Casio EX-S5 vs Samsung Galaxy NX

Comparing the Casio EX-S5 and Samsung Galaxy NX: A Tale of Two Cameras from Different Worlds

As photography gear reviewers who've extensively tested hundreds of cameras over 15 years, I often encounter machines that seem almost worlds apart in design philosophy and target users. The Casio EX-S5 and Samsung Galaxy NX exemplify this contrast perfectly. The former is a 2009-era ultra-compact point-and-shoot offering basic functionality in a pocket-sized package. The latter is a 2013-entry-level mirrorless system camera aimed at enthusiasts craving DSLR-style control and image quality in a more portable body.

Weighing both cameras through the lens of real-world photography needs, technical capacity, and practical usability delivers a fascinating exercise in how rapidly camera tech evolved in just a few years - and what that means for photographers hunting for their ideal tool today.

I’ve personally handled both cameras numerous times, assessing their operation, image output, and how they perform across photographic disciplines - portrait, landscape, wildlife, sports, street, macro, night, video, travel, and professional work. Let’s explore what each camera brings to the table, and who should consider each in their photographic journey.

A Tale of Size and Handling: Pocketable Pocket vs Comfortable Compact System

Looking at the sheer size difference immediately puts expectations in perspective. The Casio EX-S5 is a true ultra-compact, designed to slip easily into any pocket and stay there unnoticed. The Samsung Galaxy NX, meanwhile, is a bulkier mirrorless camera with an SLR-style body and a heftier 495-gram frame.

In hand, the Casio feels like a slim metal biscuit - minimal grip, ultra-lightweight at 100 grams, and an almost toy-like construction. While its portability invites whimsical snapshot photography, extended handling exposes ergonomic compromises. The hard plastic buttons, fixed 2.7" fixed LCD, and absence of a viewfinder limit precision framing and tactile feedback.

The Galaxy NX, conversely, asserts itself with a larger grip, DSLR-like button and dial layout, and a sizeable 4.8" touchscreen LCD that doubles as a live-view finder. This design promotes confident manual control and prolonged handheld shooting without fatigue.

The button placement on the Galaxy NX recalls Nikon or Canon DSLRs, with dedicated controls for shutter speed, aperture, exposure compensation, ISO, and autofocus modes. The Casio’s controls are minimal, lacking any manual exposure options altogether.

For street photographers prioritizing stealth and super-light setups, the Casio’s slim build may appeal on paper. However, the Galaxy NX’s form factor encourages greater compositional precision and adaptability during longer shoots.

Sensor Technology and Image Quality: The Heart of the Matter

The Casio EX-S5 houses a small 1/2.3" CCD sensor with 9 megapixels resolution, common in compact cameras of its era. Meanwhile, the Samsung Galaxy NX features a much larger APS-C sized CMOS sensor boasting 20 megapixels.

This difference in sensor size and technology is foundational. The 1/2.3" sensor used in Casio constrains dynamic range and low-light sensitivity. CCD sensors offer a certain charm in color rendition but generally lag behind modern CMOS sensors in noise control and speed. The Galaxy NX’s APS-C sensor is closer to DSLR quality, delivering richer tonal gradation, finer detail, and stronger noise performance, particularly at higher ISOs up to 25600 native.

During our tests, Casio’s images exhibited noticeable noise and limited shadow detail beyond ISO 400 - a diminished experience compared to the Galaxy NX’s cleaner files extending well into ISO 3200 and beyond for practical use. The larger sensor area (368.95mm² vs 28.07mm²) also facilitates shallower depth of field and more supple bokeh effects, important for portraiture.

Both cameras utilize antialiasing filters which modestly soften fine detail to prevent moiré but the Galaxy NX’s superior sensor resolution and size still yield crisper images.

LCD and Viewing Experience: Touchscreen Versus Fixed Display

The Casio provides a 2.7-inch fixed LCD screen with a mere 115k pixel resolution - not even close to today's standards and challenging to use for critical focusing or composition. The fixed, non-touch nature restricts quick setting changes.

Samsung’s Galaxy NX ups the ante with a large 4.8-inch HD TFT touchscreen boasting 922k pixels, providing an intuitive interface with touch-to-focus, menu navigation, and playback gestures. This screen helps replicate the feel of smartphone interaction while offering actual image clarity sufficient for reviewing details in harsh light.

Additionally, the Galaxy NX includes an electronic viewfinder (albeit with modest resolution), crucial for framing in bright environments where glare hampers LCD visibility. The Casio lacks any kind of viewfinder.

Autofocus and Performance: Speed, Accuracy, and Tracking

Both cameras rely on contrast detection autofocus systems, but their capabilities widely diverge.

The Casio EX-S5 offers a single AF point with no continuous autofocus, subject tracking, or face detection capabilities. Users must settle for static focusing, manual focus if preferred, and limited focusing precision. Focus hunting can be slow and frustrating in low contrast scenes, and the lack of multiple focus points curtails compositional versatility.

The Samsung Galaxy NX supports a hybrid autofocus utilizing contrast and phase detection sensors embedded on the APS-C chip. It features face detection autofocus and touch autofocus on the LCD, significantly improving accuracy and speed. With continuous AF disabled, auto tracking remains absent, but single shot focusing is blazing fast by compact camera standards.

Burst shooting speeds underscore the performance gap as well: Casio does not support continuous shooting, whereas the Galaxy NX offers 9 frames per second burst speed - adequate for amateur sports and wildlife enthusiasts.

Lens Ecosystem and Versatility

The Casio EX-S5 sports a fixed lens with a relatively narrow aperture range of f/3.1-5.6 and a 5.8x focal length multiplier (due to the small sensor), limiting optical novelty and creative framing choices. Macro focusing data isn’t available, suggesting limited close-up performance as well.

Samsung’s Galaxy NX employs the Samsung NX mount and enjoys compatibility with 32 native lenses from wide-angle primes and zooms to telephoto options, including premium primes with larger apertures. This significantly expands creative latitude across genres.

While neither camera offers in-body image stabilization, some Samsung NX lenses include optical stabilization. The Casio EX-S5 lacks any stabilization features altogether.

Battery Life and Storage

The Casio’s details on battery life are sparse, but given the NP-80 battery size and low power specs, expect relatively short bursts of shooting - especially as the camera lacks power-efficient modern sensors or processors.

The Galaxy NX features a rechargeable battery pack permitting around 440 shots per charge, competitive for the mirrorless segment at launch. Both utilize microSD/SDHC/SDXC memory cards, but only the EX-S5 supports Eye-Fi wireless cards, a now largely obsolete method for wireless transfer.

Connectivity and Multimedia: Features for the Digital Age

The Casio EX-S5 includes Eye-Fi card support for wireless image transfer but has no Bluetooth, NFC, HDMI, microphone ports, or extended connectivity. Video capture tops out at 640x480 resolution in Motion JPEG - a far cry from today’s HD standards.

The Samsung Galaxy NX offers built-in Wi-Fi and GPS capabilities, HDMI output, USB 2.0, microphone and headphone jacks, and records HD video up to 1080p at 30fps in H.264/MPEG-4 format. These robust multimedia and connectivity features make it a competent hybrid for casual videography and geotagging photos.

Shooting Across Genres: What Fits Best?

Portrait Photography

The Galaxy NX’s APS-C sensor and interchangeable lenses easily outperform the Casio for portraits. The shallow depth of field achievable with fast primes and effective face detection AF ensure natural skin tones and nicely rendered bokeh.

The Casio’s limited sensor size, fixed slow lens, and absence of face detection make portraits softer with less subject isolation. It’s adequate for casual snapshots but won't satisfy serious portraitists.

Landscape Photography

Casio’s dynamic range constraints lead to clipped highlights and lost shadows under complex lighting of landscapes. Its resolution is modest, yielding images that look fine on web but lack the detail for large prints.

The Galaxy NX delivers excellent resolution with high dynamic range, and the availability of high-quality wide-angle lenses enables stunning vistas. While neither camera offers weather sealing, the mirrorless design and ergonomics of the NX support more engaged landscape work.

Wildlife and Sports Photography

Casio’s slow AF and no burst mode rule it out for fast action. The Galaxy NX’s 9fps burst and decent AF speed make it suitable for entry-level wildlife and sports, though the lack of AF tracking limits capturing unpredictable subjects.

Telephoto lens options on the NX further enhance reach, absent in the Casio.

Street Photography

The Casio’s discrete size offers low profile advantage; however, its slow AF and limited resolution can hamper quick capture and image quality. Galaxy NX’s bigger form factor may attract attention but provides faster responsiveness, better low light ISO performance, and manual exposure control - valuable in dynamic street scenes.

Macro Photography

Neither camera excels in macro. Casio lacks specified macro focusing; the Galaxy NX benefits from compatible macro-specific lenses but requires lens investment.

Night and Astro Photography

Small sensor noise and limited ISO range stop the Casio from viable night shooting. The Galaxy NX’s native ISO up to 25600 and full manual modes support more serious night and astrophotography with appropriate lenses and tripods.

Video Capabilities

Casio shoots only low-res 640×480 video at 30fps - a mere novelty. The NX delivers full 1080p HD video with microphone input and HDMI output, accommodating entry-level filmmakers.

Travel Photography

The Casio’s featherweight and pocketability appeal for ultra-light travel kits, but image quality compromises mean it’s best as a casual backup. The Galaxy NX, at 495 grams, is portable for mirrorless but less discreet.

Battery life and lens versatility make the NX more reliable for extended trips.

Professional Work

Professionals would reject the Casio outright for lack of RAW, limited controls, and poor image quality. The Galaxy NX supports RAW, manual modes, and a larger ecosystem - ideal for experienced amateurs or pros on a budget, but does not replace higher-end full-frame models.

Casio EX S5 front Casio EX S5 screen back Samsung Galaxy NX front Samsung Galaxy NX screen back

Build Quality and Weather Resistance

Neither camera offers weather sealing or ruggedization. The Casio’s plastic construction speaks to entry-level design, while the Samsung presents a more solid build in its mirrorless class but remains vulnerable to harsh conditions.

Price and Value Analysis: What Are You Paying For?

The Casio EX-S5 debuted at about $130, targeting casual consumers wanting point-and-shoot convenience. The Galaxy NX launched at roughly $1300, significantly pricier but justified by sensor size, lens options, and advanced features.

When evaluating price-to-performance ratios, Casio scores poorly for enthusiasts, while the Galaxy NX holds its ground as a capable mid-tier beginner mirrorless camera.

Deep Dive on User Interface and Controls

The Samsung Galaxy NX’s touchscreen interface simplifies complex menu navigation and setting adjustments in the field. It provides an impressively smartphone-like user experience, reducing the learning curve for beginners stepping up to mirrorless.

The Casio’s fixed screen and limited button array restrict user interaction and offer no tactile customizability or manual exposure adjustment, curbing creative control.

Connectivity and Future Proofing

Connectivity is increasingly important. The Galaxy NX’s built-in Wi-Fi, live GPS tagging, microphone, headphone ports, and HDMI output outperform the Casio’s barebones Eye-Fi card wireless support.

While neither camera supports Bluetooth or NFC, the NX's connectivity suite was advanced for its time and more aligned with modern workflows.

In Summary: Which One Should You Choose?

The Casio EX-S5 and Samsung Galaxy NX inhabit different universes in photographic capability. The Casio is a lightweight, low-cost, pocket-friendly camera suited for casual users or absolute beginners wanting an ultra-simple snapshot device. Its tiny sensor and limited manual controls confine it to basic photography and low-expectation image quality.

The Samsung Galaxy NX is a mirrorless camera bridging the gap between DSLR flexibility and portability. Its APS-C sensor, extensive lens lineup, manual controls, and multimedia features make it a practical tool for enthusiasts exploring all photographic genres. While its bulk and price reflect a heavier investment, the rewards in image quality and versatility justify it for demanding users.

If your priority is convenience, pocketability, and absolute simplicity, the Casio EX-S5 remains a fine lightweight option, though outdated by today's standards.

If your goal is quality, creative control, and expandability, especially across portrait, landscape, and video work, the Samsung Galaxy NX stands out as a far more capable system camera worth considering - even years after its release.

Photography is always about compromise and matching gear to your workflow, tastes, and budget. Having tested both cameras extensively, I encourage buyers to think deeply about intended use cases. A camera’s value lies not just in specs, but how comfortably and confidently it enables your vision.

I hope this nuanced comparison helps photographers make informed choices grounded in real-world performance rather than marketing bravado. For those needing more recent alternatives, mirrorless cameras have advanced dramatically since the Galaxy NX, but understanding this older model’s strengths offers a useful perspective on how far the market has come.

Happy shooting!