Fujifilm FinePix JZ100 vs Fujifilm FinePix S4200: Which Compact Camera Fits Your Shoot?

When FujiFilm launched the FinePix JZ100 and S4200 back in 2012, these two models carved out distinct niches within the compact camera market. Now, over a decade later, enthusiasts and professionals alike might still find value in these affordable shooters - whether as secondary bodies, learning tools, or budget-friendly travel companions. Yet, while they share family DNA, their design philosophies and intended use cases diverge significantly.

I’ve spent a considerable amount of time putting both through their paces - examining ergonomics, sensor performance, autofocus behavior, and everyday usability across photography genres like portraits, wildlife, landscapes, and video. If you’re wondering which of the two Fujifilm FinePix cameras best suits your style and needs, stick with me for a detailed, practical comparison rooted in real-world experience and technical insight.

Let’s kick off with their physical presence and handling because, let’s face it, how a camera feels in your hands can make or break the shooting experience.

Size and Ergonomics: Compact Meets Bridge Style

The first obvious difference is size and body type. The Fujifilm JZ100 is a pocketable small-sensor compact that weighs in at a mere 129 grams with dimensions of 100 x 56 x 24 mm. It’s slim, light, and truly travel-friendly if you want something that disappears in your jacket or purse. In contrast, the S4200 is much heftier - a bridge-style superzoom with a DSLR-like grip, weighing 543 grams and measuring 118 x 81 x 100 mm.

This extra bulk translates to enhanced handling comfort and manual control accessibility on the S4200, especially for extended shooting sessions, but naturally impacts portability and quick street shooting convenience favoring the JZ100.

Looking from above, the S4200 sports more dedicated dials and buttons, including shutter speed and aperture priority controls, something you won’t find on the pared-down JZ100. The latter mostly relies on automatic shooting modes and lacks hardware manual exposure control - a drawback for expressive shooting but ideal if you want fuss-free operation.

In summary: If discretion and travel convenience top your priorities, the JZ100’s compact design is appealing. But if you prefer a more immersive grip with tactile control, the S4200’s SLR-like body suits those looking for feature-rich ergonomics.

Sensor and Image Quality: Two 1/2.3" CCDs but Different ISO Handling

Both cameras house the same sensor size, measuring 6.17 x 4.55 mm (1/2.3 inch) with a 14 MP resolution, using CCD technology rather than CMOS. Interestingly, the sensor area clocks in at roughly 28.07 mm² for both, confirming the identical physical imaging surface.

Despite the same sensor size and pixel count, the S4200 extends ISO sensitivity further - from ISO 64 to ISO 6400, while the JZ100 caps at ISO 1600 native and boosts up to ISO 3200. On paper, this implies the S4200 handles low-light conditions better. True enough, in my low light testing, the S4200 produced a cleaner image with less noise at ISO 1600 compared to the JZ100, albeit both performed underwhelmingly above ISO 800 due to the older CCD tech.

Color depth and dynamic range are modest on both, typical for 2012-era CCD sensors, meaning you’ll want to keep exposures careful to avoid washed highlights or crushed shadows, particularly in landscape or high-contrast scenes.

Talking about image flare and bokeh - both cameras' lenses are small with limited aperture ranges: F2.9-5.9 on the JZ100 and F3.1-5.9 on the S4200. This formally restricts shallow depth of field effects, although the longer telephoto reach on the S4200 lets you isolate subjects more effectively when zoomed in.

Bottom line on image quality: Expect average image quality for casual photography or family snaps, but modest noise and limited dynamic range comparisons slightly favor the S4200 for challenging light - a common CCD sensor limitation.

Screens and Viewfinders: How You Frame Makes a Difference

The JZ100 sports a 2.7-inch fixed TFT LCD with 230k dots - a modest display that feels cramped and low-res by today’s standards. Meanwhile, the S4200 ups the ante with a 3-inch fixed 230k-dot LCD, and importantly, offers an electronic viewfinder (EVF) with ~97% frame coverage. The EVF is a huge advantage for compositional precision in bright daylight or fast-moving situations where LCD glare hampers visibility.

Neither camera offers touchscreens or articulating displays, meaning straightforward live view operation. The JZ100 lacks any form of viewfinder, requiring you to compose solely through the rear screen.

For street and candid photographers who need a quiet, discreet approach, the JZ100’s LCD-only setup is slightly less intrusive but harder to see in sunlight. Sports and wildlife shooters will appreciate the S4200’s EVF for stable eye-level framing.

Autofocus Systems: Simplicity Versus Flexibility

Both cameras rely on contrast-detection AF (the CCD sensor tech doesn’t support on-chip phase detection). The JZ100 uses a single-center AF point only, whereas the S4200 offers multiple AF points with face detection and eye detection (although not animal eye tracking).

Despite this, autofocus speed on both is modest - typical for mid-2010s compact CCD cameras. The JZ100 focuses adequately in good light but hunts noticeably indoors or in low light. Meanwhile, the S4200 has a slight edge due to more AF areas and face detect, achieving faster lock-on subject tracking, making it better suited for casual wildlife and portrait use.

Neither camera features continuous autofocus during burst shooting - with only single autofocus allowed per frame. Oddly, both models only shoot at 1 FPS maximum continuous shooting speed, which is painfully slow for sports or wildlife. So if fast action capture is crucial, neither camera shines here.

Lens Features and Focal Length: Zoom Range Battles

When it comes to zoom, the S4200 obliterates the JZ100. Its fixed lens offers an extraordinary 24-576 mm equivalent focal range (a whopping 24x zoom) with a variable aperture of F3.1 to 5.9. The JZ100 is more restrained, with an 8x zoom spanning 25-200 mm at F2.9-5.9.

Fujifilm JZ100 front Fujifilm JZ100 screen back Fujifilm S4200 front Fujifilm S4200 screen back

In practice, the S4200 lets you reach subjects impossible to pull close with the JZ100 - birds on distant trees, moon photography, or wildlife far across a field. That versatility is the key selling point for the bridge-style camera at this price point.

On the flip side, the JZ100’s shorter zoom and wider maximum aperture at the wide end (F2.9) translates to slightly better performance in lower light at 25 mm, and marginally shallower depth of field.

Both feature optical image stabilization - sensor-shift on the S4200 versus lens-based on the JZ100 - which helps counteract hand shake during telephoto shooting. I noticed the S4200’s stabilization is generally more effective, probably due to advances in hardware and the longer zoom range’s necessity.

Battery Life and Storage: AA Versus Proprietary, Which Suits You?

Another practical difference is power. The S4200 is powered by 4 AA batteries, providing around 300 shots per charge, which means swapping batteries on the go is easy and economical. The JZ100, however, uses a proprietary NP-45A lithium-ion battery, with undocumented battery life but typically fewer shots per charge and reliance on charging gear.

For travel photographers who often can't stop to recharge, AA power can be an advantage, though the bulkier S4200 offsets this somewhat.

Both support SD/SDHC/SDXC memory cards with a single slot - standard fare for casual cameras.

Video Capabilities: Modest Specs for Casual Clips

Video is modest on both - the JZ100 records up to 1280x720 (720p) at 30 fps using Motion JPEG, while the S4200 also offers 720p at 30 fps but adds the more efficient H.264 codec alongside Motion JPEG.

Neither offers 4K, slow motion, or stereo audio input. No microphone or headphone jacks either.

For casual home movies or travel snippets, both suffice, but professional vloggers or hybrid shooters would find the specs very limiting.

Durability and Weather Sealing: Not Designed for the Wilderness

Regrettably, neither camera offers weather sealing or ruggedness features such as dustproofing, shockproofing, or freezeproofing. Both are entry-level enthusiast cameras, so you’ll want to avoid extreme environments.

Price-to-Performance Overview: What You Pay vs. What You Get

As of the last known retail data, the JZ100 is priced slightly lower (~$190) than the S4200 (~$200), making the choice more about features and form factor than budget.

In my evaluation, the S4200 scores higher on overall functionality, manual control flexibility, and reach, but the JZ100 holds appeal for those prioritizing compactness and simplicity.

How These Cameras Perform Across Major Photography Genres

Here’s a deep-dive into how each fares through the lens of specific uses:

The S4200 delivers a more feature-rich experience - better exposure controls, longer zoom, and an EVF - making it a stronger performer across most genres except for strict portability-focused scenarios.

Wrapping Up: Which Fujifilm FinePix is Right for You?

After thoroughly testing and using both cameras in daily shoots, here’s how I’d advise based on your priorities:

• Choose the Fujifilm JZ100 if:
  You want an ultra-compact, travel-friendly camera that fits in your pocket, shoot simple family photos, street snaps, or casual daylight landscapes. It’s the best no-fuss option that fits an enthusiast’s carry-anywhere philosophy.

• Pick the Fujifilm S4200 if:
  You crave versatility with an expansive zoom range, enjoy some manual control, want an EVF for accurate framing, and plan on shooting a broader variety of subjects including casual wildlife or macro photography. It’s bulkier but justifies that with expanded capability and control.

Neither camera is a professional powerhouse, but both deliver solid value within their vintage niche - especially for beginners or secondary shooters.

Final Thoughts: Relic or Reliable?

These cameras, while now classic budget models, still hold functional charms. If you want cutting-edge tech - fast autofocus, large CMOS sensors, 4K video - you'll need to look elsewhere. But if you prize simplicity, affordability, and basic imaging, either can serve you well.

One last note: Since neither supports RAW, you lose post-processing flexibility, which professionals will find limiting. Consider them more as competent point-and-shoots than tools for the ultimate in image control.

I hope this detailed, hands-on comparison helps clarify which FinePix suits your photography habits and aspirations. Feel free to ask if you want me to dig deeper into specific shooting scenarios or post-processing notes!

Happy shooting!

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• Fujifilm JZ100 front Fujifilm JZ100 screen back Fujifilm S4200 front Fujifilm S4200 screen back