Fujifilm FinePix Z110 vs Samsung SL620: The Ultracompact Camera Showdown

When you want a pocket-friendly camera that fits in your lifestyle without the bulk or complexity of interchangeable lenses or pro-level settings, ultracompact cameras like the Fujifilm Z110 and Samsung SL620 often come to mind. Both models positioned themselves as affordable travel companions and casual shooters back in their day, promising simplicity over the bells and whistles of DSLRs or mirrorless systems. But beyond the brand name and spec sheets, how do they truly compare? And does either still hold value for photography enthusiasts considering a lightweight, easy-to-use secondary camera?

Having put both through my hands - and lenses, sensors, and assorted real-world scenarios - I’m excited to share a candid, in-depth examination of these two ultracompacts, focusing on their practical merits for a range of photographic disciplines and user needs.

Tiny Giants: Handling, Ergonomics, and Physical Design

The first impression when holding either camera tells you a lot about usability on the go. The Fujifilm Z110, announced in early 2012, is one of the slimmest and lightest among this niche, tipping the scales at just 145 grams and measuring a neat 97 x 58 x 20 mm. Meanwhile, the Samsung SL620, a slightly older model released in 2009, is a tad chunkier at 168 grams and dimensions of 92 x 61 x 23 mm - still compact but noticeable on a minimalist scale.

Looking at how they feel in hand, I prefer the slightly narrower and flatter Fujifilm body for slipping into a jacket pocket or a slim purse without the awkward bulge. Samsung’s SL620 feels more traditional with a rounded grip, which can inspire a steadier hold but adds a hint of bulk. Neither camera has a dedicated viewfinder, which emphasizes their reliance on LCD screens for composition - a trade-off common in ultracompacts.

Note the Fujifilm Z110’s sleek, slim profile versus the Samsung SL620’s slightly bulkier frame.

In terms of button layout and physical controls, both cameras adopt minimalistic designs reflective of their simplicity-first philosophy. However, the Fujifilm Z110's touchscreen interface (a rarity in cameras of this class and era) gives it a bit of an edge in intuitive control, especially for navigating menus or focusing. The Samsung SL620 sticks to conventional physical buttons and a non-touch LCD, which some users might find more tactile but less agile.

Here’s a direct look at the top controls: the Fujifilm’s quieter shutter button versus the Samsung’s slightly protruding mode dial.

If you often shoot on the move or in awkward angles, that touchscreen on the Fujifilm, despite its modest resolution (230k dots), can speed up framing and focusing tasks dramatically.

The Heart of the Camera: Sensor Tech and Image Quality

Both below-mentioned cameras share a fundamental similarity: a 1/2.3" CCD sensor. This sensor size is typical for ultracompacts, offering a small sensor area (around 28 mm²), which naturally limits depth of field control and low-light prowess.

Let’s peek under the hood:

Both sensors are nearly identical in size; the Fujifilm edges out slightly in megapixels and ISO range.

Though both sensors are CCD-based, which typically produce pleasing color rendition and natural tones, the Fujifilm's 14MP sensor offers a higher resolution for sharper prints or larger crops. Also noteworthy, the Fujifilm’s higher maximum ISO of 3200 vs Samsung’s 1600 suggests a potential for better low-light shooting - though with small sensors noise is inevitable at these levels.

In real-world usage, the Fujifilm produces images with slightly crisper details and more controlled noise at mid-ISO, while the Samsung’s lower megapixel count results in a gentler but softer image quality. Color accuracy and tone reproduction are comparable and both benefit from their CCD origins delivering warm, natural skin tones. Neither camera supports RAW shooting - a notable downside for photo enthusiasts wanting maximum editing flexibility.

Peeking Through the Viewfinder: Screens and Interfaces

With no optical or electronic viewfinder in either model, the LCD screen becomes crucial for framing and reviewing shots.

The Fujifilm’s touchscreen facilitates speedy menu access, but both screens are modestly detailed by today’s standards.

As I experimented shooting landscapes and street photography, the touchscreen interface on the Fujifilm proved more instinctive, enabling me to shift focus points or change settings in a flash. The Samsung’s fixed buttons and limited navigation slow you down if you need to adjust on the fly.

That said, both displays have relatively low resolution, which may frustrate pixel peepers or videographers seeking sharp playback. In bright sunlight, both screens suffer from glare, typical of this generation of ultracompact cameras.

Autofocus and Shooting Speed: The Need for Speed?

Autofocus performance is crucial to capturing decisive moments, especially in sports, wildlife, or street photography.

• Fujifilm Z110 uses contrast-detection autofocus with face detection and touch-to-focus capabilities. It offers single and continuous AF modes, and a rudimentary tracking system. However, the autofocus points count is unspecified, suggesting a fairly basic system.

• Samsung SL620 also relies on contrast detection with face detection but lacks continuous AF and tracking.

Neither camera supports advanced phase-detection AF or hybrid systems - no surprise given their class and release dates.

In my testing, the Fujifilm’s autofocus felt quicker and more reliable, particularly with face detection, thanks in part to its touch interface allowing direct focus point selection. The Samsung often hunts longer, especially in lower light or when faced with moving subjects, which limits its effectiveness for action or wildlife photography.

Continuous shooting is a weak point for both, with the Fujifilm maxing out at a sluggish 1 frame per second and the Samsung’s burst speed undocumented but generally slow as well. Sporting events or fast wildlife scenes will challenge these cameras’ responsiveness.

Lens and Zoom Range: How Much Reach Do You Get?

Ultracompacts have fixed zoom lenses, so focal length versatility and aperture play big roles.

The Fujifilm starts a bit wider at 28mm, great for landscapes and group portraits, while the Samsung pushes to a longer 175mm telephoto for tighter framing of distant subjects. The Samsung’s lens also has a brighter maximum aperture at the wide end (f/2.8 vs f/3.9), which theoretically allows more light in - a benefit in indoor or low-light snaps.

In practice, I found the Samsung’s longer reach useful for casual wildlife or candid street photography, though optical quality at the tele end softens noticeably. The Fujifilm’s wider angle better suits landscapes and architecture.

Neither lens features optical image stabilization, so handheld shooting at telephoto or lower shutter speeds require careful stance or a tripod.

Exploring Photography Genres: Strengths and Limitations

Let’s break down how these two ultracompact cameras perform across photography styles, drawing from my real-world shooting experience.

Portraits: Smooth Skin Tones and Bokeh?

Both cameras capture pleasingly natural skin tones - thanks to the CCD sensor’s color profile - and face detection aids framing. But shallow depth of field for that creamy bokeh is simply not achievable given the small sensors and relatively tight aperture ranges.

Between the two, I noticed the Fujifilm’s 14MP sensor provides more detailed close-up renderings, which you’ll appreciate in studio-style portraits or social snapshots. The Samsung’s wider aperture at wide angle doesn’t offset its shorter focal length for portraits, making the Fujifilm better suited overall here.

Landscapes: Resolution and Dynamic Range

Higher resolution and dynamic range help pull out tiny details in sprawling scenes.

While neither camera’s sensor truly excels at dynamic range - typical of small CCDs - the Fujifilm’s 14MP sensor provides a vital edge over the Samsung’s 12MP in landscape detail denotation, especially when printing or cropping.

Neither camera offers weather sealing, so protecting them in adverse outdoor conditions is vital.

Wildlife and Sports: Autofocus and Burst Rates

Neither camera was designed for action-heavy photography, but if you’re committed:

• Fujifilm Z110 autofocus is faster and supports continuous AF, giving it a slight leg up in tracking subjects.

• Samsung SL620 struggles with moving subjects due to single AF only and slower responsiveness.

Burst shooting on these models is sluggish - 1 fps tops on the Fujifilm and slower on Samsung - meaning you’ll miss many key moments in sports or bird photography.

Street Photography: Discretion and Portability

Both cameras’ compact size is an asset on the street. The Fujifilm’s ultra-slim profile and touchscreen can speed up shooting, but the lack of a quiet shutter or dedicated silent mode is a downside. The Samsung, while chunkier, feels more robust and less fragile, but the slower autofocus may cause missed street interactions.

Macro Photography: Close Focus and Detail

Both cameras focus down to about 5cm, enabling decent close-up shots. However, lack of image stabilization limits hand-held macro sharpness. If you prioritize macro, the Fujifilm’s higher resolution sensor captures crisper details, but neither camera offers focus stacking or focus bracketing.

Night and Astrophotography: Handling Low Light

Here, things get tough. Small sensors, limited ISO ranges, and no stabilization heavily limit these cameras.

The Fujifilm’s ability to shoot up to ISO 3200 gives it an advantage over Samsung’s 1600 max ISO, but expect significant noise and softening at high ISOs on both.

Neither camera offers long exposure bracketing or bulb modes for astro work - meaning it’s best avoided.

Video Capabilities

Both cameras offer basic video:

• Fujifilm Z110: Up to 1280x720p at 30fps, uses H.264 codec offering reasonably efficient compression.

• Samsung SL620: Max resolution of 640x480 at 30fps, stored as Motion JPEG, resulting in larger files and lesser detail.

Neither offers microphone inputs, headphone outputs, or 4K capabilities.

For casual video vlogging or family clips, Fujifilm’s HD output is preferable.

Travel Photography: Size, Weight, and Battery Life

When traversing cities or trails, light weight and battery power matter.

• Fujifilm Z110’s slimmer build and lower weight score here.

• Battery life favors Fujifilm (~220 shots per charge using NP-45A pack), while Samsung’s battery life stats are undocumented, but typically weaker given smaller or older batteries.

Both accept SD cards, but note Samsung also supports MMC and includes some internal memory.

Professional Use: Reliability and Workflow

Neither camera suits demanding professional photography given the lack of RAW, limited manual controls, and connectivity options.

They don’t have weather sealing or tethering. No USB 3.0 or wireless functions - just basic USB 2.0.

You’re looking at interchangeable lens systems or advanced compacts for serious workflow integration.

Extras: Connectivity and Storage

Both models accept SD cards, but Samsung also supports MMC and has built-in storage. Neither offers wireless features like Bluetooth or Wi-Fi - common limitations of the era.

They share USB 2.0 ports for image transfer but no HDMI output, so viewing on large screens requires card readers.

Both lack GPS for geotagging - a staple in modern travel cams.

Value and Pricing: What You Get for Your Money

While these cameras are largely discontinued, their target price points and second-hand values matter.

Originally, the Samsung SL620 retails around $199, with modest current market prices due to age.

The Fujifilm Z110’s street price is effectively obsolete, with second-hand sellers typically pricing it lower.

Given the Fujifilm’s better sensor resolution, touchscreen, HD video, and superior autofocus, it offers better bang-for-buck for casual users wanting more versatility.

Overall Performance Scores and Genre Analysis

Here’s a curated look at overall and genre-specific summaries based on hands-on testing, image quality evaluation, and usability.

Real-World Image Samples

Results speak louder than specs. Both cameras produce pleasing daylight images. Skin tones are natural, colors moderately vibrant, and noise manageable in low ISO settings.

The Fujifilm’s 14MP resolution allows sharper crops and OTA detail.

Zoomed tele shots with the Samsung reveal softer detail and mild chromatic aberration, though its brighter wide aperture helps indoors.

Fujifilm Z110 front Fujifilm Z110 screen back Samsung SL620 front Samsung SL620 screen back

Who Should Choose Which?

• Choose the Fujifilm FinePix Z110 if:

  • You want a razor-slim, travel-friendly camera that’s easy to use with touchscreen controls.
  • You care deeply about image resolution and HD video quality.
  • You occasionally shoot portraits and landscapes where detail and color are key.
  • You want somewhat better autofocus performance and continuous focus for casual moving subjects.
  • Battery life and simplicity are priorities.

• Choose the Samsung SL620 if:

  • You need a slightly longer zoom reach (175mm equiv.) for distant subjects.
  • You prefer physical buttons over touchscreens.
  • Your budget is minimal and you find a good deal on second-hand.
  • You do casual point-and-shoot video at VGA resolution with basic playback needs.
  • Slightly chunkier grip makes you feel more secure shooting.

Final Thoughts: Ultracompacts in a Mirrorless Age

Both the Fujifilm Z110 and Samsung SL620 represent a bygone era where ubiquitous smartphones had yet to dominate casual photography. Today, these ultracompacts still serve certain niches - especially as ultra-light travel backups or beginner-friendly cameras - but face stiff competition from modern smartphones and entry-level mirrorless bodies.

Still, if you find one for pocket change and want an uncomplicated, straightforward camera with respectable image quality for daylight shooting, the Fujifilm Z110 slightly outperforms in almost every domain thanks to its higher resolution sensor, touchscreen, HD video, and faster autofocus.

The Samsung SL620’s longer zoom and marginally brighter lens make it a contender in telephoto range but its slower AF and lower ISO ceiling limit its scope.

For enthusiasts and professionals, these cameras serve best as lightweight secondaries or quick grab-and-shoot options rather than main photography tools.

Before buying, notice their lack of RAW, stabilization, and advanced manual exposure modes - factors important to advanced users but often forgivable in casual ultracompacts.

If you’d like to see these cameras side-by-side speed tests, AF tracking trials, or image sharpening workflows, let me know - I’m always happy to dive deeper. For now, rely on these insights as a grounded guide to what each camera truly offers beyond the spec sheet.

Happy shooting, whatever your choice!