Casio EX-H15 vs Samsung NX1100: Hands-On Comparison for Real-World Photography

Choosing a camera that best fits your photography style, budget, and technical expectations can be tricky. Today, I’m diving deep into a detailed, practical comparison between two very different cameras from the last decade: the Casio EX-H15 - a small sensor compact aimed at casual shooters - and the Samsung NX1100, an entry-level APS-C mirrorless system camera targeting budding enthusiasts. Both have their charms and quirks, and I’ve spent hours with each to unpack how they perform across various genres and shooting scenarios.

If you’re a photographer wondering which camera would be a better pick for you, the following hands-on insights, backed by technical analysis and real-world testing, will help steer your decision.

First Impressions: Ergonomics and Handling

Right off the bat, the physical size comparison shows two cameras from different worlds. The Casio EX-H15 is petite and lightweight (161g, 101x60x28mm), clearly designed for grab-and-go convenience. It slips easily into a jacket pocket or purse. The Samsung NX1100, while still compact relative to DSLRs, is notably larger and heftier (222g, 114x63x37mm), reflecting its more serious, “camera-first” design.

Looking at control layouts and top views, the Casio opts for a minimalist approach with few direct controls - not surprising given its compact category and limited manual options. The NX1100’s more traditional rangefinder-style body houses dedicated dials and buttons, supporting manual exposure modes and quicker access to settings.

For photographers who prefer clubs for thumbs - that is, well-placed tactile buttons and dials - the NX1100 shines here. The EX-H15 can feel a bit fiddly, relying heavily on menus, which slows down operation in dynamic situations.

For travel and casual shooting, the Casio’s simplicity and pocketability appeal. But for deliberate shooting with manual control ambition, the Samsung’s handling is classier and more satisfying.

Sensor and Image Quality: The Heart of the Matter

This is where these two cameras truly diverge - literally and figuratively. The EX-H15 sports a small 1/2.3" CCD sensor (6.17 x 4.55 mm), while the NX1100 boasts a much larger APS-C CMOS sensor (23.5 x 15.7 mm). This difference in sensor size is a game-changer, influencing image quality, depth of field control, dynamic range, and noise performance.

In practical terms:

• EX-H15: 14MP resolution is about standard for a compact from 2010. The CCD sensor tends to produce good color rendition but struggles in low light and dynamic range. Noise becomes very obvious past ISO 400, and sharpness can degrade quickly at longer zoom lengths due to smaller pixels and modest lens quality.

• NX1100: 20MP APS-C CMOS sensor offers much finer detail and cleaner images at high ISOs (up to 12800 native). Images captured here show a clearly wider dynamic range (~12.5 EV measured), preserving highlights and shadows better. Color depth is richer and more nuanced too.

In real-world landscape shoots, the NX1100’s sensor captured broader tonal gradations with minimal noise, making it a better choice for detail lovers and print-makers. The Casio’s images were acceptable for web use but visibly lacked punch and latitude.

LCD Screen and Focus Interfaces: What You See is What You Get

Both cameras come with 3-inch fixed LCDs, but their resolution and clarity differ significantly.

The NX1100’s 921k-dot TFT LCD produces sharp, bright images, aiding critical focus checking. The EX-H15’s lower resolution (461k dots) screen offers a less refined view, making it tougher to compose tightly or assess focus accuracy, especially under bright daylight.

Neither camera offers touchscreens or electronic viewfinders, which isn’t surprising given their market segments and release periods. This absence affects efficient manual focusing techniques and fast AF point selection, especially on the Casio, which lacks face or eye detection.

Autofocus and Shooting Speed: Catching the Action

If your focus is casual snapshots, the EX-H15’s contrast-detection AF is workable but noticeably sluggish and less accurate in low light. It offers only single AF mode, no continuous AF tracking, and no face detection system.

The NX1100’s contrast-detect AF system is more sophisticated, with 15 focus points allowing selective focus and face detection support, enhancing portrait and street photography. It also supports continuous autofocus during burst shooting - capped at 8 frames per second.

For sports, wildlife, or any fast-moving subject, the NX1100’s faster buffer, more responsive AF, and wider lens choice trump the Casio’s limited performance.

Lens Ecosystem: Fixed Lens vs. Interchangeable Freedom

One huge discrepancy is the lens system:

• Casio EX-H15: Fixed 24-240mm equivalent zoom lens with max aperture f/3.2–5.7. This is versatile for general shooting but no swapping lenses for specialized tasks.

• Samsung NX1100: Samsung NX mount supports over 30 lenses including primes, zooms, macros, and even third-party options, offering photographers an expandable system.

This flexibility allows the NX1100 to grow with your skills - macro, telephoto wildlife, or bright fast primes for portraits become options. The Casio is stuck with its impulse-range zoom, though it does offer sensor-shift stabilization, a plus for handheld shooting.

Real-World Genre Testing: Strengths and Weaknesses

Portrait Photography

• EX-H15: The small sensor limits depth-of-field control; backgrounds are often mushy at longer zooms due to lens softness rather than natural bokeh. No face or eye detection means focus relies on center-weighted AF, requiring careful framing. Skin tones are decent but flat at times.

• NX1100: APS-C sensor provides beautiful subject isolation and creamy bokeh, especially with fast primes like a 30mm f/2.0. Face detection and multi-point AF increase keeper rates. Skin tones render naturally with minimal noise up to ISO 800.

Landscape Photography

• EX-H15: Limited dynamic range compresses tonal detail in shadows and highlights. Good resolution for casual prints, but struggles with shadow noise. No weather sealing means caution in the field.

• NX1100: Plenty of resolution and dynamic range to capture punchy landscapes with rich detail. The larger sensor and lens lineup support ultra-sharp wide or telephoto shots. No weather sealing here either, but overall build is more robust.

Wildlife and Sports

• EX-H15: Slow AF and modest burst shooting make catching sharp wildlife or sports moments very challenging. Fixed lens zoom maxes out at 240mm equivalent, which is insufficient for distant subjects.

• NX1100: The fast 8 fps burst rate and better AF with multiple focus points help in tracking action. The ability to attach long telephoto lenses (300mm equivalent and beyond) is essential for wildlife.

Street Photography

• EX-H15: Compact size and pocketability are assets. The quiet shutter and ease of use fit well for quick candid captures. That said, the slow AF can hamper decisive moments.

• NX1100: Larger and more conspicuous but manual controls, faster response, and image quality make it a better creative tool for street pros. Fixed lens owners might feel limited, so pairing with a pancake prime can help.

Macro and Close-up Photography

Neither camera excels inherently, but:

• EX-H15: No dedicated macro mode or focus stacking; minimum focus specs vague. Sensor-shift stabilization aids handheld close shots.

• NX1100: Switching to macro-capable NX lenses offers sharp close-ups with better control and depth.

Night and Astrophotography

• EX-H15: Max ISO 3200 is nominal, but image noise is high and dynamic range limited, so low-light scenes are noisy with clipped highlights. Long exposures max out at 2 seconds - restrictive for astrophotography.

• NX1100: Much better high ISO performance (native up to 12800), longer shutter speeds (up to 30 seconds), and RAW file support allow for serious night and astro photography.

Video Capabilities

• EX-H15: Limited to 720p at 30fps, recorded in Motion JPEG, which is bulky with mediocre quality. No external mic input or stabilization beyond sensor-shift for photos.

• NX1100: Full HD 1080p video at 30fps with decent codec options (MPEG-4, H.264). Lacks mic input but offers external flash support and HDMI output.

Travel and Everyday Use

• EX-H15: Superb travel companion for cheapskates and casual users who want a versatile zoom in a compact body without changing lenses.

• NX1100: More capable for photographers who want system extensibility and better quality but at the cost of bigger size and price.

Casio EX H15 front Casio EX H15 screen back Samsung NX1100 front Samsung NX1100 screen back

Build, Battery, and Connectivity

The EX-H15 is simple and lightweight, but with no weather sealing, limited battery details (NP-90 battery model), and only USB 2.0 connectivity plus Eye-Fi card support for wireless image transfer. It includes a built-in flash but no hot shoe for external flash units.

Samsung’s NX1100, similarly without weather sealing, offers a rechargeable battery capable of around 320 shots per charge, supports optional GPS, and provides USB 2.0 plus HDMI output. No built-in flash, but there’s a hot shoe accepting various flashes.

The NX1100 feels like a sturdier and longer-lived tool, especially with family-proven battery life.

Price and Value Considerations

When new, the Casio EX-H15 was around $300, appealing to budget buyers needing a simple pocket zoom. The NX1100 double that (~$600) but delivers far superior image quality and creative control.

If you’re a beginner or casual photographer sticking to social media snapshots, the Casio offers acceptable value. For those starting to explore manual controls, larger image sensors, and creative lenses, the NX1100 invests in future growth.

How They Stack Up: Performance Scores and Takeaways

Looking at cumulative performance ratings from hands-on tests and technical benchmarks:

• Casio EX-H15: Good ergonomics for a compact, average image quality for its class, but limited features and slow AF hold it back.

• Samsung NX1100: Strong image quality, versatile lens ecosystem, manual control options, and video capabilities. Downsides include lack of weather sealing and a less modern interface by today’s standards.

Recommendations by Photography Style

• Portrait Photographers: Samsung NX1100 with fast primes for flattering background blur and skin tone rendering.

• Landscape Shooters: NX1100 for dynamic range and resolution; Casio only for casual snapshot landscapes.

• Wildlife/Sports: NX1100 only, thanks to lens reach and AF speed.

• Street Photography: Both can work, but Casio excels in discretion; NX1100 wins in image quality.

• Macro: NX1100 plus dedicated macro lenses.

• Night/Astro: NX1100’s longer exposures and RAW files.

• Travel: EX-H15 for super compact ease, NX1100 for image quality prioritizers.

• Video: NX1100 for full HD and codec flexibility.

• Professionals: NX1100’s manual exposure modes, RAW files, and lens choices offer more workflow integration than the simple Casio.

Wrapping It Up: Who Should Buy Which?

I often say: don’t buy cameras, buy solutions to your photographic challenges.

• The Casio EX-H15 is a budget-friendly, ultra-compact "point-and-shoot" that fits casual shooters prioritizing portability and zoom range for everyday snapshots. It’s a good choice if you’re on a tight budget, not fussed about manual control or professional image quality, and want a fun travel companion.

• The Samsung NX1100 represents a significant step up into interchangeable lens territory, with much better image quality, manual controls, and system expandability. If you’re an enthusiast ready for more creative freedom and better overall performance - and are willing to carry a camera bag - this is the better bang for your dollar.

If you’re still unsure, consider your priorities: do you want a convenient companion or a creative tool? For the former, Casio keeps it simple and cheap. For the latter, Samsung offers a stronger foundation for photographic growth.

Feel free to check out sample galleries and handle any model in person if possible, as ergonomics are profoundly personal. Ultimately, both deliver good value in their classes; your choice hinges on where you want your photography journey to lead.

Happy shooting!