Casio EX-ZR800 vs Nikon Coolpix S800c: A Hands-On Comparison of Two 2013 Compact Contenders

In the constantly evolving world of digital compact cameras, 2013 produced a curious sibling rivalry between Casio's EX-ZR800 and Nikon's Coolpix S800c. They target a similar enthusiast-to-casual bridge segment - travelers and hobbyists craving zoom versatility combined with point-and-shoot convenience. Over the years, I've extensively tested hundreds of cameras across genres, and these two offer an intriguing window into compact superzoom design, image quality compromises, and feature trade-offs. Let's dive deep into their real-world capabilities and technical achievements, and see how they hold up today.

First Impressions and Ergonomics: Handling the Gear

Picking up both cameras, the experience immediately diverges in size, grip, and control. The Casio EX-ZR800 is a slightly chunkier superzoom with a lens that extends impressively long but a body that still fits comfortably in one hand. Its physical dimensions of 108 × 60 × 31 mm and a weight around 222 grams give it a reassuring heft without being cumbersome.

In contrast, the Nikon S800c is more svelte and pocketable - 111 × 60 × 27 mm measuring just a couple millimeters slimmer and weighing in at 184 grams. The smaller body and lighter weight make it friendlier for quick street or travel shoots where discretion matters.

Both cameras forego a viewfinder, relying solely on their LCDs. Casio’s simpler three-inch LCD feels average, whereas Nikon’s 3.5-inch OLED panel adds a little extra nicety with anti-reflection coating and a touchscreen interface. The Casio’s buttons are tactile but somewhat cramped given body proportions, while Nikon employs a cleaner layout benefiting from a slightly larger top surface.

For photographers used to manual control wheels and dedicated dials, neither camera fully satisfies. Casio includes shutter and aperture priority modes and manual exposure control, a significant win for enthusiasts who want to push creative boundaries. Nikon Abstracts these settings, limiting itself to automatic exposure modes supplemented by custom white balance and bracketing, simplifying operation at the expense of hands-on control.

Despite their compact nature, both cameras manage stabilization cleverly: Casio employs sensor-shift stabilization, while Nikon uses optical stabilization within the lens assembly. In my handheld shooting tests, Casio’s sensor-shift gave a consistently steady advantage at longer focal lengths.

Sensor & Image Quality: The Heart of the Matter

Both cameras share a 1/2.3-inch CMOS sensor - a common choice for compacts at that time - with identical dimensions (6.17 x 4.55 mm) and a 16-megapixel resolution delivering 4608 x 3456 pixel images. Their maximum native ISO tops out at 3200, which is fairly standard but non-ambitious given the sensor size. The presence of an optical low-pass (anti-aliasing) filter on both slightly softens fine detail, trading sharpness for moiré prevention.

In laboratory tests involving controlled lighting, the Nikon’s BSI-CMOS sensor (backside-illuminated) delivers marginally lower noise levels at ISO 800 and 1600, resulting in cleaner shadow regions. However, Casio’s EXILIM Engine HS 3 image processor affords sharper JPEG output with more aggressive noise reduction, which seems to mask sensor noise at the expense of some micro-detail.

Neither camera supports RAW shooting - a clear limitation if you want maximum post-processing latitude. Nikon’s higher-end contemporaries embraced RAW, but this model prioritizes convenience.

Through real-world landscape photography in varied light, the dynamic range remains limited for both - highlight retention is a delicate balance. Casio retains a little better highlight detail; Nikon preserves midtones more faithfully but sometimes pushes shadow contrast a bit too aggressively. Skin tones in portraiture are generally neutral on both, but Casio delivers slightly warmer fleshtones by default, which is more flattering for most users.

Autofocus and Speed: Keeping Pace with the Action

In my field tests tracking moving subjects (wildlife and sports), the Nikon clears a notable advantage in autofocus speed and burst capability. Its nine-point contrast detection system is modest but well-tuned for subjects across the frame. Continuous autofocus tracking works reasonably well with predictable motion, albeit less reliably in low light.

Casio’s autofocus is slower and more hesitant, limited to center-weighted with face detection, plus a unique but less common continuous AF tracking mode. Focus hunting was an occasional frustration under challenging light or with fast-moving targets. Burst rate tops out around 3 fps on Casio, compared to a much livelier 8 fps on Nikon, supporting more aggressive action photography.

Neither camera shines for professional wildlife shooters, but Nikon's responsiveness makes it a stronger choice for casual sports or birding sorties where you might want to capture fleeting moments.

Build Quality and Weather Resistance: Durability Under Fire

Both cameras lack any kind of weather sealing, dustproofing, or shockproofing. They are decidedly not adventure-proof, so outdoor photographers will need to exercise care in moisture or rough terrain conditions. Casio weighs slightly more, lending it a more solid feel, but the Nikon's lighter build and rounded edges contribute to better ergonomic comfort during prolonged use.

Neither features illuminated buttons, which complicates low-light operation. Considering the cameras are meant for casual to mid-level photographers, their modest build quality is understandable but less than professional standard.

LCD Screens and User Interface: Window to the World

The Nikon’s 3.5-inch OLED display is visibly brighter and offers richer contrast than Casio's 3-inch Super Clear TFT LCD. This difference is immediately noticeable when shooting in bright sunlight, where Nikon’s panel remains more legible.

Moreover, the touch functionality on Nikon introduces a modern convenience that Casio’s button-only interface lacks. Navigating menus, focusing points, and controlling playback is intuitive and responsive on the S800c. Casio, meanwhile, relies on traditional buttons and dials, which can slow down workflow but rewards patience and familiarity.

Lens and Zoom Performance: Getting Closer

Casio flexes a significant zoom range, boasting an 18x optical zoom from 25mm wide to 450mm telephoto equivalent, with a maximum aperture range of f/3.5 to f/5.9. This is a formidable lens for a compact, allowing detailed telephoto shots without swapping gear.

Nikon’s 10x optical zoom lens covers 25–250 mm (f/3.2–5.8), more modest but still adequate for everyday shooting and travel. Wider aperture at the short end gives it a slight edge in low light and shallow depth of field scenarios.

Macro capabilities differ too: Casio’s lens allows focusing as close as 4 cm, enabling impressive close-ups, while Nikon’s minimum focus distance is 10 cm, still respectable but less intimate. Both lenses handle distortion reasonably well, with minor barrel distortion at the wide end and slight pincushion at telephoto, typical for superzoom compacts.

Battery Life and Storage: Practical Considerations for Extended Use

Here Casio significantly outperforms Nikon. The EX-ZR800’s NP-130 battery affords around 470 shots per charge, a boon for day-long excursions. Nikon’s EN-EL12 battery, though smaller, rated only for roughly 140 shots under typical use - requiring users to carry spares or recharge frequently.

Storage options for both are straightforward: single SD/SDHC/SDXC card slots with no proprietary restrictions. Casio uses USB 2.0 connectivity, while Nikon employs the faster USB 3.0 standard for quicker file transfers. Nikon uniquely offers built-in GPS for geotagging, a feature lacking on Casio.

Neither camera supports wireless transfer protocols like Wi-Fi or Bluetooth, though Nikon's built-in GPS is helpful for travel documentation.

Video Performance: Beyond Stills

Both deliver Full HD 1080p video at 30 fps and support lower resolutions at 720p and VGA. Casio impresses with more frame rate variety, including high-speed video modes (e.g., 120 to 1000 fps slow-motion at lower resolutions), an interesting feature for motion studies or creative enthusiasts.

Neither camera supports 4K recording or advanced video codecs - unsurprising given their 2013 release dates and compact segment targeting. Internal microphones are fixed, no external mic or headphone ports on either, limiting professional video use.

Video stabilization mirrors still image image stabilization systems, with Casio’s sensor-shift likely providing steadier footage at longer focal lengths.

Image Samples and Performance Ratings

Extensive real-world image comparisons from both cameras reveal notable differences. Landscapes from Casio show slightly better detail preservation at telephoto lengths; Nikon’s images lean towards punchier color profiles but occasionally lose subtle textures due to in-camera noise reduction.

Portraits benefit from face detection autofocus on both, but Casio’s ability to manually dial in aperture allows better control over background blur and subject isolation, noteworthy given these are fixed lens compacts.

Casio EX ZR800 front Casio EX ZR800 screen back Nikon S800c front Nikon S800c screen back

Overall performance scores collated from field and lab tests position Nikon with a slight advantage in autofocus speed and interface polish, while Casio takes the crown for zoom reach and battery longevity.

When broken down by photography type, Nikon excels at street and travel photography due to its smaller size and touchscreen usability. Casio proves itself better for landscape and macro owing to manual control and close-focus capabilities.

Who Should Buy These Cameras?

Casio EX-ZR800: Ideal for Photography Enthusiasts Seeking Control and Zoom

If manual exposure modes and extensive zoom reach are priorities, the EX-ZR800 is a great fit. It's suitable for:

• Amateur to intermediate photographers who want to experiment with shutter/aperture manually.
• Nature and macro shooters appreciating the close-focus range and sensor-shift stabilization.
• Budget-minded users needing solid battery life for day trips or long shooting sessions.

The lack of touchscreen and slower autofocus might frustrate fast-action or street photographers, but for those prioritizing long-range shots and still subjects, Casio delivers well.

Nikon Coolpix S800c: Best for Casual Users Who Value Interface and Connectivity

Nikon’s strengths in ease-of-use, fast autofocus, and slimmer profile make it a nice choice for:

• Travelers and everyday shooters who prefer point-and-shoot simplicity with added GPS tagging.
• Street photographers and vloggers appreciating touchscreen navigation and faster burst shooting.
• Users prioritizing speed over manual exposure, as the lack of manual modes simplifies operation.

Battery life remains a drawback, necessitating extra power solutions for extended use.

Final Thoughts: Balancing Value, Features, and Usability

In the realm of 2013 compact digital cameras, the Casio EX-ZR800 and Nikon Coolpix S800c occupy proximate yet distinct niches. Neither rivals modern mirrorless models or advanced compacts, but each offers a set of strengths designed for particular shooting styles.

The EX-ZR800’s extensive zoom and manual controls appeal to those who want to learn and control exposure intricacies, especially in macro and landscape photography. The Nikon S800c suits shooters who prioritize faster autofocus, simplistic operation, and travel-friendly features like GPS.

Both cameras manifest the inevitable trade-offs compact cameras make: sensor size limits dynamic range and noise control; absence of RAW limits post-processing latitude. Yet for casual enthusiasts or secondary travel cameras, each remains a worthy tool in the right hands.

This comparison reflects a synthesis of my hands-on experience testing product specs alongside real-world usage across multiple shooting genres. When selecting your next camera, consider your priorities in control, zoom reach, portability, and workflow integration. And as always, test in-store if possible - ergonomics and user interface are deeply personal factors in camera enjoyment.

Happy shooting!