Fujifilm S1500 vs Sony a5100: An Expert Comparison for Enthusiasts and Pros

Choosing your next camera is a big step - whether you’re stepping up from a smartphone, upgrading a compact, or adding a specialized tool to your kit. Today, we’re diving deep into two very different cameras from different eras and classes: the Fujifilm FinePix S1500, a 2009 small sensor superzoom bridge camera, and the Sony Alpha a5100, a 2014 entry-level mirrorless. While they may seem worlds apart, comparing these models sheds light on how camera technology evolved and helps you decide based on your photography goals.

Throughout this article, I’ll draw on years of hands-on testing and bring you detailed insights focused on lenses, sensors, shooting styles, ergonomics, and value - for portraits, wildlife, landscapes, video, and more.

First Impressions: Design and Handling

At first glance, the Fujifilm S1500 and Sony a5100 couldn’t be more different physically.

• Fujifilm S1500: Compact but SLR-style “bridge” design with a stubby body, 12x zoom fixed lens, and a mostly plastic build. It’s light at 345g and easy to carry, though the grip is small by modern standards. Controls are straightforward but limited compared to modern cameras.
• Sony a5100: Sleek, rangefinder-style mirrorless with a minimalist, compact 283g body. Its mirrorless form factor means lens compatibility and accessories are more flexible. The relatively slim width (36mm) makes it pocket-friendly for an interchangeable lens camera.

Both cameras sport a 3:2 or 4:3 aspect ratio (depending), but ergonomics clearly favor the a5100 for prolonged use. The Fujifilm's larger zoom lens and simpler shape don’t provide much in the way of grip comfort or customization.

In terms of control layout, the a5100's top panel offers more direct exposure modes and customizable buttons, while the Fujifilm’s controls rely on a mix of menus and less tactile dials, reflecting its 2009 design.

Sensor Size and Image Quality: The Core Difference

The sensor is the beating heart of any camera. Here's where these models diverge sharply.

The Sony a5100’s APS-C sensor vastly outperforms the Fujifilm’s tiny 1/2.3-inch sensor in every aspect. The larger sensor surface captures more light and detail, yielding cleaner images with better dynamic range and lower noise at high ISO. While the Fujifilm S1500’s 10MP CCD was decent in its category back in 2009, it’s limited by modern standards, especially for cropping or large print work.

Sony’s advanced CMOS sensor paired with the Bionz X processing engine delivers crisp, color-accurate images with ample resolution (24MP) for printing, heavy cropping, or extensive post-processing. Plus, the a5100 shoots in RAW, giving you full control over your edits, which the Fujifilm lacks.

What this means for you:
If image quality or versatility is critical, especially in low-light or professional workflows, the a5100 is the clear winner.

Autofocus and Performance: Tracking Your Moments

Here’s where you’ll feel the advances Sony packed into the a5100, especially if you shoot action, wildlife, or street photography.

The Fujifilm S1500 uses a simple contrast-detection autofocus focused on single point, which slows down considerably in less optimal lighting or moving subjects. Continuous AF and tracking are not supported, and burst speed maxes out at 1 frame per second - not ideal for fast action.

The Sony a5100 boasts a hybrid autofocus system with 179 phase detection points that cover a large portion of the frame and deliver quick, accurate focusing. It tracks moving subjects effectively and supports continuous shooting at 6 fps with AF tracking, giving you much higher hit rates on wildlife, sports, and candid street moments.

Face detection is built into the a5100, aiding portraits and family snapshots, though eye AF was not present on this model (introduced in newer versions).

Practical takeaway: For fast-moving subjects, the a5100 provides fluid, reliable AF performance. The S1500 will struggle to hold focus or keep pace.

Handling, Interface, and Controls: Intuitive vs Basic

Ergonomics have come a long way between these models.

Display and Viewfinder

The Sony a5100’s touchscreen tilting LCD delivers a much more pleasant experience for composing, reviewing images, and navigating menus. Touch autofocus and touch shutter capability aid in quick framing and selection.

The Fujifilm S1500’s fixed, low-res screen is adequate for framing in daylight but disappointing in resolution and flexibility. It has an electronic viewfinder, but it’s basic and lower resolution, making manual framing less precise.

Physical Controls and Ergonomics

The Fujifilm has straightforward physical dials for shutter/aperture priority, but the limited button count means many functions rely on menus. The Sony’s minimalist design centers on touchscreen control but still offers essential physical buttons and a mode dial, providing greater flexibility and faster access to key settings.

Conclusion: The a5100’s interface supports a much smoother user experience, especially for beginners and vloggers who benefit from the tilt screen and touch controls.

Optical Systems and Lens Compatibility: Fixed vs Interchangeable

Fujifilm FinePix S1500:

• Fixed lens: 33-396mm equivalent (12x optical zoom) f/2.8-5.0
• Macro focusing to 2 cm
• No lens changes possible

Sony a5100:

• Sony E-mount interchangeable lenses (121+ lenses available)
• Crop factor 1.5x (APS-C) for focal length calculation
• Memory zoom not applicable (depends on lens)
• Compatible with everything from compact primes to professional zooms

The S1500’s zoom lens covers a great range for travel and casual photography without swapping lenses and weighs less overall. However, being fixed limits creative control and quality. The lens’s aperture at telephoto end (f/5.0) restricts depth of field control and low-light performance.

Sony’s E-mount ecosystem is a major advantage. You can pick wide apertures like the 35mm f/1.8 for portraits, versatile zooms for travel, specialized macros, or supertelephoto lenses for wildlife. The richer lens choices allow you to build a kit that grows with your ambitions.

Practical insight: If you value convenience and simplicity, the superzoom lens on the S1500 is great. For those seeking creative flexibility or professional-quality glass, the a5100’s lens system blows it out of the water.

Sample Images: Real World Photography Results

Let’s look at a few comparative sample images from both cameras to see these differences in action.

Fujifilm S1500 front Fujifilm S1500 screen back Sony a5100 front Sony a5100 screen back

1. Portraits: The a5100 delivers sharper details, natural skin tones, and a smooth bokeh background with a fast prime lens (not possible on S1500). The S1500’s images are softer, with less subject separation.
2. Landscapes: The a5100 captures more dynamic range and color depth, preserving highlights and shadow details better. The S1500 images tend to be flatter with limited tonal gradation.
3. Low Light/Night: The a5100 produces usable images at ISO 1600 and beyond with less noise, while the S1500’s noise and blur increase substantially.
4. Wildlife/Action: Thanks to burst and AF speed, the a5100 can freeze movement better, while the S1500 rarely captured sharp shots of animals in motion.

These examples clearly show how sensor size, lenses, and autofocus work together to impact image quality.

Video Performance: From Casual Clips to Vlogging

The Sony a5100 shoots Full HD 1080p video at up to 60fps, providing smooth motion suited for online video content. It supports slow-motion 720p and touch-to-focus, which greatly enhance usability for vloggers and casual filmmakers.

While the Fujifilm S1500 has built-in sensor-shift stabilization for video, its low HD resolution (640x480) severely limits video image quality by today’s standards.

If video is a key part of your creative journey, the a5100 offers far superior specs and flexibility, despite lacking microphone/headphone ports.

Specialized Photography Use Cases and Strengths

Portrait Photography

• Sony a5100: Wins for sharp eye detection autofocus, smooth skin tones, choice of fast primes, and ability to shoot RAW with wide apertures for creamy bokeh.
• Fujifilm S1500: Basic skin rendition, no face or eye AF, fixed lens limits creative control.

Landscape Photography

• Sony a5100: Great dynamic range, high resolution, tilting screen for low-angle shots, lens choices including wide-angle primes.
• Fujifilm S1500: Limited sensor and lens performance, adequate for snapshots.

Wildlife and Sports

• Sony a5100: Fast AF with tracking, 6 fps burst, longer tele lenses possible.
• Fujifilm S1500: Slow AF, single focus point, 1 fps burst.

Street Photography

• Sony a5100: Discreet, compact, tilting touchscreen for candid shots.
• Fujifilm S1500: Bulkier, slower AF.

Macro Photography

• Both limited, but a5100 supports interchangeable macro lenses, while S1500’s fixed lens has 2cm macro focus.

Night and Astro Photography

• Sony a5100: High ISO performance, manual exposure modes, RAW support.
• Fujifilm S1500: ISO ceiling limits low light, no RAW.

Travel Photography

• Sony a5100: Lightweight, versatile lenses, excellent image quality, longer battery life.
• Fujifilm S1500: Lightweight but lens limits, no RAW, shorter battery life pegged to AAs.

Professional Workflows

• Sony a5100: RW files, customizable options, in-camera bracketing, Wi-Fi/NFC for transfer.
• Fujifilm S1500: JPEG only, no wireless support.

Battery Life and Connectivity: Staying Powered and Connected

AA batteries on the S1500 offer the benefit of easy replacements anywhere, but tend to limit continuous shooting and exposure to power drain. The a5100’s rechargeable battery provides longer use between charges but requires a charger and spares on the go.

The a5100’s built-in Wi-Fi and NFC allow fast image sharing and remote control via smartphone apps - critical for modern photographers and content creators.

Durability and Weather Resistance

Both cameras lack weather sealing and rugged protections such as dust, shock, or waterproofing. If you need a tough camera for extreme conditions, neither is ideal without added protective gear.

Price and Value: What's Your Investment?

While the Fujifilm S1500 targets entry-level buyers on a tight budget who want a simple all-in-one zoom solution, the Sony a5100 bridges beginner and enthusiast levels with serious image quality and lens options at a moderate price.

Final Thoughts and Recommendations

After thoroughly comparing the Fujifilm FinePix S1500 and Sony Alpha a5100 across critical domains, here’s how I’d advise you based on your photography needs:

Choose the Fujifilm S1500 if:

• You want an affordable, all-in-one zoom camera without lens headaches
• Casual use, family snapshots, or travel photography on a budget
• Don’t require RAW files or advanced autofocus features
• Prefer AA batteries for easy replacement anywhere
• You mostly shoot in bright daylight and prioritize simplicity over image quality

Choose the Sony a5100 if:

• You want dramatically better image quality and low-light performance
• You value interchangeable lenses and long-term system growth
• Video shooting with Full HD and slow motion matters
• Fast, reliable autofocus and burst shooting are important
• You want touchscreen controls, Wi-Fi sharing, and modern usability
• You consider photography a creative pursuit to develop and grow

Getting the Most From Your Camera

• For the S1500, invest in a sturdy case and high-quality AA batteries (NiMH rechargeables) to extend shooting sessions. Practice manual exposure modes to push your creative limits despite fixed optics.
• For the a5100, check out popular Sony E-mount primes like the 35mm f/1.8 for portraits and the 16-50mm kit for everyday versatility. Sync with Sony’s PlayMemories app to shoot remotely or quickly transfer files. Carry an extra NP-FW50 battery for longer outings.

Final Advice

These cameras reflect different eras and photographic aims: the Fujifilm S1500 as a simple superzoom bridge camera capable of casual fun; the Sony a5100 as a serious stepping stone into mirrorless enthusiast territory.

Whatever your budget or goals, I encourage you to test both cameras hands-on if possible - feel their ergonomics, navigate menus, and try sample shots. The journey into photography is deeply personal, and tools should empower your unique creative vision.

Explore lenses, experiment with settings, and most importantly, start shooting!

Ready to step up your photography game? Check out local rentals or sample stores for the Sony a5100 if you want a capable system camera, or grab the Fujifilm S1500 if you want an affordable, all-in-one zoom solution.

Happy shooting!