I've heard from a couple of engine & mechanical gurus that a small filter runs in bypass more than a larger one; especially at higher pressures.
On a couple engines I've run the 2-quart GM truck filter, but for my BB Mopars the old-school 1-quart.
As for fill time, I pre-fill them anyway - 1/2 way on horizontal filters, full on vertical ones - and there's always oil in them when I change them out.