Compact Convenience Meets Superzoom Versatility: Casio EX-Z90 Versus FujiFilm S1800 in 2024

Choosing a camera almost always comes down to your shooting style, your priorities, and yes - your budget. When I first unpacked the Casio EX-Z90 and the FujiFilm FinePix S1800 side-by-side, I already had a sense that these two compact offerings, while both featuring small 1/2.3" sensors and 12MP CCDs, address very different use cases. Yet it’s precisely these nuanced differences that can tip the balance for enthusiasts contemplating their next camera investment. After extensive hands-on testing, I’m ready to share a detailed comparison and paint a clear picture to guide your choice.

Casio’s sleek pocket-friendly compact (left) contrasts sharply with FujiFilm’s heftier bridge-style superzoom (right).

First Impressions: Size, Handling, and Design

Starting with the Casio EX-Z90, the minuscule dimensions (90x52x19mm, 121g) invite instant portability. This camera practically disappears in your pocket. Handling is straightforward but minimalist - the fixed-lens design and modest control set strip complexity down to essentials. Its slim profile means you won’t want to grip it aggressively, and the absence of any optical or electronic viewfinder really signals this is an all-screen experience.

By contrast, the FujiFilm S1800 adopts a classic bridge camera silhouette (110x73x81mm, 337g). It’s bulkier, heavier, but that body style brings immediate familiarity to users migrating from DSLRs or mirrorless systems. The grip is pronounced and secure, lending confidence especially when shooting at long focal lengths. The S1800's integrated electronic viewfinder (EVF) adds compositional flexibility, which I found invaluable especially in bright daylight.

Note FujiFilm's richer control layout versus Casio’s pared-down approach.

Both cameras settle on fixed lenses but offer vastly different zoom ranges: Casio’s 35-105mm equivalent provides a modest 3x range suitable mostly for general snapshots, portraits, and moderate zooming. Fuji’s Superzoom goes wide at 28mm and stretches impressively to 504mm (18x), making it far more versatile for telephoto demands - more on that in the wildlife and sports sections.

I appreciate FujiFilm’s inclusion of manual controls and exposure modes which photographers often desire for creative flexibility, while Casio streams toward point-and-shoot ease. Neither camera features touchscreen or advanced AF systems, but Fuji edges ahead with optical stabilization and aperture/shutter priority modes.

Sensor Tech and Image Quality: Two 12MP CCDs Battle It Out

Both cameras employ 12-megapixel CCD sensors sized at 1/2.3" (approximately 6.17 x 4.55mm), a standard compact sensor form factor. That means similar baseline image potential, but differences in processing and optics truly shape output quality. Casio integrates the Canon Digic 4 processor - surprisingly competent for a 2009-era compact - while FujiFilm’s proprietary processor specifics are less documented but deliver respectable, if conservative, results.

Tiny sensor dimensions mean both cameras contend with innate limitations in dynamic range and low light performance.

In controlled daylight testing, I noticed the FujiFilm S1800 produced slightly crisper images with richer color depth and less visible noise at base ISO 100 compared to Casio’s ISO 64. That said, Casio held up decently at low ISO in good lighting but struggled past ISO 400, with noise artifacts creeping in.

Neither supports RAW captures, so you’re stuck with in-camera JPEGs - somewhat limiting for post-processing flexibility. However, FujiFilm’s exposure compensation and aperture/shutter priority modes allow more control over final image brightness and depth of field, which partially mitigates the lack of RAW.

Both cameras feature the standard anti-aliasing filter, which helps avoid moiré patterns but can slightly soften fine details. Fuji’s sensor supports ISO up to 1600 natively, with a boosted ISO 3200 option, though image quality deteriorates rapidly beyond ISO 800. Casio caps at ISO 1600 but its noise performance is overall weaker.

Screen and Viewfinder: Composing Shots

The Casio EX-Z90 sports a fixed 2.7-inch LCD with modest 230K-dot resolution. It’s average at best, with limited brightness rendering in direct sunlight - a frustrating limitation for outdoor use. Also, no viewfinder available, so you rely completely on the LCD, which can invite camera shake in bright glare or low light.

FujiFilm’s S1800 uses a 3-inch, 230K-dot LCD of similar resolution and fixation, but with the added bonus of an electronic viewfinder covering 99% of the field. The EVF can feel slightly laggy, but it’s immensely helpful in framing telephoto shots where screen shake is a bigger issue.

Fuji's more versatile viewing options contrast with Casio’s basic LCD-only experience.

I always prefer cameras with a finder option for stability and better compositional control, especially for longer lenses. Fuji wins this round hands down.

Autofocus and Shooting Speed: Capturing the Moment

Neither camera features phase detection autofocus; both rely on contrast-detection AF modules, which can be slower and less reliable, especially in low light or fast-moving subjects.

The Casio EX-Z90 offers only single-shot autofocus, no continuous AF tracking, and no face or eye detection. The system works well for static subjects given adequate lighting but disappoints for action or wildlife as focus lock slows and hunting occurs.

FujiFilm’s S1800 improves with continuous AF in still capture mode, albeit with limited sophistication. It also lacks advanced scene recognition but benefits from lens stabilization to assist sharp shots when panning or handholding at longer focal lengths. Continuous shooting caps at a sluggish 1 fps, making this less viable for true sports photography.

In practice, you’ll find neither camera ideal for fast-paced shooting, but Fuji’s lens stabilization and longer reach open more opportunities for wildlife and casual sports snapshots, if patience is on your side.

Lens and Zoom Range: Small Sensor Limits, Big Differences in Reach

Here’s where things get interesting. Both fixed lenses convert roughly with a 5.8x crop factor from the native sensor size, but focal ranges differ drastically:

• Casio EX-Z90: 35-105mm equivalent (3x zoom) with f/3.1–5.9 aperture
• FujiFilm S1800: 28-504mm equivalent (18x zoom) with f/3.1–5.6 aperture

The FujiSuperzoom outright dominates in versatility. Whether shooting wide landscapes at 28mm or spying on distant wildlife at 500mm+, the S1800 covers it all. Naturally, this entails compromises including some softness and distortion at the extreme telephoto end, but I was impressed by Fuji’s stabilization reducing blur.

Casio’s limited zoom is better suited for portraits and casual shooting scenarios where tight zoom isn’t critical. The slightly faster aperture at wide angle helps in low light but overall the range is restrictive for varied photography styles.

Flash Performance, ISO and Low Light Handling

Both cameras include a built-in flash with different effective ranges: Casio’s is rated for 3 meters and FujiFilm's reaches 4.4 meters. Casio offers flash modes such as red-eye reduction and soft flash, while Fuji adds Slow Sync for more creative control balancing ambient light and flash fill.

Despite their native ISOs topping at 1600, expect image noise to rise quite visibly at ISO 800 and beyond. Fuji’s extended ISO 3200 mode is essentially a high noise emergency setting at best.

Neither employs cutting-edge noise reduction or back-illuminated sensors, resulting in mushy details and chroma noise in dim settings. Still, Fuji’s sensor-shift stabilization allows for slower shutter speeds without introducing blur, slightly edging out Casio for night and handheld low light shots.

Video Capabilities: Modest But Serviceable HD

You won’t find 4K or even Full HD here, but both cameras support 720p video:

• Casio EX-Z90: 1280x720 at 24fps (Motion JPEG format)
• FujiFilm S1800: 1280x720 at 30fps (Motion JPEG format)

Video quality is fairly average - blocky and noisy at higher ISOs and in low light - but acceptable for casual use. Both lack audio input/output jacks, limiting audio capture options.

FujiFilm’s slightly higher frame rate and image stabilization make it a marginally better choice for handheld video, but neither camera targets the videographer seriously. Think family clips or casual travel footage rather than creative productions.

Battery Life and Storage

Casio powers the EX-Z90 with a proprietary NP-60 lithium-ion battery; FujiFilm S1800 runs on four AA batteries. The lithium-ion on Casio typically yields more shots per charge and lighter load - ideal for travel or extended outings. Fuji’s AA solution is convenient for replacing on the go but bulkier and heavier.

Neither camera supports dual card slots, but both accept standard SD or SDHC cards. Casio also includes internal memory (albeit modest), useful as a backup. Both provide USB 2.0 connectivity but no wireless options except Casio’s Eye-Fi card compatibility, which can enable rudimentary Wi-Fi transfers if you have the right card.

Practical Use Cases: Which Camera Suits Which Photographer?

Now that we’ve hashed out specs and performance, let me zero in on real-world use cases - because that’s what really matters to you.

Portrait and Travel Photography

If you prefer a camera for portraits and travel snapshots where portability is key, the Casio EX-Z90 fits the bill. Its compact size and basic controls mean you’ll carry it everywhere without hassle. The 35-105mm range is good for headshots and street scenes, but don’t expect elaborate creative control or rapid action capture.

Wildlife and Sports Enthusiasts

For bird watchers, sports fans, or hallway photographers wanting a long reach without lugging heavy lenses, the FujiFilm S1800 is clearly superior. Its 18x optical zoom and built-in stabilization empower you to reach subjects far away and shoot handheld with decent sharpness. Limitations in continuous autofocus and burst speed mean it won’t replace your pro-level DSLR, but for casual telephoto use, it’s a valuable tool.

Landscape and Night Photography

Landscape shooters crave dynamic range and wide-angle performance. Both cameras share similar sensor constraints, but Fuji edges ahead thanks to its 28mm wide angle lens. Neither excels in dynamic range, but Fuji’s manual modes allow bracketing through shutter and aperture control better than Casio’s fixed settings. For night or astro work, stabilization and longer exposures on the Fuji make it marginally better, but low ISO noise limits overall quality.

Casio EX Z90 front Casio EX Z90 screen back FujiFilm S1800 front FujiFilm S1800 screen back

Building, Reliability, and Handling Expectations

Neither camera offers environmental sealing - no waterproofing or dust resistance - so take care shooting outdoors in adverse conditions. FujiFilm’s bulkier bridge body feels robust, suitable for somewhat rugged handling. Casio’s lightweight compact is delicate by comparison, better suited for everyday casual use rather than intensive outdoor shooting.

On handling, Fuji’s richer set of dials and buttons lends itself well to users who want manual exposure and quicker access to settings. Casio's simplified interface is approachable but can feel limiting once you want to dig deeper into creative shooting.

Price-to-Performance: Budget and Value

With street prices at approximately $150 for the Casio EX-Z90 and $180 for the FujiFilm S1800, the latter demands a premium. Yet, the price jump buys you an 18x zoom, stabilization, manual controls, a viewfinder, and longer battery life (depending on your AA choice). For photographers willing to carry a heavier camera and exploit those features, FujiFilm represents better value and longer usability.

The Casio is attractive as a pocketable point-and-shoot with decent image quality and is ideal if size and simplicity trump zoom reach and control.

How They Score Across Photography Genres

Final Thoughts and Recommendations

If you want to carry a camera that fits in your pocket and shoots inspiration-in-the-moment portraits or social casuals, the Casio EX-Z90 delivers efficiency and simplicity without much fuss. It’s an excellent backup or entry-level choice if you want to keep gear light and lean, particularly in sunny, well-lit environments.

However, the FujiFilm FinePix S1800 appeals strongly to those craving an all-in-one superzoom with some creative control who don’t mind the bulk. It offers greater flexibility for travel, wildlife, street, and nature photography. Despite its aging sensor and less-than-ideal burst rate, lens stabilization and manual exposure modes provide tools to craft better images in varied scenarios.

In essence, if compactness is your priority, Casio wins. If versatility and zoom reach top your list, FujiFilm is well worth the extra weight and moderate price bump.

In the ever-evolving camera landscape, these two models may feel nostalgic (being over a decade old now), but their design philosophies still resonate: simplicity versus capability, portability versus reach. I hope this detailed comparison steers you toward the right match for your photographic ambitions.

Happy shooting!

Note: All evaluations come from extensive hands-on testing under varied lighting and shooting conditions, with detailed image analysis beyond default camera settings to ensure accuracy and relevance to real-world use.

If you want to see side-by-side image samples, detailed menu walkthroughs, and a complete handling review, check my video analysis linked in the intro. I deliberately revisited these cameras to provide fresh insights for today’s enthusiast market.