Casio EX-Z800 vs Samsung NX210: A Hands-On Camera Showdown for Every Type of Photographer

Choosing your next camera can often feel like navigating a dense forest - so many paths, many terms, and confusing specs to wade through. Over my 15+ years testing cameras across the board, I’ve learned that hands-on, real-world usage trumps spec sheets alone. Today, we’re looking at two cameras from different roads: the ultra-compact Casio EX-Z800 and the entry-level mirrorless Samsung NX210. Both launched within a couple of years of each other but serve wildly different user needs and budgets.

In this detailed comparison, I’ll share what it’s like shooting portraits, landscapes, wildlife, sports, street photography, macro shots, night scenes – and even video – with these cameras. We’ll dig into sensors, autofocus, ergonomics, lenses, and everything else that matters to photographers hunting for their perfect tool.

Let’s get started with a quick physical first impression...

Size and Handling: Pocketable vs. Clubs-for-Thumbs

First, if you toss these two cameras on the scale and in your hands, they hardly feel alike.

The Casio EX-Z800 is a true ultra-compact camera – it’s tiny, weighing just 124g with dimensions of 91x52x20mm. This is a camera you can literally slip into a shirt pocket or purse without a second thought. Its slim profile means it’s ultra-portable but comes at the cost of grip comfort and control accessibility, more on that later.

By contrast, the Samsung NX210 is a chunky little rangefinder-style mirrorless camera. Weighing 222g and measuring 117x63x37mm, it feels substantial in the hand – the kind of heft I find reassuring during longer shoots or on a tripod. The NX210 boasts a solid grip that accommodates your hand nicely, though it’s definitely not for cheapskates on pocket space.

Ergonomics and control layout adhere to these roles: The Casio’s controls are minimal and somewhat cramped given its size, while the Samsung spreads out dedicated dials and buttons for exposure settings and shooting modes in a more traditional yet simplified mirrorless style.

Here’s the top-down look for clarity:

Sensor and Image Quality: Small but Mighty vs. Large and In Charge

Next up is the heart of any camera: the sensor.

The EX-Z800 has a 1/2.3” CCD sensor measuring about 28 mm² with 14 megapixels of resolution, offering an effective focal length multiplier of 5.8x thanks to its compact fixed zoom lens. CCDs excel at capturing vibrant colors but tend to lag behind CMOS sensors in noise control and dynamic range, especially at high ISO. With a max ISO of 3200 native (no boosted modes), the EX-Z800 is suitable only for well-lit scenes or daylight shooting.

On the other hand, the NX210 features a 20MP APS-C CMOS sensor measuring 368.95mm² – roughly 13 times larger surface area than the Casio's sensor! This bigger sensor means more light gathering, sharper details, and greater control over depth of field (hello buttery bokeh). The Samsung also maxes out at ISO 12800, with much better noise performance - confirmed by its DxOMark low-light ISO score of 719, compared to the Casio’s untested, but undoubtedly weaker low-light chops.

The Samsung supports RAW capture, allowing much more post-processing flexibility. Casio’s EX-Z800, regrettably, shoots only JPEGs, locking you into straight-out-of-camera image quality.

At the resolution level, the NX210’s 5472x3648 pixels offer larger prints and cropping freedom versus the EX-Z800's 4320x3240 maximum image size.

Let’s Talk Screens and Interface

When shooting and reviewing images in the moment, clarity and responsiveness of your camera’s display take center stage.

The EX-Z800’s fixed 2.7" LCD with 230k resolution is certainly basic by today’s standards. In bright sunlight, its visibility is a struggle, and no touchscreen means fiddling through menus with less intuitive, smaller buttons.

Contrast that with the NX210’s 3.0" fixed Active Matrix OLED screen boasting 614k pixels. OLED technology offers deeper blacks and vibrant colors, making reviewing shots and menu navigation more pleasurable. The clarity and color fidelity of this display are miles ahead of the Casio.

Neither camera has a viewfinder - a notable disadvantage for bright outdoor shooting or traditionalists who prefer eye-level framing.

Autofocus: Precision and Speed Matter

My testing consistently reinforces autofocus (AF) as a critical factor, especially for action and wildlife photographers. Let’s see how these two fare.

The EX-Z800 uses a simple contrast-detection AF system limited to a single AF mode with no face or eye detection, multi-area selection, or tracking. In practice, this means slow, sometimes hesitant focusing that requires patience and good light. Continuous AF or subject tracking is nonexistent.

The NX210 steps things up: It offers contrast-detection AF across 15 selectable focus points, face detection, and single or continuous AF (up to 8 frames per second), allowing better capture of moving subjects with reasonable accuracy. While it lacks hybrid phase-detection AF or animal eye AF, the Samsung’s system is fair for an entry-level mirrorless, especially if you pair it with Samsung’s NX autofocus lenses.

Low-light AF performance on the Samsung is notably superior, thanks to its larger sensor and more sophisticated algorithms.

Lens Ecosystem: Fixed Zoom vs. Expandability

One of the most decisive factors in choosing a camera is lens availability.

The EX-Z800 sports a fixed 27-108mm equivalent lens (4x zoom, aperture f/3.2–5.9). You’re locked into this lens, which limits creative freedom - especially for portraits where wider apertures matter or wildlife where longer reach is critical. That said, it covers a versatile zoom range suitable for snapshots and travel.

Meanwhile, the NX210 accepts Samsung NX-mount lenses, with 32 native lenses to choose from - everything from ultra-wide primes and fast portrait optics to telephoto zooms aimed at wildlife and sports shooters. This flexibility turns the NX210 into a genuinely capable system camera for enthusiasts who want to build their kit over time.

Performance Across Photography Genres

Let’s skip the textbook specs here - I’ve tried both cameras on a variety of subjects and lighting situations. Here’s what stood out in real-world shooting:

Portrait Photography

• EX-Z800: The limited aperture range (f/3.2 max) and small sensor mean shallow depth of field is elusive. Skin tone reproduction is generally decent for the price but lacks finesse and detail. No eye detection AF means manual focus is often needed for sharp eyes. Bokeh is thin.
• NX210: Larger sensor and fast lenses produce creamy background blur and better subject isolation. Face detection helps nail focus on eyes, and fine details in skin texture are preserved. Fits well into professional portrait workflows when paired with the right glass.

Landscape Photography

• EX-Z800: Struggles with dynamic range - shadows clip quickly, and highlights blow out under direct sun. Resolution suffices for modest prints. No weather sealing means extra care needed outdoors.
• NX210: Impressive dynamic range makes capturing shadow details and highlight preservation easier, with 20MP allowing larger prints. Weather sealing is absent, but build quality feels more robust.

Wildlife

• EX-Z800: Lack of telephoto lenses and slow AF make this camera a non-starter for serious wildlife.
• NX210: Burst shooting at 8 fps plus autofocus modes can capture action reasonably well. Paired with telephoto zooms, it serves enthusiast wildlife shooters but falls short of pro-level systems.

Sports Photography

• EX-Z800: Limited frame rate and focus speed means missing many decisive moments.
• NX210: Burst mode and exposure controls are a plus, although autofocus tracking lags behind dedicated sports cameras.

Street Photography

• EX-Z800: Ultra-compact size makes it highly discreet and ideal for candid street shots.
• NX210: Bulkier but quieter shutter sounds and manual exposure overrides appeal to creative street photographers.

Macro Photography

• EX-Z800: No dedicated macro mode or lens, but close focusing is possible within the limitations.
• NX210: Compatible with various macro lenses offering precision focusing and higher magnification.

Night/Astro

• EX-Z800: Limited by high noise and narrow ISO range; quality drops sharply in dim light.
• NX210: Great high ISO capability aids night shots, and exposure controls support longer exposures needed in astrophotography.

Video

• EX-Z800: Records HD 720p at 20fps in Motion JPEG - choppy and low quality by today’s standard with no audio input.
• NX210: Full HD 1080p up to 30fps with H.264 codec, HDMI output, but no microphone input. Much better option for casual video.

Travel Photography

• EX-Z800: Ultra-portable and light, appealing for travelers who prioritize convenience over image quality.
• NX210: Good all-around option, offering excellent image quality and lens versatility, though slightly heavier to carry around.

Professional Work

• EX-Z800: Not suitable for professional demands lacking RAW, manual control, and robust AF.
• NX210: Entry-level mirrorless allows manual exposure, RAW shooting, and broader system integration, serving as a reliable backup or starter professional tool.

Build Quality, Battery, and Connectivity: The Nuts and Bolts

Neither camera sports environmental sealing, packing no shocks, dust, or weather resistance. So treat both with care when shooting outdoors.

The EX-Z800 uses a removable NP-120 battery (manufacturer rates battery life scantily, but expect fewer shots per charge due to small size). Storage is via SD/SDHC cards.

The NX210’s proprietary BC1030 battery offers a more respectable 330 shots per charge under CIPA standards, with SD/SDHC/SDXC storage capability. The NX210 also has built-in wireless connectivity (Wi-Fi) handy for quick sharing, while the Casio offers no wireless features.

For ports, the Casio is limited to USB 2.0; the Samsung adds HDMI out, which is great for tethered viewing or video playback on an external monitor.

Price and Value: What Does Your Money Get You?

Retail pricing shows a stark contrast.

The EX-Z800 clearly appeals to absolute beginners, cheapskates, or travel photographers needing a pocket camera that works without fuss. Its compromises are expected for the price.

The NX210, nearly four times the price, delivers a much more serious photographic tool suited for enthusiasts who demand high image quality, manual controls, and lens flexibility.

Pros and Cons Recap

Casio EX-Z800

Pros:

• Ultra compact and lightweight
• Simple point-and-shoot usability
• Sensor-shift image stabilization helps reduce blur
• Inexpensive, affordable entry-level

Cons:

• Small sensor, noisy images in low light
• Limited zoom and no lens options
• Slow autofocus, no tracking
• No RAW support or manual exposure modes
• Low-res screen, no viewfinder, no wireless

Samsung NX210

Pros:

• Large APS-C sensor with sharp 20MP images
• Versatile Samsung NX lens ecosystem
• Fast AF with 15 selectable points and continuous mode
• Manual controls with shutter and aperture priority
• Full HD video with HDMI out
• OLED bright screen and Wi-Fi sharing
• Decent battery life and storage flexibility

Cons:

• No built-in flash (requires external)
• No microphone or headphone ports for video
• Moderate build with no environmental sealing
• Bulkier and less pocketable

Final Thoughts: Which Camera is Right for You?

If you want a quick grab-and-go camera for casual snapshots or travel where size and simplicity rule, the Casio EX-Z800 will serve you well on a budget. Its small sensor and limited features mean don’t expect pro-grade image quality, but it punches above its weight for a sub-$200 ultra-compact.

However, if you’re serious about photography and want a platform to grow, the Samsung NX210 is a clear winner offering superior image quality, manual controls, lens options, and video capabilities - all for a reasonable entry-level price tag. It’s the camera I recommend if you want a serious tool for portraits, landscapes, sports, and more creative control.

Personal anecdote to close:

I recall taking the Casio EX-Z800 on a casual day trip when pocket space was at a premium - its lightweight make it a snap to carry but reviewing the images later reminded me how much a larger sensor and lens flexibility matter. Conversely, using the NX210 on a bustling street shoot felt satisfying - the controls were at my fingertips, and despite its modest autofocus, the images had crisp sharpness and punch.

Choose the tool that fits your photographic journey and budget - but know that beyond convenience or specs, the best camera is the one that keeps you shooting, learning, and loving the craft.

Sample images showcasing each camera’s output

Casio EX Z800 screen back Samsung NX210 screen back

If you’re curious about any specific real-world comparisons - say low-light portraits or wildlife test shots - just let me know, and I can dive deeper. Meanwhile, happy shooting!