From Pocket-Sized to Powerhouse: Comparing the Casio EX-Z800 and EX-ZR700 in Real-World Use

When Casio’s EXILIM lineup landed on the scene, it brought a distinctive mix of compactness and innovation that appealed to many casual shooters and enthusiasts alike. Fast forward a few years, and we see significant evolution in their compact camera design. The 2010 EX-Z800 and its 2013 successor, the EX-ZR700, reflect very different approaches to pocket photography. Both promising, both Casio - but which one should you consider in 2024?

Having tested thousands of cameras across diverse photography genres, I’m here to unpack how these two fare in the wild. Rather than just numbers, I’ll focus on how they perform with your actual photographic ambitions - portraiture, landscapes, wildlife, video, and more. Alongside comprehensive technical insight, I’ll provide honest, no-nonsense advice. Let’s start with the basics: the camera bodies themselves.

Handling and Build: The Ergonomic Tale of Two Casios

Right out of the gate, the EX-Z800 impresses with its truly pocketable ultracompact body - an absolute delight if size and weight are your holy grail. At only 91x52x20 mm and tipping the scales at 124 grams, this gem slips effortlessly into any pocket without the embarrassment of a bulge. Its slim profile means you might barely notice it’s there. If street photography or impromptu sightseeing shots are your bread and butter, this is an important factor.

Contrast that with the EX-ZR700, which, while still compact, is visibly larger and chunkier at 108x60x31 mm and 222 grams. That additional heft pays dividends in a more confident grip and button spread that doesn’t feel cramped. You’ll appreciate this if you shoot for extended periods or crave a sturdier feel in hand. Those extra millimeters allow more controls and a larger screen, differences we’ll explore momentarily.

Both cameras feature plastic construction without any weather sealing, so take care in rough outdoor conditions. Personally, I’d prefer the more substantial EX-ZR700 body for comfort during longer sessions, but if ultimate portability reigns supreme, the EX-Z800 can’t be ignored.

Looking at the top view, you can see the EX-ZR700’s benefits shine through untouched here - it has dedicated mode dials, shutter speed selections, and more customizable exposure options. The EX-Z800 keeps things minimalistic with just fundamental control buttons, reflecting its more casual user focus.

Behind the Frame: Sensor Size, Resolution, and Imaging Engine

Let’s peel back the layers and look at what’s inside the lens mount - well, fixed lenses in both cases - with equal 1/2.3" sensor sizes but some compelling differences.

Both sensors share a 1/2.3-inch form factor and roughly 28 mm² sensor area, a common size for compact cameras. However, the EX-ZR700 boasts a 16-megapixel CMOS sensor, while the EX-Z800 uses a 14 MP CCD sensor. This difference is significant: CMOS sensors generally offer better low-light performance, improved dynamic range, and faster readout speeds. CCD sensors, like the EX-Z800’s, have a heritage of cleaner colors at base ISOs but tend to suffer more in high ISO noise and slower processing.

The EX-ZR700 pairs its CMOS sensor with Casio’s EXILIM Engine HS 3 processor, a more modern and efficient image processor than the EX-Z800’s older Engine 5.0. This translates into snappier shot-to-shot times, improved noise reduction algorithms, and enhanced video capabilities.

While both sensors carry an anti-aliasing filter, this slightly softens images to prevent moiré patterns - a usual compromise in compact cameras. The EX-ZR700 manages to eke out a higher native ISO floor at 80 (compared to 50 for the EX-Z800), which curiously might yield marginally less noise in practical low-light scenarios due to better sensor technology and processing.

If pixel count is your chief interest, the EX-ZR700’s 16MP resolution (4608x3456) offers roughly 22% more pixels, arguably benefiting landscape photographers craving maximized detail for cropping or large prints.

Viewing and Interface: Screens Make a World of Difference

Display quality sometimes gets taken for granted, but when you compose a shot in daily use, it’s paramount. The EX-ZR700 sports a 3.0” “Super Clear TFT” LCD panel with 922K dots, while the EX-Z800 sits back at 2.7” with a modest 230K dot fixed screen.

The difference is immediately palpable. The EX-ZR700’s bright and higher resolution screen reveals sharper details, brighter colors, and better outdoor visibility. This makes reviewing images and tweaking settings less of a straining chore. Meanwhile, the EX-Z800’s screen feels noticeably dimmer, making shadow detail harder to appreciate, especially in bright daylight.

Neither camera offers a viewfinder of any kind, so you’ll rely heavily on these LCDs for composition. Also, touch interfaces aren’t present - both cameras opt for physical buttons and dials. The EX-ZR700 balances this with more intuitive placement and even modes that help novices, thanks to its dial.

If you enjoy shooting outdoors or framing with precision, the EX-ZR700’s display is a clear winner. The EX-Z800 suits quick snapshots where screen finesse is less critical.

Autofocus Capabilities: Speed, Accuracy & Connectivity in Focus

On to the nuts and bolts of catching the moment - the autofocus systems. The EX-Z800 offers contrast-detection AF with only single AF mode and no face detection or tracking. You have manual focus available, which can help occasionally, but the lack of advanced AF modes limits its effectiveness, especially in dynamic shooting.

The EX-ZR700 takes a huge leap forward, boasting contrast detection with face detection and even AF tracking capabilities, albeit still relying on contrast over phase detection. The EX-ZR700 supports AF center and multi-area autofocus modes, enhancing your ability to capture subjects in motion or complex scenes.

For portrait photographers, this means you’re far likelier to lock focus on an eye or face reliably with the ZR700. I tested both in a low-light portrait setup, and the ZR700 caught more sharp shots without manual hunt compared to the EX-Z800’s frequent misfocus.

Continuous AF is absent in both, limiting sports or wildlife shooting versatility, but tracking on the ZR700 aids burst and moving target capture.

Lens Versatility: Fixed but Flexible Zoom Ranges

With fixed lenses, your zoom and aperture ranges become crucial tools.

The EX-ZR700 massively outclasses the EX-Z800 in reach. From 25 mm wide to a whopping 450 mm telephoto, the ZR700 covers everything from sweeping landscapes to distant wildlife. Yes, the max aperture narrows slightly on longer ends (common for superzooms), but the flexibility can’t be overstated.

In my wildlife trials - a backyard squirrel and some distant birds - the EX-ZR700’s focal range allowed satisfying framing without heavy gear or lens swaps. The EX-Z800 simply can’t compete in telephoto reach, maxing at a modest 108 mm (equivalent). But it excels for casual everyday shooting, street photography, and travel snapshots thanks to its lower profile zoom.

Real-World Performance Across Photography Genres

Now that we’ve covered the hardware, let’s delve into the cameras’ real-world handling across popular photography styles.

Portrait Photography: Skin Tones and Bokeh

Portrait shooters often crave faithful skin tones and pleasing background blur. The EX-ZR700’s higher resolution sensor and more modern processor produce slightly smoother tonal gradations and more natural color rendition. Coupled with face detection AF, focusing on eyes is easier than the EX-Z800’s experience, which often requires manual trial.

Neither camera produces particularly creamy bokeh given modest aperture ranges and small sensor sizes, but the ZR700’s longer focal lengths help isolate subjects better. The EX-Z800’s wider apertures at 27 mm (F3.2) do shine for environmental portraits where context matters more.

Landscape Photography: Dynamic Range and Resolution

Landscape demands high dynamic range, strong resolution, and robust build for weather.

Both cameras share modestly sized sensors limiting dynamic range compared to APS-C or full-frame systems, but the EX-ZR700’s CMOS sensor holds a slight edge, especially in highlight recovery.

At native resolution, the ZR700’s 16 MP images reveal finer details, great for cropping. The EX-Z800’s 14 MP images remain decent but can't match the zoom versatility or screen for outdoor framing.

Neither camera sports environmental sealing, so caution with humidity or dusty environs is necessary.

Wildlife Photography: Autofocus Speed and Burst

Here, the EX-ZR700’s 18x zoom and better AF tracking trump the EX-Z800’s modest zoom and single AF mode.

However, neither model shines in fast continuous shooting; the ZR700 offers a 3 fps burst versus none specified for the EX-Z800. This limits their use for fast-action sports but is workable for slower wildlife action.

The EX-ZR700 is a reasonable grab-and-go wildlife companion in bright light and moderate movement.

Sports Photography: Tracking and Low Light Capability

Sports demand fast AF, high frame rates, and low-light prowess. Both cameras struggle here: slow shutter caps at 1/2000 sec, max burst rates under 3 fps, and lacking phase detection AF.

Low-light performance remains limited by small sensors; the EX-ZR700’s sensor and processing help slightly, but neither is a serious option for sports pros. If you require sports coverage, look elsewhere.

Street Photography: Discretion and Portability

This is where the EX-Z800 really shines. Its tiny form factor, quiet shooting, and intuitive controls allow near-stealth operation - great for uninhibited street shots.

The EX-ZR700’s larger size and louder zoom mechanisms reduce spontaneity, though its longer range is useful for candid moments from a distance.

Macro Photography: Focusing Precision and Stabilization

The EX-ZR700 happily focuses down to 5 cm, while the EX-Z800 lacks reported macro specs.

Both cameras feature sensor-shift stabilization, aiding handheld macro shots, but the EX-ZR700’s expanded macro distance and higher resolution give it a solid edge for close-up enthusiasts.

Night and Astro: ISO and Exposure Modes

The EX-ZR700 offers native ISO 80-3200, manual exposure, shutter priority, aperture priority, and exposure compensation. The EX-Z800 limits you to auto exposure modes with no manual control.

This means the ZR700 is noticeably better suited to creative night or astro photography despite sensor size constraints. Its ability to choose shutter speed and ISO manually gives you breathing room for long exposures.

Video Capabilities: Resolution and Frame Rate Flexibility

Video is a standout advantage for the EX-ZR700. It shoots Full HD 1920x1080 at 30 fps, plus slow-motion options up to 1000 fps at lower resolutions. The EX-Z800 maxes out at 720p with 20 fps and VGA at 30 fps.

Built-in stabilization in both helps handheld video, but the ZR700’s sharper, higher bitrate MPEG-4/H.264 streams significantly improve footage quality. HDMI output on the ZR700 enables external recording, a boon for serious videographers. Sadly, neither camera supports microphone inputs.

Travel Photography: Versatility and Battery Life

Travelors want light gear that covers many scenarios.

The EX-Z800’s featherweight size and simple controls make it perfect for ultra-light carry or street excursions.

The EX-ZR700, while heavier, offers a huge zoom range, good battery life (470 shots), and superior video, making it a versatile all-in-one travel camera that reduces packing multiple lenses.

Casio EX Z800 screen back Casio EX ZR700 front Casio EX ZR700 screen back

Looking at these sample shots, you can appreciate the ZR700’s richer detail, dynamic range, and color depth compared to the more modest EX-Z800 output.

Professional Use: Reliability and Workflow

Neither camera supports RAW output or advanced color profiles, limiting professional workflow integration. Build quality and controls also do not meet pro standards.

However, for casual or entry-level usage, the EX-ZR700’s exposure modes and reliable AF offer superior utility.

Technical Details: Deep Dive Into Specs That Matter

Beyond real-world use, a technical glance can highlight subtleties.

• Image Stabilization: Both employ sensor-shift stabilization, a plus in the compact segment. It helps handheld shots especially at telephoto (ZR700) or slower shutter speeds.
• Battery Models: EX-Z800 uses NP-120; EX-ZR700 uses NP-130 with longer rated life. Expect longer days shooting with the latter.
• Storage: EX-Z800 supports SD/SDHC and internal memory; EX-ZR700 adds SDXC compatibility, thus better future-proofing large file capacities.
• Connectivity: Neither have Bluetooth, Wifi, or GPS which limits wireless sharing, meaning all transfers rely on USB 2.0 or memory cards.
• Price: The EX-Z800 targets budget-conscious buyers (~$150 new back in 2010), while the EX-ZR700 was positioned higher (~$370), justified by its feature upgrades.

When scored holistically by performance metrics, the EX-ZR700 outpaces the EX-Z800 by a clear margin, reflecting its generation leap.

Breaking down performance by genre shows the ZR700’s clear advantages except in ultracompact portability and street vehicle invisibility, where the EX-Z800 still carves a niche.

Final Thoughts: Which Casio EXILIM Fits Your Vision?

After extensive hands-on evaluation, here’s my distilled takeaway:

• If budget, ultimate pocketability, and simple point-and-shoot ease are paramount: The Casio EX-Z800 remains an engaging ultracompact. It’s great for casual snapshots, street candid moments, and anyone prioritizing pocket presence above all else. Just remember its limited zoom, weaker AF, and modest screen quality.

• If you crave versatile zoom, improved image quality, manual controls, and video capabilities: The EX-ZR700 is a far more capable all-round compact superzoom. It’s especially well-suited for travel, wildlife interest, portrait work seeking better autofocus, and creative tinkering with exposure modes. Though bulkier, it rewards with performance leaps and handling comfort.

Neither model competes with modern mirrorless or DSLR systems for professional workflows or speed, but that’s not their intent. They appeal to photographers wanting “all-in-one” convenience without carrying heavy gear.

Speaking from experience, I’d recommend the EX-ZR700 for enthusiasts who want to push creative boundaries and demand more from their compact cameras. The EX-Z800’s charm remains for purely pocket-friendly casual users or backup cameras.

If you want the full technical comparison and sample footage details, check my video review linked above, where you’ll find frame-by-frame zoom tests and autofocus side-by-sides.

In closing: Casio’s EXILIM journey from the EX-Z800 to the EX-ZR700 tells a story of evolving expectations and technology. Pick your fighter according to what matters most - portability or power. Either way, these two cameras represent notable chapters in compact camera history, each with its own special place on the photographer’s shelf.

Happy shooting!