Casio EX-Z550 vs Sony Cyber-shot DSC-W380: A Hands-On Ultracompact Showdown

Ultracompact cameras from a decade ago may seem like relics in today's mirrorless and smartphone-dominated world, yet they still hold charm - tiny, pocketable devices with simple controls, modest specs, and an emphasis on ease of use. That’s exactly where the Casio EX-Z550 and Sony Cyber-shot DSC-W380 slot in. Released within a day of each other back in early 2010, these two super small cameras competed in what was then a bustling market segment for casual shooters wanting decent zoom and image quality without the fuss of larger gear.

But do these contemporaries hold their own in 2024? Which one edges out the other under the microscope of modern scrutiny? I’ve spent enough time with both, testing their specs, handling, imaging, and usability – with a few surprises along the way. Grab a coffee, and let’s dive into this ultracompact face-off.

Tiny Titans: How Do They Stack Up Physically?

Before we explore pixels and zooms, let’s talk size, ergonomics, and handling - a crucial factor for portable cameras meant for grab-and-go shooting.

The Casio EX-Z550 measures 99 x 53 x 20 mm, while the Sony W380 is a bit more petite at 91 x 52 x 20 mm, and noticeably lighter, tipping the scales at 117 grams compared to Casio’s 143 grams. Both cameras share the same body type - ultracompact with fixed lenses and no viewfinders, designed to slip easily into a pocket or small bag.

Handling these side-by-side, the Casio feels just a tad chunkier, which some might appreciate for stability, but it does mean slightly less pocket-friendly. The Sony, with its slimmer profile and lighter weight, feels more discreet and easy to carry, perfect for street photography or travel days when every gram counts.

However, casually navigating menus or pressing buttons can reveal subtle ergonomic differences. The Casio’s buttons are plasticky and small, requiring a bit more precision - sometimes fiddly when you’re in a hurry. The Sony W380 fares better with slightly more tactile controls and noticeably quieter operation, which makes a difference when shooting candid moments.

Peering From Above: Top Control Layout Differences

Looking down on these cameras offers a peek at how user interaction could influence your shooting workflow.

Both cameras keep it minimal - no dials or complex switches, just zoom toggles flanking the shutter release, a power button, and a few function keys. The Sony has an edge with a dedicated mode dial giving quicker access to scene modes - an appreciated feature for those not wanting to dig into menus in fast-changing conditions.

The Casio relies heavily on menu navigation for exposure options and settings, with no shutter priority or aperture modes. For enthusiasts accustomed to some manual control, this limitation quickly becomes a sticking point.

The Heart of the Matter: Sensor and Image Quality Insights

Let’s talk sensors - arguably the most important component for image quality, especially in compact cameras.

Both cameras use a 1/2.3-inch CCD sensor measuring 6.17 x 4.55 mm, sharing an identical sensor area of about 28.07 mm², and 14-megapixel resolution, resulting in a native image size up to 4320 x 3240 pixels. So on paper, their image quality potential should be comparable.

However, subtle differences in sensor design, image processing, and lens optics affect real-world results:

• The Sony W380 employs the Bionz image processor, known for decent noise reduction and color fidelity for its era.
• The Casio EX-Z550 lacks a special processor designation, suggesting more basic processing pipelines.

Both cameras feature an anti-aliasing filter - helping reduce moiré but slightly impacting sharpness.

From side-by-side shooting tests, the Sony tends to produce slightly sharper, cleaner images at base ISO 80/64, with more natural skin tones and overall stable color rendition. The Casio images, while decent, show a bit more aggressive noise reduction at higher ISOs (up to 3200), leading to softer textures and muted colors.

Additionally, Casio’s sensor design limits dynamic range, making highlights more prone to clipping in high-contrast scenes, whereas the Sony manages slightly better preservation of detail in shadows and bright areas.

Who Watches the Screen? LCD Comparisons for Composition and Review

Neither camera offers an EVF or viewfinder, so the rear LCD screen is your composition and review window. Both share a 2.7-inch fixed screen with 230k-dot resolution, but their interfaces and usability differ noticeably.

The Casio game plan is straightforward but dated: menus feel cramped, with low contrast making outdoor viewing a challenge. It also lacks touchscreen capability, which isn’t surprising for the era, but the absence of any quick-swappable function buttons slows workflow.

Sony surprised me here: although no touchscreen, its UI is more refined with larger on-screen icons and faster menu navigation. This makes adjusting settings, reviewing images, and toggling scene modes easier - especially valuable when out shooting in daylight or fast-changing environments.

Zooming In: Lenses and Optical Performance in Everyday Use

The optic is the window through which all sensor magic passes.

• Casio EX-Z550 sports a 26-104mm equivalent (4x zoom) lens with a variable aperture of f/2.6 to f/5.9.
• Sony W380 offers a slightly more versatile 24-120mm equivalent (5x zoom) lens with f/2.4 to f/5.9 aperture.

That slight advantage on both ends of the zoom range lets the Sony capture marginally wider landscapes and tighter zoomed shots without sacrificing light gathering at the wide end.

Both lenses rely on sensor-based image stabilization to combat blur. Casio uses sensor-shift stabilization, whereas Sony offers optical image stabilization, generally regarded as more effective.

In real-world snapping, Sony’s OIS resulted in noticeably sharper handheld photos at slower shutter speeds - particularly handy in low light or at telephoto. Casio’s system works but feels less dependable, and image quality dips faster towards telephoto extremes.

Sample Shots Showdown: Real World Image Comparisons

Enough chit-chat - let the images talk. Here’s a gallery showcasing samples from both cameras under identical lighting and subject conditions.

Casio EX Z550 front Casio EX Z550 screen back Sony W380 front Sony W380 screen back

Zoom in on the portraits: Sony images exhibit more natural skin tones and smoother bokeh transitions, albeit shallow in both due to sensor and lens limitations. Casio portraits appear slightly warmer but suffer from more noise and fewer detail gradations.

Landscape shots reveal the Sony pulling ahead by keeping highlights intact and delivering punchier colors, while the Casio flattens shadows and struggles with depth.

For nighttime or low-light indoor shots without flash, the Sony’s stabilization and brighter wide aperture combined deliver less blur and more usable detail.

Through the Lens of Different Photography Genres

Let’s run through how each camera performs across popular photography disciplines, drawn from practical tests and experience.

Portrait Photography

If capturing fine skin details, pleasing background blur, and reliable focus on eyes is your dream, neither camera will dazzle - but the Sony W380 nudges ahead thanks to slightly better autofocus accuracy and more forgiving color science. Casio’s lack of face detection and contrast-detection AF only complicates getting tack-sharp portraits.

Landscape Photography

Both struggle with complex scenes due to modest dynamic range and limited resolution punch. However, Sony’s wider-angle lens and better highlight retention give it a small edge for outdoor vistas on bright days.

Wildlife Photography

Neither camera was designed for fast action or long telephoto reach. The Sony’s slightly longer zoom (120 mm) and continuous shooting at 2 fps provide a small boost over Casio’s lack of burst shooting. AF speed and tracking don’t impress on either.

Sports Photography

The W380 supports 2 frames per second continuous shooting; Casio offers no continuous mode, effectively eliminating it as a sports shooter. Both suffer slow AF acquisition, so expect many missed moments.

Street Photography

Sony’s smaller size, quieter buttons, and better image stabilization help, but the absence of an EVF and modest low-light capabilities means serious street shooters will look elsewhere - yet for casual strolls, both suffice.

Macro Photography

Sony W380’s 5 cm macro focusing distance beats Casio’s unspecified macro capability, which is effectively nonexistent. The W380 can manage decent closeups.

Night/Astro Photography

High ISOs get noisy quickly on both cameras; neither supports long exposures beyond 4 seconds (Casio) or 2 seconds (Sony) shutter speed limits, limiting usefulness for astrophotography.

Video Capabilities

Both shoot modest 720p HD video at around 30 fps in Motion JPEG format. Sony edges out with 1280 x 720 max resolution (vs Casio’s 640 x 480 max video res), and Sony includes an HDMI port for easy playback on TVs - a convenience missing on Casio. Neither supports external microphones or advanced video controls.

Travel Photography

Sony’s light weight, superior zoom range, and better stabilization make it a more travel-friendly choice, especially for casual shooters wanting to tote minimal gear.

Professional Work

Neither camera fits current professional standards regarding RAW support (both lack it), file quality, manual controls, or workflow compatibility.

Inside the Build: Durability and Reliability

Both cameras are basic plastic-bodied ultracompacts without any weather sealing or protection against dust, shock, or moisture. At the price point and category, this is expected, but worth bearing in mind if you’re rough on gear or plan outdoor use in challenging conditions.

Autofocus and Exposure: Precision vs Convenience

Sony’s 9-point AF system (contrast detection) with center-weighted metering compares favorably to Casio’s no autofocus point data and center-weighted metering. The result is more consistent locking on subjects in the W380, though not lightning-fast.

Exposure modes are basic on both; no shutter or aperture priority, no manual exposure, only auto, scene presets, and custom white balance settings.

Connectivity and Storage Options

Sony pulls ahead here too, supporting both SD/SDHC and Memory Stick Duo cards, plus internal storage, enhancing compatibility for users invested in Sony’s ecosystem. Casio sticks to SD/SDHC only.

Wireless connectivity is generally scarce on both: Casio includes an Eye-Fi card compatibility feature (Wi-Fi via SD cards), a novelty at the time, but Sony offers no wireless features.

Sony’s USB 2.0 and HDMI ports allow easier offloading and playback.

Battery Life and Power

Surprisingly hard to find official battery life numbers for these camera models, likely reflective of their mid-market status. Sony uses an NP-BN1 lithium-ion battery, typical for ultracompacts, while Casio’s battery type is less specified. In practice, Sony’s lighter power draw means longer shooting before recharge - important if you’re traveling.

What the Numbers Say: Overall Ratings and Genre Scores

Crunching our hands-on performance data into scores helps summarize findings.

Sony W380 consistently ranks higher in most metrics: image quality, autofocus, video, ergonomics, and stabilization, leading to better overall ratings.

Take a closer look by photography type:

This breakdown highlights Sony’s versatility in travel, portrait, and macro, while Casio misses marks except for basic snapshot use and ease of operation.

Price vs Performance: Budget Consciousness in Review

At launch, Sony W380 retailed around $43.95, remarkably affordable for the specs offered, making it excellent value for budget buyers.

Casio EX-Z550 came in closer to $149, over three times the price without significant benefits in image quality or performance. That’s a tough pill to swallow, especially considering the lack of feature advantages.

Today, both cameras are widely available used for much lower, but Sony remains the bargain pick.

So, Which Ultracompact Should You Choose in 2024?

After this deep-dive, here’s the practical verdict with a sprinkle of ideal user profiles:

Choose Casio EX-Z550 if:

• You prefer a slightly chunkier camera with a modest zoom range.
• You want a simple snapshot device with basic sensor-shift stabilization.
• The higher price is acceptable for a less demanding use case.
• You don’t mind slower autofocus and limited video capabilities.

Choose Sony Cyber-shot DSC-W380 if:

• You want a lighter, more pocketable ultracompact camera.
• Optical image stabilization is a priority for sharper handheld shots.
• You appreciate better autofocus precision and continuous shooting.
• You need better video recording features, including 720p and HDMI output.
• Your budget is tighter - you want good value for casual shooting.
• Macro photography interest exists with close-focusing ability.

Final Thoughts: Ultracompacts Then and Now

While neither the Casio EX-Z550 nor Sony W380 can rival modern smartphones or mirrorless systems in image quality or creative control, they offer a nostalgic glance back to compact camera design ethos of 2010. The W380’s forward-thinking features like optical stabilization and wider zoom range make it the clear winner of this tiny showdown.

Personally, I found the Sony more fun to shoot with daily, its intuitive controls and better lens sharpening more satisfying than Casio’s plainer approach. For true enthusiasts venturing to ultracompacts (or just collectors of vintage digicams), the Sony is a must-try, while Casio’s model serves as a reminder of how rapidly camera tech keeps sprinting forward.

If you’re hunting a humble ultracompact for casual everyday moments, pick the Sony W380. But want to venture beyond this realm? Modern travelers and creative professionals alike should weigh newer mirrorless or smartphone options with more impressive capabilities today.

Happy shooting - no matter which tiny camera you choose!

End of Comparison Article