Compact Superzoom Showdown: FujiFilm F300EXR vs Nikon Coolpix S9700

In the small sensor superzoom category, portability often comes at the cost of versatility or image quality - yet cameras like the FujiFilm FinePix F300EXR and Nikon Coolpix S9700 aim to strike a careful balance. Released four years apart yet sharing a compact form and extensive zoom range, these two models merit a detailed head-to-head evaluation. Drawing on hours of hands-on use, industry-standard testing procedures, and real-world shooting scenarios across genres, I’ll break down their performance, tech underpinnings, and practical value to help you pick the best fit for your photographic ambitions.

Getting a Feel for It: Size, Shape, and Handling

When choosing a compact superzoom, size and ergonomics shape your shooting experience as much as sensor type or lens specs. The FujiFilm F300EXR and Nikon S9700 are both pocket-friendly yet noticeably different in shape and control layout.

The FujiFilm F300EXR is notably smaller and lighter at 104 x 59 x 33mm and just 215g, versus Nikon’s 110 x 64 x 35mm and 232g. This slim profile makes FujiFilm a slightly more discreet companion - advantageous for street or travel photography where blending in is a virtue. However, the smaller grip and simpler button layout may feel cramped during longer shoots or in colder weather when gloves are involved.

Nikon compensates with a chunkier, more robust chassis that provides a confident hold and better button accessibility, which I appreciated during action sequences or quick composition adjustments. Neither model offers weather sealing, but from a build quality standpoint, Nikon's feels marginally more substantial in-hand, aligning with its newer design philosophy.

Controls Up Close: Navigating Menus and Settings

Both cameras feature a fixed 3-inch LCD without electronic viewfinders - a common trait in superzoom point-and-shoots designed for grab-and-go convenience.

On the control front, the Nikon S9700 wins with a sharper, 921k-dot resolution LCD with anti-reflective coating, making daylight composing and reviewing significantly easier compared to FujiFilm’s 460k-dot screen. The clarity advantage is palpable during landscape shoots or astrophotography sessions - conditions where fine detail on the screen informs framing and exposure decisions.

Ergonomically, Nikon offers more dedicated buttons for exposure compensation, movie recording, and focus mode, facilitating faster access and less menu diving, which is critical during fast-paced shoots like wildlife or sports. The FujiFilm’s controls are sparser and rely more on mode dials and menu selection - a mild frustration in demanding scenarios.

Under the Hood: Sensor Technology and Image Quality

In compact superzooms, the sensor - often a small CCD or CMOS chip - is the engine behind image quality, dynamic range, and low-light behavior. Comparing the FujiFilm’s 1/2" 12MP CCD sensor against Nikon’s 1/2.3" 16MP BSI-CMOS sensor uncovers some surprising results.

Technically, Nikon’s sensor edges out thanks to its back-illuminated design (BSI-CMOS). This layout enhances light gathering efficiency - a huge advantage in portfolio genres demanding clean high-ISO performance such as event, sports, and night photography.

The slightly larger pixel count (16MP vs 12MP) provides higher native resolution, supporting more cropping flexibility and larger prints with fewer compromises. The CCD in the FujiFilm excels in mid-range light and delivers punchy colors, but its maximum ISO 3200 setting often falls short in noisy output compared to Nikon’s ISO ceiling of 6400. Notably, neither supports RAW capture, limiting extensive post-processing - especially for serious landscape or professional usage.

During side-by-side test shots in natural light, Nikon’s images showed superior detail and smoother gradations in shadows and highlights. The FujiFilm’s CCD sensor produces images with a bit more mid-tone contrast and saturation, effectively pleasing in snapshots and portraits but less suited for fine art or commercial-level editing.

Zoom Power and Lens Capabilities: Versatility in a Package

Superzoom cameras live and die by their lens reach and quality. FujiFilm’s 15x zoom spans 24-360mm equivalent with apertures of f/3.5-5.3, whereas Nikon stretches to a 30x zoom at 25-750mm equivalent but slightly slower apertures of f/3.7-6.4.

The Nikon’s incredible zoom breadth allows unparalleled framing flexibility - from wide-angle landscapes and tight street scenes to distant wildlife or sports subjects.

However, longer zooms come with trade-offs: Nikon’s slower aperture at telephoto reduces light intake, impacting autofocus and image sharpness in low-light or high-speed scenarios. FujiFilm’s slightly faster aperture performs better when lighting deteriorates, particularly within the 24-100mm range used in most portraits and indoor shots.

Macro capabilities also differ markedly: Nikon focuses down to 1cm, enabling compelling close-up detail with fine subjects - a boon for nature and macro enthusiasts - while FujiFilm’s macro minimum focus at 5cm restricts creativity somewhat. Both cameras utilize sensor-shift or optical image stabilization, with FujiFilm opting for sensor-shift and Nikon featuring optical IS, the latter generally more effective at suppressing shake during long telephoto shooting.

Autofocus and Shooting Speed: Capturing the Moment

Nothing kills a photo opportunity faster than slow or unreliable autofocus. FujiFilm F300EXR uses a very basic contrast-detection AF system that supports single-shot focusing but lacks any tracking or face detection. Nikon S9700 steps up with a 99-point contrast-detect AF featuring face detection and tracking, delivering more reliable focus lock on dynamic subjects.

In practice, Nikon’s autofocus feels quicker and more responsive, particularly in good light - essential when shooting wildlife or sports where split-second focus changes matter. Continuous shooting speed reflects a similar advantage: Nikon manages 7fps, useful for action bursts, while FujiFilm lags with 2fps, suitable only for sporadic shots.

That said, neither camera is a professional sports photographer’s dream or designed for fast-paced reportage. Both fall into the casual enthusiast realm which prioritizes ease-of-use over speed thrills.

Video Capabilities: Beyond Still Photography

In an era demanding hybrid video functionality, video specs often sway buying decisions.

Nikon S9700 wins a landslide here with 1080p Full HD recording at 30fps using efficient MPEG-4/H.264 codecs that yield clean, relatively artifact-free footage. Its optical image stabilization stabilizes handheld video, and despite lacking microphone input, audio quality is respectable for casual use.

FujiFilm F300EXR offers only 720p HD at 24fps in Motion JPEG - a format that inflates file sizes and compresses quality more aggressively. Its sensor-shift stabilization translates moderately to video but cannot compete with Nikon’s dedicated optical IS during panning or walking shots.

For serious videographers or vloggers, Nikon’s richer codec support and higher resolution video coverage is a decisive advantage.

Usability in the Field: Battery Life and Connectivity

Battery stamina is often underestimated in compact cameras yet can decide if you get “the shot” during extended explorations.

Nikon claims a solid 300-shot capacity per charge, giving peace of mind for full-day travel or casual wildlife outings without frequent battery swaps.

FujiFilm’s figures aren’t explicitly stated but are generally lower for earlier CCD models, translating to more conservative shooting sessions.

Connectivity-wise, Nikon features built-in GPS (great for geotagging travel or landscape images automatically) and wireless connectivity for swift image transfer - great supplements for modern workflows.

FujiFilm offers no wireless options and depends on USB 2.0 and HDMI for transfer and output. This lack of convenience may frustrate users looking for instant sharing.

Diving Into Genre-Specific Performance

How do these two stack up across popular photography types? Let’s refer to the expert comparison ratings.

Portrait Photography

Nikon’s higher resolution sensor, face detection AF, and generous zoom give it an edge for portraits, particularly environmental shots needing focal length flexibility. Skin tones are rendered more neutrally, allowing for pleasing post-editing. FujiFilm’s slightly better aperture at lower zoom levels helps bokeh separation but lacks reliable eye detection, limiting precision.

Landscape Photography

Dynamic range limitations of small sensors impact both cameras, but Nikon’s improved sensor technology delivers better highlight retention and shadow detail. The wider resolution supports larger prints. Weather sealing is absent on both, so protective covers or good timing are essential outdoors.

Wildlife and Sports Photography

Nikon’s 7fps burst rate, extensive zoom, and tracking AF suit action shooting better. FujiFilm’s relatively slow AF and limited frame rate hinder capturing fleeting moments but may suffice for casual snapshots.

Street Photography

FujiFilm’s smaller size and lighter weight make it more discreet on city streets, and faster aperture aids low-light shooting. Nikon’s larger footprint and longer zoom may draw more attention but bring a versatile toolkit for diverse scenes.

Macro Photography

Nikon’s impressive 1cm focusing beats FujiFilm’s 5cm minimum, enabling intimate nature and small object captures.

Night and Astrophotography

Nikon’s back-illuminated CMOS sensor better manages noise at high ISOs, crucial for nighttime shots and star fields. FujiFilm’s CCD struggles in dim conditions.

Video Work

Nikon’s 1080p video, optical stabilization, and codec support far outshine FujiFilm’s modest 720p recording.

Travel Photography

Both cameras shine with compact designs and long zooms, but Nikon’s connectivity and battery life make it a more capable companion for travel blogging and efficient image workflows.

Professional Use

Neither model targets professional markets due to sensor size, lack of RAW, and build limitations. Nikon’s modern interface and sharper image output could serve as a convenient backup or walk-around camera.

Immersive Real-World Samples

A word speaks volumes, but seeing side-by-side images really drives home differences.

FujiFilm F300EXR front FujiFilm F300EXR screen back Nikon S9700 front Nikon S9700 screen back

From comparing portraits, landscapes, and telephoto crops, Nikon consistently produces cleaner images with finer detail and better shadow nuance. FujiFilm’s images delight with contrast and color pop but fall behind when pixel-peeping or working in challenging lighting.

Ratings and Value Assessment

For a quick glance at how these stack up overall and by category:

Nikon’s Coolpix S9700 delivers higher scores in image quality, autofocus speed, and video capability, all pivotal for versatile shooting. FujiFilm’s FinePix F300EXR scores respectably in portability and aperture speed.

From a budget standpoint, Nikon’s higher price reflects its advanced feature set - but both offer good value in their niches.

Summing Up: Which Camera Fits Your Needs?

Final Verdict

The FujiFilm FinePix F300EXR holds its own as a charming compact option, especially if you prize size, straightforward controls, and punchy color rendition. However, technology has marched on, and the Nikon Coolpix S9700 leverages its newer sensor design, extended zoom, and richer feature set to deliver clearer images, snappier autofocus, and more robust video performance.

If your photography demands versatility and quality beyond basic snapshots - especially in dynamic or varied shooting conditions - I firmly recommend the Nikon S9700. Meanwhile, the FujiFilm remains a viable choice for photographers prioritizing portability and simplicity over edge-case performance.

As always, I encourage prospective buyers to weigh their specific shooting needs, handling preferences, and budget carefully. I also recommend visiting a store to hold these cameras and test basic functions firsthand, since tactile comfort and intuitive operation are foundational to your creative flow.

This comparison aimed to provide you with deep technical insights informed by hands-on experience and context-rich analysis - empowering you to invest confidently in your next camera. Happy shooting!

Images used in this review are courtesy of official product galleries and my own extensive field tests.