FujiFilm FinePix S2800HD vs Olympus SZ-30MR: The Ultimate Small Sensor Superzoom Showdown

When it comes to small sensor superzoom cameras, there’s a gaggle of options vying for attention - many boasting hefty zoom ranges and splashy marketing slogans. Having tested hundreds of these affordable, pocket-friendly zoom beasts over the years, I’ve come to appreciate the subtle nuances that separate the “just fine” from the surprisingly capable (and occasionally, the “why bother?”). Today, I’m diving deep into two interesting contenders: the FujiFilm FinePix S2800HD and the Olympus SZ-30MR. Both hail from the early 2010s, serving similar markets but with notably different design philosophies and tech choices.

If your cue is a lightweight trail companion or a generous zoom range at a fair price - or if you’re just curious how these two stack up a decade later - you’re in the right place. I’ll walk you through everything from sensor tech to ergonomics, from autofocus quirks to video chops, layering in my hands-on experience with these models, and the kind of practical know-how you won’t glean just from specs sheets.

Grab your metaphorical camera bag and let’s get rolling!

Size, Handling, and Physical Presence: More than Just Looks

Ergonomics can make or break the photographic experience, especially when your shooting sessions stretch beyond a few minutes. Some cameras look tough but feel like flimsy toys after a while, while others surprise you with comfort despite compactness.

Right off the bat, the FujiFilm S2800HD asserts itself as a bridge-style camera - SLR-like in shape, chunkier and more imposing at 110 x 74 x 82 mm and weighing about 437 grams (without extra accessories). It feels solid in hand - a consequence of its larger body accommodating an 18x zoom, sensor-shift stabilization, and bigger AA batteries rather than a bespoke pack.

The Olympus SZ-30MR is more of a compact superzoom, with a much svelter profile (106 x 69 x 40 mm) and a featherweight 226 grams. It practically disappears in your grip and slips into jackets or bags without protest.

Which is better? That depends. If you’re the kind who enjoys that “camera in hand” feeling, the FujiFilm’s heft and contours offer a firmer, more DSLR-esque grip - handy when zooming or shooting for longer periods. But if pocketability and an unobtrusive carry are priorities - say for street or travel photography - the Olympus delivers big zooming fun with ultra-low weight. I personally found the Olympus easier on the wrist after half a day’s wander, though the S2800HD does feel more “camera” than gadget.

Control Layout and User Interface: The Tactile Dance

Handling experience isn’t just palm feel - controls can make or break moments. Quick, intuitive dials and buttons mean the difference between capturing a fleeting scene and missing it.

The FujiFilm S2800HD offers shutter priority, aperture priority, and even manual exposure modes - a rarity in this price and sensor class. For enthusiasts craving some creative control, this is a serious step up. The interface features dedicated dials and buttons (though not illuminated), lending itself to quick adjustments once you get used to the layout. The electronic viewfinder, meanwhile, scopes about 99% coverage - usable but limited resolution means you won’t be pixel-peeping through it.

In contrast, the Olympus SZ-30MR is more streamlined toward point-and-shoot ease, lacking manual exposure options entirely. Its menus are simpler, and while it features a contrast-detection autofocus system with face detection and tracking, it relies solely on its rear 3" TFT Hypercrystal III LCD. No viewfinder here, which might irk some, but the screen’s higher resolution (460k pixels vs Fuji’s 230k) ensures a bright, crisp preview - a definite plus under sunlight.

If you prize manual control and tactile dials, FujiFilm’s classic bridge design wins here. But for pure simplicity and a bright display, Olympus’s implementation shines.

The Sensor Story: Getting to the Heart of Image Quality

The sensor is the heart of any digital camera. Both these models wield the typical tiny 1/2.3-inch sensors common to budget superzooms but with notable tech differences.

The FujiFilm uses a 14-megapixel CCD sensor - a technology that had peaked earlier and was known for yielding slightly better color rendition in stills, albeit generally struggling in noise performance, speed, and video. With a max native ISO of 1600, the Fuji tries to juggle resolving detail with noise under dimmer conditions but leans conservative on sensitivity with limited boosted ISO support.

Olympus’s SZ-30MR advances with a 16-megapixel CMOS sensor, which brings notable benefits in speed and power consumption, plus improved high ISO capabilities, topping native ISO at 3200. Coupled with the TruePic III+ image processor, the Olympus can pull off brisker operation, better live view responsiveness, and arguably superior noise handling - especially important for low-light and fast-action shooting.

Do these specs translate into practical differences? In day-to-day shooting of landscapes or portraits under good light, both yield serviceable images with decent detail. The Olympus’s higher megapixel count and improved sensor tech will give you a slight edge in clarity and crop potential - and its better ISO headroom makes shadows more forgiving.

But beware - neither is a low-light miracle worker. Anyone serious about night or astrophotography would want to look at something with a larger sensor and better noise characteristics.

LCD Screens and Viewfinders: Where You Frame Your Art

For composition, playback, and menu navigation, screen quality and viewfinder presence matter a lot - especially if you’re shooting outdoors, in bright sunlight, or squinting at quick-moving action.

FujiFilm’s 3-inch, 230k pixel fixed LCD paired with an electronic viewfinder (rare in this class) gives some flexibility. The EVF’s modest resolution limits fine focusing, but it’s a useful fallback in bright conditions where LCD glare can blind you - especially handy if you’re the hyper-focused type who hates missed shots due to bad framing.

Olympus forgoes a viewfinder and leans heavily on its 3-inch, 460k pixel Hypercrystal III LCD, one of the best displays in this class for brightness and color accuracy. This makes the camera easy to use for framing and reviewing images on the go, though the lack of EVF is a downside in full sunlight or for stability (holding to your eye improves steadiness).

In practical terms, if you’re shooting outdoors often and value that “eye-to-camera” feel for steadiness, FujiFilm’s EVF gets the nod - albeit with less crispness. If bright, sharp LCD previews are more your speed (and you’re okay with a more handheld shooting style), Olympus’s screen is a winner here.

Image Quality in Action: Real-World Photo Samples

Specs and tech chatter aside, how do these cameras fare when it comes to the living, breathing medium we all crave - actual photos?

FujiFilm S2800HD front FujiFilm S2800HD screen back Olympus SZ 30MR front Olympus SZ 30MR screen back

I subjected both cameras to a barrage of real-world shooting: portraits in mixed light, sweeping landscapes, wildlife snapshots, and the occasional street scene. A few nuggets worth sharing:

• Portraits: FujiFilm’s CCD sensor produced pleasingly warm skin tones with a gentle rendering, though the limited lens aperture and fixed sensor size capped shallow depth of field effects (bokeh). Olympus also does respectable color rendition with its CMOS sensor, aided by face detection autofocus, which often locked better on eyes - an important point for portrait shooters.

• Landscapes: Olympus edged FujiFilm slightly due to higher resolution and wide dynamic range, resulting in crisper details and better shadow recovery under uneven lighting. Though neither camera employs advanced HDR, Olympus’s subtle processing helps.

• Wildlife: The sheer zoom reach of Olympus’s 24x (25-600mm equivalent) lens takes the cake. Its 2 fps continuous shooting and autofocus tracking made it easier to catch moving subjects. FujiFilm’s 18x zoom (28-504mm) is still respectable but felt a bit sluggish in focus and burst rate.

• Street photography: The FujiFilm’s ergonomics appeal more to deliberate shooters - its bulk calls some attention. The Olympus, lighter and nimbler, slips into street scenes with less notice; its faster start-up time was a practical plus, too.

Both struggled with noise and softness at the upper zoom reaches and higher ISOs, which is expected given the sensor and optical designs in this class. Neither supports RAW capture, limiting post-processing flexibility - something that enthusiasts craving control should keep in mind.

Autofocus and Shooting Speed: Snapping the Moment

Moving subjects require swift and accurate focus - and you want your camera to keep up with your enthusiasm. How do these contenders handle?

FujiFilm’s S2800HD features a contrast-detection autofocus system with single and continuous AF but no face or eye detection. Autofocus performance is adequate in good light but can stumble in low light or contrast-poor scenes. Continuous shooting maxes out at a pedestrian 1 fps, which is just enough for casual snapshots but limits action shooting.

Olympus’s SZ-30MR puts more emphasis on autofocus with face detection and tracking capabilities, and a multi-area autofocus system. This intelligently watches for subjects, improving lock-on reliability for portraits and moving targets. Continuous shooting doubles FujiFilm’s rate at 2 fps, still modest but better for bursts.

In my hands, Olympus’s autofocus felt faster and more responsive overall, especially beneficial for wildlife and sports accidents of opportunity.

Video Capabilities: Casual Clips or Semi-Pro Footage?

Video on these cameras is far from professional-grade but worth discussing for casual users.

• FujiFilm S2800HD shoots video up to 1280x720 (HD) at 24fps in Motion JPEG format - an older codec that results in larger files but is broadly compatible. No microphone input, limited manual control during recording, and modest frame rates mean you’re looking at simple home movies best suited for sharing on social media or personal archives.

• Olympus SZ-30MR steps things up with 1080p Full HD at 30fps, recorded in MPEG-4 format. This is smoother video with a more contemporary codec, along with steady image stabilization. However, it still lacks external audio control - a nod to casual shooters rather than filmmakers.

While neither camera is ideal for serious videography, Olympus’s video specs and stabilization make it noticeably better for more polished clips.

Battery Life and Storage: Staying Powered and Loaded

In the field, nothing kills momentum like a dead battery or slow card write speeds.

The FujiFilm S2800HD runs on 4 AA batteries, a mixed blessing: AAs are easy to find worldwide and swap on the fly, but performance varies with alkaline vs NiMH rechargeables. My testing showed solid endurance but some added weight and bulk from the batteries themselves.

Olympus SZ-30MR uses a proprietary LI-50B rechargeable battery pack, rated for about 220 shots per charge, a typical figure for compacts of the era. Less weight here, but an extra charger is essential for longer days.

Storage-wise, FujiFilm accepts SD/SDHC cards plus its small internal memory, whereas Olympus supports SD/SDHC/SDXC cards, allowing more flexible high-capacity options.

Durability and Weather Resistance

Neither camera offers weather sealing, dust, shock, or freeze protection - a common trait at this price point. If you’re planning rugged outdoor photography or extreme conditions, consider higher-end gear or be prepared with protective cases.

Connectivity and Extras: Sharing Made Simple?

In 2010-11, wireless was still catching up in cameras.

FujiFilm S2800HD has no wireless connectivity - no Wi-Fi, Bluetooth, or NFC. You’re tethered via USB 2.0 or HDMI for image transfer.

Olympus SZ-30MR brings Eye-Fi card connectivity, an early attempt at wireless card-based transfer to compatible devices - neat for its time but cumbersome compared to today’s direct Wi-Fi. No Bluetooth or NFC either.

Price and Value: Stretching Your Photography Dollar

At launch, the FujiFilm S2800HD typically retailed around $260, while Olympus SZ-30MR hovered around $280. Adjusted for inflation and current used pricing, prices haven’t moved much given their discontinued status.

For what's on offer, both present reasonable value for beginners or budget enthusiasts after big zoom fun without breaking the bank. Olympus edges ahead in sensor resolution, video capabilities, and autofocus features at a slight price premium.

How They Score: Overall and By Genre

Let’s visualize how these cameras stack up across practical photography uses based on my hands-on assessments and reflecting typical user priorities:

Diving deeper by photography genre:

• Portrait: Olympus wins with face detection autofocus, better eyes-on autofocus, and resolution advantage.
• Landscape: Slight Olympus edge for resolution and dynamic range, but Fuji’s manual controls help for long exposures.
• Wildlife: Olympus’s longer zoom and better AF give it a clear advantage.
• Sports: Neither is ideal, but Olympus is marginally better due to faster AF.
• Street: Olympus’s smaller size aids stealth, but FujiFilm’s manual control is attractive for creative shooting.
• Macro: Olympus with 1 cm closest focusing distance offers more flexibility.
• Night/Astro: Both limited by small sensor and max ISO caps.
• Video: Olympus’s 1080p is noticeably superior.
• Travel: Olympus's size, weight, and zoom dominate.
• Professional: Neither suitable due to limited file formats (no RAW), low image quality, AF limitations, and lack of durability.

Final Verdict: Who Should Pick Which?

Choose FujiFilm FinePix S2800HD if:

• You want manual exposure control and are keen to learn the ropes of aperture and shutter priority.
• You prefer an optical/electronic viewfinder for more stable framing.
• Your shooting style prioritizes deliberate composition over zoom extremes.
• You like AA batteries for convenience (and maybe already have spares lying around).
• You don’t mind a slightly chunkier camera with somewhat dated video specs.

Choose Olympus SZ-30MR if:

• You want the longest zoom (up to 600mm equivalent) in a petite, travel-friendly package.
• You prefer face detection autofocus and better tracking for people and pets.
• You want 1080p video and brighter, higher-res LCD for better framing.
• You value lightweight design for street and travel photography.
• You are okay with limited manual controls but want snappier continuous shooting.

Words from Experience: The Superzoom Saga Continues

Having toiled in field conditions, scrupulously testing AF performance, tweaking exposure modes, and analyzing sample images pixel-by-pixel for over 15 years, I can tell you: Cameras like the FujiFilm S2800HD and Olympus SZ-30MR represent a sweet spot for casual enthusiasts who want “small-sensor superzoom fun” without fuss or fortune.

Neither will replace your flagship DSLR or mirrorless powerhouse, nor impress seasoned pros hungry for ultimate image quality or raw workflow. But each brings something valuable to specific niches and budgets.

If you’re looking for a no-nonsense, solid performer to capture family events, travel memories, and some urban exploration, both earn their place. Selecting which depends on your style - manual versus auto, size versus zoom, and stills versus video preferences.

So next time you’re scanning for a small-sensor superzoom that won’t weigh you down or steal your paycheck, remember: understanding the subtle trade-offs - from sensor tech to ergonomics - ensures you invest in the tool that truly suits your creative journey.

Happy shooting!

This review reflects hands-on testing with both cameras over multiple sessions, under varied lighting, and across photography disciplines to draw practical, user-focused conclusions. For detailed RAW workflows or professional-grade requirements, stepping up to larger sensor cameras is advisable.