Fujifilm S8500 vs Panasonic FZ2500

Bridging the Zoom Gap: Comparing the Fujifilm FinePix S8500 and Panasonic Lumix DMC-FZ2500

When it comes to superzoom bridge cameras, photographers often stand at the crossroads of sheer reach and image quality. The Fujifilm FinePix S8500 and the Panasonic Lumix DMC-FZ2500 represent two very different approaches to this category. Released three years apart, these cameras reflect evolving technology - from sensor sizes to video capabilities. Having spent days shooting in the field with both, putting them through rigorous real-world tests, I want to take you through a careful, comprehensive comparison to help you decide which camera fits your style and expectations.

First Impressions: Design and Ergonomics in Your Hands

Right off the bat, the size and weight command attention. The Fujifilm S8500 clocks in at 670 grams with a compact-ish body of 123x87x116 mm. Its bridge-camera design is SLR-like but unmistakably plastic-built, aiming for portability with its extensive 46x zoom. The Panasonic FZ2500 is heftier, tipping the scales at 915 grams and larger dimensions of 138x102x135 mm. Yet it has a sturdier feel - more akin to a robust tool than a casual snapshot machine.

Handling these two side by side, you immediately notice Panasonic’s superior grip contours and button placement. The FZ2500’s heft is balanced by textured grips and well-positioned controls, useful for extended shooting sessions. The S8500, while functional, can feel a bit plasticky and less confident in hand - especially given its ambitious zoom length.

Looking from above, Panasonic’s layout appears more thoughtfully organized with clear exposure dials and fewer menu dives for frequent settings - crucial for fast-paced shooting. The Fujifilm’s top controls are sparser and less intuitive, making manual adjustments a slower process.

Sensor Size and Image Quality: The Heart of the Matter

Sensor technology is where the FZ2500 firmly outshines the S8500 - and the numbers tell much of this story.

The Fujifilm S8500 uses a modest 1/2.3” BSI CMOS sensor measuring just 6.17x4.55 mm, packing 16 megapixels. In contrast, the Lumix FZ2500 boasts a substantially larger 1” BSI CMOS sensor measuring 13.2x8.8 mm with 20 megapixels.

Why does this matter? Larger sensors inherently capture more light and detail, providing better image quality, dynamic range, and low-noise performance.

Testing both cameras in controlled lab conditions and varied lighting confirms this gap. The FZ2500’s images show richer detail on landscape shots, smoother tonal gradation on skin tones in portraits, and markedly cleaner files in low-light and indoor scenarios. The S8500 produces images with decent detail but struggles beyond ISO 400, with noise creeping in, particularly in shadows.

Autofocus & Shooting Performance: Speed Matters

Neither camera is designed for blazing autofocus speeds like professional mirrorless or DSLR bodies, but they cater to different levels of enthusiasm.

The Fujifilm S8500 features a fixed lens without dedicated autofocus points or face detection; its autofocus is contrast-detection-only with limited capability. This results in hunting focus, especially in low light or fast-moving subjects.

Panasonic FZ2500, engagingly, has a hybrid autofocus system with 49 focusing points, face detection, continuous AF, and tracking abilities. In practical use - whether capturing street scenes or wildlife - the FZ2500 locks focus quickly and maintains tracking comfortably on moving subjects.

Continuous shooting rates favor Panasonic as well: 12 frames per second versus Fujifilm’s 10 fps. While these speeds aren’t top-tier, the Panasonic’s AF system paired with higher burst rates make it more suited for sports and wildlife where timing is critical.

Build Quality & Weather Resistance: Ready for the Outdoors?

Neither camera carries formal weather sealing, but build robustness varies. Panasonic’s FZ2500 chassis employs better quality materials with tight assembly tolerances. I felt more secure carrying the FZ2500 into modestly harsh conditions such as coastal winds or dusty city environments.

The Fujifilm S8500, while well put-together, has a more budget feel and should be protected from dangerous elements or rain.

The User Interface and LCD Screens: How You See Matters

On the back, the user interface and screen usability are telling.

Panasonic’s 3-inch 1040k-dot fully articulated touchscreen shines here. The articulating feature is fantastic for shooting at awkward angles and video work, while touchscreen control speeds up menu navigation and focus point selection. The electronic viewfinder (EVF) provides a bright, 2360-dot, 100% frame coverage display with 0.74x magnification - meeting expectations for serious photographers.

The S8500’s fixed 3-inch 460k-dot TFT LCD pale in comparison. The small resolution and lack of articulation limit usability, especially in bright outdoor lighting or for video creators. Its EVF, with only 200 dots, feels markedly outdated and often forced me to rely on the LCD even in bright conditions.

Lens and Zoom: Megazoom vs. Quality Zoom

The Fujifilm S8500’s hallmark is its staggering 46x zoom lens spanning 24–1104 mm equivalent, aperture f/2.9–6.5. This reaches far beyond many competitors, ideal for subjects that are physically distant or tiny - think wildlife or sports from a distance.

Conversely, Panasonic’s FZ2500 offers a more moderate 20x zoom from 24–480 mm equivalent, but with a brighter aperture of f/2.8–4.5, higher optical quality, and built-in ND filters for video.

Through testing, Fujifilm’s lens shows significant softness, especially beyond 400 mm focal length, and suffers from chromatic aberration and distortion. The Panasonic lens maintains impressive sharpness across its zoom range, with excellent edge-to-edge performance and better control over optical aberrations.

For macro capabilities, Panasonic’s 3 cm minimum focus distance beats the Fujifilm’s fixed macro range at 0 cm (unhelpful as advertised), offering clearer close-up shots with sharp detail.

Stabilization and Low-Light Capability: Keeping Shots Sharp

Both cameras integrate optical image stabilization (OIS), crucial for megazooms.

FZ2500’s stabilization copes well with telephoto shots, enabling handheld shooting at slower shutter speeds with minimal blur. Fujifilm’s system is functional but less refined, often prompting the need for tripods or higher ISO to compensate.

In low light, the Panasonic’s larger sensor and better ISO performance allow cleaner images up to ISO 3200. The Fujifilm struggles past ISO 400, with evident noise and loss of detail.

Video Performance: A Clear Advantage for Panasonic

Video is where the Panasonic FZ2500 flexes its muscles.

This model supports 4K Ultra HD recording at 24p with a high bitrate of up to 100 Mbps, offers 4K photo modes (extracting high-res stills from video), and accepts external microphones and headphones - a boon for vloggers and serious videographers.

Conversely, the Fujifilm S8500 maxes out at Full HD 1080p at 60 fps, encoded in Motion JPEG - a dated, large-file format lacking the sophistication of modern codecs. It lacks audio input jacks, limiting recording control.

Moreover, Panasonic includes timelapse recording and offers advanced video aids such as zebras and focus peaking, absent from the Fujifilm. Slow-motion modes on Fujifilm only hit low resolution and frame rates that feel underwhelming.

Battery and Storage: Practical Considerations

The Fujifilm S8500 runs on 4 standard AA batteries - convenient in a pinch as replacements are widely available globally but limiting for longevity and consistency. Its battery life is moderate, but frequent AA replacements may be tedious in extended outings.

The Lumix FZ2500 uses a proprietary rechargeable battery (DMW-BLC12), rated for approximately 350 shots per charge. This strikes a fair balance for travel and professional use, though carrying spares is advisable.

Both cameras accommodate SD/SDHC/SDXC cards in a single slot.

Connectivity and Extras: Modern Conveniences

The Fujifilm S8500 comes with USB 2.0 and an HDMI port but lacks any wireless connectivity, Bluetooth, or NFC. This means transferring images relies on cables or removing the SD card.

Panasonic’s FZ2500 embraces wireless built-in for remote control and image transfer, streamlining workflows and social media sharing. It also features touch focusing and configurable buttons - increasingly necessary for efficient modern shooting.

Practical Use Cases and Photography Genres

Let’s parse how these cameras perform across common photography disciplines:

Portrait Photography

Panasonic’s larger sensor grants more pleasing skin tone reproduction, smoother bokeh rendition thanks to a wider lens aperture at telephoto lengths, and effective eye-detection autofocus for razor-sharp portraits.

Fujifilm’s small sensor and lack of face/eye detection make portraits less compelling, with harsher backgrounds and limited subject isolation.

Landscape and Travel Photography

While the Fujifilm’s super tele zoom is exciting, landscapes often benefit more from resolution and dynamic range, which the FZ2500 delivers. Its articulating screen is invaluable for unconventional angles on rugged trips.

Battery life and robustness also favor Lumix for adventures.

Wildlife and Sports

Extreme reach from the Fujifilm may lure some wildlife shooters on a budget, but its AF speed and image quality limit image usability.

The Panasonic’s faster AF, burst mode, and cleaner ISO performance make it a more dependable choice for sports and action, albeit with a shorter zoom range.

Street Photography

Here, discretion and portability matter. The Fujifilm’s lightweight frame helps, but the large 46x zoom is unwieldy. Panasonic’s weight is higher but features a more compact zoom and faster, quieter operation.

Neither camera sports full stealth modes, but the FZ2500’s faster startup and autofocus help steal candid moments.

Macro and Close-up

Panasonic’s autofocus and optical design enable much better macro results with sharp details at close proximity. The S8500’s macro capability is effectively non-functional.

Night and Astro

Thanks to better high ISO performance, the Panasonic handles night scenes and astro shots with less noise and better dynamic range. Fujifilm’s limited ISO performance and small sensor size impose restrictions.

Professional Use

Raw support and 1” sensor size grant Panasonic role as a rugged tool for professional on-the-go work. Fujifilm’s lack of RAW and smaller sensor constrain its use for serious assignments.

Price and Value: What Are You Getting?

At a current price near $500, the Fujifilm S8500 is undeniably budget-friendly for enthusiasts chasing extreme zoom without breaking the bank.

The Panasonic FZ2500, roughly doubling the price to $998, commands its premium through superior sensor, optics, video prowess, and modern features.

Whether the Panasonic is “worth it” depends on your priorities: image quality and versatility or sheer zoom reach at the lowest cost.

Fujifilm S8500 front Fujifilm S8500 screen back Panasonic FZ2500 front Panasonic FZ2500 screen back

Final Scorecard: How They Stack Up

Bringing together lab benchmarks and hands-on testing:

The Panasonic FZ2500 consistently outranks the Fujifilm S8500 across critical metrics: image quality, autofocus, video capabilities, and user experience.

In a side-by-side genre breakdown:

The Panasonic excels in portrait, landscape, video, and professional applications. The Fujifilm holds a niche for extreme zoom enthusiasts on a budget or casual travel snapshot users.

Conclusion: Which Should You Choose?

Weighing the strengths and weaknesses:

• Choose the Fujifilm FinePix S8500 if:

  • You desire an affordable ultra-telephoto option with a massive zoom range.
  • Portability and budget supersede image quality.
  • You shoot mostly daylight or require no RAW files.
  • You’re a casual user prioritizing versatility over professional-grade features.

• Choose the Panasonic Lumix DMC-FZ2500 if:

  • Image quality, sensor performance, and video capabilities matter.
  • You want a solid all-rounder covering landscapes, portraits, wildlife, and video.
  • You require a flexible, reliable bridge camera for professional or serious enthusiast use.
  • You appreciate articulating touchscreen, RAW support, and advanced AF systems.

In my extensive comparisons of both models, the Panasonic FZ2500 emerges clearly as the more future-proof, higher fidelity tool with a richer feature set. The Fujifilm S8500 holds interest where price and zoom range dominate decision-making.

Whichever you pick, understanding these machines’ inherent compromises will ensure your photography adventures align properly with your gear. In the end, a good camera is one that inspires you to press the shutter more - and both of these deliver in unique ways.

Thank you for reading this deep dive. For further sample galleries, real-world test images, and detailed settings breakdowns, stay tuned to my upcoming field reports.

Until next time, keep exploring the frame, no matter the zoom!