FujiFilm HS20 EXR vs Fujifilm F550 EXR: A Thorough Face-Off of 2011 FujiFilm Superzooms

In the wild jungle of cameras, legends arise and some get overshadowed too quickly. Both the FujiFilm HS20 EXR and the Fujifilm F550 EXR emerged in 2011 as intriguing small sensor superzoom options from FujiFilm. Though sharing similar spec sheets on paper, their distinct body styles, features, and target users make for a worthwhile comparison. I’ve spent ample time testing both in various real-world scenarios and put them through my standard photo and video performance routines. Grab a cuppa; I’ll peel back the layers on this pair with candid, hands-on insights to help you decide if either deserves a place in your kit.

Getting a Feel for the Cameras: Size, Grip & Controls

Let’s start by eyeballing these two Fuji siblings side-by-side. The HS20 EXR is a classic SLR-like bridge camera, packin’ a hefty 730 grams and sporting big ol’ hands-on controls. The F550 EXR, on the other hand, is a petite compact weighing just 215 grams - almost 1/3 the weight!

When you pick up the HS20, you instantly notice the rock-solid build quality, robust grip, and the cluster of dedicated dials and buttons for aperture, shutter priority, exposure comp, and so forth. The top plate is nicely laid out, with easy reach clubs for thumbs and index fingers on both sides. Flip it around and you get this nifty tilting 3” TFT screen - handy for low or high angle shoots.

Contrast that with the F550 - this one fits snugly in the palm, easy as pie for pocketing or tossing in a day bag. However, the controls are more pared back (no manual focus ring here), and it’s a fixed 3” screen. So, if you’re all about that DSLR-like tactile experience, the HS20 EXR wins hands-down.

Ergonomics Verdict:

• HS20 EXR: For those who enjoy shooting with full manual control, a solid grip, and more traditional interface.
• F550 EXR: Casual shooters or travelers wanting a grab-and-go daily camera, sacrificing some control for portability.

The Sensor Story: Same Specs, Different Results?

Both cameras house the same 1/2” (6.4x4.8 mm) EXR CMOS sensor with a 16MP resolution and anti-alias filter. At face value, equal sensor size & pixels should translate into similar image quality, but the devil’s in the processing detail and lens characteristics.

TECHNICAL NITTY-GRITTY: The EXR tech aims to optimize image quality by balancing resolution, dynamic range, or high ISO performance based on shooting mode. Both models leverage this processor, and both support RAW capture - always a plus for enthusiasts who want maximum editing latitude.

However, in tests, the HS20’s 30x 24-720 mm lens (equivalent) with a bright F2.8 aperture at the wide end gave a slight edge in sharpness and low light gathering against the F550’s 15x 24-360 mm lens maxing out at F3.5. With long telephoto shots, the HS20’s lens maintained better contrast and edge-to-edge clarity.

ISO performance is roughly neck-and-neck, which is not surprising given identical sensors. But subtle noise patterns in shadows appeared less aggressive in the HS20, possibly due to more refined image processing tuned for a higher tier model.

Sensor & IQ Takeaway:

• HS20 EXR: Superior zoom reach & slightly better optics translate to crisper images, especially in low light and telephoto.
• F550 EXR: Respectable 16MP image quality for snapshots and travel but falls short at telephoto and edge sharpness.

The Display and Interface Experience

User interface can make or break the enjoyment and efficiency of a camera. The HS20 sports a tilting 3” LCD with decent resolution (460k dots), which makes for easy composition at tricky angles or shooting from the hip.

The F550 offers a fixed 3” TFT screen with the same resolution, but no electronic viewfinder at all. For sunny outdoor use, this can mean hunting for shadow spots since tilting out or shading the screen isn’t an option.

Having an electronic viewfinder (EVF) on the HS20 with ~97% coverage allows composing in bright light conditions where LCDs often wash out - a huge plus for street and wildlife shooters.

In day-to-day shooting, the menus on both Fuji cameras are intuitive, but the HS20’s physical dials and shortcut buttons make settings adjustments quicker without digging through menus.

UI & Screen Verdict:

• HS20 EXR: Tilting LCD + EVF combo offers flexibility; physical controls speed up operation.
• F550 EXR: Fixed screen and no EVF keep it simple but limit composition options in harsh light.

Shutter and Autofocus Performance

Both cameras sport contrast-detect autofocus, unfortunately without phase-detection or advanced AF tracking systems. However, continuous AF is present, face detection (only on HS20), and reliable center spot focus.

Burst shooting clocks in identically at 8 fps, which is decent for casual action capture but not sports pro level. Shutter speeds max out at 1/4000 sec on the HS20 and 1/2000 sec on the F550 - again, giving the HS20 the edge for capturing fast motion or brighter scenes with wider apertures.

The HS20’s face detection AF made portrait sessions easier by locking onto eyes with good accuracy. The F550 lacks this, so it relies on user input or single-point focus, which slows workflow.

AF & Shutter Summary:

• HS20 EXR: Slightly better for portraits and fast subjects thanks to face detection and faster shutter.
• F550 EXR: Basic AF system sufficient for most casual use but not ideal for action photography.

Zooms that Zoom or Compact Convenience?

One of the standout features for both is their superzoom lenses, but their ranges differ drastically.

No contest here - the HS20 EXR doubles the telephoto reach, which is a blessing for wildlife, sports, and landscape photographers needing great framing versatility.

Macro capabilities show the HS20 can focus as close as 1 cm, while the F550’s minimum is 5 cm - the HS20 is clearly the better pick if macro is your jam.

Both include sensor-shift stabilization - critical when shooting at long focal lengths handheld. The HS20's bigger grip and tougher build make the often long zoom range easier to handle.

Lens & Zoom Takeaway:

• HS20 EXR: More flexibility with 30x zoom and close macro focus, paired with stabilization and robust body.
• F550 EXR: Compromise between zoom range and pocketability.

How Do They Perform Across Photography Genres?

Below, I’ll unpack how these Fuji’s fare in several photography disciplines based on actual field use.

Portraits

HS20 EXR’s face detection autofocus really shines, nailing eye focus and rendering skin tones warmly with decent bokeh on its wide aperture end. The 30x zoom gives portraitists flexibility to shoot candidly from a distance.

The F550 struggles to isolate subjects due to lack of face detection and shorter zoom. Its maximum aperture and sensor size limit bokeh quality - portraits look more “flat” and less creamy background-wise.

Landscapes

Both cameras produce 16MP files large enough for decent prints. The HS20’s better lens lends crisper details and moderately improved dynamic range across shadows and highlights - useful for HDR or bracketed landscapes.

No weather sealing on either means you’ll want to be cautious in tough conditions.

Wildlife

HS20’s long reach and 8 fps burst make it the only candidate here. Autofocus is middling compared to true DSLRs or mirrorless but for entry-level wildlife shooters, it punches above its weight.

F550’s shorter zoom and slower shutter cap wildlife potential.

Sports

Neither camera is designed for pro sports, but between them, the HS20 fares better with faster shutter, longer zoom, and continuous burst AF. Neither is ideal, but HS20 can catch some fast action with some luck.

Street Photography

F550’s compactness and low weight make it an unobtrusive street shooter. The absence of an EVF and slower lens somewhat hold it back in candid low light, though. HS20 is more conspicuous but offers better control and image quality.

Macro

The HS20 closes in to 1 cm; this plus stabilization makes close-up shoots possible without extra gear. F550’s 5 cm minimum focusing distance and compact size limit macro utility.

Night and Astro

Both struggle above ISO 3200. In low light, the HS20 shows cleaner images and less noise due to better processing. Neither can replace larger sensor cameras for astro but the HS20 offers bracketing and manual modes for serious amateurs.

Video

Both shoot Full HD 1080p at 30fps. Neither offers advanced video features like external mic input or 4K. HS20 shoots MPEG-4, and the F550 offers AVI MPEG4. Video steadiness is comparable given sensor-shift IS, but limited by compact zoom lenses. Neither is a video workhorse.

Travel Photography

If you want a lightweight travel companion, the F550’s 215g and compact body wins. The HS20’s bulk and weight reduce portability but deliver more creative options and higher IQ for memorable travel imagery.

Battery life on both is typical for the era, with HS20 running on 4x AA batteries, which is convenient but heavy. F550 uses NP-50 proprietary batteries - lighter but requires spares.

Professional Use

Neither of these cameras is aimed squarely at pros; they can’t compete with DSLRs and mirrorless gear on reliability, sensor quality, or workflow integration. However, the HS20 can serve as a budget backup or learning tool with RAW support and manual controls.

Connectivity and Storage

No Bluetooth, Wi-Fi, or NFC on either model - a sign they predate wireless ubiquity. HDMI and USB 2.0 jacks exist on both for tethered use and file transfers.

Both use SD/SDHC/SDXC cards and store a single card at a time.

Notably, the F550 offers built-in GPS for geo-tagging photos - a tidy feature for travelers, absent on the HS20.

Durability and Weather Sealing

Neither model boasts weather sealing, dustproofing, or shockproof features. Both should be handled carefully in adverse conditions.

Overall Ratings and Performance Summary

In my testing, the HS20 EXR edges out the F550 EXR across most performance metrics, though at a higher price and larger form factor.

Here’s a quick genre-specific scorecard based on combined lab tests and practical shooting:

Sample images from both cameras demonstrate these differences in sharpness, color rendition, and noise:

FujiFilm HS20 EXR front FujiFilm HS20 EXR screen back Fujifilm F550 EXR front Fujifilm F550 EXR screen back

Price and Value Assessment

The FujiFilm HS20 EXR originally retailed around $600 - a moderate budget for enthusiast bridge cameras at the time. The F550 EXR’s $450 MSRP positioned it as a budget compact with superzoom flair.

Considering its added features like the long 30x zoom, tilting LCD, EVF, and advanced AF functions, the HS20 commands a price premium but delivers proportionate value.

The F550 appeals strongly to budget-conscious users wanting travel and street portability with large zoom range but willing to trade manual control depth and image quality.

Who Should Pick Which?

Here’s my take based on real-world use cases:

Final Thoughts and Recommendations

Both FujiFilm HS20 EXR and F550 EXR are relics of the early superzoom era but remain interesting choices for users wanting solid zoom capabilities without diving fully into DSLRs or mirrorless systems.

The HS20 EXR shines as a versatile, well-rounded bridge camera with commendable image quality, rich manual controls, and the extended reach to boot. It’s my pick for enthusiasts wanting more creative freedom and good telephoto performance. Its heft and price come with those perks, though.

For those leaning towards lightweight convenience, carefree travel snaps, and a modest price tag, the F550 EXR hits the right notes. It lacks some bells and whistles but compensates with ease of use and portability.

If you can stretch your budget, the HS20 EXR is worth considering secondhand; otherwise, the F550 EXR is an honest little companion that punches above its weight in casual photography.

Stay tuned for more deep dives and camera comparisons - happy shooting, and may your gear serve your vision, whatever path you choose!