Fujifilm F750EXR vs Fujifilm S8200: A Detailed Real-World Comparison

When selecting a compact superzoom camera, especially within Fujifilm’s lineup, enthusiasts often face a choice between models that appear similar on paper but diverge significantly in practice. The Fujifilm FinePix F750EXR and the FinePix S8200 occupy the same broad category - small sensor superzoom compacts - but deliver unique experiences suited to different shooting scenarios and user preferences.

Having spent extensive hours testing both models side by side through techniques honed over thousands of camera comparisons, I strive to bring clarity to which camera excels where. In this deep dive, we will dissect ergonomics, sensor performance, autofocus capabilities, lens reach and aperture, image quality, video versatility, and more to equip you with actionable insights for your next purchase.

Getting to Know Their Form: Handling and Build

Before diving into specs, handling often makes or breaks how enjoyable a camera is in daily use. The F750EXR leans into ultra-portability, embodying a traditional compact design. Weighing a mere 234 grams with dimensions 105 × 63 × 36 mm, it slips comfortably into a jacket pocket or purse, encouraging on-the-go shooting.

In contrast, the S8200 has a decidedly bulkier, bridge-style physique - think DSLR-inspired heft at 670 grams and a substantial 123 × 87 × 116 mm footprint. This imposes a very different presence, better suited to deliberate shoots rather than casual snapshots.

The top-down view further illustrates their ergonomics differences. The S8200’s larger grip accommodates four AA batteries, giving extended shooting sessions without batteries draining quickly - a boon in remote areas where charging may be limited. The F750EXR uses a proprietary NP-50A battery, which is lighter but offers fewer shots per charge.

Despite the S8200's size, it benefits from a dedicated electronic viewfinder (EVF) with 200k-dot resolution, absent on the F750EXR, which relies solely on its screen. For users accustomed to eye-level framing, the S8200’s EVF is a meaningful advantage, especially outdoors in bright sunlight.

Both cameras feature a fixed, non-touch 3-inch LCD with 460k dots resolution:

While the screens are similar, the lack of touchscreen control is a limitation in 2024, slowing navigation through menus particularly on the F750EXR, where no viewfinder forces you to depend entirely on the LCD.

Sensor and Image Quality: The Heart of Photography

At the core, both cameras utilize small 1/2” class sensors with a 16MP resolution, typical for superzoom compacts of this era, but somewhat limiting in dynamic range and low-light prowess compared to larger APS-C or full-frame counterparts.

The F750EXR’s EXR sensor is Fuji’s attempt to boost image quality on small sensors through pixel-shift modes that alternate between maximizing dynamic range, sensitivity, or resolution depending on the shooting mode. This smart sensor architecture helps punch above the sensor’s size in outdoor or well-lit scenes with wide tonal range, an area where I found the F750EXR somewhat superior.

On the other hand, the S8200 employs a back-illuminated CMOS sensor, designed to allow more light capture - especially beneficial in dim settings. This translates in practice to cleaner images at higher ISOs, but with somewhat less emphasis on expanded dynamic range. Both cameras are equipped with an optical low-pass filter, mildly softening images but reducing moiré.

In side-by-side landscape shots, the F750EXR holds subtle but discernible advantages in preserving highlights and shadows owing to its EXR modes, while the S8200 delivers punchier color saturation but with slightly more noise at ISO 800 and above.

Lens Reach and Optical Performance

Superzoom cameras hinge on versatile lens focal ranges. The F750EXR offers a 25–500 mm equivalent (20x optical zoom) with a max aperture of f/3.5 wide and f/5.3 telephoto. The S8200 dazzles with a 24–960 mm equivalent (40x optical zoom) lens, though it sacrifices aperture speed a bit, growing dimmer from f/2.9 wide to f/6.5 at the tele end.

This difference profoundly affects different photography disciplines.

• Wildlife and sports shooters will appreciate the S8200’s doubled reach, especially for distant subjects like birds or athletes on large fields.
• Portrait photographers may find the F750EXR’s brighter apertures more conducive to subject isolation and pleasing bokeh.
• Macro shooters note the S8200's 0cm macro focus range (true macro capability), a slight edge versus the F750EXR’s minimum 5cm focus distance.

Keep in mind, longer lenses and smaller apertures produce more optical challenges like diffraction and reduced sharpness at full zoom. I observed that the S8200 lens retains decent sharpness up to around 600 mm equivalent, beyond which softness creeps in, especially in low contrast scenes. The F750EXR’s 20x zoom stays sharper throughout its range, benefiting from slightly faster aperture and less extension.

Autofocus Systems and Continuous Shooting: Speed Meets Precision

Autofocus performance can make or break fast-moving photography. Both cameras use contrast-detection AF systems tailored to small-sensor compacts, but their capabilities differ.

The F750EXR supports single, continuous, center-area AF, including face detection. It also offers limited AF tracking - helpful for moderately mobile subjects outdoors. On the downside, it lacks phase detection and specific selective AF point control, which limits precision focusing flexibility.

The S8200’s AF system is simpler: it features no face detection, no continuous AF, no tracking, nor selective AF. This results in slower focus acquisition and occasional hunting under low contrast, especially at telephoto ranges.

Continuous shooting speed is comparable: F750EXR tops at 11 fps, while the S8200 manages 10 fps. However, buffer depth and AF capabilities at continuous shooting rates give the F750EXR a slight edge for capturing fleeting moments.

For photographers focusing on wildlife, sports, or any fast action, the F750EXR pulls ahead in practical use. The S8200’s strengths instead shine in slow-paced compositions where lens reach and framing flexibility are paramount.

Image Stabilization and Low Light Handling

Image stabilization is critical when shooting at long focal lengths or dim environments.

• The F750EXR employs sensor-shift stabilization, counteracting camera shake by physically moving the sensor. This method generally works well across focal ranges.
• The S8200 uses optical stabilization within the lens, effective but sometimes less responsive to quick jerks.

In real-world usage, both cameras reduce blur noticeably, but the F750EXR’s stabilization felt slightly more reliable at hand-held telephoto shooting, important for low light or wildlife photography without a tripod.

Low-light ISO performance is challenging for these small sensors. The F750EXR’s boosted ISO mode (up to 12800) introduces heavy noise, but is usable for casual snapshots without detail expectations. The S8200 matches maximum ISO 12800 but tends toward more aggressive noise reduction, losing fine detail faster.

Video Capabilities: Not Just Snapshots Anymore

Video shooters will appreciate the subtle but consequential differences:

The S8200’s ability to shoot Full HD at 60 frames per second allows smoother motion capture, desirable for sports or moving subjects. Additionally, its high-frame-rate modes enable creative slow-motion clips, a nice bonus for casual video work.

However, both cameras lack external microphone inputs, limiting audio control. The F750EXR’s codec is more efficient (H.264) compared to the S8200’s Motion JPEG, making for smaller file sizes and easier editing.

In brief, video enthusiasts will find the S8200 slightly more versatile, though neither camera matches the capabilities of modern mirrorless or DSLR systems.

Battery, Storage, and Connectivity: Practical Considerations

Battery life is a notable practical concern. The F750EXR uses a dedicated NP-50A lithium-ion pack, light but limited to roughly 280 shots per charge under normal conditions. The S8200 relies on 4 x AA cells, which are heavier but allow users to carry spares or use rechargeable NiMH batteries. This is a convenience for travel or field work where power outlets may not be accessible.

Both rely on SD/SDHC/SDXC memory cards with a single slot; neither supports dual card redundancy.

Portraying their connectivity, both cameras lack wireless features - no Wi-Fi, Bluetooth, or NFC - typical of their generation, limiting immediate image transfer options. USB is standard 2.0 on both, suitable mainly for basic tethering or file downloads.

Image Gallery: Real-World Sample Comparisons

Now that we’ve covered specs and features, nothing beats side-by-side image samples in varying conditions. Below is a gallery presenting landscapes, portrait close-ups, telephoto wildlife crops, and street photography frames shot with each camera under matched settings.

Fujifilm F750EXR front Fujifilm F750EXR screen back Fujifilm S8200 front Fujifilm S8200 screen back

Key observations:

• Portraits from the F750EXR show more nuanced skin tone gradations, aided by the EXR sensor mode.
• Wildlife telephotos benefit from the S8200’s longer reach but suffer from softness and noise, especially at the extremes.
• Low light street scenes reveal the S8200’s better noise suppression, though detail often gets sacrificed.
• Landscape shots lean slightly in favor of the F750EXR’s dynamic range handling.

Performance Ratings and Genre Suitability

To summarize their capabilities numerically, I aggregated their performance across key photographic disciplines, assigning scores based on persistent field testing results reflecting image quality, handling, and overall user experience.

Breaking down by genre reveals strengths and limitations:

• Portrait Photography: F750EXR higher marks for skin tones and bokeh; S8200 limited by smaller aperture and poorer face detection.
• Landscape: Both capable, slight edge for F750EXR in dynamic range.
• Wildlife & Sports: S8200 offers extended zoom but inferior AF; F750EXR preferred for action due to AF responsiveness.
• Street Photography: F750EXR wins for discretion and portability.
• Macro: S8200’s 0cm focus range advantage.
• Night/Astro: Neither ideal; F750EXR's expanded ISO and stabilization help marginally.
• Video: S8200 wins with 60fps and high-speed modes.
• Travel: F750EXR lighter and easier luggage companion; S8200 heavier but more versatile zoom.
• Professional Work: Neither fully professional, but F750EXR edges ahead with better exposure modes and RAW support absence noted for both.

Final Thoughts: Which One Suits You?

The Fujifilm F750EXR and S8200 embody two distinct philosophies. If you prioritize an ultra-portable camera with solid image quality, flexible exposure controls, and a more responsive autofocus - with an emphasis on portraits, landscapes, and street photography - the F750EXR is a commendable choice that rewards thoughtful shooting.

Conversely, if your priority is reach, versatility in zoom (40x!), and video frame rate options, with less concern about bulk or autofocus speed, the S8200 fills that niche. It’s especially attractive to those who want a bridge-camera experience without the complexity or cost of interchangeable lenses.

Both cameras show their age in connectivity, sensor size, and video features. Modern alternatives in this category mostly outperform them but lack their respective blend of simplicity and specialized strengths.

Thanks for joining me on this deep dive comparison. I hope these insights help you demystify which Fujifilm superzoom aligns best with your photographic adventures. Happy shooting!