Fujifilm S8100fd vs Samsung WB800F: A Hands-On Comparison of Small Sensor Superzoom Compacts

Choosing the right superzoom compact camera in the sub-$300 range can be surprisingly nuanced. Despite their modest size and fixed-lens design, cameras like the Fujifilm S8100fd and Samsung WB800F pack powerful optics and features aimed at versatile photography situations. Having spent hours testing both, I’m ready to share in-depth insights on their performance across different genres, their core technical makeup, and which type of shooter each camera best suits.

Let’s dive into the nitty-gritty of what sets these two apart - and what binds them together.

First Impressions: Size, Ergonomics & Build

When handling the Fujifilm S8100fd and Samsung WB800F side by side, the physical differences immediately stand out. The Fuji feels notably chunkier, with a boxier, more robust grip that’s comfortable for extended shooting sessions. The Samsung, in contrast, is jaw-droppingly slim and light - almost pocketable, even with its long zoom range.

Fujifilm S8100fd: Built with a compact but substantial body measuring roughly 111 x 78 x 79 mm and tipping scales at 405 grams (including batteries), it uses four AA batteries. While the AA power source can be less convenient than proprietary lithium-ion packs, it makes sourcing power in remote locations easier - an advantage worth weighing if you regularly shoot travel or wildlife where battery charging is a luxury.

Samsung WB800F: This camera is significantly slimmer - just 111 x 65 x 22 mm and only 218 grams - making it a more suitable daily-carry companion. It uses a proprietary rechargeable battery, which means better battery life and less bulk, but you do need to plan for recharging or spares.

The top-view comparison reveals their control layouts:

Fuji places its mode dial along with dedicated exposure compensation and a few direct-access buttons, facilitating speedy setting tweaks. Samsung’s control cluster is cleaner but more simplified to maintain slimness, which means photographers who prefer full manual control and rapid adjustments might find it a bit limiting.

Noteworthy is the lack of any environmental sealing on both bodies - no dust, splash, or freeze-proofing. So treat these as everyday carry companions, not gear for extreme conditions.

Sensor Tech and Image Quality: The Heart of Photography

Both cameras feature the small 1/2.3-inch sensor size common in superzooms - measuring 6.17 x 4.55 mm - but their sensor technologies and resolutions differ substantially.

• Fujifilm S8100fd employs a 10-megapixel CCD sensor. CCD sensors tend to have excellent color depth and low noise at base ISOs but fall short in speed and high ISO performance compared to CMOS.
• Samsung WB800F uses a more modern 16-megapixel backside-illuminated (BSI) CMOS sensor, which generally offers better dynamic range, improved noise control at higher ISOs, and faster readout speeds.

From extensive shooting tests, I found Fuji’s images deliver pleasing color rendition and saturation straight out of the camera, with smooth, filmic skin tones that many shooters will appreciate in portraits. However, its maximum ISO is 6400, but usable performance tops out around ISO 400-800, with noticeable noise and softness beyond.

The Samsung’s sensor resolution advantage is immediately reflected in sharper images and greater cropping flexibility. The BSI-CMOS’s design struggles less in dim light and supports a maximum ISO of 3200, with decent noise control sustained up to ISO 800-1600. Importantly, Samsung delivers fuller dynamic range in JPEGs, preserving highlight and shadow details better - a big plus for landscapes and tricky lighting.

That said, neither camera supports RAW shooting, limiting the potential in post-processing - something serious enthusiasts will want to consider.

Display and Interface: Seeing and Changing Your Settings

The rear LCD and user interface can make or break shooting ease, especially when composing on the fly.

Fujifilm S8100fd features a modest 2.5-inch fixed, non-touch display with a 230k resolution. It’s serviceable outdoors but lacks brightness and responsiveness. The electronic viewfinder is low-res and feels laggy, providing limited help on bright days.

Samsung WB800F ups the game substantially with a 3-inch, 460k resolution TFT LCD with full touch support - allowing fast menu navigation, focus point selection, and intuitive zoom controls. However, it lacks any EVF, which some users may miss in bright sunlight. The lack of a viewfinder makes composing at eye level challenging, especially for longer telephoto shots.

The user experience on the WB800F is more modern, with touchscreen operation offering a more fluid feel. Fuji’s traditional button-centric layout feels dated but remains reliable and straightforward once you’re familiar with it.

Lens and Zoom Performance: How Far and How Sharp?

Both cameras pack an impressive superzoom range, essential for multiple photography genres.

• Fujifilm S8100fd’s lens covers a 27-486 mm equivalent zoom (18x), with a brightish maximum aperture of f/2.8 to f/4.5.
• Samsung WB800F lens spans 23-483mm equivalent (21x zoom) with a slightly slower aperture range of f/2.8 to f/5.9.

For landscape and travel, the Samsung’s slightly wider 23mm start lets you capture more expansive scenes without stepping backward. The longer 483mm reach lets you get close to distant subjects, equal to the Fuji’s tele end.

Both lenses feature optical image stabilization to combat handshake - Samsung uses optical IS, while Fuji relies on sensor-shift stabilization. In my use, Samsung’s optical system feels more effective at the long end, especially paired with its lighter body, making handheld telephoto use less fatiguing.

Optical performance (sharpness, distortion, chromatic aberration) is surprisingly competitive, with both cameras producing detailed images toward the center throughout the zoom range. The Fuji tends to have slightly better corner sharpness and less barrel distortion at the wide end, but the Samsung holds up better under telephoto stress.

The Fuji’s macro focusing down to 1 cm allows extremely close-ups - great news for macro enthusiasts - whereas the Samsung lacks dedicated macro specs but can still focus reasonably close.

Autofocus and Speed: Capturing the Moment

Centering on autofocus technology, which heavily influences candid, wildlife, and sports photography:

• Both cameras employ contrast-detection AF only; no phase-detection is present.
• Fujifilm S8100fd lacks face or eye detection and does not offer multi-area AF - the focus point is fixed and single area only.
• Samsung WB800F adds face detection and some form of tracking AF, albeit limited by sensor and processing capabilities.

In practice, the Samsung’s autofocus feels quicker and more reliable when shooting portraits or moving subjects, thanks to face detection. However, neither camera can be considered lightning fast or accurate for fast-moving action scenes. Burst shooting is modest - 1 fps on Fujifilm and unspecified but presumably similar on Samsung - so not ideal for sports photographers chasing rapid sequences.

Low-light focusing suffers on both kits, with hunting common in dim environments, but the Fuji’s brighter lens helps in some scenarios.

Performance Across Photography Genres: What Shines and What Struggles?

To provide you with actionable insights, here’s a breakdown of real-world strengths and limitations by photography type:

Portraiture

• Fujifilm S8100fd: The combination of pleasing skin tones and gentle bokeh due to the slightly wider aperture at short focal lengths makes it respectable for casual portraiture. However, no face detection means focus can be tricky.
• Samsung WB800F: Face detection autofocus aids accurate focal lock on subjects’ eyes, improving keeper rates. The smaller maximum aperture (up to f/5.9 tele) limits shallow depth of field effects and bokeh quality.

Landscape

• Samsung’s higher resolution and wider lens edge make it preferable for scenic shooting, providing enough detail to crop and print small enlargements.
• Dynamic range favors Samsung’s CMOS sensor as well, retaining detail in bright skies and deep shadows.
• Neither camera offers weather sealing, so caution in harsh outdoor conditions is advised.

Wildlife

• Both cameras provide extended zoom ranges suitable for novice wildlife photographers.
• Samsung’s faster AF and lighter body make it more agile for quick framing.
• Neither model boasts high burst rates or advanced subject tracking, so serious bird or fast animal photography remains out of scope.

Sports

• Neither camera shines here due to lackluster continuous shooting speeds and AF tracking.
• Fuji’s somewhat larger grip could theoretically offer better handling during action, but speed constraints remain a dealbreaker.

Street Photography

• Samsung’s compact and light body wins out for discretion and portability.
• The 23 mm wide angle is a plus for capturing environment-rich moments.
• Touchscreen operation facilitates quick setting changes on the fly.

Macro

• Fuji’s 1cm macro focusing range allows for close-in creative shots, outperforming Samsung in this discipline.

Night / Astro

• Neither camera excels with greater noise and limited manual controls.
• Fuji’s ISO ceiling of 6400 looks good on paper but is noisy in practice.
• Samsung’s BSI-CMOS offers a slight edge in low-light, but absence of bulb mode or long exposure control limits astrophotography potential.

Video

• Samsung supports 1080p/30fps Full HD with modern codecs (MPEG-4/H.264), plus HDMI output - a clear advantage professionals or vloggers will appreciate.
• Fuji maxes out at 640x480 VGA, dated for current video standards.
• Neither camera provides external mic inputs; audio quality is basic.

Travel Photography

• Samsung’s light, slim design and touch interface combine to make it an ideal travel companion.
• Fuji’s battery versatility with AA batteries also makes it a solid choice for trips where recharge opportunities are limited.

Professional Use

• Both cameras lack RAW support and do not have pro-grade features or durability.
• Workflow integration is limited.
• These are best suited as secondary or backup cameras for pros, or as entry points for newcomers.

Battery and Storage: Keeping the Shoot Alive

• Fujifilm’s use of four AA batteries is a double-edged sword - while you can swap rechargeable or disposables on the go, you also carry more weight and bulk.
• Samsung uses a proprietary lithium-ion battery with presumably better runtime but less field convenience if you forget spares.
• Storage-wise, both support SD/SDHC cards; Fuji additionally supports xD Picture cards, although those are now antiquated.

Connectivity and Extras

• Samsung offers built-in Wi-Fi for image sharing - a surprise for a budget compact and a clear advantage in today’s social media age.
• HDMI output on the WB800F allows direct playback on HDTVs.
• Neither camera supports Bluetooth, NFC, or GPS.
• USB 2.0 on both enables image transfer but no tethered shooting.

Summing Up The Specs and Scores

For quick reference, here is an overall performance snapshot and genre-specific ratings we established after lab and field testing:

My Recommendations: Which Camera for Whom?

At around the same street price (~$300), making an informed choice depends largely on your priorities:

• Get the Fujifilm S8100fd if:

  • You value ergonomics and prefer traditional physical controls.
  • Macro photography is a priority.
  • You need battery flexibility with AA cells.
  • Portrait shooting with natural skin tones matters most.

• Choose the Samsung WB800F if:

  • Portability and slimness are non-negotiable.
  • Video capture in 1080p HD is important.
  • You want better still image resolution and dynamic range.
  • Face detection AF and touchscreen controls appeal to your shooting style.
  • Travel photography with quick sharing capabilities is your goal.

In Closing: Useful Tools that Reflect Their Time

Both cameras represent interesting milestones in the superzoom compact segment circa late 2000s to early 2010s. While they don't rival modern mirrorless or smartphone cameras in many respects, their zoom reach and dedicated handling create unique value propositions for enthusiast shooters.

If you want a powerful, versatile compact to capture diverse subjects - from sweeping landscapes to close-up macros - the Fuji offers solid reliability. Meanwhile, the Samsung brings a more contemporary user experience, modern sensor technology, and video suitability, making it a better fit for the contemporary casual user who prioritizes convenience and image quality in one package.

Whichever you pick, knowing their strengths and limitations will equip you to unleash your creativity without compromise.

Gallery: Sample Images and Details

Here are real-world samples from both cameras side by side so you can judge image quality for yourself. The shooting conditions ranged from bright daylight to indoor and low-light scenarios to fairly represent typical use.

Fujifilm S8100fd screen back Samsung WB800F screen back

I hope this thorough comparison empowers you to pick the right superzoom compact that matches your photographic passions. Feel free to reach out in the comments for deeper dives into specific genres or shooting scenarios - after spending dozens of hours with these models, I’m eager to help you get the best out of your gear!