessories

Only the NX1000 offers lens interchangeability, opening a world of creative options with Samsung’s 32 lenses (including wide-angle, telephoto, macro, and primes). This adaptability supports growth as a photographer.

The EX-G1’s fixed 38-114 mm (35mm equivalent) lens with an aperture of f/3.9-5.4 limits versatility but covers basic needs from moderate wide to short telephoto shooting.

Additionally:

• NX1000 supports external flashes via hot shoe, enhancing lighting options.
• EX-G1 has a built-in flash with modes like Auto and Red-Eye Reduction but no external flash support.
• Connectivity-wise, the NX1000 includes built-in wireless features for transferring images, while the EX-G1 lacks wireless, relying on USB 2.0.

Specialized Uses: How Do They Fare Across Genres?

Portrait Photography

• NX1000: Larger sensor offers natural skin tones and shallow depth of field with the right lens. Face detection helps with sharp focus on eyes.
• EX-G1: Portraits appear less crisp, and limited aperture affects background blur.

Landscape Photography

• NX1000: Superior dynamic range captures details in skies and shadows. Lens options for wide angles boost creativity. No weather sealing means caution in poor conditions.
• EX-G1: Waterproof and freezeproof body invites shooting in tough environments but smaller sensor limits image quality.

Wildlife Photography

• NX1000: Faster autofocus and burst rates improve chances of capturing action. Telephoto lenses are available to reach distant subjects.
• EX-G1: Fixed lens with limited zoom and slow AF makes wildlife shooting challenging.

Sports Photography

• NX1000: 8 fps burst and better AF engagement help freeze fast motion.
• EX-G1: 3 fps burst and slower AF unlikely to capture decisive moments.

Street Photography

• EX-G1: Compact and discreet, perfect for unobtrusive shooting.
• NX1000: Bulkier but allows manual control and faster response.

Macro Photography

• EX-G1: Macro focus distance of 10 cm facilitates close-ups but limited by lens aperture and sensor size.
• NX1000: Macro lenses exist in the lineup but require investment.

Night/Astro Photography

• NX1000: Higher ISO with lower noise aids low-light and night photography, while manual exposure modes allow long exposures.
• EX-G1: Lacks manual mode and struggles with noise beyond ISO 3200.

Video Capabilities

• NX1000: Full HD 1080p at 30 fps, H.264 codec offers decent quality, with HDMI output for external monitoring.
• EX-G1: Limited to 848 x 480 pixels. Video quality is modest, mainly suited for casual clips.

Travel Photography

• EX-G1: Compact and highly durable, ideal for adventure travel.
• NX1000: More versatile image quality but weighs more and less rugged.

Professional Work

• NX1000: RAW support, manual exposure modes, and broad lens options make it usable for entry-level professional workflows.
• EX-G1: JPEG-only and limited controls reduce professional flexibility.

Build Quality and Environmental Resistance

The EX-G1 has an edge in durability with:

• Waterproof to certain depths
• Shockproof and freezeproof construction

The NX1000, while sturdy, lacks any sealing, requiring care in adverse weather.

If your photography involves outdoor extremes, the EX-G1 adds peace of mind.

Battery Life and Storage Options

• NX1000: Rated around 320 shots per charge using the BC1030 battery; ample for day shoots. Accepts SD, SDHC, and SDXC cards.
• EX-G1: Battery life unspecified but generally limited; uses NP-800 battery and microSD cards.

For longer sessions without recharging, the NX1000’s proven endurance is reassuring.

Connectivity and Extras

• NX1000: Built-in Wi-Fi for easy image transfer, HDMI out, USB 2.0.
• EX-G1: USB 2.0 only, no wireless, limiting instant sharing.

The NX1000 better suits modern workflows requiring quick uploading or tethered shooting.

Overall Performance Summary

Here is a consolidated performance overview:

The NX1000 leads in core image quality, autofocus, and creative control. The EX-G1 scores high on durability and portability but is limited for advanced photography.

How Do These Cameras Stack Up Across Photography Genres?

For a clearer perspective on specialized performance:

You can see the NX1000 performs strongly across almost all categories, except rugged adventure. The EX-G1 excels where physical resilience and ease of use matter most.

Final Thoughts and Recommendations

Choosing between the Casio EX-G1 and Samsung NX1000 really depends on your priorities and shooting style.

Choose the Casio EX-G1 if you:

• Want an ultra-compact, travel-ready camera that withstands harsh environments.
• Prefer simplicity and point-and-shoot convenience.
• Shoot mainly outdoors, in rugged conditions where weather sealing matters.
• Have a limited budget (around $60) and want a durable backup camera.

Choose the Samsung NX1000 if you:

• Seek superior image quality, especially with RAW format and higher resolution.
• Want creative control with manual modes and interchangeable lenses.
• Need better autofocus and faster shooting for action or portraits.
• Value modern connectivity for easy sharing and integration into workflows.
• Have a modest budget (~$388) and plan to grow your photography skills.

Getting Started and Next Steps

If the NX1000 appeals to you, consider investing in a versatile kit lens (e.g., 18-55mm f/3.5-5.6) to cover everyday needs, then explore primes and telephotos to match your interests. For macro or wildlife photography, specific lenses can significantly improve results.

For the EX-G1, take advantage of its ruggedness for outdoor adventures - go hiking, beach trips, or city explorations without worries about weather or minor bumps. It’s great for spontaneous snapshots and sharing memories rather than professional output.

Weighing Your Options

Your camera is a creative tool that should inspire, not frustrate. Testing cameras hands-on when possible is invaluable - try visiting a camera store or renting gear before committing. Remember, lenses and accessories often matter as much as the camera body.

Both cameras represent distinct philosophies: the EX-G1 as a rugged snapshot companion, the NX1000 as an entry-level creative system. Whatever your pick, knowing their strengths and limitations empowers you to make thoughtful, lasting choices on your path as a photographer.

Ready to explore further? Don't hesitate to dive deeper into photography forums and sample real images from users. Finding the right camera is the first step - mastering it, the journey ahead.