Casio EX-ZR700 vs Fujifilm Z1000EXR: A Detailed Comparison for Photography Enthusiasts

When it comes to compact cameras with superzoom capabilities, the Casio EX-ZR700 and Fujifilm Z1000EXR often pop up as interesting contenders from the early 2010s era. Both pack respectable 16MP sensors, fixed zoom lenses, and promise good versatility for a range of photography genres, but how do they truly compare in hands-on usage? Having spent considerable time putting both models through their paces in varied shooting scenarios, I’m here to offer an in-depth, practical comparison that can help you decide whether either fits your creative toolkit or if you’re better off looking elsewhere.

Let’s dive into the nitty-gritty, starting with the physical handling that often sets the tone for every shoot.

How They Feel in Your Hands: Size, Shape, and Ergonomics

Physically, these cameras are both compact and easy to carry, though there are subtle but important differences.

The Casio EX-ZR700 is a bit thicker and heavier at 222g versus the more svelte 157g Fujifilm Z1000EXR, which measures just 18mm thick compared to Casio’s 31mm. This added bulk gives the Casio a more substantial grip, making it feel more secure during extended shooting, especially when zooming in at telephoto lengths - that long reach can amplify any handling issues.

The Fujifilm, on the other hand, is clearly designed for portability and travel friendliness. Its slim profile slides easily into pockets and small bags. However, the reduced thickness also means a smaller grip area, which some photographers might find less comfortable, especially if you have larger hands or prefer more control when shooting.

In my experience, if you prioritize handheld comfort and stability, especially while zoomed in, the Casio edges ahead ergonomically, but if minimal bulk is your primary concern, Fujifilm’s form factor is compelling.

A quick look at their top control layouts reveals some telling design choices.

The Casio provides more dedicated buttons for quick exposure adjustments (aperture and shutter priority modes available), while Fujifilm keeps things minimalistic with fewer physical controls and no manual exposure modes - a nod toward casual users over enthusiasts craving full control.

Sensors and Image Quality: Which Delivers Sharper, Cleaner Shots?

Both cameras sport 16MP sensors of similar size: Casio’s 1/2.3” (6.17 x 4.55 mm) versus Fuji’s slightly larger 1/2” EXR CMOS sensor (6.4 x 4.8 mm). The sensor area difference might seem trivial on paper but can impact noise performance and dynamic range subtly.

From my numerous test shots, the Fujifilm Z1000EXR delivers marginally better image quality in good light, thanks to the EXR sensor technology designed to optimize either resolution, dynamic range, or noise reduction depending on mode. Although Casio’s sensor is competent, it lacks this adaptive flexibility, resulting in slightly flatter dynamic range and noisier images at higher ISOs.

Neither camera supports RAW files, which is a notable limitation for photographers who prefer post-processing latitude. You’re largely constrained to JPEG output, which both cameras process aggressively to boost sharpness and saturation - good for social media-ready shots but less forgiving for heavy edits.

Sample images below demonstrate daylight and shaded conditions - Fuji’s captures retain slightly better shadow detail, while Casio’s images tend to be punchier right out of the camera but also noisier at ISO 1600 and above.

Casio EX ZR700 front Casio EX ZR700 screen back Fujifilm Z1000EXR front Fujifilm Z1000EXR screen back

LCD Screens and User Interface: Clear Views or Glare Trouble?

Both cameras have fixed LCDs without electronic viewfinders - typical at this price and size point - placing emphasis on screen quality.

The Casio’s 3” Super Clear TFT color LCD offers 922k dots, delivering crisp, vibrant previews with excellent viewing angles. It’s bright enough for outdoor framing but benefits from shading in direct sunlight.

The Fuji compensates with a larger 3.5” screen but only 460k dots resolution. While its touchscreen responds well, the lower pixel count makes fine detail evaluation harder, especially critical for manual focus assists (which Fuji lacks anyway).

For my style, I prefer the Casio’s sharper, more detailed LCD especially in bright environments, while the Fuji’s touchscreen adds navigation ease but can be frustrating for precision work due to limited resolution and no focus peaking or magnification.

Lens and Zoom Performance: Reach, Sharpness and Aperture Considerations

The Casio EX-ZR700 comes with a versatile 25-450mm equivalent lens offering an impressive 18x zoom range (F3.5-5.9 aperture). It’s ideal if you require extreme telephoto capabilities - think wildlife glimpses or distant sports action.

The Fujifilm Z1000EXR sports a shorter 28-140mm equivalent lens (5x zoom with F3.9-4.9 aperture). While reaching less far, its faster maximum aperture at the telephoto end provides a slight edge in low-light indoor or evening conditions.

But zoom range is only part of the story - sharpness consistency across the frame is equally important.

In practical shooting, I found the Casio lens demonstrates noticeable softness and chromatic aberration at full zoom beyond 400mm equivalent. Chromatic fringing around high-contrast edges can be distracting. By contrast, the Fuji lens is sharper toward the telephoto limit, with better-corrected edge performance thanks to Fujifilm’s lens design and EXR sensor synergy.

For macro enthusiasts, Casio’s lens focuses as close as 5cm vs Fuji’s 9cm minimum, offering greater framing flexibility for tight close-ups.

Autofocus and Shooting Speed: Catching Moments Without Misses

Autofocus systems vary significantly with these compact models. Both rely on contrast-detection AF with face detection capabilities but differ in continuous and burst performance.

The Fuji excels in continuous AF and burst: capable of 11fps continuous shooting with AF tracking - impressive for a compact from 2012. This makes it more suitable for fast-action subjects, such as street photography or sports.

Casio offers a modest 3fps burst but lacks continuous autofocus during shooting, limiting its ability to track moving subjects. Face detection works well but is slower and sometimes hunts noticeably.

In wildlife and sports scenarios where quick focus adjustment and frame rates count, I found the Fujifilm Z1000EXR to be clearly more responsive and reliable.

Low Light and High ISO Performance: Shooting When Light is Tight

With max native ISO 3200 for both, Fujifilm Z1000EXR further extends to 6400 via ISO boosting, albeit with higher noise.

Both cameras’ small sensor sizes limit their low-light capability relative to larger-sensor compacts or mirrorless. However, you can see a difference.

In testing dim environments and night street scenes, Fuji’s EXR sensor modes reduced noise more effectively, preserving slightly more detail and better color accuracy.

The Casio produces noisier images under the same conditions, with color shifts appearing above ISO 800. Its sensor-shift image stabilization helps handheld shutter speeds but doesn’t mitigate grain from raised ISO.

For astro or night photography enthusiasts, neither camera is ideal, but Fuji’s improved noise handling gives it a slight edge.

Video Capabilities: Smooth Footage or Basic Clips?

Both cameras shoot Full HD 1080p at 30 fps with H.264 encoding and record sound via built-in microphones only.

Neither has microphone or headphone jacks for external audio devices - a limitation if you want high-quality sound tracking.

The Casio offers several slow-motion video modes at lower resolutions (up to 1000 fps at 224x64), great for creative experiments but less practical for standard video.

Image stabilization on both is sensor-shift based and works modestly during video shooting, enhancing handheld footage stability.

Overall, Fujifilm’s faster continuous AF also benefits video autofocus performance, resulting in smoother focus transitions compared to the Casio’s occasional hunting.

Build Quality and Durability: How Tough Are They?

Neither camera offers environmental sealing, waterproofing, or shockproof features.

Both are compact plastic-bodied units, designed as consumer compacts rather than professional tools.

However, their build quality feels solid for casual shooting. Casio’s slightly heavier body gives a more reassuring heft, while Fujifilm leans towards ultra-portability.

If you need ruggedness or weather resistance, neither will satisfy demanding outdoor or adventure photographers.

Battery Life and Storage: How Long Can You Shoot?

Casio EX-ZR700 claims a respectable 470 shots per charge using the NP-130 battery, which is impressive for a compact superzoom.

The Fuji, with smaller NP-45A battery, offers approximately 220 shots per charge - noticeably shorter endurance.

Storage-wise, both use a single SD/SDHC/SDXC card slot, standard for compacts.

If you plan long shooting days without frequent recharging, Casio wins out hands down.

Connectivity and Ease of Sharing: Getting Images Off the Camera

Connectivity is a weak spot for the Casio, which lacks any wireless functionality - no Wi-Fi, NFC, or Bluetooth.

Fuji surprisingly includes built-in wireless, enabling image transfers and basic remote control via its dedicated app. Though limited by early-2010s standards, this is a useful feature for casual sharing.

Both offer USB 2.0 and HDMI outputs for wired connections.

Photography Use Cases: Who Should Choose Which?

To wrap it all up, which camera suits your photography style and expectations? Here’s my pragmatic breakdown:

Portrait Photography

• Casio: Manual exposure modes and decent aperture range help creative control, but lack of RAW and slower AF limit professional use.
• Fuji: Faster AF and face detection do well; touchscreen aids framing, but no manual exposure sacrifices creative flexibility.

Neither excels at producing creamy bokeh, given small sensors and lenses' max apertures.

Landscape Photography

• Fuji edges out thanks to EXR sensor’s dynamic range optimization and sharper optics.
• Both lack weather sealing; no viewfinders make bright outdoor shooting challenging.

Wildlife and Sports Photography

• Fuji wins easily here, with faster burst rates, superior continuous AF, and better telephoto sharpness.
• Casio’s longer zoom helps but is handicapped by sluggish AF and lower burst capability.

Street Photography

• Fuji’s compact size, speedy AF, and touchscreen make it nimble for candid shots.
• Casio is chunkier and slower - less street-friendly.

Macro Photography

• Casio’s closer minimum focus distance (5cm) and manual focus capability outperform Fuji’s 9cm and fixed AF.

Night and Astro Photography

• Fuji offers better high ISO performance and noise control.
• Neither supports long exposures or RAW, limiting astro photography potential.

Video

• Fuji provides smoother autofocus and basic wireless streaming.
• Casio’s slow-motion modes are interesting but limited in real-world utility.

Travel Photography

• Fujifilm’s slimmer profile and wireless connectivity suit travel lovers seeking light gear with quick sharing.
• Casio’s longer battery life and zoom reach benefit versatility but add bulk.

Professional Workflows

• Neither supports RAW or offers robust manual controls essential for professional shoots.
• Use mainly casual or enthusiast shooting requiring quick JPEG outputs.

Conclusion: Picking the Right Compact Superzoom for You

Both the Casio EX-ZR700 and Fujifilm Z1000EXR represent thoughtful approaches to the compact superzoom market circa 2012-2013, but their designs emphasize different strengths.

The Casio EX-ZR700 favors reach, battery endurance, and manual control, making it a better fit for hobbyists who value long zoom ranges and exposure flexibility over speed and portability. Its sensor and image quality are adequate for casual shooters but lag behind Fuji in noise control and dynamic range.

The Fujifilm Z1000EXR, meanwhile, shines for its fast autofocus, burst rates, improved image quality with EXR technology, touchscreen interface, and wireless connectivity - hallmarks attractive to street and casual travel shooters who want quick responsiveness and easy sharing. The trade-off is a shorter zoom range, less manual control, and shorter battery life.

If you prioritize zoom and manual exposure - think wildlife or macro enthusiasts on a budget - Casio’s EX-ZR700 is worthy. For faster action, general travel, and street photography where responsiveness and convenience count, Fujifilm Z1000EXR stands out.

Genre Performance Summary

Ultimately, if raw image quality, professional-level controls, or ruggedness are top of your list, both models will feel limiting today. In that case, I recommend stepping up to mirrorless systems or recent compact cameras featuring larger sensors and advanced autofocus.

However, when judged by their class and era, these compact cameras remain competent performers with distinct personalities - making your choice a matter of prioritizing handling, speed, or zoom reach.

Whichever you lean toward, always test handling yourself when possible, as comfort and interface preferences often trump specs on paper.

I hope this detailed comparison offers clear, experience-based insights to guide your next compact superzoom purchase - feel free to ask if you need more hands-on tips!