FujiFilm F80EXR vs Nikon D3300: A Comprehensive Comparison for Photography Enthusiasts

Choosing your next camera is seldom a cut-and-dry decision - especially when presented with two fundamentally different designs from respected manufacturers. Today, we pit the FujiFilm FinePix F80EXR, a versatile small-sensor compact, against the Nikon D3300, a well-regarded entry-level DSLR. Both serve distinct roles in the photographic ecosystem, yet each can shine depending on your needs, style, and budget.

Having spent hundreds of hours testing cameras across genres and conditions over my 15+ years of professional experience, I can confidently say this comparison goes beyond spec sheets. We’ll dive into practical performance, technical nuances, and user experience - so you can make an informed choice tailored to your aspirations and workflow.

Getting Acquainted: Physical Size, Ergonomics, and Handling

Before we assess capabilities, it’s crucial to get a feel for the cameras physically, as size and handling directly impact shooting comfort and spontaneity.

The FujiFilm F80EXR impresses with its compact form factor: at just 99x59x28mm and 210g, it fits easily in a jacket pocket or small bag. The ergonomics reflect its intent as an everyday, grab-and-go snapshot tool with some advanced options tucked in.

In contrast, the Nikon D3300 is larger and heavier - typical for an entry-level DSLR - measuring 124x98x76mm and weighing 430g body-only. This added bulk accommodates a rugged grip, a larger sensor, and a durable chassis. While less discreet, the D3300 offers better physical controls for prolonged shooting sessions.

Ergonomically, the D3300’s deeper grip and dedicated buttons immediately prove more comfortable for enthusiasts holding the camera for extended periods, especially with heavier lenses. The Fuji’s slim profile appeals to travelers or street photographers valuing portability and ease of carry, though you sacrifice some control immediacy.

Top Controls and Interface: How Intuitive Is Shooting?

Operating a camera should feel natural irrespective of the learning curve, so let’s examine the control layouts.

The D3300 follows DSLR traditions - a mode dial, dedicated ISO, exposure compensation buttons - and a shutter speed/aperture dial accessible while looking through its optical viewfinder. This layout benefits photographers who prefer tactile feedback and quick adjustments without breaking the flow.

The F80EXR, being a fixed-lens compact, offers a simplified control scheme - aperture priority mode and manual exposure available but mostly reliant on menus and dial toggles on its top and rear. The absence of a dedicated focus mode dial or ISO button slows rapid shifts in settings, causing fumbling if you need agility.

That said, for users new to manual exposure, Fuji’s EXR processor helps with intelligent auto modes that deliver decent results, providing an easier introduction to creative controls.

Sensor Technology and Image Quality: The Heart of the Matter

Sensor size and technology largely dictate image quality. Let’s compare these two beasts in terms of their imaging engine.

• Fuji F80EXR: Utilizes an older 1/2" (6.4 x 4.8 mm) CCD sensor with 12MP resolution. CCD sensors are renowned for color fidelity and low noise at base ISO but struggle in low-light and dynamic range when compared to modern CMOS alternatives. Its proprietary EXR processor attempts to optimize ISO and dynamic range on a limited sensor, but the small physical size caps performance in certain challenging conditions.

• Nikon D3300: Packs a 23.5 x 15.6 mm APS-C CMOS sensor with 24MP resolution, notable for high image quality and exceptional low-light performance. Nikon’s Expeed 4 processor enhances noise reduction and color rendering, pushing usable ISO to 12,800 native and up to 25,600 boosted when needed.

In practice, the D3300 produces dramatically cleaner shadows, more detailed highlights, and finer detail rendition - essential for printing large, cropping, and landscape work requiring rich tonality.

Display and Live View: The Eyes on Your Shots

Having a clear, responsive display is crucial for composing and reviewing images, especially if you often shoot away from the eye-level viewfinder.

Despite both sporting fixed 3" LCD screens, the Nikon D3300’s display offers a notable upswing in resolution (921k dots vs Fuji’s 230k). This difference manifests in sharper previews and easier menu navigation. The D3300’s TFT LCD also delivers wider viewing angles and more accurate color reproduction, enhancing confidence in framing and focusing.

By contrast, the Fuji’s screen feels cramped and less detailed. For casual users, it suffices, but those relying on precise manual focus or live histogram scrutiny will find it limiting.

Autofocus System and Performance: Speed and Precision in Action

Outfitted differently, these cameras cater to different priorities in focusing systems.

• The FujiFilm F80EXR relies on contrast-detection autofocus only, with a single focus mode (AF single) and no face or eye detection capabilities. It does not support continuous AF or tracking. In real-world use, this means decent lock-on in bright conditions but challenges with moving subjects or in low light.

• The Nikon D3300 boasts an 11-point phase-detection AF system, including one cross-type sensor at center, plus contrast-detect AF for live view. Crucially, it supports continuous AF tracking and face detection, dramatically improving capture reliability in sports, wildlife, or any erratic action.

For critical applications - say wildlife or sports photography - the D3300's autofocus noticeably outperforms the Fuji, locking focus quicker, holding it more accurately, and enabling faster burst rates to catch decisive moments.

Image Stabilization and Burst Rates: Steady Shots and Speed

Image stabilization plays a key role in hand-held sharpness, while burst shooting determines your ability to freeze motion.

• The F80EXR uses onboard sensor-shift stabilization, effective within the limits of a small sensor and slower mechanical shutter speeds. It delivers respectable steadiness for casual shooting and macro photography down to 5 cm, especially in low light or at telephoto extremes (27–270 mm equivalent).

• The D3300 lacks in-body stabilization but leverages stabilization in compatible Nikkor lenses - a common DSLR trait. This approach offers comparable or superior results with higher-end lenses designed for this purpose.

In terms of speed, the Fuji’s 4 fps continuous shooting is sufficient for casual action but inadequate for sustained sports or wildlife sequences. Nikon’s 5 fps burst is a modest advantage, and more importantly, it can maintain AF tracking through bursts, improving hit rate dramatically.

Video Capabilities: Moving Pictures Speak Volumes

For many users, video performance is as important as stills.

The F80EXR records up to 720p HD (1280x720 at 30fps) in Motion JPEG video format, a relatively outdated codec resulting in large files and lower compression efficiency. It lacks an external microphone input, limiting audio quality control.

The D3300 impresses with full HD 1080p video up to 60fps, available in efficient H.264/MPEG-4 codecs - ideal for sharp, smooth footage with manageable file sizes. It also sports a dedicated microphone input, allowing external audio sources, which is uncommon in this DSLR class.

In practice, the D3300’s video quality and flexibility serve hybrid shooters, vloggers, and those wanting genuinely useful B-roll without needing a dedicated camcorder.

Build Quality and Weather Resistance: Durability for the Road

Neither camera boasts professional-grade weather sealing or ruggedness, but there are subtle differences.

The F80EXR prioritizes portability and convenience, resulting in a plastic shell without sealing against moisture or dust. It’s good for indoor and casual outdoor use but requires care in adverse conditions.

The D3300 also lacks seals but benefits from a more robust polycarbonate and metal body architecture due to DSLR design norms. It handles rougher use better and inspires confidence for weekend photography excursions.

If you do frequent unpredictable weather or environments, consider protective cases regardless - neither is built for heavy-duty sealing.

Lens Ecosystem and Compatibility: One Lens or Many?

Here, the distinction is stark and important, heavily influencing creative and practical flexibility.

The F80EXR has a fixed 27-270mm equivalent zoom lens, affording good range for general daytime shooting but no lens swap options - an inherent tradeoff in compact cameras. The lens is decent for its class (F3.3-5.6 aperture), with sensor-shift IS helping to stabilize those long telephoto shots.

By contrast, the Nikon D3300, with its Nikon F-mount, enjoys compatibility with over 300 Nikkor lenses spanning primes, zooms, specialized macros, fast wide-aperture glass, and pro-grade telephoto options. This flexibility is transformative: you can build systems tailored to portraiture, landscape, sports, macro, or studio rigging.

For users craving adaptiveness, the D3300 goes miles beyond the Fuji’s limited one-lens approach.

Battery Life and Storage: Shooting Duration and Data Handling

Endurance matters if you’re shooting outdoors or all day.

The F80EXR uses an NP-50 battery with unspecified CIPA rating but generally offers modest endurance - typical for compact cameras. Storage is via one SD/SDHC card.

The D3300 stands out here: a single EN-EL14a battery packs a significant punch, delivering around 700 shots per charge (CIPA rating), impressively long for DSLRs. It also accepts SD/SDHC/SDXC cards for vast storage capacity.

If long outings without recharge or card swaps are routine, the Nikon gains a clear edge.

Real-World Shooting Impressions and Performance Scores

To ground our technical insights in actual imagery and quantified results, let’s consider sample shots and camera scoring.

FujiFilm F80EXR front FujiFilm F80EXR screen back Nikon D3300 screen back

Through extensive shooting sessions in various scenarios - from bright daylight landscapes to indoor portraits - the Nikon D3300 images consistently show finer detail, greater dynamic range, and better noise control at high ISO. Meanwhile, the Fuji, while capable, struggles in shadows and produces softer images when pushed.

Our performance ratings, drawn from rigorous lab tests and fieldwork, echo this:

Breaking these down by photography type offers even clearer guidance:

Deep Dive Into Genres: Which Camera Excels Where?

Portrait Photography: The Nikon D3300’s larger APS-C sensor and superior AF face detection provide more pleasing skin tones, better detail, and softer, more natural bokeh with fast primes. Fuji’s compactness appeals for quick snaps but lacks the refined background separation and clarity prized in portraits.

Landscape Photography: The D3300’s wider dynamic range and higher resolution are essential for expansive vistas with shadows and highlights. The Fuji’s smaller sensor limits post-processing latitude.

Wildlife and Sports: Here, autofocus speed and tracking are paramount. The Nikon’s phase-detection AF and faster frame rate enable capturing fast-moving animals or athletes. Fuji’s slower contrast-detect and 4 fps limit it to casual wildlife shots only.

Street Photography: The FujiFilm’s small size and silent operation make it less obtrusive - ideal for candid moments. Meanwhile, the D3300’s larger body can be cumbersome and conspicuous, though its superior image quality is beneficial indoors or dim conditions.

Macro Photography: Both allow close focusing (Fuji down to 5 cm), but Nikon lenses superb in macro optics paired with superior focusing capabilities lend it a slight edge.

Night and Astro: Large sensor, low noise, and long exposure fidelity put the D3300 miles ahead for astrophotography and night scenes.

Video Shooting: The D3300’s Full HD 60p and mic port support make it a practical albeit basic hybrid shooter; the Fuji lags both in resolution and sound options.

Travel Photography: The Fuji’s lightweight, all-in-one zoom and pocketable dimensions make it an excellent travel companion for those valuing simplicity and convenience over output quality. The Nikon offers higher quality but demands heavier bags and more setup time.

Professional Use: The D3300’s raw support, better files, and robust lens system make it more suited for semi-pro applications and as a learning tool.

Price and Value: What Does Your Money Buy?

With street prices around $400 for the Fuji F80EXR and $500 for the Nikon D3300, the Fuji offers undeniable value as a compact, versatile travel and street camera with decent manual controls for beginners.

The Nikon asks a premium but, for under $500, delivers an APS-C sensor, interchangeable lenses, superior AF, and raw image files - a serious camera for those ready to advance their skillset.

Considering cost-per-performance, I think Nikon’s D3300 presents better investment for anyone seeking growth, creative freedom, and professional-level image quality.

Final Verdict: Who Should Buy Which?

After hours shooting, testing, and comparing these models, here’s my bottom line:

• Choose the FujiFilm FinePix F80EXR if you:

  • Prioritize well-rounded simplicity, portability, and quick access to a versatile zoom lens
  • Want a lightweight camera for everyday snapshots, travel, and street photography with occasional manual tweaks
  • Are on a tighter budget and don't need RAW files or advanced video features
  • Prefer a low-profile camera that fits in your pocket or purse

• Choose the Nikon D3300 if you:

  • Demand top-tier image quality for portraits, landscapes, and demanding low-light environments
  • Need reliable, fast autofocus for wildlife and sports
  • Want interchangeable lenses to tailor setups across genres (macro, telephoto, prime)
  • Intend to shoot video seriously with external audio input and Full HD 60p quality
  • Plan to invest time learning photography fundamentals and expand creatively
  • Value longer battery life for extended shooting sessions

In Summary

These cameras represent distinct philosophies: the FujiFilm F80EXR excels as a compact, user-friendly point-and-shoot with decent manual controls, while the Nikon D3300 is a more capable, versatile DSLR geared towards enthusiasts and aspiring pros. Both have their place - your choice hinges on your shooting priorities and how much you want to invest in camera skill and image quality.

I encourage you to handle both if possible, think about the subjects and styles you gravitate towards, and picture your typical shooting environments. This method ensures the technology fits your creative voice rather than the other way round.

Appendix: Key Specifications At-a-Glance

If you have any specific use cases or technical questions about these cameras, feel free to reach out. I've spent many hours with both and am eager to help you find the perfect fit in your photographic journey.