FujiFilm F660EXR vs Nikon Coolpix S100: A Comprehensive Battle of Compact Superzooms

Choosing a compact camera in the crowded superzoom category can be a minefield, especially when models like the FujiFilm FinePix F660EXR and Nikon Coolpix S100 cross paths. Both aimed at bridging versatility and portability, these cameras offer features that appeal to enthusiasts on a budget or travelers seeking a lightweight second shooter. After extensively testing both cameras across disciplines - portrait, landscape, wildlife, video, and beyond - I’m here to unravel their real-world differences, technical nuances, and how they stack up in practical use.

Grab a coffee; this detailed comparison flows like the best of photography discussions - thoughtful, precise, and never rushed.

Size, Build, and Handling: How They Feel in Hand

Let’s face it: ergonomics often influence shooting experience as much as sensor specs or autofocus speed. Looking side-by-side (see above), the Fujifilm F660EXR with dimensions of 104x59x33mm and weight of 217g feels slightly chunkier than the Nikon S100’s sleeker 99x65x18mm frame at 175g.

While Nikon’s thinner body appeals for true pocketability, I found its flatter design renders a less secure grip, especially with longer zoom or in tricky light. Fuji’s somewhat bulkier shape allows for steadier handheld shooting without a dedicated grip, helped by nicely curved edges. However, both cameras lack any environmental sealing, so keep them clear of rain or dusty environments.

Interestingly, Fuji’s fixed lens extends further when zoomed, adding some length, but the zoom barrel stays relatively tame on the Nikon, maintaining overall compactness. If your backpack space is ultra-tight, Nikon’s S100 makes a better daily companion, but for longer ergonomics comfort, Fuji wins here.

Top Controls and User Interface: Which Feels Smarter for Quick Access?

Moving from size to controls, here’s where Fuji and Nikon make divergent design calls. The Fuji F660EXR skips a top LCD but sports a straightforward dial layout with distinct buttons for aperture, shutter priority, and exposure compensation settings. The Nikon S100, on the other hand, lacks these manual exposure modes and feels simplified with fewer physical controls.

Fuji’s promise of manual modes is a big deal for enthusiasts wanting creative control without lugging bulky gear. Nikon seemingly targets casual users preferring automatic shooting and touch-enabled menus for adjustments.

I appreciated the Fuji’s dedicated playback and menu buttons, making toggling between shooting and reviewing effortless. Nikon’s interface rests primarily on its back touchscreen, which - while bright and responsive - can be fiddly in gloved or wet conditions.

If you favor hands-on dials that don’t rely on menus, Fuji nudges ahead here. But if you value a crisp OLED touchscreen that supports tap-to-focus and swift command, Nikon’s screen will appeal.

Sensor Size and Image Quality: Pixel Peeping vs Real-World Use

Now, the heart of the matter: sensor technology and resulting image quality. Both cameras feature 16-megapixel EXR CMOS (Fuji) and standard CMOS (Nikon) sensors in the small 1/2" sensor class - 6.4x4.8mm (30.72mm²) for Fuji and 6.17x4.55mm (28.07mm²) for Nikon. The Fuji gains a slight edge in sensor area, which theoretically promises marginally better light gathering and dynamic range.

However, the Fuji’s EXR processor prioritizes modes like high resolution, dynamic range expansion, or low noise performance based on shooting conditions, which I found beneficial in landscape or tricky lighting. Nikon’s sensor coupled with the Expeed C2 processor handles colors naturally and sharply but lacks the Fuji’s multi-mode flexibility.

Neither camera supports RAW output - a significant limitation for post-processing flexibility. This makes them less suitable for professional work or when pushing files in demanding edits.

Dynamic Range and Color Rendition

In daylight landscape tests, Fuji’s dynamic range capabilities felt superior. Its EXR mode like DR400 subtly retains highlight and shadow details, reducing clipped whites on bright clouds or dark foliage. Nikon’s images are pleasant but show slightly flatter contrast range and stricter highlight roll-off.

Skin tones in portraits were more neutral and pleasing from the Fuji, highlighting its heritage in color science. Nikon at times leaned toward warmer or slightly saturated hues, which could be desirable or distracting depending on preferences.

High ISO and Low Light

At native ISO 100–3200, both sensors delivered comparable noise levels, but Fuji’s built-in sensor-shift stabilization gave it a practical advantage when shooting handheld indoors or in dusk conditions. Fuji also offers a boosted ISO 12800 mode for emergencies; images are noisy but still usable in snapshots. Nikon tops out at ISO 3200 with no extended boost, and noise is more aggressive above 800.

For general users aiming to squeeze every bit of quality from small sensors, Fuji’s EXR modes paired with stabilization deliver a more confident low-light experience overall.

Autofocus and Focus Features: Speed, Accuracy, and User Extras

Autofocus in compact cameras can range from sluggish to surprisingly snappy. Fuji uses a contrast-detection AF with face detection and continuous AF options. Nikon packs a contrast-detection system as well but adds touchscreen focus selection.

While Fuji lacks touch AF, its continuous AF tracking felt smoother, especially for moving subjects in casual wildlife or street shots. Nikon’s touch focus is a delight for single-shot portraits or quick shutter timing but lacked continuous focus for sustained tracking.

Neither camera supports advanced AF features like phase detection, eye-AF, or animal eye tracking, limiting their capability for fast action sports or wildlife photography.

That said, Fuji’s continuous AF with tracking made some of its 11fps burst rate meaningful for fleeting moments, while Nikon’s 6fps capped the speed, but with less reliable focus transitions.

Zoom Range, Aperture, and Macro: Flexibility for Various Genres

Zoom versatility often defines where a compact camera shines or falls short. The Fuji F660EXR’s 24-360mm equivalent (15x zoom) provides truly extensive reach for wildlife, sports sidelines, or distant travel subjects. The Nikon S100 offers a less ambitious 28-140mm equivalent (5x zoom), which works well for travel and street use but struggles when you really need to fill the frame from afar.

A trade-off exists though: Fuji’s maximum aperture range (f/3.5-5.3) is slightly slower, meaning telephoto shots need more light or steadier hands. Nikon’s f/3.9-4.8 aperture is marginally faster at the long end.

Macro focusing also favors the Nikon at 1cm minimum focus distance versus Fuji’s 5cm. In practice, Nikon enables more dramatic close-ups, capturing textures and details of flowers, insects, or small objects. Fuji’s still respectable but requires a bit more distance.

Image Stabilization: The Unsung Hero in Travel and Low Light

Both cameras boast image stabilization, which goes a long way on long zoom and handheld shooting. Fuji’s implementation is sensor-shift based, stabilizing the sensor itself to combat blur. Nikon uses lens-based optical stabilization.

I noticed Fuji’s stabilization performed better at the extreme telephoto end, allowing me to shoot consistently sharp 360mm shots at relatively slow shutter speeds. Nikon’s stabilization is competent for wide angle and moderate zoom but runs into blur creep at 140mm equivalents or slower shutter speeds in dim conditions.

If you prioritize telephoto sharpness handheld, Fuji again has the practical edge.

Video Capabilities: Decent for the Casual Shooter

Both cameras can record Full HD 1080p at 30fps, which remains adequate for casual filmmakers or travelers.

Fuji’s video uses MPEG-4 and H.264 compression, delivering smoother motion and better file efficiency, while Nikon captures in MPEG-4 Motion JPEG, a heavier codec that may result in larger files and less efficient compression.

Neither camera supports external microphones, headphone jacks, or advanced video features like 4K, slow motion, or in-body stabilization during filming. Both provide simple, user-friendly movie modes suitable for snapshot storytelling but not professional video work.

If you videotape a lot, neither camera will impress, but Fuji’s codec choice tips it slightly for better handling and flexibility.

Battery and Storage: Practicalities You Can’t Ignore

Battery life is often overlooked but critical, especially on travel.

Fuji’s NP-50A battery yields around 300 shots per charge - well above the Nikon S100’s quoted 150 shots with EN-EL12 pack. If you expect all-day shooting without packing multiple spares, Fuji offers a more forgiving endurance.

Both rely on SD/SDHC/SDXC cards with a single storage slot and USB 2.0 for file transfer. Oddly, neither support Wi-Fi, Bluetooth, or NFC for wireless transfer - an increasingly common feature even in budget compacts.

The Fuji does include GPS tagging, useful for travel photographers wanting to geotag images without external tools. Nikon lacks built-in GPS.

Specialty Use Cases: Where Do These Cameras Shine Best?

Let’s pivot to genre-specific insights supported by my field testing and overall scores:

1. Portrait Photography
   Fuji’s face detection and pleasing skin tone reproduction give it a mild advantage. Nikon’s touchscreen AF aids quick focus but struggles with shallow depth of field due to shorter zoom and aperture constraints.

2. Landscape Photography
   Dynamic range and resolution tie closely but Fuji’s EXR DR modes and slightly larger sensor deliver more detail retention and highlight recovery in bright scenes.

3. Wildlife Photography
   Long zoom and 11fps burst on Fuji wins outright. Nikon’s reach and continuous shooting aren’t quite enough for mid-distance animal portraits or fleeting bird action.

4. Sports Photography
   Neither camera targets aggressive sports shooter profiles, but Fuji’s better AF tracking and faster shooting rate pull ahead in fast-moving situations.

5. Street Photography
   Nikon’s slim profile and silent touchscreen operation help blend into urban scenes better. Fuji’s slightly bulkier body calls more attention but rewards with manual controls.

6. Macro Photography
   Nikon’s 1cm close focus beats Fuji’s 5cm limit, enabling more detailed close-ups.

7. Night and Astro Photography
   Both small sensors restrict low-light capacity, but Fuji’s high ISO boost and sensor stabilization serve better in handheld dim exposures.

8. Video Work
   Fuji edges with superior codec but both remain basic shooters.

9. Travel Photography
   Fuji’s GPS, longer zoom, manual exposure, and stronger battery life offer a robust toolkit; Nikon’s compact size and touchscreen make it a nimble travel buddy.

10. Professional Use
    Missing RAW and wireless features, neither suits professional workflows, but Fuji’s manual controls make it better as a versatile backup or casual lightweight system.

Real-World Gallery Samples: Proof in the Pixels

I captured a diverse set of scenes side by side, from natural landscapes overcast skies to urban streets in low light.

Fujifilm F660EXR screen back Nikon S100 front Nikon S100 screen back

You can see Fuji’s images produce richer tonal gradation and sharper telephoto detail, especially in wildlife crops. Nikon’s files are bright and popping but sometimes overprocessed.

Summarizing the Strengths and Weaknesses

Recommendations: Which Camera Is for You?

• If you prioritize zoom reach, manual creative control, and better stabilization, the Fujifilm F660EXR is your pick. Its well-rounded feature set empowers enthusiasts who want versatility without breaking the bank. Fuji impresses with its handling and fallback performance in various lighting - an excellent choice for serious travel, wildlife, and casual sports shooters.

• If you prefer pocket-ready portability, a crisp touchscreen interface, and close macro shooting, the Nikon Coolpix S100 shines. It’s ideal for casual users or street photographers who value simplicity and easy touchscreen operation without fussing with settings. For urban explorers or quick snapshots, Nikon’s S100 delivers concise performance.

• Avoid if you need high-end features like RAW shooting, extensive video capabilities, or professional-grade autofocus. Both cameras gear towards enthusiast entry-level use, sacrificing some flexibility for compactness and price.

My Testing Process and Final Thoughts

I tested both cameras across controlled environments and spontaneous shooting situations in city, nature, and event contexts, employing standardized ISO charts, color checker targets, and focus accuracy tests alongside real-world subjects. This mix ensures my conclusions represent both lab-like rigor and practical experience - critical because specs alone don’t tell the full story.

To name a favorite between these two, FujiFilm’s F660EXR edges out narrowly on features and performance, especially if you can live without touchscreen joys and accept a slightly larger footprint.

On the other hand, Nikon’s S100 remains lovable for those prioritizing convenience, intuitive touch control, and ultra-light travel requirements.

Whatever your needs, both cameras offer solid entry points into superzoom photography. Armed with this detailed comparison and my hands-on insights, you’re well-paced to make the choice that fits your style and budget.

Happy shooting!

If you want an at-a-glance performance breakdown or images comparison, check these visuals:

Fujifilm F660EXR screen back Nikon S100 front Nikon S100 screen back