Casio EX-H10 vs Samsung NX11: Hands-On Comparison from a Seasoned Camera Tester

Choosing a camera isn’t just about specs on paper; it’s about how the gear performs in your hands, the images it produces, and how well it fits into your photography workflow. Having spent over 15 years putting hundreds of cameras through their paces, I find that side-by-side comparisons shine brightest when rooted in real-world use and technical know-how - not just marketing fluff.

Today, we’re putting two quite distinct cameras head-to-head: the Casio EX-H10, a 2009 small sensor compact, and the Samsung NX11, a 2010 APS-C mirrorless system camera. These two couldn’t be more different in design philosophy, target user, and technical ambition. Yet both carry their own charm and lessons for enthusiasts on diverse budgets.

Grab your preferred brew - this is going to be a comprehensive ride through sensor chemistry, autofocus behavior, image quality, and everything in between. I’ll bring all my hands-on experience testing compact and mirrorless models to the table, breaking down what each camera really brings to your photography, and for whom.

When Size Matters: Handling, Ergonomics, and Physical Presence

Before even hitting the shutter button, how a camera feels tucked into your hand or bag often shapes your love for - or aversion to - a system.

The Casio EX-H10 is a true pocket buddy at 102mm x 62mm x 24mm and just 194g. It slips effortlessly into a jacket pocket or small purse, ideal for casual snapshots or quick-travel scenarios where minimalism is king. Its fixed 10x zoom lens (equivalent to 24-240mm full-frame) offers phenomenal reach for a compact, but the body is lightweight plastic and doesn’t feel hefty enough for steady telephoto shooting - making a tripod or brace essential at longer focal lengths.

On the flip side, the Samsung NX11 tips the scales at 499g with dimensions more akin to a small DSLR (123mm x 87mm x 40mm). This is no slimline compact; it’s an entry-level mirrorless body made for photographers who want more control and modularity. The NX11’s SLR-style shape has plenty of grip area and deeper clubs for thumbs, which I found comfortable during extended shooting sessions. Its fixed lens mount also means you’re investing in compatible glass - the NX system has 32 lenses available, a clear advantage for lens enthusiasts.

Now, ergonomics aren’t all about size: peeking under the hood at control layout and top-panel design helps us understand ease of operation.

Casio’s EX-H10 keeps things simple - just the essentials, with few manual overrides and no dedicated dials for aperture or shutter priority (more on exposure control later). Meanwhile, the NX11 offers a wealth of buttons and a mode dial for program, aperture priority, shutter priority, and full manual. It’s designed to be a learning bridge from automatic point-and-shoots into serious photography, with more tactile feedback and customization potential.

Sensor and Image Quality: The Heart of the Matter

The decisive factor in image quality boils down to sensor size and technology, right? Let’s dissect that.

The Casio EX-H10 sports a 1/2.3-inch CCD sensor measuring roughly 6.17mm x 4.55mm with a 12-megapixel resolution. This sensor size is tiny - common for compacts but limiting in light gathering, dynamic range, and low-light performance. CCD technology was quite popular in compact cameras of its era due to decent color rendition but is notorious for higher noise at elevated ISOs.

On the other hand, the Samsung NX11 features an APS-C sized CMOS sensor sized at 23.4mm x 15.6mm with a 15.1-megapixel resolution. The sensor area of around 365 mm² dwarfs the Casio’s 28 mm², allowing for significantly improved signal-to-noise ratio, dynamic range, and overall image quality. The CMOS technology further enables faster readout speeds and better video capabilities.

Looking at independent lab tests (DxOmark listed 63 overall score for NX11, no data for Casio), the NX11 wins hands down on color depth (22.7 bits vs untested but expected lower), dynamic range (10.8 EV), and low-light ISO performance (native max ISO 3200). The Casio’s max native ISO also caps at 3200 but with considerable noise - nothing close to producing clean images in dim conditions.

Viewing the Scene: Displays and Viewfinders

In live shooting scenarios, the ability to frame, focus, and review images comfortably matters greatly.

The Casio EX-H10 features a modest 3-inch fixed LCD with 230k-dot resolution. It’s enough for quick framing but rather coarse for critical focus checks or image review. This screen cannot articulate, which makes shooting at odd angles or low positions slightly cumbersome.

Samsung’s NX11 boasts a 3-inch fixed active matrix OLED screen with 614k-dot resolution. The vastly improved resolution and brightness make chasing focus and reviewing details smoother. Despite lacking touchscreen interface, the OLED tech offers nice contrast and color punch that’s helpful in sunny outdoor conditions.

Another huge advantage for the NX11 is the integrated electronic viewfinder (EVF) with 100% coverage and 0.57x magnification. For photographers shooting fast action or needing steady compositions in bright light, this is a significant plus. The Casio offers no viewfinder, relying solely on the rear LCD.

Autofocus and Shooting Speed: Nailing the Moment

Whether you’re a wildlife enthusiast or a street photographer, autofocus performance can make or break shots.

The Casio EX-H10 utilizes a contrast-detection AF system with no face or eye detection, and offers a single AF point (center-weighted). The autofocus is competent for static subjects but slower to lock focus - especially at telephoto settings - making it unsuitable for action or wildlife photography. Continuous autofocus or tracking modes are absent, which limits capturing fast-moving subjects.

The Samsung NX11 likewise employs contrast detection autofocus but with a much more sophisticated 15-point array, including multi-area and selective AF modes. It features face detection AF, enhancing portrait frame accuracy. Although lacking phase-detection AF (common in this generation’s mirrorless cameras), the NX11 provides fast and reliable single autofocus and continuous AF during live view. The NX11’s burst shooting rate of 3 fps is slower than the Casio's 4 fps but does deliver higher-quality files with every shot.

Versatility across Photography Genres

Let’s get practical: what kind of photography shines on each camera?

Portrait Photography

• Casio EX-H10: The 10x zoom lens can produce decent portraits at the telephoto end, but the small sensor and modest aperture (f/3.2-5.7) limit the potential for shallow depth of field and creamy bokeh. No face detection means you’ll rely on decent manual AF placement. Skin tones are acceptable in good light but can show noise and loss of subtle tonal nuances in shadows or highlights.

• Samsung NX11: The APS-C sensor paired with quality NX mount lenses (you can pick a fast 50mm f/1.8 or 30mm f/2) lets you achieve beautiful background separation and accurate skin tone rendition. Face detection autofocus helps nail the subject’s eyes reliably. This makes the NX11 a solid choice for beginners building portrait skills or pros looking for a lightweight second body.

Landscape Photography

• Casio EX-H10: Limited by sensor size and dynamic range, landscape results lack the richness and detail expected in challenging lighting, like sunsets or shadowed forests. The 24mm equivalent wide-angle is decent but maximum aperture hardly matters here. Fixed lens limits creative control.

• Samsung NX11: The larger sensor with RAW shooting unlocks much greater dynamic range - crucial for preserving highlight and shadow detail in landscapes. The wide selection of lenses, including sharp primes and ultra-wide zooms, further strengthen its appeal. Weather sealing is absent on both bodies, so protection against elements requires care.

Wildlife Photography

• Casio EX-H10: Offers a notable 240mm reach in a compact package, which is tempting for wildlife shooters on a budget. However, slow autofocus, lack of tracking, and noisy high ISO performance hinder success with moving animals or birds in lower light. Image stabilization helps, but results are mixed.

• Samsung NX11: Without built-in stabilization, you’ll rely on stabilized lenses or fast shutter speeds. But its superior autofocus system and faster shutter speed range (up to 1/4000s) allow better freeze action capabilities. The ability to swap in telephoto lenses means you’re not stuck with a zoom that compromises speed or sharpness.

Sports Photography

Neither camera is a sports superstar, but the NX11’s exposure control modes, faster shutter speeds, and more sophisticated AF make it the better candidate for casual sports shooting. The 3fps burst rate isn’t lightning fast, but paired with single point autofocus and quick JPEG write speeds, it outperforms the Casio’s 4fps limited buffer and single AF point. The Casio’s inability to shoot in manual or shutter priority mode is a big handicap for sports.

Street Photography

• Casio EX-H10: Its small size and light weight make it fairly discreet for street shooting. However, the lack of quick manual exposure modes and relatively slow AF reduce spontaneity.

• Samsung NX11: Bulkier and more obvious, but the EVF helps in bright daylight and manual controls permit creative experimentation. The quiet shutter helps to some degree.

Macro Photography

• Casio EX-H10 sets a macro focus distance of 7cm, which is respectable for casual close-ups. Sensor limitations mean detail isn’t razor-sharp compared to larger sensor cameras.

• Samsung NX11 has no specified minimum macro distance but can leverage specialized macro lenses for superior quality and magnification.

Video Capabilities: Basic but Functional

Both cameras max out at 1280x720 30fps video - a standard for 2009-2010 compact/mirrorless cameras.

• The Casio EX-H10 records Motion JPEG files, leading to large file sizes and limited editing flexibility.

• The Samsung NX11 uses the more efficient H.264 codec, facilitating better video compression and easier editing.

Neither offers microphone inputs or headphone jacks, so audio quality relies on built-in mics. No 4K or advanced video features here - basic video capture only.

Battery Life and Storage: Staying Powered and Ready

• Casio EX-H10 uses a lithium-ion NP-90 battery, with unknown official battery life, but small compact cameras often yield about 200 shots on a charge.

• Samsung NX11 relies on the BP1130 battery pack, rated at around 400 shots per charge, which is a comfortable cushion for a day's shooting.

Both use SD/SDHC cards and have single slots, so memory management and backups require some planning.

Connectivity and Accessories

• Casio’s “Eye-Fi Connected” Wi-Fi functionality was quite pioneering in 2009 for wireless image transfer but is limited in today's ecosystem. No Bluetooth or HDMI ports.

• Samsung NX11 skips wireless but offers HDMI output, allowing connection to HD displays - very useful for reviewing images with clients or on bigger screens.

Both cameras support USB 2.0 for data transfer, typical for their eras.

Build Quality and Durability

Neither camera offers environmental sealing, waterproofing, or robust shockproofing. They are consumer-grade bodies meant for careful handling indoors and good weather. The NX11’s heft and metal lens mount offer a bit more durability; Casio’s plastic, while light, is less rugged.

How Do These Cameras Score Overall?

I compiled an aggregate of technical data and the experience gained from testing:

The Samsung NX11 clearly outperforms the Casio EX-H10 across the board, with especially strong margins in sensor quality, autofocus versatility, and creative control.

Genre-specific insights from my testing:

Real-World Image Samples: Look for Yourself

I shot comparable scenes in similar conditions to illustrate capabilities:

Casio EX H10 screen back Samsung NX11 screen back

• Casio’s images look softer, exhibit noise in low light, and lack fine detail, particularly when zoomed in or in underexposed areas.
• Samsung’s files show richer colors, fine detail, and better handling of shadows and highlights, with greater cropping flexibility due to higher-resolution sensors.

Who Should Consider the Casio EX-H10?

If you’re a casual user who wants an ultra-light and pocketable camera with a substantial zoom range for everyday vacation snaps, and who can live with limited manual control and modest image quality, this camera checks many boxes. It’s likely suitable for:

• Budget-conscious beginners or seniors
• Travelers who want simplified operation and zoom reach combined in a tiny package
• Those who prioritize convenience over image perfection

However, don’t expect raw file formats, powerful autofocus, or serious video capabilities.

Why the Samsung NX11 Might Be Your Next Step Up

The NX11 is a bridge into interchangeable-lens photography, with many features expected of an entry-level mirrorless system. It may be best for:

• Enthusiasts wanting greater image quality and creative control without breaking the bank
• Portrait shooters needing accurate face detection and pleasing bokeh options
• Landscape photographers valuing RAW, dynamic range, and lens flexibility
• Beginners looking to learn manual modes and improve photographic technique
• Video shooters who want decent HD capture and HDMI out for easy monitoring

While it’s bulkier and pricier, the performance payoff is substantial.

Final Verdict: Matching Tool to Task and Budget

If you want a no-fuss, grab-and-go zoom camera to capture moments on the fly and won’t fuss about fine image detail or creative flexibility, the Casio EX-H10 punches above its weight for its era and category.

If you see photography as more than snapshots - if you want to craft images, shoot in RAW, and have interchangeable lenses at your disposal - the Samsung NX11 is an affordable, highly capable gateway into serious imaging.

Personally, after hands-on usage, I’d recommend the NX11 to the bulk of enthusiasts and professionals who want a usable, flexible backup or main system without the hefty prices of modern high-end bodies. The Casio is a niche tool, excellent for cheapskate adventurers or those prioritizing size.

When possible, I suggest testing lenses (especially on the NX11) to fully leverage its sensor.

I hope this deep dive gives you actionable insights into these two cameras’ respective strengths and limitations. Choosing your next camera is as much about your shooting style and ambitions as specs, so pick what fits your vision (and budget) best. Happy shooting!

If you have questions about other camera comparisons or want lens recommendations for the NX system, drop me a line - weaving tech and art together has been my happy work for over a decade.

– Your friendly neighborhood photography gear tester