Fujifilm S1500 vs Sony H400: An In-Depth Comparative Review of Two Small Sensor Superzoom Bridge Cameras

Choosing the right bridge camera - a versatile category aimed at enthusiasts craving DSLR style and long-zoom performance without interchangeable lenses - can be daunting, especially when faced with options like the Fujifilm FinePix S1500 and the Sony Cyber-shot DSC-H400, both small sensor superzooms with noteworthy zoom reach and feature sets. I’ve personally tested thousands of cameras across genres, and this head-to-head comparison combines detailed hands-on insights, thorough technical evaluation, and practical usage analysis to help you make an informed decision depending on your photography ambitions.

Physical Design and Ergonomics: Handling in the Hand and Control Layout

Understanding physical interface and comfort is crucial as it governs the shooting experience, especially in prolonged sessions or dynamic situations.

The Fujifilm S1500 features a compact, SLR-like bridge body that measures a trim 103 x 73 x 68 mm and weighs a featherlight 345 g (with batteries). Its subdued size makes it highly portable and less tiring for handheld use during travel or street shooting. The ergonomics are straightforward but somewhat minimalist, reflecting typical 2009 design decisions - most controls are accessible with reasonable placement, although the absence of illuminated buttons means working in low light requires deliberate button hunting.

Conversely, the Sony H400 is significantly larger and heavier at 130 x 95 x 122 mm and 628 g respectively - approaching DSLR heft - which could adversely impact portability but may provide a more stable grip during telephoto zoom. Its control layout includes an improved 3-inch Clear Photo LCD with 460k dots and an electronic viewfinder boasting 201k-dot resolution with 100% coverage, contributing to confident composition regardless of lighting. Longer dimensions and pronounced grip contours boost handling despite bulkiness.

Beyond physical sizing, my hands-on tests confirmed the S1500’s appeal to photographers valuing compactness and simplicity, while the H400 caters to those prioritizing a DSLR-like tactile experience with enhanced viewing options. The H400’s top-deck controls and overall layout (see below) lend themselves better to more advanced shooting postures and customizability.

Sensor Technology and Image Quality: The Heart of Photographic Performance

Both cameras utilize a 1/2.3-inch CCD sensor measuring 6.17 x 4.55 mm, an industry standard size for budget superzooms, but their resolution capacities diverge substantially.

• Fujifilm S1500: 10 MP resolution (3648 x 2736 pixels), ISO range 64–6400
• Sony H400: 20 MP resolution (5152 x 3864 pixels), ISO range 80–3200

While pixel count alone isn’t definitive, the doubling of resolution in the H400 offers potential for higher detail and cropping flexibility, especially for landscape and travel use. However, the CCD sensor technology itself, rather than CMOS, limits high ISO noise performance inherently in both cameras; small sensor area restricts dynamic range and low light sensitivity.

In practical testing, the S1500 produced decent colors and smooth gradations at base ISO but suffered softness and noise creeping beyond ISO 400. The H400’s higher pixel density sometimes introduced softness from diffraction and noise artifacts, but built-in optical image stabilization (OIS) helped maintain clarity at slower shutter speeds.

Due to lack of RAW support in both models, users are limited to JPEG processing straight out of the camera, which restricts post-processing latitude - an important consideration for those seeking professional image refinement.

LCD Screens and User Interface: Composition and Menu Usability

These cameras differ markedly in rear LCD design, a key factor in framing, reviewing shots, and navigating settings.

• Fujifilm S1500: 2.7-inch fixed LCD with 230k-dot resolution, non-touchscreen, single aspect ratio options (4:3, 3:2)
• Sony H400: 3-inch fixed Clear Photo LCD with 460k-dot resolution, non-touchscreen, offers 4:3 and 16:9 aspect ratios

The Sony's higher resolution screen provides crisper image preview - vital when zoomed in at extreme focal lengths. Although neither camera has a touchscreen, the H400 compensates with a better electronic viewfinder (EVF) delivering 100% frame coverage and color-accurate representation, predominantly beneficial in bright daylight where LCD glare hampers visibility.

On the interface front, both cameras rely on conventional button-based navigation without touch input, which feels dated compared to modern standards but remains functional. For novice users, menu depth can be mildly overwhelming, but ergonomic button size and grouping are generally user-friendly.

Zoom Range and Lens Characteristics: Versatility from Wide Angle to Super Telephoto

Perhaps the strongest allure of small sensor superzooms is their expansive zoom capabilities - ideal for travel, wildlife, and casual sports.

• Fujifilm S1500: 33–396 mm equivalent focal length, 12x optical zoom, max aperture range f/2.8–5.0
• Sony H400: 25–1550 mm equivalent focal length, staggering 63.3x optical zoom, max aperture range f/3.4–6.5

The Sony’s megazoom range is a standout, extending well into super-telephoto territory, surpassing the S1500 by over four times in reach. This advantage opens compelling possibilities for wildlife, distant sports, and rare moments requiring extreme telephoto reach without cumbersome teleconverters or lenses.

However, the tradeoff lies in the slower maximum aperture and optical compromises at extreme zoom ends - sharpness and contrast tend to degrade, and the narrower aperture limits low-light capability. The Fujifilm’s faster aperture at wide-angle facilitates moderate indoor or low-light shooting, while at the telephoto end its relatively brighter lens supports better handheld shots.

Both cameras offer some degree of macro focus ability; the S1500's 2 cm close focusing distance can yield satisfying macro shots of flowers or details, whereas the H400 does not specify macro range clearly but generally performs adequately for casual close-ups.

Autofocus and Shutter Mechanics: Responsiveness and Precision under the Lens

Autofocus (AF) performance dramatically affects system responsiveness in fast-paced shooting.

• Fujifilm S1500: Single-shot AF only, contrast-detection system without face detection or tracking
• Sony H400: Offers single, continuous, face detection, tracking, and selective AF modes, though still contrast-detection based

My field experience confirms the H400’s more advanced AF suite delivers markedly better subject acquisition and retention, particularly in portrait, street, and wildlife settings where eye detection and tracking can make or break the shot. The S1500’s AF is slower, less accurate, and vulnerable to hunting, especially in low light or with moving subjects.

Shutter speeds in both cameras range broadly from 8 seconds (S1500) and up to 30 seconds on the H400, facilitating longer exposures useful in night or astro photography workflows. However, both cameras have relatively slow max continuous shooting rates (1 fps), limiting their utility for sports or fast wildlife action.

Image Stabilization: Minimizing Motion Blur and Shake

Stabilization technology helps counteract camera shake, notably important when shooting handheld with long focal lengths.

• Fujifilm S1500: Sensor-shift (mechanical) image stabilization
• Sony H400: Optical image stabilization embedded in the lens

From my testing, while both reduce blur effectively at moderate zoom, the Sony’s optical image stabilization slightly outperforms the sensor-shift system during high zoom and slow shutter speeds, as optical stabilization works directly on the lens elements aligned with focal length variations.

Video Functionality: Capabilities for Casual Filmmakers and Content Creators

Though primarily still-focused, the ability to shoot video is a relevant secondary feature.

• Fujifilm S1500: Max video resolution 640 x 480 at 30 fps, Motion JPEG codec, no external audio input
• Sony H400: Max video resolution 1280 x 720 (HD) at 30 fps, MPEG-4/H.264 codec, includes microphone input, HDMI output

The Sony H400 clearly dominates video with high-definition recording, improved compression, and the option to connect an external mic enhancing audio quality. The lack of Full HD or 4K limits professional video use, but for casual multimedia and YouTube clips, the H400 is more capable and flexible.

Battery Life, Storage, and Connectivity: Practical Usage Considerations

Operational longevity and expandability cement everyday usability.

• Fujifilm S1500: Powered by 4 AA batteries, flash range approx. 8.7m, storage details unspecified
• Sony H400: Proprietary battery pack with approx. 300 shots per charge, supports SD/SDHC/SDXC and Sony Memory Stick cards

AA batteries provide field-replaceable convenience, enabling photographers to top off with standard alkaline or NiMH rechargeables, an advantage for remote shooting or travel. The H400’s dedicated battery offers more efficient power management but necessitates carrying spares.

Storage flexibility is greater in the Sony with support for a variety of SD card types and Memory Stick options.

Both cameras lack wireless connectivity features such as Wi-Fi, Bluetooth, or GPS, making image sharing or geotagging cumbersome compared to contemporary models. USB 2.0 ports enable tethering and transfer but at slower speeds relative to modern standards.

Build Quality and Durability: Reliability in the Field

Neither camera is weather sealed, dustproof, or ruggedized. The S1500’s lightweight plastic build is adequate for casual usage but less reassuring under demanding outdoor conditions. The Sony H400’s larger, more robust construction affords a bit more confidence in stability but is not designed for harsh environments.

Real World Photography Tests Across Disciplines

Portrait Photography

The Sony H400 excels modestly with face detection autofocus and slightly better resolution for capturing skin tone nuances, albeit limited by the small sensor. The Fujifilm S1500 lacks face detection and produces softer results with less pleasing bokeh quality due to narrower aperture range and small sensor size.

Landscape Photography

Landscape shooters valuing resolution and zoom versatility benefit from the H400’s 20 MP sensor and wider zoom to capture sprawling vistas as well as details. The S1500 is adequate for casual snapshots but struggles in dynamic range and detail retention in shadows and highlights.

Wildlife and Sports Photography

The Sony H400’s super telephoto reach up to 1550 mm and tracking AF makes it the clear winner here. Its slow continuous shooting is a limiting factor, but the zoom capability and AF make it suitable for distant subjects. The S1500 with only 396 mm max zoom and sluggish AF is lacking for such disciplines.

Street Photography

Compact size and discrete operation favor the Fujifilm S1500 for candid street work, although slower AF and limited high ISO capability restrict shooting under challenging light. The H400’s bulk reduces stealth but offers more versatility.

Macro Photography

The S1500 has a defined macro focusing distance (2 cm), allowing creative close-ups better than the H400, which lacks detailed macro specs.

Night and Astro Photography

Long shutter speeds on both cameras facilitate basic night photography, but noise performance constraints and sensor limitations hinder astrophotography. The S1500’s ISO 6400 potential is offset by noise, whereas the H400’s max ISO 3200 strikes a balance but again is restrained.

Video Use

The Sony H400’s HD video, external mic support, and HDMI out make it more apt for casual shooting of events or travel vlogs.

Travel Photography

For travelers, the S1500’s compactness and weight offer clear advantages, while the H400’s zoom flexibility and stabilization serve better for varied scenarios when portability is less critical.

Professional Use

Neither camera fits the requirements for professional imaging work due to sensor size, limited file format support, lack of RAW, and modest autofocus and shooting speed.

Performance Summaries and Scoring

Based on exhaustive testing across the criteria, see the charts below summarizing overall and genre-specific performance scores for quick reference.

Final Verdict: Which Bridge Camera Fits Your Style?

• Buy the Fujifilm S1500 if you:

  • Prioritize a lightweight, compact camera for casual travel and street photography
  • Desire decent macro capability and simple user interface
  • Need AA battery convenience and basic photographic features on a budget (~$200)

• Choose the Sony H400 if you:

  • Require extreme telephoto reach for wildlife or distant subjects
  • Want better screen, EVF, and more advanced autofocus including face detection
  • Plan to shoot HD video and prefer image stabilization optimized for telephoto use
  • Accept extra bulk and weight for superior zoom flexibility (~$270 price point)

Closing Thoughts

While both the Fujifilm S1500 and Sony H400 come from a similar heritage of small sensor superzoom bridge cameras targeting entry-level enthusiasts, their diverging strengths make them suitable for distinct user profiles. The S1500 provides a lightweight, manageable tool for photography beginners or travelers who favor simplicity and portability. In contrast, the H400 addresses those requiring greater zoom reach, enhanced AF functionality, and improved video capabilities, albeit at the cost of size and heft.

Neither camera replaces modern mirrorless solutions with larger sensors and sophisticated video tools, but for buyers on a budget looking for considerable zoom coverage in a single package, these remain viable choices. Careful consideration of your photography priorities and shooting scenarios, combined with this comprehensive comparison, should guide you toward the camera that best fits your creative ambitions.

Fujifilm S1500 front Fujifilm S1500 screen back Sony H400 front Sony H400 screen back

This comparative analysis, drawn from extensive personal testing including shootouts across multiple genres and settings, aims to empower your next camera purchase with clarity, confidence, and realism. Happy shooting!