Fujifilm F500 EXR vs Samsung WB150F: The Budget Superzoom Showdown for Enthusiasts and Pros

When scouting for an affordable superzoom compact camera, especially from the early 2010s era, the Fujifilm F500 EXR and Samsung WB150F often pop up as contenders. Both promise budget-friendly versatility with big zoom ranges in petite packages, targeting casual shooters and enthusiast hobbyists who want reach without lugging a DSLR. I’ve put these two through the wringer - from image quality tests to field shooting in portraits, landscapes, and everything in between - to help you decide which might fit your photography style and wallet best.

Let’s dive right in by sizing them up, then dissect specs, real-world handling, image quality, and performance across multiple shooting genres. Along the way, I’ll highlight where each camera punches above its weight - and where they falter.

Pocket-Sized Zoomers: Physical Ergonomics and Design

Getting a feel for how a camera sits in your hands and interacts with your shooting style is crucial, especially when you’re out trekking, street shooting, or chasing wildlife. Despite both cameras being “compact” superzooms, subtle differences affect comfort and usability.

Fujifilm F500 EXR: This Fuji feels solid without being bulky. Measuring roughly 104x63x33mm and weighing around 215 grams, it offers a slightly chunkier grip that’s friendly to larger hands or those who prefer a bit more heft for stability. The top is grippy with rubberized texture, and its 15x zoom (24-360mm equivalent) lens is nicely balanced, though the lens barrel extends visibly at telephoto ends.

Samsung WB150F: Smaller and lighter at 107x61x23mm and 188 grams, Samsung’s unit opts for slimmer dimensions, very pocket-friendly if you’re a minimalist packer. The 18x zoom lens (24-432mm equivalent) feels a bit more telescopic when zoomed in, and the body is a tad more plastic-feeling, but still cleanly built.

From the top view, Fuji provides a traditional dial approach with mode selections clearly marked and tactile, while Samsung’s controls skew toward simplicity and fewer dedicated buttons - leaning heavier on menu-driven adjustments. Neither offers an electronic viewfinder; you’ll rely on the rear LCD for composition.

Should you prioritize tactile clubs-for-thumbs control layout and a more substantial grip, the F500 wins hands down. If you want something that virtually disappears in a jacket pocket with lighter weight, WB150F edges ahead.

Peering Inside: Sensor Technology and Image Quality

For image quality lovers, the sensor is king. Both of these cameras pack “small” sensors, but the devil’s in the details.

Sensor Differences:

• Fujifilm F500 EXR: Uses a 1/2" EXR CMOS sensor measuring 6.4x4.8mm, delivering 16 megapixels. Fuji’s EXR tech was innovative, emphasizing pixel binning and dynamic range optimization by switching sensor modes - a unique way to tackle contrast challenges. It comes with a low ISO floor at 100 and max native ISO up to 3200, with ISO 12800 boosted.

• Samsung WB150F: Employs a slightly smaller 1/2.3” CCD sensor (6.17x4.55mm), with 14 megapixels. CCDs from this period are known for nice color rendition but tend to produce more noise at higher ISOs compared to CMOS sensors. ISO tops at 3200 with no boost.

Real-world Image Characteristics:

In daylight, the Fuji’s sensor shines - a slightly sharper look with more dynamic range retaining detail in highlights and shadows. The EXR modes give Fujifilm leverage for better exposure latitude, especially for landscapes or tricky contrasty scenes.

Samsung's WB150F relies on CCD’s natural color depth, delivering pleasing skin tones and vivid colors but struggles more in shadows and noisy grain emerges sooner as ISO climbs. The image files may require gentle noise reduction in post processing without sacrificing detail.

Neither camera offers RAW capture, which limits post-processing latitude - but Fuji’s built-in sensor processing provides somewhat cleaner JPEGs overall.

Shooting with the Screen and Interface

Both cameras dismiss electronic viewfinders, banking on rear LCDs for framing and menu navigation.

The 3-inch, 460k-dot TFT LCDs on both are typical for their class but with subtle differences:

• Fujifilm F500 EXR: The screen displays slightly better contrast and viewing angles, making outdoor composition easier. The interface is straightforward with dedicated physical buttons plus a practical quick menu. However, the absence of touchscreen means fiddling through menus can slow down spontaneity.

• Samsung WB150F: The WB150F’s screen is just as sharp but a touch less bright under sunlight. Samsung leans towards a streamlined menu with fewer buttons but less tactile feedback. The lack of live view AF tracking on the screen hinders quick re-focusing during framing.

For prolonged outdoor use or situations requiring rapid framing changes, Fuji’s interface is less frustrating - important if you’re a more serious shooter who wants precise control on the fly.

Autofocus and Burst Shooting: Catching the Action

Autofocus (AF) systems and shooting speed determine how well a camera captures fleeting moments.

• Fujifilm F500 EXR: Uses contrast-detection AF with continuous AF support. It offers basic face detection but no advanced eye or animal tracking. Burst shooting caps at 3 frames per second (fps), which makes action or sports shots somewhat challenging.

• Samsung WB150F: Features contrast-detection AF with face detection and selective AF area modes. No continuous AF but does offer AF tracking (albeit more limited). The highlight is a burst shooting mode up to 10 fps, ideal for brief action bursts like kids or pets.

For wildlife or sports photographers on a budget, Samsung’s burst speed and AF area selection provide more breathing room to track moving subjects. Fuji’s lower fps is a bit of a bottleneck, but its continuous AF keeps moving subjects in moderate focus.

Versatility Across Photography Genres

Let’s look at how each holds up for different shoots - from portraits to travel.

Portraits: Skin Tones and Bokeh

Both cameras feature long zoom lenses with modest maximum apertures (F3.5-5.3 for Fuji, F3.2-5.8 for Samsung). Neither can produce creamy, shallow-depth-of-field bokeh typical of DSLRs or larger sensor mirrorless. Still:

• Fujifilm: Delivers natural skin tones with good color fidelity thanks to its sensor and processing. Its EXR mode doesn't help with bokeh but helps preserve dynamic range on faces with tricky light.

• Samsung: Holds its own with warm, pleasant skin tone rendering. Face detection assists sharp focus on people even at longer focal lengths.

Portrait pros and cons:

Landscape: Resolution and Dynamic Range

Landscape shots benefit massively from sensor quality, resolution, and dynamic range along with handling.

Fuji’s EXR sensor stands out here with enhanced dynamic range modes to tame skies and shadows. The 16MP resolution is slightly better suited for modest cropping or large prints.

Samsung’s CCD sensor delivers pleasing colors but flattens out in difficult highlight situations - skies tend to blow out earlier.

While neither has weather sealing (no dust, splash, or freeze resistance), the Fuji’s more robust grip and lens design make it the more trustworthy travel landscape camera.

Wildlife and Sports: Autofocus and Zoom Reach

Wildlife hunting demands reach, speed, and accuracy.

• Zoom: Samsung’s 18x zoom edges Fuji’s 15x (24-432mm vs 24-360mm equivalent), offering a bit extra telephoto reach for distant critters.

• AF and Speed: Samsung’s 10 fps high-speed burst is a boon here. Fuji’s 3 fps is a handicap for fast-moving animals or athletes.

However, autofocus accuracy on both remains limited compared to newer cameras. Neither offers phase-detection sensors or advanced tracking, so expect some missed shots on twitchy subjects.

Street Photography: Discretion and Portability

Street shooters want small, light cameras that focus quickly without drawing attention.

• Fuji F500 EXR: Heavier and chunkier but manageable; quieter shutter helps candid shooting; LCD brightness aids framing in shade.

• Samsung WB150F: Slimmer, quieter, and more pocketable; also features built-in Wi-Fi (rare in budget 2012 compacts) for quick sharing.

Samsung’s smaller form and wireless edge give it a slight advantage for street photographers who prioritize stealth and instant image sharing.

Macro and Close-Up Shots

Both cameras focus down to about 5cm, fairly standard for compacts.

• Fujifilm: Sensor-shift image stabilization helps avoid blur at close range, arguably improving sharpness in tricky handheld macro shots.

• Samsung: Optical IS assists but tends to be less effective in macro, and slower AF can hinder focus precision at very close distances.

Macro enthusiasts might prefer Fuji for the steadier shots, although neither camera is specialized for high magnification or advanced focus bracketing.

Night and Astro Photography

Small sensors and limited ISO ranges handicap both here, but:

• Fujifilm: Higher max ISO (boosted to 12800) and EXR modes for low-light optimize exposures. Sensor-shift stabilization allows longer shutter speeds, helpful for night scenes.

• Samsung: Max ISO 3200 and weaker low-light performance with more noise. Burst shooting irrelevant in darkness.

Neither is ideal for serious astro photography, but Fujifilm’s EXR mode and sensor shifts edge out Samsung for casual night landscapes.

Video Capabilities

Video is a supplementary feature for these cameras, but users may want basics covered.

• Fujifilm F500 EXR: Offers full HD 1080p at 30fps with MPEG-4 compression. Stabilization assists handheld clips, but no external mic or headphone jacks limit audio control.

• Samsung WB150F: Tops out at HD 720p at 30fps, recording in MPEG-4 and H.264. No stabilization or external audio options.

For casual video, Fujifilm delivers sharper quality and better steady shots, making it more useful for travel vloggers or family video than Samsung.

Travel and Everyday Versatility

The true test of a compact superzoom is how well it handles the unpredictability of travel.

Fujifilm F500 EXR screen back Samsung WB150F front Samsung WB150F screen back

• Fuji F500 EXR: Slightly heavier but rugged ergonomics, versatile zoom range, extended low-light ISO capabilities, and sensor shift IS make it an all-in-one travel companion. Disadvantage: no wireless connectivity means slower photo transfers.

• Samsung WB150F: Lighter, with the added perk of built-in Wi-Fi to instantly upload photos - a nice plus on the go. Longer zoom extends reach, but weaker image quality in challenging lighting conditions lessens appeal for serious memories.

Reliability, Build Quality, and Workflow

Neither camera features weather sealing or rugged protections, so mind your environment to avoid dust or moisture damage.

Both accept SD cards, have a single slot, and use proprietary batteries (Fujifilm NP-50 vs Samsung SLB-10A). Battery life is roughly comparable but underwhelming by modern standards - carry spares if you plan long days.

Neither supports RAW format, limiting post-processing flexibility. For pros who rely on RAW, these cameras serve better as quick backups or casual shooters than as primary files sources.

Both cameras lack HDMI or robust wireless options - Samsung wins some connectivity points with built-in Wi-Fi but no HDMI out.

Price and Value: Stretching Your Photography Dollar

As of their launch and even today in used markets:

• Fujifilm F500 EXR: Around $430 new at launch
• Samsung WB150F: Usually closer to $230 new at launch

Given the nearly double price of Fuji, is the performance justify? My testing points toward “yes” if your priority is image quality, real-world versatility, and shooting control. Samsung appeals if you’re a cheapskate seeking straightforward superzoom fun, easy sharing, and fast burst for action but can tolerate image quality compromises.

Overall Performance Scores and Genre-Based Summaries

A summary with an easy visual:

Highlights from the charts:

• Fuji dominates in image quality, landscapes, portraits, and video.
• Samsung pulls ahead in burst shooting, zoom reach, wireless connectivity.
• Both score similarly in portability and macro use, with Fuji’s ergonomics enhancing usability.

Final Pros, Cons, and Recommendations

Who Should Buy the Fujifilm F500 EXR?

• Photography enthusiasts who prioritize image quality and flexibility on a budget.
• Travelers who want a solid, versatile superzoom with decent low-light and video.
• Portrait and landscape fans who care about color accuracy and exposure latitude.
• Hobbyists willing to forego burst speed for sharper, more detailed JPEGs.

Who Should Buy the Samsung WB150F?

• Budget-conscious consumers wanting lens reach and Wi-Fi sharing.
• Action shooters needing fast burst frame rates in a tiny package.
• Casual users who value portability and social media connectivity.
• Those who don’t mind compromising image files for convenience.

Wrapping It Up: Which Compact Superzoom Wins?

Having tested these two in real-world conditions over thousands of frames, my gut and my charts agree that the Fujifilm F500 EXR feels like the more well-rounded, thoughtful camera for photography enthusiasts. It balances image quality, lens flexibility, and usability in a durable, confident platform.

The Samsung WB150F is a solid runner-up if you crave zoom reach and wireless features on a shoestring budget but can stomach somewhat softer images and slower low-light performance.

Either way, you get a handy travel buddy that frees you from lugging DSLR gear - perfect for beginners and casual shooters wanting a foot in superzoom territory without breaking the bank.

Happy shooting! Feel free to ask if you want samples or deeper dives on shooting techniques with either camera.