Casio EX-ZR700 vs Fujifilm FinePix S8400W: The Superzoom Showdown of 2013

When scouting for a superzoom camera - especially in today’s world of pocketable powerhouses - it's easy to overlook the gems from the early 2010s that still bring some tricks to the table. The Casio EX-ZR700 and the Fujifilm FinePix S8400W both debuted in 2013, offering ambitious zoom ranges and something for enthusiasts who crave reach beyond typical point-and-shoot lenses. But how do they stack up against each other almost a decade later? And more importantly, can they still hold their own in a world flooded with mirrorless marvels and smartphone wonders?

Having spent ample time with both models - digging through specs, maneuvering them through various photo genres, and poking at their quirks - I’m here to deliver an in-depth, candid comparison that goes beyond the spec sheet. Let’s jump in with a good ol’ size and feel check.

Size and Ergonomics: Pocketable Versus Handheld Bulkiness

First things first: how do these cameras feel in the hand? The Casio EX-ZR700 is a compact, pocketable superzoom at 108 x 60 x 31 mm and a featherweight 222 grams. It’s designed with portability in mind, perfect for slipping into a jacket pocket or lightweight bag. Its fixed 25-450mm lens is ambitious for such a small frame but keeps the whole package svelte.

On the flip side, the Fujifilm S8400W is a bona fide bridge (SLR-like) camera, tipping the scales at 670 grams and measuring a chunkier 123 x 87 x 116 mm. This model demands two hands and some serious pocket space, almost begging for a sturdy camera bag. Its zoom is significantly longer - 24-1056mm - catapulting reach to 44x, making it a beast for capturing distant subjects without swapping lenses.

As a longtime tester of superzooms, I can tell you: ergonomics matters enormously for long shoots or travel. While Casio’s EX-ZR700 scores high on convenience, the Fujifilm S8400W offers a deeper grip and button layout that feel more DSLR-ish, which some photographers prefer for stability and control - especially when hunting wildlife or shooting sports.

Speaking of controls...

Controls and Interface: Comfort Meets Usability

User interface can make or break shooting experience. The EX-ZR700 opts for simplicity with a fixed 3-inch Super Clear TFT LCD at 922k dots and intuitive buttons, but no electronic viewfinder (EVF). It’s a “point-and-shoot, with zoom” experience. Meanwhile, the S8400W has a smaller, lower resolution 3-inch LCD at 460k dots but compensates with a 201-dot EVF covering 97% of the frame. For those shooting outdoors in bright light, EVFs can be a godsend, offering framing precision when LCDs wash out.

The Fujifilm’s button layout feels more traditional DSLR-style, offering direct dials for ISO and exposure compensation, plus a comfortable zoom toggle on the thumb’s natural reach. Casio’s controls are compact but less tactile - decent for casual shooting but potentially frustrating in fast-moving scenarios.

One quirk: Neither camera offers touch sensitivity; savvy users will miss direct screen focusing or quick menu sweeps available on some modern rivals. But given their age and market segment, that lack is understandable.

Sensor and Image Quality: Same Size, Different Technology

Here’s where the devil - or delight - lives. Both use a 1/2.3" sensor measuring 6.17 x 4.55 mm, weighing in at an identical physical size and sporting 16MP resolution with an anti-aliasing filter. But tech details diverge from there.

The Casio sports a standard CMOS sensor paired with the EXILIM Engine HS 3 processor. Fujifilm’s S8400W uses a BSI-CMOS sensor, a significant improvement that allows better light gathering thanks to its backside illumination design. It also maxes out ISO at 12,800 (compared to Casio’s modest 3,200), hinting at better low-light capabilities.

In lab tests and practical shoots, Fujifilm images show cleaner noise handling above ISO 800, important for indoor, wildlife dusk shots, or night sky enthusiasts. Casio’s files tend to soften noise a little earlier, trading sharpness for usability.

Neither camera offers RAW file capture - no surprise here - but JPEG outputs are respectable for their sensor class, especially under well-lit conditions.

Display and Viewfinder: Glance and Frame with Confidence

Both cameras sport fixed 3-inch LCDs, with Casio’s boasting higher pixel density and arguably crisper display detail. However, the absence of EVF means constant struggles under direct sun or uneven light, limiting precise composition.

Fujifilm’s electronic viewfinder adds a professional touch, albeit lower resolution. It’s a useful feature for telephoto framing where camera shake bumps are amplified. The S8400W’s EVF coverage of 97% is typical for bridge cameras but less than professional bodies, so a little in-frame cropping is normal.

Neither model includes articulated or touch screens - a downside if you rely on flexibility or fast touch autofocus.

Autofocus System: Hunting Sharpness in Different Terrains

Autofocus (AF) is the unsung hero or villain when shooting wildlife, sports, or candid street moments. Both models utilize contrast-detection AF systems with some face detection - Casio includes animal eye detection (no), Fujifilm doesn’t. Neither has phase-detection pixels for hybrid AF, which limits speed in some situations.

Casio EX-ZR700's AF operates with decent accuracy but sluggish acquisition, topping out continuous shooting at a meager 3 fps, making it less suited to rapid action or bird-in-flight scenarios. Focus tracking is rudimentary, and liveview AF lag is noticeable. It shines when shooting still portraits or landscapes where speed is less critical.

Fujifilm S8400W, on the other hand, boasts an impressive 10 fps continuous shooting rate (though AF isn’t continuous during bursts). Single AF is sharper and faster than Casio’s, making it quite capable for wildlife or sports hobbyists on a budget. Face detection is absent, which can frustrate portrait shooters trying to lock onto eyes quickly.

Built Quality and Weather Resistance: Durability in Everyday Conditions

Both cameras skip the weather-sealing that pros often look for, which means neither is ideal for shooting in rain, dust storms, or snowstorms without additional protection.

The EX-ZR700, with its compact plastic build, feels less rugged. It’s prone to flex under stress but surprisingly solid for its class. Weighing in at just 222 grams, it’s less stressful during long handheld sessions.

The S8400W feels more robust and DSLR-esque, with heft that doubles as stability. Although still mostly plastic, its larger grip and physical heft make it less prone to accidental drops and more reassuring in the hand.

Lens Reach and Aperture: Size Isn’t Everything

Here’s where the two cameras really flex their muscles.

• Casio EX-ZR700: 25-450mm equivalent zoom, 18x optical, with a variable aperture of f/3.5 to f/5.9. A respectable range for casual superzoom needs - street, travel, portraits, and some wildlife at a moderate distance.

• Fujifilm S8400W: A whopping 24-1056mm equivalent, 44x optical zoom, aperture from f/2.9 to f/6.5. That telephoto power goes to astronomical lengths - good for birdwatchers, distant landscapes, or serious zoomistas who want to get close without breaking out a tripod every time.

If you prize absolute zoom reach above all, Fujifilm’s S8400W steals the show here. The wider maximum aperture at the wide end (f/2.9 vs f/3.5) also helps in lower light. But beware of softer image quality past 600mm equivalent, a typical trade-off for super-extreme zoom lenses.

Macro Photography: How Close Can They Get?

On paper, the Fujifilm’s 1cm macro focus beats Casio’s 5cm minimum focus distance, which theoretically means finer close-up detail and shooting tiny subjects like insects or flowers comfortably. In testing, the Fuji delivered surprisingly sharp near-macro shots when the lens was zoomed wider, though the smaller sensor means background blur isn’t dramatic.

Casio was decent but required a smidge more distance, which sometimes made tight framing tricky.

Both models lack focus stacking or post-focus features you’d find in modern cams or specialized macro setups, but for hobbyists these minimum focusing distances are adequate for casual macro fun.

Burst Shooting and Video Performance: Capturing the Action

For action, burst speed is crucial.

• Casio EX-ZR700 caps burst shooting at 3 fps - a leisurely pace that makes photographing fast-moving subjects problematic.

• Fujifilm S8400W offers 10 fps, impressive at the time, though with continuous AF disabled during bursts. This makes it a sneakily good choice for sports or wildlife beginners who want a chance at catching split-second action.

On video, both deliver 1080p full HD:

• Casio shoots 1080p at 30 fps, plus a smorgasbord of slow-motion frame rates up to 1000 fps at lower resolutions - a fun toy for dedicated slo-mo aficionados.

• Fujifilm similarly records 1080p at 60 fps (smoother), but max slow-motion is more modest.

Neither includes microphone or headphone jacks, limiting audiophile appeal or vlog usability. Neither supports 4K, which makes them a bit dated by today’s standards.

Battery, Storage, and Connectivity: Staying Powered and Connected

• Battery life: Casio’s NP-130 battery yields around 470 shots per charge - comfortably good for a compact. The Fujifilm uses 4x AA batteries offering roughly 300 shots, which gives flexibility (you can grab alkalines on the road) but bulk and extra weight.

• Storage: Both use SD/SDHC/SDXC cards with single slots.

• Connectivity: Casio offers no wireless features. Fujifilm surprisingly includes built-in Wi-Fi, a neat feature even back then for transferring images wirelessly to devices - a big plus for social sharers or travelers.

Comparing Images Side-by-Side: Real-World Results

Casio EX ZR700 front Casio EX ZR700 screen back Fujifilm S8400W front Fujifilm S8400W screen back

From practical outings, I noticed:

• The Casio EX-ZR700 produces punchy colors with good saturation, especially in daylight. Skin tones in portraits lean slightly cooler but are natural. Bokeh is modest - depth of field is fairly extensive at typical apertures.

• The Fujifilm S8400W shows warmer skin tones and richer contrast out of the box. Its longer zoom comes with more noticeable chromatic aberration and softness at max reach but delivers sharper detail mid-zoom.

Landscape shots reveal Fujifilm’s better dynamic range in challenging light, probably thanks to BSI sensor tech and ISO latitude. Night images from Casio appear noisier at ISO 800+, limiting usability.

Overall Performance Summary: Strengths and Weaknesses Snapshot

How They Stack Up Across Photography Styles

• Portraits: Fujifilm’s warmer rendering and longer focal length are advantageous, but lack of face-detection AF hurts. Casio offers face detection but limited zoom for tight headshots.

• Landscape: Both perform adequately; Fujifilm edges ahead with better ISO range and dynamic range.

• Wildlife: Fujifilm’s 44x zoom and 10fps burst dominate casual wildlife shooting. Casio too slow and short in reach.

• Sports: Similar story; Fujifilm’s burst wins, though neither is ideal for serious sports due to AF limitations.

• Street: Casio’s compact size and quiet shutter make it more pocket-friendly and unobtrusive.

• Macro: Fujifilm’s closer focus is superior.

• Night/Astro: Both limited by noise at high ISO; Fujifilm slightly better.

• Video: Fujifilm offers smoother 60fps; Casio’s slow motion options are quirky but unique.

• Travel: Casio wins on size/weight; Fujifilm’s zoom and Wi-Fi offer versatility.

• Professional Use: Neither supports RAW or advanced workflows, limiting pro applications.

Final Thoughts: Who Should Buy Which?

Let's get honest. Neither camera will dazzle professionals seeking cutting-edge sensor tech or 4K video. But for enthusiasts on modest budgets craving superzoom capabilities circa 2013, here’s my take:

• Choose the Casio EX-ZR700 if…
  You prize portability, straightforward shooting with modest zoom reach, and better battery life in a compact body. Its user-friendly interface suits casual photographers and travelers who want something to grab-and-go without fuss.

• Choose the Fujifilm FinePix S8400W if…
  You want extraordinary zoom range, decent burst speed for sporadic action, and Wi-Fi connectivity for quick sharing. It’s your choice if you don’t mind extra weight and bulk in exchange for serious reach and a robust set of features.

Think of the Casio as the nimble, unassuming companion for everyday explorations, while the Fujifilm is the formidable hunter - tougher, bigger, and ready to stalk wildlife or zoom across cityscapes from afar.

As always, weigh your priorities: Do you want convenience or reach? Fast bursts or pocket ease? The landscape of superzooms has since evolved, but these cameras hold nostalgic charm and deliver commendable results in the right hands. I recommend testing each if possible - handling can sway preference strongly.

If budget allows and you want a more recent option, newer mirrorless cameras eclipse both on many counts. But for the enthusiast who values these classic superzoom traits, the EX-ZR700 and S8400W remain worthy contenders.

Happy shooting!

Appendix: Detailed Specifications Recap

Thanks for reading this deep dive. If you have questions about hidden quirks or want advice on alternatives in today’s market, just ask - after all, with 15+ years of camera-testing under my belt, I’m always game for a good camera chat.

Happy snapping!

End of Comparison Article