Casio EX-H15 vs Panasonic TS10

Casio EX-H15 vs Panasonic Lumix TS10: A Compact Showdown from 2010

In the realm of compact cameras, 2010 was an interesting time. Smartphones hadn’t yet completely gobbled up the casual point-and-shoot market, and manufacturers were still exploring various niches - from rugged waterproofs to versatile travel zooms. Today, we’re revisiting two such contenders launched in early 2010: the Casio EX-H15, a classic small sensor compact aiming for versatility with a generous zoom range; and the Panasonic Lumix TS10 (also known as Lumix DMC-FT10), a rugged, waterproof compact designed to survive - and shoot - in harsher environments.

As someone who has tested thousands of cameras (and probably soaked a few in unfortunate spills), I’m excited to dissect how these two compact cameras stack up in real-world scenarios and technical terms. Whether you’re a casual snapper, an adventurous hiker, or a photography enthusiast hunting for a reliable secondary camera, this comparison should shed light on what each model brings to the table - and what you’re realistically getting for your money.

Let’s dive in.

Size, Ergonomics, and Handling: How Do They Feel in Hand?

Size matters - especially when you’re carrying a camera all day or stuffing it into a pocket or backpack. The Casio EX-H15 and Panasonic TS10 are both compact, but their design philosophies differ due to their target markets.

The EX-H15 measures 101x60x28 mm and weighs just 161g, while the TS10 is slightly squatter at 99x63x24 mm but a bit heavier at 188g. The Casio’s slightly elongated shape lends itself to a more traditional point-and-shoot feel, whereas the Lumix feels sturdier - no surprise given its environmental sealing.

I found the EX-H15 more convenient to carry in coat pockets or small bags, thanks largely to its slim profile. The TS10, though heavier, feels rock-solid in hand and inspires confidence if you plan to take it outdoors or into the pool (yes, it’s waterproof!). Both cameras have fixed lenses, so no bulk from changing optics; however, grip comfort leans slightly in the TS10’s favor because of its textured body and pronounced handhold. The EX-H15 is more minimalist, but it sacrifices some grip security - something to note if you have larger hands.

Design and Control Layout: Which One Is Easier to Use?

When it comes to handling, layout and button placement can make or break user experience, especially on compacts with limited physical controls.

Looking at the top view for both cameras reveals some telling differences:

The Casio EX-H15 keeps things simple - few buttons, a small mode dial for selecting scene modes, and a zoom toggle comfortably placed for thumb operation. The lack of physical dials means exposure compensation and shutter priority modes aren’t on the menu; this is clearly a camera aimed more towards casual point-and-shooters than budding pros.

The Panasonic TS10 shows a similar minimal approach but throws in a dedicated mode button and a slightly larger shutter release. The TS10’s control layout is designed with durability in mind but still manages to be reasonably intuitive. The buttons feature good tactile feedback and are spaced enough to avoid accidental presses, a plus when you’re working in wet or gloved conditions.

Neither camera offers touchscreen or articulated screens, leaning on traditional fixed LCDs, which leads us next...

Screens and User Interface: Viewing and Reviewing Your Shots

The Casio EX-H15 sports a 3-inch fixed LCD with 461k-dot resolution, while the Panasonic TS10 has a slightly smaller 2.7-inch screen with 230k-dot resolution.

On paper, the Casio’s larger and sharper screen provides a better preview experience, especially outdoors. It makes framing and reviewing images easier - a definite plus when shooting landscapes or portraits and you need accurate color and contrast representation. The Panasonic’s screen, while adequate, feels a little underwhelming in bright conditions and can lead to guesswork when checking focus or exposure.

Neither screen is touchscreen-enabled, so navigation relies entirely on buttons - a standard expectation for cameras of their generation.

Sensor and Image Quality: What Does 1/2.3" CCD Really Deliver?

Both cameras feature a 1/2.3" CCD sensor with 14 megapixels, a common standard for compacts of the era, but let’s look closer.

Having tested many cameras with this sensor size, I can say that it’s perfectly fine for casual shooting but won’t compete with larger sensors for dynamic range or noise performance.

The Casio and Panasonic sensors are nearly identical in physical size: Casio’s at 6.17x4.55mm, Panasonic’s slightly smaller at 6.08x4.56mm. The Casio tops out at ISO 3200 native (no extended boosts), while the Panasonic extends higher to ISO 6400, although the practical usability of such high ISO on these sensors tends to be compromised by noise.

Both use anti-aliasing filters, which help reduce moiré but slightly soften fine details. The Panasonic’s sensor benefits a bit from the newer Venus Engine IV processor, which provides better noise reduction algorithms compared to Casio’s more basic system with no named processor information.

Autofocus and Speed: Who Tracks Faster? Who Misses Less?

In terms of autofocus, both cameras rely on contrast-detection AF with 1 or a handful of focus points.

Casio EX-H15 offers single AF only, no continuous AF or face detection. Panasonic TS10 also has single AF but includes 9 focus points and center-weighted focus, which grants better flexibility. Neither camera supports face or eye detection features.

In practical use, the Panasonic’s AF system felt a touch snappier, likely due to the Venus IV processor aiding processing speed. However, both cameras struggle in low light, with hunt-and-peck behavior, so patience is a necessity.

Notably, both cameras lack burst shooting capabilities beyond 2 frames per second (TS10) and have no continuous autofocus during bursts - meaning they are not ideal for fast action or wildlife photography.

Zoom and Lens Versatility: How Far and How Fast?

Zoom ranges can make or break a compact’s versatility, especially for travel and everyday shooting.

Casio EX-H15 sports an impressive 10x zoom ranging from 24mm wide-angle to 240mm telephoto (35mm equivalent), with a variable maximum aperture from f/3.2 to f/5.7.

The Panasonic TS10 offers a more modest 4x zoom, from 35mm wide to 140mm telephoto (35mm equivalent), with max apertures of f/3.5 to f/5.6.

For landscape and architectural shots, I prefer wider angles, so Casio’s 24mm wide gives a clear edge to expansive scenes. On the other hand, Panasonic’s lens loses that ultra-wide capability, starting at a modest 35mm, which is more of a standard field of view.

The Casio’s longer zoom can be tempting for wildlife or distant subjects, but keep in mind the small sensor and relatively slow aperture limit low-light telephoto performance.

Both cameras have macro capabilities: the Panasonic allows close focusing down to ~10cm, whereas Casio doesn’t specify. In testing, Panasonic’s macro results edge out slightly sharper images, made possible by better close focusing optics.

Image Stabilization: Sensor-Shift vs Optical

The EX-H15 employs sensor-shift image stabilization, while Panasonic uses optical image stabilization (OIS).

In my experience, OIS tends to have the upper hand in compacts because it physically compensates for shake through lens element movement, reducing blur effectively across the zoom range.

The Casio’s sensor-shift works but isn’t as effective, leading to more cautious shutter speed choices when hand-holding at longer zooms. The Panasonic’s OIS makes handheld shooting in low light or at telephoto focal lengths more forgiving.

Weather Sealing and Durability: Taking the Camera Off the Beaten Path

This is where the Panasonic TS10 steals the show.

The TS10 is waterproof, dustproof, shockproof, and freezeproof - albeit crushproof protection is absent. This ruggedness means you can confidently take this camera snorkeling, hiking in rain, or even on winter adventures without worrying about immediate damage.

The Casio EX-H15, typical of daily compact cameras, offers none of these protections. It’s a great desk or indoor camera but not built for adventure or harsh environments.

In fact, this difference in environmental sealing marks a fundamental usage divide - Casio targets everyday shooters, Panasonic targets outdoorsy, adventure seekers.

Video Capabilities: Moving Pictures from 2010

Both cameras offer HD video capture at 720p 30fps with Motion JPEG format - pretty standard for 2010 compacts but far from today’s standards.

The Panasonic has a slight edge with higher maximum resolution video and longer recording times. Neither camera features microphone or headphone ports, nor do they have advanced stabilization for video mode. Autofocus during video is contrast-detection only, lacking continuous or face tracking.

As casual movie-makers, these cameras can fulfill the basics but won’t replace dedicated camcorders or modern mirrorless hybrids.

Battery Life and Storage: How Long Can You Shoot?

Both cameras use proprietary lithium-ion batteries: Casio’s NP-90 for EX-H15, Panasonic’s capacity is unspecified, but both support SD/SDHC cards (Panasonic includes SDXC support, a future-proofing plus).

Practical battery life for tough shooting days is modest - expect 200 to 300 shots on a full charge, depending on usage patterns.

Price and Value: What Do You Get for Your Money?

The Casio EX-H15 launched around $300, Panasonic TS10 closer to $250 - a small but meaningful price difference.

Given Panasonic’s rugged features and OIS, it arguably offers better value for outdoor enthusiasts, while Casio’s longer zoom and sharper screen appeal to indoor, travel, or general purpose shooters prioritizing framing and reach.

Real-World Test Shots: Images Speak Louder Than Specs

Seeing sample images side by side really clarifies how these cameras perform in practice.

Casio EX H15 front Casio EX H15 screen back Panasonic TS10 front Panasonic TS10 screen back

Casio’s images tend toward slightly punchier colors with more detail visible at base ISO, aided by its larger screen for precise framing. Panasonic’s photos exhibit softer corners but better color balance in tricky lighting, likely from superior processing.

Close-up shots highlight Panasonic’s macro advantage - the 10cm focus produces crisp results with pleasing background separation.

Low-light shots show noise creeping up quickly on both, but Panasonic’s higher ISO ceiling gives it an edge, provided you can accept the grain.

How Do They Score Overall?

Given all this, I balanced objective metrics with practical considerations when scoring.

The Casio offers better zoom and screen quality but lacks weather sealing and is slower in autofocus.

The Panasonic is sturdier, faster to focus, and offers image stabilization that’s more forgiving in the field.

Performance by Photography Genre: Which Camera Fits Your Style?

Breaking it down by photography discipline helps clarify the optimal use cases for each camera.

• Portraits: Neither camera excels at face or eye detect AF, but Casio’s wider zoom helps for framing portraits, though Panasonic’s sharper macro focus can aid detail shots.
• Landscapes: Casio’s 24mm wide angle and better screen push it ahead.
• Wildlife: Neither is ideal due to slow AF and burst limited to 2fps, but Casio’s longer zoom could pull distant subjects closer.
• Sports: Both fall short; limited AF tracking and slow continuous shooting virtually disqualify them.
• Street: Panasonic’s ruggedness and discrete size make it a stealthy companion for street shooters.
• Macro: Panasonic ranks higher with its 10cm close focus.
• Night/Astro: Both limited by sensor size and noise; Panasonic’s higher ISO limits slightly help.
• Video: Panasonic edges out with marginally better video specs.
• Travel: Casio’s zoom versatility is attractive, but Panasonic’s durability suits rugged travel better.
• Professional Work: Neither supports RAW or advanced controls expected for pro workflows.

Final Verdict: Who Should Buy Which?

Buy the Casio EX-H15 if...

• You want a compact with a long zoom (10x, 24-240mm range)
• You prioritize screen size and clarity for framing
• Your shooting is mostly casual, indoors, travel - no need for weather sealing
• You can accept modest autofocus and no RAW support

Choose the Panasonic Lumix TS10 if...

• You are an outdoor enthusiast needing a waterproof, shockproof camera
• You want optical image stabilization to reduce blur in challenging conditions
• You prefer faster autofocus and better macro capability
• You might occasionally shoot video and want better color balance in harsh environments
• You are less concerned about super wide-angle or long telephoto zoom

Closing Thoughts

Both these 2010 compacts represent smart compromises technological mindsets of their time - a time when manufacturers tried to cater to diverging user priorities. The Casio EX-H15 shines as a flexible travel-friendly zoomer with a bright, big screen, ideal for casual shooting and landscapes. Panasonic TS10 champions durability and reliability when conditions turn rough, bringing rugged versatility without sacrificing too much in image quality.

If you’re curious about how these cameras fit alongside modern compacts, keep in mind that sensor and processor advances have leapfrogged significantly since 2010. Smartphones now capture much of what these cameras offered, and rugged cameras have evolved dramatically.

Still, for a photography enthusiast interested in vintage digitals or looking for affordable compact units for specific purposes, these models hold nostalgic and practical value.

In sum: know your shooting environment, prioritize features you cannot live without, and remember that the best camera is the one you’ll carry and enjoy using most.

Happy shooting!

Images courtesy of original manufacturer specifications and side-by-side testing samples.