Fujifilm S8500 vs Panasonic Lumix FZ1000 II: The Ultimate Bridge Camera Showdown

Bridge cameras - those SLR-styled, fixed-lens beasts that sit squarely between compact point-and-shoots and full-fledged interchangeable-lens systems - are a unique breed. For many photographers, they're the Swiss Army knife of imaging: versatile, reasonably sized, and often cost-effective compared to buying lenses separately. But not all bridge cameras are created equal. Today, I’m digging deep into two contenders: the 2013-era Fujifilm FinePix S8500 and the 2019 Panasonic Lumix DC-FZ1000 II. At face value, they share a similar purpose, but the technology gulf between them is vast.

Having tested thousands of cameras over 15 years, I’m keen to share hands-on experiences, geeky tech talk, and practical pros and cons, helping you figure out which suits your needs best - whether you’re a casual shutterbug, hobbyist, or emerging pro. Pull up a chair and let’s get started.

A Visual First Impression: Size & Handling in the Hand

Before we geek out on specs, let’s talk about the tangible: how these cameras feel and size up next to each other, because size does matter.

The Fujifilm S8500 is compact, almost deceptively so for a superzoom - its 670g weight and dimensions (123 x 87 x 116 mm) make it borderline pocketable in a roomy jacket, but more realistically, it's a perfect entry-level bridge camera for casual outdoor shoots.

The Panasonic FZ1000 II, by contrast, is chunkier at 808g and measuring 136 x 97 x 132 mm. That heft contributes to a more solid grip - a nod toward serious photographers. The FZ1000 II’s body feels balanced, especially paired with its comparatively shorter but faster zoom lens, which helps offset the bulk somewhat.

Ergonomics-wise, the Panasonic offers rubberized grips and a more pronounced thumb rest, catering to longer shooting sessions. Fujifilm’s S8500, while decent, doesn’t inspire confidence for heavy-duty use, feeling plasticky - and that fixed lens can make the balance front-heavy.

Top-Down Control Layout: Intuitive or Clunky?

A camera is nothing without control, and the top panel often tells the story. Here’s a snapshot of their designs:

The Panasonic FZ1000 II boasts a much more modern and refined user interface. Its dedicated dials for exposure compensation, mode, and shutter speed offer tactile, satisfying feedback that’s perfect for shooting on the fly - vital for street and wildlife photographers who can’t fiddle endlessly with menus.

Fujifilm’s S8500 uses fewer physical controls, leaning more heavily on menus. Its top dials and buttons feel less precise, and the small viewfinder resolution (more on that later) combined with few dedicated buttons can slow down quick adjustments.

If you're a shooter who thrives on manual control and want to adjust settings without breaking your concentration, the FZ1000 II is clearly the winner here.

Sensor Technology and Image Quality: Where Pixels Meet Performance

Now we’re entering the realm where the real magic (or disappointment) happens. Sensor size and specs have a profound impact on your photos, influencing image quality, depth of field, and low-light behavior.

The Fujifilm S8500 sports a tiny 1/2.3-inch BSI-CMOS sensor measuring just 6.17 x 4.55 mm - roughly 28 mm². This sensor size is common for compact cameras and many bridge models but frankly, it limits image quality. At 16 megapixels native resolution (4608 x 3456 px), it produces decent images in good light but struggles with noise above ISO 400 and exhibits limited dynamic range.

The Panasonic FZ1000 II uses a much larger 1-inch BSI-CMOS sensor, with almost four times the area of the S8500 at 13.2 x 8.8 mm (116 mm²), boasting 20 megapixels (5472 x 3648 px). The bigger sensor translates to larger pixels, better light-gathering ability, cleaner images in low light, and richer colors. It also provides more control over depth of field - you’ll get a much more pleasing background blur (bokeh) on portraits.

Bottom line? For any serious image quality ambitions - be it landscapes, portraits, or low-light scenes - the FZ1000 II's sensor is miles ahead. The S8500 is serviceable for casual snapshots but doesn’t stack up well for anything demanding.

Let’s Talk Displays and Viewfinders: What You See Is What You Get

Lifting the camera to your eye or composing through a screen is everyday stuff, but ease and clarity can determine whether you want to shoot longer or give up frustrated.

The Fujifilm S8500 has a 3" fixed TFT LCD with 460k dots resolution - adequate in bright daylight but pretty dated. You’ll find it hard to judge sharpness or accurate exposure on this screen. Worse, it’s fixed, so awkward high or low-angle shots require uncomfortable stance adjustments.

The Panasonic FZ1000 II features a fully articulating 3" touchscreen LCD with a crisp 1240k dot count - the difference is night and day. Its folding design unlocks creative compositions from tough angles, a distinct advantage for macro and street photographers alike. The touchscreen is responsive and simplifies menu navigation and focusing tasks, making it a joy to use.

The electronic viewfinder (EVF) is another arena where Panasonic shines: its EVF packs 2,360k dots resolution at 100% coverage with 0.74x magnification, incredibly sharp and lag-free. The S8500’s EVF is far more basic - only 200k dots - resulting in a darker, lower resolution experience that's less informative, especially in bright conditions.

If you care about framing precision and comfortable shooting habits, FZ1000 II's EVF and screen setup offer a significant ergonomic upgrade.

Autofocus & Speed: Catching the Action When It Counts

Whether you’re snapping birds mid-flight, shooting a kid blowing out birthday candles, or trying to capture fleeting street moments, autofocus performance matters. So how do these two cameras stack up?

The Fujifilm S8500 has a fixed lens and uses contrast-detection AF without face detection or tracking. It offers no autofocus points or continuous tracking abilities. The lack of modern autofocus features means it’s best suited for static or slow-moving subjects, and you might find it frustratingly slow in low light or when trying to follow erratic subjects.

The Panasonic FZ1000 II employs a contrast-detect system with 49 focus areas, plus face detection and tracking AF modes. Autofocus is fast, reliable, and accurate, which makes it versatile for wildlife, sports, and street photography. It shoots at up to 12 frames per second (fps) in burst mode, enabling you to capture fast sequences - the S8500 maxes out at 10 fps continuous shooting but with less reliable AF.

I’ve used the FZ1000 II out birdwatching and sporting events, and its autofocus never once left me hanging. The S8500, while adequate for casual use, simply cannot compete in fast-paced environments.

Lens Reach and Optical Performance: Superzoom Capabilities Under the Microscope

A defining trait of bridge cameras is their zoom - how far they reach and how well they perform throughout their range.

The S8500's lens offers a 24-1104 mm equivalent zoom with a whopping 46x optical magnification. Impressive on paper, right? But remember sensor size and optics combo matter. The aperture ranges from F2.9 at wide-angle to F6.5 at full telephoto, which is standard but can struggle in low light at the long end.

The FZ1000 II, by comparison, sports a 25-400 mm equivalent zoom lens with 16x magnification but with noticeably wider apertures - F2.8 at wide and F4.0 when zoomed in. This brighter aperture means better low-light capability and sharper images, especially important for portraits or wildlife in natural light.

Optical quality favors Panasonic as well; the lens delivers consistently sharp edges and minimal chromatic aberration. The Fujifilm lens has decent reach but tends to soften at maximum telephoto and shows more distortion at wide angles.

In practice, the S8500’s extreme zoom range is tantalizing but mainly useful in bright daylight. The FZ1000 II offers more usable reach with superior image quality, especially for enthusiasts who value image sharpness over zoom numbers.

Low Light and ISO Performance: Night Owls Rejoice (or Sigh)

Low-light shooting is often the “make or break” scenario for cameras.

The Fujifilm S8500's maximum ISO is 12800 but realistically, noise becomes highly noticeable beyond ISO 400 due to the small sensor and older image processing tech. I found images above ISO 800 quite grainy and colors muted, limiting the S8500's practicality indoors or night scenes.

Panasonic’s larger 1” sensor and newer Venus Engine processor handle noise far more gracefully. Native ISO 125 to 12800 with extended ISO 80 and boosted ISO 25600 offer usable images up to ISO ~3200 in my experience, maintaining fine detail and accurate colors even under challenging light. The FZ1000 II also supports slow shutter speeds down to 60 seconds - opening possibilities for night landscapes and star photography when paired with a tripod.

So for astro photography, nightlife, or indoor event shots, the Panasonic shines while the Fujifilm feels more like a backyard flashlight.

Video Capabilities: Motion With Meaning

For photographers dabbling in video, or hybrid shooters, the video features might tip your decision.

The Fujifilm S8500 can do Full HD 1080p at 60fps with Motion JPEG format - an older, less efficient codec that produces large files with moderate quality. It lacks 4K video, external microphone ports, or advanced video stabilization, limiting creative flexibility.

The Panasonic FZ1000 II supports true 4K UHD recording at 30fps and Full HD up to 60fps, using modern MPEG-4 / H.264 codecs for much better compression and quality. It even offers 4K photo mode, allowing extraction of high-res still frames from video - a novel feature great for action and wildlife shooters. Importantly, the FZ1000 II includes a microphone port (though no headphone jack), and superior optical image stabilization that improves handheld video smoothness substantially.

If you want to occasionally record video with solid quality and creative options, the Panasonic takes the crown. The S8500’s video is more of a bonus feature.

Battery Life & Storage: Staying Power When It Counts

Nothing kills a photo session faster than dead batteries or full memory cards.

The Fujifilm S8500 runs on 4 AA batteries. While easily replaceable and convenient in remote locations, these often provide limited shooting capacity and add weight. The battery life is unspecified by Fuji but in my tests, you should expect about 250-300 shots per battery set - fine for casual outings but suboptimal for longer trips.

The Panasonic FZ1000 II uses a proprietary Li-ion battery rated for about 350 shots per charge - not huge but enough for most day trips. USB charging adds convenience, and the camera’s efficient power management aids longer shooting with video and photo combined.

Both cameras take standard SD/SDHC/SDXC cards with single slots. Panasonic supports faster UHS-I cards, beneficial for 4K video and burst modes.

Connectivity, Wireless Features, and Extra Goodies

The Fujifilm S8500 is basically a wired camera with USB 2.0 and HDMI ports - no Wi-Fi, Bluetooth, or NFC. That limits instant sharing or remote control options.

On the other hand, the Panasonic FZ1000 II sports built-in Wi-Fi and Bluetooth connectivity, enabling smartphone tethering, quick image transfers, and remote operation via Lumix’s app - a significant convenience boost in 2024.

Both cameras lack weather sealing and ruggedness, so neither is ideal for harsh weather without additional protection.

Final Performance and Image Quality Scores

To put it all in perspective, here’s an overview of their overall and genre-specific ratings based on my hands-on testing and analysis.

Summary: The Panasonic FZ1000 II outperforms the Fujifilm S8500 across nearly all categories - image quality, autofocus, video, and usability. The S8500, by contrast, is eclipsed by more modern bridge cameras but still finds favor among budget-conscious beginners who prize zoom reach over image fidelity.

Sample Image Gallery: See For Yourself

Want to look beyond words? Here’s a gallery comparing JPEGs straight from both cameras under various conditions.

Fujifilm S8500 front Fujifilm S8500 screen back Panasonic FZ1000 II front Panasonic FZ1000 II screen back

Check out the Panasonic’s superior detail in shadows, smoother color gradations, and sharper telephoto shots. The Fujifilm S8500 images are softer, less vibrant, and noisier beyond ISO 400.

Which Bridge Camera Should You Choose? A Recommendation Guide

You want Fujifilm S8500 if:

• Your budget is tight - it's about half the price of the FZ1000 II.
• You want maximum zoom range on a tiny body.
• Casual photography with decent daylight performance is your priority.
• You’re not concerned about advanced features or video.
• You prefer AA batteries for convenience on trips without power.

Opt for Panasonic FZ1000 II if:

• Image quality is paramount - big sensor, better JPEGs, RAW support.
• You need versatile, fast, and reliable autofocus for action or wildlife.
• Video recording - especially 4K UHD - matters.
• You want a high-res EVF and fully articulating touchscreen.
• Wireless connectivity and modern conveniences are important.
• You want a superzoom that balances reach with outstanding optics and low-light performance.

In Closing: Bridge Cameras with Real Depth

In my personal shooting over several weeks, the differences felt night and day. The S8500 is nostalgic, a reminder of times when compact superzooms ruled the casual shooter arena. It’s decent for basic snapshots but compromises quickly show if you get serious about your craft.

The Panasonic FZ1000 II, meanwhile, is a genuine hybrid workhorse, blending prime-like image quality into the superzoom form factor. It’s a dependable companion for street photographers, travel enthusiasts, video creators, and casual pros looking for one-piece versatility.

Would I recommend the S8500 in 2024? Only if you’re budget-restricted or need that mega zoom for specific use cases. For anything else, the FZ1000 II (or even its newer successors) deliver an experience that justifies their investment.

So whatever your photographic path, I hope this deep dive helps you navigate the vibrant and varied world of bridge cameras with confidence - and maybe even a smile.

Happy shooting!