Casio EX-ZR1000 vs Panasonic Lumix DMC-SZ10: The Small Sensor Superzoom Face-Off for the Budget-Conscious Photographer

When stepping into the world of compact superzoom cameras, especially models launched in the budget to mid-range segment around the early 2010s, you quickly realize that the technical specs often look alike on paper. But as someone who’s fingered hundreds of camera dials and pixel-peeped countless sensor outputs, I can tell you: digging beyond sheet numbers into real-world use unveils clear differences that can make or break your shooting experience.

Today, we dissect two small sensor superzoom compacts aimed at enthusiasts and casual shooters alike - the Casio EX-ZR1000 from 2012 and the Panasonic Lumix DMC-SZ10 from 2015. Both are compact, affordable, and boast zoom lenses that flexibly cover wide-angle to telephoto. But in my hands-on tests, each carved its own niche with distinct strengths and weaknesses.

If you’re pondering a compact superzoom purchase (or just a pocket-friendly backup camera), buckle up. I’ll guide you through detailed imaging performance, handling quirks, autofocus behavior, and the all-important value propositions for portrait, travel, and even casual wildlife shots.

Size, Handling & Ergonomics: How Do They Feel in the Hand?

Compact cameras are all about balance between portability and comfort - after all, clunky controls make you miss shots, but tiny bodies end up stuck in a drawer.

The EX-ZR1000 weighs in at a modest 255g with physical dimensions of 108 x 62 x 37 mm. By contrast, the Panasonic SZ10 is noticeably lighter and smaller at 177g and 99 x 60 x 30 mm. The Casio's extra heft translates to a more substantial grip, which I personally felt gave better club-like thumb leverage during extended shooting sessions. For larger hands, the EX-ZR1000’s chunkier feel leads to more confidence holding it steady - an important factor given the lens reach.

Top view shots comparing control layouts tell their own story.

Casio’s EX-ZR1000 provides manual exposure controls, shutter and aperture priority modes, and a dedicated dial that will please the button-heavy crowd who like full command even on pocket-sized cameras. Panasonic’s SZ10 trims back to a very streamlined, simplified control set – no manual mode, no shutter or aperture priority; it's very "point and shoot" oriented.

While some enthusiasts might find Panasonic’s pared-down approach limiting, casual shooters will appreciate the fewer menus and no-fuss operation for travel or street convenience.

The EX-ZR1000’s 3-inch tilting Super Clear TFT LCD with 461k dots, meanwhile, is matched in size by Panasonic’s 3-inch LCD with 460k dots. Both tilt for awkward angles, though the Casio’s screen technology offers slightly better visibility outdoors - something I definitely noticed on sunny days.

Sensor and Image Quality: The Heart of the Matter

Both cameras sport identical sensor sizes - a 1/2.3” sensor measuring roughly 6x4.5mm, the common fraction for this class. However, they differ in sensor type and max resolution.

• Casio EX-ZR1000 utilizes a 16MP CMOS sensor with a native max ISO of 3200.
• Panasonic SZ10 relies on a 16MP CCD sensor capped at ISO 1600 (boosted 6400 available).

From an imaging perspective, CMOS sensors generally outperform CCDs in noise handling and dynamic range, especially as ISO climbs. My side-by-side tests affirmed this - EX-ZR1000 maintained cleaner highlights and shadows, retaining more nuance in challenging lighting.

In practical portrait shooting, the EX-ZR1000’s better low-light control offered more natural skin tones and less noisy detail especially in indoor and evening settings. Panasonic’s SZ10 images looked softer with more noise creeping in past ISO 800.

One notable drawback: neither camera shoots RAW, limiting post-processing flexibility and making you dependent on in-camera JPEG interpretations.

Lens Quality and Zoom Range: How Much Reach Do You Get?

Both cameras offer respectable superzoom ranges:

• Casio EX-ZR1000: 24–300mm equivalent (12.5x zoom), f/3.0–5.9 aperture.
• Panasonic SZ10: 24–288mm equivalent (12x zoom), f/3.1–6.3 aperture.

In real shooting, this difference is negligible at the telephoto end, but Casio’s slightly brighter aperture at the wide end helps in low light. Combined with the sensor's broader ISO range, it grants the EX-ZR1000 better exposure latitude indoors and dusk scenes.

I also appreciated Casio’s macro focusing down to 5cm, letting me get impressively close and crisp - good for casual nature and detail shots. Panasonic doesn’t specify macro range, and in my tests, it fell short on convincing close-ups.

Autofocus and Shooting Speed: Do They Keep Up?

Autofocus can make or break the experience when shooting fast-moving subjects - wildlife, street candid moments, sport action, you name it.

• Casio EX-ZR1000 offers contrast-detection autofocus with face detection and tracking, but lacks continuous autofocus during video.
• Panasonic SZ10’s AF system features contrast detection with 9 focus points including center and multi-area, supports continuous autofocus in live view, and also employs face detection.

I found Casio’s autofocus to lock fairly quickly on faces and static subjects but struggled with continuous tracking on moving animals or sports. It offers a continuous shooting rate of 3fps - decent for casual bursts.

Panasonic was slower at single AF with only 1.4fps burst speed, less ideal for action or wildlife photography. Also, its continuous AF capability in video shot at 720p helped shooters who wanted smoother focus pulls without the manual-focus hassle.

Top marks for neither camera here - these are not speedsters - but Panasonic’s continuous AF during video gives it a slight edge for casual videography.

Video Capabilities: Just Pixelated Memories or Something More?

Curious about the video chops? Let’s break it down.

• EX-ZR1000 shoots full HD 1080p at 30fps (MPEG-4/H264), 720p with multiple frame rates up to 30fps, and slo-mo modes up to 1000fps (at low resolution).
• SZ10 maxes out at 720p at 30fps using Motion JPEG format - a bit dated and less efficient.

The Casio’s Full HD capability combined with sensor-shift stabilization (more on that next) resulted in noticeably smoother footage. However, neither model provides external microphone input - meaning audio quality is limited to built-in mics, okay for family videos but not for serious vlogging.

Panasonic’s optical stabilization is effective for point-and-shoot filming, but resolution and codec hold it back from detailed or professional-looking clips. If video is a key concern, Casio wins hands down for higher quality and flexible frame rates.

Stabilization: Sensor-Shift vs Optical - Which Matters More?

One area many budget compacts skimp on but these two include is image stabilization.

• Casio’s EX-ZR1000 employs sensor-shift stabilization, physically moving the sensor to counteract shake.
• Panasonic SZ10 uses optical stabilization, moving lens elements instead.

While both reduce blur effectively in stills, I noted Casio’s sensor-shift had slightly better performance at longer focal lengths during handheld shooting, especially in dusk or indoor scenes. It also translates better to video smoothness.

Optical stabilization often excels with telephoto reach, but the lens design of SZ10 (slightly narrower max aperture) appears to limit its effectiveness compared to Casio’s system. Of course, neither replaces a tripod when shooting across slow shutter speeds.

Battery Life & Storage: Practical Considerations on the Go

From experience, battery life and storage ease often dictate usability on travels and day trips.

• Casio EX-ZR1000 uses a dedicated NP-130 battery rated for around 470 shots per charge. It accepts SD/SDHC/SDXC cards.
• Panasonic SZ10 rounds about 200 shots per battery charge, accepts SD/SDHC/SDXC cards plus internal memory storage.

Almost twice the battery life: a nice advantage for Casio, especially if you dislike charging anxiety. Panasonic’s lighter weight and inclusion of internal storage mitigate card failure fears but internal space is limited.

The Panasonic’s USB 2.0 interface is standard; Casio adds HDMI out for easy playback on TVs, a thoughtful touch for sharing images on the fly.

Build Quality & Weather Resistance: Can They Take a Hit?

Neither model offers weather sealing or rigour for rough conditions. Both are compact with plastic bodies, tolerating casual knocking but not the abuse professionals demand. Weight difference reflects this: Casio’s extra heft provides a stronger feel, Panasonic’s toy-like body deserves delicate care.

Real-World Photography Use Cases: Who Should Choose Which?

Bringing it all together, here’s how I see these cameras perform across the genres important to enthusiasts and casual pros alike.

Casio EX ZR1000 front Casio EX ZR1000 screen back Panasonic SZ10 front Panasonic SZ10 screen back

Portrait Photography

• Casio EX-ZR1000 - better skin tones, sharper detail, and bokeh control at widest aperture. Face detection AF was reliable, though limited in low light.
• Panasonic SZ10 - softer images and noisier ISO performance make it an okay casual portrait camera, but not breathtaking.

Landscape Photography

• Both cameras offer 16MP resolution, but Casio’s broader dynamic range and superior ISO handling give it an edge on shadow and highlight detail. Neither has weather sealing, so caution is advised.

Wildlife Photography

• Both cameras struggle: slow autofocus and modest burst rates mean many action shots get missed. Casio’s faster 3fps and better stabilization make it the slightly better option.

Sports Photography

• Neither very suitable given slow burst rates (1.4–3fps) and basic AF. Casual sports shots only. Casio’s manual exposure modes provide more control, if you want to fiddle.

Street Photography

• Panasonic SZ10’s lighter weight and smaller size make it discreet and better for stroll-and-shoot scenarios. Casio’s size is less concealable but more comfortable for serious outings.

Macro Photography

• Casio’s 5cm macro focus allowed me to capture some surprisingly sharp close-ups. Panasonic lacks this close focus ability, so it’s less versatile here.

Night/Astro Photography

• Neither camera is designed for astro, but Casio’s better ISO ceiling and sensor-shift stabilization make it somewhat capable for nightscape shots at slow shutter speeds.

Video

• Hands down, Casio has better video specs and stabilization. Panasonic only offers 720p and dated MJPEG, which limits quality.

Travel Photography

• Panasonic’s lightness and simplicity suit travelers who want a camera that won’t weigh them down. Casio suits those who want extra control, better low-light image quality, and video capabilities.

Professional Work

• Neither camera fits professional mandates with no RAW support, limited control on the Panasonic, and sensor size constraints. But Casio may serve enthusiast pros needing a solid travel backup.

The Final Scoreboard: Bringing Data to the Decision

I tallied up performance across key factors in a detailed analysis tailored to photography types and value considerations.

And more granular, genre-specific performance ratings:

Wrapping Up: Which Superzoom Compact Wins Your Wallet?

Casio EX-ZR1000 Pros:

• Larger, more comfortable grip and controls
• Manual modes (shutter/aperture priority) for enthusiast exposure work
• Higher max native ISO (3200) and better low-light performance
• Sensor-shift stabilization aiding sharper photos and steadier video
• Full HD 1080p video with varied frame rates including slo-mo
• Longer battery life and HDMI output for quick sharing
• Close-to-macro focusing at 5cm

Cons:

• Heavier and slightly bulkier - less pocket-friendly than SZ10
• No RAW format support limits editing flexibility
• AF speed slow for fast action

Panasonic Lumix SZ10 Pros:

• Lightweight and very compact for discreet shooting
• Simple control layout, great for beginners and minimalists
• Continuous autofocus during video helps smooth focus pulls
• Internal memory alongside SD card for storage redundancy
• Decent zoom range with optical image stabilization
• Priced significantly lower (approx. $200 vs $570)

Cons:

• Limited ISO max of 1600 with noisy images at high ISO
• Only 720p video with MJPEG format, no mic input
• No manual exposure modes or shutter/aperture priority
• Weaker battery life (200 shots)
• Macro shooting limited and autofocus slower for still subjects

Honest Recommendations Based on Your Needs

• If you’re a photography enthusiast who wants a compact superzoom with manual controls, better image and video quality, and versatile shooting modes, the Casio EX-ZR1000 is worth the higher price. It’s well suited for portraits, travel with low-light conditions, casual wildlife, and video recording. I’d call this one the “serious amateur’s compact.”

• If your budget is tight and you want a lightweight everyday camera for travel, street candid shots, and family photography without fuss, the Panasonic SZ10 offers decent image quality with easier operation at an attractive price. It’s more of a "point & shoot for the cheapskate" but that’s not a bad thing if you want simple button-and-shoot reliability.

I always advise trying cameras firsthand if possible - rent or visit stores to gauge which feels good in your hands. At this price range and size, the tactile experience matters as much as megapixel counts.

In case you want to explore more brands or expand your toolkit, superzoom compacts have evolved considerably since these models launched, often packing more advanced sensors and features at similar price points today.

But for those who want a dependable small sensor superzoom from the 2010s era, my personal badge of reliability goes to the Casio EX-ZR1000 for its versatility and image quality, while the Panasonic SZ10 remains a solid pick for beginners or budget travelers prioritizing lightness and ease-of-use.

Until next time, keep shooting and never compromise on capturing the moments that matter!