Casio EX-ZR1000 vs Nikon Coolpix S9700: A Hands-On Comparative Review for Enthusiasts and Pros

When it comes to compact superzoom cameras with small sensors, the Casio EX-ZR1000 and the Nikon Coolpix S9700 are two models often grouped together for their ambitious zoom ranges and feature sets. Both were introduced in the early to mid-2010s aiming to pack versatile focal lengths and useful features into pocket-friendly bodies. But how well do they hold up today, especially from the perspective of a photographer wanting tangible image quality and usability?

Having put both cameras through rigorous in-field and lab-based testing - covering everything from sensor performance, autofocus, handling, to their suitability across photography genres - I’m here to distill years of experience into a clear, actionable comparison. Whether you seek to immortalize landscapes, chase wildlife, capture urban scenes or shoot family portraits, this article will chart the strengths and limitations of these two compacts in a balanced, evidence-driven way.

First Impressions: Size, Ergonomics, and Physical Controls

After years of handling myriad compacts, the physical dimensions and ease of use remain critical first factors. The EX-ZR1000 measures 108 x 62 x 37 mm and weighs in at 255 grams, while the S9700 is marginally longer at 110 x 64 x 35 mm but a little lighter at 232 grams. Both fit easily in a jacket pocket, but the Casio’s slightly chunkier profile gives it a more substantial feel in hand, which some users may appreciate for grip security.

Control layouts tell another story. The Casio features a tilting 3.0" Super Clear LCD with modest 461k-dot resolution. It doesn’t have touch input, but its buttons are well spaced and tactile, making manual exposure adjustments and mode switching straightforward. The Nikon’s fixed 3" TFT LCD offers double the resolution (921k dots), providing a crisp live view. Unfortunately, it too lacks touchscreen - a rare omission even in this category today.

Neither camera has an electronic viewfinder, which limits composition options in bright sunlight. Nikon’s layout favors zoom and control rings on the lens barrel, offering precision but at some cost to rapid mode changes. Casio’s buttons are distributed across the rear and top plate with a traditional exposure dial - slightly more intuitive for users accustomed to DSLRs.

In handling terms: the EX-ZR1000 feels more deliberate and secure, the S9700 more compact and streamlined. It's a subtle trade-off between grip comfort and portability, which may steer buyers depending on their typical shooting environment.

Sensor and Image Quality: The Heart of the Matter

Both cameras share a 1/2.3-inch 16MP CMOS sensor measuring 6.17 x 4.55 mm, a standard small sensor for superzoom compacts. Nikon’s uses a BSI-CMOS variant - known to be more efficient at gathering light - and supports a native ISO range up to 6400, double that of Casio which tops out at ISO 3200.

From controlled tests, Nikon’s sensor demonstrates noticeably better low-light sensitivity and dynamic range. In dim indoor and shadow-rich outdoor scenes, images retain detail and show less noise at higher ISO settings. The Casio, while respectable at ISO 80-400, starts to struggle beyond ISO 800, yielding softer images with colored noise artifacts.

Color depth and reproduction leaned slightly in Casio’s favor under daylight conditions, with warmer skin tones and pleasant saturation - partly due to its EXILIM Engine HS 3 processor's color science. Nikon’s rendition is more neutral, appealing to those seeking a versatile base for post-processing.

Neither camera supports RAW output, limiting professional flexibility in post. JPEG files are optimized well by default but can be limiting in challenging lighting or for heavy edits.

Resolution-wise, both deliver comparable detail at base ISOs thanks to their 16MP sensors. Casio’s anti-aliasing filter helps reduce moiré but slightly softens micro contrast; Nikon’s sharper rendering can occasionally produce aliasing artifacts in fine patterns.

Autofocus and Speed: Catching the Moment

Precision and responsiveness in autofocus are vital, especially when shooting moving subjects or fast-changing scenes.

Casio’s contrast-detection AF system includes face detection and utilizes 99 focus points, but unfortunately lacks both continuous AF and manual focus speed finesse. It can be sluggish in dimmer conditions, often requiring a half-second or more to lock focus. Continuous tracking isn’t very reliable, with some hunting noted in real-world wildlife scenes.

The Nikon Coolpix S9700 features a contrast-detection AF with 99 focus points as well, supplemented by face and selective AF modes. It offers single AF with tracking, and while manual focus is not available, this camera displays faster lock speeds and better tracking consistency in daylight and moderately low-light scenarios.

In terms of burst shooting, Casio manages a modest 3 fps frame rate, which quickly feels limiting with action or sports photography. The Nikon pushes this to 7 fps, doubling the opportunity to seize split-second moments - more than a theoretical advantage, practically speaking.

The S9700’s superior autofocus coupled with faster continuous shooting makes it the better bet for wildlife and sports enthusiasts, though neither camera fully satisfies professional benchmarks for speed or tracking sophistication.

Display and User Interface: What You See Matters

Beyond resolution and size, the usability of the rear LCD influences how easily you can compose, review, and adjust settings.

While the Casio’s 3" tilting 'Super Clear' LCD provides a basic but versatile solution for high and low-angle shots, its 461k-dot resolution is - frankly - underwhelming today, resulting in somewhat grainy previews and less efficient focus checking.

Nikon’s fixed 3" TFT LCD with anti-reflective coating offers twice the pixel density (921k dots), producing punchy, detailed previews that aid in critical focus and exposure judgment. Its screen is bright and sufficiently reflective-resistant for outdoor use.

Both lack touch capability, which is an omission I notice keenly. Touchscreens greatly accelerate menu navigation and AF point selection, especially in a small pocketable camera aimed at casual and enthusiast shooters alike.

Menus on both units are straightforward and access common controls like ISO, exposure compensation, and scene modes rapidly. Casio’s interface feels slightly dated with more nested menu layers, while Nikon's is more streamlined.

Zoom Performance and Lens Quality: Versatility in Frame

Here’s where the cameras flex their superzoom muscles. Casio’s EX-ZR1000 offers a 24-300mm equivalent zoom (12.5x), whereas Nikon extends further to 25-750mm (30x) - a significant reach for compact cameras.

Maximum apertures vary, starting at F3.0 for Casio (widening to F5.9) and F3.7 to F6.4 for Nikon. The Casio’s slightly faster wide-angle aperture allows more light and better shallow depth-of-field control at the lower end. Nikon buries its head in the telephoto realm but at the cost of dimmer apertures and, predictably, image sharpness drop-off at max zoom.

In actual shooting, the Casio delivers cleaner images and sharper details throughout the zoom range up to about 200mm. Beyond that, softness creeps in, but still maintains acceptable quality. Nikon’s lens suffers more pronounced diffraction and chromatic aberrations at longer focal lengths. The 750mm equivalent is great for subjects like distant wildlife but rarely usable for anything needing fine detail unless the light is very bright.

Macro capability also leans to the Nikon with a shorter minimum focusing distance of 1 cm versus Casio’s 5 cm, opening more creative possibilities for close-up photography.

Image stabilization is present in both: Casio uses sensor-shift, Nikon utilizes optical stabilization. Both effectively reduce handshake blur up to medium zoom levels, but Nikon’s image stabilization performance feels a tad more refined in real use.

Across the Photography Spectrum: Genre-Based Evaluation

Having touched on core specs and hardware, let's see how each camera performs for key photography disciplines through tested experience.

Casio EX ZR1000 front Casio EX ZR1000 screen back Nikon S9700 front Nikon S9700 screen back

Portrait Photography

Casio’s color science produces warmer, flattering skin tones under natural light. The wider aperture at 24mm offers primitive but usable background separation. Its face detection autofocus works well enough under good lighting but tends to be sluggish in shadow.

Nikon produces more neutral, balanced tones but compensates through faster AF. However, its narrower aperture range and lack of true manual focus control limit bokeh creativity. The S9700’s face detection is competent but not standout.

Landscape Photography

Both cameras benefit from their resolution and sensor size moderately, but Casio’s poorer dynamic range limits shadow detail recovery. Nikon’s higher ISO ceiling and cleaner shadows mean it can tackle scenes with high contrast better.

Neither has weather sealing, so caution is advised in harsh environments.

Wildlife Photography

Nikon’s longer zoom paired with faster autofocus and higher burst rates clearly wins. The S9700 can capture distant subjects with more confidence, though image softness at extreme telephoto lingers. Casio’s shorter zoom and slower AF hamper its abilities here.

Sports Photography

Again, faster continuous shooting and more reliable autofocus give Nikon the edge. The Casio's 3 fps burst is suitable for casual use but frustrating for fast action.

Street Photography

Casio’s more ergonomic grip and somewhat quicker manual exposure controls make it friendlier for spontaneous candid shooting. Nikon’s smaller size and quieter operation blend well in discreet environments, but the slower AF under low light may catch you out.

Macro Photography

Nikon’s 1 cm closest focus offers significantly more magnification - a boon for flower or insect close-ups. Casio’s 5 cm minimum is decent but less exciting.

Night and Astro Photography

Nikon’s higher max ISO and cleaner noise handling translate to better night-time images. Neither camera, lacking RAW support and advanced manual modes, excels in astro scenarios.

Video Capabilities

Both provide Full HD 1080p at 30 fps. Nikon offers interlaced 60/50i modes and higher frame rate options in lower resolutions. No camera supports external microphones, limiting audio quality.

Neither has 4K or advanced video stabilization.

Travel Photography

For travel, size/weight balance and battery life matter. Casio offers longer battery endurance (470 shots vs Nikon’s 300), slightly more robust grip, and tilt screen versatility - useful for varied shooting angles on the go.

Nikon’s longer zoom can be tempting for travel but at the cost of image quality and battery life.

Professional Use

Both cameras fall short of professional expectations. Lack of RAW, minimal manual controls, and limited connectivity diminish workflow integration. Nikon’s built-in GPS is a plus for geotagging, but neither camera is robust or flexible enough for serious commercial work.

Build Quality, Durability, and Battery Life

Neither camera boasts environmental sealing or ruggedized construction. This is understandable given their category and target markets.

The Casio feels sturdy with no significant creaks or loose buttons. The Nikon is lightly lighter but similarly solid.

Battery life is a notable difference: Casio’s NP-130 offers roughly 470 shots per charge - generous for a compact without power-hungry features. Nikon’s EN-EL12 gets about 300 shots, which feels tight given its higher zoom usage.

Both use SD/SDHC/SDXC cards with a single slot - the norm here.

Connectivity and Extras

Nikon’s S9700 includes built-in wireless connectivity and GPS. This is very handy for instant photo sharing and geotagging, a clear demonstration of its more modern design philosophy.

Casio’s EX-ZR1000, launched two years earlier, lacks wireless or GPS features, limiting mobile workflow integration.

Both offer USB 2.0 and HDMI ports for downloading and external viewing, but no microphone or headphone jacks for serious video work.

Value and Pricing Assessment

At their launch, Casio’s EX-ZR1000 demanded a price north of $570, while Nikon S9700 arrived around $350. While both prices have shifted, this gap nicely reflects their intended user base and feature sets.

For buyers on a tighter budget prioritizing zoom reach, respectable autofocus, and GPS, Nikon offers more bang per buck. For those who value ergonomic handling, better color rendering in photos, and longer battery life despite shorter zoom, Casio remains a viable albeit pricier option.

Clear Recommendations by Use Case

For the Enthusiast Landscape or Portrait Photographer:
Casio EX-ZR1000 provides better color rendition, tilt screen flexibility, and longer battery life - valuable for steady daylight shooting and varied framing. However, keep in mind its weaker low-light performance and slower autofocus.

For Wildlife, Sports, or Travel Photographers Needing Zoom:
Nikon Coolpix S9700 is more capable with faster autofocus, longer zoom reach, solid stabilization, and GPS. It’s better at capturing fleeting action and distant subjects, yet image quality softness at telephoto should be accepted.

For Macro Lovers:
The Nikon's closer minimum focus distance makes it the natural choice.

For Video Hobbyists:
Both cameras are limited - no external mics, no 4K - but the Nikon’s slightly richer video frame rates offer a minor edge.

For Professionals:
Neither camera meets modern standards for RAW capture, workflow flexibility, or rugged use. Consider higher-end compacts or mirrorless systems instead.

Final Thoughts

The Casio EX-ZR1000 and Nikon Coolpix S9700 mark different approaches to superzoom compacts. Casio prioritizes image quality and manual control feel, while Nikon pushes zoom reach and autofocus speed. Both are decidedly consumer-grade, yet offer useful tools for enthusiasts wanting a compact system.

If I were to pick one body out of the two for a spectrum of outdoor and travel use, the Nikon S9700's longer zoom, faster performance, and connectivity sweep me off my feet - despite its narrower apertures and noisier images at high ISO. Meanwhile, Casio's EX-ZR1000 shines in spirited daylight shooting with more tactile controls and better battery life.

For those weighing these two on a budget or niche use case, consider what workflow and genres you lean towards. Ultimately, the Nikons’s pace and reach make it the more versatile superzoom, while Casio’s handling rewards patient, deliberate shooters less concerned about speed.

This comparison blends years of hands-on experience, technical insights, and genre-specific evaluations to help you navigate the subtle but impactful differences between these two cameras. Sometimes, picking the right tool is less about specs alone and more about understanding your priorities in the field. That, I hope, you now have.

Happy shooting!