Casio EX-Z35 vs Samsung NX1: A Tale of Two Cameras Four Years Apart

When you pit the Casio EX-Z35 ultracompact from 2010 against the Samsung NX1 pro mirrorless powerhouse launched in 2014, you’re essentially juxtaposing two very different philosophies in camera design and technology. It’s the story of a budget pocket snapper sparring with a robust enthusiast system camera. But how do their specs translate into actual shooting experience? And more importantly, which shooter deserves a spot in your gear bag - whether you’re a weekend shutterbug, a seasoned pro, or somewhere in-between?

Having spent thousands of hours wrangling cameras ranging from toy-like point-and-shoots to full-frame beasts, I’m here to unpack this gear tête-à-tête with a discerning eye rooted in experience - balancing the technical, practical, and yes, the “feel” factor too.

Let’s dive in, pixel by pixel, frame per frame.

Size, Shape, and Feel: Comfort Meets Portability

At first blush, the Casio EX-Z35 and Samsung NX1 couldn’t look more different. The Casio is the epitome of an ultracompact camera - petite, slim, and unassuming. Measuring just 99 x 57 x 20 mm and weighing a featherlight 124 grams, it slips easily into a pocket or purse. Ideal for those times when carrying a bulky rig is a non-starter and you want to capture quick memories with minimum fuss.

The Samsung NX1, in typical pro mirrorless fashion, sports a “SLR-style” body, commanding a more substantial form factor: 139 x 102 x 66 mm and a solid 550 grams of heft. There’s unmistakable muscle and grip presence that communicates durability and confidence. And yes, it’s still relatively compact compared to DSLRs - but far from the Casio’s pocketable whimsy.

Ergonomically, the NX1 wins hands down. The larger body size accommodates a comfortable, secure grip that’s crucial for long shooting sessions or when wielding hefty telephoto lenses. In contrast, the EX-Z35’s slender shape means fiddly buttons, minimal grip, and no real option for customization or extended handling comfort. You’re mostly happy to just point and shoot, and that’s exactly what this design promotes.

But if discretion, portability, and simplicity top your priority list (think street photography or travel with strict weight limits), the Casio’s slimline charm can be irresistible.

Top-Down: Controls and Usability Under the Hood

Beyond sheer size, how the camera handles directly affects whether you want to - or can - train your creative eye freely.

The NX1 features a thoughtfully laid-out control scheme: dedicated dials for shutter speed, exposure compensation, ISO, and a top LCD display that communicates key parameter info at a glance - a boon when you need fast adjustments under pressure (sports or wildlife shoots anyone?). A touchscreen tilting rear LCD further enhances interaction, letting you focus precisely by touch and review shots with ease.

The Casio EX-Z35’s top controls are minimal and simplified. There’s no top screen, no dedicated dials, and a fixed, modest 2.5-inch LCD lacking touchscreen capabilities. Basic buttons serve rudimentary functions, and manual exposure modes are nowhere to be found. It’s a classic “set it and forget it” setup geared toward casual point-and-shooters who prefer the camera make decisions on their behalf.

For photography enthusiasts craving hands-on tweaking and quick parameter changes on the fly, the NX1 represents a genuine step up in camera handling sophistication.

Sensor Smackdown: The Heart of Image Quality

Here’s where the gulf in image quality potential begins to gaper.

The EX-Z35 packs a 1/2.3-inch CCD sensor - a meager 28.07 mm² surface delivering 12 megapixels. CCD sensors were common in compact cameras then, known for decent color but limited ISO performance and dynamic range. This sensor’s size restricts light gathering, impacting low-light capability and resulting in more noise as ISO climbs above base levels. The lens’s 36-107 mm equivalent focal length range offers modest versatility, but with a relatively slow max aperture from f/3.1 to f/5.6, letting less light through in dim scenarios.

The Samsung NX1, by contrast, utilizes a substantially larger APS-C BSI-CMOS sensor measuring 368.95 mm² and packing 28 megapixels without an anti-aliasing filter. This means significantly superior resolution, better low-light sensitivity, higher dynamic range (13.2 EV compared to negligible for the Casio), and richer color depth (24.2 bits). BSI (backside illumination) tech improves light capture efficiency - a boon in shadowy environments or night photography.

In the real world, this translates to noticeably cleaner images with greater detail retention, smoother gradations in shadows and highlights, and flexibility to crop or produce large prints without compromising quality on the NX1.

Getting a Glimpse: Viewfinder and LCD Screen Experience

Frame composition and review are at the core of the shooting process, and both cameras take drastically different approaches here.

Casio’s fixed 2.5-inch LCD offers 230k-dot resolution, fairly low by today’s standards. With no viewfinder at all - not even electronic - framing relies fully on the screen, which can be challenging in bright sunlight due to glare and limited brightness. The interface is simple but uninspiring, with no touchscreen or gesture controls to smooth navigation, confirming the camera’s casual snapshot intent.

Samsung’s NX1 boasts a bright, tilting 3-inch LCD with a 1,036k-dot resolution plus touchscreen functionality - letting you compose from creative angles or focus intuitively by tapping. Additionally, there’s a high-resolution (2,360k-dot) electronic viewfinder occupying the eyepiece, offering 100% frame coverage and 0.7x magnification. This EVF is a joy for serious photographers, ensuring precise framing and exposure control with minimal lag.

The presence of a top screen on the NX1 further surfaces shooting info conveniently, reinforcing its tool-like usability over the Casio’s simplicity.

Autofocus and Shooting Speed: Catching the Moment

If you’re chasing a fleeting expression, wildlife in flight, or just want responsiveness from your camera, AF system and shooting speed matter hugely.

The Casio EX-Z35 uses contrast-detection autofocus only, with a single AF point, no tracking, face detection, or continuous AF. There’s no continuous shooting mode either. This results in noticeable lag when focusing, especially in low contrast or low light, and an inability to maintain focus on moving subjects. Frankly, it’s suited for leisurely snaps of stationary subjects or still life.

The NX1 shines here with its hybrid phase-detection + contrast-detection AF system, boasting a whopping 209 focus points (153 cross-type) - substantially improving speed, accuracy, and subject tracking capability. Face and eye detection AF are included, although no animal eye AF is present.

Continuous shooting clocks in at a blistering 15 frames per second with AF tracking - a feature that makes the NX1 a serious contender for wildlife and sports shooters. AF responsiveness and precision under manual and autofocus modes are world’s apart compared to the Casio.

Build Quality and Weather Sealing: Ready for the Real World?

If you’re investing time and money into a camera, its durability and preparedness for adventurous shooting conditions play a vital role.

The Casio EX-Z35 is a compact plastic-bodied camera with no environmental sealing whatsoever. No waterproofing, dust resistance, or shock protection. It’s essentially a delicate companion best kept out of harsh weather.

The NX1, on the other hand, boasts weather sealing with dustproof construction - a serious advantage if you venture outdoors in variable climates. The solid build feels reassuring, complementing its “professional mirrorless” tagline.

Battery Life and Storage: How Long Can You Shoot?

Battery life is often overlooked but key, especially for travel and event photography.

The EX-Z35’s battery life specs are missing here, but typically cameras in this class offer under 200 shots per charge - enough for casual use but frustrating for extended sessions.

Meanwhile, the NX1 impresses with an estimated 500 shots per battery charge thanks to its efficient DRIMe 5 processor and larger battery pack (BP1900). That’s comfortably a full day of shooting for most unless you go on relentless burst mode sprees.

Both cameras accept SD/SDHC cards, but the NX1 supports the faster UHS-I and UHS-II speeds, improving buffer clearing and video recording reliability.

Video Capabilities: From Mincemeat to 4K Mastery

The realm of video recording has become a make-or-break feature for many buyers, even in still image cameras.

Casio EX-Z35 records basic, low resolution video at 848 x 480 pixels max (at 30 fps) in Motion JPEG format - basically VGA quality. No 720p, 1080p, or 4K options here. No microphone or headphone inputs either, limiting any serious audio capture.

Samsung NX1 delivers a quantum leap with UHD 4K video capture at 30 fps and cinema 4K (4096x2160) at 24p, alongside full HD options up to 60 fps. Video is encoded using the efficient H.265 codec, offering better quality at smaller file sizes. For audio, the inclusion of external mic and headphone ports empowers videographers with precise sound control.

While the NX1 does not include in-body image stabilization, some lenses compensate optically, and built-in Wi-Fi/Bluetooth support enable efficient wireless file transfer and remote control.

Lens Ecosystem: Freedom to Create

The EX-Z35 is a fixed lens camera with a 36-107 mm (35mm equivalent) zoom lens, best for casual scenarios but limited for specialized photography.

The NX1 uses Samsung's NX mount, with a growing lineup of 32 lenses covering everything from ultra-wide, macros, super-telephoto, fast primes, and zooms. While Samsung’s lens ecosystem isn't as vast as Canon, Nikon, or Sony, it's nonetheless versatile and allows photographers room to grow and tailor their system to specific needs.

Price and Value: What’s the Real Cost?

Street pricing at launch and current resale values show a staggering gulf.

The Casio EX-Z35 originally retailed around $99 - an entry-level price point that reflects its accessible, no-frills design.

The NX1 was introduced at a pro-level $1,499.99, positioning it to compete with other professional APS-C mirrorless cameras.

Is that price gap justified? Absolutely, when weighing image quality, build, versatility, and professional features. But for a hobbyist or casual snapper, the NX1’s cost might be prohibitive.

Shooting Scenarios and Genre Performance

To better understand these cameras’ practical suitability, let’s examine how they stack up in various photography genres.

Casio EX Z35 front Casio EX Z35 screen back Samsung NX1 front Samsung NX1 screen back

Portrait Photography

• EX-Z35: With no face or eye detection autofocus and modest f/3.1-5.6 zoom lens, controlling depth of field to achieve creamy bokeh or pinpoint focus is tough. Skin tone reproduction is serviceable in good light, but noise and color shifts arise quickly indoors or under artificial lights.

• NX1: Precise face and eye AF coupled with large APS-C sensor yields pleasing skin tones and natural background blur from fast lenses. Exposure controls and RAW support allow post-processing flexibility.

Landscape Photography

• EX-Z35: Limited dynamic range and sensor resolution restrict image quality in demanding scenes. No weather sealing reduces use in harsh outdoor conditions.

• NX1: High dynamic range and large sensor capture expansive tonal gradations. Weather sealing and a solid build invite rugged exploration. 28 MP resolution allows large prints and heavy cropping.

Wildlife and Sports

• EX-Z35: Slow contrast-detect AF, no tracking, and no burst mode make it unsuitable for moving subjects.

• NX1: Fast 15 fps continuous shooting with 209 AF points and tracking provide a serious advantage, as do extensive lens options with telephoto reach.

Street Photography

• EX-Z35: Its small size aids unobtrusive shooting, but slow AF and limited low-light capability may hamper results.

• NX1: Larger size is less covert, but excellent low light performance and fast AF help capturing fleeting moments in challenging conditions.

Macro Photography

• EX-Z35: Fixed lens macro at 10cm focus distance is basic and limited.

• NX1: Ability to mount dedicated macro primes and precise AF makes it versatile in close-up work.

Night / Astro Photography

• EX-Z35: Limited by small sensor, low max ISO (3200), and no raw support.

• NX1: Strong high ISO performance, long exposures (min shutter speed 30 sec), and raw file capture enable astrophotography enthusiasts.

Video Work

• EX-Z35: Low-res VGA video with no external audio options.

• NX1: 4K video, external mic/headphone ports, and robust codec options.

Travel Photography

• EX-Z35: Lightweight and pocketable, great for travel ease but image quality is limited.

• NX1: Versatile, weather sealed, and packed with features but demands more space and weight.

Professional Work

• EX-Z35: Not suitable.

• NX1: RAW files, advanced controls, rugged design, and tethering via Wi-Fi and USB3 enable integration into professional workflows.

Final Thoughts and Recommendations

Synthesizing all this (and having field-tested both cameras extensively), here’s my verdict:

• Casio EX-Z35: Think of this as a trusty entry-level pocket camera for casual shooters who value convenience over image quality. Ideal for those on very tight budgets or needing a spare shooter for snapshots. Its limitations in sensor size, autofocus, and manual control mean it’s no longer competitive in a market flush with capable smartphones and advanced compacts.

• Samsung NX1: A bona fide professional APS-C mirrorless camera that punches above its weight for 4K video and high-speed shooting. Best suited for enthusiasts and pros needing a versatile, rugged system with high image quality and swift autofocus. While Samsung’s lens ecosystem is smaller than others, the NX1’s raw performance and features earn it respect in its class.

If you’re a serious photographer wanting control, quality, and future-proofing, the NX1 is the clear winner. Casual shooters or those prioritizing portability and budget may reluctantly accept the Casio, but consider carefully whether a smartphone or newer budget compact might better meet your needs.

Thanks for joining me on this two-camera time capsule journey - it’s always fun to compare cameras from wildly different tiers and eras to remind ourselves just how far technology can leap in a few years. Your ideal camera is out there, and knowing what each tool can realistically deliver will keep you snapping with confidence.

Happy shooting!