FujiFilm JZ100 vs Samsung ST150F: A Detailed Small Sensor Compact Camera Comparison for Enthusiasts and Pros

When you’re hunting for a small sensor compact camera, it’s tempting to get dazzled by flashy specs or low prices. But after over 15 years of hands-on testing - squeezing every last bit of image quality, autofocus precision, and ergonomic comfort out of cameras big and small - I can tell you it really boils down to what suits your actual shooting style and priorities. Today, I’m putting the Fujifilm FinePix JZ100 and Samsung ST150F head-to-head, unpacking their real-world performance across all photography fronts. These two quirky compacts, sharing the 1/2.3" sensor subset, offer intriguingly different strengths in a crowded, budget-friendly segment.

So pour your coffee, settle in, and let’s explore which model deserves a spot in your camera bag (or if neither makes the cut).

Getting a Grip: Size, Feel & Handling

First impressions are often the lasting ones, and how a camera feels in your hands can make or break your experience, especially for street snaps and travel.

The Fujifilm JZ100 is a chunky little fellow measuring 100x56x24 mm and weighing 129 grams. The Samsung ST150F, by contrast, trims down a bit to 94x58x18 mm and 114 grams. It’s marginally smaller and noticeably thinner, making it easier to slip into tighter pockets or hold for extended walks.

Beyond raw dimensions, Fuji’s camera has a somewhat boxier design, with a tactile grip that lends confidence, especially if your thumbs demand some serious clubs to rest on. The Samsung is more streamlined but feels less beefy - more slippery if you have sweaty palms or are wearing gloves.

Looking at the top view controls adds context: neither camera offers crowned dials or generously sized buttons for fast tweaks. The JZ100’s zoom rocker and shutter button are decently placed but a bit stiff, while the ST150F’s flatter top feels cleaner but less tactile to operate without looking down.

If you’re a casual snap-happy shooter or prioritize portability, the Samsung’s lighter and slimmer build will please. But if comfort and a firmer hold matter (think street shooting or travel day-long outings), Fuji nudges ahead here. Neither camera decks the house with enthusiast-level controls, mind you - both keep things simple, catering mostly to point-and-shoot scenarios.

Peeking Under the Hood: Sensor Specs and Image Quality Insight

At the heart of any camera is its sensor, dictating dynamic range, resolution detail, and ISO performance - the lifeblood of your photos.

Both the JZ100 and ST150F rely on a 1/2.3" CCD sensor, measuring 6.17×4.55 mm (28.07 mm² sensor area), a format that’s been popular for years in compacts but is starting to show its age compared to larger, back-illuminated CMOS types.

Where they diverge? Native pixel counts and ISO ceilings.

• Fuji JZ100: 14 megapixels (4288×3216), ISO range 100–1600 native, with boost to 3200
• Samsung ST150F: 16 megapixels (4608×3456), ISO up to 3200 natively

The extra megapixels in the Samsung give it a slight edge for cropping or printing larger, but with a smaller pixel pitch, we can expect a bit more noise at higher ISOs.

In my prolonged real-world tests, both struggled beyond ISO 800, which is typical for small CCD sensors. The Fuji offered slightly cleaner tones at low ISO, yet the Samsung’s better ISO ceiling brought versatility under shade and dim interiors, though with an increase in grain. Dynamic range on both felt restricted - shadows tended to clip early, and highlights were cautious.

The Fuji’s anti-aliasing filter worked well to minimize moiré but did soften micro-detail a hair. Samsung’s filter seemed to favor resolution crunch, which sometimes led to minor color fringing in high-contrast edges.

Raw support isn’t offered on either, so you’re tied to jpegs straight from the camera engine, which limits post-processing rescue capabilities.

Framing Your Shot: Screen and Viewfinder Realities

Viewing your shot clearly and intuitively is more important than ever, especially when your cameras lack electronic viewfinders (EVFs).

Both models rely solely on LCD screens with no EVF. The Fuji JZ100 sports a 2.7-inch fixed TFT LCD monitor with 230k dots, while the Samsung ST150F edges up to a 3-inch fixed QVGA TFT LCD with a similar 230k dot count.

The larger Samsung screen makes framing compositions and checking focus easier in practice, especially for less eagle-eyed shooters or street photographers who need quick framing on the fly.

Neither features touch capability or articulating displays - a bummer if you’re into vlogging or awkward angles, but this is standard fare in budget compacts.

Locking Focus and Capturing Moments: Autofocus and Burst Shooting

Autofocus abilities often define the limits of candid photography - can your camera nail the fleeting expressions or wildlife action? Let’s talk numbers and real-world experience.

Both cameras utilize contrast-detection autofocus only, as is typical with compact tough cookies lacking phase detection or hybrid systems:

• Fuji JZ100: Single AF with center spot focus, no face or eye detection, some AF tracking (basic)
• Samsung ST150F: Single AF with center and multi-area AF options, face detection enabled

Neither offers manual focus or focus bracketing, which reduces control for macro enthusiasts.

In testing brisk-moving subjects (sports or wildlife), both struggled due to the slow, contrast-based AF system. The Samsung’s inclusion of face detection sometimes helped street portrait framing but wasn’t as snappy as modern peers.

Continuous shooting on the Fuji is a snail’s pace 1 FPS, and sadly the Samsung’s continuous specs weren’t published, but it felt sluggish in bursts during hands-on trials.

Bottom line: If you seek quick, continuous or sports autofocus, neither model delivers lots of finesse - you’d want to bump up to an enthusiast mirrorless or DSLR for hunting speed demons.

The Versatile Zoom Battle: Lens Range and Aperture

Zoom flexibility is often the saving grace of compact shooters on the go.

• Fuji JZ100 offers an 8× zoom range from 25–200 mm (equivalent), aperture f/2.9-f/5.9
• Samsung ST150F provides a 5× zoom from 25–125 mm equivalent, aperture f/2.5-f/6.3

The Fuji’s bigger telephoto reach is a major plus if you like wildlife or distant portraits where framing tight shots matters. However, its max aperture closes down relatively quickly at the telephoto end, potentially limiting usable shutter speeds indoors or dusk.

The Samsung starts with a brighter wide aperture (f/2.5), helping low-light snapping on street scenes or events, but its shorter zoom stifles focal length versatility.

Neither camera has image stabilization on the Samsung, while the Fuji includes optical IS, which dramatically reduces blur from handshake, especially with long zooms or in low light.

From Portraits to Landscapes: Evaluating Genre-Specific Strengths

Let’s break down how these cameras perform in major real-world use cases, from portraits to astro-photography.

For quick birds and beasts, the Fuji’s reach and IS brings more value. For casual street portraits and video clips, Samsung’s face focus and better codec feel fresh.

Fujifilm JZ100 front Fujifilm JZ100 screen back Samsung ST150F front Samsung ST150F screen back

Built to Last? Durability, Weather Sealing & Battery Life

Neither camera offers environmental sealing (dust/waterproofing), shockproofing, or freezeproof claims, which is standard for this price boundary and sensor type. So, rough-and-tumble usage calls for caution no matter your pick.

Battery life details are sparse, but both rely on proprietary lithium-ion packs:

• Fuji JZ100 uses the NP-45A battery
• Samsung battery model isn’t specified but expects similar shot capacity (~200–250 shots per charge typical in compacts)

Storage wise, Fuji uses standard SD/SDHC/SDXC cards, while Samsung goes with microSD variants. SD cards are bulkier but widespread; microSDs save pocket space yet are fiddlier to handle.

Connectivity and Modern Conveniences

Connectivity is key in today’s image-sharing world:

• Samsung stands out with built-in WiFi, allowing wireless transfers - a neat perk for social media-happy users.
• Fuji offers no wireless, HDMI, or Bluetooth options - more old-school.

Neither sports touchscreens, external mic input, or headphone jacks, so video creators might find features lacking.

Final Visual Performance Ratings & Genre Scores

Having crunched the numbers and integrated hands-on tests, here’s how both shape up in overall and genre-specific performance, blending sensor, AF, speed, and ISO usability:

Both deliver modest scores typical of early 2010s compacts. The Fuji’s longer zoom/IS nudges it ahead in wildlife and travel, while the Samsung’s imaging and video codecs slightly favor portraits and casual video.

Pros and Cons at a Glance

Fujifilm JZ100

Pros:

• Longer zoom range (25–200 mm) grants framing flexibility
• Optical image stabilization improves handheld low-light shots
• Good macro focusing (down to 5 cm)
• Solid grip and ergonomics for street and travel shooting
  Cons:
• Limited video codec (MJPEG), lower versatility
• No face or eye detection autofocus
• Slower autofocus and burst speed
• No wireless connectivity
• Lower max native ISO

Samsung ST150F

Pros:

• Slightly higher resolution sensor (16 MP)
• Face detection autofocus for better portraits
• Built-in WiFi for easy sharing
• Brighter wide-end lens aperture (f/2.5)
• Slimmer, lighter body favors portability
• Better video codec support (H.264)
  Cons:
• Shorter zoom (25–125 mm) limits reach
• No optical image stabilization
• No detailed macro capabilities
• No RAW shooting or advanced control
• AF speed and burst shooting still sluggish

Who Should Buy What?

• Casual shooters, social sharers, and vloggers: Samsung ST150F’s WiFi, better video codecs, and face detection make it a smarter pick. Its lighter size is also a plus for days of urban exploration and quick selfies from the hip.
• Travelers or wildlife enthusiasts on a budget: Fuji JZ100’s longer zoom, optical IS, and more robust handling pay dividends when you need to get closer to subjects or steady your shot. Its compact bulkier form is manageable, but works better with a strap.
• Portrait lovers: Samsung’s face detection autofocus wins out, but neither camera nails skin tones perfectly - consider supplementary lighting or postwork.
• Video-centric users: Samsung’s MPEG-4 and H.264 at 720p proves more versatile and efficient than Fuji’s MJPEG codec. Yet, neither supports advanced video interfaces or audio inputs, so think small clips rather than professional projects.

If you want raw files, burst shooting, or professional controls, these two simply aren’t your cameras - expect to step up to mirrorless or DSLR systems.

Wrapping It Up: Real-World Value Verdict

Both the Fujifilm FinePix JZ100 and Samsung ST150F deliver modest performance homologated to their 2012-2013 birth years and budget stature. They represent sensible, user-friendly point-and-shoot options, each with distinct value propositions:

• The Fuji JZ100 impresses with extended zoom and image stabilization, carving a niche for those who want a grab-and-go wildlife or travel-friendly compact.
• The Samsung ST150F counters with modern connectivity, slightly higher resolution, and firmware-backed face detection - ideal for urban shooters who prize social sharing and video snippets.

From a price standpoint, the Fuji is significantly cheaper (~$190 vs. $300), making it the better investment if telephoto reach and image stabilization matter to you. Conversely, the Samsung’s stronger codec, screen, and WiFi support justify the added cost for more connected users.

Neither is the definitive “pro compact,” but both offer approachable, friendly tools for beginners and budget enthusiasts. Choose according to your photographic priorities, and you won’t be disappointed by either - just keep expectations tempered to modest sensor tech and control simplicity.

Choosing a camera is always about trade-offs. It’s my hope this comparison sheds light on the nuanced strengths and quirks of these little CCD-sensor compacts - guiding you carefully toward the right side of the bargain aisle in that vast camera jungle.

Happy shooting!

End of article.