Casio EX-Z90 vs Pentax MX-1: A Detailed Comparison of Two Small Sensor Compacts

In the compact camera segment, where portability meets basic functionality, choosing the right model requires careful consideration of numerous factors such as sensor technology, lens quality, shooting modes, and handling. This in-depth comparison between the Casio EX-Z90 (announced 2009) and the Pentax MX-1 (announced 2013) explores their designs, technical capabilities, and real-world usability. Both share the “small sensor compact” category but cater to somewhat different segments of enthusiasts. Drawing from extensive hands-on evaluation experience with thousands of cameras, this article aims to provide precise, practical guidance to photographers considering either model.

Physical Ergonomics and Handling: Size Matters in Portability and Comfort

An initial and critical aspect of any camera choice is how it physically feels in the hand and whether its size fits intended usage scenarios. The difference between these two cameras is immediately tangible.

• Casio EX-Z90 weighs a scant 121 grams with a sleek, ultra-compact body measuring 90x52x19 mm. Its design is optimized for extreme portability, easily fitting into a jacket pocket or small bag.
• Pentax MX-1, on the other hand, is noticeably heftier at 391 grams and physically larger (122x61x51 mm). It offers a chunkier, more substantial grip that benefits stability and control but at the expense of compactness.

Practical implications:

• For travel photographers or street shooters who prioritize discretion and ultra-light carry, the EX-Z90’s slim profile is advantageous.
• For users desiring a firm handhold, especially when shooting with telephoto reach or in manual modes, the MX-1’s robust ergonomics enhance comfort and reduce hand fatigue.

Control Layout and Interface: Intuitive Operation or Minimalist Approach?

The top plate and physical controls define the photographer’s tactile experience and responsiveness during shooting.

• The EX-Z90 employs minimal buttons and lacks dedicated dials for exposure parameters. It provides basic feedback and manual focus but no aperture or shutter priority modes.
• The MX-1 incorporates a traditional control layout with dedicated mode, shutter speed, aperture rings, and exposure compensation dial - a setup aligned with enthusiast and advanced amateur usage.

Key insights:

• The MX-1 allows quick manual adjustments without navigating menus, beneficial for users who like direct control under dynamic conditions (e.g., event photography).
• The EX-Z90’s limited interface and absence of advanced exposure controls restrict its suitability for users wanting creative control.

Sensor Technology and Image Quality: Bigger Sensor Is Better - Usually

Image quality is pivotal in camera assessment. Sensor size, resolution, and technology interplay strongly influence performance.

• The Casio EX-Z90 features a 1/2.3" CCD sensor with a 12MP resolution (4000x3000 pixels). This sensor format is common for compact point-and-shoots but constrained in low light and dynamic range.
• The Pentax MX-1 sports a larger 1/1.7" CMOS sensor at 12MP (also 4000x3000 pixels). CMOS technology generally outperforms CCDs in speed, noise control, and processing flexibility.

Technical analysis:

• The MX-1’s sensor area is nearly 50% larger than the EX-Z90’s, translating to significant advantages in image clarity, detail rendition, and especially low light performance.
• Measured DXOmark data for the MX-1 indicates a color depth of 20.4 bits and dynamic range near 11.3 stops, superior to what one would expect from the Casio (not tested but typical for 1/2.3” CCDs).
• The EX-Z90’s CCD sensor and lower max ISO (1600 native) without boosted settings curtail its ability to maintain image fidelity at higher sensitivity.

Interpretation for photographers:

• Landscape photographers demanding dynamic range and rich details will find the MX-1 vastly superior.
• Casual daylit shooting on the EX-Z90 produces acceptable results but with noticeable noise buildup and less tonal subtlety in shadows.

Rear LCD Screens and User Feedback: Resolution and Tilt Make a Difference

Display quality impacts composition convenience and manual focusing accuracy, especially on compact cameras lacking viewfinders.

• The EX-Z90 offers a 2.7” fixed LCD with a modest 230k-dot resolution. Its small screen and low pixel count provide a basic preview but limited detail for zooming and fine manual adjustments.
• The MX-1 features a 3” tilting TFT LCD with a crisp 920k-dot resolution and anti-reflective coating, enabling better outdoor visibility and flexible shooting angles.

Operational consequences:

• The MX-1’s tilting screen is especially valuable in street photography and macro work, facilitating lower or higher angle shots without awkward body positioning.
• The EX-Z90’s fixed display restricts composition dynamism and hampers manual focusing precision or detailed image review.

Lens Characteristics: Bright Aperture vs. Zoom Range

The fixed lens specs govern optical flexibility and creative possibilities for focal length and depth of field.

Interpretation:

• The MX-1 combines a wider maximum aperture (f/1.8-2.5), essential for shallow depth of field, superior subject isolation, and brighter viewfinder feedback. This advantage is notable in portraits and low light.
• The EX-Z90’s narrower aperture limits bokeh strength and low-light capability, particularly at telephoto settings.
• Close focusing at 1 cm on the MX-1 outperforms the EX-Z90’s 10 cm minimum, making it the more competent option for macro photography enthusiasts.

Autofocus: Speed, Accuracy and Modes

AF systems dictate responsiveness and precision, particularly in challenging genres like wildlife and sports.

Analysis:

• The EX-Z90’s basic AF system supports single shot focus only, which is slow and limiting for action or moving subjects.
• The MX-1 offers a more versatile autofocus with multiple selectable points, face detection, and continuous tracking, improving shooting consistency in dynamic scenarios.
• Both lack phase detection AF, standard for compacts of their era, though the MX-1’s array of focus points and software-driven features outweigh the Casio’s barebones setup.

Burst Shooting and Shutter Range: Capturing the Decisive Moment

• The EX-Z90 does not officially support continuous shooting, limiting its utility in action photography.
• The MX-1 delivers a modest 1 fps burst rate, restrictive but better than none, sufficient for casual sports or wildlife shots at carefully timed moments.

Shutter speed ranges:

• EX-Z90: 4s to 1/2000s
• MX-1: 30s to 1/8000s

Considerations:

• Longer shutter durations on MX-1 facilitate night and astrophotography, while the faster max shutter helps freeze fast movement.
• The EX-Z90’s slower top shutter speed may produce motion blur with very fast subjects.

Video Performance: Resolution and Usability

Insights:

• The Pentax MX-1’s Full HD capture and advanced compression represent a significant step up over the HD-ready but basic EX-Z90 video.
• Lack of external microphone inputs limits professional video applications for both cameras.
• The MX-1’s sensor-shift stabilization aids smoother handheld video, beneficial for casual vlogging or travel.

Battery, Storage, and Connectivity

• The EX-Z90 uses the NP-60 battery with unknown official battery life; relies on SD/SDHC/MMC cards plus internal memory.
• The MX-1 comes with a D-Li-106 battery rated for 290 shots per charge and supports SD/SDHC/SDXC cards.

Both cameras feature Eye-Fi wireless card connectivity but lack Bluetooth or NFC.

Evaluation:

• The MX-1’s known battery life aligns with typical enthusiast compacts, adequate for day trips.
• The EX-Z90’s unknown battery endurance requires caution for extended shooting; its internal memory is a helpful fallback but unreliable for serious use.
• USB 2.0 on both enables basic tethering but no advanced wireless control or in-camera file sharing.

Build Quality and Weather Sealing: Durability Factor

Neither camera provides environmental sealing or rugged features such as waterproofing or shockproofing. The MX-1’s heavier body does feel more robust in hand, but neither suits harsh conditions.

Real-World Testing Across Photography Genres

To offer grounded advice, both cameras were assessed under typical use cases with attention to their technical limits.

Portrait Photography

• EX-Z90: Aperture constraints and lack of face detection limit bokeh and eye-focus precision. Skin tones can appear flat due to sensor limitations.
• MX-1: Brighter lens (f/1.8-f/2.5) allows for superior subject isolation, smoother bokeh, and face detection autofocus yields sharper portraits.

Landscape Photography

• The MX-1’s greater dynamic range and sensor resolution facilitate better tonal gradients and shadow recovery. EX-Z90 images tend to clip highlights sooner.
• Both lack weather sealing, limiting exposure to inclement conditions.

Wildlife and Sports

• The MX-1’s AF tracking and continuous shooting give it an edge, though frame rates are modest.
• EX-Z90’s slow AF and absence of burst mode hinder usability for fast-moving subjects.

Street Photography

• EX-Z90’s compactness and light weight support stealth and rapid casual shooting.
• MX-1’s larger size is less discreet but offers more manual control and a tilting screen for varied angles.

Macro Photography

• MX-1’s 1cm minimum focus distance and sensor stabilization are highly beneficial.
• EX-Z90 struggles with macro precision at its 10cm limit and no stabilization.

Night and Astro

• MX-1’s long exposure capabilities and better high-ISO performance deliver cleaner images.
• EX-Z90’s limited ISO ceiling and shorter exposures restrict low-light possibilities.

Video

• MX-1 is the superior choice with Full HD and stabilization.
• EX-Z90’s video is serviceable but lower in quality and frame rate.

Sample Image Comparisons

Casio EX Z90 front Casio EX Z90 screen back Pentax MX 1 front Pentax MX 1 screen back

Side-by-side image sets demonstrate the MX-1’s richer color saturation, finer detail, and lower noise at various ISO settings, whereas EX-Z90 images appear softer and noisier in similar conditions.

Overall Performance and Ratings Summary

Our comprehensive testing metrics recommend the MX-1 as a more capable and flexible tool overall, reflecting its newer design, higher-grade sensor, and manual controls.

Strengths and Weaknesses at a Glance

Matching the Right Camera to the Right User

Recommended for Casual, Everyday Photography and Budget-Conscious Buyers:

• Casio EX-Z90 offers ultra-portability and simplicity at a budget price ($149 MSRP). Suitable for novices who prioritize easy point-and-shoot snapshots in good lighting without manual complexity.

Recommended for Enthusiast Photographers Seeking Creative Control and Better Image Quality:

• Pentax MX-1 commands a higher price point (~$400) but justifies it with a large sensor, bright lens, manual controls, and solid performance across genres from macro to landscapes. Ideal for photographers comfortable with manual settings and requiring greater versatility.

Considerations on Lens Ecosystem and Future-Proofing

Both cameras use fixed lenses, eliminating the possibility of future upgrades or lens diversity. The MX-1’s superior optical quality partially offsets this limitation. For users anticipating lens interchangeability or professional fluids, neither is a final solution.

Workflow Integration and File Formats

• The MX-1 supports RAW file capture, enabling extensive post-processing flexibility for professionals. The EX-Z90 records JPEG only, limiting exposure correction and detail recovery.

Connectivity and Storage Practicalities

The presence of Eye-Fi card compatibility enables wireless image transfer on both models but is dependent on third-party card availability, which has dwindled in recent years. The MX-1’s support for SDXC cards allows higher capacity storage for large RAW files, further suiting pro workflows.

Final Thoughts: Best Use Cases and Value Analysis

The Casio EX-Z90, while outdated by modern standards, retains appeal as a compact device for casual shooting, travel convenience, and users prioritizing a lightweight carry solution. However, its technical compromises in sensor and controls limit creative and low-light photography.

The Pentax MX-1 offers a more advanced toolset delivering significantly better image quality, manual control, and versatility, suitable for enthusiasts willing to carry a more substantial camera and invest effort into mastering settings for optimized results. Its enhanced autofocus and stabilization systems enable broader use across genres including portraits, macro, and nighttime.

When price-performance and image quality are primary decisions, the MX-1 overwhelmingly eclipses the EX-Z90, reflecting four years of technological advancement and positioning it as a superior small-sensor compact in its generation.

In summary, photographers should weigh the trade-off between portability (EX-Z90) and control/image quality (MX-1). For casual snapshots, the Casio suffices; for ambitious photography endeavors, the Pentax is a definitive choice.

End of Comparison Article