Fujifilm SL1000 vs Sony H200: Deep-Dive into Two Superzoom Bridge Cameras from 2013

When budget-conscious photographers look for a versatile zoom beast with DSLR styling but without the hassles of changing lenses, small-sensor superzooms are often the go-to. Among the popular models from around 2013 - when the superzoom segment was really gaining steam - two names stand out: the Fujifilm SL1000 and the Sony Cyber-shot H200. Both aim to deliver immense zoom reach, manual control options, and broad appeal for enthusiasts wanting more reach and flexibility than a compact camera but without the weight or complexity of interchangeable lenses.

Having taken both of these cameras out into the field over the years and tested them in various practical scenarios, I’m putting them head-to-head here. We’ll delve into their technical specifications, image quality, handling, and more to help you decide which one might still have a place in your kit, even years after their launch.

Putting Physical Design and Handling on the Table

Right off the bat, form factor can make or break the user experience, especially if you’re shooting handheld for hours. The Fujifilm SL1000 tips the scales at 659g and measures 123 x 89 x 123 mm. The Sony H200 is lighter at 530g and more compact (123 x 83 x 87 mm).

I always recommend getting your hands on cameras before committing, but here’s what the specs and my experience tell you: the SL1000 is chunkier and a bit bulkier, giving it a more robust, “club for your thumb” feel that some will love for stability. That larger grip feels secure for long telephoto shots. The Sony H200, lighter and slimmer, is more pocketable (well, for a bridge camera - don’t expect it to slip into small bags).

Controls-wise, the SL1000 adopts a classic SLR-like top layout with plenty of dials for quick access, including dedicated shutter and exposure settings, aiding a faster workflow if you value manual overrides.

The Sony is less ambitious with controls - no dedicated shutter priority or aperture priority modes here; mostly program modes with limited manual exposure. This can frustrate photographers who like granular control.

For extended travel or casual shooting, that lighter weight with Sony might be appreciated, but for serious zoom work, I grew to prefer the Fujifilm’s heft and ergonomics for added steadiness.

The Heart of the Camera: Sensors and Image Quality

Both cameras use the same tiny 1/2.3-inch sensor size with nearly identical physical dimensions (6.17 x 4.55mm sensor). This size is common among superzooms and compacts but isn’t known for stellar image quality, especially when pixels crowd onto this small surface.

However, there are some key differences:

• Fujifilm SL1000 uses a 16MP BSI-CMOS sensor (backside illuminated for better low light sensitivity).
• Sony H200 uses a 20MP CCD sensor (charge-coupled device, older tech with distinct noise characteristics).

In real-world testing, the Fujifilm’s CMOS sensor generally beats the Sony’s CCD in dynamic range and noise control. Especially at higher ISO values (beyond ISO 400), the SL1000 produces cleaner images with less chroma noise, thanks to more modern sensor tech and image processing. The SL1000’s native ISO range from 64 to 12800 also gives it an edge for shooting in varied lighting.

Sony’s 20MP resolution advantage looks nice on paper and can yield slightly more detail in perfect light, but it also increases noise and reduces high ISO usability. Plus, the H200 tops out at ISO 3200, limiting its low-light potential.

For landscape photographers chasing dynamic range, the Fujifilm’s CMOS sensor offers more punch, while the Sony’s sensor can still deliver good daylight shots if you keep to lower ISO settings.

Display and Viewfinder: Your Window into Composition

SL1000 aficionados will appreciate the 3-inch tilting TFT LCD with 920k dots and a bright electronic viewfinder (EVF) with 920k dots. This setup allows flexible composition for shooting at tricky angles, plus that EVF is a godsend under bright sunlight or for steady framing at long zoom.

On the flip side, the Sony H200 only offers a fixed 3-inch ClearPhoto LCD with 460k dots and no EVF. This screen is non-articulating, less detailed, and can be tough to see in sunlight - common hurdles that make composing tricky outdoors.

Personally, I grew more reliant on the SL1000’s EVF for wildlife and telephoto work where quick focus and framing matter. The Sony’s lack of viewfinder means you’re forced to rely on its LCD - less than ideal in challenging light.

Autofocus and Performance: Catching the Action

Neither camera boasts advanced phase-detection autofocus systems or burst rates to rival DSLRs or mirrorless models of today. But within their class, here’s how they compare:

• Fujifilm SL1000: 10 fps continuous shooting, shutter speeds from 30s to 1/1700s, with contrast-detection AF but no face or eye detection.
• Sony H200: 8 fps continuous, shutter speeds 30s to 1/1500s, contrast-detection AF with face detection and some AF tracking.

While Sony’s face detection is a nice feature (especially for family or portraits), its slower burst rate and limited manual control dampen its appeal for fast action.

The SL1000’s higher continuous frame rate and shutter speed ceiling allow you to freeze action a bit better, though neither has the lightning-fast tracking accuracy needed for critical sports or wildlife work. As usual, small sensors and slow AF limit using these cameras for dedicated action shooters.

Lens Range and Zoom: The Heart of a Superzoom

Now to the fun part - the lenses:

• Fujifilm SL1000 offers an astonishing 24-1200mm equivalent zoom (50x optical zoom) with a variable aperture of f/2.9-6.5.
• Sony H200 has a shorter but still impressive 24-633mm equivalent zoom (26.4x optical zoom) with aperture f/3.1-5.9.

Long story short: Fujifilm wins the zoom race hands down, nearly doubling the reach.

Fujifilm SL1000 front Fujifilm SL1000 screen back Sony H200 front Sony H200 screen back

That massive 1200mm reach on the SL1000 lets you practically stalk distant wildlife or pinch out landscapes with fine details. But bear in mind the tradeoff: at massive zoom, image quality deteriorates due to smaller sensor size and diffraction limits. Also, the max aperture narrowing to f/6.5 makes stabilization and steady support essential.

Sony’s shorter zoom range may feel restrictive for extreme tele shooters but makes it easier to maintain image quality at longer focal lengths.

Both cameras feature optical image stabilization, essential for softening handshakes when zoomed in.

Video Capabilities: Not for the Vloggers, But Coverage is There

Neither camera targets serious videographers, but let’s break down the essentials:

• Fujifilm SL1000 records Full HD video up to 1920x1080 at 60fps in Motion JPEG format, which means larger file sizes but easy editing for beginners.
• Sony H200 maxes out at HD video 1280x720 at 30fps, using MPEG-4 and AVCHD formats for compression efficiency.

No microphone or headphone jacks on either - so forget professional audio. No 4K or high bit-rate modes here. The SL1000’s 60fps option gives smoother motion capture, useful for casual sports or wildlife clips.

For casual users wanting basic video integrated with massive zoom, SL1000 is the better choice. However, you’d better upgrade to modern mirrorless or DSLRs for any professional filmmaking.

Battery Life and Storage: Keeping You Shooting Longer

Much to my surprise, the SL1000 uses a built-in battery pack with around 350 shots per charge, whereas the Sony H200 runs on 4 AA batteries delivering approx 240 shots.

For field work, the Sony’s use of AAs might be seen as a convenience - you can replace batteries anywhere without waiting for charge - but want to bring spares lest you run out on a day trip. The SL1000’s rechargeable pack is more eco-friendly and cost-effective for frequent shooting.

Both cameras use single SD/SDHC/SDXC slots, but Sony’s H200 offers additional compatibility with Memory Stick formats - a minor bonus if you’re entrenched in Sony’s ecosystem (though those sticks have largely faded).

Durability and Weather Resistance

Neither camera is weather sealed or ruggedized for challenging environments - no dustproof, waterproof, freezeproof, or crushproof claims. Both are best kept dry and protected from extreme conditions.

This limits their use for serious landscape or wildlife shooting in rough weather.

Who Should Buy Which Camera?

Let’s boil down this comparison to who each camera is truly for:

Fujifilm SL1000 - The Reach Enthusiast and Manual Control Fan

• Pros: Massive 1200mm zoom, manual modes (shutter/aperture priority), tilting high-res display + EVF, better ISO range, 60fps Full HD video, better build heft, longer battery life.
• Cons: Heavier, somewhat outdated processor, no advanced AF features, no wireless connectivity.
• Best for: Enthusiasts needing extreme zoom, value manual exposure controls, and want solid viewfinder options for telephoto compositing.
• Sports, wildlife, and travel photographers on a moderate budget who value flexibility would appreciate the SL1000. It’s a good budget “bridge” camera with some professional-style controls.

Sony H200 - The Lightweight, Simple Superzoom for Casual Use

• Pros: Lighter and more compact, straightforward point-and-shoot style, face detection AF, uses easy-to-find AA batteries, slightly higher resolution sensor.
• Cons: Shorter zoom (633mm), limited manual controls (no PASM modes), no viewfinder, lower-res fixed LCD, weaker video specs, noisier images at high ISO.
• Best for: Beginners or casual users wanting a simple, portable superzoom camera at a bargain price ($249), who don’t require manual tweaks or extreme telephoto reach.
• Family photographers, travel hobbyists, or cheapskates who want a lightweight superzoom with easy battery swaps will appreciate the H200’s simplicity.

Breaking It Down by Photography Genre

A quick rundown of performance by type of photography:

Portraits

• SL1000: No face/eye detection autofocus; manual focus can be tricky. But decent skin tone renders and bokeh at wide apertures.
• Sony H200: Face detection AF works well; produces softer images generally - great for casual portraits but limited control.

Landscape

• SL1000: Slight edge with better dynamic range, manual controls, tilting screen for creative compositions.
• Sony H200: Adequate in good light, less dynamic range, fixed LCD is limiting.

Wildlife

• SL1000 zoom advantage is huge here; 1200mm reach and 10fps frame rate give it an edge.
• Sony H200’s reach is half and slower frame rates hamper action shots.

Sports

• Neither excel here, but SL1000's 10fps slightly better; Sony’s AF limitations and slower max shutter speed hold it back.

Street

• Sony H200 is lighter and less conspicuous. SL1000 bulkier but better controls. Neither is especially street discreet.

Macro

• SL1000 has 0cm macro focus (very close); Sony starts at 20cm. Fujifilm takes the edge for detail shots.

Night / Astrophotography

• SL1000’s better ISO performance and longer shutter speeds help here; Sony’s lower ISO cap limits capability.

Video

• SL1000 dominates with HD 60fps and Full HD resolution; Sony capped at 720p.

Travel

• Sony’s light weight is attractive, but SL1000’s versatility and battery life make it better for serious travel shoots.

Professional Work

• Neither replaces prosumer or DSLR gear, but SL1000’s manual modes fit casual pro backup needs better.

The Final Scoreboard

Enough talk - let’s see how these cameras stack up overall based on my extensive field tests and lab benchmarks.

Summary & Recommendations

Having tested thousands of cameras over 15 years, I appreciate that sometimes your budget or zoom requirements dictate your choice. Between these two 2013 bridge-style superzooms:

• If you want the longest zoom reach, more manual control, better video, and plan to shoot a range of subjects including wildlife and landscapes, the Fujifilm SL1000 is a better fit despite its age and bulk.

• If you’re a beginner or casual shooter looking for a simple, affordable, lighter superzoom to capture family events and travel photos, the Sony H200 still offers impressive zoom reach and respectable all-around performance without complexity.

Price check: As of launch, SL1000 was about $600; Sony H200 around $250. Today, prices vary on the used market but expect the SL1000 to command a premium for its capabilities.

What I’d Do

If I had to recommend one for a cheapskate enthusiast - someone who wants to experiment with long zoom and manual modes on a modest budget - I’d advise saving for the SL1000. Its super telephoto reach and better controls offer more learning potential and image quality longevity.

But if you simply want a lightweight, budget camera to throw in a day bag for casual zoom photography, the Sony H200 remains a solid, easy-to-use choice.

Choosing between these two really boils down to how serious you are about photography and how much you value zoom reach and manual control vs. portability and simplicity. Both cameras reflect an era where superzoom bridges gave access to long lenses in compact packages, but their compromises highlight why modern mirrorless and smartphones have gradually eclipsed this class.

I hope this comparison helps you see past the spec sheet and make the best choice for your photography style and budget. Now, get out there and start snapping - equipment is only as good as the stories you tell with it.