FujiFilm HS10 vs Panasonic Lumix FZ200: The Ultimate Small Sensor Superzoom Showdown

When it comes to small sensor superzoom bridge cameras, two models often rise to the top of enthusiasts’ lists - the FujiFilm FinePix HS10 and the Panasonic Lumix DMC-FZ200. Both cameras carved unique niches in their prime, boasting versatile zoom ranges, solid feature sets, and approachable pricing. But, despite some surface similarities, the HS10 and FZ200 diverge significantly once you dive under the hood and put them through real-world paces.

Having put both cameras through countless hours of hands-on testing - from urban street walks to wild wildlife stalking, to macro close-ups and long exposure night shots - I’m excited to share a detailed, practical comparison. Whether you’re a budget-conscious hobbyist, a traveling photojournalist, or a budding content creator seeking all-in-one flexibility, this review will help untangle which camera fits your unique shooting style and needs best, with honest pros and cons.

Let’s dig in!

First Impressions and Ergonomics: Size, Build, and Controls

The very first interaction with these cameras sets the tone. The FujiFilm HS10 is a chunkier bridge camera, in line with its era’s trend to mimic DSLR ergonomics and heft. Weighing in at 666g and measuring 131x91x126 mm, it feels substantial in the hands - sturdy, but not uncomfortably heavy.

By comparison, the Panasonic FZ200 trims the fat a bit, coming in lighter (588g) and more compact at 125x87x110 mm. That makes it noticeably easier to carry around during long shooting days or travel - for those of you who hate carrying clubs for thumbs, the FZ200 offers welcome relief.

Take a look:

Both are SLR-like bridge cameras, featuring fixed lenses and extensive zoom capability. The HS10’s larger form translates to a grip that’s somewhat deeper and more tailored for riders with big hands or professional ambitions who favor stability. Meanwhile, the FZ200’s ergonomic layout tilts towards convenience and portability without sacrificing too much operational comfort.

Control layout and button feel also depart notably between these two shooters. FujiFilm’s HS10 carries more tactile, clicky dials and a more traditional button sprawl reminiscent of DSLR controls from its time. It also opts for a tilting 3-inch, 230k-dot LCD that facilitates composing shots from odd angles but feels a bit underwhelming resolution-wise.

On the other hand, Panasonic’s FZ200 sports a fully articulated 3-inch screen with double the resolution (460k dots), improving both viewing angles and sharpness of previews. Controls on the FZ200 are more modern, with a snappier feedback and a cleaner top view design - a testament to Panasonic’s steady evolution of user experience.

Feast your eyes:

Verdict: If you prioritize a well-sized, robust grip and tactile DSLR-style handling, the HS10 appeals more. For lightweight, travel-friendly handling with a versatile, bright LCD, the FZ200 shines.

Sensor Setup and Image Quality: The Heart of the Matter

Both cameras rely on small 1/2.3" sensors measuring 6.17x4.55mm with a sensor area of approximately 28 mm² - a standard size for superzoom compacts and bridges. The HS10 sticks to a 10MP BSI-CMOS sensor, while the FZ200 ups the ante slightly with a 12MP CMOS sensor, promising more detail in final images.

Small sensor? Check. This inherently sets limitations on dynamic range, noise performance, and resolution ceiling, but these cameras focus on offering versatility rather than ultra-high image quality. Both sensors feature an anti-alias filter to curb moiré and jaggies at the expense of some sharpness.

Panasonic nudges ahead in sensor sophistication: the FZ200’s CMOS sensor is paired with the Venus Engine VII FHD processor, allowing better noise control and higher maximum ISO settings up to 6400 (boosted), compared to the HS10’s lack of detailed processor info and max ISO of 6400 without boosted levels.

Image Quality in the Real World:

• Portraits: The HS10’s lower resolution and older sensor tech make skin tones flatter, and it does struggle to render fine detail compared to the FZ200. However, its maximum aperture range of f/2.8-5.6 over the zoom range provides decent shallow depth of field capabilities at the wide end, though not dramatically so. The FZ200’s constant f/2.8 aperture throughout the zoom range gives it a clear advantage in softer backgrounds and better subject isolation - critical for flattering portraits.

• Landscape: Both cameras capture decent wide-angle shots, but the FZ200's 12MP resolution offers more cropping flexibility and sharper detail. Dynamic range roughly edges in favor of the Panasonic, aided by its more modern sensor and image processor combo. Neither sports weather sealing, a real disappointment given their outdoor ambitions, but neither is shockproof or freezeproof either.

• The HS10 sits at roughly 3648x2736 pixels max resolution, whereas the FZ200 increases that to 4000x3000, modest but notable.

Verdict: Panasonic’s sensor and processing offer more versatility and refined image quality, especially in portraits and low-light scenarios.

Autofocus and Speed: Chasing Wildlife and Sports

If your passion lies in wildlife or sports photography, autofocus responsiveness and burst speed are critical.

• The FujiFilm HS10 uses a contrast-detection autofocus system without phase detection, typical for its time but less snappy. Nevertheless, it provides continuous AF, center-weighted AF area, and multi-area AF modes - functional but not exceptional by modern standards.

• Panasonic’s FZ200 also employs contrast-detect AF but boos a significant upgrade: it features 23 focus points spread across the frame, enhancing subject tracking particularly in complex scenes. It also supports face detection autofocus, a big plus when photographing people or animals.

Burst Shooting:

• HS10 offers 10fps continuous shooting, respectable for a bridge but hamstrung by its buffer depth and slower SD Card write speeds.

• FZ200 outpaces with 12fps, a welcome edge when trying to nail fast action sequences.

I tested both on a variety of moving subjects - from birds fluttering in the urban park to kids playing soccer - and results confirmed the spec sheet advantages:

• The FZ200’s AF tracking was more reliable and accurate; it reacquired focus quicker after aiming at branches or fence posts.

• While neither camera rivals professional DSLRs or mirrorless systems, the FZ200's bursts were smoother and more generous in buffer depth, enabling longer sequences without interruption.

Verdict: For wildlife and sports shooters on a budget, the Panasonic FZ200 provides noticeably better autofocus tracking and faster continuous shooting.

Macro and Close-up Work: How Close Can You Get?

Both cameras impress with macro capabilities, thanks to their ability to focus as close as 1cm from the lens front.

• HS10’s sensor-shift stabilization helps steady the notoriously tricky macro shots, but its narrower max aperture at the telephoto end somewhat limits depth of field control.

• FZ200’s constant f/2.8 aperture at all zoom lengths means you can maximize subject separation even in tight shots. Also, optical image stabilization contributes significantly to sharper handheld macro photos.

However, neither camera supports advanced focus bracketing or stacking, so pushing shallow depth of field creativity at the macro scale remains limited.

Verdict: Panasonic wins again for versatility and sharpness in macro, though both will delight casual detail seekers.

Night and Astro Photography: Low Light Challenges

Small sensors are not friends with night photography, especially astrophotography. Still, I tested both for their high ISO noise and long exposure abilities.

• The HS10 offers shutter speeds from 30 seconds to 1/4000 second, sensor-shift stabilization, and ISO range up to 6400. However, ISO noise creeps in aggressively above 800 ISO.

• The FZ200 offers a similar shutter speed range but improves with a lower noise floor at ISO 800 and usable images up to ISO 1600; boosted ISO 6400 is noisy but usable for social media-sized shots.

Both cameras lack intervalometers or built-in timelapse recording, which hampers serious astro shooters, but long exposure manual mode is solid.

Verdict: For casual night shooters, the Panasonic FZ200 delivers quieter images and more flexibility; the Fuji HS10 lacks the processing grunt to shine here.

Video Capabilities: Film Your Memories

Both cameras offer Full HD video, but with subtle differences.

• HS10 records 1920x1080 at 30fps and also supports high-speed modes up to 1000fps at VGA or lower resolutions - great for creative slow motion, but only very limited use.

• FZ200 captures 1080p at 60fps or 50fps, allowing smoother motion capture. It supports both AVCHD and MPEG-4 codec options, better suited for editing workflows.

• Interface features: FZ200 sports a microphone port for improved audio capture, something the HS10 lacks.

Neither camera offers 4K video, but the FZ200’s more modern codec and mic jack make it the superior choice for video enthusiasts.

Battery Life and Connectivity: How Long and How Connected?

Battery life can be a sticking point for bridge cameras.

• HS10 uses 4x AA batteries - a mixed blessing. On one hand, AAs are easy to swap anywhere; on the other hand, they’re bulky and less efficient. The HS10’s official battery life isn’t published, but in my tests, it barely lasted half a typical shoot day under heavy use.

• FZ200 uses a proprietary battery pack rated for about 540 shots per charge, which performs better overall. It charges via USB and lasts comfortably through full-day outings.

Connectivity options are sparse on both: no Wi-Fi, Bluetooth, NFC, or GPS. They rely on USB 2.0 and HDMI for wired connections.

Ergonomics and User Interface: The Shooting Experience

Back LCD and viewfinder quality can make or break enjoyment.

• The HS10’s tilting LCD at 3 inches and 230k dots is serviceable but somewhat outdated. Its electronic viewfinder covers about 97% of the frame with modest magnification; not bad, but clarity is average.

• The FZ200 shines with a fully articulated 3-inch screen boasting 460k dots and an EVF with 1312 dots, 100% coverage, and overall better clarity - improving composition and review.

Menus on FZ200 are more refined, logical, and responsive, better suited for quick adjustments. The HS10’s interface feels more antiquated but remains straightforward for users familiar with bridge camera layouts.

Sample Images: Putting Pixels to the Test

Let me show you some harvested samples from both cameras under comparable conditions. These images cover portraits, landscapes, macro, and low light scenarios.

FujiFilm HS10 front FujiFilm HS10 screen back Panasonic FZ200 front Panasonic FZ200 screen back

Observe the smoother gradations, better noise handling, and sharper details from the Panasonic FZ200 images. The FujiFilm HS10 holds its own in well-lit scenes but shows softness and color dullness when shadows deepen.

Comprehensive Performance Scores and Genre-Specific Ratings

I’ve consolidated overall scores based on sensor performance, autofocus, ergonomics, video, and more from my extensive testing and external industry benchmarks.

Breaking down performance by photographic genres:

You’ll see the Panasonic FZ200 leads across most categories - especially sports, landscape, and portraiture - reflecting its refined autofocus and superior optics. The FujiFilm HS10 is still competitive for those valuing extreme zoom reach and tactile controls.

Price and Value: What’s the Damage to the Wallet?

Let’s get real: price matters.

• FujiFilm HS10 launched at around $900, which aligns with its larger zoom reach (24-720mm, 30x). But today, used prices vary, and its lack of modern features may deter new buyers.

• Panasonic FZ200 debuted around $500, offering a better value in terms of image quality, video, and ergonomics with a respectable 25-600mm zoom (24x).

For photographers who are cheapskates (and who isn’t?), the FZ200’s balance of price versus feature richness makes it the smarter buy without feeling like you’re settling.

Putting It All Together: Who Should Choose Which?

FujiFilm FinePix HS10 - Consider If You:

• Love large zoom reach (30x; 24-720mm equiv.) to capture distant wildlife or faraway landscapes without swapping lenses.
• Want a rugged, more tactile DSLR-style grip and control layout.
• Don’t mind sacrificing some image quality and video modernity.
• Prefer the flexibility of AA batteries over proprietary packs.
• Shoot mostly stills, not heavy video or low-light astrophotography.

Panasonic Lumix FZ200 - Consider If You:

• Want sharper images with crisper details and less noise, thanks to a newer 12MP sensor and latest image processor.
• Crave a constant bright f/2.8 aperture throughout your zoom, great for low light and shallow depth of field.
• Desire better autofocus performance and faster burst shooting (12fps).
• Shoot a fair amount of video and need external mic support.
• Need longer battery life and a clearer, fully articulated LCD screen.
• Value excellent ergonomics with lighter weight for travel and street photography.
• Seek the best price-to-performance ratio in a superzoom bridge camera.

Final Verdict

Both the FujiFilm HS10 and Panasonic FZ200 offer unique strengths in the crowded small sensor superzoom bridge category. The HS10 impresses with a longer zoom reach and DSLR-esque handling, excellent for distant subjects and photogs who crave classic control layouts. However, its dated sensor tech, mediocre screen, and limited video functions leave it trailing in image quality and modern usability.

Meanwhile, the FZ200 represents a well-rounded evolution in bridge cameras - bright constant aperture optics, improved sensor and processor, better autofocus, and advanced video features round out a package perfect for enthusiasts who need versatility without breaking the bank or lugging heavy gear piles.

As a seasoned tester frequently advising budget-conscious photographers, I tip my hat to the FZ200 as the more practical, enjoyable camera for nearly all shooting scenarios. The HS10 remains a niche choice for those who require extreme zoom reach and don’t mind some tradeoffs.

Whatever your choice, both these cameras remind us that small sensor superzooms can be mighty versatile and fun tools to explore the photographic world.

Happy shooting!

If you found this in-depth comparison helpful, please share with fellow photographers on your favorite forums or social feeds. Got questions about these cameras or others? Drop me a line - I love nerding out about gear and sharing hands-on knowledge!