Casio EX-H10 vs Samsung CL80: A Deep Dive into Compact Camera Classics

When nostalgia kicks in for small-sensor compact cameras from the late 2000s and early 2010s, a couple of models that often surface in enthusiast forums are the Casio EX-H10 and the Samsung CL80 - also known by its model number ST5500. Both positioned as pocketable companions for the on-the-go shooter, these cameras are now relics from a transformative era when digital cameras were streamlining but smartphones hadn’t yet fully swallowed the point-and-shoot market.

Having put both under the microscope - yes, with actual hands-on tests and image assessments - this comparison unpacks everything you need to know, from physical design to image quality, all the way through to usability quirks and value. Truth be told, diving into sub-$400 compacts with fixed lenses today might feel like a blast from the past, but if you’re researching for a vintage purchase, or just curious about “pre-smartphone-camera” tech, this is for you.

Let’s embark on this technical, practical, and occasionally playful exploration of the Casio EX-H10 and Samsung CL80.

First Impressions: Size, Ergonomics, and Design

At a glance, both cameras showcase the compact form factor beloved by casual shooters - pocket-friendly but with enough girth to not feel like fragile gadgets.

The Casio EX-H10 measures 102 x 62 x 24 mm and weighs about 194 grams, while the Samsung CL80 is slightly slimmer at 104 x 58 x 20 mm and lighter at 160 grams. On paper, Samsung offers a svelter shooter, but it’s all about what your hands say when you grip them.

Personally, the Casio feels a bit chunkier but with a sturdier grip thanks to a more pronounced handhold. The Samsung is ultra-slim, almost flirting with “ultracompact” territory, which might appeal if you tote your camera as a casual accessory rather than a dedicated tool.

The Casio’s weight imparts a satisfying solidity - no flimsiness here - whereas the Samsung, though lightweight, sometimes feels borderline dainty and easier to misplace in a bag or pocket.

From my experience evaluating hundreds of compacts, a slightly heftier but ergonomic body often leads to better control stability for longer shoots or slightly more demanding photography. That’s a tick for the EX-H10 in the handling stakes.

Control Layout and User Interface: Where the Rubber Meets the Buttons

Navigating camera menus and controls can make or break your shooting experience, especially when combo buttons are involved or touchscreen responsiveness is in question.

On this front, these two cameras present distinct philosophies.

• The Casio EX-H10 opts for a straightforward approach: physical buttons dominate, arranged for quick access but without backlit illumination or any frills. No touchscreen, no fancy dials - just dependable, if a tad dated, layout logic.

• The Samsung CL80, meanwhile, incorporates a 3.7" touchscreen (a welcome luxury for 2010), making it feel surprisingly modern. You can tap to focus and navigate menus with that familiar finger dance. It has no physical manual focus ring or dials but compensates with a touch-friendly interface, which - if you ask me - is great for beginners or street shooters who want to spontaneously frame shots and adjust settings.

I found the Samsung’s touchscreen intuitive but occasionally slippery under certain lighting conditions (where glare pops up). The Casio, no touchscreen, demands a bit more menu diving for settings adjustments, which slows you down if you’re chasing moments.

Personally, I value tactile controls when shooting fast - one of the reasons I still appreciate the Casio’s all-buttons approach despite its lack of flair.

Sensor Technology and Image Quality: Pixels, Noise, and the Soul of the Image

Now to the heart of the matter - the sensor. Both cameras use 1/2.3" CCD sensors measuring 6.17 x 4.55 mm (~28 mm²), a tiny footprint by modern standards but par for the compact camera class then.

• The EX-H10 sports 12 megapixels (max resolution 4000 x 3000) with a native ISO range from 64 to 3200.

• The CL80 edges ahead slightly with 14 megapixels (max resolution 4334 x 3256) and a broader native ISO range from 80 up to 4800, plus boosted ISO up to 6400.

How do these numbers translate in real life?

From rigorous testing under controlled and variable lighting, the Samsung CL80’s slightly higher pixel count can yield marginally sharper images - especially in well-lit conditions - though at the cost of some increased noise in higher ISOs.

In low light, however, the EX-H10’s slightly more conservative sensor specs and default ISO 64 base can eke out smoother results at base sensitivity, thanks to less image processing noise. Certainly, you will not be using these cameras for ultra-high-ISO shooting - both struggle beyond ISO 800, exhibiting grain and detail loss typical of small CCD sensors of the period.

Neither supports RAW files, which is a bummer for those who like to flex post-processing muscles.

Color reproduction with both cameras is serviceable but leans toward conservative, neutral tones. Casio’s sensor and processing yield skin tones that lean slightly warmer, while Samsung’s are punchier but can sometimes oversaturate reds and blues.

While I wouldn’t call either a portrait powerhouse for skin tone nuance, casual portraits hold up reasonably under favorable lighting.

LCD Screen and Viewfinding Experience

Both cameras lack electronic or optical viewfinders - meaning you’ll be framing your shots through their respective LCDs.

• The Casio EX-H10 has a 3.0" fixed, non-touch LCD with disappointingly low 230k-dot resolution.

• The Samsung CL80 ups the ante with a larger 3.7" touchscreen LCD, still at 230k dots but delivering more real estate for composing and reviewing images.

In practice, the Samsung’s screen size advantage is noticeable: easier framing, better playback review, and the benefit of touch AF points. The non-touch Casio screen often feels cramped, and its lower resolution leaves images looking less crisp when zoomed in during review.

If you tend to shoot outdoors, both screens lose some visibility under direct sunlight but the CL80’s larger size helps mitigate that issue somewhat.

Lens Capabilities: Focal Ranges and Apertures

The “zoom factor” is aMake-or-break feature for many compact camera buyers.

• Casio EX-H10 offers a 24–240 mm (10x) equivalent focal range with maximum aperture varying from f/3.2 at wide angle to f/5.7 at telephoto.

• Samsung CL80 sports a more modest 31–217 mm (7x) equivalent focal length, with max aperture f/3.3 to f/5.5.

Both lenses are fixed (non-interchangeable) and compact. The Casio’s 24 mm wide-angle is superior for landscapes and tight interiors, providing more context and creative flexibility, while the Samsung’s lens starts at 31 mm, a bit tighter but still versatile.

In terms of aperture, neither lens is fast, especially at telephoto - typical for compact zooms of that era, so don’t expect glorious bokeh or great low-light depth effects.

Casio EX H10 screen back Samsung CL80 front Samsung CL80 screen back

Looking through sample images side by side, Casio’s wider focal capability emerges as a bonus for architecture and street scenes, whereas the Samsung’s lens holds its own for everyday snapshots and midsize zoom needs.

Autofocus and Shooting Experience

Taming autofocus on small sensor compacts often feels like herding cats - slow or guesswork AF can spoil the fun fast.

• Casio uses contrast-detection AF only, without face or eye detection, and supports only single AF mode (no tracking or continuous AF).

• Samsung also relies on contrast-detection AF, but includes touch AF and multiple AF area modes (center-weighted, multi-area), although no face or eye detection.

In real-world usage, Samsung’s touch AF adds a meaningful layer of precision, especially on moving subjects or street photography. Casio, meanwhile, feels more “point and rely,” making spontaneous action shots a challenge.

Neither camera has blazing continuous shooting speeds to capture sports or wildlife action - the Casio maxes at 4 fps for a very limited burst, and Samsung does not advertise continuous shooting rates.

Image Stabilization: Sensor-shift vs. Optical

Picture shake is the enemy of sharp handheld shots at full zoom.

• Casio EX-H10 employs sensor-shift image stabilization, physically moving the sensor to compensate for shake.

• Samsung CL80 uses optical image stabilization (OIS) within its lens assembly.

Though different in implementation, both systems are effective within typical compact camera limits, giving roughly 2-3 stops of shake compensation.

From hands-on experience, Samsung’s OIS offers a slight edge in telephoto shots, crucial when zooming in weak light, while Casio’s stealthy sensor-shift system performs admirably at lower zoom steps.

Flash and Low-Light Performance

Both models pack built-in flashes with similar features:

• Casio’s flash range maxes at 3.6 meters with modes including Auto, On, Off, Red-eye, and Soft.

• Samsung’s flash throws light up to 5 meters and supports additional modes like Fill-in and Slow Sync for creative control.

During testing, the Samsung’s slightly stronger flash and fill-in option make it a better tool for indoor and low-light fill scenarios.

Neither camera handles very dim environments gracefully without flash, as is common with smaller sensors and limited ISO reach.

Video Features: Basic but Functional

Neither camera boasts cinematic ambitions - video here is a nice-to-have but not a game-changer.

• Both can record up to 1280 x 720 (HD) at 30 fps, storing video in Motion JPEG.

• Samsung adds options for 15 fps modes and variable frame rates at lower resolutions.

Microphone and headphone ports are missing, so expect no external audio control.

In casual use, videos are compliant but lack smoothness and dynamic range for serious shooters.

Storage, Battery, and Connectivity

Both cameras rely on SD card storage:

• Casio takes standard SD/SDHC cards plus internal memory.

• Samsung prefers MicroSD/MicroSDHC cards plus internal storage.

Battery-wise, they depend on proprietary models; Casio uses the NP-90, Samsung the SLB-11A. Both deliver typical compact camera endurance rated for 200–300 shots per charge, though exact figures vary by usage patterns.

Connectivity is modest:

• Casio offers Eye-Fi wireless card compatibility, a clever attempt at Wi-Fi before embedded became standard.

• Samsung lacks wireless features but provides useful HDMI out, handy for quickly reviewing images on big screen TVs.

Assessing Durability and Build Quality

Neither camera offers environmental sealing or rugged features - no waterproofing, dust, or shock resistance. Both demand gentle handling in challenging conditions.

Build quality feels solid but on the lightweight side for Samsung and reassuringly firm for Casio.

Overall Performance: Scores and Genre-Specific Strengths

To synthesize our findings and aid buyer decisions, here’s an overview of their general performance metrics and how they fare across popular photography genres.

Portraits:

• Casio: Slightly warmer skin tones but no face or eye-detection AF makes focus on eyes hit-or-miss.
• Samsung: Sharper images, touch AF helps focus accuracy but can oversaturate reds. Better flash support helps fill-in.

Landscapes:

• Casio shines with wider focal length and decent dynamic range for CCDs in good light.
• Samsung offers more resolution but narrower angle and some noise at base ISO.

Wildlife and Sports:

Neither camera is suited for fast action or telephoto hunts - they suffer from slow AF and limited burst rates. Samsung’s autofocus options make it slightly better at street-level motion.

Street Photography:

Samsung’s slim form and touch AF create a stealthier, quicker-shooting experience, while Casio’s bulkier body and slow AF hold it back.

Macro Photography:

Samsung edges out with macro focusing down to 5 cm vs. Casio’s 7 cm. Slight advantage in focusing precision via touchscreen.

Night and Astro:

Neither pocket rocket shines in the dark. Heavy grain and lack of raw limit nighttime creativity.

Video:

Similar baseline HD video with Samsung’s touchscreen controls making it easier to start/stop recording.

Travel:

Samsung’s lighter weight and touchscreen usability earn bonus points. Casio’s 24 mm wide zoom is an important advantage.

Professional Work:

Limited applicability for professional use due to lack of RAW, slow AF, and small sensor quality constraints.

Recommendations Based on Practical Use Cases

So, who should consider which camera?

Final Thoughts: A Tale of Two Compacts That Tell Their Time

Choosing between the Casio EX-H10 and Samsung CL80 is really a matter of personal priorities - and a little sentimentality for early digital compact cameras. They both shine in daylight, daylight, and… well, mostly daylight, with their own quirks and strengths.

The Casio EX-H10 impressed me with its sturdy feel, useful 24 mm wide-angle lens, and no-nonsense approach to photography. It’s a better choice if you value wider framing and a tactile shooting experience.

The Samsung CL80, meanwhile, brings touchscreen convenience, more megapixels, and higher max ISO - plus a more modern firmware feel despite lacking manual controls. Its slim, sleek body earns points for portability and easy street shooting.

Neither is a powerhouse by today’s standards, and if you can swing the budget, modern mirrorless or even advanced compacts with larger sensors will dramatically outperform both. But for a slice of photographic history, or to build a vintage compact camera collection, these two offer fascinating contrasts.

Both cameras embody the last iterations of small-sensor compacts before smartphone cameras turned the world upside down - and for that, they have my respect.

If I Were Buying Today…

• For casual travel mixed with landscapes or street photos, I’d lean Samsung CL80 thanks to its touchscreen and portability.
• For more deliberate photography with some landscape and portrait aims, the Casio EX-H10 edges ahead.
• And if maximum flexibility and image quality matter, it’s time to upgrade to a mid-range mirrorless camera - but that’s another review!

Thank you for joining me on this nostalgia-fueled journey into compact camera history. Your questions and experiences with these cameras are always welcome in the comments - because photography is, after all, about sharing the joys of capturing the world.

Happy shooting!