Canon SX700 HS vs. Fujifilm HS20 EXR: A Battle of Small Sensor Superzooms from Different Eras

As a photographer who has tested hundreds of cameras spanning decades, I find the small sensor superzoom category endlessly fascinating - these pocketable champs pack extremes in zoom ranges yet often come with trade-offs that only hands-on experience can illuminate. Today, I’m diving deep into a comparison between two notable players from this niche: the Canon PowerShot SX700 HS (2014) and the Fujifilm FinePix HS20 EXR (2011). Both boast 30x zoom lenses and were firmly positioned as enthusiast-friendly bridge cameras at their launch, but in practice, how do they stack up across real-world photographic disciplines? Which one deserves a spot in your camera bag in 2024?

Pull up a chair - this is not just a spec sheet regurgitation, but a hands-on, practical breakdown based on extensive use. We’ll analyze sensor tech, autofocus, ergonomics, image quality, and suitability for genres from portraits to astrophotography. Plus, I’m bringing out seven photos for context and to back up assertions that go beyond marketing brochures. Let’s get started.

Getting to Know These Cameras: Size, Ergonomics, and Handling

Before snapping a single frame, the feel of a camera in your hands often makes or breaks the experience. Both the Canon SX700 HS and Fujifilm HS20 EXR are compact superzooms, but their designs cater to slightly different tastes.

The Canon SX700 HS is a true compact - small, light (269g), and sleek enough to slide into a jacket pocket. Its dimensions (113x66x35mm) make it highly portable and less intimidating for casual shooting or travel. The grip isn’t deep but is sufficient for smaller hands, and the button layout favors simplicity.

In contrast, the Fujifilm HS20 EXR embraces the bulkiness of a bridge camera. This “SLR-like” design clocks in at a hefty 730g and measures 131x91x126mm - noticeably thicker and heavier. This heft translates to a more substantial handgrip and confidence when shooting at long focal lengths, reducing camera shake with natural stability but at the expense of pocketability.

Ergonomically, the Fujifilm feels more professional, with a thumb rest and multiple physical dials, while the Canon keeps things minimalist. Which one suits you depends heavily on your tolerance for camera bulk versus your need for quick manual control access.

Design and Controls: The Top Deck Battle

Controls can make or break usability, especially when rapid adjustments are necessary - think wildlife or sports shooting.

Looking at the top view, the Canon SX700 HS sports a clean, straightforward design. You get a dedicated zoom lever encircling the shutter, a mode dial, and a few function buttons. Its simplicity is appealing and avoids overwhelming beginners, but advanced users might find this limiting when trying to tweak settings on the fly.

Meanwhile, the Fujifilm HS20 EXR has a more involved top layout. There’s a substantial mode dial, a dedicated exposure compensation dial, ISO control, and separate zoom rocker - not to mention a hot shoe for external flashes, an advantage for serious users. This setup supports faster manual adjustments without diving into menus, a small victory for the Fujifilm when fast-paced shooting or manual control is crucial.

Bottom line: If you relish command dials and physical controls for precise, speedy changes, the HS20 EXR has you covered. If you prefer less clutter and lighter gear, the Canon’s control scheme is more digestible.

Peering Into the Sensor: Measuring Image Quality Potential

Let’s talk about the heart of any digital camera: the sensor. Both these cameras feature tiny sensors typical of superzooms, so expectations for image quality need to be tempered. Still, subtle technical differences can influence output.

The Canon SX700 HS uses a 1/2.3” BSI-CMOS sensor measuring 6.17 x 4.55mm (28.07mm² area) with 16 megapixels. The BSI (backside illumination) design enables better light gathering, which should improve low-light performance and dynamic range to some extent. The sensor is paired with Canon’s DIGIC 6 processor, which brings advancements in noise reduction and color accuracy compared to prior DIGIC generations.

On the other hand, the Fujifilm HS20 EXR employs a 1/2” EXR CMOS sensor at 6.4 x 4.8mm (30.72mm² area), also at 16MP resolution. Fujifilm’s EXR tech is unique, allowing the sensor to adapt to different shooting conditions by switching modes to favor higher resolution, dynamic range, or low noise. The EXR processor (customized EXR engine) has benefits in color reproduction, typical of Fujifilm’s signature “film-like” color science.

So, how does this translate? In practice, both sensors are small and have the traditional limitations of small pixels - noise starts creeping in at ISO 800 and above. However, the Canon’s BSI sensor + DIGIC 6 combo offers slightly better noise control and sharper images at base ISO. Fujifilm’s EXR modes provide flexibility but can feel cumbersome since you have to select modes depending on your priorities.

One caveat: neither camera supports shooting RAW files natively except for the Fujifilm HS20 EXR. The Canon is locked to JPEG, limiting post-processing flexibility - a big deal if you’re looking for professional editing latitude.

Viewing Your Masterpieces: Screen and Viewfinder Showdown

Next up, the critical interface for composing and reviewing shots.

The Canon SX700 HS offers a 3” fixed PureColor II G TFT LCD screen with a resolution of 922k dots. The screen is bright, sharp, and responsive visually, but it doesn’t articulate or tilt, which can get tricky when shooting at low angles or overhead.

Fujifilm ups the ante with a 3” tilting TFT screen at 460k dots. While the resolution lags behind Canon’s, the articulating feature adds versatility - great for macro shots or creative angles. It also gives Fujifilm’s user interface some breathing room to accommodate various shooting postures.

The Fujifilm HS20 EXR is also equipped with a built-in electronic viewfinder (EVF), which the Canon SX700 HS completely lacks. The EVF roughly constitutes 97% coverage, allowing you to hunt for subjects under bright sunlight where LCDs struggle. The Canon’s lack of EVF means you often rely on the LCD, sometimes with frustrating glare outdoors.

For fieldwork or street photography where visibility matters in all lighting conditions, the presence of an EVF on the Fujifilm tips the balance.

Autofocus, Speed, and Shooting Experience

Now let’s take a deep dive into focus performance, burst rates, and general shooting responsiveness - areas where robust performance is not just nice-to-have but mission-critical.

The Canon SX700 HS uses contrast-detection autofocus with 9 focus points (multi-area, center-weighted, face detection), supporting AF single, AF continuous, but no tracking autofocus. I found the autofocus quick and accurate under good lighting but somewhat hesitant and prone to hunting in dimmer conditions. The lack of phase detection limits performance for moving subjects.

The Fujifilm HS20 EXR also employs a contrast-detection system, though with a more fluid autofocus area system - not exactly phase-detection either. However, it offers AF tracking, which can lock onto moving subjects better, alongside face detection and multi-area modes. In my tests, it showed marginally faster acquisition of focus in daylight and moderately better tracking on wildlife or sports subjects, though continuous AF wasn’t flawless.

Continuous shooting speeds are neck-and-neck: Canon provides 9 fps at full resolution, while Fujifilm hits 8 fps. Both are respectable for superzooms but can’t rival true APS-C or full-frame sports cameras.

Bottom line: For wildlife or sports where subject motion is a factor, the Fujifilm’s autofocus system and tracking give a slight edge. For casual or landscape shooting, both focus systems suffice.

Zoom Lenses: How Far and How Sharp?

The iconic selling point of these bridge cameras is the 30x zoom, but zoom isn’t just about reach - it’s about retaining image quality across that range.

• Canon SX700 HS: 25-750 mm equivalent (f/3.2-6.9)
• Fujifilm HS20 EXR: 24-720 mm equivalent (f/2.8-5.6)

At first glance, the Canon goes slightly longer on the telephoto end, and the Fujifilm offers a wider aperture at the wide end - which translates to better light intake and depth of field control early in the zoom range.

However, through my extensive shooting sessions, lens sharpness falls off considerably beyond the 400mm mark on both cameras - a known challenge with large zooms on small sensors. The Fujifilm’s wider aperture at the short end yields crisper wide-angle shots, especially indoors or in shadows. Canon’s lens feels a bit softer at wide-open apertures but holds up well with stopping down.

Macro capabilities: Both cameras can focus down to about 1cm - a boon for close-up shots - a pleasant surprise in a superzoom, but Fujifilm's lensistabilization (sensor-shift) helps attain sharper macro images despite some handheld jitters.

Image Stabilization: Keeping Shots Crisp or Just Hazy?

To counteract camera shake - especially critical at 750mm - image stabilization is non-negotiable.

The Canon SX700 HS uses optical image stabilization, which relies on lens element shifts. This works well across its zoom range, noticeably reducing blur when shooting handheld at slower shutter speeds.

The Fujifilm HS20 EXR takes a different approach: sensor-shift stabilization, moving the sensor itself to compensate. In my experience, sensor-shift on the HS20 is effective but not quite as smooth or forgiving as Canon’s optical system. Subconscious body movement and awkward focal lengths sometimes cause residual softness in shots near maximum zoom.

Video: When Superzoom Meets Movie Mode

Though these are primarily still cameras, if you want video capability for casual shooting, these models offer interesting specs.

• Canon SX700 HS records Full HD 1080p with options for 60p and 30p, encoded in H.264. The processor offers relatively clean footage for its class, though some edge softness occurs at extremes of the zoom. No microphone or headphone jacks limit audio control.

• Fujifilm HS20 EXR shoots 1080p at 30p (no 60p) and offers slow-motion options (320 fps at low-res 320x112), a quirk fun for specialized use. The video codec is MPEG-4, older but serviceable. Like the Canon, no audio ports.

Overall, video is serviceable but not outstanding on either. The Canon’s higher frame rate option may appeal to casual vloggers, while Fujifilm’s quirky slow-motion modes can entertain experimental shooters.

Battery Life, Storage, and Connectivity: Practical Considerations

• Canon SX700 HS runs on a proprietary NB-6LH lithium-ion battery rated for about 250 shots per charge. This is modest but typical for compact cameras; stocking extra batteries is advisable for all-day shooting.

• Fujifilm HS20 EXR amusingly uses 4 AA batteries, which can be recycled or replaced anywhere - great for travel when power outlets are scarce. However, AA batteries tend to be heavier and bulkier. Battery life varies widely depending on battery type.

Both cameras use SD cards (SD/SDHC/SDXC), with a single slot.

Wireless connectivity: Canon has built-in Wi-Fi and NFC for easy sharing and remote control - quite nifty for 2014 tech. Fujifilm offers none - 2011 was a different world.

Putting It All Together: Sample Images from Both Cameras

Let’s move beyond theory and look at real-world image samples showcasing color, sharpness, and dynamic range.

Canon SX700 HS screen back FujiFilm HS20 EXR front FujiFilm HS20 EXR screen back

Observing skin tones in portrait shots, Canon leans toward warm and natural hues, while Fujifilm’s rendering has a touch of its famous “Velvia-like” punchy color, which might not suit all tastes. Landscape shots show Canon’s sensor delivering better highlight retention and detail at base ISO, while Fujifilm’s EXR dynamic range mode boosts shadow detail noticeably - useful in high-contrast scenes.

Telephoto wildlife shots reveal more noise in Canon’s images at higher ISOs but slightly softer edges on Fujifilm. For macro, Fujifilm’s sensor-shift steadies handheld close-ups better than Canon’s lens stabilization.

Scoring Their Performance: Overall and by Genre

After extensive hands-on testing across multiple shooting contexts, I compiled a performance analysis, including ratings for key photographic types.

Recommendations: Which Camera Should You Choose?

Choose the Canon PowerShot SX700 HS if…

• You prize portability and ease of use - it’s light, compact, and great for travel or casual walk-around shooting.
• You want better video options, including 1080p at 60 fps.
• You desire wireless sharing on the go, thanks to built-in Wi-Fi and NFC.
• Your workflow tolerates JPEG-only files, and you don’t require RAW capture.
• You prefer a simpler interface without overwhelming dials and buttons.

This camera excels as a capable, compact superzoom for travel photographers, casual shooters, and street photographers valuing discretion and convenience.

Go for the FujiFilm FinePix HS20 EXR if…

• You want a more robust, SLR-style body that feels substantial and offers dedicated controls.
• You shoot wildlife or sports requiring better autofocus and tracking.
• You yearn for RAW file support and the unique EXR sensor modes for flexible image optimization.
• You appreciate an electronic viewfinder to compose in bright light.
• You prefer having AA batteries for easy replacements when on remote shoots.
• The occasional bulk doesn’t deter you, and you want the best optical stabilization and macro capabilities in this class.

This makes the HS20 EXR appealing for enthusiast bridge shooters who prefer a more involved shooting experience and don’t mind carrying extra weight.

Final Thoughts: The Superzoom Tightrope

Neither the Canon SX700 HS nor the Fujifilm HS20 EXR can defy physics or small sensor limitations entirely, but both squeeze impressive versatility into manageable packages. The Canon shines as a sleek travel-friendly shooter with better video chops, while the Fujifilm commands respect for more manual features, RAW support, and slightly superior autofocus systems.

As someone who’s juggled superzooms for years, my advice is to prioritize your shooting style. Do you want to roam unencumbered with a pocket-sized powerhouse or embrace a heavier but versatile rig that feels closer to a DSLR?

Each has merits - but used today, expect these cameras to fit best as secondary or travel cameras rather than professional main bodies. For those who treasure the zoom range but want upgraded sensor tech, the next generation of superzooms with larger sensors (like 1” sensor models) may warrant a look.

Either way, these two classics remain compelling reminders of how engineers continually push the boundaries of compact zoom photography.

Ready to zoom in on your next photography chapter? Whether it’s Canon’s nimble charm or Fujifilm’s hands-on toolkit, you’ve got two solid options that pack a surprising punch in the compact superzoom arena.