Casio EX-ZR800 vs FujiFilm JX300

Casio EX-ZR800 vs. FujiFilm FinePix JX300: A Down-to-Earth Comparison of Two Compact Enthusiasts’ Cameras

When it comes to compact cameras, the market has always been a mixed bag - from pocket-friendly point-and-shoots to feature-packed superzooms. Today, I’m digging deep into two lesser-known compact cameras that still hold relevance for budget-conscious enthusiasts or second-camera seekers: the Casio EX-ZR800, announced in 2013, and the older FujiFilm FinePix JX300 from early 2011. Both come from storied Japanese brands, but they target slightly different niches within the small sensor compact category. The Casio leans towards superzoom versatility, while the Fuji aims for straightforward, easy shooting.

Having spent a fair share of time hands-on testing both cameras - putting them through their paces across various photographic scenarios, from portraits to landscapes and everything in between - I’m here to separate the practical wheat from the marketing chaff and give you an honest, comprehensive look at these two cameras’ strengths and weaknesses.

Let’s start unpacking their capabilities.

Size, Weight, and Ergonomics: Handling in the Hand

Before diving into sensor specs and autofocus, how cameras feel in your hand can be make-or-break. Despite both being labeled “compact," the Casio EX-ZR800 is a bit chunkier, thanks largely to its superzoom lens extending out of the body. Measuring 108x60x31 mm and weighing 222 grams, the Casio strikes a reasonable balance between pocketability and grip security.

The Fuji JX300 is noticeably smaller and lighter - 94x56x24 mm and 130 grams - better for sneaky street shooting or just sliding into a pants pocket without the bulge. However, I found the Fuji’s tiny size leads to some compromises in grip comfort, especially for those with larger hands or when using the camera for extended periods.

The Casio’s button layout is delightfully intuitive for a compact (no touchscreen, but baked-in physical controls). It features traditional dials for shutter/aperture priority modes and a multifunction dial, lending it a more DSLR-like feel despite its small stature. By contrast, the Fuji’s control scheme is more sparse and basic, and its smaller screen makes reviewing shots a bit of a chore in bright daylight.

If you’re curious about how these two compare size-wise and control-wise, here’s a quick look to visualize the difference:

In practical terms, if you’re after more control without lugging around a camera bag, Casio’s build is more satisfying. Fuji’s compactness is a convenience trade-off, best suited for casual snaps rather than ambidextrous photography marathons.

Sensor and Image Quality: What’s Under the Hood?

The heart of any camera lies in its sensor, and here’s where these cameras part company on the most technical front.

Both cameras use a 1/2.3” sensor, typical in compact cameras but far smaller than what you’d find in enthusiast-level mirrorless or DSLRs. The Casio EX-ZR800 employs a 16-megapixel CMOS sensor, while the Fuji FinePix JX300 relies on a 14-megapixel CCD sensor. This distinction matters quite a bit for image quality.

Firstly, the Casio’s CMOS sensor offers better high ISO performance and dynamic range. CMOS technology inherently excels at noise control and speed, in contrast to CCD’s stronger tendency for noise at higher sensitivities. This difference plays out in every shooting genre but especially under low light or high contrast. Also, the Casio’s sensor resolution lends it the upper hand in image detail.

Conversely, the Fuji’s CCD sensor captures colors with a gentler touch and tends to produce a pleasing rendition of skin tones. However, it’s handicapped by reduced dynamic range and challenges in low-light scenarios.

Let me illustrate the sensor specs side-by-side for clarity:

In practical testing, portraits from the Casio tend to reveal finer detail without highlighting imperfections too harshly, thanks to its adaptive contrast and sharpening algorithms. The Fuji produces softer images with a bit of a vintage tint - which some might like for artistic reasons but won’t suit everyone.

For landscapes, the Casio again shines due to its broader dynamic range and ability to preserve highlight recovery. The Fuji’s limited ISO ceiling and noisier output at higher sensitivities mean more grain and less flexibility in post-production tweaking.

Real-world image samples from both cameras further exemplify these differences:

Casio EX ZR800 front Casio EX ZR800 screen back FujiFilm JX300 front FujiFilm JX300 screen back

In short: If image fidelity and versatility are priorities, Casio’s CMOS sensor is a notable technical advantage, while Fuji’s CCD still offers charm for casual shooters chasing simplicity.

Autofocus and Shooting Performance: Speed, Accuracy, and Responsiveness

Image quality means little if your camera can’t focus quickly or track subjects well - a key for sports, wildlife, and even street photography.

The Casio EX-ZR800 uses contrast-detection autofocus with face detection capability and “tracking” autofocus modes, despite lacking phase detection AF. Its 3 frames per second (fps) continuous shooting speed reflects the limitations of its processor and sensor size.

The Fuji JX300, meanwhile, also relies on contrast-detection AF but with a simpler AF system lacking face detection. Its continuous shooting is limited to a meager 1 fps, indicating a camera more geared toward single shots and snapshots.

At the pixel level, the Casio’s autofocus locking is noticeably quicker and more accurate on the face and center subjects, even in dim lighting, thanks to its more advanced autofocus algorithms under the “EXILIM Engine HS 3” processor. The Fuji sometimes struggles with focus hunting, especially in low contrast environments.

For burst speed and tracking moving subjects - think wildlife or sports - the Casio holds a definite advantage, though still modest compared to modern mirrorless options. Fuji’s slower speed and basic AF system means you’ll miss more action shots or risk blurry captures.

This difference is summarized in the autofocus and burst performance:

• Casio EX-ZR800: Contrast-detection, face detection, tracking AF; 3 fps continuous
• Fuji JX300: Contrast-detection only; no face detection; 1 fps continuous

Long story short: If your photography involves moving subjects or action shots, Casio’s superior AF speed and tracking offer practical improvements - even if modest by today’s standards.

Video Capabilities: Not Hollywood, But Worth Considering

While neither camera targets videographers, it’s worth noting how they handle video capture - especially as hybrid shooting becomes more common.

Casio’s EX-ZR800 records Full HD 1920x1080 video at 30 frames per second using H.264 compression, with additional slow-motion capture modes up to 1000 fps at lower resolutions. Unfortunately, there’s no microphone input or headphone jack, so audio quality is limited to the built-in microphone, and there’s no external audio monitoring.

The Fuji FinePix JX300 limits video capture to 1280x720 HD at 30fps with Motion JPEG format, an outdated codec that produces large files with less efficient compression and quality. Like the Casio, no audio ports or stabilization for video are present.

The Casio’s image stabilization does translate partly into video, giving slightly smoother handheld clips. Meanwhile, the Fuji’s lack of stabilization makes handheld footage noticeably jittery unless very steady.

If video is not your main reason for picking up one of these compacts, this is mostly a minor concern - but for casual clips, Casio’s HD video modes and slow motion add some creative flair the Fuji just doesn’t have.

User Interface: Screens, Controls, and Usability

In the digital age, the rear LCD is your primary window into composition and review. Here’s where these cameras show noticeable differences.

Casio’s 3-inch fixed Super Clear TFT LCD with a 922k-dot resolution provides bright, sharp images with good visibility under sunlight. Its lack of touchscreen is a mild disappointment, but physical buttons are well placed and tactile.

Fuji’s 2.7-inch LCD pales in comparison - only 230k dots, making details grainy and evaluating focus or noise a challenge on the fly. Lack of touch controls means wrestling with more menus and buttons.

From a workflow perspective, the Casio’s granular exposure compensation, aperture, and shutter priority modes offer creative control that the Fuji’s fully automatic design lacks. Casio also includes a self-timer, timelapse, and bracketing options, making it a better tool for enthusiasts experimenting with technique.

The Fuji is more “point and shoot,” suited for casual users who want to grab quick shots without fiddling with settings.

Here’s a visual comparison of the rear displays:

Lens Versatility and Optical Performance

Lens quality shapes how an image is rendered beyond the sensor. Fixed lens cameras like these place even greater emphasis on the built-in optics quality.

The Casio EX-ZR800 boasts an 18x zoom lens with a focal range of 25-450mm equivalent and a maximum aperture spanning f/3.5-5.9. This makes it a flexible camera for everything from wide-angle landscapes to reachy wildlife or sports shots. The lens also offers a macro mode focusing as close as 4cm, which is quite respectable.

By contrast, Fuji’s FinePix JX300 offers a 5x zoom ranging from 28-140mm equivalent, aperture f/2.6-6.2, and a 10cm macro focusing distance. While its faster maximum aperture at the wide end lets in more light (good for indoor or low-light shooting), the narrower zoom range limits reach and versatility.

Casio’s stabilization system - sensor-shift type - helps keep longer zoom shots sharp, reducing motion blur in hand-held scenarios. Fuji, unfortunately, lacks any image stabilization, a drawback for telephoto or slower shutter speeds.

So if you want a compact capable of capturing everything from sweeping vistas to distant wildlife, Casio is the clear winner. Fuji remains a simple, sweet all-rounder for basic family or travel photos.

Battery Life and Storage: Practicality on the Road

Battery longevity is vital, especially for travel and outdoor shooting.

Casio uses a dedicated NP-130 battery pack, rated for approximately 470 shots per charge - a pretty solid runtime for a compact superzoom. Storage is via SD/SDHC/SDXC cards, with a single slot.

Fuji’s JX300 battery data is a little murkier but averages about 180 shots per charge. Storage also uses SD/SDHC cards in one slot.

This means Casio’s battery life is more than double Fuji’s, eliminating the anxiety of needing frequent charging or multiple spare batteries during longer outings.

Connectivity and Extras

Neither camera offers wireless connectivity, Bluetooth, NFC, or GPS capabilities, reflecting their era and category.

Casio includes HDMI output, useful for connecting to TVs for image review, while Fuji lacks HDMI altogether.

Video slow-motion modes and timelapse recording are exclusive to the Casio, adding value for creative shooters.

Durability and Weather Resistance

Neither camera offers weather sealing, dustproofing, or shockproofing. For outdoor enthusiast photographers - camping, hikes, wildlife excursions - this means both require care or protective cases.

How Do They Stack Up Overall?

To make our comparison crystal clear, here’s a quick performance rating summary based on the features, ergonomics, and imaging prowess we’ve discussed.

Performance Across Photography Genres: Who’s Best for What?

Your photography style largely dictates which camera meets your needs best. Let’s quickly discuss how these two perform by genre:

1. Portrait Photography: Casio’s face detection autofocus and better sensor noise control give it smoother skin tones and appealing bokeh; Fuji’s softer images suit casual portraits but lack precision.

2. Landscape Photography: Casio wins thanks to higher resolution, better dynamic range, and wider zoom; Fuji is more limited but sufficient for basic scenic snaps.

3. Wildlife Photography: Casio’s telephoto reach and faster AF make it usable for distant subjects; Fuji’s limited zoom and slower response curtail its usefulness.

4. Sports Photography: Short bursts and tracking favor Casio; Fuji’s 1 fps and basic AF make sports shooting frustrating.

5. Street Photography: Fuji’s small size and lightweight body make it discreet, but Casio’s better AF and zoom capability are hard to beat.

6. Macro Photography: Casio’s 4cm close focus is excellent; Fuji’s 10cm minimum limits tight macro shots.

7. Night/Astro Photography: Casio’s higher ISO range and sensor-shift stabilization help; Fuji’s lower ceiling and noisier images curtail long-exposure performance.

8. Video: Casio offers 1080p recording with slow-motion options while Fuji maxes out at 720p without stabilization - Casio is head and shoulders ahead.

9. Travel Photography: Casio covers more ground with zoom range, battery life, and versatility; Fuji is lighter but less flexible.

10. Professional Use: Neither is suitable for demanding pro work due to sensor size, lack of raw support, and build, but Casio’s manual modes better suit semi-pro hobbyists.

Price-to-Performance: Bang for Your Buck?

At launch, Casio’s EX-ZR800 ran around $429, while Fuji’s JX300 was priced under $110. This steep price differential explains much of their disparity in performance.

For casual users on a strict budget, Fuji offers simple, portable photography without fuss - an easy grab-and-go. But if image quality, creative control, and shooting versatility matter to you, investing more in the Casio pays dividends.

Final Thoughts: Which Compact Should You Pick?

Having walked through both cameras from sensor tech to boots-on-the-ground usage, here’s my bottom line:

• Choose the Casio EX-ZR800 if:

  • You want a flexible superzoom range to cover multiple subjects.
  • You value better image quality, especially in low light.
  • You want manual control modes to grow your photography skills.
  • You need reasonable battery life and video capabilities.
  • Your budget allows a mid-tier compact with enhanced features.

• Choose the Fuji FinePix JX300 if:

  • You need a small, ultra-portable compact for snapshots.
  • Primary use is casual, family, or travel photos in good light.
  • You want to spend minimal cash and accept limited control/options.
  • Portability trumps zoom length and technical refinement.

Both cameras deliver what their design goals promise, but in vastly different ways. Having used them extensively, I recommend the Casio as the more versatile and rewarding camera for enthusiasts willing to handle a slightly larger footprint and a higher price tag. Meanwhile, Fuji’s FinePix JX300 remains a quaint, straightforward companion for easy shooting and light travel.

If you want to explore other options, look to modern mid-range compacts or mirrorless cameras that have significantly advanced autofocus, image quality, and video - though for pure budget and simplicity, these two still offer lessons in choosing what compromises matter most.

Thanks for joining me on this compact camera showdown. Happy shooting, whichever side you choose!