Casio EX-ZR700 vs Sony Cyber-shot DSC-HX20V: The Ultimate Compact Superzoom Showdown

In the bustling world of compact superzoom cameras, two contenders from the early 2010s - Casio’s EX-ZR700 and Sony’s HX20V - still deserve a curious glance from photography enthusiasts hunting for a versatile pocket-friendly zoomer. Both pack an 18x+ telephoto lens, 3-inch LCDs, and a raft of user-friendly features, yet diverge in approach and execution. Having spent uncountable hours testing such cameras over the years, I’m here to unpack their real-world performance, technical chops, and practical value for various photographic ambitions.

Prepare for a deep dive into sensor nuances, autofocus wizardry, ergonomics, and a full spectrum walk-through from casual snapshooting to pro-level demands. Buckle up - superzoom compact camera fans, this one’s for you.

Size and Handling: Which Fits Your Grip and Your Life?

Let’s start by putting these two side by side in the hand. At first glance, Casio’s EX-ZR700 is noticeably compact and slim, measuring 108 x 60 x 31 mm and weighing a mere 222g with battery included. Sony’s HX20V is slightly chunkier at 107 x 62 x 35 mm and tips the scales heavier at 254g. For those prioritizing minimal pocket footprint and extended handheld comfort during long excursions, Casio’s slightly lighter frame stretches less at your side.

Both cameras feature fixed wide-ranging superzoom lenses, but Sony’s offers a bit extra reach (500mm equivalent vs Casio’s 450mm). The lens barrels extend similarly during zoom, but Sony’s larger grip and slightly heftier body confer a bit more security when shooting at telephoto lengths - less wobble, more confidence.

Control layouts inhabit that sweet spot of intuitive compactness. Both lack an electronic viewfinder - less so a surprise in this category - but sport solid 3-inch LCDs for composing shots. We'll compare those displays shortly.

In terms of physical buttons and dials, Casio keeps it minimalist: you get essential exposure modes (including manual focus and aperture priority) but no external dial for shutter priority. Sony's HX20V also supports manual modes but with a more generous continuous shooting rate and additional flash modes - tiny perks that can add up.

Bottom line: if size and portability dominate your checklist, Casio wins the initial skirmish. If you prize grip security and additional zoom reach, Sony edges ahead.

Sensor and Image Quality: The Heart of the Matter

Superzoom compacts frequently wrestle with small 1/2.3” sensors, limiting low-light prowess and dynamic range. Here, both Casio EX-ZR700 and Sony HX20V share this sensor size of 6.17 x 4.55 mm, delivering an area of around 28 mm², and sport similar megapixel counts: Casio’s 16 MP vs Sony’s 18 MP. While these specs are comparable on paper, it’s the sensor technology and image processing that often make or break real-world usability.

Casio opts for a conventional CMOS sensor paired with its EXILIM Engine HS 3 processor. Sony punches in with a newer BSI-CMOS sensor (backside illuminated) and the venerable BIONZ processor - a combination which, in my experience, clearly delivers better high ISO performance and cleaner images in mixed lighting.

What about noise? Sony’s sensor shines from ISO 100 to ISO 3200, maintaining a surprising degree of detail without overly aggressive noise reduction, whereas Casio is visibly noisier beyond ISO 800. If pushing your ISO for dimly lit indoors or twilight photography is important, Sony has the edge.

Dynamic range, though not officially benchmarked here by DXO, tends to reflect sensor generation, and Sony’s HX20V inferably pulls ahead in retaining highlight and shadow details, thanks to its improved sensor and processing pipeline.

Both cameras only shoot JPEGs - raw lovers will look elsewhere, unfortunately - but the color reproduction is fairly faithful. Skin tones on both deliver warmth and accuracy, though Sony’s rendition has a tad more subtlety, reducing that blown-out HDR “plastic skin” effect you sometimes see on compact cameras.

LCD and Interface: The Window to Your World

Both cameras are equipped with fixed 3-inch LCD screens sporting a sharp resolution of 922k dots, offering crystal clear framing and image review. Casio’s uses a Super Clear TFT color LCD, while Sony deploys its XtraFine TruBlack TFT LCD technology - the latter adding better contrast and black levels for improved visibility in bright outdoor conditions.

Shooting under harsh sunlight? Sony’s TruBlack screen marginally outperforms Casio in glare resistance, making framing less of a guessing game. Meanwhile, neither screen is touch-enabled, which is not unexpected for models of this era but can frustrate users accustomed to modern interface gimmicks.

Menus and button layouts avoid complexity, but Sony’s touchscreen omission is “mostly okay” here because its physical controls are thoughtfully positioned and well spaced. Casio’s fixed LCD combined with its straightforward control scheme keeps operation brisk, though its brightness adjustment steps could be more granular.

One downside for both: no electronic viewfinder or eye-level finder of any kind. That places greater reliance on steady hands or a tripod, particularly at longer focal lengths or in low light.

Autofocus and Shooting Speed: Catching the Moment

Given the lens reach and intended use cases, autofocus speed and accuracy are crucial for those chasing fleeting moments or wildlife.

Casio’s EX-ZR700 uses a contrast detection AF system with selectable multi-area and center-weighted AF, plus face detection. There’s no continuous AF, unfortunately, and continuous shooting maxes out at a pedestrian 3 fps. The focus hunting can be slow in low contrast scenes.

Sony’s HX20V, however, also uses contrast detection but pairs it with 9 AF points and offers superior AF tracking with face detection. Its bursts are much nimbler at 10 fps (with reduced resolution), a vital advantage for capturing action or wildlife sequences.

In practical testing, Sony’s autofocus locks faster and maintains focus better on moving subjects. Casio feels more at home with static scenes or posed portraits.

Neither camera sports phase detection or eye autofocus - features found in more recent cameras - meaning both struggle a bit in challenging tracking scenarios. But Sony is clearly the better tool for birdwatchers or sports event autograph hunters.

Image Stabilization and Macro Abilities

A superzoom without reliable image stabilization is well… blurry.

Casio relies on sensor-shift image stabilization, which works well in daylight or moderate zooms - minimizing handheld shake across the 25-450mm range. Sony features optical image stabilization (SteadyShot Optical), which historically offers a more refined shake correction, especially at maximum zoom.

In side-by-side handheld telephoto shooting, Sony’s stabilization reduces shutter blur slightly better in low light. This difference matters if you frequently shoot at longer focal lengths without a tripod.

For macro, Sony takes a slight lead with a 1cm minimum focus distance, allowing intimate close-ups with more detail and stronger magnification than Casio’s 5cm. Both cameras handle macro with reasonable sharpness but benefit significantly from sturdy supports or steady hands.

Casio EX ZR700 front Casio EX ZR700 screen back Sony HX20V front Sony HX20V screen back

Diving Into Real-World Photography Disciplines

How do these cameras stack up for specific photography genres? Based on extended shooting sessions, here’s what I’ve seen in varied scenarios.

Portrait Photography

Smooth skin tones, pleasant bokeh, and sharp eye detection are a tall order for point-and-shoot zoomers.

Sony edges ahead with better skin tone rendering - subtle without oversaturation - and slightly faster face detection. While neither camera provides eye tracking AF (a feature rare outside mirrorless and DSLRs), Sony’s 9 AF points and face detection help lock focus on faces more reliably.

Casio’s Manual exposure modes (including aperture priority) help creative portrait shooters control depth of field marginally, but limited maximum aperture (F3.5-F5.9) restricts smooth background blur. Both cameras’ lens bokeh is serviceable but not dreamy. So don’t expect portrait magic here, but Sony gives you the better foundation.

Landscape Photography

Landscape demands resolution, dynamic range, and ideally weather sealing.

Neither the Casio nor Sony offers any weather sealing, so caution is recommended when shooting outdoors in unpredictable conditions.

Sony again shines with a slightly higher 18 MP sensor, delivering crisp 4896x3672 pixel files. Details are generally sharper, and dynamic range feels more forgiving with real-world scenes featuring tricky lighting.

Casio’s 16 MP sensor still produces respectable files but can feel a step behind in tonal gradation.

Both cameras’ fixed lenses deliver broad focal range for sweeping vistas, though wide-end aperture limits low-light thresholds.

Wildlife and Sports Photography

Telephoto reach, autofocus speed, and burst rate govern success here.

Sony’s longer lens, faster continuous shooting (10fps vs 3fps), and superior AF tracking make it a compelling choice for casual sports and birdwatching. No professional-level tracking exists, but if you’re an occasional fast-action snappist, Sony delivers more.

Casio, with sluggish 3fps bursts and less sophisticated AF, feels better suited to slower subjects or landscape wildlife rather than fast-moving action.

Street Photography

For urban explorers prioritizing stealth, portability, and quick AF, Casio’s smaller and lighter body is attractive. Its quieter shutter modes (including slower shutter speeds down to 4 seconds) let you play with exposure creatively.

Sony’s louder zoom and shutter make discreet shooting trickier, but its faster response time enhances candid capture.

Macro Photography

Sony’s 1cm macro focus distance and optical image stabilization give a clear edge for close-up creativity. Casio’s 5cm minimum focus isn’t a deal-breaker but limits that intimate perspective.

Night and Astro Photography

Both cameras' small sensors are challenged by noisy results above ISO 800 - honestly, not designed for serious astro or nightscape use.

Sony’s higher max ISO 12800 (though image quality degrades quickly beyond 3200) offers flexibility in varying lighting, with some creative exposure modes to compensate. Casio’s max ISO 3200 limits low-light work further.

Neither supports long exposure noise reduction customization, limiting astrophotography appeal.

Video Capabilities

Both offer Full HD shooting at 1080p but with differences in frame rate and codec.

Sony’s 60 fps Full HD video capability provides smoother motion capture and a wider array of recording options including AVCHD and MPEG-4. Casio limits itself to 30 fps 1080p, which suffices for basic home videos but lacks professional flexibility.

Neither offers external microphone inputs, a common compact camera limitation.

Sony’s built-in GPS adds geo-tagging convenience for video and photos alike; Casio lacks any wireless or GPS features.

Travel Photography

Between the two, I’m leaning on Sony’s more versatile zoom (25-500mm vs 25-450mm), superior stabilization, and built-in GPS for travel journaling. The tradeoff: Sony is a bit heavier and has shorter battery life (320 shots vs Casio’s generous 470 shots per charge).

Casio’s longer battery life and smaller size make it well suited for those prioritizing lightweight carry and extended shooting during adventures.

Plug compatibility is similar, both rely on proprietary battery packs with comparable charging times.

Professional Work

Please don’t expect either to replace a mirrorless or DSLR in pro gigs requiring robust RAW capture, extensive lens choices, or high-speed AF.

Neither camera supports RAW, and both rely on fixed small-sensor zoom lenses. For casual pro use - say, backup travel cams or casual event shooters - Sony’s higher continuous shooting speed and better stabilization provide a slight edge.

Technical Deep Dive: Build, Connectivity, and Value

Build Quality and Weather Resistance

No weather sealing in either - with plastic-heavy bodies typical of the compact class - handle them with care. Recharge battery compartments and ports feel solid enough on both, but Sony’s slightly larger frame offers better ergonomics for extended handheld sessions.

Ergonomics and User Interface

Sony’s grip lends more confidence at telephoto zooms; Casio’s sleekness appeals for everyday casual use. Manual focus rings are electronic and sometimes finicky on both, but Sony’s 9 AF points and exposure compensation options feel more robust.

Lens Ecosystem

Fixed lens cams limit you to the built-in lens. Both span excellent focal ranges with fast-enough apertures for daylight, but neither lens rivals prime glass or high-speed zooms on interchangeable-lens cameras.

Battery and Storage

Casio’s NP-130 Battery Pack outlasts Sony’s NP-BG1 by about 30% in the field - a meaningful boost if you’re shooting all day without spares.

Storage options are similar: both accept SD/SDHC/SDXC cards. Sony adds Memory Stick compatibility, handy for longtime Sony users but arguably less relevant now.

Connectivity and Wireless Features

Sony’s HX20V includes built-in GPS and Eye-Fi compatibility for wireless photo transfer, an innovative luxury at release. Casio lacks any wireless or GPS connectivity.

Price-to-Performance

At the time of launch, Sony carried a slight price premium (circa $397 vs $370). Considering the boosts in autofocus, stabilization, zoom reach, and video, that delta appears justified.

Wrapping It Up: Which Compact Superzoom Should You Choose?

Both cameras offer respectable versatility as compact superzoom slingers, but subtle distinctions could tip your choice.

If push came to shove, Sony's HX20V edges ahead for the enthusiast who appreciates faster burst rates, stronger autofocus, and video capabilities. Casio’s EX-ZR700 remains a stellar lightweight choice for photographers prioritizing size, simplicity, and battery longevity.

Final Advice

Remember, these cameras hail from an earlier superzoom era - current mirrorless cameras crush their specs and image quality in most respects. But if you’re on a budget, prize optical zoom variety in a compact form factor, and don’t require RAW files or professional interface sophistication, either could still serve surprisingly well.

Try both in the hand if you can - sometimes it’s the personal feel that makes or breaks your photographic love affair.

Happy shooting!

Appendix: Specifications Visual Recap for Quick Reference

To round off, here’s a helpful visual comparison of key specs across photography genres so you can quickly pinpoint which model fits your shooting style:

Thanks for journeying through this detailed showdown. If you’ve enjoyed this blend of tech insight and field-tested nuance, stay tuned for more - camera comparisons, real-world tips, and the occasional gear nerd rant to keep your photography fun and informed!

Note: All opinions stem from extensive hands-on testing over years with both cameras and thousands of comparative superzooms. Specs from manufacturer documentation and real field measurements.