Casio EX-ZR800 vs Sony TX100V: A Hands-On Comparison of Two Compact Powerhouses

As someone who has tested thousands of cameras up close and personal, comparing these two compacts - the Casio EX-ZR800 and the Sony TX100V - was a gratifying dive into two unique design philosophies in the ever-evolving compact camera landscape. Both cameras hail from reputable brands and offer a blend of portability and superzoom capabilities, but they serve very different types of photographers.

In this review, I’ll guide you through the nuances I’ve uncovered after extensive shooting sessions in various real-world scenarios. From portraiture to night photography, and from wildlife to street shooting, I’ll provide my firsthand take on how each camera performs, balancing technical prowess with practical usability. Along the way, I’ll illustrate key points with detailed images to help you visualize the differences too.

Compact vs. Ultracompact: The Battle of Form Factors

The Casio EX-ZR800 is a small-sensor superzoom, while the Sony TX100V proudly stands in the ultracompact category. Before we dive into image quality and performance, it’s essential to talk about their physical presence and ergonomics.

The Casio EX-ZR800 has a noticeably chunkier build at 108 x 60 x 31 mm and weighs 222 grams. It fits comfortably in the hand with a pronounced grip that offers confidence. This makes long shooting sessions more manageable, especially when using the extensive zoom.

The Sony TX100V is sleeker and lighter, measuring 97 x 59 x 18 mm and weighing only 147 grams. Its slim body slips effortlessly into pockets or small bags - perfect for quick street photography or travel. The tradeoff is reduced grip security, especially when zoomed in.

In my hands, the EX-ZR800 felt more like a serious camera with dedicated manual controls, while the TX100V resembled a discreet travel companion that can capture great images without calling too much attention.

Control Layout and Top-View Usability

Moving from size and feel to handling and controls, the design of a camera’s interface can make or break the shooting experience.

Casio opts for a traditional approach with physical buttons and dials that allow quick adjustment of aperture, shutter priority, manual exposure, ISO, and a dedicated mode dial. The buttons are well spaced and tactile, which I appreciated during street shoots and outdoor events in bright sunlight.

Sony, on the other hand, simplifies the TX100V’s controls considerably without manual exposure options - exposure compensation is missing as well. Instead, it relies heavily on a touchscreen-enabled 3.5-inch OLED display for navigation and quick tweaks. This is handy but sometimes slower in fast-paced conditions. Also, the OLED screen’s vividness and excellent contrast lambasted the EX-ZR800’s 3-inch TFT panel, particularly in low-light review situations.

For photographers who enjoy control, the EX-ZR800 wins on ergonomics and customization. For fast, casual shooting with minimum fuss, the TX100V’s touch interface is appealing.

Sensor, Image Quality, and Lens Performance

Both cameras use 1/2.3" CMOS sensors measuring 6.17 x 4.55 mm - standard for compacts - each sporting 16 effective megapixels. However, real-world image quality often depends on sensor tech, image processing, and lens optics.

Casio’s EXILIM Engine HS 3 powers the EX-ZR800, optimized for speed but I noticed some softness at the extreme telephoto end (450 mm equivalent), which is typical for superzoom lenses with small sensors. Nonetheless, colors were punchy and skin tones rendered naturally during portrait shoots. The camera’s sensor-shift stabilization did a solid job, maintaining sharpness when zooming or handholding in lower light.

Sony’s TX100V employs a backside-illuminated (BSI) CMOS sensor and BIONZ image processor, which generally improves high ISO noise performance. I found that in moderately dim settings (ISO 800-1600), the TX100V held up surprisingly well with less grain and crisper detail than the EX-ZR800 at similar ISOs. The lens is less versatile zoom-wise (25-100 mm equivalent), but it shines in sharpness and edge-to-edge clarity at wide angle.

For landscapes and daylight portraits, both cameras deliver acceptable files, but the TX100V edges ahead in noise control and color fidelity, while the EX-ZR800’s zoom range is undeniable for wildlife or distant subjects.

Framing and User Interface: The Screen Experience

Reviewing your shots and composing images is critical, especially in street and travel photography where quick frame checks are vital.

Sony’s XtraFine OLED display dazzled me with its brightness, vivid colors, and wide viewing angles - easy to use even under direct sunlight. The touchscreen responsiveness also gave added versatility for focus point selection and menu navigation.

Casio’s 3-inch Super Clear TFT LCD has a lower resolution and less punch, but it’s bright enough indoors. Unfortunately, its fixed (non-touch) design felt less intuitive during playback or setting adjustments.

If display quality for composition and review matters greatly to you, the TX100V wins here hands down, especially for shooting in tricky lighting.

Real-World Samples: A Tale of Two Approaches

While specs and handling matter, what truly counts is the image output under various conditions. Here’s a select gallery of images from both cameras - portraits, landscapes, street scenes, and wildlife encounters - to compare straight-out-of-camera results.

Casio EX ZR800 front Casio EX ZR800 screen back Sony TX100V screen back

• Portraits: The EX-ZR800’s 18x zoom allowed tighter headshots from a distance, creating decent bokeh for the sensor class. Sony’s shorter zoom forced closer framing, but the portrait colors and skin tone nuances were smoother and more flattering.
• Landscape: Sony’s sensor and lens combo produced sharper details and better dynamic range, capturing shadows and highlights with finesse.
• Wildlife and telephoto: Casio’s zoom dominance was evident, although some softness and chromatic aberrations appeared at full zoom on busy backgrounds.
• Street: The TX100V’s discreet size and instant touchscreen focus felt less intrusive to candid subjects.

Both cameras suited different photographer mindsets - a testament to how specs should be considered alongside intended use.

Burst, Autofocus, and Speed: Catching Action

If you photograph moving subjects - sports or wildlife - burst speed and autofocus accuracy can’t be overlooked.

The EX-ZR800 offers a modest 3 frames per second continuous shooting speed, paired with contrast-detection autofocus that includes face detection and center-weighted AF. While the lack of phase-detection AF and no continuous AF tracking limits action capture, I found tracking static subjects and casual bursts achievable, though not fast-paced sports-ready.

Sony’s TX100V impressed with a 10 fps burst mode, albeit with fixed autofocus between frames - there’s no continuous autofocus during bursts. Its 9-point contrast AF grid enabled quick focus locks but tracking moving subjects required caution.

In my tests photographing playful pets and kids, the EX-ZR800’s shooting cadence felt more measured, while the TX100V’s bursts allowed catching fleeting moments - though both cameras struggled with fast-moving subjects compared to APS-C or full-frame mirrorless alternatives.

Stability and Shutter Technology: Sharpness in Handheld Shots

Image stabilization is crucial for compact superzooms and ultracompacts alike.

Casio uses sensor-shift stabilization on the EX-ZR800, greatly reducing blur at slower shutter speeds and long zoom lengths. I successfully shot steady shots at up to 1/10 sec at 450 mm focal length handheld - a notable achievement with this sensor size.

Sony’s TX100V features optical image stabilization, which slightly outperformed in my indoor tests, delivering sharper results at mid-zoom focal lengths.

Regarding shutter speeds, Casio’s range spans from 4–1/2000 sec, while Sony offers 2–1/1600 sec. Neither includes a silent electronic shutter mode, which could have been useful for street or wildlife photographers wanting stealth.

Low-Light and Night Capabilities: Pushing the Limits

For night and astro photography enthusiasts, evaluating ISO performance, dynamic range, and specialized modes is critical.

Both cameras cap at ISO 3200 without extended boosts. Sony’s BSI sensor provides cleaner images at high ISO than Casio’s older CMOS, noticeable in both TIFF previews and JPEGs. However, noise becomes apparent above ISO 1600 on both cameras.

Casio offers timelapse recording and longer exposure options but no RAW support. Sony lacks timelapse but does have built-in GPS tagging to help organize night sky shots geographically.

For actual astrophotography, neither is ideal due to sensor size and aperture limits, but for casual night scenes, the TX100V’s cleaner low-light images and more sensitive sensor give it an edge.

Video Recording and Multimedia Flexibility

Video is an increasingly important feature, even on compacts.

Both cameras shoot Full HD 1920x1080 video, but frame rate options differ. Casio records 1080p at 30 fps, with slow-motion capture up to 1000 fps at lower resolutions - a fun feature for creative experiments but niche use.

Sony shoots 1080p at up to 60 fps, enabling smoother motion capture and AVCHD support for higher quality codecs. Its touchscreen simplifies focusing and framing during recording better than Casio’s.

Neither camera provides microphone or headphone jacks, limiting professional audio capture. Both offer USB 2.0 and HDMI output, with Sony including Wi-Fi via Eye-Fi compatibility and built-in GPS, boosting on-the-go sharing and geotagging workflows.

Battery Life and Storage Practicalities

Battery stamina and storage flexibility can often be underrated but impactful.

Casio’s NP-130 battery rated for around 470 shots per charge performed well during my fieldwork. Sony’s NP-BN1 is rated lower (manufacturer states roughly 210 shots), which I confirmed with frequent recharging during a day of travel photography.

Casio uses standard SD cards, Sony supports SD, SDHC, and proprietary Memory Stick formats - giving more options but also potential confusion. Both have a single memory slot.

Toughness and Weather Resistance

Neither the EX-ZR800 nor the TX100V offer weather or environmental sealing, so both require extra care outdoors, especially in rain or dusty environments.

If ruggedness is a concern, other compact tough cams might serve better, but these two prioritize size and opto-electronics over durability.

Putting It All Together: Performance Ratings and Genre Suitability

No camera review is complete without a clear synthesis of strengths and weaknesses across photography genres.

Portraits: The Casio’s longer zoom and face detection produce adequate headshots, but Sony’s superior sensor and color science yield more natural skin tones and pleasant bokeh in short-range portraits.

Landscape: Sony’s sharper lenses and better noise handling make it the choice for landscape enthusiasts seeking fine detail.

Wildlife: Casio dominates with an 18x zoom, but autofocus sluggishness and image softness at maximum reach limit usability.

Sports: Neither is ideal, but Sony’s 10 fps burst outperforms Casio’s 3 fps for casual action photography.

Street: Sony’s compact size, discreetness, and stealthy touchscreen workflow make it better suited for candid street shooting.

Macro: Casio’s 4cm macro focus range is a strong point; Sony lacks detailed macro capabilities.

Night/Astro: Sony wins for cleaner high ISO results; both cameras have limited long exposure options.

Video: Sony records higher frame rates with better codecs and touchscreen control; Casio offers slow-motion modes but limited professional appeal.

Travel: Sony’s lighter weight and GPS enrich the travel experience, while Casio’s longer zoom adds flexibility but at a bulkier cost.

Professional Use: Neither camera supports RAW or advanced controls needed for demanding workflows, serving more enthusiast-level demands.

Final Thoughts and Recommendations

Who Should Consider the Casio EX-ZR800?

If your priority is superzoom versatility wrapped in a solidly built, ergonomically pleasing body - with manual exposure options for creative control - the Casio EX-ZR800 deserves serious consideration. Its sensor-shift stabilization and fast general responsiveness make it an excellent companion for wildlife, macro, and outdoor portrait shooting where distance and flexibility matter most. Just be aware its low light and video capabilities aren’t as refined.

Who Should Favor the Sony TX100V?

If you crave ultra-portability, unrivaled touchscreen ease, and video with smooth frame rates, the Sony TX100V excels. It’s especially suited for street photographers, travelers, and casual shooters who value image quality over zoom reach. Its superior sensor technology gives cleaner images in low light and sharper results for landscapes and portraits without fuss.

Choosing between these two demands thoughtful reflection on your shooting style and priorities. Both are capable compacts but play to different strengths shaped by their technology and design tradeoffs.

Throughout my testing, I found neither camera perfect - but each outstanding at satisfying a particular niche. Whether you want the mighty zoom and manual finesse of the EX-ZR800 or the discreet elegance and imaging finesse of the TX100V, you gain a reliable tool for everyday photographic adventures.

Happy shooting!

Disclosure: I conducted all tests personally and have no affiliation with Casio or Sony. Data is from a mix of manufacturer specs, lab analysis, and extensive field use.