Fujifilm Z33WP vs Samsung ST150F: A Thorough Comparison From My Lens

When it comes to compact cameras, the two models I’m dissecting today - Fujifilm Z33WP and Samsung ST150F - reflect very different philosophies and eras in camera design, yet both cater to the enthusiast who values portability and ease of use. Having spent years testing cameras across categories, I’m diving deep into both their specs and real-world performance to help you understand which might fit your needs, whether you’re shooting rain-soaked adventure shots or casual everyday snapshots.

Let’s unpack these two compacts and see how they stack up by body, sensor, optics, user experience, and of course, imaging results.

Small But Mighty? Handling, Build, and Ergonomics

The Fujifilm Z33WP proudly wears its waterproof credentials on its sleeve: it is ruggedized with environmental sealing that lets you shoot underwater or in wet conditions with confidence. This was a major appeal when it released in 2009, targeting outdoor enthusiasts and travelers who didn’t want to fuss over bulky waterproof cases.

Physically, it measures 92 x 60 x 21 mm and weighs just 110 grams with a battery. Its compact, boxy shape is easy to pocket and handle one-handed, although its plastic shell feels utilitarian rather than premium. The rear LCD is fixed and relatively small by today’s standards at 2.7 inches, but the screen still serves well for composing shots and reviewing images. The lack of a viewfinder and touchscreen reflects the technology norms of its era.

The Samsung ST150F, announced in 2013, is a tad thinner and slightly longer: 94 x 58 x 18 mm with a comparative weight of 114 grams. It improves on screen size - offering a 3-inch 230k dot TFT LCD - helping with clarity in bright environments. It lacks waterproofing, so while it delivers style and portability, it trades off durability for a sleeker profile.

Both cameras have fixed lenses and no external viewfinders, relying on their LCDs for framing. If handling versatility and environmental toughness are priorities, the Fujifilm is the definite choice here, but for everyday carry and casual street photography, the Samsung’s slicker design could be more appealing.

The top controls on both cameras embrace simplicity. Neither offers advanced control dials or manual exposure options, emphasizing snap-and-go usage rather than creative control. Buttons are non-illuminated and fairly small, which might challenge larger fingers or shooting in dim light. I’ve found the Samsung’s slightly larger body allows a bit more comfortable grip during extended handheld shooting.

Sensor Tech and Image Resolution: How Much Are You Getting?

Both cameras employ 1/2.3-inch CMOS-type sensors, typical for small sensor compacts, with identical sensor dimensions of 6.17 x 4.55 mm, providing a sensor area around 28 mm². This small size impacts noise performance and dynamic range fundamentally - a limitation for any demanding photography but acceptable for casual photography.

Where they diverge is in resolution:

• Fujifilm Z33WP: 10-megapixels (3648 x 2736 max resolution), max ISO 1600, anti-aliasing filter present.
• Samsung ST150F: 16-megapixels (4608 x 3456 max resolution), max ISO 3200, also includes anti-aliasing.

While more pixels don’t guarantee better image quality, the Samsung’s 16MP sensor delivers finer detail potential in good light. However, cramming more pixels into the same small sensor area typically means smaller pixel pitch, which can degrade noise performance in low light.

Given the age proximity and CCD technology employed by the Fuji (CCD was more common around 2009) against Samsung’s CCD sensor (same era yet slightly more advanced), I anticipated the Samsung to edge out Fuji in image detail and ISO reach, especially in well-lit conditions. In practice, the Fuji handles its ISO 1600 a bit better than expected due to more mature processing for its time, but overall, the Samsung’s native ISO 100 base and 3200 top ISO enable more versatile shooting, particularly in street or travel settings with varying light.

Both cameras include an anti-aliasing filter, which softens moiré but slightly reduces micro detail. Since neither supports RAW shooting, users rely wholly on JPEG processing, so sensor output and jpeg engine quality become crucial for image quality.

Lens and Optics: Zoom, Aperture, and Close Focus

The fixed lenses are basic but functional:

• Fuji Z33WP: 35–105 mm equivalent, aperture f/3.7–4.2, 3x optical zoom, 8 cm macro focusing range
• Samsung ST150F: 25–125 mm equivalent, aperture f/2.5–6.3, 5x optical zoom, no listed macro focus distance

Samsung offers a longer zoom range, trading off a slower aperture at telephoto end. The wider equivalent 25mm on the wide end opens up more landscape and travel framing options - something I appreciate during urban or nature shoots.

A notable advantage for the Fuji is its macro focus distance of 8 cm, which encourages close-up experimentation despite lacking dedicated macro mode. The Samsung’s macro capabilities are less defined but manageable for casual flower or object close-ups.

Neither lens features optical image stabilization, which places demands on steady hands or higher shutter speeds to avoid blur, especially under telephoto or low-light conditions.

Autofocus and Usability in Real Settings

The autofocus on both cameras is contrast-detection based, typical for compacts lacking hybrid or phase detection. While this keeps things straightforward, it means slower AF speeds and less accuracy tracking moving subjects compared to DSLR or mirrorless systems.

• Fujifilm: Single-point AF only, no face or eye detection, no continuous AF or tracking.
• Samsung: Single AF available, but additionally offers face detection, center-weighted AF, and multi-area AF, plus AF tracking functionality.

From practical experience, the Samsung’s AF system provides a smoother and more reliable hit rate on faces and moving subjects in casual scenarios, thanks to its face detection and tracking features. The Fuji’s AF feels more elementary but is consistent for static scenes and general snapshots.

Neither camera supports manual focus, limiting creativity or critical focusing - for macro especially, this could be a frustration.

Exposure Options and User Interface

Both cameras are designed with point-and-shoot simplicity, lacking manual exposure modes, shutter priority, or aperture priority settings. The Fuji sacrifices custom white balance adjustments; the Samsung allows custom white balance, enhancing color accuracy under tricky lighting.

Exposure compensation controls are absent in both models, restricting shooters who want to fine-tune brightness or contrast before capture.

The Samsung’s interface benefits from a slightly larger screen and on-screen menus that feel less dated; however, the lack of touchscreen input makes browsing settings slower. The Fuji’s interface is reminiscent of the late 2000s design that may feel clunky to new users.

Neither camera integrates a viewfinder, meaning you battle glare and reflections when shooting outdoors.

Burst, Video Capabilities, and Other Features

The Fujifilm Z33WP offers very limited continuous shooting at 1 frame per second, insufficient for any action or sports photography. Video tops out at VGA (640×480) resolution at 30 fps coded in Motion JPEG - a quality typical for its release time but poor compared to modern HD standards.

The Samsung ST150F benefits from HD video recording at 720p (1280×720) 30fps via MPEG-4 and H.264 compression, a significant improvement that suits casual videography or travel clips.

Neither camera supports advanced video features like microphone input, headphone jack, or 4K photo modes.

Connectivity, Storage, and Power

An interesting division appears in connectivity:

• Fujifilm Z33WP: USB 2.0 and HDMI output are present, no wireless functionality. Storage is via standard SD/SDHC cards or internal memory. Battery type is proprietary NP-45.
• Samsung ST150F: USB 2.0 but no HDMI output. However, it sports built-in wireless connectivity (Wi-Fi), a novelty for 2013 compacts, allowing simple image transfer to smartphones or PCs - a convenience increasingly important for sharing shots on the go. Uses microSD/microSDHC/microSDXC cards, popular in mobile devices.

Battery life info is unavailable for both, but typical compact usage suggests moderate endurance sufficient for a day's casual shooting.

Real-World Image Quality Comparison and Sample Gallery

After extensive test shooting in portrait, landscape, street, and low-light scenarios, here’s how they perform:

Portraits:
The Samsung’s face detection combined with higher resolution delivers sharper skin texture capture, although at programmed ISO 100 to 800 to avoid noise. The Fujifilm renders skin tones with a softer, almost nostalgic palette but tends to lose crispness. Depth of field across both remains deep given small sensors, so background blur is minimal.

Landscapes:
Samsung’s wider 25mm end and higher pixel count let you frame more expansive scenes with good clarity. Dynamic range is limited by sensor tech in both but slightly better on Samsung with ISO flexibility. The Fuji’s waterproof housing could let you shoot more adventurous scenes, such as lakesides or rainy weather, which the Samsung can’t endure.

Wildlife and Sports:
Neither camera is optimized for action. The Samsung’s limited AF tracking helps catch slow-moving subjects but continuous frame rates are too sluggish for fast action.

Street & Travel:
The Fuji’s rugged, waterproof body is a big plus for unpredictably wet environments or dusty conditions. Samsung’s Wi-Fi support helps transfer images quickly when traveling light without a notebook.

Macro:
The Fuji’s definite 8 cm minimum focus distance tips the balance toward closer subject framing. Samsung can still approach decently close but less precisely.

Night & Astro:
Neither camera excels beyond casual low-light. Samsung’s max ISO 3200 provides some AI noise suppression but images get grainy fast. Fuji maxes at ISO 1600 and produces noisier results but can handle shorter exposures. Neither has dedicated night modes.

Fujifilm Z33WP front Fujifilm Z33WP screen back Samsung ST150F front Samsung ST150F screen back

Putting It All Together: Performance Scores and Value

To objectively rate their overall and genre-specific proficiency, I scored these cameras across core categories including image quality, autofocus, ergonomics, and features.

Samsung ST150F leads on resolution, video, and connectivity, scoring higher in street, travel, and general-purpose categories. The Fujifilm Z33WP scores well on handling, durability, and macro, making it suited to niche waterproof and adventure photography.

Verdicts: Who Should Pick Which?

Choose the Fujifilm Z33WP if:

• You need a rugged waterproof compact camera for outdoor, underwater, or harsh weather shooting.
• Macro photography with simple close focusing matters.
• You want a lightweight, pocket-sized, hardy companion for travel involving moisture.
• You don’t mind basic video resolution and image quality for snapshots.
• You prioritize durability over connectivity and resolution.

Opt for the Samsung ST150F if:

• You seek a higher resolution sensor with better color fidelity and detail.
• HD video recording and wireless image sharing are priorities.
• You want a wider zoom range for flexible framing.
• The absence of waterproofing is not a concern.
• You prefer a larger rear LCD and better AF usability with face detection.
• You shoot mostly in well-lit, urban, or indoor environments.

Final Thoughts from the Field

In my years of testing, cameras like these remind me how far compact technology has come and how design focuses differ. The Fuji Z33WP is a niche tool: it doesn’t try to lead on specs but holds strong for specific user needs. The Samsung ST150F aims to blend advanced features into a pocket-sized device appealing to a general audience.

Both share compromises typical of small sensor fixed lens compacts but appeal to distinctive crowds. Balancing specs, ergonomics, image quality, and user experience lets you pick the best fit for your photographic story.

I hope my hands-on insights help you cut through specs and marketing to find your next compact camera companion.

As always, test devices varied and firmware versions could affect performance. For best results, consider handling each camera yourself and evaluate your personal shooting style and priorities.