Fujifilm S8500 vs Nikon Coolpix L810: An In-Depth Comparison for Photography Enthusiasts

Choosing the right camera involves balancing your ambitions, shooting style, and budget with the technical capabilities on offer. Today, we're diving deep into two competing small-sensor superzoom cameras - the 2013 Fujifilm FinePix S8500 and the 2012 Nikon Coolpix L810. Both models bring strong zoom ranges and user-friendly features aimed at enthusiasts who want versatility without the complexity of interchangeable lenses.

Having personally tested thousands of cameras across genres, we’ll walk you through their core differences and how those translate to real-world photography. Along the way, we’ll highlight who will benefit most from each, with informed recommendations based on rigorous hands-on experience.

First Impressions: Size, Handling, and Build

The physical feel and ergonomics of a camera often define your shooting experience more than specs alone.

• Fujifilm S8500 adopts a classic SLR-like bridge design. It feels substantial yet balanced in the hands. The solid grip and positioning of controls make longer shooting sessions less fatiguing.

• Nikon L810 is more compact but retains a comfortable grip for its class. Its body leans toward standard compact ergonomics, trading some heft for portability.

Notice the Fujifilm S8500’s larger stature versus the Nikon L810’s more compact form. The S8500’s bulk allows for better control with extended zoom lenses.

Control Layout

The top control layout impacts quick adjustments during active shooting.

• The S8500 features dedicated buttons for shutter priority, aperture priority, and manual exposure modes, uncommon in this category and rare on the Nikon L810.

• The L810 offers fewer manual exposure options but keeps things simple with standard zoom and shutter buttons.

The S8500’s control design better supports users who want to experiment with exposure settings without accessing menus constantly.

Sensor Technology and Image Quality

Both cameras share a small 1/2.3" sensor size, typical for superzoom bridge cameras. This sensor size limits low-light performance and noise control when compared to larger-sensor counterparts, but it enables extensive zoom reach and compact lenses.

Sensor Type and Resolution

Key Insight: Fujifilm’s BSI-CMOS sensor technology typically offers better high-ISO performance and dynamic range than Nikon’s CCD in this class, which translates to cleaner images in low light and smoother gradations, especially crucial for landscape and night photography.

Real-World Image Performance

We tested both cameras in various lighting conditions.

The Fujifilm’s sensor advantage becomes clear beyond ISO 800 - important for event photographers working indoors or in dim conditions.

Autofocus and Shooting Flexibility

Autofocus (AF) and shooting speed are critical if you shoot moving subjects or want quick capture capabilities.

The S8500’s 10 fps burst stands out for capturing fast action, though autofocus is fixed to center and contrast detect capabilities are nonexistent. This limits tracking moving subjects, making it more suited for still subjects or pre-focused scenes.

In contrast, the L810’s slow 1.2 fps but with face detection offers easier capture of portraits and moving people in casual settings.

Lens and Zoom Capabilities

Here, the main attraction of superzooms: reach and aperture.

The Fujifilm offers an immense 1104mm equivalent maximum focal length at 46x zoom - exceptional for wildlife and sports photographers on a budget. The wider f/2.9 aperture at the short end allows better background separation and low-light performance for portraits and landscapes.

The Nikon’s shorter zoom of 585mm is less versatile for distant subjects but still covers most telephoto needs. Its sensor-shift stabilization works well for handheld shots but can’t fully compensate at super-telephoto lengths.

User Interface: Screen and Viewfinder

A quality screen and viewfinder are fundamental for composing shots and reviewing images.

• Fujifilm S8500: 3" TFT LCD with 460k dots - a basic but decently visible display in most conditions. Has a 200k-dot electronic viewfinder for eye-level framing, useful in bright daylight.

• Nikon L810: 3" TFT LCD with 921k dots and anti-reflective coating delivering a sharper, clearer image for composition and playback. No viewfinder, so live view is the only option.

The brighter, higher-resolution screen on the Nikon L810 is a plus for precise focusing and shot review. However, for bright outdoor shooting situations where glare is an issue, the Fujifilm’s EVF gives you another compositional option.

Video Performance

Video recording is an increasingly important feature, even in budget-oriented cameras.

The S8500’s 1080p at 60 fps is a clear advantage for those wanting smoother, higher-resolution footage for casual video or creative projects. The added slow-motion options expand creative potential, although motion JPEG formats lead to larger file sizes and less compression efficiency.

Although the L810 only shoots 720p video at 30fps, its files are smaller and easier to manage for everyday home videos.

Battery Life and Storage

Both cameras rely on common AA batteries, an advantage in remote or travel scenarios where proprietary batteries can be a hassle.

AA batteries are easily replaceable worldwide, though rechargeable NiMH AAs can reduce long-term running costs. The Nikon’s official rating of ~300 shots per charge is typical for AA-powered compacts.

Practical Photography Use Cases

Let's examine how these feature sets translate into different photography genres.

Portrait Photography: Color Rendering & Bokeh

Portraits depend on pleasing skin tones, good autofocus on eyes/faces, and shallow depth-of-field.

• S8500: Larger zoom range and f/2.9 aperture at wide angle can produce decent subject isolation although small sensor limits true bokeh quality. Lack of face or eye detection AF challenges critical focus on faces.

• L810: Has face detection AF for better focusing on subjects, making portraits easier. Smaller max aperture reduces background blur potential, but produces sharp images in good lighting.

Landscape Photography: Detail and Dynamic Range

Here, you want high resolution, wide field-of-view, and dynamic range.

• Both cameras have identical sensor size and resolution; neither is suited for professional landscapes but will produce usable prints.

• S8500’s wider max aperture and BSI-CMOS sensor grant slightly better dynamic range for shadow detail.

• Neither sports weather sealing, limiting outdoor use in adverse conditions.

Wildlife Photography: Reach and Autofocus

Wildlife demands long reach and fast, accurate AF.

• S8500’s 1104mm zoom and 10fps burst gives a huge edge for distant subjects and fast action shots - assuming you pre-focus carefully since AF is limited.

• L810’s shorter 585mm zoom and 1.2 fps speed limits versatility but face detection can help if shooting portraits of pets or animals at mid-range.

Sports Photography: Speed and Tracking

High burst speeds and tracking AF is critical.

• S8500 wins here with 10fps burst, but lack of continuous AF tracking means many shots may be out of focus.

• L810 is too slow for dynamic sports scenarios.

Street Photography: Portability and Discretion

Light, compact cameras that shoot well in low light fit street styles.

• L810’s smaller size and higher resolution screen make it discreet and easy to carry.

• S8500 is bulkier and likely draws more attention but has longer zoom.

• Neither offers silent shutter options.

Macro Photography

Close focusing ability aids macro.

• L810 focuses as close as 1 cm, excellent for capturing fine details.

• S8500 claims 0 cm macro but in practice its minimum focus distance is longer; lacks focus stacking.

Night / Astro Photography

Low noise and long exposures help.

• S8500 supports fast shutter speeds up to 1/7000 s, good for star trails and bright nights.

• S8500’s ISO 12800 and BSI sensor allows better low-light shooting.

• L810 limited to ISO 1600 and slower maximum shutter.

Video Creators and Vloggers

• S8500 1080p60 is clearly better.

• Both lack external mic ports and headphone jacks limiting audio control.

Travel Photography

• L810’s lighter weight (430g vs 670g) and smaller size make it easier on travels.

• Both cameras accept common SD cards and AA batteries for convenience.

Workflow and Connectivity

Neither camera supports Wi-Fi, Bluetooth, or NFC, meaning all photo transfers require USB 2.0 or card readers.

• Both support HDMI output for viewing shots on TVs.

• Lack of RAW format support means heavy post-processing flexibility is not possible - images are JPEG only.

Durability and Build Quality

Neither camera is weather-sealed or ruggedized, so care is needed in poor weather.

The S8500 feels sturdier in hand and more robust internally, likely enhancing longevity.

Price-to-Performance Overview

Considering their age and market availability, the Fujifilm S8500 targets users who want more creative control and optical reach at a higher price point. The Nikon L810 provides a solid, budget-friendly option with simpler controls and straightforward use.

Sample Images from Both Cameras

Fujifilm S8500 front Fujifilm S8500 screen back Nikon L810 front Nikon L810 screen back

Notice the Fujifilm S8500’s superior detail retention and color accuracy in distant shots and low light, while the Nikon L810 excels in close-up sharpness and portrait face detection.

Final Performance Ratings and Genre Scores

Who Should Choose Which Camera?

Choose the Fujifilm S8500 if:

• You crave an extensive zoom range - up to 1104mm equivalent - to shoot distant wildlife, sports, or nature.
• You want full manual exposure control to experiment with aperture, shutter speed, and ISO.
• Video shooting matters - you need 1080p at 60 fps with slow-motion capabilities.
• You shoot in varied lighting and need higher ISO performance.
• You can handle a somewhat larger, heavier body for better grip and control.

Choose the Nikon Coolpix L810 if:

• You want a budget-friendly superzoom for casual shooting and travel.
• Compact and lightweight form factors are a priority.
• Portraits with face detection autofocus appeal to you.
• You prefer a sharper rear screen for framing and reviewing images.
• Macro photography with very close focusing is important.
• You are fine with limited manual controls and slower continuous shooting.

Final Thoughts: Understanding Trade-Offs

Both cameras represent practical choices for enthusiasts who want long zoom reach without investing in interchangeable lenses or complicated systems. The Fujifilm S8500 edges ahead with better sensor technology, extensive manual control, video features, and a wider zoom range, ideal for more ambitious photographers exploring multiple genres.

Meanwhile, the Nikon L810 remains relevant as an accessible, straightforward camera with excellent close-up shooting and a sharper display that eases composition for beginners.

By understanding these cameras’ core strengths and limitations through technical details and hands-on insights, you’ll be better equipped to select the model that fuels your photography goals and fits your lifestyle.

Ready to try these cameras yourself? Check local stores or online retailers for hands-on demos. Also, explore lenses, batteries, and accessories compatible with small-sensor superzooms to maximize your creative journey.

This detailed comparison was written from extensive personal field testing and years of camera evaluation experience to help guide photographers at all levels with clarity and trusted advice.