Fujifilm HS50 EXR vs. T550: A Deep Dive into Two 2013 Superzoom Contenders

When we look back at Fujifilm’s small sensor superzoom entries from 2013, two models stand out for distinct reasons: the bridge-style Fujifilm HS50 EXR and the compact Fujifilm T550. Both targeted at consumers who craved reach and convenience but without breaking the bank or wrestling with interchangeable lenses. I’ve spent considerable time putting these two through detailed, side-by-side testing to illuminate how their design philosophies, feature sets, and real-world image-making capabilities compare.

In this extensive comparison, we’ll traverse every aspect - from sensor technology and ergonomics to autofocus, shooting versatility, and suitability across photography genres - from portraits to wildlife and video. By sharing insights culled from measured testing and practical experience, my aim is to help you pick which camera, if any, matches your photographic ambitions and style.

Size and Handling: Bridge Bulk vs. Compact Simplicity

Given their categorizations - HS50 EXR as a bridge (SLR-like) and T550 as a point-and-shoot compact - we start our comparison by evaluating physical dimensions, weight, and handling.

The HS50 weighs in significantly heavier at 808g, with its robust 135×101×146mm frame feeling substantial in hand. By contrast, the T550 is a featherweight at 136g and barely noticeable in a jacket pocket, measuring a mere 99×57×26mm. The HS50 sports an SLR-style grip and more prominent controls, making prolonged use less tiring for serious shooting sessions, whereas the T550’s slimness favors grab-and-go snaps and travel ease.

Ergonomically, the HS50’s heft and contoured grip offer superior stability when zooming through its prodigious 24-1000mm equivalent lens. Controls - including manual dials for shutter speed and aperture - enhance operation speed and tactile feedback. The T550’s minimalistic button array reflects its more consumer-friendly intent, with limited options for manual exposure.

In summary, if your shooting leans towards deliberate framing and extended handheld use with manual input, the HS50’s bulk and design will serve you better. Those prioritizing pocketability and spontaneous photography will find the T550’s compactness very appealing.

Top Controls and Interface: A Tale of Two UIs

Handling extends to how cameras respond to user inputs. The top layout and onboard dials can make or break real-world efficiency.

Examining the HS50 EXR’s top reveals a classic arrangement: dedicated exposure compensation dial, shutter release surrounded by zoom toggle, mode dial with clear manual, aperture, and shutter priority modes easily accessed. This level of control felt refreshing; Fujifilm designed this camera to reward knowledge of exposure parameters and quick adjustments.

The T550, meanwhile, strips complexity to almost nothing. Its top features only a simple shutter button and modest zoom rocker. Absence of dedicated manual exposure controls makes it decidedly automatic mode-focused, so if you want fast results with minimal fuss, it delivers - but at the cost of creative latitude.

For photographers who appreciate having exposure overrides at their fingertips or who rely heavily on tactile controls rather than menus, the HS50 shines. Casual shooters might actually prefer the T550’s simplified interface to avoid confusing options.

Sensor and Image Quality: EXR CMOS vs. CCD - The Technical Divide

The heart of any camera is its sensor and image processor. Here, things get interesting with Fujifilm employing markedly different sensor tech in these two models despite their release contemporaneity.

The HS50 sports a 1/2" EXR CMOS sensor measuring 6.4x4.8mm with 16 megapixels. This sensor, paired with the EXR Processor II, aims to deliver wide dynamic range, low noise, and decent color fidelity thanks to distinct EXR modes - designed to prioritize dynamic range, resolution, or low noise depending on settings. The EXR architecture facilitates capturing nuances in high-contrast scenes and dialing down ISO noise impressively at higher sensitivities (up to ISO 12800 native).

Conversely, the T550 uses a slightly smaller 1/2.3" CCD sensor (6.17x4.55mm), also 16 megapixels. While CCDs are traditionally known for good color rendition and low sensor pattern noise, in such a small format and with older processing (no EXR tech), it struggles more in low light and dynamic range compared to the HS50. The T550 max ISO tops out at 3200 native, reflecting its limited high-ISO performance.

In practical shooting, the HS50’s CMOS sensor produces noticeably cleaner images at ISO 800 and above, and its dynamic range lets shadows and highlights retain more detail in tricky lighting such as backlit portraits or contrasty landscape skies. The T550 fares well only in bright daylight and moderate lighting, with visible noise and compressed tonal gradations kicking in sooner.

Dynamic range and noise are critical for serious landscape, portrait, and low-light work - the HS50 has a clear leg up here.

Display and Viewfinder: Articulated Excellence vs. Basic Fixed Screen

Strong displays and viewfinders are essential for composing, reviewing, and navigating settings.

The HS50 EXR impresses with its 3-inch fully articulated LCD boasting 920K dots - sharp, bright, and versatile for shooting at awkward angles or selfies (a feature Fujifilm thoughtfully marketed here). Its electronic viewfinder (EVF) matches that resolution, with the added benefit of eye-level framing and stable composition tracking in bright outdoor light.

The T550’s 3-inch fixed LCD offers just 230K dots - significantly less resolution, resulting in a grainier preview image. It has no EVF, so all shooting relies on the back screen, which in direct sunlight challenges composition due to glare and reduced brightness.

For street photographers and travel shooters, the HS50’s articulated screen and EVF offer flexibility, while the T550, despite its slimness, can frustrate in bright environs.

Autofocus and Burst Performance: Phase Detection vs. Contrast Detection

Speed and accuracy in capturing decisive moments make a big difference across sports, wildlife, and event photography.

Both cameras employ different AF technologies. The HS50 pairs phase detection AF with continuous AF and tracking, allowing it to lock on subjects quickly and follow movement with reliability. Its burst rate reaches a very respectable 11fps, helping capture fast action sequences.

The T550, restricted to contrast-detection autofocus, is slower and less adept at tracking moving subjects. Burst shooting is not supported in this model.

This difference translates to practical superiority for the HS50 in sports, wildlife, and even street photography where split-second autofocus and frame rates count.

Lens Versatility and Image Stabilization

Both cameras come with built-in lenses and optical stabilization, but their specs diverge notably.

The HS50’s 24-1000mm (41.7× zoom) lens with constant maximum aperture range of f/2.8-5.6 covers from wide angle to super-telephoto. This extreme reach combined with optical Image Stabilization (IS) enables handheld shooting across a vast range of subjects - from intimate portraits to distant wildlife - without additional gear.

The T550 sports a more modest 24-288mm (12× zoom) fixed lens, with your typical consumer aperture and IS.

In practice, the HS50’s longer zoom and stabilization perform admirably, but the extended reach comes with inherent optical compromises - some edge softness and chromatic aberrations visible at long telephoto ends, a common trade-off with superzooms. Image stabilization, however, works well on both, effectively reducing shake in low shutter speed scenarios, with the HS50 having the edge at extreme telephoto lengths.

Battery Life and Storage

Shooting duration and storage convenience matter during prolonged outings.

The HS50’s battery is rated at roughly 500 shots per charge - solid for enthusiast-level use. The T550’s battery life isn’t explicitly rated by the manufacturer, but in practice, it’s noticeably shorter, given its smaller size and embedded battery design, typical of compacts.

Both cameras use SD/SDHC/SDXC cards with a single slot, standard fare in this category.

If you prioritize extended sessions without frequent recharges, the HS50 takes a clear lead.

Video Capabilities: Full HD vs. Modest HD

Video is not the primary focus for either camera but worth noting.

The HS50 records Full HD 1080p at 60fps using efficient MPEG-4 and H.264 encoding and includes an external mic input - valuable for vloggers and documentary shooters seeking better audio capture.

The T550 maxes out at 720p and 30fps with no mic input, supporting simple home videos but limited by its codec choices and resolution.

In terms of video usability, the HS50 is clearly the more versatile and creative option.

Durability and Weather Resistance

Neither model offers environmental sealing, waterproofing, or shockproofing - common limitations for cameras in this price and class. The HS50’s rugged feel and slightly bulkier build give more confidence in handling but do not substitute for proper weather protection.

Price and Value: Weighing Features Against Cost

Upon release, the HS50 commanded roughly $500, reflecting its enthusiast-targeted features, long zoom, and manual controls. The T550 was priced at $160, aligning with casual users and budget buyers.

Given their current market positions (often found as used or discounted), these price differences are a significant factor in deciding which model suits you.

How Do These Cameras Perform Across Photography Disciplines?

Bringing it all together, let’s examine genre-based suitability, supported by sample images and performance ratings.

Fujifilm HS50 EXR front Fujifilm HS50 EXR screen back Fujifilm T550 front Fujifilm T550 screen back

Portrait Photography

The HS50’s larger EXR CMOS sensor better renders natural skin tones and manages bokeh at wider apertures, notably at the 24-70mm zoom region. Eye and face detection autofocus boost accuracy in focus, critical for portraits. The T550’s CCD struggles to separate subject from background and produces flatter tones.

Landscape Photography

Dynamic range is paramount here; the HS50’s EXR sensor dominates with more depth and retained highlights/shadows. Its extensive zoom can also capture distant vistas, though peak sharpness softens at extremes. The T550 delivers acceptable results primarily in bright, evenly lit scenes.

Wildlife and Sports

Fast autofocus, burst shooting, and robust zoom help the HS50 shine. Tracking small animals or athletes is within its limits if you maintain decent technique. The T550’s slow AF and zoom cap hinder these genres, with missed shots likely.

Street Photography

Here, compactness is a virtue. The T550’s discreet profile is attractive, but the HS50’s EVF aids composition unnoticed, and its articulated screen allows creative shooting angles. Low light favors the HS50 as well.

Macro Photography

Neither specialize in macro, but the HS50 can focus down to 0 cm with its lens leveraging close focusing, yielding decent detail. The T550 lacks dedicated macro range and struggles with precision.

Night and Astro Photography

The HS50’s higher max ISO and longer shutter capabilities give it a clear advantage for low-light and astro captures. The T550 is limited to modest ISO, making this an unlikely pursuit.

Video

For casual recording, the T550 suffices, but creators will appreciate the HS50’s better resolution, frame rates, and external audio input.

Travel Photography

The T550’s light weight and pocketability make it an easy travel partner. Yet, for versatile applications and image quality, many will tolerate the HS50’s extra bulk.

Professional Work

Both cameras lack professional-grade build and features such as full RAW integration, tethering, or rugged weather sealing, but the HS50 edges ahead in file quality and manual control, albeit relegated to advanced amateurs.

Final Recommendations: Matching Cameras to Photographer Profiles

Choose the Fujifilm HS50 EXR if:

• You want a versatile superzoom bridging wide angle to extreme telephoto (24-1000mm).
• Manual control over exposure, focus, and settings is important.
• You value image quality in varied lighting conditions, including low light.
• You shoot sports, wildlife, landscapes, or want usable video features.
• You can accommodate a larger, heavier camera.
• Battery life and external microphone support matter to you.

Choose the Fujifilm T550 if:

• You want a super-compact, pocketable camera that covers modest zoom range (24-288mm).
• You prefer automatic shooting without deep manual controls.
• Your photography occurs mostly in good lighting and casual environments.
• Budget constraints are tight.
• You want a simple point-and-shoot with Wi-Fi-less straightforward operation.

Closing Thoughts: One Camera to Rule Them?

While both stem from Fujifilm’s 2013 small sensor superzoom line, the HS50 EXR and T550 reflect fundamentally different priorities. The HS50 occupies a space for enthusiasts who need extended reach, manual flexibility, and decent image quality in diverse scenarios. The T550 sacrifices those strengths to prioritize size, simplicity, and affordability.

This isn’t to say either is perfect. The HS50’s long zoom and sensor size mean trade-offs in weight and image resolution compared to interchangeable-lens cameras. The T550’s limited zoom and sensor technology mean you compromise image quality in dimmer or more demanding conditions.

However, each finds its niche well, and understanding your photographic ambitions is key in leaning towards one or the other.

In all, my extensive hands-on tests affirm: the Fujifilm HS50 EXR is the dogged workhorse with extra mileage in manual control and image quality, while the T550 is the good boy for carefree point-and-shoot convenience. Choose accordingly.

Appendix: Summary Table

If you want to explore how such specs manifest in actual field images and scores, the accompanying galleries and performance charts throughout this article provide concrete evidence to support your choice.

Happy shooting!