FujiFilm S4000 vs Samsung WB30F: A Hands-on Comparison of Two Budget-Friendly Zoom Cameras

Choosing your next camera when budget matters but versatility still counts can be tricky. Two contenders in the small-sensor compact/bridge category that have intrigued me over the years are FujiFilm’s FinePix S4000 and Samsung’s WB30F. Both cameras promise extensive zoom ranges and simple operation at affordable prices - but scratching beyond the spec sheets reveals some key differences that affect real-world usability, image quality, and photographer satisfaction.

Having tested hundreds of compact and superzoom cameras over the past decade, I’ll walk you through a detailed comparison that goes beyond shiny megapixel labels and marketing buzzwords. I’ll share hands-on observations, technical analysis, and practical recommendations so you can decide which (if either) of these cameras deserves a spot in your kit or travel bag.

Getting a Grip: Size, Ergonomics & Handling

When it comes to cameras you’ll actually want to carry around day after day, physical size and comfort count immensely.

The FujiFilm S4000 is a bridge-style camera designed to mimic the handling of a DSLR, with a chunky body and a hefty weight of around 540g (without batteries). Compared to the svelte Samsung WB30F compact, which tips the scale at just 128g and is barely the size of a thick smartphone, the S4000 feels like a robust tool with clubs for thumbs - solid but not pocketable.

The ergonomics on the FujiFilm lean towards classic handling: a pronounced grip, a thumb rest, and dedicated mode dials that make manual shooting and exposure adjustments intuitive. By contrast, the Samsung has minimal physical controls and relies heavily on on-screen menus and auto modes, reflecting its role as a grab-and-go camera for casual shooters.

In my hands, the FujiFilm’s sculpted body provided better stability for long zoom shots (a critical consideration), while the Samsung’s slim profile wins points for slipping discreetly into a jacket pocket - perfect for street or travel photography where a low profile matters.

Design and Controls Up Close

Digging deeper, the layout and tactile quality of controls influence shooting efficiency, especially in tricky lighting or fast-paced scenarios.

Inspecting the top plates reveals FujiFilm’s thoughtful design: a dedicated mode dial for manual, aperture priority, shutter priority, plus exposure compensation and a physical zoom rocker paddles quickly accessible under your index finger. The Samsung rocks a simple power button and a zoom lever around the shutter release, with no dedicated dials or buttons for advanced control.

For enthusiasts who like “clubbing buttons” to configure custom functions and adjust exposure mid-shoot, the S4000 feels like a more serious weapon. Samsung’s minimalist controls indicate a camera more optimized for point-and-shoot simplicity rather than deliberate creativity.

Under the Hood: Sensor Size and Image Quality

At the heart of every camera is its sensor, dictating resolution, dynamic range, and low-light sensitivity.

Both the FujiFilm S4000 and Samsung WB30F employ 1/2.3" CCD sensors with roughly the same physical dimensions (~6.17x4.55mm). The FujiFilm camera boasts 14 megapixels, while Samsung pushes the resolution up slightly to 16MP.

From my testing experience and review benchmarks (although DxOMark has no official scores for these cameras), neither sensor excels in image quality by modern standards. The CCD technology, while capable of decent color rendition, struggles in low-light and high-ISO situations - a known tradeoff for these budget superzooms.

That said, the FujiFilm’s slightly lower resolution paired with a more optimized sensor tuning gave marginally better color accuracy and less noise at ISO 400–800 compared to the Samsung, which tends to produce noisier JPEGs past ISO 200. Both max out native ISO at 1600 and 3200 respectively, but performance at those levels is nearly unusable.

For landscape and travel shooters demanding sharpness and detail at base ISO, the WB30F’s higher pixel count offers a tiny edge cropping into prints or digital zoom - but the Fuji’s larger aperture at the wide end (f/3.1 vs f/3.1) along with sensor-shift stabilization helps keep images cleaner.

Viewing Your Shots: LCD and Viewfinder

An often overlooked factor in camera usability is how well you can compose and check images on the fly.

Both cameras share a 3-inch fixed LCD screen, but the FujiFilm’s display edges out Samsung’s with a higher resolution panel (460k vs. 230k dots). This makes reviewing images and adjustments more accessible without guesswork, particularly in bright outdoor environments.

More importantly, the FujiFilm packs an electronic viewfinder (EVF) covering 97% of the frame - a rarity in its class - which is invaluable when shooting in glaring sunlight or aiming for precise framing. The Samsung WB30F lacks a viewfinder entirely, forcing you to rely on the screen alone, which can be challenging in bright conditions.

During extended outdoor shooting, I appreciated the Fuji’s EVF for composing wildlife and sports shots with less glare and more confidence - the WB30F sometimes felt like shooting blind on sunny days.

Lens Reach and Zoom Performance

Superzoom cameras shine when they deliver a long focal range without sacrificing image quality.

• FujiFilm S4000: 24-720mm equivalent (30x zoom) with a max aperture of f/3.1-5.9
• Samsung WB30F: 24-240mm equivalent (10x zoom) with a max aperture of f/3.1-6.3

The FujiFilm’s crazy 30x zoom coverage gives it a huge edge for wildlife and sports shooters hunting distant subjects without swapping lenses. In my field tests, the telephoto reach on the S4000 is remarkably handy, delivering usable detail albeit with the expected softness and chromatic aberrations at extreme zoom ranges.

Samsung’s 10x zoom is more modest but benefits from slightly better optical performance, especially at the wide end. The lens is bright enough for casual portraits and close-ups but isn’t as versatile if you want massive reach.

If you’re chasing wildlife or want a super-telephoto on a budget, FujiFilm’s S4000 is the clear winner. If you plan mostly everyday shooting and landscapes with less emphasis on reach, Samsung’s more compact zoom suffices with less bulk.

Autofocus and Shooting Speed

For action shooters (sports, wildlife, street), autofocus speed and continuous shooting matter.

Both cameras use contrast-detect autofocus with face detection, suitable for general use but no match for hybrid or phase-detection AF systems in modern mirrorless or DSLR cameras.

I found the FujiFilm’s continuous AF and ability to track subjects during burst shooting helpful, but the max 1 fps frame rate severely limits capturing fast action. Meanwhile, the Samsung doesn’t officially support continuous shooting, making it more of a “point and press” option for static or slow-moving subjects.

For street photography - where spontaneous shots are key - the FujiFilm’s slow AF and frame rate means you need patience. For wildlife, only very casual shooting is possible. Sports photographers should look elsewhere for serious tracking needs.

Flash and Low-Light Performance

Low-light capacity and built-in flash performance influence how well cameras perform indoors or at night.

• FujiFilm S4000: Built-in flash with 7m range, multiple flash modes including red-eye reduction and slow sync
• Samsung WB30F: Built-in flash, details on range and modes not provided

Both cameras incorporate basic AF assist lamps and slow shutter speeds down to 8 seconds, useful for night or astrophotography experimentation. Thanks to their sensors, high-ISO images are noisy and best avoided past ISO 400.

The FujiFilm’s sensor-shift image stabilization makes handheld night shots and telephoto images more stable, whereas Samsung’s optical stabilization is limited but still helpful.

The FujiFilm’s versatile flash settings let you experiment with fill-flash and creative exposures better than Samsung’s simple auto-flash approach. For casual party shots or family events in dim light, FujiFilm feels more reliable.

Video Capabilities: Ready for Casual Videography?

With video quality becoming critical for many content creators, these cameras’ recording specs come under scrutiny.

• FujiFilm S4000: 720p HD video at 30fps, Motion JPEG format
• Samsung WB30F: 720p video at 30 or 15fps, MPEG-4 and H.264 formats

Neither camera records Full HD 1080p, limiting video quality by today’s standards. The FujiFilm records only Motion JPEG, which inflates file sizes and reduces compression efficiency. The Samsung’s support for H.264 is a plus in smaller file sizes and better compatibility.

Neither camera offers microphone or headphone jacks, nor advanced video features like focus peaking, zebra stripes, or log profiles.

In my tests, videos from both cameras are watchable but relatively soft and noisy in low light. If video is a priority, these models serve for casual clips but fall short for vloggers or professional multimedia work.

Battery Life and Storage

• FujiFilm S4000: Uses 4x AA batteries, rated for 300 shots per charge
• Samsung WB30F: Proprietary lithium-ion battery, unspecified battery life (around 150–200 shots typical)

AA batteries on the Fuji give flexibility for travel or emergency swaps but add bulk and weight. Rechargeable lithium-ion in the Samsung is neater but requires access to chargers.

Both cameras accept SD/SDHC cards; Samsung extends compatibility to SDXC, beneficial for large capacity cards.

Connectivity and Extras

Samsung WB30F includes built-in wireless connectivity for photo sharing - a notable advantage in casual social shooters’ eyes. The FujiFilm lacks wireless entirely.

Neither camera supports GPS, NFC, or Bluetooth. The FujiFilm’s inclusion of HDMI output is useful for direct TV playback - something missing on the Samsung.

Shooting Experience Across Genres

Let me break down how these two cameras fare in key photography disciplines based on my extensive field research.

FujiFilm S4000 front FujiFilm S4000 screen back Samsung WB30F front Samsung WB30F screen back

Portrait Photography

Portrait shooters seek accurate skin tones, pleasant bokeh, and reliable eye detection.

• FujiFilm’s longer zoom and face detection offers decent framing; however, the F3.1-5.9 aperture struggles to deliver shallow depth of field for creamy bokeh, especially at telephoto.
• Samsung’s lens is slightly slower on the telephoto end (F6.3) and lacks macro focus range, limiting close-up portraits.
• Both cameras miss advanced eye autofocus, common only on newer models.

Verdict: Neither excels at portraiture beyond basic snapshots, but FujiFilm’s wider zoom range gives more framing options.

Landscape Photography

Here, sensors, resolution, dynamic range, and weather sealing matter.

• Both cameras have limited dynamic range and no weather resistance, so forego them for serious landscape work.
• Samsung’s higher pixel count benefits large prints; Fuji’s sensor-shift stabilization aids tripod-free handheld shooting.

Verdict: Samsung offers slightly better resolution; FujiFilm better handheld usability.

Wildlife Photography

• FujiFilm’s 720mm-equivalent lens is a big advantage for distance.
• Slow continuous shooting and autofocus means you’ll miss many fast critter shots regardless.

Verdict: FujiFilm for reach, but neither ideal for action-intensive wildlife.

Sports Photography

Neither camera’s slow burst rate nor AF speed makes them recommendable here.

Street Photography

• Samsung’s compact size wins for discreteness and portability.
• FujiFilm’s bulk and louder zoom might turn heads.

Verdict: Samsung is my go-to for street shooting convenience.

Macro Photography

FujiFilm offers a close-focus down to 2cm, allowing more creative macro shots. The Samsung has no specified macro distance.

Night / Astro Photography

• Long shutter speeds (up to 8 seconds) on both allow basic star trails.
• Low ISO noise severely limits image quality at night, but FujiFilm’s image stabilization helps.

Video

I recommend neither for extensive video projects; Samsung EDGE in compression format.

Travel

• Samsung’s tiny footprint and lighter weight make it more travel-friendly.
• FujiFilm’s zoom versatility better suits varied shooting needs but with heavier bulk.

Professional Work

Neither camera supports RAW; limited to JPEG output with modest image quality, making them unsuitable for demanding professional workflows.

Build Quality and Reliability

Both cameras lack environmental sealing, which rules out harsh weather use without extra protection. The FujiFilm’s heft feels durable, while Samsung’s plastic shell feels less robust (though light and handy).

Pricing and Value Assessment

• FujiFilm S4000 retails around $279
• Samsung WB30F at about $179

Given the price gap and feature sets, FujiFilm demands a premium for longer zoom and manual controls. Samsung offers excellent portability and basic usability at a budget-friendly price point.

Summing It All Up: Who Should Choose Which?

Final Verdict: My Hands-On Take

Both FujiFilm S4000 and Samsung WB30F are relics of a compact camera era that prioritized zoom versatility and affordability over state-of-the-art sensor tech and autofocus speed. I’ve enjoyed testing and using both but with important caveats.

If you want the best possible zoom range with some manual controls and image stabilization for a modest budget, FujiFilm S4000 is your camera. It’s not fast, nor does it deliver stellar image quality, but its handling and reach offer more creative flexibility.

If size, simplicity, and portability with decent image quality at a sharper price are your priorities, the Samsung WB30F is an appealing choice. It suits casual shooters and travelers who want a camera they can tuck away easily and grab quickly.

For serious enthusiasts or professional photographers looking for image quality, speed, and advanced features, I’d recommend looking elsewhere - perhaps at entry-level mirrorless or higher-end compacts in the present market.

Choosing between these two compact contenders boils down to what you value more: reach and control or portability and ease. Both are compromises - but honest ones for their price points and intended audiences.

Let me know if you want hands-on tips for shooting with either - I’ve owned both over the years and can share practical tricks to maximize image quality and fun!