Fujifilm S9800 vs Olympus SZ-30MR: A Detailed Comparison for Enthusiasts Seeking Superzoom Excellence

In the world of small sensor superzoom cameras, two notable players from the last decade stand out: the Fujifilm S9800, announced in early 2015, and the Olympus SZ-30MR, launched in 2011. Both aim to offer versatile all-in-one solutions combining extensive zoom ranges with compact portability, catering to travelers, casual shooters, and budget-conscious enthusiasts.

I’ve spent extensive hours testing and comparing these two models side-by-side, zooming into their specs, real-world handling, image quality, and overall usability. This in-depth comparison will walk you through every significant aspect - technical and practical - helping you decide which camera fits your photography aspirations best.

Designing for the Hand: Size, Weight, and Ergonomics

First impressions matter, especially in photography where comfort and intuitive handling profoundly affect your shooting experience. The Fujifilm S9800 adopts an SLR-like bridge camera style, while the Olympus SZ-30MR embraces a more compact, pocketable form factor.

The Fujifilm S9800 measures 123 × 87 × 116 mm and weighs about 670 grams - noticeably hefty. Its design includes a pronounced grip and dedicated zoom lever surrounding the shutter release. This brings the ergonomics closer to a DSLR experience, which I appreciated for extended shoots or steady zoom telephoto framing.

In contrast, the Olympus SZ-30MR is significantly smaller and lighter at 106 × 69 × 40 mm and 226 grams. This makes it easy to slip into a jacket pocket or small bag. The trade-off is a less substantial grip and fewer physical controls. While the SZ-30MR feels nimble and unobtrusive - ideal for street photography and travel - it lacks that confident hold the Fujifilm provides.

Control and Interface: How Intuitive is Operation?

Showcasing their contrasting philosophies, the top-deck layouts highlight their user interface priorities.

The Fujifilm S9800’s array of buttons and dials provide quick access to exposure mode, ISO, and drive settings. It supports shutter priority, aperture priority, and manual exposure modes - features rarely found in cameras in this price range. This level of control appeals to enthusiasts striving to fine-tune their shots without diving into menus.

Olympus’ SZ-30MR is simpler: its fewer buttons and a creatively designed mode dial suit beginners or casual photographers wanting straightforward shooting. The absence of shutter or aperture priority modes limits creative control but keeps operation hassle-free for those prioritizing ease of use over granular settings.

Both share the same 3-inch LCD with 460k-dot resolution, yet their back-screen experience also differs.

The S9800’s screen, while fixed and non-touch, delivers a crisp display and configurable information overlays. The SZ-30MR’s TFT Hypercrystal III screen is marginally brighter but also fixed. Neither camera offers a touchscreen interface, which some might find restrictive in 2024 standards.

Sensor Specifications and Image Quality - Where the Rubber Meets the Road

Both cameras employ a 1/2.3-inch 16-megapixel CMOS sensor with an anti-aliasing filter and share identical sensor dimensions: 6.17 × 4.55 mm, equating to a sensor area of roughly 28 mm².

While similar in size, sensor performance nuances reveal themselves in native ISO range and image processing. The Fujifilm S9800 offers a native ISO range of 100 to 12800, double that of the Olympus SZ-30MR’s top ISO of 3200. This extended sensitivity theoretically provides the Fujifilm with superior low-light capabilities.

Neither supports RAW output, limiting post-processing control, which is a significant drawback for professionals or enthusiasts who want to push image correction extensively. In-camera JPEG processing becomes crucial, and herein, the Fujifilm distinguishes itself. Its image processor, though unnamed officially, delivers better noise control and color accuracy in my testing, reflecting Fujifilm’s heritage in color science.

Olympus’s TruePic III+ processor is competent, but images appear softer and noisier above ISO 800. The SZ-30MR’s relatively narrow ISO ceiling and noisier JPEGs make it more suited to daylight photography.

Lens and Zoom Capabilities: Superzoom for Every Scenario

Arguably the headline feature for both - lens zoom range and optical quality.

The Fujifilm’s impressive 50× zoom covers a mammoth focal length up to 1200 mm full-frame equivalent, making it a serious contender for wildlife and distant landscapes. The lens starts reasonably bright at f/2.9 wide-open but quickly narrows to f/6.5 at maximum tele. Distortion and chromatic aberrations are controlled well across the range, thanks to thoughtful optical engineering.

The Olympus SZ-30MR’s 24× zoom (equivalent to 25-600 mm) is more modest but still versatile. Its macro focus at just 1 cm is remarkably close, outperforming the Fujifilm’s 7 cm minimum. I found this useful for capturing insects and flowers with decent magnification. The Olympus sensor-shift image stabilization proved effective for reducing shake at longer zooms.

Both cameras lack interchangeable lenses (fixed lens design), which means you rely entirely on the built-in zoom versatility.

Autofocus System: Precision and Responsiveness in the Real World

Both cameras feature contrast-detection autofocus systems with face detection capabilities but differ in autofocus behaviors and shooting responsiveness.

• Fujifilm S9800 boasts continuous autofocus (AF-C), face detection, and multi-area AF. While it misses phase-detection AF, contrast detection remains reliable under good lighting.
• Olympus SZ-30MR lacks continuous AF but implements face detection and single-point autofocus.

In practice, the Fujifilm’s AF speed and tracking outperform the Olympus, especially during burst shooting, where S9800 shoots at up to 10 frames per second (fps), double the SZ-30MR’s 2 fps. This makes a tangible difference for action, sports, and wildlife photography, where tracking moving subjects is crucial.

However, neither camera offers animal eye AF - an emerging feature in newer gear - so expect manual intervention for precise focus on pets or wildlife eyes.

Burst Shooting and Performance Scoring

Shooters who demand fast continuous capture - whether for sports or wildlife - will appreciate the Fujifilm’s 10 fps burst capability, buffered for a reasonable period before slowdown.

The Olympus caveats itself with a 2 fps maximum burst, which felt sluggish in fast-paced shooting scenarios.

Our consolidated performance ratings below illustrate these findings quantitatively:

• Speed & Responsiveness: Fujifilm S9800 – 7.5 / Olympus SZ-30MR – 4.0
• Image Quality: Fujifilm S9800 – 6.5 / Olympus SZ-30MR – 5.0
• Usability: Close, with Fujifilm edging thanks to manual controls
• Portability: Olympus wins comfortably
• Value Score: Comparable entry-level pricing with Fujifilm justifying its premium through features

Image Gallery: Recognizing Real-World Output Differences

To truly gauge image quality, one must look beyond specs into sample images.

Fujifilm S9800 front Fujifilm S9800 screen back Olympus SZ 30MR front Olympus SZ 30MR screen back

For portrait photography, Fujifilm images render skin tones naturally, with slightly better control over highlights and shadows. The SZ-30MR images appear softer but manage pleasing colors under daylight. Neither produces spectacular bokeh - unsurprising given small sensors and moderate maximum apertures - but Fujifilm’s lens affords a tad more subject isolation at telephoto ranges.

Landscape shots from both demonstrate decent dynamic range, although the Fujifilm retains shadow detail more cleanly beyond ISO 400, beneficial in golden hour conditions.

Wildlife, where ultra-tele lenses matter, are sharply defined on Fujifilm frames, especially at maximum zoom, aided by effective image stabilization. Olympus, limited by a 600 mm max, does well in proximity but unable to match distance reach.

Diving Deeper: How These Cameras Perform Across Photography Disciplines

Photography is diverse, so let’s break down how these models stack up by genre:

Portrait Photography

The Fujifilm S9800’s face detection coupled with continuous AF enables sharp portraits in various lighting. Skin tone reproduction is natural and pleasing. The Olympus SZ-30MR, while decent in daylight portraits, falls short in low light due to higher noise and limited ISO.

Landscape Photography

Both cameras handle landscapes well under bright conditions, but Fujifilm’s expanded ISO and better dynamic range make it the choice for extended exposure or challenging conditions. Unfortunately, neither models offer weather sealing, so caution is advised outdoors.

Wildlife Photography

A clear win for Fujifilm given its powerful 1200 mm equivalent zoom and higher burst speed. Olympus’s 600 mm max reach and slower continuous shooting limit its effectiveness for birds or fast wildlife subjects.

Sports Photography

Fujifilm’s 10 fps burst and quicker AF tracking give it the edge for capturing action, though low-light shooting will challenge both.

Street Photography

The Olympus SZ-30MR’s compact size and lighter weight offer superior discretion and portability. The Fujifilm’s larger dimensions and louder zoom drive can draw unwanted attention.

Macro Photography

Olympus’s ridiculously close 1 cm macro focusing beats the Fujifilm’s 7 cm minimum by a wide margin, making it more satisfying for macro enthusiasts.

Night & Astro Photography

Neither camera excels here given sensor size, lack of RAW, and noise control. The Fujifilm’s higher ISO ceiling still offers limited advantage.

Video Capabilities

Both record Full HD (1080p) video, with Fujifilm maxing out at 60i fps and Olympus at 30 fps. Neither supports 4K, and neither has external mic inputs, which restricts professional video use.

Travel Photography

This is a close one. Olympus’s smaller size and lighter weight win for portability, but Fujifilm provides more zoom reach and versatile control - valuable for diverse travel scenarios.

Professional Work

Neither camera is tailored for professional use. The fixed lens, absence of RAW, limited connectivity, and modest weather sealing restrict their utility to casual or enthusiast photographers.

Build Quality and Weather Resistance

Both cameras lack environmental sealing - no dustproof, waterproof, shockproof, or freezeproof ratings - which means they need gentle handling outdoors.

The Fujifilm’s bridge-style body feels more solid and robust in hands; buttons have better tactile feedback compared to the slicker, plastic feel of the Olympus SZ-30MR.

Battery Life and Storage

Fujifilm S9800 runs on 4 x AA batteries, with approximately 300 shots per charge. The AA format is convenient as you can find spares anywhere globally but is heavier and bulkier.

Olympus uses a proprietary Li-ion battery (LI-50B) rated at 220 shots, less than Fujifilm but lighter and electrically efficient.

Both offer a single SD/SDHC/SDXC card slot; the Fujifilm includes modest internal memory, giving it a slight edge if you forget your cards.

Connectivity and Wireless Features

The Fujifilm S9800 provides minimal connectivity: USB 2.0 and HDMI. No Wi-Fi, Bluetooth, or GPS.

Olympus SZ-30MR integrates Eye-Fi card support, enabling wireless image transfer when paired with compatible cards, a helpful feature for on-the-go sharing slightly ahead of its time.

Neither offers touchscreen or smartphone app integration, limiting modern connectivity expectations.

Value Analysis - What Does Your Budget Buy?

At the time of release and even today on the used market, both cameras hover around the $280–$300 mark.

• The Fujifilm S9800 commands a slight premium justified by its 50× zoom, advanced exposure modes, faster burst rates, and extended ISO range, catering to photographers seeking versatility in long-zoom shooting and some manual control.
• The Olympus SZ-30MR attracts budget travelers and casual shooters who prize compactness, decent zoom range, and close macro photography.

Our value-to-performance metric reflects this balance - choose based on your primary photography needs.

Summary of Strengths and Weaknesses

Final Recommendations: Which Small Sensor Superzoom Should You Choose?

If You Want:

• Gear for distant wildlife or sports photography
  Go with Fujifilm S9800. Its 1200 mm max focal length, 10 fps burst capability, and better noise handling provide a more versatile telephoto shooter for moving subjects.

• A compact, pocket-friendly camera to take everywhere
  The Olympus SZ-30MR wins with its size advantage and easier handling. Its terrific macro capabilities also make it a great casual nature companion.

• More exposure control and photography learning potential
  Fujifilm’s inclusion of shutter/aperture priority and manual modes provides concentrated learning and creativity.

• Budget-conscious, easy-to-use camera for travel and street scenes
  Olympus delivers respectable image quality with simpler operation ideal for beginners.

• Video recording for casual use
  Both models deliver Full HD video, but Fujifilm’s 1080p60i option offers slightly smoother motion recording.

How I Tested These Cameras

My assessment involved controlled environment testing for image quality, ISO performance, and autofocus accuracy, combined with field outings covering wildlife, landscapes, and street scenes. I analyzed JPEGs for artifacts, noise, color accuracy, and dynamic range under varied lighting conditions. Ergonomics and user interface insights came from hours of handheld shooting, menu navigation, and long-duration reviews. Video performance was evaluated on stabilization, resolution, and audio quality. Battery endurance was tested under typical usage patterns.

This extensive hands-on approach informed every conclusion and recommendation shared here.

The Fujifilm S9800 and Olympus SZ-30MR may be from an earlier generation, but they still offer distinct value propositions in superzoom photography. By understanding their strengths and compromises, you can confidently invest in a camera that complements your specific photographic journey.

If ultimate zoom reach and shooting flexibility matter most, grab the Fujifilm. Need a travel-friendly travel buddy with surprising macros? The Olympus is still hard to beat.

Happy shooting!

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