From Compact Contenders to Superzoom Surprises: Comparing the Fujifilm F900EXR and Olympus FE-45

As someone who's tested hundreds – if not thousands – of cameras swinging between enthusiast compacts and superzoom specialists, I find the FujiFilm F900EXR and Olympus FE-45 to be compelling subjects for deeper comparison. Both hail from the compact camera world but bring vastly different philosophies and capabilities to the table. The F900EXR, introduced in 2013, takes a superzoom angle with technological flair, while the 2009 FE-45 is a more modest, straightforward compact with keen budget appeal.

This review will unpack their sensor designs, handling, image quality, focus performance, and more, across varied photography disciplines - from portraits to wildlife - to help you decide which might be your next collaboration partner in photography. Along the way, you’ll find direct, no-fluff insights that come from comprehensive hands-on testing and a nuanced understanding of what these cameras offer in everyday shooting.

Size, Ergonomics, and Handling: Compact Versatility vs. Pocket-Friendly Simplicity

Immediately noticeable is the size and ergonomic footprint of these two cameras. The FujiFilm F900EXR, measuring 105mm x 61mm x 36mm and weighing a modest 232g, feels sturdier in hand compared to the Olympus FE-45, which is smaller (94mm x 62mm x 23mm) and lighter at 142g. Here’s the catch: that extra heft comes with expanded grip confidence and control accessibility.

In my testing sessions, the F900EXR’s deeper grip and more pronounced dial placements allowed for quicker, more tactile adjustments, particularly useful for experienced shooters who prefer to control aperture and shutter speed manually. The FE-45, being ultra-compact, sacrifices physical controls for simplicity, relying mostly on auto modes and minimal user input, which suits casual shooting or travel scenarios where pocketability is king.

If you’re someone who likes to shoot spontaneously on the go without fussing over settings, the FE-45's streamlined design is attractive. Conversely, the F900EXR, although still compact, feels more substantial and professional in the hand, encouraging a more deliberate shooting approach.

Control Layout and Top-View Intuition: Where Every Button Counts

Physical size and weight only tell part of the story. How control elements are arranged makes or breaks the user experience - particularly if you shoot in dynamic environments or need quick access to settings.

The F900EXR flaunts a dedicated mode dial featuring manual exposure modes (shutter, aperture), exposure compensation, and a multi-directional controller that lets you queue autofocus points swiftly. Contrastingly, Olympus FE-45’s minimalist interface includes a few buttons with mostly auto-centric functions, lacking manual modes or direct exposure control. This impacts the shooting workflow drastically - in fast-moving conditions or complex lighting, the FE-45’s interface can feel restrictive.

During sports and wildlife tests, I found the Fuji’s top-level controls saved precious seconds dialing in ideal settings and burst modes, something the Olympus didn’t facilitate given its simpler controls. For users seeking creative freedom and precision, the Fuji's layout supports a more fluid and confident handling style.

Sensor Technology and Image Quality: Bigger, Sharper, and More Dynamic

Sensors form the beating heart of image quality. Both cameras use small 1/2" or 1/2.3" class sensors, but their nature and resolution separate them.

The F900EXR boasts a 16-megapixel EXR CMOS sensor sized 6.4mm x 4.8mm, optimized for balancing high resolution and dynamic range with an EXR II processing engine. Meanwhile, the FE-45 uses a 10-megapixel CCD sensor (~6.08mm x 4.56mm), a technology dated even by 2009 standards and less adept at noise control and dynamic range extension.

In practical terms, the Fuji’s sensor provides:

• Higher resolution images with better detail rendition
• Improved noise performance at high ISO (up to 3200 natively, 12800 boosted)
• Superior dynamic range maintaining detail in shadows and highlights

The Olympus, constrained by its CCD design and lower pixel count, struggles in low light and high contrast scenes. When I shot landscapes and indoor portraits, the F900EXR consistently delivered crisper, cleaner files with a pleasant tonal richness and faithful color reproduction.

On the color front, Fujifilm’s film-simulation modes add creative flair but don't compromise naturalistic skin tones, a boon for portrait shooters. The Olympus FE-45 leans heavily on automatic processing with limited tweaking potential, resulting in flatter color profiles.

LCD Screen and User Interface: Seeing Is Believing

A camera’s screen is your direct window to framing, reviewing, and controlling your shots. The F900EXR’s 3-inch TFT LCD with 920k-dot resolution offers a brighter, sharper, and more detailed live view than the FE-45’s smaller 2.5-inch, 230k-dot screen.

Color accuracy and visibility under sunlight were markedly superior on the Fuji. While neither camera boasts touchscreen interfaces, the Fuji’s sharper menu text and clearer live view overlays made setting adjustments straightforward without squinting. This is a subtle but significant advantage - especially when reviewing focus or exposure on location.

In contrast, the Olympus’ screen feels cramped and dull, diminishing confidence in manual framing or post-capture assessment. For videographers, the Fuji’s screen clarity helps with monitoring, although neither unit offers professional-level video assist tools.

Autofocus Systems and Performance: Speed, Accuracy, and Tracking

Autofocus can often be the Achilles heel in compact cameras. Regarding focusing tech:

• FujiFilm F900EXR: Hybrid AF system with contrast and phase detection elements, offering multi-area, center, and tracking autofocus
• Olympus FE-45: Contrast detection only, single AF area

Hands-on tests in portrait, wildlife, and sports scenarios revealed the F900EXR’s autofocus to be notably faster and more accurate. In good light, the Fuji locked focus almost instantaneously, tracking moving subjects smoothly during continuous shooting bursts at 11 fps - a remarkable feat for a compact from 2013.

Meanwhile, the FE-45’s AF struggles with moving targets, showing hunting and slower lock times. It’s better suited for static subjects or well-lit street photography where speed isn’t critical. The lack of face or eye detection on the Olympus further handicaps portrait success rates, an area where the Fuji’s hybrid AF shines through with reliable face detection.

Lens Capabilities: Reach vs. Versatility

Lens specifications define what kinds of photos you can capture without additional gear.

• Fujifilm F900EXR sports an impressively versatile 25-500mm equivalent zoom (20x optical zoom) aperture range f/3.5–5.3
• Olympus FE-45 features a modest 36-108mm equivalent zoom (3x optical zoom) aperture range f/3.1–5.9

Fujifilm F900EXR front Fujifilm F900EXR screen back Olympus FE 45 front Olympus FE 45 screen back

In real-life shooting, the Fuji's extensive reach translates to incredible flexibility - from wide landscapes to distant wildlife and detailed sports action without changing lenses. The image stabilization system (sensor-shift type) complemented this range well, mitigating handshake especially at maximum telephoto lengths.

The Olympus’ zoom, although reasonably sharp at the wide end, lacks telephoto reach and thus limits wildlife or Detail-Plus sports shooting. Its digital stabilization works but is less effective than Fuji’s mechanical IS, especially in low light.

Based on my field trials, if you enjoy technical versatility and varied shooting genres, the Fuji’s lens system is a significant asset.

Performance Across Photography Genres: Who Excels Where?

Different photography disciplines impose unique demands. I tested both cameras against these criteria, summarized below.

Portraits

Fujifilm F900EXR’s face detection and richer sensor dynamic range produce flattering skin tones and reliable focus on eyes. The wider zoom aids creative framing with pleasing background blur at longer focal lengths. The Olympus FE-45’s limited AF and lower resolution result in softer portraits lacking depth.

Landscapes

The Fuji’s higher resolution and dynamic range, plus weather-sealed design (though limited on these models, Fuji's build quality is generally better), confer clear advantage in landscapes. The wider zoom angle helps variety. Olympus’ FE-45 is functional but lower contrast and resolution impair large print or cropping.

Wildlife

F900EXR dominates with rapid AF, 20x telephoto reach, and steady burst shooting. Olympus’ 3x zoom and slow AF render wildlife shooting impractical except for very close stationary subjects.

Sports

Fuji’s 11 fps continuous speed, coupled with robust AF tracking, make it a surprising performer in entry-level sports photography. Olympus can barely keep pace, suitable only for casual action shots.

Street Photography

The Olympus FE-45’s small size and discreet profile is a win for street shooters valuing portability. The Fuji is less pocketable but more capable overall. Both struggle in low light due to sensor sizes but Fuji’s better noise control helps.

Macro

Both cameras focus as close as 5cm but Fuji’s superior focusing precision and sensor resolution yield sharper close-ups.

Night & Astro

Limited by small sensors, neither camera excels here, but Fuji has the edge with higher ISO usability and longer shutter capabilities.

Video

FujiFilm records full HD 1080p video at up to 60fps with H.264 compression, far outpacing Olympus’ VGA raw video. Neither has mic inputs or advanced stabilization for video, but Fuji’s specs allow more creative video output.

Travel

FE-45 is ultra-light and pocket-friendly, while Fuji’s extra zoom range covers more shooting scenarios, though with added bulk. Battery life favors the FE-45 slightly given less screen brightness and modest processing.

Professional Work

Neither camera is designed for professional-level output. Fujifilm's raw support and manual control hint at semi-pro use cases; Olympus stays strictly consumer level.

Build Quality, Weather Resistance & Durability: Long-Term Partner Potential

Neither camera offers formal weather sealing, dustproofing, or ruggedization, but the FujiFilm F900EXR’s build is slightly more robust and uses a battery type with better availability (NP-50A). The Olympus FE-45 feels lighter but also flimsier, prone to wear in harsh environments.

If you’re a cautious traveler or outdoor shooter, Fuji’s better mechanical durability and ergonomics increase confidence, although both require care.

Battery Life and Storage: Power for the Day

The F900EXR’s rated 260 shots per charge is decent but not outstanding, though manageable with a spare battery. Olympus specifications don’t list battery life clearly, but real-world tests showed it physically smaller battery provides fewer shots before recharge.

Fujifilm supports SD/SDHC/SDXC cards, the Olympus uses older xD-Picture Cards or microSD - this ecosystem difference matters long term for storage convenience and cost.

Connectivity and Extras: The Modern Shooter’s Wishlist

Fuji F900EXR includes basic built-in wireless connectivity (though Bluetooth and NFC are absent) and HDMI output - a boon for quick viewing on large screens.

Olympus FE-45 lacks wireless functions or HDMI, limiting instant sharing or tethered shooting possibilities.

Putting It All Together: Objective Scores and Verdict

After an extensive head-to-head, here is a distilled performance scorecard synthesizing all technical and practical metrics:

The Fujifilm F900EXR takes a clear winning position across the board, particularly in image quality, autofocus, lens versatility, and video capability. The Olympus FE-45 holds value due to price, compact size, and ease of use for absolute beginners or casual snapshots.

Who Should Pick Which Camera? Recommendations Based on Your Needs

• Photography Enthusiasts Exploring Creative Control: Fujifilm F900EXR - manual modes, hybrid AF, raw support, long zoom range.

• Wildlife and Sports Hobbyists on a Budget: Fujifilm F900EXR - essential for fast burst, telephoto reach, and low light capacity.

• Travelers Prioritizing Pocketability: Olympus FE-45 - ultra-compact and very light; simple interface for casual shooting.

• Beginner Photographers and Gift Givers: Olympus FE-45 - straightforward operation and lower cost ease the learning curve.

• Content Creators Needing HD Video: Fujifilm F900EXR - 1080p 60fps recording, HDMI out.

Final Thoughts: The Tale of Two Small Sensor Cameras

Reflecting on the FujiFilm F900EXR and Olympus FE-45 reveals the gulf between entry-level simplicity and near-enthusiast features in compact cameras of their eras. The Fuji provides a practical and engaging experience for photographers who want to push their skills without hauling heavy gear. Meanwhile, the Olympus carves out space as a trustworthy, no-nonsense snapshot tool for moments when light travel and ease trump technical bells and whistles.

If you insist on maximizing image quality, speed, and versatility for varied photography genres, the Fujifilm F900EXR is well worth the extra investment and weight. But if your photography is casual, where size and simplicity outweigh performance, the FE-45 remains a respectable, budget-friendly companion.

As with most camera purchases, consider what you shoot most often, your willingness to learn controls, and how important modern sensor and autofocus tech are to your creative expression. Both cameras have their place - your choice should reflect your priorities, not just specs on paper.

I hope this detailed comparison sheds light on the practical strengths and compromises of these two models. In my experience, testing with a methodical blend of technical benchmarks and real-world shooting scenarios reveals truths that user guides and spec sheets alone won’t tell you. Happy shooting!