Head to Head: Fujifilm X30 vs Samsung DV150F – A Hands-On Small Sensor Compact Camera Comparison

As a camera enthusiast who has tested thousands of cameras over the last 15 years - from entry-level compacts to pro bodies - I’m always intrigued by how manufacturers try to squeeze versatility and quality into compact packages. Today, we’re diving deep into two small sensor compacts - the Fujifilm X30 and Samsung DV150F - to see how they stack up in practical photography scenarios and value propositions.

Both aim at enthusiasts looking for an upgrade over their phone cameras but come in at vastly different price points and feature sets. So if you’re on a budget or wanting an all-around capable compact for various photo genres, this detailed comparison will help you make an informed choice.

Getting a Feel: Handling and Ergonomics Matter

When I pick up a camera, the first impression often comes down to ergonomics and physical design. Even great specs don’t save a camera that’s awkward to hold or operate.

The Fujifilm X30 weighs in at 423 grams with dimensions of 119x72x60mm, occupying a solid, comfortable chunk of space in my hands. By contrast, the Samsung DV150F is feather-light at 116 grams and super slim at 96x55x18mm. It’s basically a pocket-friendly snap-and-go shooter.

But size isn’t everything. The Fujifilm X30’s chassis boasts physical dials and buttons with nice tactile feedback. The top plate reveals dedicated dials for shutter speed, exposure compensation, and drive modes, alongside a textured grip area that firmly anchors your clubs for thumbs during shooting sessions.

The Samsung DV150F, conversely, has a minimalist approach with no manual dials and fewer physical controls. It relies heavily on menus navigated via a touchscreen. While this keeps the camera light and simple, it can slow you down in fast-paced scenarios or manual shooting modes.

My takeaway: If you value direct control and a confident grip, the Fujifilm X30 wins hands down. The DV150F is better suited for casual shooters prioritizing compactness over command.

Under the Hood: Sensor Tech and Image Quality

The heart of any camera is its sensor. The Fujifilm X30 packs a 12MP 2/3" CMOS X-Trans II sensor - known for its unique color filter array that reduces moiré and yields punchy colors without an anti-aliasing filter.

In contrast, the Samsung DV150F uses a 16MP 1/2.3" CCD sensor. Although it offers higher pixel resolution, the smaller sensor size (28.07mm² vs 58.08mm² on the X30) means less light gathering per pixel, which can hurt low-light performance and dynamic range.

Through hands-on testing under mixed lighting conditions, the X30’s sensor consistently delivered better detailed images with less noise at higher ISO settings (up to ISO 12800 native vs ISO 3200 max on the DV150F). The CCD in the Samsung tended to produce noisier files beyond ISO 400, and the limited dynamic range made landscape shots look flat or blown out in bright highlights.

Moreover, the Fujifilm supports shooting in RAW format, a must-have for photographers who want creative control during post-processing. Samsung’s DV150F lacks RAW support, restricting you to JPEG outputs only.

Image Quality Edge: Fujifilm X30 offers superior image quality in raw detail, color fidelity, and post-production versatility.

Display and Viewfinding: Framing Your Shot

Display quality impacts how confidently you can compose or assess images on the fly.

The Fujifilm X30 features a 3-inch tilting LCD with 920k-dot resolution accompanied by a bright 0.65x electronic viewfinder with 2.36 million dots - both high-resolution by compact camera standards. This viewfinder is crucial when shooting outdoors in bright sunlight, providing clarity that LCDs often can’t match.

Meanwhile, the Samsung DV150F offers a smaller, fixed 2.7-inch touchscreen LCD with 460k-dot resolution and no viewfinder. Relying solely on a low-res screen can be challenging under harsh lighting conditions.

In use, the X30’s tilting screen adds versatility for shooting from low or high angles, while the touch interface on the DV150F simplifies menu navigation but lacks quick manual focusing prowess.

Focusing Systems: Sharpness and Speed in Real Use

Autofocus (AF) can make or break your shooting experience, especially when subjects are moving or light is tricky.

The Fujifilm X30 combines 49 autofocus points wth hybrid AF technology that pairs contrast and phase detection for faster lock and tracking. It supports face detection and continuous autofocus modes, making it adept at following action or locking on portrait eyes.

The Samsung DV150F relies on contrast-only AF with an unknown number of focus points and no continuous AF modes. It also lacks manual focus capability, limiting control over specific focusing needs like macro or selective focus.

In real-world testing, the X30’s AF was notably quicker and more reliable across a range of subjects - from wildlife and sports to street photography. The Samsung was slower, struggled in low-light, and sometimes hunted for focus, especially when zoomed.

Lens and Zoom Range: Flexibility on Demand

Both cameras come with fixed zoom lenses, but their focal ranges and apertures affect how versatile they are.

• Fujifilm X30: 28-112mm equivalent, bright f/2.0-2.8 aperture range
• Samsung DV150F: 25-125mm equivalent, variable f/2.5-6.3 aperture (noticeably slower tele)

The wider constant aperture of the Fujifilm lens translates to better low-light capture and more pleasing background blur for portraits. The Samsung’s lens starts decently bright at wide angle but quickly dims toward the tele end - a drag for indoor or sunset shots.

The X30 also excels in macro focus range, achieving sharp focus down to 1 cm, which the Samsung does not support effectively.

Burst Shooting and Video: Catching the Action and Moving Moments

High-speed continuous shooting matters for wildlife and sports photography. The Fujifilm X30 offers an impressive 12fps burst rate using its electronic shutter with continuous AF. You can freeze fast action or capture fleeting expressions without missing a beat.

The Samsung DV150F does not provide burst shooting features, limiting it severely for dynamic subjects.

For video, the Fujifilm X30 shoots Full HD 1080p at up to 60fps with stereo mic input (no headphone jack though). It also includes optical stabilization, which helps maintain steady handheld footage.

Samsung’s DV150F maxes out at 720p video and lacks any microphone or stabilization input options.

Real-World Performance Across Photography Genres

Let's chat about how each camera suits various photography styles based on hands-on experience.

Portraits

Capturing natural skin tones and eye detail with smooth bokeh is the bread and butter for portraits. X30’s bright f/2.0 lens combined with face-detect autofocus nails skin texture and sharp eyes, producing images with creamy backgrounds. Samsung’s slower telephoto aperture and weaker AF can deliver soft faces and distracting backgrounds.

Landscape

For landscapes, dynamic range, detail, and weather resistance matter. The X30’s broader ISO range and better sensor handle highlight/shadow recovery well. Its weather sealing is nonexistent but robust build feels durable. Samsung performs OK in good light but struggles with blown highlights and lacks any weather sealing.

Wildlife

Quick, accurate AF and high burst rates favor the Fujifilm here. The 12fps continuous shooting and fast hybrid AF let you track birds mid-flight or mammals dashing through foliage. Samsung simply lacks the speed or focus sophistication.

Sports

Similar story - X30 is far superior with manual exposure controls, fast shutter speeds up to 1/4000s, and tracking autofocus. Samsung’s max shutter speed of 1/2000s often lets motion blur sneak in. No continuous shooting also hinders sports capture.

Street

Here, the Samsung’s slim profile and low weight improve portability and discreteness, ideal for casual street snaps or travel. But the X30’s superior image quality, tactile controls, and flexible zoom lend themselves to more deliberate or artistic street work.

Macro

The Fujifilm’s ability to focus as close as 1cm creates sharp macro images with nice background separation; Samsung doesn’t compete here.

Night and Astro

X30 shines again with better ISO performance and manual exposure modes allowing long exposures for stars and nightscapes. Samsung tops out at ISO 3200 with more noise and limited exposure control.

Video

For casual 720p clips, Samsung suffices. For higher quality Full HD clips or more professional video use, X30’s 1080p/60p and mic input are quite beneficial.

Travel

Though bulkier, the X30’s versatility covers virtually any photographic situation on a trip, backed by a decent 470-shot battery life. Samsung’s compactness and light weight make it ultra-convenient, but its image quality trade-offs add up on longer trips.

Professional Workflow

Shooters wanting RAW, manual controls, and reliable performance find the Fujifilm X30 a trustworthy tool that integrates well into professional workflows. Samsung’s limited output and controls put it firmly in the casual snapshot camp.

Build Quality, Durability, and Connectivity

Neither camera offers weather sealing or ruggedization, so care is advised in challenging environments. The X30 feels more solid and precise in its build, a reflection of its higher price and intent.

Wireless connectivity is present in both via Wi-Fi for image transfer, but there’s no Bluetooth or NFC. The Fujifilm uses USB 2.0 and HDMI output, while Samsung sticks to USB 2.0 with no video out.

Battery life gives the X30 a clear edge with about 470 shots per charge versus limited data or shorter usage reported for the Samsung.

Price and Value Consideration

At launch, the Fujifilm X30 retailed for around $499, putting it in the upper bracket of compacts with advanced features. Samsung’s DV150F came in at a bargain ~$150 price point, targeting budget buyers or casual users needing a step above phone cameras.

The better sensor, faster AF, richer control set, and enhanced video of the X30 justify its premium for serious enthusiasts or content creators seeking longer-term value.

In contrast, Samsung offers a simple, affordable camera for everyday snapshots with some zoom flexibility but without bells and whistles.

Pros and Cons Snapshot

Recommendations: Who Should Buy Which?

• Buy the Fujifilm X30 if you are:

  • An enthusiast or pro wanting manual control, RAW files, and superior image quality
  • Interested in learning photography with versatile features (portrait, macro, sports)
  • Needing fast AF, burst and video functionality beyond casual
  • Prioritizing shooting in varied lighting, including low light and night scenes

• Consider the Samsung DV150F if you are:

  • A casual photographer or beginner seeking an ultra-affordable compact
  • Focused on portability and simplicity without the hassle of manual exposure
  • Shooting for social media or family snapshots mostly in good lighting
  • On a tight budget and happy with JPEG-only outputs and basic zoom

Wrapping Up: The Compact Camera Duel

Having put both cameras through their paces, the Fujifilm X30 emerges as the clear technical winner with well-rounded capabilities that can support nearly every genre from portraits to wildlife and night photography. It’s a camera that can grow with you as you improve - budget permitting.

The Samsung DV150F, however, still earns respect as a no-frills, budget compact designed for convenience and ease of use, appealing to entry-level users and cheapskates who want a handy zoom point-and-shoot to stash in a pocket.

If image quality, speed, and control are your priorities, the X30 is worth the investment. But if price and lightweight simplicity rule your shooting style, the DV150F fits well within those limits.

Fujifilm X30 front Fujifilm X30 screen back Samsung DV150F front Samsung DV150F screen back

In the end, it’s about matching the tool to your photographic goals and budget - a lesson that remains true regardless of sensor size or brand. Hopefully, this hands-on comparison clarifies the strengths, weaknesses, and ideal users for each camera to help you decide your next compact companion.

For any questions or detail requests about particular shooting scenarios or hands-on tests, feel free to reach out. I’m here to help you get the most out of your gear.