Fujifilm SL300 vs Samsung WB210: An In-Depth Comparative Analysis for the Informed Photographer

In the crowded field of small sensor superzoom cameras, the Fujifilm FinePix SL300 and the Samsung WB210 stand out as contemporaries from early 2010s, targeting enthusiasts seeking extensive zoom ranges packaged in compact, travel-friendly bodies. Though long discontinued, each holds value as entry-level superzoom options for photographers prioritizing zoom versatility, ease of use, and budget constraints.

This comprehensive review draws on hands-on experience with both models to compare ergonomics, sensor capabilities, autofocus systems, shooting modes, and more. By dissecting both cameras across photography genres and use cases, we aim to provide clear guidance grounded in real-world performance and practical workflow considerations.

Form Factor and Handling: The Battle of Bridge vs Compact Styles

The Fujifilm SL300 adopts a classic SLR-style bridge camera design with a substantial handgrip, electronic viewfinder (EVF), and fixed lens offering an imposing 30x zoom. Its size and heft contrast sharply with the diminutive Samsung WB210, a compact with a slim profile and 12x zoom lens.

• FujiFilm SL300: Dimensions are 122 × 93 × 100 mm, weighing in at 510 grams. The heft lends stability for telephoto shooting but sacrifices pocketability. The prominent grip and SLR-style body facilitate secure one-handed operation, especially when using the telephoto end. Physical controls support semi-manual operations, appealing to users desiring direct exposure adjustments.

• Samsung WB210: At 101 × 59 × 22 mm and 174 grams, the WB210 is significantly more compact and lightweight, consciously designed for discreet travel and street photography. However, the slim body and lack of a pronounced grip may cause handling challenges with prolonged telephoto use or in fast action situations.

The ergonomics and control layout further illustrate their divergent philosophies.

• The SL300 features dedicated dials for shutter and aperture priority modes plus a traditional command dial, facilitating more tactile control and quicker adjustments in changing environments.

• Conversely, the WB210's compact controls consolidate functions, with a touchscreen interface streamlining menus but offering less immediacy for exposure adjustments. Lack of external dials means slower mode changes, likely frustrating more advanced users.

In conclusion, photographers prioritizing manual control and handling with a superzoom lens will find the Fujifilm SL300’s bridge-style body preferable for extended shoots, while the WB210’s compact form targets casual and street shooters valuing portability above all else.

Sensor Characteristics and Image Quality Potential

Both cameras share identical sensor technology fundamentals - a 1/2.3" CCD sensor with a 14-megapixel resolution and anti-aliasing filters - but subtle nuances impact overall image quality.

Sensor Size and Resolution

• Both use a 1/2.3-inch sensor sized 6.17 x 4.55 mm, an area of approximately 28.07 mm². This diminutive sensor size inherently limits light gathering capability, affecting noise performance and dynamic range.

• Maximum resolution sits near 14 MP - 4288×3216 pixels on the SL300 and slightly higher 4320×3240 pixels on the WB210. In practical shooting, this difference is negligible.

ISO Range and Noise

• Fujifilm’s SL300 supports ISO 64–1600 natively, extending to 6400 via boosts. Samsung’s WB210 has a slightly narrower native ISO range (80–1600), boosted to a maximum of ISO 3200.

• Both sensors use CCD technology, which tends to struggle with high ISO noise compared to CMOS sensors introduced later. Consequently, low-light and high-ISO performance is limited on both models, though the SL300’s ability to boost to ISO 6400 may offer additional exposure flexibility at the cost of elevated noise.

Anti-Aliasing and Color Depth

• Each sensor incorporates an anti-alias filter to reduce moiré effects but at the cost of some micro-detail loss, common in small sensor designs.

• Neither camera is supported by DxOMark or equivalent third-party detailed image quality scoring, limiting technical data availability.

In one-on-one practice, both cameras produce comparable image sharpness, with noise becoming pronounced past ISO 800 - a natural constraint for this sensor class and generation.

Displays and User Interface: Visual Feedback and Workflow Efficiency

Visualization and control interfaces are crucial for efficient shooting. Each model’s approach illustrates contrasting priorities.

• Fujifilm SL300: Sports a 3-inch fixed TFT LCD with 460,000-dot resolution. The screen supports live view and remains visibly legible in most lighting but lacks touch input. The electronic viewfinder (covering 97% frame) aids composition in bright sunlight but is modest in resolution, causing some pixelation.

• Samsung WB210: Uses a larger 3.5-inch fixed TFT LCD with a full 1,000,000-dot count, boasting superior resolution and more detailed image review capability. Additionally, it includes a responsive touchscreen, facilitating quicker menu navigation and touch-to-focus capability, which enhances usability for dynamic scenes.

The absence of an EVF on the WB210 reduces compositional options in bright conditions and may introduce challenges when precise framing is necessary.

Lens Systems and Zoom Capabilities: Range vs Brightness Tradeoffs

The linchpin feature of both cameras is their superzoom lenses.

• Fujifilm SL300: Features a fixed 24–720 mm (35 mm equivalent) zoom providing an expansive 30x magnification range with a maximum aperture of f/3.1 at wide angle, closing to f/5.9 at telephoto. This extraordinary range covers everything from wide landscapes to distant wildlife and sports shots. The 2 cm macro focusing at the wide end expands close-up creativity.

• Samsung WB210: Houses a 24–288 mm (12x zoom) lens, with a notably brighter f/2.9 at wide angle tapering to f/5.9 at telephoto, and a minimum focus distance of 5 cm. While the zoom range is considerably less than Fujifilm’s, the brighter wide aperture enhances indoor and low-light performance.

The practical consequence is that the SL300 excels for travelers or photographers who desire maximum zoom without lens swapping or carrying bulk, ideal for wildlife or sports at a distance. The WB210’s shorter zoom favors everyday shooting requiring less reach but faster apertures for environmental portraits or night street photos.

Autofocus System Performance and Accuracy

Autofocus (AF) is particularly important for superzoom models where subject movement, focal length, and lighting conditions challenge focusing speed and precision.

• Fujifilm SL300: Employs a contrast-detection AF system with face detection and continuous AF modes. It adapts well to static subjects but can be sluggish and less confident on moving subjects or in dim lighting. There is no phase-detection AF, which limits tracking accuracy. The camera does not support selective AF points but allows multi-area and center-weighted focusing.

• Samsung WB210: Also uses contrast-detection AF with face and touch-to-focus capabilities. The AF speed is reasonable in good lighting but lacks continuous AF for moving subjects, making it less suited for action photography. Touch AF on the WB210 adds a layer of manual-like control absent on Fuji’s unit.

Neither camera supports sophisticated animal eye AF or focus bracketing/stacking, limiting macro and wildlife enthusiasts.

Image Stabilization: Crucial for Telephoto Shooters

Given the extensive zoom ranges and small sensors, effective image stabilization (IS) is paramount.

• SL300 offers sensor-shift stabilization that compensates for handheld shake, rated effective for several stops of correction, especially beneficial at long focal lengths or macro distances. This results in sharper images in lower light without raising ISO excessively.

• WB210 uses optical stabilization embedded in the lens assembly. Although effective, optical IS in this lens class tends to deliver slightly less correction than sensor-shift counterparts but performs well combined with faster apertures on the wide end.

Practical testing reveals the SL300’s IS enabled users to shoot handheld at telephoto focal lengths with less motion blur versus WB210, which somewhat limits effective reach or insists on tripod use for sharp shots.

Exposure and Manual Control Capabilities

Examining exposure modes elucidates each camera’s orientation toward creative control.

• Fujifilm SL300: Offers shutter priority, aperture priority, and full manual exposure modes, affording photographers extended control for depth of field and motion capture creatively. Exposure compensation and custom white balance further refine output. Such features appeal to advanced amateurs experimenting with semi-manual shooting.

• Samsung WB210: Restricts users to primarily automatic or scene modes with no shutter or aperture priority, and no manual exposure controls. White balance customization and exposure compensation (not supported) are minimal, constraining deliberate exposure adjustments.

Hence for users who require creative exposure manipulation - common in portrait, landscape, and macro photography - the SL300 has a clear edge.

Burst Shooting, Shutter, and Frame Rates for Action Capture

Action shooters must consider continuous shooting speeds and shutter performance.

• SL300: Maximum continuous shooting rate is 1 fps, which is quite slow and limits effective sports or wildlife burst capture. The shutter speed ranges from 8 seconds to 1/2000s, adequate for most standard applications but insufficient for freezing very fast motion or bright aperture priority photography.

• WB210: Official continuous shooting rates are undocumented but practically limited, as the camera lacks continuous AF and manual shutter adjustments. Maximum shutter speed matches Fujifilm at 1/2000s.

Both cameras are not aimed at high-speed action photography, but the SL300’s manual shutter priority mode helps mitigate extreme exposure challenges better than the Samsung WB210.

Video Recording: Specifications and Practical Functionality

Video remains a complementary feature on small sensor superzoom models, reflecting early 2010s technology.

• Both cameras capture HD video at max 1280×720 resolution at 30 fps, with the SL300 supporting H.264 and Motion JPEG formats, and the WB210 limited to Motion JPEG only.

• Neither model supports microphone or headphone jacks; built-in microphones capture audio at basic quality with no manual audio level controls.

• The SL300 lacks touchscreen video controls, whereas the WB210 employs its touchscreen for menu and focus during recording.

• Neither model provides advanced video features such as 4K, variable frame rates, or stabilized video modes beyond lens or sensor IS during capture.

For casual video capture - such as travel or family events - either camera suffices, but neither is suitable for professional video work.

Battery Life, Storage, and Connectivity Overview

Extended shooting sessions and data management depend on power and storage.

• Fujifilm SL300: Uses proprietary NP-85 lithium-ion battery rated for approximately 300 shots per charge, an average performance for bridge cameras. Storage is via a single SD/SDHC/SDXC card slot.

• Samsung WB210: Battery details are unspecified, but compact class cameras typically provide fewer shots per charge due to smaller batteries. Storage includes microSDHC support plus internal memory, useful for emergency shots if the card is full.

Neither camera offers wireless connectivity, Bluetooth, or GPS features, reflecting their 2011–2012 production period, a significant shortcoming for modern connectivity demands.

Durability and Environmental Resistance

Neither camera features weather sealing, dustproofing, shockproofing, or freezeproofing. The SL300’s larger body and well-built feel give a psychological sense of robustness, but real-world use demands careful handling and protective cases during adverse conditions.

Real-World Performance Across Photography Genres

By synthesizing the technical data with practical shooting experience, we evaluate how each camera behaves in key photography disciplines:

Portrait Photography

• Fujifilm SL300: The combination of manual exposure, face detection AF, and 30x zoom allows creative framing and moderate background blur at longer focal lengths, though the small sensor limits bokeh quality. ISO flexibility supports well-lit skin tone reproduction but noise arises beyond ISO 800.

• Samsung WB210: Faster wide aperture assists in low-light portraits, and touch AF aids in focusing on eyes. Limited zoom and inability to manually adjust exposure reduce creative control. Noise at higher ISO and no RAW support hinder post-processing.

Landscape Photography

• SL300: Wide 24 mm equivalent at f/3.1 allows plenty of framing freedom. Though small sensor resolution limits fine detail and dynamic range, the aperture priority and manual capabilities allow pegging exposure for scenic capture. Good for casual shooting.

• WB210: Wider aperture helps in poor lighting but shorter zoom limits framing extremes. No manual exposure control restricts skilled landscape photographers who work with graduated ND filters or nuanced exposure.

Wildlife Photography

• SL300: 720 mm reach is exceptional for distant subjects. Sensor-shift stabilization helps counteract telephoto shake, but AF tracking is inadequate for fast-moving animals. Slow continuous shooting rate further reduces capture probability of fleeting moments.

• WB210: Lack of long zoom and continuous AF make the WB210 less suited for wildlife.

Sports Photography

Both cameras fall short for serious sports shooting due to sluggish AF, minimal burst rates, and limited shutter speeds. The SL300’s manual exposure offers some advantage for static sports or panning shots, but overall, neither camera meets professional action demands.

Street Photography

• WB210: More discreet size, lighter weight, and touch AF favor quick candid captures and mobility.

• SL300: Bulkier but with an EVF allowing more traditional composition; less stealthy and slower AF reduces street photography spontaneity.

Macro Photography

• SL300: 2 cm minimum focus distance and sensor-shift stabilization improve macro image sharpness and framing flexibility.

• WB210: 5 cm minimum focusing restricts close-ups. Lack of focus stacking or bracketing hampers extended depth-of-field attempts.

Night and Astro Photography

Both cameras struggle with noise at higher ISO values and do not support long exposures optimally due to limited shutter speed (max 8 seconds). The SL300’s manual exposure mode is favorable for controlling exposure times.

Video Usage

Both record at 720p HD but lack advanced stabilization or audio controls, limiting professional or enthusiast-level video production.

Travel Photography

• SL300: High zoom versatility, manual controls, and stabilization make it a capable all-round travel camera despite size and weight.

• WB210: Ultra-portability and touchscreen ease of use benefit casual travel users prioritizing convenience over ultimate image quality or control.

Professional Workflows

• Neither camera supports RAW format, limiting post-processing latitude.

• Absence of tethering, wireless transfer, or advanced metadata features restricts utility in professional production workflows.

Final Thoughts: Performance Ratings and Genre-Specific Scores

To consolidate the detailed comparisons, the following images illustrate relative overall and genre-specific performance assessments based on testing criteria covering sensor quality, AF, ergonomics, and more.

Sample Image Comparisons

Below are representative gallery shots from both cameras under varied conditions, illustrating strengths and limitations in sharpness, color rendition, and noise handling.

Fujifilm SL300 front Fujifilm SL300 screen back Samsung WB210 front Samsung WB210 screen back

Recommendations: Which Camera Fits Your Needs?

• Choose the Fujifilm SL300 if:

  • You desire extensive zoom capabilities for wildlife or distant subjects.
  • Manual exposure adjustments and semi-pro controls are important.
  • You prioritize IS and more stable handling over compactness.
  • Your budget is under $300 and you accept limited video and wireless features.

• Choose the Samsung WB210 if:

  • Portability, lightweight design, and a better display interface are paramount.
  • You prefer touchscreen operation with reasonably bright optics for casual shooting.
  • Your photographic needs focus on street or travel photography without advanced manual controls.

In Summary

The 2012 Fujifilm FinePix SL300 and 2011 Samsung WB210 represent contrasting philosophies within small sensor superzoom cameras - bridging robust physical controls, extreme zoom, and stabilization versus compactness, touchscreen interactivity, and brighter optics.

Neither model excels in professional-grade imaging or speed; both reflect their era’s CCD sensor limitations and autofocus technologies. However, each fulfills niche user requirements effectively when matched correctly to photographic goals.

Careful buyers will weigh their priorities - whether zoom reach and control or portability and ease of use - against the tradeoffs presented to make a choice grounded in nuanced, firsthand operational insights.