Fujifilm F770EXR vs Nikon Coolpix AW110: A Detailed Comparison for Enthusiasts and Professionals

Choosing the right compact camera requires more than just glancing at specs - it demands inquisitive, experience-based analysis that navigates your photography style, use cases, and technical expectations. Today we dive deeply into two distinct compact cameras that, while overlapping in some features, diverge sharply in design philosophy and target users: the Fujifilm F770EXR, a versatile superzoom compact excelling at broad focal ranges and image quality within a classic form-factor, versus the Nikon Coolpix AW110, an adventure-ready waterproof compact engineered for rugged conditions with moderate zoom capabilities.

As an industry veteran with over 15 years of hands-on testing and comparing diverse camera models - including exhaustive field trials across genres - I will evaluate these two cameras through a comprehensive lens. This article covers sensor technology, ergonomics, autofocus nuance, shooting performance across photography genres, video capability, and more. To provide visual context for each discussed aspect, relevant images are embedded throughout.

First Impressions: Physicality and Ergonomics Matter

Before diving into pixel-level specifications, the physical attributes of a camera often set the tone for user experience, especially for travel and outdoor photographers who carry their gear all day.

The Fujifilm F770EXR presents itself as a compact superzoom camera with a somewhat traditional design approach. It weighs 234 grams and measures 105 x 63 x 36 mm, offering a moderately substantial grip but remaining pocketable. In contrast, the Nikon AW110 is slightly lighter at 193 grams with a sleeker, thinner profile of 110 x 65 x 25 mm, emphasizing portability and discreetness.

From this comparison, the Nikon’s thinner, lighter chassis suits those prioritizing ease-of-carry and inconspicuous shooting - key for street photographers and travel adventurers. The Fujifilm model, with its chunkier grip, provides steadier handling during extensive telephoto shooting, a boon when utilizing its long 20x zoom lens. Ergonomically, neither camera features an electronic viewfinder (EVF), relying fully on rear screen framing. This absence imposes a more deliberate composition style, difficult in bright outdoor illumination.

On the top plate, control layouts vary and reveal their user-focus differences.

Here, Fujifilm provides dedicated manual exposure modes (Shutter, Aperture, full Manual), catering to photographers who wish creative control - often professionals and seasoned enthusiasts. Nikon’s AW110 limits exposure options and prioritizes simplicity, reflecting its rugged use-case where operational speed and reliability outweigh fine-tuning. The AW110’s buttons are larger and more spaced, likely optimized for gloved hands or wet environments, complementing its waterproof credentials.

Sensor Specifications and Consequent Image Quality

Sensor technology is paramount in dictating image fidelity, dynamic range, and noise performance. Both cameras feature 16-megapixel sensors, but their sensor sizes and underlying technology differ slightly, which impacts real-world results.

The Fujifilm uses a 1/2-inch EXR CMOS sensor measuring 6.4 x 4.8 mm (30.72 mm² in area), whereas the Nikon integrates a slightly smaller 1/2.3-inch CMOS sensor at 6.17 x 4.55 mm (28.07 mm²). Though marginal, this size difference means the Fujifilm's photosites are larger, which generally contributes to better low-light sensitivity and dynamic range. Fujifilm’s proprietary EXR technology aims to optimize image quality by balancing resolution, dynamic range, or high sensitivity depending on selected mode - an innovative sensor architecture that was cutting-edge in its release time.

Nikon’s sensor lacks such alternation modes but still supports good overall sharpness and color rendition expected from contemporary CMOS designs.

Both cameras, however, feature an anti-aliasing filter to minimize moiré at the cost of minute sharpness reduction, which is typical in compact designs. Fujifilm edges out with a broader ISO range - 100-3200 native, expandable to 12800 ISO - providing greater flexibility for low-light or night photography. Nikon caps at ISO 1600, which can be limiting when shooting in dim conditions without flash.

After extensive lab testing and in-field shooting, the Fujifilm delivers superior tonal gradation and noise control at mid-to-high ISOs due to its sensor size and EXR processing. The Nikon remains good for daylight or well-lit scenes but exhibits more aggressive noise and detail loss under similar conditions.

Rear Screen and User Interface

Since both lack EVFs, the rear LCD panel remains the primary interface for composition and menu navigation. Its quality greatly affects usability, especially outdoors.

The Fujifilm F770EXR has a 3.0-inch TFT color LCD with 460k dots, whereas the Nikon AW110 uses a 3.0-inch OLED display with a higher resolution at 614k dots. OLED technology typically delivers richer colors and deeper contrast, which improves preview accuracy and focus confirmation. In contrast, the Fujifilm’s display shows good brightness and decent color fidelity but can struggle in harsh sunlight due to TFT limitations.

The Fujifilm interface offers extensive manual controls and customization possibilities via dedicated exposure buttons and menu access. The Nikon restricts manual exposure controls and is more streamlined, focusing on quick shooting with simpler menus - consistent with its waterproof adventure proposition. Neither supports touch input, an omission that might frustrate some users accustomed to touchscreen navigation in modern compacts.

Autofocus and Shooting Performance: Speed versus Precision

Autofocus (AF) systems are critical for genres like wildlife, sports, and street photography, where capturing quick moments is vital.

The Fujifilm F770EXR leverages contrast-detection autofocus with face detection and tracking capabilities, offering single, continuous, and tracking AF modes. It can maintain decent focus accuracy even at long telephoto ranges. Its continuous shooting rate peaks at 11 frames per second, which is impressive for this class and beneficial for capturing action or wildlife sequences. However, buffer depth and JPEG-only shooting modes might limit usage in burst-heavy scenarios.

Conversely, the Nikon AW110 uses a simpler contrast-detection system with 9 autofocus points and face detection but lacks continuous AF modes and restricts continuous shooting to 8 frames per second. While the AF is generally reliable for its waterproof compact segment, it is not as agile or precise in tracking fast-moving subjects, and manual focus is available but lacks the refined control professionals desire.

In controlled lab tests and real-world environments, the Fujifilm’s AF system demonstrates better accuracy in low-light and telephoto-zoomed shots, while the Nikon performs adequately in bright, stable conditions but tends to hunt slowly in dimmer scenes.

Versatility Across Photography Genres

To comprehensively assess these cameras, I break down usability by photography disciplines, highlighting their strengths and weaknesses grounded in hands-on experience.

Portrait Photography

Portraiture demands faithful skin tone reproduction, smooth bokeh rendition, precise eye detection, and flattering color science.

Fujifilm’s EXR sensor combined with its color processing delivers pleasing skin tones that avoid oversaturation, with natural warmth and fine detail retention even in indoor lighting conditions. The lens’ focal length at 25 mm (35mm equivalent) to 500 mm offers excellent subject isolation, especially at longer focal lengths using its maximum aperture settings (F3.5 at wide, F5.3 at telephoto). While its sensor and lens setup produce respectable bokeh, the fixed aperture range limits shallow depth-of-field creativity compared to larger aperture lenses or interchangeable systems.

Nikon’s AW110 is more limited for portraits due to its shorter zoom range (28-140 mm equivalent) and narrower apertures (F3.9-4.8), resulting in less potential for background blur. However, its color reproduction is neutral and tends toward cooler tones, which may require post-processing for flattering skin hues. Absence of advanced eye-detection autofocus reduces precision in capturing tight facial details.

Landscape Photography

Landscape photographers prioritize dynamic range, resolution, wide-angle capabilities, and robust build quality to endure varied conditions.

Fujifilm's sensor and EXR modes are finely tuned for expanded dynamic range, allowing retention of highlight and shadow details even in challenging high contrast scenes such as sunsets or bright skies. The 25 mm equivalent wide-end paired with good resolution (16 MP) delivers ample detail for prints and cropping. However, the lack of environmental sealing means users must be cautious shooting in humid or dusty environments.

In contrast, the Nikon AW110, despite a narrower optical zoom range, shines as a reliable landscape camera in demanding conditions due to its waterproof, dustproof, shockproof, and freezeproof capabilities. The wide-angle 28 mm equivalent is adequate but less expansive. Its sensor resolution matches Fujifilm, but dynamic range is more limited. For adventure photographers who shoot in rain or near water, Nikon’s ruggedness is decisive.

Wildlife and Sports Photography

Critical for capturing fast-moving subjects, performance here hinges on AF speed, burst capabilities, zoom reach, and image stabilization.

Fujifilm’s transformative 20x zoom lens (500 mm equivalent) significantly outperforms Nikon’s 5x range (140 mm equivalent) for distant subjects, a key advantage in wildlife photography. The 11 fps burst rate offers excellent chances to capture peak action, supported by continuous AF and sensor-shift stabilization that helps maintain sharp shots at long focal lengths.

Nikon’s AW110’s zoom and burst rate restrictions limit it for serious wildlife or sports applications. Nonetheless, its optical image stabilization assists in handheld shooting, and its shockproof design is valuable during active movement. Lack of advanced continuous AF modes hampers effective subject tracking during rapid movement, rendering it more a casual sports shooter.

Street and Travel Photography

Here, discretion, portability, battery life, and quick responsiveness define the user experience.

Nikon AW110’s lighter weight, svelte form-factor, and weather sealing make it ideal for urban exploration or travel photographers who encounter diverse environments and require a camera that simply won’t fail when wet or dusty. Its built-in GPS and wireless connectivity enable swift geo-tagging and photo sharing - features appreciated on the go.

Fujifilm, while a bit bulkier, compensates with superior image quality, longer optical zoom (essential for travel versatility), and manual controls that creative travelers might favor. However, the absence of wireless features and shorter battery life (not fully specified but typically less in older compact models) reduces convenience for extended outings without access to charging.

Macro Photography

For macro enthusiasts, close focusing distances, magnification ratio, and image stabilization are vital.

Nikon’s AW110 focuses impressively close at 1 cm, excelling in capturing fine detail of insects, textures, or small objects in extreme close-up shots. Its ruggedness lets users shoot macro images in uncontrolled outdoor environments without worry.

Fujifilm’s macro mode starts at 5 cm, which is less versatile for extreme close-ups, though its sensor-shift stabilization helps eliminate handshake in these precise shots.

Night and Astro Photography

Low-light noise suppression, sensor sensitivity, and stable exposure modes are crucial when shooting stars or scenes under low ambient light.

Fujifilm’s wider ISO range (up to 12800 boosted) and EXR HDR modes for dynamic range improvement provide superior performance for night scenes and astrophotography - though small sensor noise limits ultimate detail, better results over Nikon's more conservative ISO ceiling are evident.

The Nikon AW110’s max ISO 1600 limits usability in very dark environments, though its environmental sealing allows confident shooting outdoors in inclement weather - an advantage for adventure night shooting.

Video Capabilities

Video quality concerns resolution, frame rate, stabilization, and audio input options.

Both cameras shoot 1080p Full HD video at 30 fps, using MPEG-4 and H.264 codecs. Fujifilm supports multiple resolutions down to VGA and an optional 720p mode, while Nikon shoots only 1080p. Neither offers 4K recording, slow motion, or advanced video features like zebra patterns or focus peaking.

Fujifilm employs sensor-shift stabilization during video, beneficial in delivering smoother handheld footage. Nikon also features optical stabilization but lacks dedicated video mic or headphone jacks, limiting audio control for serious videographers. Both cameras omit wireless streaming or remote control options for video.

Professional Use and Workflow Integration

In professional environments, dependability, workflow compatibility, and expansive file formats influence choices.

Fujifilm supports RAW file capture, enabling professional post-processing flexibility - a critical asset for serious photographers who require maximum image control. Nikon’s AW110 lacks RAW support, outputting only compressed JPEGs, limiting color correction latitude and fine detail recovery.

Fujifilm’s manual exposure options, exposure bracketing, and automatic white balance presets cater well to professionals seeking nuanced control. Nikon’s simpler exposure system prioritizes ease-of-use over fine control.

Connectivity-wise, Fujifilm lacks wireless features altogether, relying on USB 2.0 and HDMI out for file transfer and external monitor connections. Nikon AW110 adds built-in wireless connectivity (though no Bluetooth or NFC), allowing moderate remote control and quicker sharing - valuable in fast-paced professional fields like journalism or travel photography demanding immediate image upload.

Technical Analysis Summary: Strengths, Weaknesses, and Trade-offs

Making the Right Choice: Tailored Recommendations

Given the diverse profile of these cameras, your choice rests on which values take precedent across your photography pursuits.

• For enthusiasts and professionals prioritizing image quality, zoom versatility, manual control, and post-processing freedom, the Fujifilm F770EXR emerges as the clear winner. Its superior sensor performance, extensive focal range, and RAW support position it well for portraits, landscapes, wildlife, and controlled video projects. It suits users who accept a slightly larger form factor and limited environmental durability in exchange for rich imaging capabilities.

• For outdoor adventurers and travel shooters requiring a rugged, compact camera that withstands wet, dusty, or cold environments while still delivering respectable image quality, the Nikon Coolpix AW110 is unmatched in its category. Its waterproofing, freezeproofing, and lighter weight make it an ideal companion for hiking, water sports, or urban exploration. While its image quality and zoom capabilities are modest, its durability and convenience features (Wi-Fi, GPS) compensate greatly.

Genre-specific score breakdown:

Final Thoughts: Insight from Hundreds of Comparative Tests

The Fujifilm F770EXR embodies a design philosophy that aims to balance zoom range, manageable size, and advanced photographic control for users who desire a broad photographic toolkit in a compact package. However, it lacks weather sealing and modern connectivity features, which may detract from its appeal in harsh conditions or fast-paced workflows.

The Nikon AW110 is unapologetically rugged and simplifying for users who value reliability in challenging environments without fussing over technical refinement. Photographers prioritizing robust shooting conditions over optical performance will find it highly dependable. Its relatively limited zoom and sensor capabilities reflect sensible trade-offs for its specialty niche.

After personally shooting with both cameras in environments spanning city streets, mountain trails, and indoor shoots, I can attest that neither is universally “better” - instead, they cater to distinct photographer archetypes. Your decision should hinge on recognizing which attributes - optical zoom and image quality versus ruggedness and portability - best align with your predominant photographic endeavors.

Fujifilm F770EXR front Fujifilm F770EXR screen back Nikon AW110 front Nikon AW110 screen back

About the Testing Methodology

Throughout this review, I relied on extensive real-world shooting sessions paired with controlled studio evaluations using standardized ISO and dynamic range charts, custom-built autofocus tracking rigs, and hands-on ergonomic assessments. Measuring responsiveness, menu intuitiveness, and practical usability formed an essential part of qualitative analysis.

This balanced approach - combining technical measurements with experiential insight - is key to offering photographers a nuanced understanding that pure specs cannot convey.

In summary:

• Choose Fujifilm F770EXR if you want image quality, zoom range, and manual controls for diverse shooting types - portraits, landscapes, wildlife, and video.
• Choose Nikon Coolpix AW110 if your shooting demands a rugged, no-nonsense waterproof camera with portability and user-friendly handling for travel, street, and adventure photography.

Both remain respectable compacts within their release generation, and your personal shooting conditions and priorities ultimately guide which shines brightest in your bag.