FujiFilm Z800EXR vs Panasonic Lumix FS15: The Ultimate Ultracompact Camera Showdown

In the realm of ultracompact digital cameras, two notable contenders emerged in the late 2000s and early 2010s: FujiFilm’s FinePix Z800EXR and Panasonic’s Lumix DMC-FS15. Both promised portability, respectable image quality, and user-friendly operation in a pocket-sized shell. But more than a decade later, how do these two cameras truly stack up when put through the rigors of comprehensive testing across multiple photography disciplines? Having spent countless hours evaluating compact cameras through the lens of sensor tech, autofocus behavior, user ergonomics, and real-world image performance, I’m excited to unpack the strengths, weaknesses, and practical usability of these models for today’s discerning photography enthusiasts.

Let’s dive deep into this head-to-head comparison, integrating detailed technical analysis and hands-on insights, while keeping our eye on the kinds of images you want to create.

First Impressions: Design, Size, and Handling

At first glance, both the FujiFilm Z800EXR and Panasonic FS15 epitomize the “ultracompact” ethos – small, lightweight, and designed for maximum pocketability without the complication of interchangeable lenses or advanced manual control.

The Z800EXR measures 98x59x20mm and weighs in at 158g, while the FS15 is slightly smaller in footprint at 97x54x22mm and lighter at 136g. While these marginal differences seem negligible, they translate into distinct handling characteristics. The FujiFilm’s slightly thicker body aids grip stability, making one-handed operation less precarious, whereas the Panasonic’s more slender frame emphasizes compactness, ideal for slip-in-pocket street shooting.

Neither camera offers a dedicated electronic viewfinder, relying solely on their LCD screens – which is typical for this category. However, the FujiFilm’s larger 3.5-inch touchscreen commands attention compared to the FS15’s more dated 2.7-inch, non-touch display. This impacts framing comfort and menu navigation, which we’ll explore in more detail shortly.

Ergonomically, both models adopt a minimalist control layout with limited physical dials or buttons. The FujiFilm's rear is dominated by its touchscreen, making manual adjustments more intuitive for those accustomed to tapping interfaces. The Panasonic, released earlier, sticks with conventional buttons without touchscreen support, which may feel sluggish to power users but offers tactile reassurance for novices.

A glance from above highlights these design philosophies clearly:

The Fuji’s cleaner top plate with fewer protrusions feels more modern and ready for casual snapping, whereas the FS15’s conventional shutter and zoom controls, although small, are well-placed.

Verdict on Ergonomics

If you prize a large, responsive display and touchscreen convenience, the FujiFilm Z800EXR wins hands down. For absolute pocket convenience and simplicity, the Panasonic FS15 still holds merit, especially for users who prefer physical buttons over touch input.

Sensor and Image Quality: The Heart of the Matter

Central to any camera comparison is image quality, and in this regard, sensor specifications offer a revealing starting point.

Both cameras sport 12-megapixel CCD sensors of very similar size: Fuji’s at 1/2-inch (6.4x4.8mm sensor area ~30.7 mm²) and Panasonic’s slightly smaller 1/2.3-inch (6.08x4.56mm area ~27.7 mm²). The size difference gives FujiFilm an edge in photon-gathering capacity, theoretically allowing for cleaner images in low light and better dynamic range.

However, sensor tech and image processing matter just as much as size. FujiFilm’s EXR processor pairs with a sensor designed for EXR mode shooting (which notably involves pixel binning for enhanced dynamic range or sensitivity, depending on settings). Panasonic lacks this specialized processor and sticks to standard CCD readouts.

Resolution and Detail

Both sensors max out at 12 megapixels, yielding a 4000x3000 native resolution - adequate for prints up to 13x19 inches with good sharpening. FujiFilm’s EXR tech can modulate pixel grouping to achieve sharper highlights and richer shadow detail, especially in landscapes and static subjects.

Image sharpening and artifact control reveal the Fuji’s advantage here: FujiFilm’s EXR sensor minimizes noise without overly aggressive in-camera sharpening, preserving micro-detail better than the FS15. Panasonic images tend to feel flatter and occasionally overprocessed, especially at base ISO.

ISO Range and Noise Handling

Maximum native ISO values stand at 1600 for both cameras, but the FS15 supports ISO boost up to 6400, a number likely to be of questionable usability given the small sensor and CCD noise characteristics. Fuji’s highest boosted ISO is 3200.

In my extensive low-light shooting tests, the FujiFilm maintains usable image quality up to ISO 800 and sometimes 1600 with smoothing acceptable for casual prints. Beyond that, noise becomes intrusive. The Panasonic’s high ISO boosted modes introduce significant grain and color blotches, limiting practical use mostly to daylight conditions.

Dynamic Range and Color Depth

The FujiFilm’s EXR sensor delivers a respectable dynamic range for its class, especially in programmed DR mode, which prioritizes holding highlight details. Color reproduction also benefits from Fuji’s careful in-camera processing tuned to naturally warm, pleasing skin tones - valuable for portrait shooters.

The FS15’s images tend to be more neutral but can suffer from crushed shadows and loss of highlight detail, especially in challenging lighting.

Bottom Line on Image Quality

While neither camera will rival modern mirrorless or DSLR systems in raw image quality, the FujiFilm Z800EXR pulls ahead notably due to its sensor size, EXR processing, and superior dynamic range. The Panasonic FS15, while adequate for snapshots, struggles to maintain image fidelity in demanding conditions.

Screen and User Interface: How You Interact with Your Images

As touched upon earlier, display size and responsiveness heavily influence shooting ease and image review quality.

The FujiFilm’s large 3.5-inch touchscreen (460k pixel resolution) vastly outclasses the FS15’s 2.7-inch, 230k LCD. The touch interface speeds up focusing (tap-to-focus) and menu navigation - a luxury when working quickly in street or casual travel situations.

The FS15’s smaller screen not only makes fine composition trickier but hampers precise manual framing. Its menus are less responsive and require more button presses to reach settings, slowing down adjustments.

A notable omission on both cameras is any kind of electronic viewfinder or optical viewfinder - no surprise given their categories, but certainly worth mentioning for photographers who prefer eye-level composition or shooting in bright ambient light where LCD viewing becomes difficult.

Performance under the Hood: Autofocus, Burst and Stabilization

For real-world shooting, autofocus speed, burst rate, and image stabilization often define whether a camera frustrates or delights, especially in dynamic photography genres.

Autofocus Systems

Both cameras employ contrast-detection autofocus only, without phase-detection assist or hybrid AF.

• FujiFilm Z800EXR: Single-point contrast detection with limited AF area selection; no face or eye detection.
• Panasonic FS15: Slightly more sophisticated with 11 contrast detect AF points, though no face or eye detection.

In practice, the Panasonic’s multiple AF points offer more compositional freedom, but neither camera is particularly snappy or reliable in challenging focus scenarios. Autofocus hunting is noticeable indoors or in low contrast landscapes.

Burst Shooting

Both cameras top out at a modest 2 fps continuous shooting speed - far from sports-camera territory. This limits their ability to capture fast action sequences but suffices for everyday photography and casual subjects.

Image Stabilization

The FujiFilm incorporates sensor-shift stabilization, moving the CCD itself to compensate for shake - a mature approach yielding roughly 2 stops of shutter speed advantage handheld.

The Panasonic features optical image stabilization moving lens elements for shake correction, also effective but less refined in this generation.

In real use, FujiFilm’s system marginally outperforms Panasonic’s - especially in low light or telephoto range where camera shake is more pronounced.

Optics and Lens Capabilities: Zoom and Macro Performance

Both cameras share a fixed, non-removable zoom lens; optical specifications thus greatly influence versatility.

• FujiFilm Z800EXR: 35-175mm equivalent (5x zoom), maximum aperture f/3.9-4.7.
• Panasonic FS15: 29-145mm equivalent (5x zoom), maximum aperture f/3.3-5.9.

The Panasonic’s wider 29mm start is advantageous for landscapes and cramped indoor photography, whereas the Fuji’s 35mm minimum, while less wide, remains serviceable for many travel shots.

The Fuji’s lens is overall sharper, especially at mid-telephoto, with less chromatic aberration and edge softness. Panasonic’s lens tends to soften visibly at full telephoto and wide apertures.

Macro Performance

Macro focusing distance is slightly better on the Panasonic at 5cm, enabling more detailed closeups, compared to 9cm on the FujiFilm. However, usable magnification remains modest on both, and neither camera offers focus stacking or enhanced macro aids.

Handling Various Photography Types: Where Each Camera Excels or Struggles

Portrait Photography

For capturing portraits, accurate skin tone reproduction and pleasing bokeh (background blur) matter.

• FujiFilm: EXR sensor’s color science produces warmer, flattering skin tones. While the lens aperture (f/3.9-4.7) restricts dramatic background blur, the 35mm to 175mm zoom allows decent subject isolation at the telephoto end.
• Panasonic: More neutral and cooler rendering, with shallower maximum aperture at wide end. Bokeh is less creamy due to lens limitations.

Neither camera supports eye detection AF, which modern shooters miss - but Fuji’s reliable single-point AF allows acceptable framing for portraits in static conditions.

Landscape Photography

Dynamic range and resolution count greatly here.

FujiFilm’s EXR mode shines in delivering better highlight retention and richer shadow detail, both critical for landscapes with high contrast.

Panasonic’s limited dynamic range and smaller sensor area results in flatter images, requiring more post-processing work to recover shadows.

Weather sealing is absent on both, limiting rugged outdoor use.

Wildlife and Sports Photography

These genres demand speedy autofocus, high burst rates, and long-telephoto reach.

Neither camera is built for this:

• Slow, single-point contrast autofocus
• Maximum 2 fps burst rate
• Moderate zoom ranges (max ~175mm and 145mm equivalents)

The Fuji’s longer reach is a slight bonus, but it can’t compensate for the AF lag and lack of tracking.

Street Photography

Here, discretion, portability, and quick reaction count.

Both cameras excel in compactness; the FS15’s lighter weight aids stealth.

FujiFilm’s touch LCD is a boon for fast focus lock and framing, though screen size may draw attention.

Low-light performance favors Fuji again, helping covert night street shots.

Macro Photography

Neither camera is macro-centric, but Panasonic’s closer 5cm minimum focusing distance allows tighter framing without add-on accessories.

Image stabilization on Fuji aids handheld macro but is hampered by limited focusing flexibility.

Night and Astro Photography

Limited to ISO 1600 max native, with raw not supported on either camera, these ultracompacts struggle to capture starfields or dim environments cleanly.

FujiFilm’s superior noise handling and gain management give it an edge on handheld night shots, but long exposures are limited by fixed aperture and shutter speed caps.

Video Capabilities: Modest Outlook

Neither camera aims to be a video powerhouse:

• FujiFilm Z800EXR: 720p HD video at 24 fps in Motion JPEG - video quality is passable but limited by low frame rate and storage overhead.
• Panasonic FS15: Max 640x480 VGA resolution at 30 fps.

No microphone or headphone ports on either, no external recording options, and no advanced stabilization in video mode make them unreliable for serious video work.

Travel and Professional Suitability

Both cameras excel primarily as lightweight travel companions:

• FujiFilm’s bigger screen and superior image quality make it preferable for travelers who want better snapshots without lugging heavier gear.
• Panasonic’s smaller size and weight appeal to ultralight packers prioritizing discreetness.

Neither offers pro-level features like RAW support, tethered shooting, or environmental sealing - not surprising given their price points (Fuji at $199, Panasonic $179).

Storage support for SD cards is standard on both.

Battery life is moderately short on both - typical for small lithium-ion batteries of that era - and the Fuji’s NP-45A battery is more widely available today.

Connectivity and Extras

Both cameras lack wireless connectivity (no Wi-Fi, Bluetooth, NFC), HDMI out is only present on the Panasonic FS15 (helpful for direct playback on TVs).

USB 2.0 support on both enables basic file transfer, but not fast an external tethering or charging.

Neither supports GPS or advanced time-lapse recording, though Fuji offers limited custom white balance modes.

Summarizing Strengths and Weaknesses

Feature	FujiFilm Z800EXR	Panasonic FS15
Sensor Size	1/2" CCD (larger)	1/2.3" CCD (smaller)
Processor	EXR for enhanced DR and sensitivity	Standard CCD readout
Maximum ISO	1600 native, 3200 boosted	1600 native, 6400 boosted (noisy)
LCD Screen	3.5" touchscreen (460k)	2.7" non-touch (230k)
Lens Focal Range (equiv)	35-175mm, f/3.9-4.7	29-145mm, f/3.3-5.9
Image Stabilization	Sensor-shift (better)	Optical
Autofocus	Single-point, contrast detection	11-area contrast detection
Burst Rate	2 fps	2 fps
Video	720p@24fps, Motion JPEG	640x480@30fps, Motion JPEG
Weight	158g	136g
Price (approx)	$199	$179

Visual Evidence: Sample Images and Comparative Scores

Nothing beats looking at side-by-side test shots to understand real image quality. Here are gallery samples showcasing landscapes, portraits, and macro images from both cameras:

At a glance, FujiFilm images display richer colors, nuanced contrast, and better preservation of highlight details. Panasonic shots, while reasonably sharp, fall short in tonal range and shadow depth.

Our standardized scoring also ranks FujiFilm consistently higher in most areas:

Breaking these scores down by photographic genre paints a clearer picture:

FujiFilm dominates in landscape, portrait, and night shooting; Panasonic performs adequately in street and macro but lags in overall image fidelity.

Final Recommendations: Who Should Buy Which?

Given the strengths and compromises documented, here’s how I’d advise prospective buyers selecting between these two ultracompacts:

Choose FujiFilm Z800EXR if…

• You want the best image quality possible from a pocketable ultracompact.
• You prioritize dynamic range and low light usability.
• You prefer a large touchscreen interface for quick operation.
• Your photography leans towards landscapes, portraits, and travel snapshots requiring better color reproduction.
• You are willing to accept slightly larger size and weight for these benefits.

Choose Panasonic FS15 if…

• Ultra-minimal bulk and weight are your top priorities for street or casual day-to-day “grab-and-go.”
• You value a wider-angle starting zoom (29mm) for more framing flexibility in tight spaces.
• Budget constraints steer you toward a consistently lower price.
• You favor physical buttons and traditional controls over touchscreen.
• Video capture at VGA resolution suffices for your needs.

Measuring Up in Today’s Context

While both cameras are now over a decade old and have long been superseded by smartphones and entry-level mirrorless systems, evaluating their core design reveals timeless lessons in compact camera trade-offs.

The FujiFilm Z800EXR’s pioneering EXR sensor technology was ahead of its time in optimizing image quality in consumer ultracompacts and still impresses by its ability to wring the most out of a small sensor. The Panasonic FS15 offers a no-nonsense, lightweight choice with decent versatility but at notable image quality compromises.

Closing Thoughts from a Seasoned Evaluator

In my hands-on testing - ranging from controlled lab environments to varied shooting scenarios - I appreciated the FujiFilm Z800EXR’s ability to produce pleasing images under challenging conditions, empowered by useful features like a large touchscreen and sensor-shift stabilization. The Panasonic FS15’s strengths lay in simplicity and compactness with decent autofocus layout but were finally outweighed by its weaker sensor performance and smaller display.

Ultracompact cameras like these remind us that not every shot demands heavy, complex gear; sometimes, it’s about the perfect fusion of convenience, decent optics, and sufficient image quality. For casual photographers and travelers seeking a step above smartphone snaps without bulk, the FujiFilm Z800EXR remains a worthy consideration on the used market, while the FS15 suits those with minimalistic preferences and the tightest budgets.

Your choice ultimately comes down to what you want to prioritize: image fidelity and interface usability, or minimal size and straightforward operation.

Happy shooting, and may your next camera elevate how you capture life’s moments!

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