Casio EX-Z90 vs Panasonic Lumix ZS25: A Hands-On Comparative Review for Photography Enthusiasts

In the world of compact cameras, it’s fascinating to see how models from different eras line up when put head-to-head. Today, I’m diving into a detailed comparison between two notable small sensor cameras: the Casio EX-Z90, a 2009 entry-level compact, and the Panasonic Lumix ZS25, a 2013 small sensor superzoom. Both target casual photographers craving portability but represent significantly different technological stages and ambitions. Through extensive hands-on testing - shooting varied subjects across multiple photography disciplines - this article will unpack their core differences, strengths, and weaknesses to help you decide which might suit your needs best.

Let’s start with their physical presence and ergonomics, because size and handling are often dealmakers or breakers for compact cameras.

First Impressions: Size, Build, and Handling

Handling a camera extensively over several shooting sessions reveals how well it fits into your workflow. The Casio EX-Z90 measures 90 x 52 x 19 mm and weighs a featherlike 121 grams, offering exceptional portability and pocket-friendliness. In contrast, the Panasonic ZS25 is larger and noticeably heavier at 105 x 59 x 28 mm and 193 grams, reflecting its extended functionality and superzoom capabilities.

At first touch, the Casio feels closer to a point-and-shoot style - easily slipped into a jacket pocket, excellent for travel and street photography where discretion matters. The Panasonic’s larger footprint, while mildly bulkier, provides a more substantial grip. The added heft helps with stability during extended telephoto use. The ZS25’s rubberized grip enhances handling despite its increased size.

Looking at the top controls, the Panasonic bristles with more command dials and buttons; the EX-Z90 keeps it basic but intuitive.

Ergonomically, the Panasonic’s layout is more conducive to manual exposure adjustments - shutter priority, aperture priority, and full manual mode are accessible, which pros and enthusiasts will appreciate for creative control. The Casio’s simpler interface sacrifices manual options in favor of ease-of-use.

In summary:

• Casio EX-Z90 excels in ultra-portability and ease-of-use.
• Panasonic ZS25 feels more robust and offers a better handled experience with more direct control.

Sensor and Image Quality: The Heart of Photographic Performance

Both cameras sport 1/2.3” sensors, standard for compact models but not quite on par with larger micro four-thirds or APS-C types. The Casio uses a CCD sensor with 12MP resolution, while the Panasonic boasts a more modern CMOS sensor at 16MP.

In practical shooting scenarios, this difference surfaces strongly. The CMOS sensor in the ZS25 provides better dynamic range and noise performance, especially noticeable at higher ISOs. The Casio’s CCD sensor tends to struggle in low light, producing more noise beyond ISO 400 despite a max ISO setting of 1600.

The Panasonic’s sensor also supports a wider native ISO range (100 - 6400), whereas the EX-Z90’s base ISO 64 is clipped by the lack of ISO boosting beyond 1600, limiting its low-light flexibility.

In daylight and controlled lighting, both can deliver decent image quality - though the Panasonic provides more detail thanks to higher resolution and superior noise control. Color fidelity leans slightly in Panasonic’s favor too, helped by more sophisticated image processing.

What About the Lenses? Focal Range and Aperture Advantages

The lens is a vital point - and here the differences are striking.

The Casio EX-Z90 features a fixed 35-105mm equivalent zoom (3x), offering a modest optical zoom range suited for general snapshots. Its maximum aperture spans f/3.1-5.9, so it dims down noticeably at telephoto.

The Panasonic ZS25 uses an impressively versatile 24-480mm equivalent lens (20x optical zoom), with a maximum aperture range of f/3.3-6.4 - slightly narrower overall but vastly extended reach.

This superzoom capability turns the Panasonic into an excellent choice for wildlife, sports, and travel photography requiring diverse framing options without lens changes.

Macro shooting capability also favors the Panasonic, with a 3cm minimum focus distance - compared to 10cm on the Casio - allowing closer detail captures.

Put to the Test: Autofocus, Speed, and Usability

Autofocus systems can make or break photographic success, depending on target subjects.

The Casio EX-Z90 uses contrast detection AF with only a single AF mode (single AF), which works fine in good light on static subjects but lags noticeably with moving targets or low-contrast scenes.

Panasonic’s ZS25, also contrast-detection-based with 23 focus points, incorporates continuous AF and tracking options, vastly improving focus reliability on moving subjects, including pets or kids.

Continuous shooting speeds highlight another functional gap: the Casio lacks burst mode, while the Panasonic supports 10fps continuous shooting - vital for sports and wildlife shooters needing to capture decisive moments.

Screen and Viewfinder: Composition and Reviewing Images

Neither camera offers an electronic viewfinder, meaning reliance on their rear LCDs exclusively. The Panasonic’s 3” LCD offers a sharper 460k pixel resolution, while the Casio has a smaller 2.7” screen at a mere 230k pixels.

This makes image composition and playback on the Panasonic clearer and more pleasant under daylight. The EX-Z90’s screen struggles in bright conditions, with washed-out colors and limited viewing angles.

Touchscreen capability is absent on both, limiting intuitive menu navigation or touch focusing, but the Panasonic’s touchscreen-aware autofocus compensates somewhat by allowing focus point selection via the screen.

Real-World Photography Tests Across Disciplines

Putting these cameras to varied use revealed their real strengths and weaknesses across photography genres.

Portrait Photography

With no face or eye detection autofocus in either, manual framing is key. Panasonic’s multi-area autofocus and faster focusing give an edge, allowing for sharper eyes and better subject isolation. Both cameras’ modest maximum apertures limit bokeh quality, but Panasonic’s higher resolution delivers better rendering of skin tones and subtle detail.

Landscape Photography

Here, sensor dynamic range and resolution shine. The Panasonic’s improved dynamic range captures more shadow and highlight details in complex scenes. Neither camera offers weather sealing or ruggedness; therefore, consider external protection in harsh conditions.

Wildlife and Sports Photography

The Panasonic’s 20x zoom and accurate autofocus tracking are a clear advantage. Burst mode further helps freeze action. The Casio’s slow single-shot autofocus and lack of continuous shooting make it hard to capture decisive moments in fast-moving subjects.

Street Photography

Casio’s smaller size and lighter weight offer discreetness and ease of carrying around urban environments. Its shutter is quieter, aiding candid shots. Panasonic’s longer zoom might draw more attention but allows compelling candid portraits and environmental contexts from a distance.

Macro Photography

Panasonic’s 3cm minimum focusing distance enables better close-up shots, while the Casio’s 10cm limit restricts detail gets.

Night and Astro Photography

The Panasonic’s better higher ISO performance allows cleaner night shots, making it more suitable for astrophotography or low-light scenes - though neither camera excels here, limited by sensor size and lens apertures.

Video Capabilities

Casio’s video maxes out at 720p 24fps Motion JPEG - basic and outdated by today’s standards. Panasonic ZS25 supports 1080p 60fps in AVCHD/MPEG-4 formats, with optical stabilization reducing shake. Although lacking microphone inputs, Panasonic’s video quality and stabilization is noticeably better for casual shooters.

Inside the Build: Battery Life, Storage, and Connectivity

Battery life is a crucial aspect often overlooked in spec sheets. Casio’s older NP-60 battery specification lacks explicit CIPA rating data; my tests found modest shooting duration, adequate for short trips.

Panasonic’s documented 260 shots per charge is a realistic figure for everyday use, helped by efficient power management.

Both cameras rely on SD card storage; Panasonic supports SDXC, allowing larger capacity cards - a boon for video shooters. Surprisingly, the Casio supports Eye-Fi wireless card connectivity, offering limited wireless transfer at a time when Wi-Fi now dominates but remains a clever feature for 2009.

Panasonic includes HDMI output for easy TV viewing - absent on the Casio - providing direct high-definition playback.

Assessing Value: Price and Availability

At launch, the Casio EX-Z90 listed near $150, and the Panasonic ZS25 around $300. Today, both are discontinued and available only used, but understanding their price-performance dynamic helps illustrate where each fits.

The Casio can be an ultra-budget option with simple point-and-shoot functionality, while the Panasonic, priced nearly double, justifies its cost through superior zoom, better AF, and enhanced shooting modes.

Overall Performance Ratings and Genre-Based Scores

Our expert reviewers quantified performance through a comprehensive scoring matrix after hours of field testing.

The Panasonic leads decisively in autofocus speed, image quality, versatility, and video capabilities. The Casio’s strengths reside in portability and simplicity.

Breaking down by photography styles:

• Portrait, Wildlife, Sports, Video: Panasonic clearly dominates.
• Street and Travel: Casio’s pocketability delivers convenience but sacrifices creative controls.
• Landscape and Macro: Panasonic’s higher resolution and longer zoom are assets.

Sample Images: Direct Visual Comparison

Nothing conveys a camera’s capability like real images taken under the same conditions.

Casio EX Z90 front Casio EX Z90 screen back Panasonic ZS25 front Panasonic ZS25 screen back

Examining these side by side reveals the Panasonic’s superior sharpness, edge-to-edge detail, and better color nuance, especially in challenging lighting. The Casio produces softer images with less dynamic tonal range but acceptable for snapshots or casual sharing.

Who Should Buy Which Camera?

After hundreds of shots, extensive testing, and careful technical analysis, here are my tailored recommendations:

Choose the Casio EX-Z90 if you:

• Need the absolute smallest, lightest camera possible for casual snapshots or travel.
• Want a straightforward point-and-shoot without manual complexity.
• Prioritize fast pocketability over image quality or creative control.
• Have a very tight budget or need a secondary economical camera.

Opt for the Panasonic Lumix ZS25 if you:

• Desire a versatile compact with an impressive 20x zoom range for wildlife, sports, or travel photography.
• Value manual exposure options and advanced autofocus for challenging subjects.
• Shoot video regularly and want Full HD at a smooth 60fps with stabilization.
• Are willing to carry a larger camera for improved ergonomic handling and better image quality.

Final Thoughts: Technology and User Needs Dictate Choice

Comparing two compact cameras released four years apart highlights how innovation rapidly changes user expectations. The Casio EX-Z90 embodies late-2000s digital compact simplicity and portability, ideal for pure casual use. The Panasonic ZS25, meanwhile, mirrors the early 2010s push towards high-zoom versatility and advanced autofocus, still within a pocketable footprint.

No camera here will satisfy professional demands for large sensor performance or extensive lens ecosystems, but each serves distinct niches.

In striving for honest advice rooted in hands-on experience - testing autofocus with moving targets, shooting long telephoto frames handheld, analyzing noise at varied ISOs, and reviewing menu ergonomics - I hope this comparison guides you to the right compact tool for your photography journey.

Happy shooting!

Note: If you are looking for newer options with modern sensor sizes, faster processors, and cutting-edge autofocus, consider exploring mirrorless or advanced compacts beyond this comparison’s scope.