Casio EX-Z800 vs Ricoh PX: A Deep Dive into Two Compact Contenders

In the realm of compact cameras, nearly every enthusiast and casual shooter has wrestled with the challenge of choosing just the right tool for everyday creativity. Today, we scrutinize two intriguing players from a bygone era of point-and-shoots: the Casio EX-Z800 and the Ricoh PX. Launched within a year of each other - 2010 and 2011 respectively - these cameras encapsulate a fascinating slice of early 2010s design philosophy and technology. We’ll peel back the layers, comparing them intimately across ergonomics, imaging core, shooting capabilities, and real-world usage to help you decide if one belongs in your collection or as a nostalgic backup for casual work.

Hands-On Design and Ergonomics: Compactness Meets Usability

Starting with physical form, both cameras pursue a pocketable footprint but take subtly divergent approaches.

The Casio EX-Z800 is an ultracompact designed to slip seamlessly into the busiest of pockets. We’re talking about a razor-thin 91mm width and wafer-light 124 grams. The slim 20mm thickness bakes down convenience, though this size demands compromises in grip and control feel.

Comparatively, the Ricoh PX is slightly larger and heavier - 100mm wide, 156 grams, and around 21mm thick. It carries the "compact" rather than "ultracompact" tag for a reason: the added real estate affords a more confident handhold without veering into bulk territory.

Flipping over to the top plate and button layouts:

Ricoh supplies a more traditional, tactile layout with clearly segregated mode and exposure controls, along with an external dedicated exposure compensation dial - a nod towards enthusiasts wanting manual override in a point-and-shoot shell. Casio’s interface stays minimalistic - less is more, but it can leave you hunting through menus for adjustments that feel more present on the PX. That said, for genuinely casual shooters, simpler can mean faster and less intimidating.

Both cameras feature fixed lenses, sacrificing interchangeable versatility but simplifying usage. And while neither sports a viewfinder, their LCD screens provide a decent framing experience:

The screens share a 2.7-inch diagonal size and 230k-dot resolution - a baseline that even then wasn’t cutting-edge but sufficient for framing. Neither is touchscreen-enabled, which in retrospect is a limitation for navigating menus and selecting focus points.

Sensor and Image Quality: Same Size, Different Capabilities?

At the heart of any camera is the image sensor, the soul behind the pixels.

Both the EX-Z800 and PX use 1/2.3-inch CCD sensors measuring 6.17 x 4.55 mm with a sensor area just over 28 mm². But here's the twist:

• Casio EX-Z800 has a 14-megapixel resolution (max 4320×3240)
• Ricoh PX edges ahead with 16 megapixels (max 4608×3072)

While at first glance, the difference seems marginal, that extra 2 megapixels on essentially the same sensor size can translate into slightly more resolved detail - if managed properly - and extra cropping flexibility.

However, both sensors remain modest by any modern standard and fall into the typical range-size for point-and-shoot compacts of their time. CCD technology, while capable of pleasing color rendition and low noise at base ISOs, generally lags behind contemporary CMOS chips in high ISO performance and dynamic range. Neither camera was put through the rigorous DxOMark tests, but practical experience suggests low light performance would be constrained.

From an ISO perspective, the PX starts at 100 ISO minimum, whereas the EX-Z800 begins at 50 ISO. That doesn't necessarily mean better noise control on the Casio - in fact, its higher ISO limit of 3200 probably exhibits more noise than the Ricoh’s capped 3200 native ISO ceiling. Both rely on sensor-shift image stabilization, helpful for handheld, low-light snaps.

Autofocus and Exposure Controls: Spotting, Tracking, and Manual Input

When it comes to sharpness - especially in quick shutter-press situations - autofocus characteristics often prove a deal-breaker.

The Casio relies exclusively on contrast-detection AF with single shot mode only. There’s no face or eye detection, no tracking, and unfortunately no multi-area AF. This can lead to some frustration when shooting moving subjects or working in lower contrast environments. Focus confirmation is reasonably quick on static subjects but decidedly underwhelming for action.

The Ricoh PX, on the other hand, ups the ante with face detection and some AF tracking capabilities. It also supports multiple AF areas, which help maintain focus on moving or off-center subjects. This makes the PX more accommodating for dynamic shooting, including snapshots of active children or pets.

Exposure mode-wise, the PX provides manual exposure mode and exposure compensation, allowing fine control over brightness - a highly valued tool for enthusiasts. Casio’s EX-Z800 lacks these features, offering auto modes without shutter or aperture priority.

Shooting Disciplines Put to the Test: Portraits through to Nightscapes

Moving beyond specs into real-world shooting, let's explore how these cameras perform across various genres.

Portrait Photography: Rendering Skin and Bokeh

Neither model is designed explicitly for portraits, but fixed zoom lenses with around 27-28 mm wide to 108-140 mm tele ranges make them somewhat versatile.

The Casio’s max aperture range of F3.2-5.9 is relatively slow at the tele end, limiting depth-of-field control and background separation. However, at 27mm and wider apertures, skin tones look pleasant under natural light with minimal color cast, likely aided by Casio’s Exilim Engine 5.0 processing.

Ricoh PX offers a slightly faster aperture (F3.9-5.4), which helps, coupled with effective face detection AF. Portraits tend to appear sharper and more focused consistently. Skin tone rendering leans slightly warmer, with pleasant, smooth gradations.

Neither offers true creamy professional bokeh - blame the small sensor and limited aperture - but subtle subject-background separation works best when shooting telephoto at arm’s length with distant backgrounds.

Landscape Photography: Resolution and Dynamic Range

For scenic compositions requiring detail and tonal depth, sensor limitations come into sharper focus.

Ricoh PX’s higher resolution offers an edge in capturing sprawling vistas with more visible detail. Unfortunately, CCDs’ limited dynamic range mean highlight clipping or shadow blocking occurs under challenging contrast - sunny skies or dense foliage.

Neither camera features weather sealing - though the PX claims environmental sealing, it doesn't rise to full dust or waterproof standards, so be cautious outing these in adverse conditions.

Despite the constrained DR, both produce pleasing color saturation and accurate hues in balanced light. Using the cameras' center-weighted metering and spot metering subtly helps in retaining exposure where intended.

Wildlife and Sports: Speed, Autofocus, and Burst Shooting

If you’re looking to capture fast-moving animals or athletes, these cameras may test your patience.

The Casio EX-Z800 lacks continuous AF or tracking and doesn’t offer continuous shooting. Consequently, you’ll likely end up with missed focus or motion blur unless subjects stay remarkably still.

The Ricoh PX, while offering tracking AF, only shoots around 1 frame per second continuously. This makes it uncompetitive against dedicated action cameras or APS-C compacts with burst modes upwards of 10 fps.

That said, for casual backyard birds or slow-paced sports, Ricoh’s autofocus wins out - at least offering a chance to nail the shot.

Street and Travel Photography: Stealth and Versatility

Ultracompact factors weigh heavily in this use case.

The lightweight EX-Z800 is ideal for inconspicuous street shooting and traveling light. Its small dimensions invite discreet operation and a nimble grip that won’t wear out your hand after hours of wandering.

However, its slower autofocus and lack of manual exposure control may frustrate those who want artistic flexibility.

The Ricoh PX, with a slightly larger grip and longer zoom range (28-140mm versus 27-108mm), offers enhanced versatility for travel scenario framing - from tight city alleys to distant architectural shots. Environmental sealing adds a layer of confidence during inclement weather.

Macro and Close-Up Photography

The Ricoh PX possesses an impressive 3cm macro focusing capability, letting you get tantalizingly close for detail-rich shots of flowers, insects, or textures.

Casio EX-Z800 does not specify macro range, effectively limiting it to standard focusing distances and daylight conditions.

Low Light and Night Sky Photography

Night and astrophotography push sensor capabilities to the limit.

Limited maximum ISO 3200 and CCD sensor noise mean both cameras struggle under low light - grain and chroma noise become intrusive quickly.

Ricoh’s sensor-shift stabilization aids handheld shooting but cannot replicate the clean results of modern sensors or DSLRs on long exposures.

Neither offers bulb mode or advanced night exposure features common in current mirrorless cameras, limiting experimentation.

Video: Basic HD with Limits

Video remains an afterthought on both cameras.

The Casio records 720p at only 20fps, while Ricoh PX offers 720p at 30fps. Both shoot in Motion JPEG, a dated format limiting bitrates and resulting in large files.

No microphone inputs or headphone jacks restrict audio control. The HDMI port on the Ricoh PX enables external playback, though.

Stabilization helps reduce shake moderately in both.

Building Quality and Reliability: How Tough Are These Compacts?

Ricoh PX touts environmental sealing, signaling some resistance to dust and splashes, without waterproof or full dustproof guarantees. Casio EX-Z800, unfortunately, lacks any environmental protection - keep it dry and dust-free.

Both cameras are plastic-bodied but firm in hand with no obvious flex. Buttons and dials respond with satisfying clicks, though Casio’s minimal button set results in more menu diving.

Lens Ecosystem and Expandability

Being fixed-lens compacts, neither camera supports interchangeable optics. Their zoom ranges are:

• EX-Z800: 27-108mm equivalent (4x optical)
• Ricoh PX: 28-140mm equivalent (5x optical)

Ricoh’s longer reach gives more framing flexibility for travel and casual wildlife, while the Casio focuses on portability.

Battery, Storage, and Connectivity

Both rely on proprietary lithium-ion batteries, with Casio using the NP-120 and Ricoh the DB-100. Unfortunately, neither manufacturer offers official CIPA battery life metrics, but field use suggests roughly 200 shots per charge in moderate usage - typical for cameras this size and age.

Storage is standard SD/SDHC cards plus some internal memory as backup.

Neither provides wireless connectivity options - no Wi-Fi, Bluetooth, or NFC - meaning image transfer requires USB cable connection, limiting convenience in the current wireless world.

Price-to-Performance: What Do You Get for Your Money?

Here’s the kicker - street prices differ significantly:

• Casio EX-Z800: Around $150
• Ricoh PX: Around $330

For roughly double the cost, Ricoh PX adds manual exposure control, face detection AF, longer zoom, environmental sealing, and more versatile shooting modes.

The question boils down to how much these features matter to you versus pure pocketability and price.

Summing Up Real-World Scores and Performance

Let’s bring together the quantitative and qualitative facets with the relevant reference charts:

Casio EX Z800 screen back Ricoh PX front Ricoh PX screen back

Sample images show wider dynamic range and sharper detail on the Ricoh PX, particularly in macro and telephoto shots. Casio’s photos hold up well in daylight but fall off indoors or low light.

Performance-wise, Ricoh PX scores consistently higher for autofocus, control, and image quality; Casio’s strengths lie in portability and simplicity.

Breaking down genre performance:

• Portrait & Landscape: Ricoh PX takes the lead with better focusing and resolution.
• Street & Travel: Casio’s size benefits highly portable shooting, though PX's zoom versatility is a notable advantage.
• Wildlife & Sports: Neither contender excels due to slow burst and AF speed; Ricoh only marginally better.
• Macro & Night: Ricoh PX offers superior macro and stabilization; both struggle in night scenarios.
• Video: Both provide basic HD video with Ricoh slightly ahead on frame rates.

Final Verdict: Who Should Choose Which?

Our testing reveals clear distinctions shaped by your intended use:

Choose the Casio EX-Z800 if…

• You prioritize ultra-lightweight and pocketable design.
• Your photography is casual or travel-focused with minimal manual intervention.
• Budget constraints direct you towards an affordable, uncomplicated compact.
• You mostly shoot in good light, outdoors, and appreciate quick snapshots without fuss.

Opt for the Ricoh PX if…

• You desire a compact camera with more versatile zoom, manual controls, and face/tracking autofocus.
• You seek enhanced macro capabilities and environmental sealing for rugged conditions.
• You value slightly better image quality and more shooting flexibility.
• You’re willing to trade some portability and double the price to gain these capabilities.

Both cameras mark their era well, but neither fits snugly into today’s sophisticated compact segment dominated by mirrorless innovation. Still, their particular charms shine through in the right hands and scenarios.

Parting Thought: This Dog Is a Good Boy - But Know What You’re Getting

Revisiting the Casio EX-Z800 and Ricoh PX is like flipping through a photo album of point-and-shoot history. Both models offer robust engineering for their category, with targeted strengths. The Ricoh PX is the more well-rounded ‘workhorse’, while the Casio EX-Z800 is the nimble ‘pocket pal’ for those who prioritize simplicity over control.

If you’re eyeing a trusty backup for casual shooting or a reliable starter, the EX-Z800 could be your friend. For those craving greater creative freedom and a step closer to enthusiast features without stepping up to bulkier cameras, the Ricoh PX is worth the premium.

I hope this hands-on comparison has empowered you with the technical insight and practical perspective to choose the camera best suited for your photographic journey!