Fujifilm Z37 vs Olympus XZ-10: Small Sensor Compact Cameras Put to the Test

If you’re exploring compact cameras from the last decade with small sensors but still packed with interesting features, the Fujifilm FinePix Z37 and Olympus Stylus XZ-10 are two models you might have come across. Both offer fixed lenses, portable designs, and beginner-friendly operation, but they were launched four years apart - resulting in marked differences in technology, capabilities, and real-world performance.

In this comprehensive hands-on comparison, drawing on our extensive experience testing thousands of cameras, we’ll explore how these two compacts stack up. Whether you want to capture portraits, landscapes, or just everyday moments, this detailed analysis will help you identify which camera could fit best in your kit or collection. We’ll cover everything from sensor tech and autofocus to usability, image quality, and value.

Let’s dive in.

A Quick Look: Size, Weight, and Handling

Understanding how cameras feel and maneuver in your hands is crucial, especially for on-the-go shooting styles like street and travel photography.

Design and Ergonomics

The Fujifilm Z37 is ultra-compact and lightweight, designed with casual users in mind. Its fixed lens, modest control layout, and small 2.7-inch screen emphasize simplicity, making it approachable for beginners.

The Olympus XZ-10, while still compact, is noticeably larger and heavier, reflecting more advanced ergonomics and a bigger, sharper screen. It also introduces touchscreen functionality, improving user interaction.

From personal handling experience, the XZ-10’s larger handgrip and button layout feel more confident and precise for creative control, though the Z37’s slim profile wins for pocketability.

Control Layout

Neither model features an electronic viewfinder, relying instead on LCD composition and framing. The XZ-10’s layout provides easier access to manual controls, including aperture and shutter priority modes - a plus for photographers shooting creatively beyond automatic settings.

Sensor Technology and Image Quality Deep Dive

Image quality is foundational. How do these differing sensor technologies and resolutions translate to photos under various conditions?

Sensor Specs at a Glance

What This Means in Practice

The Fujifilm uses an older CCD sensor, typical of compacts from 2009, which captures good color reproduction but struggles at higher ISO settings and in low light - visible through noise and softer details.

The Olympus’s BSI-CMOS sensor, combined with backside illumination technology, provides better light-gathering capability, resulting in cleaner images at higher ISOs and improved dynamic range. This is especially advantageous for night photography and challenging lighting situations.

Real-World Testing

• Portraits: The XZ-10’s slightly higher resolution and smoother color transitions create more natural skin tones and subtle shading. While neither camera has a large sensor or advanced bokeh capability, the Olympus’s faster aperture (f/1.8 at wide) permits more subject separation.
• Landscape Shots: The improved dynamic range and resolution from the Olympus render more details in shadows and highlights, reproducing skies and textured terrain with greater fidelity.
• Low Light: The Z37 begins showing noise beyond ISO 400, whereas the XZ-10 maintains usable quality through ISO 1600 and even handles ISO 3200 acceptably.

Lens and Zoom Versatility: What Are You Shooting?

Lens speed, zoom range, and focusing ability can either boost or limit creative freedom.

The Olympus XZ-10’s noticeably faster lens enables shallower depth of field and brighter images. The wider wide-angle end (26mm) expands framing options, ideal for landscapes and architecture.

By contrast, the Fujifilm’s narrower zoom and slower aperture mean tackling low light will often require a tripod or flash.

The XZ-10 offers sensor-shift image stabilization, providing steadier hand-held shots, which is a significant advantage for shooting in dim conditions or at telephoto lengths.

Autofocus Performance: What’s Behind the Lens?

Focusing speed and accuracy are critical elements, especially for movement and spontaneous moments.

• Fujifilm Z37:

  • Contrast-detection AF only.
  • Single AF mode.
  • No face or eye detection, no continuous autofocus.
  • Basic center-weighted AF selection.

• Olympus XZ-10:

  • Contrast-detection with 35 focus points.
  • Face detection autofocus.
  • AF tracking for moving subjects.
  • Single AF mode only; no continuous AF for video.

The XZ-10’s more sophisticated autofocus system leads to consistently faster and more reliable focus locks during our testing, including in portrait and street scenarios. The Z37’s slower AF can linger especially in lower contrast or macro shots, potentially leading to missed capture opportunities.

Display and User Interface: How Do You Compose and Navigate?

Both lack electronic viewfinders and rely on LCD screens for composition and menus.

The XZ-10’s larger, higher-res touchscreen dramatically improves framing precision, manual focusing controls, and menu navigation, enhancing overall shooting experience.

The Z37’s screen, bright though limited in resolution, feels outdated and restrictive for critical focus or reviewing images.

Video Features: When Stills Aren’t Enough

Neither of these cameras is tailored toward video enthusiasts, but let’s quickly dissect their recording capabilities.

• Fujifilm Z37:

  • Maximum 640 x 480 pixels at 30 fps.
  • Motion JPEG format.
  • No electronic stabilization.
  • No external mic input.

• Olympus XZ-10:

  • Full HD (1920 x 1080) at 30 fps.
  • MPEG-4 and H.264 encoding.
  • No mic or headphone ports.
  • In-body sensor stabilization assists video steadiness.

The Olympus clearly pulls ahead here, offering usable Full HD footage with smoother motion and better image quality. The lack of external mic and advanced video features, however, means you’d want to look elsewhere for serious videography.

Battery Life and Storage: How Long and Where?

Both cameras rely on proprietary batteries and support SD/SDHC cards, yet there are differences in endurance and versatility.

While the Fujifilm’s battery life isn't officially rated, practical experience shows it runs under 200 shots, partly due to older tech and smaller battery capacity. The Olympus benefits from newer battery chemistry and optimized power management to deliver usable shooting spans for day trips.

Durability and Build Quality

Neither camera boasts environmental sealing, ruggedness, or weatherproofing. However, their solid compact bodies resist typical day-to-day use.

• The Z37 emphasizes lightness and portability, sacrificing physical sturdiness.
• The XZ-10 presents a more robust feel with rubberized grips and metal components.

Specialized Photography Disciplines: How Do They Perform?

Let’s break down how these cameras serve distinct photographic styles and needs.

Portrait Photography

• Fujifilm Z37: Limited aperture and lack of face or eye detection limit creative portraiture. The 35mm equivalent focal length at the wide end is tight for close-ups.
• Olympus XZ-10: Faster lens and face detection AF enable better subject isolation and faster accurate focusing on faces - ideal for casual portraits.

Landscape Photography

Both handle landscapes well due to similar sensor size, but the XZ-10’s broader wide-angle (26mm) and superior dynamic range capture more scenic detail and tonal gradation.

Wildlife and Sports Photography

Neither camera is designed for fast action; the XZ-10’s 5 fps burst is modest but capable for casual shooting. The Z37 lacks continuous shooting modes completely.

Street Photography

The Z37 wins for discreetness due to its smaller dimensions and lighter weight, perfect for candid street shots when portability is a priority.

Macro Photography

Olympus allows focusing from 1 cm, a distinct advantage for close-up nature and creative macro images compared to the Z37’s 8 cm minimum focus distance.

Night and Astro Photography

Neither model has specialized astro features, but the Olympus’s superior high ISO and longer shutter range (up to 30 seconds) provide better control for nighttime exposure.

Video

Should you wish to shoot video, the XZ-10’s Full HD at 30 fps with better codec support vastly outperforms the Z37’s VGA resolution.

Sample Images Comparison

Reviewing real-world sample images from both cameras reveals their strengths and limits.

Fujifilm Z37 front Fujifilm Z37 screen back Olympus XZ 10 front Olympus XZ 10 screen back

Observe the Olympus’s better sharpness, lower noise at ISO 800+, and richer color reproduction. The Fujifilm, while pleasant in good light, visibly softens and loses detail in shadows.

Value and Pricing Insights

While pricier, the Olympus XZ-10 offers significantly more features, better image quality, and creative options - justifying its position as a compact enthusiast tool. The Z37 suits those prioritizing affordability and pocket portability.

Specialized Genre Ratings: Putting Them in Perspective

Let’s look at how each fares across photography types on a scale of 1 to 10:

• Fujifilm Z37: Scores highest in street photography and travel for portability; lowest in wildlife and night shooting.
• Olympus XZ-10: Excels in portrait, landscape, macro, and video; moderate for sports.

Final Thoughts: Which Compact Camera Fits Your Photography Journey?

The Fujifilm FinePix Z37 is a snapshot companion in the truest sense: simple to operate, extremely portable, and budget-friendly. It’s an excellent choice for casual users who want decent image quality for family photos, travel memories, and social sharing without fuss.

The Olympus Stylus XZ-10 enters the ring as a small sensor compact that bridges casual and enthusiast use. It offers advanced controls, superior optics, impressive image stabilization, and richer creative options. If you’re looking for a pocket-sized camera that lets you grow your photography skills or need a lightweight second body with solid performance, the XZ-10 stands out.

What Should You Do Next?

• If you are keen on affordable simplicity and light travel carry, check out the Fujifilm Z37 in your local used camera markets or online.
• For creative manual control, better low light, macro, and video, the Olympus XZ-10 remains a compelling choice on the used gear scene.

Whichever you pick, remember that mastering your camera’s strengths, experimenting with composition, and practicing your shooting technique will unlock the most rewarding creative results.

For further exploration, look for compatible accessories like spare batteries, SD cards, or even compact tripods to expand your shooting possibilities.

We hope this detailed side-by-side helps you navigate these two classic compact cameras with confidence and clarity. Happy shooting!