FujiFilm HS20 EXR vs Nikon Coolpix B700: A Hands-On Superzoom Showdown for Enthusiasts and Pros

When it comes to bridge cameras - those hybrid beasts that blend DSLR-style ergonomics with fixed superzoom lenses - the FujiFilm HS20 EXR and Nikon Coolpix B700 stand out as two interesting options for photographers wanting serious reach without swapping glass. These cameras each bring distinct strengths to the table, catering to budget-conscious enthusiasts as well as semi-pro shooters seeking versatile zoom power on the go.

I've put both models through many real-world tests and technical comparisons over the years, so let’s dive deep on how they stack up - from sensor to ergonomics, autofocus to video, and everything in between. Whether you’re chasing wildlife, capturing landscapes, or just want a travel-friendly all-rounder, this comparison will help pinpoint which camera suits your style and pockets best.

Size and Handling: Which is More Comfortable in Your Hands?

First impressions matter: the FujiFilm HS20 EXR, announced back in 2011, feels more like a traditional DSLR in hand, while the Nikon B700 (2016) trims down some bulk while boasting an impressive zoom range.

The Fuji HS20 EXR has a chunky presence, offering a solid grip and straightforward button layout that encourages lengthy shooting sessions without hand cramps. It weighs about 730 grams with its 4x AA batteries inside - a bit heavier but robust for steady landscape or wildlife shooting.

In contrast, the Nikon B700 is lighter at 565 grams, thanks to a built-in EN-EL23 rechargeable battery, and its slightly smaller silhouette (125x85x107mm) makes it a better candidate for street and travel photography where discretion and portability count.

Both cameras aim for that DSLR grip feel but the Fuji’s deeper clubs for thumbs and texture give more confidence during heavy zooming or longer bursts.

This size difference also means Nikon’s B700 is less tiring when walking all day, while FujiHS20’s beefier build suggests durability, though neither camera boasts formal weather sealing (more on that later).

Design and Control Layout: The Photographer’s Touch

Knobs, dials, and buttons can make or break the shooting experience, especially when chasing fast-moving subjects or adjusting settings on the fly.

Taking a peek from above, FujiFilm’s HS20 EXR keeps things elegantly simple with dedicated buttons for key functions like exposure compensation, AF modes, and a traditional mode dial. It supports aperture and shutter priority modes which enthusiasts appreciate for creative control.

On the Nikon B700, while controls are generally intuitive, some functions are tucked into menus and lack dedicated buttons - this can slow down rapid adjustments. However, the B700 shines with a fully articulated 3-inch screen (more on that next) and a superior electronic viewfinder (EVF) resolution, making manual focus and framing easier.

Both cameras feature electronic viewfinders and tilting LCDs but Fuji’s EXR technology is older TFT tech that, while adequate, feels less crisp.

Screens and Electronic Viewfinders: Your Window to the Scene

The HS20 EXR offers a 3-inch tilting TFT LCD with 460K dots of resolution - usable in bright conditions but not exactly dazzling by today’s standards.

The Nikon B700 takes a step ahead with a fully articulated 3-inch screen sporting 921K dots - double the resolution. This makes live view pulling focus or shooting video much more precise. The B700 also features an EVF with matching resolution, perfect for composing in bright daylight or low light without strain.

From my hands-on testing, the B700’s screen articulation allows for creative angles without sacrificing stability, which is crucial for street or macro photography where low or awkward angles are common.

Sensors and Image Quality: The Heart of the Matter

Both cameras are categorized as small sensor superzooms, so expectations around image quality must be calibrated accordingly.

The Fuji HS20 EXR packs a 16MP 1/2-inch EXR-CMOS sensor measuring 6.4 x 4.8mm, employing Fujifilm’s EXR color filter array designed to enhance dynamic range and reduce noise at higher ISOs. Its max aperture ranges between f/2.8 at wide angle and f/5.6 at full tele.

On the other hand, Nikon’s B700 upgrades to a 20MP 1/2.3-inch back-illuminated CMOS sensor (6.17 x 4.55mm), which offers better noise performance and detail resolution. Aperture numbers fall slightly behind at f/3.3-f/6.5, typical for its massive 60x optical zoom (24-1440mm full-frame equivalent).

My lab tests and outdoor shoots showed the B700’s sensor captures finer textures and richer colors, particularly in mid-ISO ranges (100-800). Both struggle beyond ISO 1600 due to sensor size limitations, but the B700 noise handling is cleaner.

RAW shooting is supported on both, letting you push exposure and color tones further in post - a must-have for pros and serious enthusiasts.

Autofocus and Shooting Speed: Catching the Decisive Moment

Autofocus (AF) speed and accuracy are critical for wildlife, sports, and street photography, where split-second decisions matter.

Both cameras use contrast-detection AF systems without phase detection, meaning AF speed won’t rival mirrorless or DSLR hybrids with advanced hybrid AF setups.

FujiFilm HS20 EXR offers 8 fps continuous shooting, a respectable rate for quick sequences. It supports face detection AF but lacks advanced AF tracking or animal eye-detection.

The Nikon B700 clocks 5 fps continuous shooting - slower but compensated by a more sophisticated AF system with selective AF area modes and improved face tracking. In practice, the Nikon’s AF is more reliable at locking onto subjects quickly, especially when zoomed in.

Both have manual focus options, but neither offers focus peaking or advanced focus stacking tools.

Versatility Across Photography Genres: Who Wins Where?

Let’s break down how these cameras fare across key photography types and real-world scenarios.

Portrait Photography

Skin tone reproduction and natural bokeh quality are big factors. Fuji’s EXR sensor delivers pleasant color rendering with decent dynamic range, producing softly contoured skin tones that don’t over-process.

However, with the f/2.8-f/5.6 lens, wide aperture bokeh is limited, and smooth background blur trails off quickly with telephoto extension. Nikon’s B700 has a slower aperture overall but compensates with higher resolution and better face detection AF, making it slightly better for quick portrait sessions in good light.

Neither camera excels in shallow depth-of-field artistry compared to interchangeable-lens cameras but work well for casual portraits.

Landscape Photography

Dynamic range and resolution matter most in landscape. The Fuji HS20 EXR uses EXR mode to optimize DR, which helps in harsh lighting but maxes out at 16MP resolution.

The Nikon B700’s 20MP sensor produces sharper detail files at base ISO, allowing more latitude when cropping or printing large. However, both cameras’ small sensors limit extreme dynamic range performance, so bracketing and post-processing are advisable.

Also worth noting, neither has environmental sealing, so shooting in wet/humid conditions requires caution.

Wildlife and Telephoto Use

A key battlefield. The Fuji offers a 30x zoom (24-720mm equivalent), whereas Nikon doubles that to an astonishing 60x reach (24-1440mm). The B700’s enormous zoom is paired with optical image stabilization (VR) proven effective in minimizing blurry tele shots.

Fuji uses sensor-shift stabilization which is fine but generally less efficient at long focal lengths.

The Nikon’s longer zoom and steady stabilization make it the better pick for wildlife enthusiasts needing to photograph distant birds or animals without scare tactics.

Sports Photography

For club-level action shooting, Fuji’s 8fps buffer edges out Nikon’s 5fps, but processor speed and AF tracking ultimately impact success. Nikon does better with face detection and selective AF points, but both are limited by contrast-detect AF lagging behind DSLR-grade systems.

Low light capabilities are limited similarly on both models; neither has high burst depth or buffer capacity to compete in fast continuous shooting.

Street Photography

In street and candid work, discretion and portability are priorities.

Nikon’s compact size and lighter weight, plus the fully articulated screen, win for shooting crowds or tight urban spaces. The HS20 EXR’s bulkier body is a bit conspicuous for subtle shooting, and its slower autofocus can cause hesitation.

Both struggle in low light; high ISO noise becomes apparent beyond ISO 800, restricting nighttime street work.

Macro Photography

Both cameras offer a close focusing distance of roughly 1cm, adapting well to close-up nature or detail shots.

Fuji’s sensor-shift stabilization helps slightly with handheld macro stability, while Nikon’s superior screen articulation makes focusing at high magnification more comfortable.

Neither have focus stacking features, so patience and technique are essential for crisp macro shots.

Night and Astro Photography

Small sensor limitations become stark here. Both cameras perform decently up to ISO 800 but noise quickly impairs quality above ISO 1600.

Fuji’s EXR mode is supposed to expand dynamic range, but in practice, the B700’s back-illuminated sensor design yields cleaner long exposures, making it marginally the better astro tool despite limited shutter speed options.

Video Capabilities

Nikon’s B700 pulls decisively ahead here with 4K UHD recording at 30fps and Full HD at up to 60fps. Fuji tops out at 1080p/30fps with older MPEG-4 compression. Neither provide microphone or headphone jacks, limiting professional audio capture.

Both cameras have built-in stabilization for video, but Nikon’s optical VR is more effective. The articulated screen on B700 also benefits video framing.

Travel Photography

Both cameras offer incredible zoom versatility in portable packages - but Nikon’s lighter weight, longer zoom, and articulated screen make it more travel-friendly. Battery life is significantly better on the B700 (around 350 shots) compared to power-hungry AA batteries on the Fuji, which also means carrying spares or reusables.

Build Quality and Weather Resistance: How Tough Are They?

Neither the Fuji HS20 EXR nor Nikon B700 claim weather sealing or ruggedness certifications. Given their plastic bodies and exposed lens barrels, they require gentle handling in outdoor conditions.

However, Fuji’s slightly larger and heftier build feels more solid in the hand. Neither camera is dustproof, waterproof, shockproof, or freezeproof.

If you shoot mainly outdoors in varied conditions, investing in protective covers or cases is prudent.

Lens Ecosystem and Compatibility: Fixed Lenses Limit Options

Both are bridge cameras with fixed superzoom lenses - no switching lenses here.

Fuji’s 30x zoom lens covers 24-720mm equivalent focal length at f/2.8-f/5.6 aperture.

Nikon blows it out with 60x zoom at 24-1440mm but at a narrower aperture range (f/3.3-f/6.5).

Neither offers adapters for interchangeable lenses, so you’re locked into what’s built-in. The Nikon’s massive zoom, despite slower aperture, is more versatile for travel, wildlife, and telephoto work.

Battery and Storage: Convenience for Long Shoots

FujiFilm HS20 EXR runs on 4 x AA batteries - a double-edged sword. Pros include easy availability worldwide and use of rechargeables, but battery life tends to be shorter and bulkier compared to proprietary packs.

Nikon B700 uses a specialized EN-EL23 lithium-ion pack, good for approximately 350 shots per charge. This is less convenient internationally unless you bring chargers but offers more consistent power without frequent battery swaps.

Storage on both platforms is single SD/SDHC/SDXC card slots, meeting industry standards.

Connectivity and Wireless Features: Modern Needs Met?

The Fuji HS20 EXR has no built-in wireless, Bluetooth, or NFC - not unexpected for a 2011 model.

The Nikon B700 gets points for including built-in Wi-Fi, Bluetooth, and NFC, allowing easier image transfers and remote control via smartphone apps. This is invaluable for content creators and travel shooters today.

Price-to-Performance: What’s the Real Value?

The FujiFilm HS20 EXR retails at around $600 new, while Nikon’s B700 is slightly cheaper at about $500.

Given the age gap (2011 vs 2016) and feature differences, Nikon offers better value overall thanks to higher resolution, longer zoom, 4K video, and wireless connectivity packed into a lighter, more modern body.

But Fuji may appeal to cheapskates or those loyal to FujiFilm’s color science who want DSLR-style ergonomics and faster continuous shooting.

Real Sample Images: How Do They Stack Up?

I compared field shots from both cameras under similar lighting conditions. The Nikon B700’s images show superior detail and dynamic range, with cleaner noise characteristics in shadows.

The Fuji HS20 EXR holds its own in color fidelity but struggles more in low light and fine detail.

FujiFilm HS20 EXR front FujiFilm HS20 EXR screen back Nikon B700 front Nikon B700 screen back

Performance Ratings at a Glance

An objective summary from multiple testing metrics shows Nikon B700’s edge in image quality and video, and FujiHub’s advantage in raw shooting speed.

Genre-Specific Scores: Which Camera Excels Where?

Delving into specific photography types visually highlights strengths:

• Portraits: Fuji edges on color tone; Nikon leads on sharpness and AF
• Wildlife: Nikon dominates with 60x zoom & VR
• Landscapes: Nikon for resolution; Fuji for DR
• Video: Nikon far ahead with 4K and better stabilization
• Street: Nikon’s compactness & articulation help
• Macro and Night: Both comparable; Nikon slightly better noise handling

The Final Verdict: Which Superzoom is Best For You?

Both FujiFilm HS20 EXR and Nikon Coolpix B700 pack unique advantages for bridge camera lovers craving long reach without complex gear.

Choose Fuji HS20 EXR if:

• You prefer DSLR-like handling with robust ergonomics
• Prioritize faster continuous shooting (8fps)
• Want EXR sensor technology’s improved dynamic range effects
• Use AA batteries and want easy battery sourcing worldwide
• You don’t need 4K video or Wi-Fi features

Choose Nikon B700 if:

• You crave ultra-superzoom flexibility (60x zoom outclasses 30x)
• Want higher resolution (20MP vs 16MP)
• Plan to capture 4K video and benefit from wireless connectivity
• Need longer battery life and a lighter package for travel
• Appreciate full articulation and higher-res EVF for framing

While both are aging models in a market now crowded by mirrorless alternatives, these options remain relevant for users wanting affordable superzoom performance on a budget.

I recommend Nikon B700 as the overall better pick for versatility and future-proof features. Fuji HS20 EXR is a solid performer with traditional DSLR vibes for those willing to trade zoom reach for handling and shooting speed.

Whichever you choose, do consider your shooting style and priorities thoroughly - that’s the best taste of true expertise I can share after testing thousands of cameras!

Happy shooting! And remember - gear is just a tool; skill and vision matter most. But having the right camera in hand certainly makes that journey a lot more fun.