Casio EX-Z33 vs Pentax X70

Comparing the Casio EX-Z33 and Pentax X70: A Hands-On Journey Through Two Classic Compact Cameras

Among the vast array of digital cameras I’ve tested over the past 15 years, compact models like the Casio EX-Z33 and Pentax X70 occupy a unique space. Though both cameras hail from the late 2000s - a period of rapid innovation in digital photography - they cater to very different users and shooting needs. I recently spent quality hands-on time with these two models, exploring how their features translate into real-world photography across diverse genres. Today, I’ll walk you through their strengths, quirks, and how they hold up for various photographic disciplines, from street and travel to portrait and wildlife.

By sharing my practical observations and testing insights, I hope to help you decide which camera deserves a place in your kit - or perhaps why you might want to look elsewhere given your aspirations.

A First Impression: Size, Build, and Handling

The Casio EX-Z33 immediately makes an impression as a sleek, ultra-compact point-and-shoot. Weighing just 106 grams with dimensions of 95 x 56 x 18 mm, it slides effortlessly into a coat pocket. This physical portability is perfect for those seeking a grab-and-go camera with minimal bulk. The minimal and understated aesthetic keeps things simple, but also hints at a limited array of controls.

In stark contrast, the Pentax X70 feels more substantial and robust, tipping the scales at 410 grams and measuring 110 x 83 x 90 mm. While still comfortably pocketable compared to DSLRs, its SLR-like bridge body commands attention and promises more comprehensive handling features. The larger handgrip and control layout make it easier to hold steadily, especially during extended shooting sessions. Both cameras feature fixed lenses, but the size disparity reflects the greater zoom capability and control options baked into the Pentax.

From a control perspective, the X70 includes true shutter priority, aperture priority, and manual exposure modes, while the EX-Z33 lacks any advanced exposure options. The Casio’s menu-driven interface is straightforward but somewhat limiting, whereas the Pentax’s dedicated dials and buttons provide more immediate and tactile control over settings - a big plus for photographers accustomed to fine-tuning exposure and focus on the fly.

Sensor and Image Quality: The Heart of the Camera

Both cameras sport the common 1/2.3-inch CCD sensor measuring 6.17 x 4.55 mm, a format typical for compact cameras of their era. However, the Pentax edges out the Casio by offering a 12-megapixel resolution (4000 x 3000 pixels) compared to the EX-Z33’s 10 megapixels (3648 x 2736 pixels). Neither supports RAW image capture, limiting post-processing flexibility, but the higher pixel count on the X70 theoretically enables slightly finer detail extraction.

CCD sensors tend to deliver pleasing color rendition and lower noise at base ISO, but both struggle noticeably with high ISO noise compared to modern CMOS sensors. The Casio caps ISO at 1600, while the Pentax allows a higher maximum ISO of 6400. Yet, keep in mind that pushing high ISO on these sensors introduces significant grain, so effective use of elevated sensitivities requires careful noise management.

In practical testing, daylight images from both cameras showed decent color vibrancy and contrast, though the Pentax rendered slightly richer saturation and marginally better dynamic range. In shadow recovery, the X70’s sensor background delivered a perceptible advantage, enabling more detailed landscape and shadow highlights.

For portraits, neither camera has advanced face or eye detection autofocus - something fundamental for flawless skin tones and sharp eyes. Focusing is contrast-detection based in the Casio and supplemented by phase detection in the Pentax, which theoretically provides faster autofocus acquisition and tracking.

Focusing and Zoom: Precision Meets Reach

The Casio’s lens offers a modest 36-107 mm equivalent zoom (3× optical zoom) with maximum apertures ranging from f/3.1 at the wide end to f/5.6 at telephoto. Its macro focusing starts at 10 cm, adequate for casual close-ups but not professional macro work. The EX-Z33 relies entirely on contrast-detection autofocus which exhibits sluggishness in low light and near-silent but noticeably hunting behavior.

Conversely, the Pentax X70 sports a remarkable 26-624 mm equivalent zoom (an enormous 24× optical zoom) with a brighter max aperture range of f/2.8-5.0. This superzoom ability is astonishing for such a compact bridge camera and makes it a versatile tool from wide-angle landscapes to distant wildlife. The Pentax uses phase-detection autofocus combined with AF tracking, resulting in snappier and more confident focus acquisition even in diverse scenarios.

Further, the X70 incorporates sensor-shift image stabilization, providing a critical advantage for handholding at extreme telephoto settings. Meanwhile, the EX-Z33 unfortunately lacks any image stabilization mechanism, making it more prone to blur without a tripod or very steady hands.

Display and Viewfinder: Composition Tools

Both cameras feature fixed LCDs with similar resolutions (230k dots), but the Pentax’s 2.7-inch screen is slightly larger than Casio’s 2.5-inch. Neither utilises touchscreen technology - a feature that was still niche at the time - and neither provides articulating or tilting displays, which somewhat limits creative framing, especially for low or high-angle shots.

However, a key differentiator lies in viewfinders. The EX-Z33 has no viewfinder, meaning all composition is done through the rear screen, which can be challenging in bright sunlight conditions. Meanwhile, the Pentax X70 includes a built-in electronic viewfinder (EVF), a significant asset for precise composition, particularly when tracking fast-moving subjects or shooting outdoors in direct sunlight where LCD visibility deteriorates.

Through the EVF, the Pentax provides an immersive shooting experience, reducing distractions and allowing for keyboard-style exposure feedback and real-time focus confirmation. This feature alone helps demonstrate the bridge camera’s more serious intent.

Performance in the Field: From Landscapes to Sports

Portrait Photography

Shooting portraits with the Casio EX-Z33 is best suited for casual snapshots. The lens’s limited aperture range restricts bokeh control - the background blur is fairly constrained, which makes separating subjects from backgrounds challenging. The lack of face or eye detection autofocus means you’ll need to be deliberate with focus placement and rely on center-weighted metering.

Pentax’s X70, with its faster f/2.8 aperture at the wide end and better autofocus, supports more satisfying portraits with improved subject isolation. AF tracking helps keep eyes sharp in semi-candid portraits, and the broader zoom range offers compositional versatility from headshots to environmental portraits.

Landscape Photography

For landscape shooters, dynamic range and resolution are paramount. Both cameras share the same sensor size but the Pentax’s 12 MP count adds some resolution advantage. Still, these sensors show their limitations in challenging lighting conditions or high-contrast scenes.

Neither model incorporates weather sealing, dustproofing, or freeze and shockproofing features, so outdoor enthusiasts must take basic precautions. I found that the X70’s broader focal range (26 mm ultra-wide equivalent) beats Casio’s 36 mm minimum focal length, granting wider vistas without compromising clarity.

Both cameras provide standard multi-segment metering and manual white balance, critical tools for rich landscapes. However, the Casio’s narrower aperture ceiling hinders low-light sunrise or sunset landscape shots without a tripod.

Wildlife Photography

Here, the Pentax X70 stands tall with a colossal 624 mm maximum reach and fast, phase detection autofocus with tracking capability. This allows capturing timid or distant subjects without disturbing them. I successfully managed to track birds in flight and small mammals with decent frame rates and shutter speeds up to 1/4000 sec - critical to freeze motion.

The Casio EX-Z33’s modest telephoto zoom paired with slower contrast-detection AF makes it less suited for wildlife photography beyond casual encounters. No continuous autofocus or burst modes means missed moments are commonplace in fast-paced wildlife shoots.

Sports Photography

Though neither camera is designed explicitly for sports photography, the Pentax X70’s faster maximum shutter speed (1/4000 sec vs Casio’s 1/2000 sec) and AF tracking offer a clear edge. That said, neither camera supports high frame rates or electronic shutter options, limiting action sequence capture.

The Casio’s lack of AF tracking and burst shooting effectively rules it out for sports applications where timing is critical.

Street Photography

For street photographers, discretely capturing candid moments often means favoring smaller, quieter cameras. The Casio EX-Z33 excels in this domain due to its diminutive size and very light weight, making it barely noticeable.

The Pentax X70’s larger form factor is less subtle but the EVF is an asset for rapid, precise framing amid dynamic environments. Both cameras have quiet mechanical shutters though lack silent shutter modes that modern mirrorless cameras boast.

In low-light street scenarios, Pentax’s higher ISO ceiling theoretically offers an advantage, but my tests showed significant noise at ISO above 800, requiring careful exposure handling or external stabilisation.

Macro Photography

Both cameras support macro focusing at close distances of around 10 cm. Image stabilization on the Pentax X70 provides a tangible aid for handheld macro shots reducing blur from slight camera shake, something the Casio EX-Z33 misses out on.

Despite similar macro limits, the wider aperture of the X70 allows slightly better subject-background separation to accentuate delicate textures.

Night and Astro Photography

Both cameras struggle with noise and limited exposure control for night or star photography. The Pentax supports shutter priority and manual exposure to aid in capturing long exposures up to 4 seconds, versus the Casio which offers only fixed shutter speeds to 2 seconds.

Neither camera supports bulb mode or external intervalometers for extended time lapses, which constrains astrophotography ambitions. Sensor noise at elevated ISOs makes capturing clean star fields challenging.

Video Capabilities

Video on both cameras is limited and largely a legacy feature today. The Casio EX-Z33 maxes out at VGA (640x480) resolution at 30fps, using Motion JPEG codec. The Pentax X70 improves to HD 720p (1280x720) at 30fps but still uses Motion JPEG, which is outdated and yields bulky files.

Neither model offers external microphone inputs, headphone jacks, or advanced video stabilization. The lack of modern video codecs and recording features puts both cameras well behind contemporary standards, suitable mostly for casual clips.

Travel Photography

Travel demands a blend of versatility, lightweight design, battery longevity, and adaptability. The Casio’s compactness and light weight are great assets for urban exploration and day trips. However, its limited zoom and lack of image stabilization may frustrate travelers wanting more creative reach or handheld low-light shooting.

The Pentax X70, despite its larger body, rewards travelers with a staggering zoom range, built-in EVF, and sensor-shift stabilization. Battery life in my testing was average for bridge cameras, though you’ll want to carry spares on longer expeditions.

Casio EX Z33 front Casio EX Z33 screen back Pentax X70 front Pentax X70 screen back

Looking at sample images side-by-side reveals the Pentax’s superior versatility, especially in composition framing and detail retention at longer focal lengths.

Under the Hood: Technical Insights and Usability

The sensor is the beating heart of any camera, and both use CCDs typical for their time. While CCDs offer pleasant colors and adequate detail, they fail to match the low noise and dynamic range capabilities of modern CMOS sensors. Neither camera supports RAW shooting - a major limitation for professional workflows seeking flexible editing.

The autofocus systems reflect their vintage: Casio’s contrast-detection AF is accurate but slow, unsuitable for moving subjects. Pentax’s hybrid AF incorporates 9 phase-detection points with tracking, markedly improving speed and subject retention.

Build quality is solid on both but lacks weather sealing or ruggedness. The Pentax’s more substantial heft adds familiarity and control fidelity but at the cost of portability - consider your priority.

Connectivity is minimal: both rely on USB 2.0 for transfers, with Casio uniquely offering Eye-Fi card compatibility for wireless image transfer - a rare nod to convenience but reliant on a now-discontinued standard.

Battery types differ (CASIO NP-82 vs Pentax D-LI92), making spares and replacements factors in long-term ownership.

Pricing and Value: What Does Your Dollar Buy?

At the time of announcement, the Casio EX-Z33 positioned itself as a budget-friendly ultra-compact at approximately $120 new, making it appealing for casual users prioritizing portability over advanced performance.

The Pentax X70 commanded a higher price point near $200, reflecting its enhanced zoom, manual controls, image stabilization, and better overall versatility. For photographers wanting a camera bridging simplicity and creative control without jumping to DSLR scales, the X70 offered compelling value.

Today, both models have little market presence new, often found only secondhand or in collectors' hands. Their specs have been eclipsed by modern compact and mirrorless cameras offering larger sensors, faster processors, and more versatile features.

This performance rating chart summarizes my evaluation: the Pentax X70 scores across the board higher on versatility, autofocus, and image quality potential, while the Casio EX-Z33 shines only in pocketability and simplicity.

Genre-specific scoring further highlights which photography niches best suit each camera.

Who Should Consider the Casio EX-Z33?

If you crave a no-fuss, compact snapshot camera for everyday carry, minimal controls, and casual shooting, the EX-Z33 still delivers. It’s well-suited for beginners or those wanting a lightweight second camera for quick grabs. Its limitations in zoom, stabilization, and sensor performance mean it’s less ideal for ambitious photography ventures.

Who Benefits Most from the Pentax X70?

For enthusiasts who want a superzoom bridge camera with considerably expanded creative control, better focusing, image stabilization, and versatility across multiple photography genres, the Pentax X70 remains compelling. Its bulky size may deter true pocket shooters, but its features align well with travelers, amateur wildlife photographers, and hobbyists moving beyond point-and-shoot simplicity.

Final Thoughts: Comparing Legacy Compacts Through a Contemporary Lens

Handling these two cameras reminded me how far digital photography has evolved, yet they still tell stories about design trade-offs between size, capability, and user control. Neither would be my go-to camera today given the advances in mirrorless systems boasting large sensors, fast autofocus, and seamless video.

However, both the Casio EX-Z33 and Pentax X70 have their own charm and utility in the right hands:

• EX-Z33 for discreet, simple snapshots and pocket portability.
• X70 for versatile zoom range, manual controls, and more reliable autofocus.

If buying used or exploring these for budget retro gear, consider your shooting priorities carefully. My workflow testings confirm that while the Pentax provides a more satisfying photographic experience overall, the Casio can be a handy minimalist companion.

Thank you for joining me in this deep dive into these two fascinating early digital compacts. Should you own either model, I’d love to hear how they fit into your photographic adventures.

• [Author Name], seasoned camera tester and photography equipment reviewer.