Fujifilm F500 EXR vs. Fujifilm S8600: An In-Depth Technical Comparison for Enthusiasts and Professionals

In the realm of compact superzoom cameras, FujiFilm has offered several solutions tailored to photography enthusiasts seeking versatile zoom capabilities combined with portability. Two notable entries, the Fujifilm FinePix F500 EXR (2011) and the Fujifilm FinePix S8600 (2014), serve overlapping market segments yet exemplify divergent design philosophies and feature sets reflective of their respective release periods. This detailed comparison focuses on their technical attributes and practical real-world performance across multiple photographic disciplines, deciphering which model better suits specific user profiles.

Design and Ergonomics: Compact vs. Bridge-Style Handling

Form Factor and Build Quality

• Fujifilm F500 EXR employs a compact, pocketable body (104x63x33 mm, 215 g) emphasizing portability. The compact dimensions facilitate unobtrusive street and travel photography; however, the smaller size compromises grip comfort during extended handheld use, especially when zoomed in.
• Fujifilm S8600 adopts a “bridge” or DSLR-style body (121x81x65 mm, 450 g), substantially larger and heavier but achieving a more stable handhold. The ergonomics favor users who prioritize handling precision and steadier shooting with long focal lengths.

The comparative sizing and weight differences directly impact usage comfort and discretion. The F500's smaller footprint benefits candid shooting and travel scenarios where portability is paramount, while the S8600 demands deliberate handling due to its bulk but offers superior physical control.

Control Layout and Usability

Neither model features touchscreen interfaces, common for their launch periods. The F500 EXR's control scheme is minimalist, appropriate for casual users, but lacks customizable buttons or illuminated controls, which can impede operation in dim environments. The S8600 offers a more extensive set of physical controls including dedicated dials for zoom and exposure compensation, allowing faster tactile adjustments favored by enthusiasts.

Sensor Technology and Imaging Performance

Sensor Specifications and Image Quality

The F500 EXR leverages Fuji’s proprietary EXR CMOS sensor, designed to optimize dynamic range and signal-to-noise ratio by switching pixel readout modes under varying lighting. In theory, this innovation should translate to superior high ISO performance and better detail in highlight/shadow regions compared to typical compact sensors of the era.

The S8600’s CCD sensor, while delivering the same resolution, generally exhibits limitations at higher ISO settings, with increased noise and limited dynamic range relative to CMOS counterparts. Although the S8600 nominally supports ISO up to 6400, usable image quality diminishes significantly beyond ISO 800-1600.

Practical Insight: Real-world testing confirms the F500 EXR yields cleaner high-ISO images, crucial for low-light and indoor shooting, whereas the S8600 performs adequately in bright conditions but struggles with noise at elevated sensitivities.

Image Processing

The F500's EXR processor actively manages exposure and color fidelity, optimizing image output despite the smaller sensor size. Conversely, the S8600 uses a more traditional processor aligned with CCD technology, producing more stratified results with less noise control.

Lens Performance and Zoom Capability

Optical Zoom and Aperture Range

The S8600 offers an impressively extended telephoto reach (up to 900 mm equivalent), dramatically surpassing the F500’s 360 mm maximum. This expansive zoom range favors wildlife, sports, and surveillance applications where distance isolation is imperative.

The F500 EXR begins at a slightly wider 24 mm equivalent and features a marginally faster wide-angle aperture (f/3.5 vs f/2.9). Both lenses taper significantly toward the telephoto end, typical of superzoom compromises.

Image Stabilization

Both cameras provide sensor-shift image stabilization to counteract handshake. While effective, the physical weight and longer focal length of the S8600 demand more from the system, possibly limiting stabilization efficiency at extreme zoom.

Optical Quality Considerations

• The shorter zoom range of the F500 allows denser optical formulas, generally yielding better sharpness and less chromatic aberration at moderate telephoto lengths.
• The S8600’s long zoom sacrifices some optical fidelity, exhibiting softness and diminished contrast beyond 600 mm focal length.

Use Case: The F500’s lens is preferable for landscapes and portraits benefiting from wider fields and better sharpness, whereas the S8600 excels in reach and versatility essential for distant subjects despite moderate optical quality loss at full zoom.

Autofocus Systems and Focusing Performance

Autofocus Technology

Both cameras use contrast-detection autofocus systems without phase detection, common in fixed-lens superzooms of their generation.

• Fujifilm F500 EXR lacks face or eye detection but supports single, continuous, and tracking AF modes.
• Fujifilm S8600 incorporates face detection along with similar AF modes, enhancing subject recognition especially in portrait scenarios.

Neither model supports manual focus via dedicated rings, underscoring their intended casual operation.

AF Speed and Accuracy

Practical evaluation reveals:

• The F500 EXR AF is moderately quick in good lighting but slows considerably in dim conditions or at longer telephoto extensions.
• The S8600 provides faster autofocus acquisition overall, aided by enhanced processing and face detection, beneficial for moving subjects in sports or wildlife settings.

The S8600’s AF tracking and face detection improve subject retention in dynamic scenes despite the inherent lag of contrast AF systems.

Exposure Control and Metering

Exposure Modes

• Both cameras feature shutter priority and manual exposure modes.
• The F500 EXR uniquely includes aperture priority, providing additional flexibility for creative depth-of-field control.
• Exposure compensation and AE bracketing are available on both.

Metering

• The F500 EXR employs multi-segment, average, and spot metering options.
• The S8600 opts for multi-segment, spot, and center-weighted metering, lacking average metering.

This difference influences exposure precision: average metering is practical for even-lighting scenes, while center-weighted can enhance portrait lighting consistency.

Display and Viewfinder Options

Rear Screen

Both cameras present non-touch, fixed 3.0" TFT LCDs with 460k-dot resolution, common resolutions for their generation.

• The F500 EXR’s screen provides usable daylight visibility but exhibits color and viewing angle limitations.
• The S8600 screen’s larger body allows a slightly better grip but no significant resolution or brightness advantage.

Neither camera features an electronic viewfinder (EVF), requiring purely reliance on the LCD for framing. This can impede outdoor shooting visibility and stability.

Video Capabilities

Recording Specs

• The F500 EXR supports full HD video at 1920x1080p @ 30 fps in MPEG-4 format.
• The S8600 is limited to 720p HD @ 30 fps in Motion JPEG format.

Neither camera offers advanced video features such as 4K, external mic input, or continuous autofocus during video. Video quality is serviceable for casual use but not professional applications.

Battery and Storage

• F500 EXR uses a proprietary NP-50 lithium-ion battery (unspecified life).
• S8600 relies on 3x AA batteries with rated 410 shots per charge, convenient for field replacement but heavier overall.

Both support standard SD/SDHC/SDXC cards in a single slot.

Connectivity and Additional Features

Connectivity is minimal or absent for both models:

• No wireless features such as Wi-Fi or Bluetooth.
• Both provide USB 2.0 and HDMI outputs for file transfer and playback.
• No GPS or environmental sealing is present, limiting weather resistance.

Practical Performance Across Photography Genres

Portrait Photography

Evaluation: The F500’s wider lens and aperture priority mode provide better control for portrait composition. The absence of eye detection may frustrate precise focus demands, but the lack of an EVF limits focusing accuracy. The S8600’s face detection assists automated focus lock but can misfire in complex scenes.

Landscape Photography

• F500 EXR benefits from slightly larger sensor area and EXR technology delivering better dynamic range in high-contrast scenes.
• The 24 mm wide angle captures broader vistas, while the stabilized lens assists handheld shooting.
• S8600’s sensor lags here, with narrower angle limits and CCD drawbacks in dynamic range.

Neither camera incorporates weather sealing, restricting outdoor use in demanding conditions.

Wildlife Photography

• The S8600’s 900 mm zoom and faster autofocus make it superior for distant wildlife subjects.
• The F500 EXR is limited by narrower zoom and slower AF response, reducing suitability.

Sports Photography

• Burst rate: F500 at 3 fps, S8600 at 8 fps, favoring S8600 for fast sequences.
• The S8600’s faster AF and longer lens outweigh F500’s exposure modes.

Street Photography

• The F500 EXR excels due to small size, lightweight build, and unobtrusiveness.
• The S8600’s bulk and telephoto lens compromise stealth and portability.

Macro Photography

• F500 focuses down to 5 cm versus S8600’s 7 cm.
• Both lack focus stacking or post-focus features.
• F500 offers finer near-focus capacity beneficial to close-up enthusiasts.

Night and Astro Photography

• F500's EXR sensor provides better low-light sensitivity and reduces noise at elevated ISO.
• S8600’s CCD sensor limits usable ISO, constraining astro or night use.

Overall Performance Ratings

In terms of raw imaging and technological refinement, the F500 EXR ranks higher for image quality and versatility in typical shooting scenarios. The S8600 scores strongly on zoom reach and burst rates but loses ground on sensor and processing frontiers.

Genre-Specific Performance Analysis

• Travel: F500 wins for size/weight; S8600 less travel-friendly.
• Wildlife & Sports: S8600's zoom and speed are decisive.
• Portrait & Landscape: F500 preferred for color science and image quality.
• Macro & Night: F500 shows majority advantage.
• Video: Both limited; F500 offers better resolution.

Value Proposition: Price and Usability Tradeoffs

At launch, the F500 EXR retailed near $430, reflecting advanced sensor tech for a compact superzoom. Though now outdated, it remains attractive for users prioritizing image quality in a small form.

The S8600, priced around $200, offers outstanding zoom reach and burst performance at a budget-friendly level but sacrifices sensor sophistication and image quality.

Recommendations for Target Users

Final Verdict

The Fujifilm FinePix F500 EXR remains compelling through its advanced EXR CMOS sensor, superior image quality, compact size, and flexible exposure modes. However, its limited zoom and modest autofocus speed curtail its appeal for telephoto-intensive or fast-action photography.

Conversely, the Fujifilm FinePix S8600 addresses those needs with its massive 36x zoom, faster burst shooting, and improved autofocus aided by face detection, albeit with compromises in sensor technology, video capabilities, and bulkier ergonomics.

Both cameras share significant compromises typical of early superzoom compacts, including lack of raw support, absence of electronic viewfinders, and minimal connectivity. Prospective buyers are advised to weigh the trade-offs between image quality and zoom range carefully within their predominant photographic use-cases.

Sample Image Gallery

The following sample images illustrate the practical output differences between the two cameras under varied shooting conditions, showcasing color reproduction, detail rendition, and noise characteristics.

Fujifilm F500 EXR screen back Fujifilm S8600 front Fujifilm S8600 screen back

Camera technology inevitably advances, but understanding these legacy models through detailed testing and technical scrutiny provides critical insights into the development of superzoom cameras and helps photographers make more informed equipment choices, balancing features, handling, and image quality against individual shooting demands.