Casio EX-Z16 vs Sony A560: A Hands-On Comparison for Every Photographer’s Arsenal

When it comes to choosing a camera, the gulf between ultracompacts and entry-level DSLRs is… well, vast. But there’s something delightfully instructive about pitting a no-frills point-and-shoot like the Casio Exilim EX-Z16 against a more serious player such as the Sony Alpha DSLR-A560. Released almost simultaneously in late 2010, these cameras represent two very different philosophies in photography gear - one prioritizing portability and simplicity, the other aiming for control, quality, and growth potential.

Having tested thousands of cameras over the last 15 years, I find these sorts of comparisons help clarify what you’re really paying for - and where you might want to draw the line. Pull up a chair as we carve through specs, real-world performance, and whether either of these cameras deserve a place in your bag today.

Size Matters, But How Much?

Let’s start with the obvious: physicality.

The Casio EX-Z16 is a classic ultracompact, measuring just 101 x 59 x 20 mm. It fits snugly in a pocket and disappears in a purse or coat pocket - an instant winner if absolute portability is non-negotiable. The modest 3x zoom lens (36-107mm equivalent) is fixed, and handling is fairly minimalistic. It’s as barebones as a compact can be while still offering some manual focus option (though limited).

In stark contrast, the Sony A560 is a proper entry-level DSLR, 137 x 104 x 84 mm, weighing in at approximately 599 grams without a lens. That’s a chunkier commitment, and the ergonomics reflect that heft. Thanks to a pronounced grip and solid build quality, the feel is distinctly “camera” - substantive in hand without feeling heavy by DSLR standards.

While each has its charm, your primary consideration here: Do you want a camera you can bring everywhere without thinking twice, or are you comfortable carrying a heavier, bulkier camera that offers greater control and image quality?

Design, Controls, and User Experience

Now, size aside, what about the tactile experience and interface?

Here, the A560 clearly commands superiority. The Sony organizes its dials, buttons, and exposure controls thoughtfully. With dedicated manual, aperture priority, shutter priority, and program modes, it invites you to learn and explore creative settings - the hallmark of a DSLR built for enthusiasts and beyond. The 15 autofocus points (including 3 cross-type) allow fine-grained focusing control, an absolute boon in tricky shooting situations.

The EX-Z16? A simpler story. Dedicated modes are minimal, focusing relies on contrast detection autofocus (CDD) with a single central area, and you won't find any manual exposure beyond a custom white balance and basic manual focus tweak. The lack of a viewfinder combined with a fixed, non-touch LCD screen places it firmly in the “point and shoot” league.

If you crave sophistication and tactile feedback - especially for genres like portraits, wildlife, or sports - you’ll appreciate the Sony’s thoughtful design. If you want a camera that just works and doesn’t get in your way, Casio’s simplicity might suffice.

Sensor Size and Image Quality: The Heart of the Matter

When assessing image quality, the sensor is king.

The Casio uses a 1/2.3" CCD sensor (about 6.17x4.55mm), yielding 12 megapixels at a max resolution of 4000x3000. It’s standard fare for compacts of its era but fundamentally limited by the tiny sensor size. Expect decent daylight shots but compromised dynamic range, high noise past ISO 400, and challenges in low light. The fixed f/3.2-5.7 aperture zoom lens can’t compensate for that small sensor’s light-gathering limitations.

The Sony A560 boasts a much larger APS-C CMOS sensor (23.5x15.6mm) with 14 megapixels, max resolution 4592x3056. Sensor area: 366.6 mm² - over 13 times larger than Casio’s! The difference is palpable: better dynamic range (12.3 EV in lab tests), stunning color depth, and vastly superior high ISO capabilities - practically a game-changer for low-light and night photography. Plus, Sony’s Bionz processor delivers cleaner files and improved noise reduction without smudging detail.

For landscape, portraits, or any situation demanding image quality beyond mere snapshots, the Sony is clearly more future-proof. The Casio’s sensor limitations restrict it mostly to casual, well-lit environments.

Live View, Screen, and Viewfinder: Seeing Your Shot

Eyeing your composition on the go can make or break a shoot.

The Sony A560 comes with a 3-inch tilting LCD boasting 922,000 dots - ample resolution for checking focus and framing, especially in awkward angles or on uneven terrain. This flexibility is a bonus for macro, street, or architecture photography.

It also offers a traditional optical pentamirror viewfinder, covering 95% of the scene - a minor but noticeable framing loss when compared to pricier DSLRs. Still, it’s a robust, zero-lag way of composing shots in bright sunlight when LCDs can wash out.

The EX-Z16 relies entirely on a fixed LCD screen with no viewfinder whatsoever. The resolution isn’t specified, but given its class, expect something serviceable but no bells or whistles. Live view autofocus is available but contrast-detection only, which is predictably slower and less reliable than phase detection in the Sony.

For photographers who like eye-level framing or shoot outdoors frequently, the A560’s viewfinder and LCD flexibility are significant advantages.

Autofocus, Burst, and Shooting Responsiveness: Catching the Moment

If your photography involves movement - sports, wildlife, or children - autofocus speed and burst capability matter greatly.

The Sony A560 shines here with a 15-point phase detection AF system featuring 3 cross-type points, complemented by contrast detection for live view. It supports continuous AF and 5 fps burst shooting, respectable for an entry-level DSLR of its time. This combo allows accurate tracking of subjects in motion, giving you a real chance at landing sharp shots of fast-moving action.

The Casio EX-Z16, by contrast, has no continuous AF, no burst shooting mode, and only a basic single AF point using contrast detection. Shutter speeds max out at 1/2000s (standard but unremarkable), and autofocus can feel sluggish under challenging light or motion.

In other words: If you want to photograph soccer games or birds in flight, Casio won’t cut it. Sony provides the responsiveness and flexibility to be effective in dynamic shooting situations.

Image Stabilization, Lenses, and Accessories: Extending Your Reach

When it comes to putting together a versatile kit, the Sony’s open ecosystem is a huge draw.

The Casio EX-Z16 comes with a non-interchangeable fixed 36-107mm equivalent lens with a modest maximum aperture range of f/3.2-5.7. Optical zoom is just 3x, limiting framing flexibility. However, it does boast sensor-shift stabilization, which is commendable in such a small body and helps reduce blur in low light or handheld shots.

The Sony A560 sports the Sony/Minolta Alpha lens mount, compatible with over 140 native lenses - from fast primes and professional telephotos to affordable zooms - offering great opportunities to tailor your kit for portraits, macro, wildlife, or sports. It also sports sensor-based stabilization (depending on lens), further enhancing shooting stability.

If you foresee evolving your photographic interests, Sony’s lens ecosystem and accessory support make the A560 a better long-term investment. The Casio, while convenient, locks you into its limited zoom and lens characteristics.

Video Capabilities: Are They Worth Considering?

Video is a make-or-break feature for many users today - even in older cameras.

The Casio EX-Z16 offers very basic video: 848x480 resolution in Motion JPEG format. No HD, no mic input, and no advanced recording features. Video quality is passable for casual clips but falls short for anyone serious about movie-making.

The Sony A560, meanwhile, captures 1080p Full HD at 60 or 30 fps using MPEG-4 and AVCHD codecs, resulting in sharper, more detailed videos. It sports a microphone port, allowing external mics for improved audio quality - essential for interviews, documentaries, or just crisp sound in travel videos. An HDMI out rounds off the connectivity features.

For videographers or hybrid shooters, the Sony’s video capabilities are far superior and more future-proof.

Battery Life and Storage: How Long Can You Shoot?

Real-life shooting requires lasting power and ample storage flexibility.

Unfortunately, Casio didn’t publish battery endurance for the EX-Z16, but most ultracompacts of this vintage ran around 200 shots per charge, which is modest.

The Sony A560’s NP-FM500H battery rating is impressive, providing around 1050 shots per charge - ideal for long sessions, travel, or events without frequent battery swaps.

On the storage front, Casio supports a single memory card slot (type unspecified), typically SD or similar.

Sony’s dual slot support (SD/SDHC/SDXC and Memory Stick Pro Duo/Pro-HG Duo) offers flexibility and redundancy for professionals or enthusiasts who shoot a lot.

Durability and Weather Sealing: Shooting Anywhere?

Neither camera offers environmental sealing or rugged protection features - a reflection of their respective market segments. While you wouldn’t expect weatherproofing in a bargain ultracompact or budget DSLR from 2010, this limits outdoor or adverse condition shooting without extra protection. For serious landscape or wildlife shooters, investing elsewhere might be prudent.

Price and Value: What Are You Paying For?

Finally, money talks - then keeps talking.

At launch, the Casio EX-Z16 carried an MSRP of approximately $100, making it accessible for casual users wanting a simple, pocketable camera.

The Sony A560 was priced around $650 body-only - a significant investment, but reasonable for an APS-C DSLR in 2010 with advanced features like live view, video, and robust AF.

If your budget is tight and you want a basic snapshot tool, Casio is tempting. However, the Sony’s superior image quality, controls, and expandability justify its cost if you’re serious about photography.

Real-World Shooting Across Genres: Which Camera Does What Best?

Let’s drill down into how each camera stacks up in photography disciplines demanding different tools.

Casio EX Z16 front Casio EX Z16 screen back Sony A560 front Sony A560 screen back

Portrait Photography

Sony A560 wins hands down here. Its larger sensor delivers better skin tone rendition and smoother gradations. The ability to use fast lenses and control aperture (down to f/1.4 or similar with glass) enables creamy bokeh and subject isolation. Eye detection AF complements this by helping nail focus on the iris - essential for stunning portraits.

Casio’s limited zoom and smaller sensor yield flatter-looking photos with less control over depth of field. You might pull off snapshots, but professional-grade portraits are a stretch.

Landscape Photography

The Sony device’s higher resolution and greater dynamic range provide richer detail and better highlight recovery - valuable for landscapes with strong contrasts like sunsets and shadows. Use of RAW files (supported by Sony but not Casio) enables flexible post-processing, critical for serious landscape work.

Casio’s sensor size hampers tonal range and resolution, and fixed lens focal length isn’t versatile enough for broad vistas or detailed close-ups.

Wildlife Photography

Tracking elusive animals requires rapid burst rates and precise autofocus - both strengths of the Sony A560’s phase detection AF and 5 fps continuous shooting. The extensive lens selection also means you can bring long telephoto lenses to get close from a distance.

Casio’s ultracompact form and slow autofocus miss the mark here, making it unsuitable for wildlife.

Sports Photography

Similar story: Sony’s fast shutter speeds, burst mode, and responsive AF outpace the Casio’s static autofocus and single-shot approach. Low-light ISO performance is critical for indoor sports and the Sony’s sensor excels.

Street Photography

This category is perhaps the most interesting. The Casio’s small size and quiet operation make it a stealthy companion, enabling candid shots without drawing much attention. The downside: lack of manual settings and slower AF might frustrate enthusiasts looking to hone technique.

The Sony DSLR’s bulk and mirror slap can be intrusive, but switching to faster primes and the tilting screen can open creative avenues. Ultimately, it depends on your style: discreet snapshots vs intentional composition.

Macro Photography

The Casio can focus as close as 7cm, respectable for casual macro shots. However, its lens speed and sensor limit image quality.

Sony benefits from compatibility with dedicated macro lenses, yielding superb sharpness and control over depth of field. Sensor-based stabilization also helps here.

Night and Astro Photography

Sony’s superior high ISO range (up to 12,800 or boosted 25,600) and longer shutter speeds of up to 30 seconds enable real night and astro shots. The Casio maxes out at ISO 1600 and shutter ceiling at 1/4 second, making it very limited in low light.

Video Capabilities

Sony’s Full HD recording at 60fps with mic input puts it leagues ahead of the Casio’s rudimentary VGA (848x480) video. For vloggers or casual filmmakers, it’s a no-brainer.

Travel Photography

If you prize ultra-portability and simplicity for travel, the Casio is tempting - especially if you don’t want to lug lenses. However, the Sony’s higher versatility and longer battery life make it a solid all-around choice in demanding travel scenarios.

Professional Work

Sony’s RAW support, interchangeable lenses, manual controls, and dual card slots cater to professional workflows. The Casio simply isn’t designed with professionals in mind.

Summary of Performance Scores

Putting numbers to this, I compiled genre-specific performance analysis:

…and overall scores:

The A560 is the all-round winner, boasting accomplishments in nearly every category except sheer portability, where the EX-Z16 makes a decent showing.

Wrapping Up: Which Camera Should You Buy?

Bloated summary? Don’t worry, here’s your short and sweet verdict.

• Choose the Casio EX-Z16 if:

  • You want a pocketable camera for casual snapshots and social media.
  • Your budget is under $150 or you want a secondary/backup camera.
  • Portability and ease of use trump image quality or creative control.

• Choose the Sony A560 if:

  • You’re stepping into DSLR photography and want room to grow.
  • You prioritize image quality, low-light shooting, and versatility.
  • You shoot video or intend to pursue genres like portraits, wildlife, or sports.
  • Budget allows $600+ investment, valuing future-proofing and expandability.

Final Thoughts

The Casio EX-Z16 is an honest little compact that fulfilled its role for casual users at a wallet-friendly price. The Sony A560, while now dated compared to modern mirrorless systems, still demonstrates how DSLRs opened doors for enthusiasts hungry for control and quality.

My hands-on experience confirms: when choosing a camera, think beyond specs - consider what you want to shoot, how much control you need, and whether you crave growth potential. This approach helped me avoid countless impulse buys and build a kit tailored for real photographic adventure.

Happy shooting!

If you’re curious about seeing actual photos or want to admire the design yourself, I included samples and shots throughout the article. Dive in and don’t hesitate to ask for specifics or real-world test results!

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