Casio EX-Z280 vs. Fujifilm FinePix F660EXR: A Hands-On Compact Camera Showdown

In the ever-evolving compact camera scene, where smartphone cameras constantly raise the bar, a few dedicated point-and-shoot models still carve out niches for enthusiasts and casual shooters alike who want more control or zoom reach without breaking the bank or fumbling with bulky gear. Today, I've dug deep into two intriguing contenders from the late 2000s and early 2010s - Casio’s EX-Z280 and Fujifilm’s FinePix F660EXR - to help you sift through what these affordable compacts bring to the table.

Though they belong to similar compact categories, these cameras cater to subtly different needs and styles. Here’s my no-nonsense, experience-backed take on how these two compare across the most critical photography disciplines and practical usage scenarios.

Getting to Know the Contenders: Size, Build, and Handling

Before digging into image quality and specs, how a camera feels in your hands often makes or breaks your user experience. The Casio EX-Z280 is a slight featherweight, tipping the scale at just 133 grams with compact dimensions of 97x53x20mm. The Fuji FinePix F660EXR, by contrast, is noticeably more substantial and chunky for a compact at 217 grams and 104x59x33mm. That extra bulk is mostly due to the superzoom lens and beefed-up sensor system.

The EX-Z280's sleek body feels almost toy-like but pleasantly pocketable - ideal for slipping into a coat or purse without noticing. Ergonomically, it leans heavily on simplicity, with minimal buttons and no dedicated grip. That's perfectly serviceable for casual users but less reassuring for anyone craving more physical control or confidence in hand.

Fujifilm’s F660EXR carries a more deliberate heft and an aggressively protruding lens barrel. Its magnesium-infused body (at least on the heavier side) lends a more serious, purposeful vibe, though it’s still not hefty by DSLR or mirrorless standards. The larger size translates into a better hold with a slight molded grip on the right side and more buttons for manual adjustments.

From the top layout, the FinePix sports the classic mode dial and direct access shutter speed/aperture controls. The Casio shies away from these, favoring a more menu-driven and automated operation. For me, that difference screams “point-and-shoot for quick snaps” versus “compact enthusiast camera”.

Under the Hood: Sensors and Image Quality

Sensor performance lies at the heart of what will ultimately shape your photo quality - and here is where these two diverge quite a bit.

• Casio EX-Z280: A 1/2.3” CCD sensor with 12 megapixels (4000×3000 max resolution). CCD sensors were quite trendy during its release for punchy colors but tend to lag in noise management and dynamic range.
• Fujifilm FinePix F660EXR: Sporting a 1/2” EXR CMOS sensor, the F660EXR offers a significantly higher 16MP resolution (4608×3456) and Fujifilm’s proprietary EXR technology aimed at balancing resolution, dynamic range, and low-light sensitivity per user’s preference.

When shooting RAW is off the table (neither supports RAW, unfortunately), the sensor's native abilities become even more substantial. Fujifilm’s CMOS with EXR provides cleaner images at higher ISO settings and better flexibility with exposure, especially in tricky lighting. Casio’s CCD, while producing respectable daylight images, struggles more as light fades or contrast increases.

Through the Lens: Zoom and Aperture

One of the starkest contrasts is optical zoom reach and aperture characteristics - both critical for practical use.

• Casio EX-Z280: 4× optical zoom (26-104mm equivalent), aperture ranging from f/2.6 at the wide end to f/5.9 tele.
• Fujifilm F660EXR: 15× optical zoom (24-360mm equivalent), aperture from f/3.5 to f/5.3.

Fujifilm’s superzoom capability is a massive advantage for versatility, enabling everything from wide landscapes to distant wildlife and sports. Meanwhile, Casio’s more restrained zoom breaks less on image quality but limits framing options. The brighter wide aperture on Casio (f/2.6 vs. f/3.5) is noticeable for low-light or indoor shooting, letting in more light in the short zoom range.

The Viewfinder and Display: Composing the Shot

Neither camera features an electronic or optical viewfinder, which is expected at their price points but remains a downside for bright-light shooting. Both rely on LCD screens for composing and reviewing images, but the quality and size differ.

Casio offers a modest 2.7-inch LCD with a low resolution (115k dots) which feels cramped and less sharp - rechecking focus or details is a bit of a gamble here. The Fujifilm has a larger 3-inch fixed TFT screen boasting 460k dots, which brings notably crisper preview images and an easier menu interface.

Autofocus and Shooting Experience: Speed and Accuracy

This is where the blue-collar workhorses differ significantly.

Casio offers contrast-detection autofocus only, no continuous AF, no face detection, no tracking - meaning fast-moving subjects or complex scenes pose a challenge. It can be sluggish and hunt occasionally, sometimes missing sharp focus in low contrast or dim situations.

Conversely, Fujifilm boasts a more sophisticated phase-less autofocus system enhanced by:

• Continuous AF during burst
• Face detection AF
• Tracking AF

The FinePix blasts out 11 frames per second in burst mode, an impressive feat for a compact, essential for sports or wildlife. Casio does not list continuous shooting, which effectively limits action capabilities.

The Real-World Photo Tests: Portraits, Landscapes, and More

What does this mean in practice across typical genres?

Portraits

The Casio’s limited AF and lack of face detect make portraits more a “point and hope” situation, with bokeh effects subdued by the small sensor size and moderate max aperture. Skin tones are reasonably pleasing but can look a bit plasticky under artificial lighting.

The Fujifilm impresses here. Its random access AF, coupled with face detection, nails eye focus much more regularly. Bokeh is modest but present at telephoto lengths, and colors render more naturally with EXR assisting exposure in tricky indoor or shaded scenes.

Landscapes

Dynamic range plays a big role in capturing detail from bright skies to shadowed foregrounds.

Casio’s CCD sensor can blow highlights or muddy shadows under high-contrast scenes; the limited 12MP resolution restricts framing for large prints.

Fujifilm’s EXR sensor shines, enabling better retention of sky detail and subtle graduations in shadowed areas. The 16MP sensor lets you crop or print larger photos gracefully. Stability here leans in favor of Fuji’s slightly weather-resistant sealing (though not profound) and higher-end lens design.

Wildlife and Sports Photography

Sports and wildlife demand speed and reach.

Casio’s short zoom, sluggish AF, and no burst shooting rules it out for serious action photography.

Fujifilm’s superzoom and blistering burst speeds coupled with tracking AF make it a delightful (if modestly capable) choice for casual birders or kids’ soccer matches - but don't expect DSLR results.

Macro and Close-Up Work

Both cameras offer a minimum focusing distance near 5 cm, which is respectable for shooting small subjects - bugs, flowers, or small objects.

However, the Fuji’s image stabilization and more precise AF give it the upper hand for consistent close-ups free of blur. Casio’s lack of stabilization means you often need a tripod or very steady hands to avoid softness.

Night and Astrophotography

Low-light performance is a common point where small sensor compacts falter.

Casio’s max ISO tops out at 3200, but noise becomes pronounced around ISO 400-800, making night photography challenging.

Fujifilm matches the ISO ceiling but offers boosted modes up to 12800 and better noise control thanks to its CMOS EXR sensor, making moonlit or urban night scenes more manageable. The FinePix lacks specialized astro modes but provides exposure control with shutter/aperture priority to experiment manually - as I often do with longer exposures on trips.

Video Capabilities: Recording Beyond Stills

Both shoot video, but here Fujifilm jumps ahead:

• Casio EX-Z280 captures max 1280x720 (HD) in Motion JPEG at 30fps.
• Fujifilm F660EXR offers full HD 1920x1080 at 30fps using MPEG-4/H.264 compression.

H.264 compression means more storage-friendly files and better quality, while Casio’s motion JPEG results in bulky files with less efficiency. Neither offers microphone input or headphone out, so serious video work is limited.

Stabilization also matters here: Fuji’s sensor-shift IS dampens handheld shake effectively, especially useful at telephoto zoom - Casio has none.

Connectivity and Battery Life: Staying Powered and Connected

Neither camera sports Bluetooth, Wi-Fi, or NFC - no surprises given their release periods. USB 2.0 is standard for transferring files.

Battery-wise, Casio uses the NP-80 battery, though official CIPA data is scarce; practical experience indicates moderate life but fewer shots than Fuji.

Fujifilm’s NP-50A battery boasts around 300 shots per charge, which is fairly respectable for a compact, supporting full-day travel use.

Storage and File Formats

Both accept SD cards, but only Fujifilm reads the newer SDXC cards, allowing larger capacities useful for video and extensive shooting. Neither supports RAW shooting - an obvious limitation for those wanting post-processing latitude.

Price and Value: What’s the Real Deal?

At launch, Casio’s EX-Z280 hovered around $180, making it an ultralight, beginner-friendly choice with decent daylight performance.

Fujifilm’s F660EXR set you back about $230 but rewarded you with a superzoom range, better sensor, and a broader feature set.

Given their contemporary market positioning, your pick boils down to whether you prioritize portability and simplicity (Casio) or zoom reach and manual controls (Fujifilm). Their fixed lenses and no RAW hints that neither are aimed at seasoned pros, but rather those stepping up from smartphones or basic cameras.

Summary: Ratings and Performance Overview

These scores reflect extensive hands-on testing across diverse settings:

• Casio EX-Z280: Strong in portability and ease of use; weak in autofocus, zoom flexibility, and image quality under challenging conditions.
• Fujifilm FinePix F660EXR: Robust zoom, superior image quality, and better controls; bulkier and pricier.

Looking closer at genre-specific marks:

Sample Shots: Side-by-Side Real World Comparisons

Below is a small gallery comparing JPEG outputs from both cameras in various scenarios - from portraits to night shots to landscapes.

Casio EX Z280 front Casio EX Z280 screen back Fujifilm F660EXR screen back

It’s eye-opening how Fujifilm’s tuning produces richer colors and cleaner shadows especially in low light and zoomed-in shots, while Casio’s images can appear softer and occasionally overexposed in mixed lighting.

Who Should Buy Which?

• Choose the Casio EX-Z280 if: You want an ultra-light, straightforward camera for casual snapshots, family gatherings, or quick everyday use without fuss. It’s for you if budget is tight and you don’t plan to crop heavily or shoot action often.

• Choose the Fujifilm FinePix F660EXR if: You desire greater control, manual exposure options, stronger zoom reach for travel, wildlife, or street photography, and appreciate improved autofocus and stabilization. It suits enthusiasts who like to experiment technically without stepping up to larger interchangeable lens cameras.

Final Thoughts: Making Your Compact Camera Decision

Having field-tested both cameras extensively, I’ve come to appreciate that while the Casio EX-Z280 appeals to those chasing simplicity and ultra-portability, it’s a decidedly entry-level performer with noteworthy weaknesses in autofocus and sensor tech. On the other hand, the Fujifilm FinePix F660EXR punches above its compact weight class with a versatile zoom, manual controls, and better image fidelity, making it a favorite for casual travel photographers and zoom enthusiasts.

Neither replaces a mid-level mirrorless or DSLR, but in a sea of smartphones and shrinking dedicated compacts, these models still carve their niches with distinct priorities.

For photographers on a budget who want more reach and control than their phone offers - including detailed landscape shots, portraits with more pleasing tone, or a bit of wildlife stalking - the Fujifilm FinePix F660EXR is the clear winner.

The Casio EX-Z280 remains a valid choice if size and simplicity reign supreme and your photographic ambitions are more snapshots than artistry.

Looking for a compact camera that packs a punch or fits easily in your handbag? Keep these clear-cut strengths and compromises top of mind, and you’ll pick the right tool for your photographic adventures without buyer’s remorse.

Happy shooting!

Appendix: Technical Specs Visual Recaps

For a quick visual reminder about size and layout differences, here’s a final roundup:

Note: All testing was conducted under real-world conditions with production models. While neither camera offers RAW, variations in JPEG processing and exposure mean you should always test your specific unit before significant shoots.