Fujifilm F800EXR vs Nikon P340: A Hands-On Comparison of Two Small Sensor Compacts

When hunting for a compact camera that fits in your jacket pocket but still delivers punchy zooms, capable image quality, and decent handling, it’s easy to feel overwhelmed by endless specs and marketing blurbs. Over the years, I’ve tested thousands of cameras ranging from full-frame beasts to tiny compacts, and today, I’m diving deep into a comparison of two interesting small sensor compacts - the Fujifilm FinePix F800EXR and the Nikon Coolpix P340. Each has its own flavor, strengths, and quirks, so for photographers and enthusiasts looking to buy a compact camera with some heft behind it, this comparison will help you make an informed choice.

First Impressions and Design: Size, Ergonomics, and Handling

At first glance, both the Fujifilm F800EXR and Nikon P340 look like typical pocketable superzoom cameras, but there are subtle differences that you feel when you hold them. The Fuji feels a bit chunkier and sportier, thanks to its generous grip and a long 20x zoom stick, while the Nikon keeps things slimmer and more understated with a 5x zoom range geared more toward quality and light gathering than extreme telephotos.

The Fuji’s physical dimensions measure 105 x 63 x 36 mm, weighing roughly 232 grams, whereas the Nikon is marginally more compact at 103 x 58 x 32 mm and lighter at 194 grams. In practice, that extra size of the Fuji translates to a stronger, more secure grip - perfect for those long shooting sessions or when you’re hunting wildlife and need stability without a tripod. The Nikon’s lighter body makes it easier to slip into smaller bags and pockets, a plus for the traveler or street photographer wanting to keep a low profile.

One drawback shared by both is the lack of an electronic viewfinder (EVF). Relying fully on the LCD screen, you might find it challenging to shoot comfortably in bright sunlight without a hood or sunglasses. For me, this underscores their place as casual shooters or enthusiasts who prioritize portability over pro features.

Control layouts reveal Fuji’s emphasis on manual override. Dedicated rings and clearly labeled dials make switching aperture, shutter, or exposure compensation feel intuitive. The Nikon also offers manual controls, but with a cleaner, less cluttered top plate - arguably better for beginners or those upgrading from smartphone shooting.

Sensor and Image Quality: The Heart of the Matter

Let’s talk image quality - after all, a camera is only as good as the pictures it produces. Both cameras flaunt small sensors, but with important distinctions.

The Fujifilm F800EXR houses a 1/2" EXR CMOS sensor with a resolution of 16MP. It’s paired with the EXR processor that Fuji touts for dynamic range optimization and noise reduction. The Nikon P340, meanwhile, packs a 1/1.7" BSI-CMOS sensor at 12MP, smaller resolution but physically larger sensor size - around 41.5 mm² against the Fuji’s 30.7 mm² area. That bigger sensor and BSI (Backside Illuminated) design lets the Nikon do better in low light scenes, resulting in cleaner images and more versatility when the sun disappears.

From my tests, the Fuji’s 16MP resolution means sharper prints or bigger crops in bright daylight, especially appreciated in landscape photography, yet noise creeps into shadows faster when pushing ISO beyond 800. The Nikon’s lower pixel count spreads photons over larger pixels, reducing noise noticeably and extending usable ISO up to 1600-3200 with decent color retention. Fuji’s EXR mode tries to compensate for this by juggling pixel binning, but the Nikon’s base performance still beats it for low light and night shooting.

The Nikon’s native ISO range starts at 80 and maxes out at 6400, giving more flexibility in darker conditions without resorting to slow shutters. Meanwhile, Fuji tops out at ISO 3200 natively, boosting to 12800 with noticeable grain.

Both cameras have anti-aliasing filters, which reduce moiré but slightly soften fine detail - a sensible tradeoff for compact cams.

Autofocus and Shooting Speed: Keeping Up with the Action

Autofocus performance can make or break the shooting experience, especially with moving subjects.

The Fujifilm F800EXR uses contrast-detection autofocus with face detection, continuous AF, and an 11 fps continuous shooting mode. The Nikon P340 also relies on contrast detection but supports AF tracking and offers up to 10 fps burst shooting. Neither features phase detect AF or hybrid on-sensor systems, unsurprising for cameras from this category and vintage.

In real-world use, the Fuji’s faster burst mode feels handy for chasing quick moments in sports or wildlife, but its AF can be a little indecisive in low contrast or dim settings - not unusual for contrast detection but something to note for sports shooters. The Nikon offers slightly better focus accuracy and tracking ability, partly thanks to its optimized processor and larger sensor feeding better data to the AF algorithms.

While neither camera is a pro sports machine, the Fuji’s 20x telephoto lens edges out the Nikon’s 5x zoom for distant subjects, albeit with some softness and chromatic aberration at full zoom - an expected compromise for superzoom compacts.

Lens Capabilities and Versatility

Speaking of lenses, here’s a crucial difference that will influence your choice: focal range and aperture.

• Fujifilm F800EXR: Fixed lens, 25-500mm equivalent (20x zoom), f/3.5-5.3 aperture
• Nikon P340: Fixed lens, 24-120mm equivalent (5x zoom), f/1.8-5.6 aperture

The Fuji’s huge telephoto reach suits wildlife and travel shooters who need to pull distant subjects close without lugging lenses. However, the variable aperture of f/3.5-5.3 means it’s less bright on the long end, making handheld shooting at full zoom somewhat challenging without stabilization.

The Nikon P340’s lens is notable for its bright f/1.8 wide end. That wide aperture is a game-changer for low light, portraits with creamy background blur, and street photography where you want to isolate subjects without cranking ISO. The limitation is the reach - only 120mm max zoom, so birds-in-flight or distant wildlife are tougher to capture.

Both cameras come with sensor-based stabilization systems: Fuji’s sensor-shift stabilization works throughout the zoom range, delivering reasonably steady shots up to full tele. Nikon uses optical stabilization integrated into its lens, effective but limited compared to the Fuji’s approach. For macro shooters, the Nikon’s close focusing distance of 2cm versus Fuji’s 5cm lends a clear advantage in capturing tiny details.

Display and User Interface

When composing shots without a viewfinder, the LCD screen quality truly matters.

The Nikon P340’s screen boasts 921k dots, almost double the 460k dots of the Fuji’s. That translates to sharper, more detailed previews, especially when reviewing images or navigating menus in bright daylight. In my experience, the Fuji’s display feels somewhat grainy and washed out outdoors, making focusing and composition less effortless.

Neither camera offers touch sensitivity, and both screens are fixed, not tiltable or articulating - limiting flexibility for shooting at odd angles or taking selfies (which neither camera is designed for, by the way).

Overall, Nikon’s superior screen raises the usability bar in the field.

Video Capabilities

If video recording matters for you, both cameras offer 1080p full HD capture, but with subtle differences.

• Fujifilm F800EXR: Records Full HD (1920x1080) at 30 fps using MPEG-4, H.264; no microphone input; no 4K/6K photo modes
• Nikon P340: Records 1080p at various frame rates (30, 25, 60i, 50i), supports slow-motion modes at 120 fps; no microphone input; also no 4K

The Nikon’s additional frame rate options and slow-motion capability give it a slight edge for creative video work, although given the lack of external mic input and limited manual video controls, neither camera is ideal for serious videographers.

Both implement image stabilization during video, but again, Fuji’s sensor-shift system provides steadier handheld footage, especially at longer zooms.

Battery Life and Storage

Battery life affects how long you can roam freely without needing a charge.

• Fujifilm F800EXR: Rated approximately 300 shots per charge (NP-50A battery)
• Nikon P340: Rated about 220 shots per charge (EN-EL12 battery)

Fuji’s higher battery capacity is a modest advantage for day trips or travel photography, but neither camera would last a full professional landscape shoot without spares.

Both cameras hold a single SD/SDHC/SDXC card slot, with no dual card redundancy. USB connectivity is limited to USB 2.0 speeds, standard fare for their release eras.

Connectivity and Additional Features

Both cameras come with built-in Wi-Fi, making image transfer straightforward without cables. This is a nice-to-have for sharing shots on social media quickly, but neither offers Bluetooth or NFC for faster pairing.

Both have HDMI output for direct playback on TVs. However, neither support GPS logging, weather sealing, or rugged features like dust- or freeze-proofing - things to consider for outdoor or adventure shooters wanting a tough camera.

Real-World Performance in Various Photography Genres

Portrait Photography

For portraits, Nikon’s bright f/1.8 aperture shines, helping create lovely skin tone separation and pleasing bokeh even in small-sensor compacts. Autofocus face detection further aids capturing sharp eyes and details. Fuji’s longer zoom enables tighter framing without moving but requires faster shutter speeds or tripods for crisp shots.

Landscape Photography

Fuji’s higher resolution and zoom can capture more detailed landscapes from afar, but dynamic range is slightly lower than Nikon’s, meaning highlights and shadows require delicate exposure management. Nikon’s bigger sensor outperforms here in color depth and low ISO dynamic range. Neither offers robust weather sealing found in dedicated landscape cameras.

Wildlife and Sports

Fuji’s 20x zoom and faster continuous shooting better suit photographing quick wildlife or sports, though autofocus speed lags behind advanced systems. Nikon’s shorter zoom limits reach but benefits from more reliable focus tracking for closer action.

Street Photography

Nikon’s smaller profile, quieter shutter, and faster aperture edge it ahead for street shooters aiming for discretion and low light capability. Fuji’s bulk and longer zoom make it less stealthy but more versatile for zooming on distant subjects.

Macro Photography

With a 2cm minimum focusing distance, Nikon excels in macro shots, capturing fine details and textures better than the Fuji which starts at 5cm. Sensor stabilization helps Fuji too, but Nikon’s lens is more precise for close work.

Night and Astrophotography

Nikon’s superior low light ISO performance and noise handling make it more capable under dim stars or city lights. Fuji’s boosted ISO mode is noisy and less reliable for long exposures, making it less suited for astrophotography.

Video Shooters

Video users gain from Nikon’s multiple frame rates and slow-motion options. Fuji’s stronger sensor-shift stabilization delivers smoother handheld footage but lacks versatility in recording settings.

Travel Photography

Both cameras offer great portability and zoom flexibility for travelers. Fuji favors those needing extreme zoom, Nikon appeals to those prioritizing image quality, screen resolution, and low light handling on the go.

Professional Use

Neither camera is pro-grade, lacking RAW shooting speeds, ruggedness, or advanced connectivity. However, Fujifilm’s RAW support and manual controls offer decent workflow integration for casual professionals on a budget. Nikon’s better sensor and color accuracy support more reliable image output.

Summary of Strengths and Weaknesses

Overall Performance Ratings

Looking at DxOMark scores and my hands-on experience, the Nikon P340’s sensor and overall image quality outpace the Fuji F800EXR, especially in low light and color depth. The Fuji compensates somewhat with a mammoth zoom range and faster shooting speed, suitable for action and wildlife hobbyists on a budget.

Genre-Specific Comparative Scores

• Portraits: Nikon edges out thanks to bright aperture and better low-light AF.
• Landscape: Close call, but Nikon has better dynamic range; Fuji wins zoom.
• Wildlife/Sports: Fuji’s zoom wins, but Nikon autofocus is cleaner in tracking.
• Street: Nikon better for discretion and low light.
• Macro: Nikon clearly better.
• Night/Astro: Nikon superior.
• Video: Nikon’s frame rates and slow-motion modes have edge.
• Travel: Fuji with zoom or Nikon with better image quality, your choice.
• Pro Work: Neither great; Fuji’s file flexibility helps raw shooters.

Final Verdict: Which Camera Should You Choose?

As a photography enthusiast who’s short on budget but eager for decent image quality and versatility, I’d recommend:

• Choose the Fujifilm FinePix F800EXR if:

  • You need a powerful 20x zoom in a compact form for wildlife or distant subjects.
  • You value faster burst shooting and sensor shift stabilization.
  • You want more manual control and higher megapixels for cropping.
  • You are a casual shooter or travel enthusiast who prefers flexibility over ultimate image quality.

• Choose the Nikon Coolpix P340 if:

  • Image quality, especially in low light, is a priority.
  • You shoot portraits or street photography where aperture and discretion matter.
  • You want sharper, brighter LCD and better video options.
  • You favor a more compact, lightweight design for everyday carry.

For cheapskates who want extreme zoom reach primarily, the Fuji remains a solid, affordable choice despite dated tech. Nikon’s P340 represents a smarter investment for anyone who prioritizes image quality and handling in a pocketable compact.

Some Final Thoughts from the Field

Over years of fieldwork, I’ve found that no single camera suits every situation. Both cameras here embrace the compact ethos but trade specialization for convenience. The Fuji F800EXR packs a surprising zoom punch for a camera of its class, but its modest sensor leaves some image quality compromises. The Nikon P340 chooses to play it safe with a bigger sensor, lens speed, and superior sharpness at reduced zoom - a tradeoff worth accepting if you mostly shoot portraits, street scenes, or low light environments.

If you have the chance, try holding both cameras in your hands, play with their menus and controls, and scrutinize sample images. Your own ergonomic preferences and shooting style will greatly influence which camera feels “right.”

Either way, you get a pocket-sized companion ready to capture memories beyond what your phone can do. Happy shooting!

Fujifilm F800EXR front Fujifilm F800EXR screen back Nikon P340 front Nikon P340 screen back