Head-to-Head: Fujifilm F550 EXR vs Nikon Coolpix S8000 - A Thorough Small Sensor Superzoom Showdown

When hunting for a compact, affordable, superzoom camera, the Fujifilm F550 EXR and Nikon Coolpix S8000 often land in the crosshairs of savvy shooters trying to balance reach, image quality, and pocketability. Announced within a year of each other, these two models were designed as budget-conscious all-rounders with respectable zoom ranges and user-friendly operation. But which one truly offers better bang for your buck in today’s ultra-competitive market?

Drawing on my 15+ years of hands-on camera testing - including lab evaluations and real-world shooting across multiple genres - this detailed comparison breaks down their strengths and weaknesses. I’ll cover everything from sensor tech and autofocus speed, through ergonomics and lens versatility, all the way to their suitability for different types of photography. By article’s end, you’ll know which compact superzoom deserves your hard-earned cash.

Pocket-Sized Giants: How These Cameras Stack Up Physically and Ergonomically

Let’s start with the basics: size, weight, and handling. Both cameras fall under the compact category, but subtle differences impact comfort and stability in use.

Fujifilm F550 EXR measures 104 x 63 x 33 mm and weighs 215 grams, while the Nikon Coolpix S8000 is slightly sleeker at 103 x 57 x 27 mm and lighter at 183 grams. Though the Nikon wins on sheer portability, the Fujifilm’s chunkier frame offers more heft to steady your shots - especially at the long end of their zoom ranges. The Fujifilm’s more substantial grip area, while not bulbous, fits fingers better, facilitating steadier handheld shooting.

Looking down on their top plates, the control layouts contrast notably:

Fujifilm opts for dedicated buttons and a rear dial enabling aperture and shutter priority shooting modes - a nod to enthusiasts wanting manual exposure control. Nikon’s S8000 keeps things simpler with fewer buttons and no manual aperture/shutter priority mode, focusing on speedy point-and-shoot ease. For advanced users who like thumb clubs for finer settings, the Fujifilm’s layout is more accommodating.

Ergonomics Summary:

Verdict: If you prize some manual control and a firmer grip, Fujifilm wins here. Nikon appeals to cheapskates and minimalist shooters who want a pocket-friendly superzoom that’s fuss-free.

Sensor Showdown: Size, Resolution, and Image Quality

The sensor is the beating heart of any digital camera. Despite their comparable sensor sizes, differences in technology and resolution affect image quality in subtle but meaningful ways.

The Fujifilm F550 EXR sports a 1/2" EXR CMOS sensor measuring 6.4 x 4.8 mm (30.72 mm²) with 16 megapixels. The Nikon S8000 uses a 1/2.3" CCD sensor sized at 6.17 x 4.55 mm (28.07 mm²) with 14 megapixels.

The Fujifilm’s EXR sensor uses a specialized pixel arrangement to prioritize either high sensitivity, wide dynamic range, or high resolution, depending on shooting conditions - impressive tech aimed at squeezing more detail from a small sensor. The Nikon relies on tried-and-true CCD tech, which traditionally yields richer color but often at the expense of higher noise at elevated ISOs.

In controlled DXO Mark testing, the Fujifilm’s sensor scored a 39 overall with a color depth of 19.2 bits and a dynamic range of 10.6 EV - solid results for its class. The Nikon S8000 was not DXO tested but based on specs and my real-world use, it tends to struggle more at ISO speeds beyond 400, showing more noise and softer detail.

Real-World Imaging Notes:

• Fujifilm’s EXR CMOS responds better in varied light, producing cleaner images and superior dynamic range, making it flexible for landscapes and portraits alike.
• Nikon’s CCD sensor delivers pleasing colors but is less forgiving in low light, limiting its usefulness at dusk or indoors without a flash.
• The Fujifilm’s higher native resolution benefits large prints and post-cropping, but Nikon’s 14 MP still suffices for web and small prints.

Exposure and Focus: Speed, Accuracy, and Flexibility

Fast, reliable autofocus (AF) is a crucial factor, especially in wildlife, sports, and street photography. Here’s where their AF systems diverge significantly.

• Fujifilm F550 EXR uses contrast-detection AF only, with continuous, single, and tracking modes.
• Nikon S8000 also employs contrast-detection AF but only single AF - no tracking or continuous autofocus.

On paper, both cameras suffer limitations compared to modern phase-detection AF cameras, but Fujifilm’s continuous focusing and AF tracking capabilities give it a practical edge.

Testing revealed:

• Fujifilm’s AF is generally snappy and locks accurately in good light, maintaining focus well on moving subjects via tracking AF - a boon for wildlife and sports beginners.
• Nikon’s AF feels sluggish, often hunting in low light and lacking tracking, which frustrates when subjects move unpredictably.
• Neither camera offers face or eye detection, a drawback for portrait shooters who desire quick, reliable focus on subjects’ eyes.
• Macro focus on the Nikon dips to 2 cm (excellent for close-up details), while the Fujifilm starts at 5 cm.

Shutter Speeds and Burst Rates:

• Both max out at 1/2000 sec shutter speed, adequate for bright conditions and action.
• Fujifilm’s 8 fps continuous shooting beats Nikon’s sluggish 3 fps, excellent for capturing fleeting moments.

This makes Fujifilm better suited for active subjects and sports, while Nikon lags behind due to AF limitations and slower bursts.

Bring the Scenes to Life: Display and User Interface

A camera’s screen and menu system are the photographer’s primary interface - comfort here affects how quickly you nail the shot.

Both cameras feature 3-inch TFT LCDs, but differences emerge:

• Fujifilm offers a 460k-dot screen with excellent viewing angles and precise color rendition.
• Nikon boasts a higher resolution 921k-dot LCD, rendering fine details and menus more crisply.

However, the Fujifilm interface is more intuitive for users who tinker with exposure settings, thanks to direct access buttons and a functional rear dial. Nikon’s menu feels barebones and dated.

Neither camera provides touchscreens or electronic viewfinders, which limits usability under bright sunlight.

Zoom Power and Lens Versatility: How Far Can You Get?

The heart of both cameras is their zoom lenses, fixed but powerful:

The Fujifilm’s 15x range (24-360mm) noticeably exceeds Nikon’s 10x (30-300mm), offering a wider wide-angle for landscapes and tighter telephoto for wildlife or sports fun.

Both lenses lose speed (max aperture) significantly at telephoto lengths but perform similarly in blurred background (bokeh) potential - limited by small sensors and aperture maxing around f/5.3-5.6.

Fujifilm’s sensor-shift image stabilization helps combat camera shake when shooting telephoto handheld, while Nikon uses lens-based optical stabilization. In my testing, both stabilize well, but Fujifilm handles jerky movements with just a touch more finesse.

How These Cameras Perform in Everyday Shooting Genres

Now turning to photography disciplines so you can match the camera to your creative goals.

Portrait Photography

• Fujifilm F550 EXR: Advantageous exposure control and continuous AF support provide well-focused portraits, though no face/eye detection limits pin-sharp eye focusing.
• Nikon S8000: Lacks manual control and tracking, which may frustrate portrait shooters; limited by slower AF and fewer exposure options.

In both, expect moderate background blur from the telephoto end but no silky shallow depth akin to larger sensor cameras.

Landscape Photography

For landscapes, dynamic range and resolution shade the verdict.

• Fujifilm: Superior dynamic range (~10.6 EV) and higher resolution ensures more detail capture and smoother highlight-to-shadow transitions.
• Nikon: Lower sensor performance restricts highlight preservation; still capable but less flexible.

Neither camera offers weather sealing, so beware of harsh outdoor conditions.

Wildlife Photography

Wildlife demands quick lock-on and long reach.

• Fujifilm: 15x zoom and AF tracking give it a clear edge in grabbing sharp shots of skittish critters.
• Nikon: Shorter zoom and no AF tracking make wildlife shooting hit-or-miss.

Sports Photography

Similar to wildlife, sports need high burst rates and tracking AF:

• Fujifilm: 8 fps continuous shooting delivers fluid sequences.
• Nikon: 3 fps and no AF tracking hinder capturing fast action.

Street Photography

Stealth and discretion matter.

• Nikon: Slimmer, lighter, and less obtrusive fits street shooting better.
• Fujifilm: Larger and chunkier, but manual controls aid creative shots.

Both cameras lack silent shutters, so be mindful of noise.

Macro Photography

Here Nikon pulls ahead slightly with a 2 cm minimum focus distance allowing for tight close-ups, compared to Fujifilm’s 5 cm at best. Both support image stabilization which aids macro handheld shooting.

Night and Astro Photography

High ISO noise limits both cameras:

• Fujifilm: Max native ISO 3200 with cleaner low-light performance thanks to CMOS sensor.
• Nikon: Also ISO 3200 max but noisier images due to CCD.

Neither offers long-exposure bulb modes traditional for astro-photography.

Video Capabilities

• Fujifilm offers Full HD 1080p at 30fps, plus high-speed slow-motion modes (up to 320 fps at reduced resolutions).
• Nikon tops out at 720p HD at 30 fps.

Neither has external mic or headphone inputs - limiting use for serious video creators.

Travel Photography

Weight, size, zoom versatility, battery life, and GPS matter:

• Fujifilm’s built-in GPS helps geotag photos, great for documenting your trips.
• Nikon’s smaller size and slightly lighter build aid portability.
• Battery life is similar but Fujifilm uses NP-50, Nikon EN-EL12 - both proprietary and not high capacity, so pack a charger for extended tours.

Professional Work

Neither camera targets pro markets; limited manual control on Nikon, absence of RAW support on Nikon, and limited durability on both restrict professional usage. However, Fujifilm supports RAW, which is crucial for advanced post-processing workflows.

Connectivity and Storage

Both cameras support SD/SDHC/SDXC cards with one slot - standard fare. Neither features wireless connectivity like Wi-Fi or Bluetooth, which modern shooters might miss. HDMI and USB 2.0 ports on both enable basic tethering.

The Final Numbers: Performance Ratings and Genre Scores

Synthesizing the above, here are the overall and genre-specific performance scores based on hands-on testing combined with lab measurements.

Sample Images: Can You See the Difference?

When it comes to actual photos, the proof is in the pixels. Below are side-by-side comparisons from both cameras under various shooting scenarios:

Fujifilm F550 EXR front Fujifilm F550 EXR screen back Nikon S8000 front Nikon S8000 screen back

Notice the Fujifilm’s sharper details, richer colors, and better low-light clarity. Nikon’s images appear softer with more noise creeping in as lighting dims.

Price and Value Considerations

Currently, Fujifilm F550 EXR retails for about $450 while Nikon Coolpix S8000 floats near $300. This price difference fairly reflects their balance of features - Fujifilm offers more advanced exposure control, improved sensor technology, better autofocus, and enhanced zoom reach. Nikon offers a lighter, simpler package with acceptable image quality for casual shooters and tighter budgets.

Pros and Cons Recap

Fujifilm F550 EXR

• Superior sensor technology, better dynamic range and low-light performance
• Higher resolution and faster continuous shooting (8 fps)
• Manual aperture and shutter priority modes for creative control
• Built-in GPS for travel and geo-tagging
• Longer 15x zoom range (24-360mm) and effective sensor-shift stabilization
  – Bulkier and heavier than Nikon
  – LCD resolution lower than Nikon’s screen
  – No touch interface or electronic viewfinder

Nikon Coolpix S8000

• Smaller, lighter, and more discreet for street and travel use
• Higher resolution LCD screen
• Close macro focusing at 2 cm
• Similar zoom stabilization (optical) and simple interface for quick shooting
  – Inferior AF system (no tracking, slower)
  – Lower continuous shooting rate (3 fps)
  – No RAW support or manual exposure modes
  – Limited video resolution (720p max)
  – No GPS or wireless connectivity

Who Should Buy Which?

• Choose the Fujifilm F550 EXR if:

  • You want manual exposure control and burst shooting for action or wildlife
  • You value the best image quality and dynamic range at this sensor size
  • You need longer zoom reach and built-in GPS for travel documentation
  • You’re interested in shooting Full HD video and slow-motion clips
  • You don’t mind a slightly bulkier camera

• Choose the Nikon Coolpix S8000 if:

  • You prioritize a compact, lightweight camera for everyday carry
  • You mostly shoot casual travel, street scenes, or quick snapshots
  • You value a bright, crisp LCD for framing and reviewing photos
  • You want simple point-and-shoot realism with less fiddling
  • Your budget is tight and you’re okay with basic video and limited manual control

My Personal Take: Hands-On Experience Matters

Having spent countless hours shooting with both, I found the Fujifilm F550 EXR far more enjoyable for a wide variety of shooting scenarios thanks to its manual control options, better autofocus, and flexible zoom range. Its CMOS EXR sensor consistently delivered crisper images with more usable dynamic range - critical if you want to stretch your editing skills beyond the camera’s JPEGs.

The Nikon S8000 has its place as a lightweight, simple snapper that’s easy to toss in a bag and trust to get the shot, but it’s clearly from an earlier generation of camera tech. Its slower autofocus and lack of manual exposure often leave me frustrated when trying to get creative with composition or capture moving subjects.

Either way, neither contender is a professional-level tool - but for enthusiasts on a budget craving versatile superzooms, the Fujifilm F550 EXR is the stronger notch on your camera belt. And if you’re more of a casual shooter or cheapskate who values portability over performance, Nikon’s S8000 remains a sensible option.

Summing It Up

This side-by-side reveals how much careful engineering and subtle design choices influence real-world camera use - from autofocus responsiveness and zoom reach to sensor efficiency and user interface. By focusing on lenses, sensors, ergonomics, and feature sets, you can pick the model that best aligns with your workflow and photographic ambitions.

Properly understanding these differences allows you to escape the trap of blindly following specs or brand loyalty and instead make a purchase tailored to your style and budget - which is, after all, what thoughtful photography gear buying is all about.

Thanks for joining me in this deep dive. If you have any questions about these cameras or want shooting tips tailored to your style, drop me a line. Meanwhile, happy shooting!