Fujifilm F770EXR vs Nikon Coolpix S9100: The Compact Superzoom Showdown

When it comes to compact superzoom cameras, the late 2000s and early 2010s were a golden era packed with impressive pocket-sized shooters boasting remarkable zoom ranges and solid feature sets. Two stalwarts from that time, the Fujifilm FinePix F770EXR and the Nikon Coolpix S9100, stand out as worthy contenders even today for photographers on a budget hunting for versatility in a compact body.

I’ve spent countless hours testing cameras with similar focal ranges and user profiles over the years. This side-by-side breakdown helps you understand exactly what these two mean for different photography disciplines - where they shine, where they falter, and who should seriously consider each model. So, buckle up as we zoom through specs, real-world performance, and value for money.

Compact by Design - And Then Some

Both the Fujifilm F770EXR and Nikon S9100 fall under the same general category: small sensor superzoom compacts, designed to pack a punch without bulk.

Looking at physical dimensions, they’re neck-and-neck:

• Fujifilm F770EXR: 105 x 63 x 36 mm; 234 grams
• Nikon S9100: 105 x 62 x 35 mm; 214 grams

In practice, the 20-25 grams difference is barely noticeable on a day-to-day shoot. Ergonomically, both cameras feel comfortable in hand, but the Fujifilm edges out with slightly better grip contours, which I appreciated during longer sessions. The Nikon’s body is a tad sleeker but leans more toward a smooth, rounded profile, which can feel a bit slippery if your hands are sweaty.

The control layout is pretty straightforward on both:

Both have clustered command dials and buttons in familiar Fujifilm and Nikon traditions. However, the Fujifilm offers more direct manual control options (more on that soon), which pro users will appreciate. The Nikon simplifies certain settings, seeming aimed more at casual shooters unwilling to dive into menus often.

The Sensor Story - Size, Resolution, and IQ

This is where things get juicy, because sensor technology dramatically impacts every shot's quality.

• Fujifilm F770EXR: 1/2″ EXR CMOS sensor, 16-megapixels, native ISO 100-3200 (boost up to 12800), sensor area ~30.72 mm²
• Nikon S9100: 1/2.3″ BSI CMOS sensor, 12-megapixels, native ISO 160-3200, sensor area ~28.07 mm²

While both use CMOS technology, Fujifilm’s EXR sensor was cutting-edge for its day, designed to optimize between resolution, dynamic range, and sensitivity depending on the mode. The extra 4 megapixels might not sound like much, but in this sensor size bracket, it’s a balancing act - more pixels on a small sensor can sometimes invite noise.

In field tests (including landscape and street shots), the Fujifilm produced more detailed images at base ISO, with slightly richer color depth and better dynamic range, helping walk that tightrope between shadows and highlights. The Nikon’s BSI CMOS sensor, designed to gather light more efficiently, gave it a slight edge in low-light situations, albeit with slightly softer images and lower resolution.

For pixel-peepers, Fujifilm’s resolution advantage allows for a bit more cropping flexibility, but that clarity often comes with firmer noise reduction, sometimes rendering textures a bit softened compared to Nikon’s slightly noisier but more natural tonal gradations at higher ISOs.

Screen and User Interface: How You See Your Shot Matters

Both cameras feature a 3-inch fixed TFT LCD, but their quality and user interface differ significantly.

• Fujifilm F770EXR: 460k dots; standard TFT color LCD
• Nikon S9100: 921k dots; anti-reflection coated TFT LCD

The Nikon’s higher resolution and anti-reflective coating offer a sharper, more vibrant live view experience, which pays dividends when shooting outdoors under bright sunlight. The Fujifilm’s display can feel a bit grainy and washed out by comparison.

When navigating menus and adjusting settings, Nikon’s interface leans on simplicity, with fewer manual options but a clear layout. Fujifilm’s menus offer more depth - full manual exposure modes, aperture and shutter priority, and bracketing options, catering better to enthusiasts who want control rather than auto modes.

Autofocus and Shooting Speed: Where the Action Is

If you want a camera to capture wildlife, sports, or street scenes with agility, autofocus speed and burst shooting matter.

• Fujifilm F770EXR: Contrast-detection AF with face detection, continuous AF available, burst at 11 fps
• Nikon S9100: Contrast-detection AF, 9 AF points, face detection, AF tracking, no continuous AF mode, burst at 10 fps

Both use contrast-detection AF - fairly standard for compacts - meaning their speed and accuracy lag behind more advanced phase-detect systems on DSLRs or mirrorless bodies.

However, in testing, Fujifilm’s continuous autofocus mode worked better, especially when tracking moving subjects, making it more suitable for casual wildlife or sports photography. The Nikon’s AF tracking exists but without continuous AF, so you must half-press and reacquire focus more often, which slows shooting pace on fast-moving subjects.

Burst rates are comparable, with Fujifilm’s 11 fps just edging out Nikon’s 10 fps, but buffer depths are shallow on both, meaning you’ll only get bursts of a handful of frames before the camera slows down.

Lens and Zoom Power: Reach and Image Stabilization

Here’s the heart of any superzoom’s appeal - optical zoom range and lens speed.

• Fujifilm F770EXR: 25-500mm equivalent (20x zoom), max aperture F3.5-5.3
• Nikon S9100: 25-450mm equivalent (18x zoom), max aperture F3.5-5.9

The Fujifilm wins on sheer reach by 50mm at the telephoto end, which might seem minor but opens up more possibilities for wildlife and sports shooters who can’t get physically close. Its lens is also slightly brighter at the telephoto end (F5.3 vs F5.9) - helpful for tricky lighting.

Both cameras include sensor-shift image stabilization, important for handheld telephoto shots, although I found Fujifilm’s system slightly more effective in real-world use, helping keep distant shots clearer at slower shutter speeds.

Macro capabilities are neck-and-neck, with Nikon able focus as close as 4 cm versus Fuji’s 5 cm. This difference is subtle but may appeal to macro hobbyists seeking extra working distance.

Battery Life and Storage Options - The Practical Stuff

Running out of juice mid-shoot is no fun.

• Fujifilm F770EXR: Uses proprietary NP-50A battery; official battery life not specified but estimated ~270 shots per charge
• Nikon S9100: Uses EN-EL12 rechargeable battery; rated around 270 shots

Both use SD, SDHC, or SDXC cards for storage, standard fare.

In my experience swapping batteries and testing real-world shooting scenarios, battery life is roughly equivalent. Neither camera breaks records, so I recommend carrying a spare battery for extended trips or travel.

Feature Set Highlights and Limitations

Feature	Fujifilm F770EXR	Nikon S9100
Manual Focus	No	Yes
Manual Exposure Modes	Yes - full manual, shutter and aperture priority	No
RAW Support	Yes	No
GPS	Built-in GPS tracking	None
Wireless Connectivity	None	None
Video Recording	1080p Full HD @30 fps	1080p Full HD @30 fps
External Microphone/Headphone	None	None
Flash Range	3.7 m at wide, 2.4 m tele	4.0 m

The Fujifilm’s full manual controls and RAW shooting capability give it a clear advantage for enthusiasts and pros needing more creative flexibility. Nikon’s manual focus can be handy but lacks manual exposure modes, limiting user control.

GPS presence on the Fuji is a nice bonus for travel and landscape shooters, helping geo-tag photos automatically.

Both share similar video specs: 1080p Full HD at 30 fps, but neither supports advanced video features like external audio or 4K capture.

Real-World Discipline Testing: Which Camera Excels Where?

Now, let’s talk practical real-world photography to match the specs with user needs.

Portrait Photography

Portraits are as much about subtle color rendering and bokeh as sharpness.

Fujifilm’s EXR sensor and lens deliver slightly better skin tone reproduction - Fuji has a longstanding reputation for pleasing color science, especially skin tones. Its ability to shoot in RAW helps post-processors tweak tones further.

Bokeh quality on both is limited by sensor size and aperture but Fujifilm’s 20x zoom lens at f/3.5-5.3 can produce marginally smoother backgrounds at telephoto focal lengths.

Nikon’s lower resolution and slightly slower aperture make it less ideal for dreamy portraits, but it still gets the job done for casual snaps.

Landscape Photography

For landscapes, dynamic range, resolution, and detail matter.

Fujifilm again shines with its EXR sensor’s dynamic range optimizations, which help retain shadow and highlight detail in challenging light.

Nikon’s sensor performs well with balanced exposure but can clip highlights more quickly given its narrower DR.

Weather sealing? Neither camera offers it, so protect both from the elements if you shoot outdoors regularly.

Wildlife Photography

Here is a classic test for superzooms.

Thanks to its extra 50mm reach and better continuous AF, Fujifilm is the better camera for casual wildlife photography, capturing birds or small animals at distance with less focus hunting.

Nikon’s shorter zoom and AF limitations make it more of a ‘point, wait, and hope’ kind of experience.

Sports Photography

Here, autofocus tracking and burst speed are paramount.

Fujifilm’s continuous AF and faster burst rate make it a more reliable choice to track fast-moving subjects in daylight conditions.

Nikon’s lack of continuous AF and slower burst mean many shots might be out of focus or missed.

Street Photography

Street shooters want discretion, portability, and quick operation.

Both cameras are compact, but the Nikon’s sleeker design edges out slightly in the ‘stealth’ factor. However, Fujifilm’s manual controls mean faster adjustments once you’re in the zone.

Low-light performance being close means both will struggle indoors without a flash, but Fujifilm's ISO boost can rescue some shots.

Macro Photography

With similar close-focus distances, Nikon’s 4cm macro range offers a slight edge, especially on subjects needing a bit more working distance.

Manual focus on Nikon helps pin sharpness precisely on tiny subjects, a boon over Fuji’s lack of MF.

Night and Astrophotography

Low-light capability is a good stress test.

Fujifilm’s boosted ISO and dynamic range capabilities allow cleaner, less noisy night shots, which is vital for astrophotography.

Neither camera boasts specialized exposure modes for long exposures or bulb mode, limiting their suitability for serious astro work.

Video Capabilities

Both capture decent Full HD video at 30 fps, with stabilization assisting handheld footage.

No microphones or headphone jacks limit audio quality control for pro videographers.

Fujifilm possibly edges via better sensor noise control in low light, helping cleaner video.

Travel Photography

Here, GPS on the Fujifilm is a big help for geo-tagging photos in exotic locales.

Both cameras have similar size/weight and decent zoom ranges for a wide variety of scenes, but Fuji’s superior lens reach and RAW support make it the more versatile travel companion.

Battery life on both is adequate, but I recommend bringing spares.

Professional Work

Neither camera can match DSLRs/mirrorless pro bodies in durability, speed, or image quality.

However, Fujifilm’s RAW shooting, manual modes, and GPS suit low-pressure pro use where size and simplicity matter.

Connectivity and Extras

Neither camera offers Wi-Fi, Bluetooth, or NFC - standard limitations for their generation and category.

Both have HDMI and USB 2.0 ports for image transfer and viewing.

Fujifilm’s built-in GPS is a standout feature for travel and cataloging but drains battery faster.

Price Versus Performance - The Cheapskate’s Verdict

Prices vary widely on used and refurbished markets, but MSRP at launch:

• Fujifilm F770EXR: ~$480
• Nikon S9100: ~$330

For roughly $150 less, Nikon provides decent versatility and respectable image quality but with notable limitations in manual control and sensor resolution.

Fujifilm demands a premium but returns it with better image quality, manual exposure controls, RAW shooting, longer zoom reach, and GPS.

If you’re an enthusiast or content creator who wants a budget camera with creative flexibility and slightly better IQ, the Fujifilm is worth the splurge.

If you want a simpler point-and-shoot with respectable zoom and video features, Nikon is a solid, cheaper alternative.

Summary Tables: Ratings and Genre Suitability

To wrap up, here are ratings and genre-specific performance synthesized from hundreds of hours of hands-on testing plus sample shots.

Aspect	Fujifilm F770EXR	Nikon S9100
Image Quality	8.5/10	7.5/10
Autofocus	8/10	6.5/10
Zoom Range	9/10	8/10
Controls/Manuality	9/10	6/10
Battery Life	7/10	7/10
Build & Ergonomics	8/10	7.5/10
Video	7/10	7/10
Value for Money	7.5/10	8/10

Photography Type	Fujifilm F770EXR	Nikon S9100
Portrait	Excellent	Good
Landscape	Excellent	Good
Wildlife	Good	Fair
Sports	Good	Fair
Street	Good	Good
Macro	Fair	Good
Night/Astro	Good	Fair
Video	Good	Good
Travel	Excellent	Good
Professional Use	Fair	Limited

A Closer Look: Sample Images from Both Cameras

To end this deep dive, let the images do some talking. Both cameras produce respectable files for their class.

Observe Fujifilm’s sharper textures and richer tones, especially evident in portrait skin rendering and landscape details. Nikon offers balanced color but softer edges, and noise is more visible at higher ISO.

Final Thoughts - Which Camera Should You Buy?

So, which compact superzoom deserves a place in your gear bag?

Choose the Fujifilm F770EXR if you:

• Demand the highest image quality within this compact superzoom class
• Need manual exposure control and RAW shooting for creative freedom
• Shoot a variety of genres from portraits to landscapes and wildlife
• Appreciate the built-in GPS for travel and metadata organization
• Don’t mind paying a modest premium for added features and zoom reach

Choose the Nikon Coolpix S9100 if you:

• Are a casual or beginner shooter needing simple operation and reliable auto modes
• Want a slightly smaller, lighter body for discreet shooting
• Prefer a lower price point with decent zoom and video capabilities
• Value manual focus and an excellent macro experience
• Can live without RAW, manual exposure modes, or GPS

Both are aging cameras at this point, so if you can stretch your budget or hold out, looking into current mirrorless or advanced compacts will yield meaningful improvements. However, if you want a capable, affordable, easy-to-carry camera with solid zoom, either camera still punches above its weight for casual or tight budget scenarios.

I hope this hands-on, no-nonsense comparison helps you see beyond spec sheets and choose the camera that fits your style and shooting needs. Remember, no camera is perfect - it’s all about matching tool to task with your budget and aspirations in mind.

Happy shooting!