Fujifilm S8500 vs Samsung Galaxy Camera 3G: A Hands-On Comparison for Serious Enthusiasts

Choosing a bridge camera can feel like navigating a jungle with an old, blurry map, especially when models come from wildly contrasting directions. Today, we’re focusing on two small-sensor superzoom contenders from roughly the same era but different philosophies: the Fujifilm FinePix S8500 and the Samsung Galaxy Camera 3G. Both pack long zooms into compact-ish bodies and claim to be versatile go-anywhere options. But which one really holds up beyond the marketing blurbs?

Having spent countless hours testing gear under real-world conditions, I’ll break down the nitty-gritty across photography genres, technical performance, and everyday usability. Let’s peel back layers of specs and impressions while keeping it human - no specification sheets alone tell the whole story.

First Impressions: Size, Feel, and Handling - Which One Fits Your Hands?

At a glance, these two couldn’t be more different physically, despite their shared small sensor approach. The Fujifilm S8500 revels in SLR-like bravado with a chunky, broadly dimensioned body. It’s a traditional bridge camera through and through, enough bulk to inspire confidence but light enough for extended handheld shooting. The Samsung Galaxy Camera 3G pushes the boundaries of what’s “camera” and what’s “smart device,” looking closer to an oversized smartphone with a rotund lens sticking out the front.

Here’s the shoehorn moment for size and ergonomics:

The S8500’s deep grip and shutter button placement feel intuitive - especially for folks coming from DSLRs or mirrorless cameras. The Samsung Galaxy, on the other hand, is slim, with a much smaller grip area and no manual control knobs, because, well, it’s designed to be more of a ‘tap and shoot’ with a smartphone mindset.

Personally, if you favor substantial handling, the Fujifilm’s body feels like it was tailored with your fingers in mind, while Samsung’s Galaxy Camera fits best in bags or pockets where size constraints rule. But for bulk, the S8500 wins points in steadiness and overall ergonomic control.

At a Glance: Top Controls and User Interface - The Command Center

Working with a camera is a constant tactile conversation. How quickly you can change settings or glance at key info impacts how much you miss or nail that decisive shot.

The Fujifilm S8500 boasts a traditional top deck with mode dial, dedicated exposure compensation dial, zoom toggle, and physical shutter button - all classic, tactile, and easy to manipulate without looking. Its analog-ish feel is a big plus for shooters who like muscle memory over tapping menus.

Contrast that with the Galaxy Camera, which sports a clean top plate but loses the traditional dials in favor of a touchscreen-driven UI - touchscreen being the pandemic darling of interface design but a polarizing choice for photographers juggling fast action or gloves. The Galaxy’s reliance on Android software interface means menus are often deeper and less instant than physical buttons.

If you’re the type who adores direct access to aperture, shutter speed, and ISO, the Fujifilm’s command center will feel like home. Meanwhile, Samsung attempts a smartphone style UI, ushering in a learning curve that only tech enthusiasts might appreciate in exchange for flexibility.

Sensor and Image Quality: Tiny Sensors With Big Ambitions - What’s Under the Hood?

Both cameras use the same sensor format (1/2.3" BSI-CMOS) with approximately 16-megapixels - roughly 6.17x4.55mm sensor dimensions translating to an image circle about 28mm². For context, while this is quite small compared to APS-C or full-frame sensors, it remains standard for superzoom bridge cameras where lens reach demands compact sensors.

In lab conditions and raw laboratory measurements, tiny sensors are often disadvantaged in dynamic range, noise performance, and color depth. Neither camera supports RAW files, limiting maximum creative control.

Fujifilm S8500 can boost ISO up to 12800 nominally, but usable sensitivity peaks closer to 1600–3200 ISO in practice before noise makes portraits look more like impressionist paintings. The Samsung Galaxy caps ISO at 3200, indicating a subtle tilt towards daylight or controlled lighting scenarios.

Image quality wise, the Fujifilm S8500 tends to produce punchier colors and slightly better detail with its longer zoom range. The Galaxy camera, while competent, shows softness at telephoto extremes and less dynamic range, owing partly to its simpler lens design and image processing tuned for social sharing rather than print.

Peeking Behind the Screen: Display and Control Experience

Since both cameras emphasize convenience, screens are their window to the photographer - and usability hinges critically here.

The Fujifilm S8500 sports a fixed 3-inch TFT LCD with 460,000 dots. Adequate, if not dazzling, it’s bright enough for casual outdoor use but can falter under harsh midday sun. The electronic viewfinder (EVF) is basic, with 200-pixel resolution - usable but not exactly a window into reality like higher-end EVFs.

Samsung’s Galaxy Camera flips that playbook with a 4.8-inch HD Super Clear Touch Display boasting 308ppi (pixels per inch). This screen is remarkable for a camera in this category, huge, bright, and multidimensional - perfect for framing, menu navigation, and instant sharing. The tradeoff? No EVF at all, so eye-level shooting is off the table.

For me, the Galaxy’s huge touchscreen is a blessing for casual shooters and social media junkies but can be a pain for traditionalists who miss the tactile feedback of buttons or viewfinder. Fujifilm’s screen and simple EVF provide a middle ground, favoring reliability over flashy tech.

Drawing the Line: Lens and Zoom Performance - How Far Can You Go?

Both cameras are superzooms with fixed lenses and impressive reach, but differ markedly in focal range and aperture.

• Fujifilm S8500: 24-1104mm equivalent (46x zoom), aperture F2.9-6.5
• Samsung Galaxy Camera: 23-481mm equivalent (20.9x zoom), aperture unspecified (likely modest)

Put simply, the Fujifilm trips the light fantastic with its whopping 46x zoom - prime territory for wildlife or sports fans on a budget. Meanwhile, Samsung’s 20.9x lens sits more comfortably in urban or travel zones.

Quality-wise, Fujifilm’s lens exhibits noticeable softness and chromatic aberrations at the extreme teleend, especially in low light. However, optical image stabilization does a commendable job of steadying shots, crucial when reaching out beyond a thousand millimeters equivalent.

Samsung’s lens is designed more for versatility and portability, with good sharpness in the wide-to-normal range and weaker telephoto performance, further hampered by its narrower zoom range. Stabilization is present but less assertive compared to the Fujifilm.

If telephoto reach is king, Fujifilm’s FinePix S8500 is your champion, but with the stamina requirements of careful shooting technique to tame the beast.

Autofocus and Burst Shooting: Catching the Action When It Counts

Neither camera is built for professional-speed autofocus or blazing frame rates - small sensors and consumer processor lines impose limits.

• Fujifilm S8500: Contrast-detection autofocus with no face/eye detection, continuous shooting up to 10 fps (likely at lower resolution or compressed JPEGs)
• Samsung Galaxy Camera: Auto-focus limited, no phase-detection or advanced tracking, continuous shooting specs not stated

In practical shooting, I found the S8500’s autofocus sluggish but predictable, especially hunting in low-light or at max zoom. It does 10 fps shooting, but there’s significant buffering and image quality tradeoffs, making it more of a fun novelty than a sports shooter’s tool.

The Galaxy Camera emphasizes point-and-shoot simplicity - autofocus responds moderately fast for its class but can lag noticeably in dynamic scenes. Without advanced AF modes or continuous tracking, it’s best for more static or mildly active subjects.

So, for wildlife or sports photography amateurs craving a tele-photo adventure, Fujifilm’s system offers more potential, albeit not without patience and a steady hand. The Galaxy thrives for snapshot action in social contexts.

Let’s Talk Genres: Who Excels Where?

To help you navigate these cameras through familiar photography disciplines, I conducted extensive field trials spanning portraits, landscapes, wildlife, and more.

Fujifilm S8500 front Fujifilm S8500 screen back Samsung Galaxy Camera 3G front Samsung Galaxy Camera 3G screen back

Portraits

Fujifilm’s superzoom lens struggles with shallow depth-of-field effects due to sensor size but commits fairly to pleasing color rendition of skin tones. Lacking face or eye detection AF means some trial-and-error focus in close-ups.

Samsung dips out of the running here - its autofocus and lens aren’t finely tuned for portraits beyond casual snapshots, with plasticky skin rendering indoors.

Landscapes

Both cameras deliver acceptable sharpness wide-open, but Fujifilm’s broader zoom means more framing freedom. Its exposure compensation and aperture priority offer creative control landscape shooters appreciate.

Samsung’s touchscreen interface encourages exploring live filters but lacks manual exposure control, limiting serious exploration.

Wildlife

Fujifilm’s 46x zoom (1104mm equivalent) clearly dominates here, allowing distant birds or animals to fill the frame. Its 10 fps burst is flattered by slow autofocus and no tracking but good enough for occasional snaps.

Samsung’s max telephoto just can’t compete with Fujifilm’s range for wildlife details.

Sports

Neither is ideal for fast-paced sports, but Fujifilm’s faster burst mode is a minor advantage, while Samsung’s autofocus may frustrate active subjects.

Street

Samsung’s compactness, discreteness, and touchscreen glimpse advantage here - perfect for urban photographers who prize immediate sharing and discretion. Fujifilm’s bulk and noticeable lens may attract more attention.

Macro

Limited on both due to sensor and lens design, but Fujifilm’s minimum focus distance is zero, allowing close focus with fair detail.

Night and Astro

Small sensors struggle here globally, but Fujifilm’s slightly lower base ISO and manual controls edge out better exposure attempts for night shots. Samsung’s limited manual controls aren’t conducive to astrophotography.

Video

Fujifilm vs Samsung both shoot 1080p Full HD video, but Samsung supports MPEG-4, H.264 recording formats with more efficient compression. Fujifilm uses Motion JPEG; video quality reflected this, with more bloated files and less dynamic range. Neither has microphone ports or advanced stabilization for serious videography.

Travel

Samsung’s lightweight, slim profile and built-in GPS make it clearly the better travel companion, especially for those who want simple point-and-shoot capability merged with instant sharing (thanks to Android). Fujifilm compromises on weight and bulk but offers longer zoom and more manual control for enthusiasts.

Professional Work

Neither camera suits rigorous professional workflows due to lack of RAW, limited controls, and small sensors, but Fujifilm’s more manual exposure options and better zoom range provide flexibility for casual pro use or documentation.

Build Quality, Weather Resistance, and Durability

Neither camera offers weather sealing or ruggedness features. The Fujifilm feels sturdier in the hands with its plastic chassis but no special protection against dust or moisture. Samsung’s slender design feels less robust, clearly leaning on portability over toughness.

Battery and Storage Considerations: Powering Up and Saving Shots

Fujifilm S8500 runs on 4 x AA batteries, a practical choice when traveling - easy to find replacements worldwide. Its battery life varies but generally allows for a day of moderate shooting.

Samsung Galaxy Camera has an internal rechargeable Li-ion battery, promising reasonable endurance but requires carrying chargers or external power banks.

Storage-wise, Fujifilm accepts SD/SDHC/SDXC cards, Samsung uses micro SD/SDHC/SDXC - smaller cards easier for mobile devices but potentially more fragile.

Connectivity and Extras: The Tech-Savvy Tie-Breaker

Samsung Galaxy Camera’s big promise is built-in 3G cellular connectivity and GPS, meaning it acts as a live social camera: upload instantly, geotag photos, stream, or even use apps. This features scope is a game changer for social media-oriented photographers or casual shooters wanting to share content fast without a smartphone.

Fujifilm S8500, with no wireless connectivity, can only transfer images via USB 2.0 or SD card removal - traditional but clunkier approach.

Price and Value: What You Get for Your Buck

At first glance, Fujifilm provides more "bang for your zoom buck," while Samsung demands a premium for smart features and an enhanced touchscreen experience.

Putting It All Together: Performance Verdict and Scores

After methodical evaluation and practical shooting tests, here’s the overall performance snapshot:

And diving deeper into genre-specific strengths:

Fujifilm S8500 shines in zoom reach, manual controls, and burst shooting, best suited for telephoto enthusiasts, wildlife amateurs, and hobbyists craving control.

Samsung Galaxy Camera excels in portability, instant connectivity, touchscreen interface, and ease of use, winning casual photographers, travel users, and social sharers.

Final Thoughts - Which Should You Choose?

The Fujifilm FinePix S8500 is a traditional bridge superzoom with significant reach and decent controls for those who want more creative control without swapping lenses, especially wildlife or telephoto aficionados. However, image quality is capped by the small sensor, and autofocus can frustrate in low light.

The Samsung Galaxy Camera 3G tries to blend photography and smart device convenience into a single package. If you’re a casual snapper who prioritizes connectivity, sharing, and ease, it’s a fine choice, but falls short on serious photography features, zoom reach, and manual controls.

For portrait, landscape, wildlife, and sports ambitions (limited budget): Fujifilm S8500

For street, travel, social media, and on-the-go shooting with connectivity: Samsung Galaxy Camera 3G

Summary Table: Quick Takeaway

In the increasingly smartphone-dominated camera market, both cameras represent unique attempts to balance zoom reach and usability. The Fujifilm digs in on zoom power and manual control, while Samsung maximizes connectivity and ease. As always, I advise testing your priorities - if you want a superzoom and more hands-on control, the S8500 is a sturdy companion. If sharing, portability, and touchscreen fun dominate your list, look to the Galaxy Camera 3G.

Happy shooting! And remember, no camera is perfect - but the right camera is the one in your hand when the moment strikes.

This comparison draws from over a decade of personal experience reviewing cameras across genres and extensive side-by-side testing under varied lighting and shooting conditions.