Canon EOS M6 vs Fujifilm FinePix S8500: An In-Depth Comparative Review for Photography Enthusiasts and Professionals

When deliberating the right camera for your photographic pursuits, thorough evaluation - ranging from sensor technologies and autofocus capabilities to ergonomics and real-world use across varied genres - is indispensable. Here, we conduct an authoritative, hands-on comparison between two very different but often concurrently considered options: the Canon EOS M6, a compact APS-C mirrorless camera introduced in early 2017, and the Fujifilm FinePix S8500 (released 2013), a superzoom bridge camera boasting an exceptionally long zoom range but a smaller sensor.

By dissecting every critical performance area - from image quality and autofocus systems to ergonomics and video features - this review guides photographers, from enthusiasts to seasoned pros, in making an informed choice suited to their creative needs and budget.

First Impressions: Design Philosophy and Size Considerations

Before delving into technicalities, an understanding of the camera body design and ergonomics is paramount - since handling impacts shooting experience significantly.

The Canon EOS M6 adopts a rangefinder-style mirrorless body with compactness prioritized without sacrificing control accessibility. It weighs 390 grams and measures 112×68×45 mm, presenting a notably portable system that encourages mobility and ease while photographing, especially for travel and street photographers who benefit from a lighter, less obtrusive rig.

Conversely, the Fujifilm S8500 embraces the classic SLR-inspired bridge-style composition - a larger, heftier body at 670 grams and a physical size of 123×87×116 mm. Its pronounced bulk mainly stems from the integrated 46× superzoom lens, translating into increased reach at the cost of reduced portability.

Ergonomically, the Canon’s form factor favors a modern touch interface and a streamlined button layout, whereas the Fuji’s larger grip and physical controls offer a traditional handling feel conducive to quick adjustments, although sometimes cumbersome on longer handheld shoots.

Sensor & Image Quality: APS-C Versus 1/2.3-inch Sensor Dynamics

At the heart of any camera lies its sensor, shaping the foundation of image resolution, low-light capability, and dynamic range.

The Canon M6 wields a 24.2-megapixel APS-C CMOS sensor measuring 22.3x14.9 mm, substantially larger than Fuji’s. Canon opted for a sensor paired with its DIGIC 7 processor, delivering solid image processing, noise control, and color accuracy for its class. The sensor includes a traditional anti-aliasing filter, balancing sharpness and moiré control.

In stark contrast, the Fujifilm S8500's sensor is a minuscule 1/2.3-inch BSI-CMOS measuring only 6.17x4.55 mm with 16 megapixels. While sufficient for general uses and tremendous zoom reach, the tiny sensor inherently restricts dynamic range and low-light performance.

Measured DxOMark scores for the Canon M6 rate it at 78 overall with a color depth of 23.4 bits, dynamic range of 12.6 EV, and low-light ISO performance pegged at 1317, indicating impressive latitude for post-processing and usable high ISO results.

The Fujifilm S8500 lacks professional-level DxOMark testing, but broadly speaking, sensors this small struggle beyond ISO 800, with limited highlight retention and more noticeable noise, especially compared to the M6.

Practically, this translates into the Canon M6 producing sharper, cleaner images with wider tonal gradations and improved color fidelity - essential for pro-level portraiture, landscapes, and low-light compositions - while the Fujifilm excels in scenarios demanding extreme telephoto reach, though at the compromise of image quality.

Autofocus Systems: Precision and Speed in Critical Moments

Autofocus (AF) performance strongly influences success in dynamic genres like wildlife and sports photography.

The Canon EOS M6 equips a hybrid AF system combining 49 autofocus points with both phase-detection and contrast-detection, enabling swift, accurate focusing across a broad area. Its enhanced algorithms deliver continuous autofocus tracking, face detection, and touch-to-focus functionalities on the tilting touchscreen.

Meanwhile, the Fujifilm S8500 lacks modern AF sophistication, eschewing manual focus capability completely and relying on a conventional contrast-detection system with unreported focus points and no face or eye detection. Continuous AF and tracking features are absent, limiting effectiveness when capturing fast-moving subjects.

Practically, the Canon M6 shines in wildlife, sports, and even some macro applications demanding quick reacquisition and precise focus tracking, while the Fujifilm serves better in static shooting situations or general-purpose photography.

Build Quality, Weather Resistance, and Usability

While neither camera is weather-sealed or ruggedized, their build quality diverges along usage lines.

The Canon M6’s body, constructed with quality plastics and some metal reinforcement, offers lightweight durability suitable for travel and everyday use. However, absence of weather sealing mandates careful handling under harsh conditions.

The Fujifilm S8500 - heftier and bulkier - builds around a plastic chassis with an integrated zoom lens mechanism. It also lacks dust or moisture resistance, with additional mechanical complexity that could potentially affect reliability over time.

Both cameras provide built-in flashes; the Canon’s offers a more standard ~5-meter range, while the Fuji’s flash range is unspecified, aligning with its bridge camera niche.

Navigating Controls: Interface, Screen, and Viewfinder Insights

User interface design impacts speed and comfort in shooting, especially during prolonged sessions.

The Canon M6 favors a 3.0-inch, 1.04-million-dot tilting touchscreen interface, lauded for responsiveness, intuitive menus, and touch-based focusing plus shutter release, enhancing accessibility for both novices and professionals.

In comparison, the Fujifilm’s 3.0-inch fixed TFT LCD sports a significantly lower resolution at 460K dots, lacking touchscreen capability, which diminishes interactivity and clarity. Its electronic viewfinder offers only 200K dots, rendering an inferior preview experience, especially under bright conditions.

Significantly, the Canon M6 does not include a built-in electronic viewfinder but supports an optional EVF unit. The Fuji’s integrated EVF, though modest in resolution, provides framing assistance at telephoto extremes where LCD lag or shake might compromise composition.

For photographers valuing flexible shooting angles and touch operation (portrait, street, macro), the Canon’s design proves advantageous, while the Fuji’s traditional approach may suit casual users accustomed to optical-style controls.

Lens Systems and Compatibility: Flexibility versus All-in-One Zoom

The lens ecosystem deeply defines a camera's versatility.

Canon EOS M6 leverages the EF-M mount, accommodating 23 native lenses ranging from wide-angle primes to telephoto zooms, plus compatibility with Canon’s broader EF and EF-S line via adapter, empowering users to tailor their setups across genres.

This flexibility enables professional-grade portrait lenses with wide apertures for creamier bokeh, high-resolution landscape glass, and fast telephoto optics for wildlife or sports.

By contrast, the Fujifilm S8500 employs a fixed, built-in zoom lens with an astonishing focal length spanning 24–1104 mm (35mm equivalent), an ultra-versatile reach rarely matched by interchangeable lens systems. However, this convenience comes at the price of aperture variability (f/2.9–6.5), restricting low-light and creative control.

While the Fuji’s all-in-one design reduces the need for carrying multiple lenses, it limits optical quality optimization and specialized shooting - macro photography, for instance, cannot exploit dedicated lenses.

Battery Life & Storage: Endurance and Convenience

Shooting duration and data management matter, particularly in travel and professional workflows.

The Canon EOS M6 features a proprietary lithium-ion battery delivering approximately 295 shots per charge per CIPA standards. While this battery life is moderate, the system’s low weight and USB charging options (absent from specs but verified in user reports) ease daily field use. Storage supports a single SD card slot compatible with SD, SDHC, and SDXC formats.

On the other hand, the Fujifilm S8500, powered by four AA batteries, delivers an unspecified battery life, typically shorter and less economical than lithium-ion solutions - especially alkaline vs NiMH rechargeable choices affecting performance and environmental impact. It similarly supports a single SD/SDHC/SDXC card slot.

TIme lapse recording is built into the Canon M6 but absent on the Fujifilm, reflecting differing emphasis on creative controls and advanced shooting modes.

Connectivity Options: Tethering and Wireless Features

Connectivity increasingly impacts workflow efficiency.

The Canon M6 includes built-in Wi-Fi, Bluetooth, and NFC, facilitating wireless image transfer, remote control via smartphone apps, and sharing in near real-time. HDMI output is included for external monitors or streaming.

The Fujifilm S8500 lacks wireless features entirely but does include USB 2.0 and HDMI outputs, limiting tethering to wired connections.

Video Capabilities: Moving Beyond Stills

Modern cameras must also be evaluated for video performance, essential for hybrid creators.

The Canon M6 records Full HD 1080p video at 60fps with H.264 compression and AAC audio, supporting an external microphone input for improved sound quality - a significant advantage for serious videographers.

The Fujifilm S8500 records the same resolution and frame rate, but in Motion JPEG format, limiting post-processing flexibility and file compression efficiency. Crucially, it lacks any microphone or headphone jack, constraining audio control. Neither camera supports 4K video or advanced video features such as focus peaking or log profiles.

The Canon’s absence of in-body image stabilization (IBIS) contrasts with the Fujifilm’s optical image stabilization integrated into the lens, aiding handheld video steadiness at long focal lengths.

Real-World Photography Performance Across Genres

Portrait Photography

The Canon M6’s large sensor, superior autofocus with face detection, and broad native lens availability (fast primes and portrait optics) make it far better suited for capturing natural skin tones and rendering smooth background defocus (bokeh). Its 49 AF points with phase detection allow reliable eye-level focusing critical to professional portrait capture.

The Fujifilm’s small sensor and lack of face or eye-detection mean less sharpness in fine detail, noisier high-ISO performance, and shallow bokeh options due to smaller aperture and sensor size constraints.

Landscape Photography

High resolution and dynamic range favor the Canon M6, giving photographers extensive latitude in shadow and highlight recovery and the ability to exploit filters and tripods with compact ergonomics.

The Fuji’s zoom range is restricted in wide-angle reach and resolution falls short for large prints or intensive post-processing.

Wildlife and Sports Photography

Rapid, accurate autofocus and high continuous frame rates are prerequisites here. Canon’s 9 fps shooting rate paired with hybrid AF outperforms Fujifilm’s 10 fps continuous shooting with contrast-only AF, which struggles to maintain focus.

Though Fujifilm’s telephoto reach is extraordinary, the slower AF and lower image quality reduce its efficacy for opportunistic wildlife shots.

Street Photography

Discreetness and portability favor the Canon M6, whose small size and quiet operation paired with swift AF enable candid captures. The Fujifilm’s bulk and noise during zoom adjustments may draw unwanted attention.

Macro Photography

Canon’s autofocus precision and ability to mount dedicated macro lenses outweigh the fixed-lens Fuji’s zero macro focus range, limiting close-up work.

Night and Astro Photography

Canon’s APS-C sensor excels in high ISO clarity and dynamic range, prerequisites for night shooting. Fujifilm’s sensor constraints and noise at high ISO degrade image quality significantly.

Video Use

As outlined, Canon M6 is a clear choice for those needing quality Full HD video with mic input and reliable focusing.

Travel Photography

Canon’s compact form, combined with lens flexibility and wireless features, makes it a practical, lightweight travel companion. Fujifilm’s integrated superzoom simplifies carrying but at the cost of weight, everyday image quality, and battery longevity.

Professional Applications

For professionals requiring reliable RAW files (Canon supports RAW, Fuji does not), modular lens options, and refined controls, the Canon system aligns better with workflow requirements.

Performance Scoring and Genre-Specific Analysis

To distill performance at a glance, below are the overall ratings and in-depth genre-specific scores derived from hands-on testing and benchmarking.

These visuals underscore Canon M6’s dominant position in image quality, autofocus, video, and versatility, while Fujifilm S8500’s niche strength lies in superzoom reach.

Conclusions & Recommendations

Selecting between these models hinges on priorities: Canon delivers comprehensive, professional-grade imaging and creative control for a moderate investment, while Fujifilm suits users desiring all-in-one superzoom capabilities in a single integrated package without interchangeable lenses.

Final Thoughts

Drawing from extensive experience evaluating thousands of cameras, the Canon EOS M6 represents a more competent, future-proof system for photographers demanding advanced image quality, autofocus performance, and video functionality in a compact mirrorless format. Although the Fujifilm S8500 offers the undeniable benefit of extreme zoom versatility, it is a specialist tool best reserved for users with limited interest in evolving photographic creativity.

Prospective buyers focused on quality and adaptability will find the M6’s balance of precision engineering and operational agility worthy of investment, particularly as it also benefits from Canon’s ongoing development of lenses and accessories. Alternatively, budget-conscious travelers and casual shooters may appreciate the S8500’s convenient reach and simplicity.

By weighing these detailed technical insights against personal photographic ambitions, readers can align their choice with both immediate needs and long-term growth in the art and craft of photography.

All specifications referenced in this review were validated from manufacturer data sheets and complemented by practical, in-field evaluations conducted under varied lighting, motion, and environmental conditions.