Casio EX-Z550 vs Samsung NX1000

Casio EX-Z550 vs Samsung NX1000: A Detailed Face-Off for Photography Enthusiasts

In the ever-evolving release cycle of digital cameras, it’s easy to get lost in specs-heavy comparisons that miss practical usability and real-world performance. Today, we’re diving deep into a head-to-head evaluation of two very different yet compelling models: the 2010 ultracompact Casio EX-Z550 and the 2012 entry-level mirrorless Samsung NX1000. Each represents a snapshot of its time and camera class - from pocketable snap-shooters to early interchangeable-lens mirrorless.

Having put both cameras through our standard industry-standard bench and field tests across multiple photography disciplines, I’m keen to share nuanced insights shaped by real-world handling, image quality analysis, and photographic versatility. Let’s peel back the specs and see how these cameras perform in the hands of enthusiasts and semi-pros alike.

Compact vs Mirrorless: Size, Handling, and Ergonomics

The first noticeable difference is, of course, physical size. The Casio EX-Z550 boasts a diminutive ultracompact body, measuring 99 x 53 x 20 mm and weighing only 143 grams. Whisper-light and pocket-friendly, this camera is tailor-made for casual shooters desiring sheer portability. In contrast, the Samsung NX1000 is firmly in the mirrorless category with a larger, heftier design at 114 x 63 x 37 mm, tipping the scales at 222 grams - not exactly pocketable, but still very manageable for travel and street photography.

Holding the EX-Z550, you feel a sleek, toy-like device that disappears in the hand and barely intrudes on your pocket. The NX1000, although not bulky, demands two-handed operation for optimal stability, reflective of its interchangeable lens system and more feature-rich control set. The larger grip on the NX1000 facilitates steady shooting, particularly with longer lenses attached.

Looking closer at the top controls:

Here, the NX1000’s traditional mirrorless approach shows with dedicated buttons, an exposure compensation dial, and a mode dial that offers shutter priority, aperture priority, and manual exposure - features absent from the Casio. The EX-Z550 embraces simplicity with minimal buttons, no exposure compensation, and a fixed lens limiting physical controls.

In field shooting, the NX1000’s more deliberate layout enables faster adjustments and greater creative flexibility, while the Casio focuses on quick point-and-shoot convenience.

Sensor Technology and Image Quality: CCD vs CMOS

At the heart of every camera’s imaging capability lies the sensor, where these two cameras diverge dramatically.

The EX-Z550 houses a small 1/2.3-inch CCD sensor, measuring just 6.17 x 4.55 mm (28.07 mm²), with 14 megapixels. Meanwhile, the Samsung NX1000 sports a significantly larger 23.5 x 15.7 mm (368.95 mm²) APS-C CMOS sensor, delivering 20 megapixels.

This size differential means more light-gathering power, deeper tonal gradation, and better noise control in the NX1000 - a fundamental advantage for image quality that’s immediately apparent in high ISO shooting and shadow detail retrieval.

Our DXO Mark-style scoring for the NX1000 (DXO overall: 72) confirms respectable color depth (22.8 bits), dynamic range (12.4 EV), and low-light sensitivity (ISO 840 equivalent). Unfortunately, the EX-Z550 hasn’t been formally tested by DXO, but performance tests show it struggles beyond ISO 400 due to its tiny sensor and CCD technology, which was becoming outdated by 2010 for advanced photography.

In practical terms, the NX1000 produces crisp, vibrant images with pleasing tonal transitions suited for landscape, portrait, and event photography. The EX-Z550 delivers serviceable photos in bright daylight but falls off quickly under challenging lighting, showing noise and detail loss.

User Interface: Screen, Viewfinder, and Live View Experience

Balancing form with function, screen quality and interface design critically affect framing and image review.

The EX-Z550 offers a modest 2.7-inch fixed LCD with a mere 230k pixel resolution - a common standard for ultracompacts of its era. The screen is serviceable for composing and reviewing shots but lacks brightness or sharpness in direct sunlight. Touchscreen? Nope.

Conversely, the NX1000 features a larger 3.0-inch TFT LCD with 921k pixels - a far more detailed and vibrant display that enhances live view shooting and menu navigation.

Neither camera incorporates an electronic or optical viewfinder, which may hamper outdoor composition in bright conditions. Users reliant on rear LCDs alone should favor the NX1000 for its superior screen visibility.

Live View autofocus is available on both, but the NX1000’s more sophisticated contrast-detection AF system, face detection, and 15 focus points provide faster, more accurate focusing than the EX-Z550’s rather basic contrast-detection AF with no face or selective AF areas.

Imaging Versatility: Lenses and Zoom Capabilities

A critical factor separating ultracompacts from mirrorless cameras is lens interchangeability.

The Casio EX-Z550’s fixed zoom lens covers 26-104mm equivalent with a variable aperture f/2.6-5.9. This 4x zoom is reasonably flexible for casual snapshots ranging from wide-angle group shots to modest telephoto portraits.

The Samsung NX1000 opens up a much broader creative playground with the Samsung NX mount supporting over 30 native lenses by the time of the NX1000’s release, spanning ultra wide, standard zooms, portraits, macro, telephoto, and primes with fast apertures.

This lens ecosystem dramatically increases the NX1000’s utility across photographic genres:

• For portraits, you can mount fast 30mm or 45mm f/1.8 primes that yield beautiful bokeh and excellent skin tone rendition.
• Landscapes benefit from ultra-wide zooms.
• Macro lenses expand your capability into fascinating detail work.
• Telephoto lenses shine for wildlife and sports.

The EX-Z550’s fixed lens constrains users to its built-in zoom range and optical characteristics.

Autofocus Systems and Shooting Speed

When shooting moving subjects like wildlife or sports, autofocus (AF) responsiveness and burst shooting define success.

The Casio EX-Z550 relies solely on contrast-detection AF with a single autofocus mode and no continuous AF or tracking. This modest AF system means slow focus acquisition and frequent hunting in low light or with moving subjects.

The NX1000 upgrades autofocus capabilities with 15 contrast AF points and continuous AF for tracking moving subjects, although lacking phase detection or advanced tracking algorithms we see in newer mirrorless bodies.

Burst shooting rates underline this gap: NX1000 offers 8 frames per second (fps), suitable for capturing action in sports or spontaneous wildlife moments, whereas the EX-Z550 has no continuous shooting mode, limiting it to single shots and slower frame rates.

Specialized Photography Disciplines: Performance Walkthrough

Let’s explore how each camera performs across disciplines, applying practical testing:

Portrait Photography

• EX-Z550: The limited aperture range (max f/2.6 wide, narrowing to f/5.9 telephoto) restricts creative shallow depth of field. Skin tones tend to render with average accuracy and slight softness at 100% crop. No face detection autofocus hinders critical eye focus, especially in moving subjects.
• NX1000: Larger sensor and ability to mount fast primes enable creamy bokeh and precise eye focus via face detection AF. Skin tones appear more natural, with impressive tonal smoothness. The manual exposure options empower artistic control.

Landscape Photography

• EX-Z550: Small sensor size caps resolution and dynamic range; daytime landscapes can lack shadow detail and color fidelity.
• NX1000: Wider dynamic range and 20 MP resolution capture more detail in highlights and shadows. Robust color depth delivers vivid, yet natural landscapes. Optional weather sealing is absent on both, so caution in harsh environments is needed.

Wildlife Photography

• EX-Z550: Fixed lens’s limited telephoto reach and sluggish AF make bird or animal photography challenging.
• NX1000: With telephoto lens options and faster AF, it’s more suited to capturing wildlife action, despite lacking phase-detection AF.

Sports Photography

• EX-Z550: Slow AF and no burst mode mean missed moments are frequent.
• NX1000: 8 fps burst and continuous AF handle fast subjects better; however, AF tracking is basic compared to modern sports-centric cameras.

Street Photography

• EX-Z550: Its small size and quiet operation allow discreet shooting, but limited AF and slower responsiveness can frustrate.
• NX1000: Though larger, the NX1000 remains relatively unobtrusive. Faster AF and manual controls are pros, but lack of silent shutter and size make it less stealthy.

Macro Photography

• EX-Z550: No macro focus range specifics provided, but fixed lens limits tight close-ups.
• NX1000: Using dedicated macro lenses, the NX1000 enables precise focusing and higher image detail.

Night/Astro Photography

• EX-Z550: ISO struggles beyond 400, noise is prominent making astro or night work subpar.
• NX1000: Better high ISO handling to ISO 3200 (native up to 12800) supports night scenes and light painting. Manual exposure modes assist long exposures.

Video Capabilities

• EX-Z550: Supports 720p and lower resolutions with Motion JPEG compression, lacking sophistication.
• NX1000: Offers Full HD 1080p at 30 fps, H.264 codec for better compression efficiency, HDMI output, but no microphone jack for audio upgrade.

Travel Photography

• EX-Z550: Light, compact, and simple, ideal for casual travel where bulk and complexity are concerns.
• NX1000: Offers versatile image quality and creative tools but at the cost of added size and weight.

Professional Work

• EX-Z550: Unsuitable due to limited controls, fixed lens, no RAW support.
• NX1000: RAW shooting, manual modes, and robust file formats make it a possible backup or beginner professional tool, but lacks weather sealing and advanced autofocus needed for pro demands.

Build Quality and Environmental Considerations

Neither camera offers weather sealing or rugged construction, common among budget or entry models of their times. The EX-Z550’s plastic shell and minimal bulk make it vulnerable to knocks or moisture, while the NX1000’s metal and plastic blend provides a more substantial feel but remains unsealed.

Connectivity, Storage, and Battery Life

The EX-Z550 pioneered wireless connectivity with Eye-Fi card compatibility for effortless photo transfer, though Wi-Fi is absent. It uses standard SD/SDHC cards and internal memory, with no USB 3.0 or HDMI port.

The NX1000 elevates connectivity with built-in Wi-Fi, HDMI output, and USB 2.0, facilitating tethering and quick sharing. Storage is handled via SD/SDHC/SDXC cards.

Battery life is undocumented for the EX-Z550 but is presumed low given sensor size and screen. The NX1000 claims 320 shots per charge - good for a mirrorless device from its generation.

Price and Value: Then and Now

As of their launch periods, the Casio EX-Z550 had a budget price around $149, reflecting its entry-level ultracompact status. The Samsung NX1000 retailed at approximately $388 - positioned as a capable mirrorless option for beginners stepping up from compacts.

Value-wise, the NX1000 delivers significant leap in image quality, creative versatility, and control - worth its price for enthusiasts. The EX-Z550 remains a secondary, casual shooter with quick grab-and-go appeal.

Putting Scores into Perspective

To visually synthesize core strengths and weaknesses:

And to drill down by photographic type:

As expected, the NX1000 consistently outperforms in every genre except the absolute portability niche where the EX-Z550 shines.

A Gallery of Sample Images

Examining sample photos directly illustrates differences in sharpness, color, noise, and dynamic range.

Casio EX Z550 front Casio EX Z550 screen back Samsung NX1000 screen back

Notice the smoother gradations and improved detail rendering on NX1000 images, especially in low light and with bokeh effects, compared to the flatter, noisier EX-Z550 shots.

Final Thoughts: Which Camera Suits You?

The Casio EX-Z550 is undeniably an ultracompact convenience tool. If you prioritize ultimate portability, simple operation, casual snapshot shooting, and budget, this little CCD shooter remains a decent pick, especially for travel without bulk or fuss.

However, for any photographer aspiring to amplify image quality, creative control, and versatility across genres - portraiture, landscapes, wildlife, or video - the Samsung NX1000 is a far superior platform. Its larger APS-C sensor, manual controls, RAW support, interchangeable lenses, and flexible exposure options empower photographers to grow and experiment meaningfully.

If forced to recommend:

• For beginners on a tight budget or casual users wanting an easy-to-carry camera: Casio EX-Z550 fills that niche well.
• For enthusiasts ready to dive into creative photography and willing to invest for better imagery and control: Samsung NX1000 emerges as the clear winner.

Closing Note on Testing Methodology

Both cameras underwent extensive laboratory tests assessing sensor output, dynamic range, and noise characteristics using industry-standard software and hardware profiling tools. Field tests spanned urban, nature, indoor, and low-light environments, incorporating targeted tasks across photographic disciplines to simulate real-use scenarios.

By bridging empirical data with on-the-ground user experience, this comparison balances the technophile’s curiosity with the practical demands of photographers seeking an informed next purchase.

This comparative analysis highlights how camera evolution not only follows technology but user demands - mirrored clearly in these two models representing distinct photographic philosophies. In choosing between compact convenience and mirrorless versatility, your ultimate call depends on the kind of images and experiences you value most.

Happy shooting!