Fujifilm S8200 vs Panasonic Lumix FZ70: A Detailed Superzoom Showdown

In the realm of superzoom bridge cameras, choice often boils down to focal range, image quality, handling, and overall value. Today, I’m diving deep into a head-to-head comparison between two popular contenders from 2013, both packing a punch with small sensors but massive zoom reach: the Fujifilm FinePix S8200 and the Panasonic Lumix DMC-FZ70 (aka FZ72 in some regions). Having spent many hours testing zoom cameras, I’ll guide you through their nuances, helping you find the right option for your photography pursuits.

Let’s start by sizing them up - literally and figuratively - to set the stage.

Getting a Feel: Size, Ergonomics, and Physical Controls

Both cameras mimic DSLR styling, aiming to offer comfort and intuitive controls on a budget. The Fujifilm S8200 is fairly compact despite its giant 40x zoom lens, while the Panasonic FZ70 pushes even further with a hefty 60x zoom but surprisingly light weight.

Looking at the size comparison above, the Fujifilm S8200 measures 123 x 87 x 116 mm and weighs about 670 grams (using 4 x AA batteries), whereas the Panasonic FZ70 comes in slightly larger at 130 x 97 x 118 mm but lighter at 606 grams thanks to its proprietary battery pack.

This means while the FZ70 feels a touch bulkier, it’s slightly easier to carry around, which might influence your choice if portability factors highly for you, especially during travel or long shooting sessions.

Looking at the top decks, the Panasonic FZ70 impresses with a better-organized layout, including a dedicated exposure compensation dial which the Fujifilm oddly lacks. Both have zoom levers surrounding the shutter button, but Panasonic’s controls feel crisper and more purposeful in use.

I find Fujifilm’s grip a little less substantial, making the FZ70 feel more secure in my hand, particularly when zoomed in at those extreme focal lengths. The button placement on the FZ70 also benefits from additional customization options compared to the S8200’s more basic interface.

Sensor and Image Quality Basics: The Heart of the Camera

Both cameras pack the standard 1/2.3” BSI-CMOS sensors, a staple in superzoom fixed lens models aimed at casual enthusiasts. Each sports a 16MP resolution yielding 4608 x 3456 pixel output, but image quality nuances emerge beyond the pixel count.

Since both share identical sensor dimensions (~6.17 x 4.55 mm), their physical light-gathering capability is inherently similar, limiting low-light performance and dynamic range. However, the Panasonic FZ70 benefits from a more advanced Venus Engine processor, providing cleaner images with better noise handling especially at native ISO 100–3200 ranges.

The Fujifilm S8200’s max ISO extends to 12800 but don’t let that fool you - images become noisy and mushy rather quickly above ISO 800. Panasonic’s ISO ceiling is technically lower (3200 max native), but the noise remains more manageable thanks to updated in-camera processing.

In practical terms, you’ll find Panasonic’s images cleaner and more usable in low light, particularly important if you shoot indoor events or dusk landscapes.

Finding Focus Fast and Accurate

Autofocus performance is key when choosing any superzoom - these big reach lenses need to lock on swiftly to nail critical details, whether that’s a bird in flight or a spontaneous moment on the street.

The FZ70 visibly outperforms the S8200 in autofocus speed and accuracy. Its 23-point system with face detection ensures quicker focus locks and better subject tracking during burst sequences. The S8200’s AF struggles a bit under low contrast or dim lighting, which can be frustrating when shooting wildlife or sports.

Both cameras only rely on contrast detection autofocus, lacking the phase detection systems favored in modern mirrorless models - but Panasonic’s implementation feels notably superior in real-world use.

Image Stabilization and Zoom Versatility

With such extensive zoom ranges (40x and 60x respectively), image stabilization is critical to avoid blurry images at telephoto focal lengths.

The Fujifilm S8200 uses optical image stabilization, and while effective, it tends to lag behind Panasonic’s Double O.I.S., which combines optical stabilization with sensor-shift mechanisms for steadier handheld shots.

That 60x zoom range on the Panasonic is unquestionably the headline feature - ranging from 20mm ultra-wide equivalent to a breathtaking 1200mm focal length. This versatility opens extreme telephoto opportunities - think moon shots or close-up distant wildlife photo sessions without investment in giant lenses.

Fuji’s 40x zoom is respectable at 24-960 mm equivalent, but simply can’t compete with Panasonic’s reach, giving you less framing and cropping flexibility.

LCD and Viewfinder: Composing Your Shot

Both cameras feature 3.0-inch fixed LCD screens at 460K dots, adequate for framing and reviewing shots, but not particularly sharp by today’s standards.

From experience, neither screen offers touch functionality, so navigating menus requires relying entirely on physical buttons.

Their electronic viewfinders, essential for bright daylight shooting, differ slightly: Panasonic’s offers 100% coverage with a resolution of 202K dots, while Fujifilm’s EVF provides around 200 dots without definite coverage figures.

In practical use, the Panasonic FZ70 EVF presents a more accurate framing preview, crucial at long zoom ranges where slight movement affects composition.

Burst Shooting and Video Capabilities

Action shooters have different demands, so continuous shooting speeds and video specs deserve close attention.

The S8200 boasts a slightly faster burst frame rate at 10 fps but with limited autofocus capabilities - no continuous or tracking AF - meaning you’ll often miss focus in fast-moving situations.

The Panasonic’s 9 fps is no slouch and combined with continuous AF and tracking, you’re more likely to capture sharp images during sports or wildlife sequences.

For video, the Panasonic wins hands down with support for AVCHD output at HD1080 with smoother frame rates, better codec efficiency, and overall more professional-grade video. Fujifilm’s video is capped at Motion JPEG format, which consumes more storage and lacks modern encoding finesse.

Battery and Storage: How Long Can You Shoot?

Battery life in bridge cameras often depends on the power source. The Fujifilm S8200 uses 4 x AA batteries, making replacement easy anywhere, but battery life can be inconsistent based on the type used (alkaline, NiMH rechargeable, etc.).

In contrast, the Panasonic FZ70 utilizes a proprietary rechargeable battery pack rated at approximately 400 shots per charge - a typical midrange figure.

From personal testing, I prefer Panasonic’s dedicated battery because it consistently lasts through a day's shoot, whereas AA batteries, while convenient, can leave you guessing on runtime without spares.

Both cameras support SD/SDHC/SDXC memory cards in single slots, with Panasonic offering the bonus of internal memory storage.

Lens and Macro Performance: Close-Ups and Versatility

Both cameras possess fixed lenses, which means no swapping but lots of zoom power.

Fujifilm’s F2.9-6.5 aperture range is reasonable but somewhat narrower at the telephoto end, affecting low-light and shallow depth-of-field capabilities.

Panasonic’s F2.8-5.9 lens opens slightly wider, giving a tad more light in challenging situations.

Macro-wise, the Panasonic goes down to a 1cm minimum focus distance offering genuine close-up possibilities for flower and insect shots. The S8200's macro focus range at 0cm in specs is ambiguous but practically limited compared to the FZ70.

Optical stabilization on both assists handheld macro, but Panasonic’s superior IS gives sharper results in this demanding shooting style.

Durability, Weather Resistance, and Build Quality

Neither camera is weather sealed, splash, dust, or shockproof. For outdoor landscape or wildlife shooters who brave rough conditions, this means you’ll need to be extra cautious.

The Panasonic’s polymer body feels slightly more robust, but neither camera is built for professional ruggedness.

Connectivity and Extras: Staying Wired or Going Wireless

Neither camera offers wireless connectivity, Wi-Fi, Bluetooth, or NFC, reflecting their 2013 design era.

However, both provide mini HDMI ports for external monitor connection and USB 2.0 for file transfer.

The Panasonic includes a hot shoe, allowing external flashes which the Fujifilm notably lacks, plus more comprehensive flash modes - an advantage for enthusiasts who like creative lighting.

Putting It All Together: Performance Scores and Genre Suitability

In my testing and drawing from DxOmark data, the Panasonic FZ70 achieves an overall DxO score of 41, with superior color depth (19.4 bits), dynamic range (10.8 EV), and low-light ISO (171). The Fujifilm S8200 lacks DxO testing data but user experience consistently points to lesser image quality and responsiveness.

Breaking down performance by photography type further clarifies the best scenarios for each:

• Portraits: Panasonic’s face detection autofocus and slightly wider aperture make it better for skin tones and eye tracking.
• Landscape: Both suffer from small sensor limits but Panasonic offers better dynamic range.
• Wildlife/Sports: Panasonic’s tracking AF and longer zoom deliver superior results.
• Street: Fujifilm’s smaller size aids discretion, but Panasonic’s faster AF trumps for candid shots.
• Macro: Panasonic’s close focusing excels.
• Night/Astro: Panasonic’s lower noise and exposure control edges out.
• Video: Panasonic wins decisively.
• Travel: Panasonic’s weight and battery life balance well against zoom power.
• Professional: Neither is truly professional-grade, but Panasonic offers more workflow-friendly raw shooting.

Real-World Sample Images: See For Yourself

Comparing image crops from both cameras reveals Panasonic’s cleaner rendering, punchier colors, and overall sharper images, especially noticeable at high zoom.

Fujifilm S8200 front Fujifilm S8200 screen back Panasonic FZ70 front Panasonic FZ70 screen back

Final Recommendations: Who Should Choose What?

Choose the Fujifilm FinePix S8200 if:

• You want a compact, affordable bridge camera with a respectable 40x zoom.
• You prefer shooting with easily replaceable AA batteries.
• Your photography is mostly casual snapshots or travel photos where ultimate image quality is less critical.
• You don’t need advanced autofocus, continuous shooting, or video capabilities.

Choose the Panasonic Lumix FZ70 if:

• You crave a jaw-dropping 60x zoom covering ultra-wide to extreme telephoto.
• You want faster, more reliable autofocus with face detection and tracking.
• You shoot varied subjects including wildlife, sports, macro, and video.
• You value better image quality, improved low light performance, and AVCHD video recording.
• You appreciate external flash support and more versatile shooting modes.

Parting Thoughts

Both cameras serve as excellent entry-level superzooms from their era, but technology and user needs have evolved. For those wanting a capable all-rounder with better AF, zoom, and media versatility, the Panasonic FZ70 clearly takes the crown. The Fujifilm S8200 plays its role for simple 40x zoom photography but feels a step behind in responsiveness and image quality.

If you stumble upon either as a budget-friendly used option, consider your priorities carefully: zoom reach, autofocus reliability, and video prowess sway me strongly towards Panasonic in this comparison.

After extensively testing small sensor superzooms over the years, this pair highlights the compromises inherent to the category - small sensors limit creativity in low light and dynamic range, but if that giant zoom pulldown appeals, one of these can get you started with satisfying results.

In future, for sharper images and pro-level control, you might look to mirrorless cameras with longer zoom lenses - but that’s a subject for another day.

Happy shooting, and as always, feel free to ask if you want my personal guide on lens choices or workflow tips for bridge-camera images!

Images are embedded at relevant points to illustrate size, controls, sensors, screen/display, performance scores, and sample outcomes, providing visual clarity alongside the detailed textual comparison.