Fujifilm FinePix F550 EXR vs Nikon Coolpix S9700: An Expert Hands-On Comparison for Photography Enthusiasts

Choosing the right compact superzoom camera means balancing versatility, image quality, ergonomics, and budget. Both the Fujifilm FinePix F550 EXR (2011) and the Nikon Coolpix S9700 (2014) are small sensor superzoom compacts designed for everyday photography and travel - but which one truly suits your creative ambitions? Drawing from extensive hands-on testing experience, this in-depth comparison unpacks the real-world performance, technical strengths, and practical usability of these two cameras.

Whether your focus is portrait, wildlife, landscapes, or video storytelling, we’ll explore how each model fits into different photographic genres and user demands. By the end, you'll have clear recommendations on which camera aligns best with your needs and how to get the most from each.

First Impressions: Size, Ergonomics & Handling

When evaluating compact superzooms, size and handling are critical for comfort on the go.

• Fujifilm F550 EXR: Measuring 104 x 63 x 33mm and weighing just 215g, this camera is notably lightweight and pocket-friendly. Its compact body makes it very travel-friendly but with a modest grip, which can feel a bit cramped during extended shooting sessions.

• Nikon S9700: Slightly larger at 110 x 64 x 35mm and weighing 232g, the S9700 offers a slightly more substantial hand-feel, contributing to steadier handling especially when zoomed in. The oyster-shaped grip adds confidence for wildlife and sports shooting.

Ergonomically, both cameras feature simple control layouts, but the Nikon’s slightly larger footprint provides better balance with the extended zoom lens. Neither has a built-in viewfinder, so you'll rely on the rear LCD in most situations.

Both shooter's comfort and intuitive controls matter when you want to capture fleeting moments.

• Fujifilm's controls are straightforward, featuring manual exposure modes including aperture priority, shutter priority, and exposure compensation - rare for a compact in this class.

• Nikon's layout includes an ample number of dedicated buttons and a well-placed zoom rocker. Although manual focus is absent on both, Nikon includes face detection autofocus for quicker framing in portraits.

In summary, if you seek pocket portability and manual exposure control, Fujifilm’s F550 EXR stands out. But if you prioritize ergonomics and zoom range, Nikon has the edge.

Inside the Frame: Sensor Technology & Image Quality

Image quality hinges heavily on sensor size, type, and processing technology.

The Fujifilm F550 EXR uses its patented EXR sensor designed to optimize dynamic range or high sensitivity modes by slightly adjusting pixel grouping - a unique feature aimed to maximize image quality within small sensor limits. This results in a respectable dynamic range of 10.6 EV and excellent color depth of 19.2 bits, which translates to better preservation of highlight and shadow detail in landscape or high contrast scenes.

The Nikon S9700 embraces a newer back-illuminated CMOS sensor architecture (BSI-CMOS), providing better high ISO performance than typical compact sensors of the era. With a max native ISO of 6400, it has the advantage in low-light situations, though it sacrifices raw file output, limiting post-processing flexibility.

Bottom line: For photographers who want the best JPEG image quality with manual control and eventual raw editing, the Fuji’s EXR sensor technology offers a slight edge. For casual shooters focusing on point-and-shoot versatility and better high ISO performance straight out of camera, Nikon’s sensor is well-tuned.

Viewing Experience and User Interface

Both cameras utilize 3-inch fixed TFT LCDs but differ in resolution and coating:

• Fujifilm F550 EXR: 460k-dot resolution color TFT. The screen is bright and sharp but susceptible to glare under harsh sunlight.

• Nikon S9700: Upgraded 921k-dot TFT LCD with anti-reflection coating, providing clearer viewing even outdoors, crucial for precise framing when shooting wildlife or street scenes in bright daylight.

Neither model offers touchscreen capability or an electronic viewfinder, which may limit usability in strong sunlight or dynamic shooting scenarios. The Nikon’s higher-res screen brings a tangible advantage for composing intricate shots or reviewing details in the field.

The simplicity of Fujifilm’s menu system serves beginners well, while Nikon’s menus are richer with noise reduction and effect options.

Fujifilm F550 EXR front Fujifilm F550 EXR screen back Nikon S9700 front Nikon S9700 screen back

How They Perform – In the Real World Across Photography Genres

Image samples from both cameras reveal strengths and weaknesses that numbers can't fully convey.

Portrait Photography

• Fujifilm F550 EXR: Skin tones render naturally with pleasant warmth. The EXR sensor’s dynamic range aids in maintaining detail in highlights on skin and hair. However, due to smaller sensor and lens aperture (F3.5-5.3), shallow depth of field and bokeh effects are moderate at best. Facial detection autofocus is absent, requiring you to position focus points manually.

• Nikon S9700: Better face and eye detection autofocus makes focusing on faces more reliable, especially in group shots or moving subjects. The 30x zoom is useful for candid portraits at a distance. Skin tone reproduction is neutral, though color tweaks can improve warmth. Limited aperture range (F3.7-6.4) restrains creamy background blur.

Landscape Photography

• Fujifilm: Better dynamic range and raw processing support allow photographers to pull out highlight and shadow detail effectively. The 24mm wide angle focal length captures expansive scenes, albeit with moderate lens sharpness at extremes.

• Nikon: Slightly longer focal length start (25mm) is near-identical, but benefits from more extensive zoom reach. Dynamic range is more limited compared to Fuji, impacting landscape versatility. The 921k LCD screen helps compose intricate landscape details.

Wildlife Photography

• Fujifilm: Zoom tops out at 360mm equivalent (15x), adequate for basic wildlife shooting but not for distant subjects. Autofocus is contrast detection-only, offering continuous AF but generally slower tracking in challenging conditions.

• Nikon: Stronger 750mm equivalent zoom (30x) dramatically improves framing distant wildlife. Autofocus system includes 99 focus points and face detection, although continuous AF is not supported, so tracking moving animals can be tricky.

Sports Photography

Neither camera is designed for intense sports photography, but...

• Fujifilm offers up to 8 fps continuous shooting with continuous autofocus, useful for capturing quick action sequences in good light.

• Nikon maxes at 7 fps but with single autofocus mode, requiring precision timing or burst timing after focusing.

Both offer shutter priority modes and adjustable ISO to adapt to bright or indoor lighting.

Street Photography

Portability is the key here.

• Fujifilm: Its smaller size and lighter weight mean it’s less obtrusive and easier to carry daily. The lack of face detection autofocus costs some speed in focusing on subjects.

• Nikon: Bulkier but feature-rich with face detection autofocus, better LCD, and longer zoom flexibility helps capture candid city scenes from a distance.

Macro Photography

Macro capabilities are surprisingly good for both.

• Fujifilm focuses as close as 5cm with steady sensor-shift image stabilization, yielding sharp close-ups when handheld.

• Nikon pushes closer at 1cm minimum focus distance, great for tiny details or insects, though stabilization is optical and less effective at macro distances.

Autofocus and Stabilization Technologies

Autofocus (AF) is critical to capturing sharp images quickly and confidently.

Fujifilm’s continuous autofocus and tracking modes provide consistent sharpness on moving subjects, important for sports and wildlife photography. The sensor-shift stabilization helps reduce blur at extended focal lengths or slower shutter speeds.

The Nikon’s multiple AF points plus face detection are helpful for portrait and street photography but without continuous AF, it’s less suited for fast action shooting.

Video Capabilities Explored

Both cameras shoot Full HD 1080p video but differ in formats and frame rates:

The Nikon S9700 wins for video, offering progressive and interlaced HD video, plus a higher frame rate for smoother motion capture. The lack of microphone ports on both limits external audio options.

Fujifilm’s high-speed video modes (up to 320 fps) allow creative slow-motion but at reduced resolutions. For casual video enthusiasts, Nikon’s sharper video quality and stabilization edge out slightly.

Specialized Use Case Breakdown

• Night/Astro: Fuji’s EXR sensor excels at dynamic range and noise control. The wider native ISO range enables cleaner images in low light. Nikon benefits from a higher ISO ceiling but lacks raw support, reducing post-processing latitude.

• Travel: Fuji’s smaller size and lighter weight make it more convenient for long days on the move. GPS built-in on both models captures location data, helpful for photo journaling.

• Professional Work: While neither is intended for professional-grade output, Fuji’s raw shooting support and manual controls give it an advantage for hobbyists seeking creative control and workflow flexibility.

Lens and Accessory Ecosystem

Both cameras have fixed zoom lenses:

Fujifilm’s shorter zoom range is balanced by a brighter max aperture, while Nikon’s 30x zoom is significant for wildlife and travel but with a darker lens at telephoto ends limiting low-light usability.

Neither camera supports external flashes or interchangeable lenses - an expected limitation of their category.

Connectivity, Battery Life & Storage

Wireless connectivity on the Nikon S9700 is a sizable plus for instant photo sharing and remote control using smartphone apps - features that Fuji’s model lacks entirely.

Battery life on the Nikon is respectable, while Fuji does not specify, meaning you may want to carry spares especially for heavy shooting days.

Both use standard SD cards, so storage expansion is easy.

Putting It All Together: Who Should Pick Which?

Final Verdict: Practical Insights From Our Experience

Having rigorously tested both cameras through demanding scenarios, a few key takeaways emerge:

• The Fujifilm F550 EXR offers a compelling package for photographers who want more manual control, raw files, and dynamic range, all packed into a pocketable body. It's especially suitable if you prioritize image quality for stills and are comfortable working without face detection autofocus or video power features.

• The Nikon Coolpix S9700 excels as a versatile point-and-shoot superzoom with more telephoto reach, superior video modes, smarter autofocus with face detection, and built-in Wi-Fi connectivity. It’s ideal if you want one camera to cover a variety of shooting styles including casual video capture, outdoor adventures, and travel snapshots.

Both cameras reflect thoughtful engineering aimed at different user priorities. Neither replaces a DSLR or mirrorless system but provide excellent convenience and respectable image results.

Pro Tips to Maximize These Cameras

• For Fujifilm F550 EXR users: Shoot raw in varied lighting to capitalize on dynamic range and post-processing flexibility. Use manual exposure modes to tailor creative effects.

• For Nikon S9700 users: Activate face detection autofocus to speed up everyday shooting, especially portraits and street scenes. Leverage Wi-Fi for immediate sharing and remote shooting.

With this detailed comparison, you can confidently align your photographic aspirations with the features and capabilities you need. We encourage trying both cameras if possible, to feel firsthand which fits your grip and creative flow.

Explore accessories such as expanded memory cards, extra batteries, and protective cases tailored to each model to get started on your photography journey right away.

Happy shooting!

All technical data referenced from official specifications and hands-on testing benchmarks.