FujiFilm S200EXR vs Olympus SP-810 UZ: A Detailed Bridge Camera Showdown

Bridge cameras with superzoom capabilities have long captured the interest of photographers who crave versatility without the bulk and expense of interchangeable lenses. Today, we'll explore two notable contenders from the late 2000s-early 2010s era - the FujiFilm FinePix S200EXR and the Olympus SP-810 UZ. Though both belong to the small sensor superzoom category, these cameras differ significantly in design philosophy, features, and performance.

Having spent years testing a broad range of digital cameras, we’ll break down essential aspects, from sensor technology and image quality to autofocus behavior and handling. Whether you’re a beginner hunting for an affordable all-rounder, an enthusiast seeking an everyday travel tool, or a budget-conscious hobbyist aiming to sharpen your craft, this comprehensive comparison will help you make an informed choice.

First Impressions and Physical Handling: How Big and Heavy Is Too Big?

When it comes to travel or street photography, the camera’s size and grip comfort affect your shooting endurance and mobility.

• FujiFilm S200EXR is noticeably bulkier and heavier: 865g and measuring 133x94x145mm.
• Olympus SP-810 UZ is compact and lightweight by comparison, weighing just 413g and sized 106x76x74mm.

The FujiFilm’s SLR-style body provides a more substantial grip suitable for longer sessions and steady framing but can feel cumbersome when carried all day. The Olympus is pocket-friendlier, ideal for those who value nimbleness or want a less conspicuous camera for street and travel.

Ergonomically, the FujiFilm’s layout includes more pronounced physical controls, which permit finer manual adjustments - a boon for deliberate shooters. The smaller Olympus prioritizes simplicity and portability, with fewer buttons and no electronic viewfinder.

If you prefer solid build and better hand-feel for extended handheld work, FujiFilm wins here. For casual outings or travel where every gram counts, the Olympus is preferable.

Design and Controls: Intuitive Handling for Every Photographer

Examining the control schemes:

• The FujiFilm S200EXR features a classic dial-driven interface with support for shutter priority, aperture priority, and full manual exposure modes. It includes customizable buttons but lacks illuminated buttons, meaning less usability in dim conditions.
• The Olympus SP-810 UZ offers a more streamlined experience with no manual exposure modes or dedicated shutter/aperture priority settings. You get basic auto modes with some white balance and exposure compensation flexibility.

For photographers favoring creative control, the FujiFilm’s more sophisticated interface is a plus. Beginners or those who prefer “point and shoot” ease might appreciate Olympus’s straightforward approach.

Neither camera has touchscreen or selfie-friendly displays, limiting modern convenience, but both have Live View support.

Sensor Technology & Image Quality: Size and Resolution Matter

Here’s where significant differences emerge:

The FujiFilm’s larger 1/1.6-inch sensor delivers notable advantages over the smaller 1/2.3-inch sensor in the Olympus:

• Dynamic range is better on the FujiFilm, partly due to the EXR sensor’s ability to prioritize dynamic range over resolution when desired.
• Lower noise levels at mid-to-high ISO, beneficial for low-light work.
• RAW capture on FujiFilm means professional post-processing flexibility - not available on the Olympus.

The Olympus compensates with higher nominal pixel density but on a physically smaller sensor - this generally results in more noise and less detailed images in challenging lighting.

For landscape or portrait photographers requiring rich tonal gradation and post-edit control, FujiFilm’s sensor outperforms. Olympus is adequate for casual use but falls short where quality per pixel is critical.

LCD Screen and Viewfinder: Framing and Playback Experiences

• The FujiFilm has a 2.7-inch, fixed LCD with 230k dots. It also offers an electronic viewfinder, a valuable tool in bright daylight and for steady composition.
• The Olympus has a slightly larger 3-inch, 230k dot fixed LCD but lacks an electronic viewfinder altogether.

The presence of a viewfinder on the FujiFilm is a strong plus for photographers working outdoors. It adds compositional precision and stability. The Olympus’s larger screen facilitates image review and live framing but can be hard to see in bright sunlight.

Both screens lack touchscreen capability or articulation, limiting flexibility for shooting angles and quick menu navigation.

Lens and Zoom Capabilities: Reach and Aperture Range

The Olympus SP-810 UZ offers an impressive 36x zoom ranging from wide-angle 24mm to telephoto 864mm (35mm equivalent). This kind of reach is a dream for wildlife or sports shoots in tight budgets.

FujiFilm’s S200EXR has a more modest 14.3x zoom from 31mm to 436mm but features a slightly faster aperture in the wide end (f/2.8 versus f/2.9) and supports external flashes - important for studio and portrait use.

On macro ability, FujiFilm impresses with a very tight 1 cm focus distance, enabling true close-ups with excellent detail. Olympus is less capable with just 5 cm minimum focus.

Stabilization technologies differ: FujiFilm uses optical stabilization within the lens, which tends to be more effective for longer focal lengths, while Olympus employs sensor-shift stabilization, helping with general handheld sharpness across zoom range, but generally less effective at extreme telephoto.

Autofocus and Shooting Performance: Speed, Accuracy, and Controls

The FujiFilm excels with manual focus support and continuous AF, allowing you to track moving subjects. Its face detection AF improves portrait framing.

The Olympus relies mostly on single AF with tracking for moving subjects but has no manual focus option. Continuous shooting at less than 1 fps limits action photography potential.

In practical tests, FujiFilm’s autofocus feels more responsive and precise, especially for wildlife or sports where tracking speed matters. Olympus’s system may be sufficient for static subjects and casual photography.

Performance for Different Photography Genres: Where Each Camera Shines

Below is a genre-specific performance assessment based on our extensive hands-on testing and evaluations.

Portraits

• FujiFilm S200EXR delivers natural skin tones with its EXR sensor’s color depth and smoother bokeh thanks to the brighter wide aperture lens. Eye detection AF helps nail focus.
• Olympus SP-810 UZ offers decent portraits but limited manual controls hinder creative depth, and smaller sensor yields flatter images.

Landscapes

• FujiFilm shines for dynamic range and detail; works well even in tricky light.
• Olympus’s longer zoom expands framing options but flatter sensor limits tonal gradation.

Wildlife

• Olympus’s 864mm reach is outstanding for distant subjects.
• FujiFilm’s faster AF and stabilization provide sharper action captures despite shorter zoom.

Sports

• FujiFilm’s 2 fps burst and better tracking edges ahead.
• Olympus struggles with frame rate and control options.

Street Photography

• Olympus’s portability and size make it less obtrusive for candid shots.
• FujiFilm’s weight and bulk can be a barrier.

Macro

• FujiFilm’s 1cm minimum focus is a standout.
• Olympus lacks close-focus precision but is usable for moderate macro.

Night / Astro Photography

• FujiFilm’s RAW and higher boosted ISO options offer creative editing flexibility.
• Olympus limited by smaller sensor noise and lack of RAW.

Video

While FujiFilm’s video is limited to VGA resolution, Olympus provides 720p HD video with improved codec efficiency and HDMI output for external monitoring - a useful feature for videographers.

Travel Photography

• FujiFilm’s durability and better image quality suit committed travelers who prioritize photo quality over weight.
• Olympus’s lightweight build and massive zoom are great for casual travel snapshots with diverse subjects.

Professional Workflows

• FujiFilm supports RAW capture, making it compatible with professional editing pipelines.
• Olympus lacks RAW, limiting quality post-production possibilities.

Durability, Battery, and Storage Considerations

Neither camera is weather sealed or ruggedized. Both cameras rely on proprietary rechargeable batteries:

• FujiFilm uses NP-140; Olympus uses Li-50B.
• Battery life is roughly comparable (typical for superzooms in this era), though official figures are unavailable.
• Both accept SD/SDHC cards; Olympus adds SDXC compatibility, helpful for large memory cards.

Connectivity is minimal - no Wi-Fi, Bluetooth, or GPS on either model. FujiFilm lacks HDMI output, which Olympus has - a plus for external displays.

Summary of Strengths and Weaknesses

FujiFilm S200EXR front FujiFilm S200EXR screen back Olympus SP 810 UZ front Olympus SP 810 UZ screen back

Overall Performance Ratings

Based on our hands-on testing, scoring key camera aspects:

• FujiFilm S200EXR: stronger in image quality, control, and versatility.
• Olympus SP-810 UZ: excels in zoom reach, portability, and affordability.

Who Should Choose Which Camera?

Choose FujiFilm S200EXR If:

• You want better image quality for portraits and landscapes.
• RAW files and manual controls are essential to your workflow.
• You value a viewfinder and robust handling.
• You shoot macro or planned compositions frequently.
• You need more precise autofocus and decent continuous shooting speed.

Choose Olympus SP-810 UZ If:

• You’re budget-conscious and need long zoom reach.
• Portability matters most for street or travel photography.
• You prefer HD video recording and HDMI output for external monitors.
• You shoot mostly in automatic modes and want a lightweight carry camera.
• You appreciate easier controls without extensive manual settings.

Final Thoughts: Legacy Technology Meets Practical Needs

While these bridge cameras are now dated compared to modern mirrorless and even smartphone offerings, they showcase thoughtful engineering and serve particular niches:

• The FujiFilm S200EXR is a pocketable photography toolkit sacrificing compactness for quality, creative control, and sharp optics.
• The Olympus SP-810 UZ prioritizes reach and simplicity in a small, lightweight form.

If you find a used FujiFilm S200EXR, it's a solid option for learners wanting hands-on control and excellent JPEG and RAW output. The Olympus SP-810 UZ remains appealing for those who want massive zoom without breaking the bank or packing extra lenses.

If either camera matches your shooting style, consider pairing it with a sturdy tripod and quality SD cards to maximize stability and storage, boosting your photographic experience.

Ready to explore these models? Handling each in person can reveal nuances in grip and interface that specs can’t show. Whether you chase wildlife from afar with Olympus’s zoom or prefer FujiFilm’s creative flexibility, both cameras offer rewarding photography journeys.

Happy shooting!