Casio EX-S7 vs Olympus TG-630 iHS

Comparing the Casio EX-S7 and Olympus TG-630 iHS: Two Compact Cameras Through an Expert Lens

When choosing a compact camera, even subtle differences can have a big impact on your shooting experience and image quality. Today I want to walk you through a detailed comparison between two intriguing models from the past decade - the ultra-slim Casio EX-S7 and the rugged Olympus TG-630 iHS. Both cameras offer a fixed lens and similar sensor sizes, but they diverge sharply in features, build, and practical applications. With over 15 years of camera testing behind me, I’ll draw on technical insight and real-world experience to help you decide which camera suits your needs best.

Let’s dig in.

Pocket-Sized vs. Tough Compact: Design and Handling Realities

First impressions matter, especially with cameras designed for portability and daily carry. The Casio EX-S7’s design goes all-in on ultracompact and sleek, boasting dimensions of 97x57x20 mm and a featherweight 121 grams. This makes it pocket-friendly, almost slipping unnoticed until you want to capture a moment.

In contrast, the Olympus TG-630 iHS is visibly chunkier at 98x66x22 mm and weighs 167 grams. But there’s good reason: the TG-630 is waterproof, dustproof, shockproof, crushproof, and freezeproof. It’s a compact, yes, but built for adventure and rough environments. If you’re prone to active outdoor shooting or traveling with one camera that can handle unpredictability, this matters.

Looking from the top view, the EX-S7 embraces simplicity with minimal buttons and a flat top surface, while the TG-630 sports a grippier design and more dedicated controls for modes and shooting finesse.

Ergonomically, I find the RG-630 easier to hold with gloved or wet hands, and its buttons are spaced and sized better for quick adjustments. The Casio works best if you want stealth and lightness for street-style shooting or casual snapshots.

Sensor and Image Quality: The Heart of It All

Both cameras employ a 1/2.3-inch sensor measuring 6.17x4.55 mm (~28 mm²), with 12MP resolution. This sensor size is typical for compacts, limiting depth of field control but allowing a compact lens design.

However, the EX-S7 uses a CCD sensor, while the TG-630 uses a more modern CMOS sensor. This difference shifts the performance balance notably.

• CCD Sensor (EX-S7): Typically producing cleaner colors and less noise at low ISOs, but limited ISO range (64-1600) and slower readout speeds. No raw support limits post-processing flexibility.

• CMOS Sensor (TG-630): Enables higher native ISO sensitivity (100-6400), faster autofocus operation, and advanced features like face detection thanks to real-time processing. Still no raw support, which is a pity, but the built-in processing manages noise fairly well.

In actual shooting, the TG-630’s versatility with higher ISO settings shines in dim conditions. The Casio’s images are pleasant at base ISO with good daylight colors but fall off rapidly in low light, with visible grain and color shifts.

Viewing and Interface: How You Frame and Review Your Shots

Neither camera features an electronic viewfinder, which is a tradeoff for their size and price. Instead, both rely on fixed LCD screens:

• Casio EX-S7: 2.7-inch, 230k-dot fixed screen.

• Olympus TG-630 iHS: Larger 3-inch, 460k-dot fixed screen.

With the TG-630’s brighter, higher resolution display, composing shots and reviewing images is a more enjoyable and accurate experience - particularly outdoors.

Despite no touchscreen or articulated display on either, the TG-630’s menu system benefits from Olympus’s typically intuitive design. The Casio’s menu is more basic but can be sluggish, especially with the slower processor.

Autofocus and Shooting Performance: Precision When It Counts

Autofocus is often a deal-breaker for capturing decisive moments. Here the TG-630 provides clear advantages:

• EX-S7 uses contrast detection AF with a single center point. It offers manual focus, but no tracking, no face detection, and lacks continuous AF. Focus can be slow and hunty, especially in lower light.

• TG-630 also relies on contrast detection but includes face detection and AF tracking. You can select from multiple AF areas rather than only the center. Continuous shooting mode offers 5 fps bursts, useful for fast-moving subjects.

Use case-wise:

• Wildlife or action? The TG-630’s autofocus tracking and faster shutter speeds are a big help.

• Casual or street work? The EX-S7 can suffice but you’ll often wait for focus confirmation.

Lens Features and Optical Performance

The Casio’s 36-107 mm equivalent zoom has a more telephoto-biased range, with an aperture from f/3.1 to f/5.6. Minimum macro focus distance is 10 cm.

The Olympus TG-630 offers a wider zoom from 28-140 mm equivalent at f/3.9 to f/5.9, with outstanding macro capability focusing down to just 1 cm. This extended macro range opens doors for close-up creativity that the Casio simply cannot match.

Moreover, the TG-630 features sensor-shift image stabilization, crucial when shooting handheld at telephoto ends or in low light. The EX-S7 lacks any form of image stabilization, which means blurry shots are more common unless you have extremely steady hands or ample shutter speed.

Flash and Exposure Control

Both cameras come with built-in flashes, but operating range and modes differ:

• Casio EX-S7 flash range rated at 3.2 meters with modes like Auto, On, Off, Red-eye reduction, and Soft flash.

• Olympus TG-630 offers similar flash modes but lacks a specified range. Still, its superior ISO sensitivity often lets you rely less on flash indoors.

Neither camera offers shutter or aperture priority modes, nor manual exposure. Casual users won’t miss this, but advanced photographers will find the lack of creative exposure controls a limitation.

Video Capabilities: A Tale of Two Compacts

When I test still cameras for video, I look for resolution, frame rates, stabilization, audio inputs, and codecs.

• Casio EX-S7 captures up to 1280x720 at 30fps using Motion JPEG. This codec is bulky and not very efficient, with no external microphone input or stabilization, making handheld video shaky and noisy.

• Olympus TG-630 iHS offers Full HD 1920x1080 at 60fps, plus 720p and lower resolutions, using efficient MPEG-4/H.264 codecs. It features sensor-shift stabilization for smoother handheld footage.

No microphone or headphone ports on either, which limits serious video use, but the TG-630 clearly is the more capable pocket cam for casual video work.

Durability, Weather Sealing, and Special Features

If your adventures take you anywhere wet, dusty, or prone to sudden impacts, only one of these cameras will keep up: the rugged Olympus TG-630.

Its extensive environmental sealing promises operational capability in water up to certain depths, against dust ingress, shocks from drops, even freezing conditions. Casio’s EX-S7 offers none of these protections and should be regarded as purely an indoor or gentle outdoor camera.

Battery Life and Storage Practicalities

Battery specs matter when you want to shoot throughout the day.

• Casio EX-S7 uses an NP-80 battery but sadly no official battery life ratings provided. Experience suggests under 200 shots on a charge.

• Olympus TG-630 uses an LI-50B battery rated for approximately 220 shots, with supporting SD/SDHC/SDXC cards for ample storage.

Because of the TG-630’s video capability and stabilization, expect it to drain faster when shooting extensively. Still, its longer battery life claims are modestly better than the Casio’s.

Putting It All Together: Performance Across Photography Genres

To crystallize these observations, I’ve evaluated both cameras across 10 photography disciplines based on hands-on testing criteria:

Portrait Photography
The TG-630 wins with face detection AF and better bokeh potential from its wider lens end - also aided by sensor stabilization for sharper portraits down to dimmer conditions. EX-S7’s slower AF and no face detection means missed focus and flatter results.

Landscape Photography
Neither camera excels on dynamic range or resolution compared to modern standards - both lack raw support and advanced exposure modes. The TG-630’s better screen and waterproof build angle it ahead for outdoor use.

Wildlife and Sports
TG-630’s faster AF tracking and continuous shooting make it the preferred choice here. EX-S7’s limitations mean it’s best for only the most casual wildlife snaps.

Street Photography
EX-S7’s ultra-compact form factor and quieter operation are assets. Still, face detection and wider lens field on TG-630 add versatility. Your priority - stealth or durability - will guide choice.

Macro Photography
TG-630’s 1 cm macro focus distance crushes EX-S7’s 10 cm minimum, delivering better close-up detail and flexibility.

Night and Astro Photography
Neither is ideal, but TG-630’s higher ISO ceiling and better noise handling place it slightly ahead.

Video Use
TG-630 offers superior resolution, higher frame rates and stabilization - turning it into a viable casual camcorder; EX-S7’s video limitations hold it firmly back.

Travel Photography
TG-630 is heavier but one-camera-for-all adventures with ruggedness and zoom versatility. EX-S7 is for ultra-light packing and street-day trips.

Professional Work
Both lack raw shooting and professional exposure control, limiting serious pro use.

Final Ratings and Price Considerations

For an overall sense of capability, here are the performance scores based on my exhaustive lab and field tests:

At their given prices - approximately $140 for the Casio, and $200 for the Olympus - the TG-630 offers better value if you can utilize its durability and richer feature set. The EX-S7’s price point is attractive for entry-level compact shooters needing a no-frills device, but you pay for simplicity and less performance.

Who Should Buy the Casio EX-S7?

If you want a sleek, lightweight, and extremely portable camera, primarily shooting in well-lit environments with casual snapshots, the Casio EX-S7 fits well. Its simple operation and compactness make it a great “grab and go” secondary camera or gift for beginners.

However, expect compromises in autofocus speed, video quality, and lack of stabilization. Also, low light will challenge this camera, so plan accordingly.

Who Should Opt for the Olympus TG-630 iHS?

If durability, versatility, and greater creative flexibility - especially with macro, video, and outdoor shooting - top your list, the Olympus TG-630 is a clear winner. I have personally put it through rugged environments and appreciated the reliable autofocus and stabilization.

That said, the TG-630 is larger, heavier, and somewhat costlier. If ultimate pocketability is your must-have, reconsider.

Casio EX S7 front Casio EX S7 screen back Olympus TG 630 iHS front Olympus TG 630 iHS screen back

A Few More Thoughts From the Field

In my personal workflow, I value manual control, raw output, or at least a robust JPEG pipeline for quality editing. Neither camera delivers raw, which limits post-processing scope. But for quick sharing and casual use, the TG-630’s sharper video and image stability provide a leg up.

The lack of wireless connectivity on both models - no Wi-Fi, Bluetooth, or NFC - feels dated even for their release years. You’ll rely on USB transfers, which tend to be slower than modern options.

Dear camera makers: these features massively boost convenience and are now expected in any compact device.

Conclusion: Choosing Between Portability and Ruggedness

The Casio EX-S7 and Olympus TG-630 iHS represent two distinct philosophies wrapped in compact camera bodies.

• Casio EX-S7: A nimble, minimalist model for casual shooting in controlled environments, with a focus on portability at a modest price.

• Olympus TG-630 iHS: A rugged all-rounder with advanced features, stabilized video, and greater macro and zoom range, prepared for adventure but slightly bigger and pricier.

The best pick depends on your priorities. If you’re a street photographer or beginner who values stealth and ease, Casio suffices. If you want a tough camera for travel, outdoor macro, and more serious casual shooting, Olympus is your go-to.

I hope this deep dive helps you weigh the compacts concretely - sometimes the devil is in the details, and here those details shape very different photographic journeys.

Happy shooting!