FujiFilm F300EXR vs Pentax Optio VS20: Small Sensor Superzoom Showdown

If you’ve been scanning the compact superzoom camera category on a budget, you’re no doubt tangled in a web of similar-looking options boasting wildly different specs. Today I’m putting two interesting models head-to-head: the FujiFilm F300EXR and the Pentax Optio VS20. Both hail from the early 2010s, wield small sensors, and promise versatile zoom ranges ideal for casual photographers who want reach without lugging heavy gear.

But let’s be honest - as someone who’s tested thousands of cameras hands-on and gone deep on sensor tech, AF performance, and ergonomics, I know the devil’s in the details. So if you want the nitty-gritty on how these two compact superzooms handle everything from portraits to landscape, wildlife to travel, with a practical reading of real-world performance and value, you’re in the right spot. Grab your mental clubs for thumbs - this is going to be a measured, no-fluff walk through the pros, cons, and best-use cases of these two little guns.

First Impressions: Size, Handling & Design

When picking a compact zoom camera, the first tactile experience is surprisingly important - especially if you shoot street, travel, or day-long outings. A compact you hate holding won’t get used much.

Here’s a direct look at their physical size and ergonomics:

Fuji’s F300EXR stands out slightly for its slimmer profile - 104 x 59 x 33 mm and 215 g of feather-light portability. Pentax’s VS20 is a bit chunkier (111 x 61 x 38 mm, 235 g), feeling more solid but less pocket-friendly. Both rely on fixed lenses, but the Fuji’s slimmer grip and clean, minimal layout feels more intuitive in hand for quick snaps.

Looking from the top, the F300EXR layout is clean, but without many direct-access controls - just the essentials, making it better suited for beginners or casual shooters:

In contrast, the VS20 surprisingly places some manual focus and AF mode controls on the dial, giving an edge to enthusiasts who want more control but still in a compact shell.

Bottom line on handling:

• Fuji is easier to hold all day, great for casual beach days, hikes, and city strolls.
• Pentax offers more in-hand control but at the expense of bulk and a bit more fiddling.

Sensor Tech and Image Quality: The Heart of the Matter

The FujiFilm F300EXR features a 1/2" (6.4 x 4.8 mm) CCD sensor with 12 MP resolution, paired with Fuji’s unique EXR processor for enhanced dynamic range and noise handling. Pentax uses a slightly smaller 1/2.3" (6.08 x 4.56 mm) CCD sensor, but cranks resolution to 16 MP.

While more megapixels can be attractive, especially for landscape or cropping flexibility, the smaller sensor area of the Pentax packs more pixels into less space, which generally means higher noise at ISO above 400 or 800. Fuji’s lower-res sensor and dedicated EXR processor mean improved noise suppression and better dynamic range, particularly in tricky highlight and shadow situations.

Testing both side-by-side, the FujiFilm maintains noticeably cleaner details up to ISO 800, while the Pentax starts showing noise and loss of contrast sooner. For photographers who stretch images or print 8x10s, Pentax’s higher pixel count might appeal, but for web use or moderate prints, Fuji’s cleaner files shine.

The anti-aliasing filters on both cameras help reduce moiré but do soften detail just a touch - expected on cameras this size.

Digging into Autofocus and Shooting

Superzooms live or die by their AF speed and accuracy - particularly when zoomed in at the long end. If your bird or sports shot comes home blurry, what good’s the huge zoom?

Here Fuji and Pentax diverge in capacity and philosophy:

Fuji opts for simplicity - center single-area AF with no face detection or tracking. Pentax punches above its weight with tracking AF and 3 AF points to lock moving subjects better and selective AF for tricky compositions.

As a wildlife hobbyist, I found the Pentax manages slow-moving subjects a smidge better (e.g., feeding squirrels), but neither are sports shooters by any stretch. Both struggle with fast AF in low contrast or dim conditions. The Fuji’s 2 fps burst is only marginally quicker than Pentax’s 1 fps, meaning neither runs with the big boys but are fine for casual street shooting or family snaps.

Build Quality and Weather Resistance

Neither camera takes weather sealing seriously - no dustproof, waterproof, shockproof, or freezeproof features. This is a classic “handle with care” category, so expect both to perform best under fair weather conditions only. The Fuji’s lighter build feels a bit more delicate compared to the Pentax’s slightly more chunky but robust plastic chassis.

Interface, Screen, and EVF

Both cameras lack electronic viewfinders, relying entirely on LCD screens for composition.

The screens themselves are identically sized 3” fixed LCDs at 460k dots, but Pentax applies a nice anti-reflective coating that just edges out Fuji in bright outdoor scenarios:

Both interfaces are intuitive, though Fuji’s is a little more user-friendly for beginners, with labeled icons and menus designed for quick navigation. Pentax offers more customizability but at the expense of a slightly steeper learning curve.

Zoom Range and Optics Performance

Zoom specs are the headline grabbers here:

• Fuji: 24-360mm equivalent (15x zoom), max aperture F3.5–5.3
• Pentax: 28-560mm equivalent (20x zoom), max aperture F3.1–4.8

Pentax clearly extends longer, pushing nearly 600mm equivalent - making it ideal for wildlife or telephoto needs on the cheap. Fuji starts wider (24mm) so better suits landscapes and architecture with more angle of view.

Lens speed differences are marginal but favor Pentax slightly at the tele end (F4.8 vs F5.3), helping in lower light.

Image quality across zoom ranges is typical of superzooms: sharp in the center at wider angles, softening toward corners and long end. Both show noticeable chromatic aberrations at full zoom.

Picture Quality in Action: Real-World Sample Gallery

I did extensive walkabout sessions with both cameras, capturing portraits, landscapes, street scenes, macro shots, and some wildlife attempts.

Here’s a gallery of select images from both:

FujiFilm F300EXR front FujiFilm F300EXR screen back Pentax VS20 front Pentax VS20 screen back

• Portraits: Fuji’s cleaner sensor and EXR processing yield slightly better skin tone rendition with less noise and more pleasing bokeh on the wide end. Pentax’s 16 MP sometimes renders skin with a bit more grit and less forgiving blur, though it holds detail well in mid-zoom ranges.

• Landscapes: Fuji’s 24mm start point makes wide vistas easier to frame; color and dynamic range hold reasonably well. Pentax’s higher resolution lends to more cropping possibilities, but shadows tend to block up earlier in high contrast scenes.

• Wildlife: Pentax’s longer reach helps get you physically closer without cropping, but AF speed and accuracy lag, leading to some frustrating misses. Fuji’s shorter zoom is limiting, but AF is snappier for slower or stationary critters.

• Street: Fuji’s smaller size and quicker autofocus make it more discreet and easier for snapping candid moments.

• Macro: Pentax’s 3 cm minimum focusing beats Fuji’s 5 cm, giving tighter close-ups and more fine detail in flora/fauna shots.

Low Light, Night, and High ISO Performance Comparisons

Neither camera is a night champion, but given their sensor sizes, some insight is useful:

• Fuji maxes out native ISO 3200 and can digitally boost to 12800, with EXR noise reduction smoothing images nicely at ISO 800 and some usable shots at 1600. Above that, grain and softness become more distracting.

• Pentax pushes native ISO 6400 but image quality nosedives after ISO 400, with ugly noise and color smearing. Lacking advanced noise reduction, it’s best to keep below ISO 400 indoors.

Both cameras use CCD sensors known for decent color but more noise in dim conditions compared to snappier CMOS sensors in newer gear.

Video Capabilities

Both cameras offer HD video at 1280 x 720 pixels but with modest frame rates:

Fuji has the advantage of HDMI out for cleaner feeds to an external recorder, useful for casual video creators dabbling in hybrid shooting. Pentax’s video is serviceable but lacks advanced control or external audio.

Neither camera offers 4K or stabilization beyond sensor-shift still image IS - the video is stabilized optically + sensor shift combo but not stellar for handheld video in dim or zoomed situations.

Battery Life, Storage, and Connectivity

• Fuji uses a compact NP-50 battery; Pentax runs a slightly larger D-LI122. Both deliver roughly similar endurance for ~200 shots per charge under typical use - well below what mirrorless or DSLRs offer.

• Storage-wise, both cameras accept SD/SDHC cards, though Pentax also officially supports SDXC, future-proofing a bit for larger cards.

• On wireless features Fuji comes up empty, while Pentax’s Eye-Fi compatibility offers limited wireless transfer, an early precursor to today’s Wi-Fi cameras. Neither features Bluetooth or NFC.

Who Should Pick FujiFilm F300EXR?

Ideal for:

• Casual/entry photographers looking for a lightweight, easy-to-use zoom camera.
• Travelers who want a compact form factor that fits easily into day bags or pockets.
• Landscape and street photographers who want decent wide angles and swift AF.
• Budget buyers wanting decent HD video with HDMI out.

Strengths:

• Slimmer, lighter body with comfortable handling over hours.
• Cleaner images and better noise performance at everyday ISOs.
• Wide 24mm lens start for versatile composition.
• Exposure modes including shutter and aperture priority for creative control.

Weaknesses:

• Shorter telephoto reach (360mm max).
• No face or eye-detection autofocus.
• No raw shooting, limiting post-processing flexibility.

Who Should Pick Pentax Optio VS20?

Ideal for:

• Photographers who want super-extended zoom reach and decent manual focus control in a compact.
• Hobbyists capturing wildlife or activities needing 560mm telephoto without a big camera.
• Macro fans who want close focusing capabilities at tight working distances.
• Budget-conscious buyers who want more megapixels for cropping or large prints.

Strengths:

• Longer zoom (up to 560 mm) and faster max aperture in telephoto range.
• Manual focus and selective AF options for creative or challenging situations.
• Slightly more robust feel with anti-reflective LCD screen coating.
• Raw compatibility missing but offers wider aspect ratios (square mode).

Weaknesses:

• Heavier, bulkier, less pocket-friendly.
• Slower autofocus and burst rate.
• No HDMI out, limited video features.
• Higher noise at elevated ISOs.

How They Stack Up in Key Photography Genres

Here’s a detailed look at genre-specific performance, based on extensive real-world testing and usage:

Overall Performance & Value Comparison

Here’s a consolidated scoring overview blending technical specs and user experience:

• FujiFilm F300EXR outpaces on noise control, user-friendliness, ergonomics, and handling dynamic range.
• Pentax Optio VS20 wins on zoom length, megapixels, and manual control options.

Price wise: Pentax VS20 generally retails around $105 (used/discounted), Fuji closer to $280. Your pick hinges on budget and priorities: do you need reach and resolution or cleaner images and usability?

Final Recommendations

As someone who’s extensively tested cameras, I’ll be candid: both are aging models with small sensors that limit image quality by today’s standards. But on a shoestring budget or for casual use, they still have merit.

• Pick FujiFilm F300EXR if you value compactness, ease of use, better image quality, and better video. It’s great for travel, street, portraits, and landscapes where image cleanliness counts. Its EXR tech still holds up better in challenging light.

• Pick Pentax Optio VS20 if your priority is zoom reach, manual control, and close macro shooting, and you don’t mind sacrificing low-light performance and convenience. It’s a cheapskate’s telephoto tool.

If neither feel like the perfect fit and budget allows, I’d recommend exploring newer models with CMOS sensors and raw support for future-proofing your photography growth.

Wrapping It Up

The FujiFilm F300EXR and Pentax Optio VS20 are small-sensor superzooms for very different users: Fuji’s the nimble workhorse for everyday photography with cleaner images, while Pentax offers a brute telephoto punch with more ambiguity in usability. Your final choice hinges on what kinds of photos you shoot most, your budget, and how important features like manual focus or video output are.

Hopefully, this deep dive helps cut through the marketing fog and technical noise - remember, the best camera is the one you enjoy using day after day. If you want more hands-on tips or have questions on other gear tiers, just shout!

Happy shooting!

• Your friendly neighborhood camera tester

Images referenced in this article:

FujiFilm F300EXR front FujiFilm F300EXR screen back Pentax VS20 front Pentax VS20 screen back