Head-to-Head: Fujifilm XP30 vs Nikon Coolpix S9900 – Which Compact Suits Your Photography Style?

When exploring compact cameras with fixed lenses, especially at similar price points around $250-$300, choices like the Fujifilm FinePix XP30 and Nikon Coolpix S9900 often come up. Both offer attractive features for enthusiasts seeking lightweight kits without fussing over interchangeable lenses – but they target very different users. Having spent extensive time with both cameras in varied shooting scenarios, I’m eager to share a detailed, hands-on comparison. We’ll look beyond specs, digging into performance, handling, and real-world capabilities to help you decide which suits your photographic ambitions.

Before diving in, here’s a side-by-side glimpse of their size and ergonomics to frame our conversation:

First Impressions: Handling and Design Choices

On paper, both cameras fit comfortably in the palm, but the Fujifilm XP30's ruggedness is the first thing you notice. Measuring roughly 99x68x24mm and weighing a mere 165 grams, it’s built tough for outdoor adventures. Its waterproof, dustproof, shockproof, and freezeproof design isn’t just a marketing blurb - I tested it plunging in shallow streams and shooting dusty trails without hesitation.

Contrastingly, the Nikon S9900, slightly larger at 112x66x40mm and heavier at 289 grams, feels more like your typical superzoom compact. It’s not environmentally sealed in any way, so you’ll want to keep it sheltered from the elements. However, its magnesium-alloy body offers a reassuring heft and solid build that doesn’t scream plastic budget.

A look at their control layouts reveals two different user philosophies:

The XP30 opts for simplicity - limited buttons, no mode dial, and no manual focus rings. It’s made for point-and-shoot ease, reinforcing its outdoor/active user approach. Meanwhile, the S9900 features manual exposure controls (aperture, shutter priority, full manual), customizable buttons, and a mode dial, catering to more technically inclined shooters who want direct access without diving into menus.

Bottom line, if you prefer rugged, grab-and-go with minimal fuss, Fujifilm's XP30 wins here. For those who appreciate control and versatility, Nikon's S9900 is your better fit.

Sensor Technology and Image Quality: Inside the Numbers

Both cameras utilize a classic 1/2.3-inch sensor, but with differing underlying tech and resolution:

• Fujifilm XP30 employs a CCD sensor with 14 megapixels.
• Nikon S9900 sports a CMOS sensor at 16 megapixels.

This difference is subtle but meaningful. CCD sensors, while historically delivering good color fidelity, tend to lag behind CMOS when it comes to power efficiency, speed, and noise handling. Having shot raw scenes under low light, ISO 800 and above, the XP30’s images degrade faster - digital noise creeps in quite noticeably. Meanwhile, Nikon’s CMOS sensor copes better up to ISO 1600, preserving more detail and cleaner tones.

However, neither camera supports RAW capture, a limitation to keep in mind if you crave maximum post-processing control.

In terms of resolution, the Nikon’s 16MP sensor delivers a slight edge in image detail, beneficial for cropping or printing larger photos. Here’s an illustration from my test gallery showing detail retrieval and color rendition differences between the two:

Fujifilm XP30 screen back Nikon S9900 front Nikon S9900 screen back

Notice how Nikon’s images maintain sharper edges and less noise, especially in shadow areas, while Fujifilm’s colors appear more neutral but softer overall.

Autofocus and Burst Shooting: Speed Under the Hood

When shooting moving subjects, autofocus performance and burst capabilities can make or break the experience.

The Fujifilm XP30 relies on contrast-detection autofocus with about a one-point AF system - simple center-weighted AF that performed passably for static subjects but sometimes struggled in low light or complex scenes. Continuous AF and tracking are present but very basic, often losing track of fast or erratically moving subjects.

In contrast, the Nikon S9900 offers contrast-detection AF enhanced with face detection and multiple AF area selections. Its autofocus is noticeably quicker and more reliable, locking onto faces promptly and maintaining focus on moving targets better. The inclusion of face detection helps a lot with portraits or capturing kids and pets.

Burst rates further highlight the cameras' differing priorities:

• XP30 shoots at a sluggish 1 fps continuous burst.
• S9900 delivers a respectable 7 fps, allowing more action shots and wider capture leeway.

If you’re into sports, wildlife, or fast-moving street photography, the Nikon has the clear edge here.

Lens and Zoom Versatility: How Far Can You Go?

Both come with fixed lenses but vastly different zoom ranges:

• Fujifilm XP30: 28-140mm equivalent (5x optical zoom), aperture F3.9–4.9.
• Nikon S9900: 25-750mm equivalent (30x optical zoom), aperture F3.7–6.4.

While the XP30’s modest zoom covers from wide-angle to moderate telephoto, it’s best suited for landscapes, casual portraits, and general travel. It keeps things compact and practical without optical compromises.

The Nikon’s 30x zoom is remarkable in a compact package - perfect for wildlife, sports, or any situation demanding reach without carrying heavy glass. Of course, sharpness and aperture drop-off at extremes are expected but still impressive given the size.

Also notable, XP30’s minimum macro focus range is 9 cm vs Nikon’s 1 cm - the latter excels for close-up shots like flowers or insects. For macro shooters, the S9900 adds clear value.

Screen and Viewfinder: What You See Matters

Neither boasts built-in electronic viewfinders, but the rear screen experiences differ significantly:

• XP30 features a fixed 2.7-inch TFT LCD with low 230k-dot resolution - adequate outdoors but not spectacular. It’s small, not touch-capable, and shows visible reflections in bright sunlight.
• Nikon’s S9900, on the other hand, sports a fully articulated 3-inch screen with much higher 921k-dot resolution, enabling better image review and creative angles, especially in video.

I found the Nikon’s articulated display indispensable for low-angle shooting or crowd shots - offering more flexibility for compositional creativity. The lack of touchscreen on both is a bit disappointing given the cameras’ newer vintage, but at this price it’s not unusual.

Video Capabilities: Not Just Still Photography

Video is often overlooked in compacts but worth comparing for multimedia users.

• The XP30 records 1280x720p HD video at 30 fps, saved as Motion JPEG - an older, less efficient format resulting in larger files and somewhat choppier motion, especially in fast scenes.
• The S9900 shoots full HD 1920x1080p at 60i/30p, utilizing MPEG-4 and H.264 codecs, offering smoother footage and better compression.

Neither has microphone or headphone jacks (limiting audio control), but Nikon’s video quality and frame rate versatility make it preferable for casual videography or travel vlogging.

Durability and Environmental Resistance: Ruggedness for Adventures

This is where the XP30 shines.

Built to IP67 standards, it’s waterproof down to 10 meters, dustproof, freezeproof to -10°C, and shockproof from 1.5 m drops. I verified these claims with practical field tests (including submersion and cold environments). If your lifestyle involves hiking, water sports, skiing, or reckless kids - the XP30 can take a beating the S9900 simply can’t.

The Nikon is best kept in a bag under dry, benign conditions, though its longer zoom necessitates care due to lens extension.

Battery Life and Storage: Practical Power Management

The Nikon S9900 has the upper hand with a rated 300 shots per charge (CIPA standards), compared to Fujifilm’s 200 shots. More impressive though, the Nikon’s battery (EN-EL19) supports timelapse recording, which XP30 lacks altogether.

Both record to SD cards (SDHC/SDXC compatibilities for Nikon), but XP30 also has limited internal storage (~30MB) which can be a minor fallback.

Connectivity and Extra Features

• Nikon offers built-in Wi-Fi and NFC, mainly for quick sharing to smartphones - a definite plus for on-the-go photographers. It also includes helpful GPS tagging.
• XP30 includes GPS but lacks any wireless connectivity, instead relying on USB 2.0 for data transfer.

Both lack HDMI (XP30), or have a microHDMI (Nikon), but neither supports Bluetooth. Given today’s standards, Nikon’s wireless features give it a modern edge.

Official Review Scores and Genre-Based Performance

Here’s an overview rating summary from my comprehensive testing matrix:

And for photography genres:

The XP30 scores well in outdoor adventure, landscape, and travel photography due to its ruggedness and reliable image quality in bright environments.

The Nikon S9900 excels in portraits (thanks to face detection and aperture controls), wildlife (due to long zoom and burst), sports (speedy AF and frame rates), street photography (compact yet versatile zoom), and even macro.

Breaking It Down by Photography Type

Portraits

• Nikon S9900: Stronger with face detection AF, aperture priority for bokeh control, and 16MP resolution for crisp detail.
• Fujifilm XP30: Thumbed down – no face detection, limited focal lengths restrict background blur. Best for snapshots rather than refined portraits.

Landscape

• XP30 is surprisingly capable, with vivid but somewhat muted colors, weather-sealing, and sturdy build perfect for hiking or beach days.
• Nikon provides higher resolution but lacks weather sealing, demanding more care.

Wildlife & Sports

• Nikon S9900 wins convincingly thanks to a rapid 7fps burst, accurate autofocus tracking, and massive 750mm equivalent reach.
• XP30’s zoom and speed are insufficient for serious wildlife or sports.

Street Photography

• Nikon’s bigger size and longer zoom add presence, but the articulating screen aids discreet shooting.
• XP30, lightweight and compact, is more inconspicuous outdoors - yet limited zoom restricts framing options.

Macro

• Nikon’s 1cm macro range and focusing precision make it more fun for close-ups.
• XP30 works at 9cm minimum - acceptable for casual macro but less detailed.

Night and Astrophotography

Neither camera shines here. CCD on the XP30 struggles with noise, while Nikon’s CMOS sensor is better but still limited by small sensor size and no RAW output.

Video Work

Nikon’s full HD, higher frame rate, and better codecs give it the upper hand, though neither supports professional audio control.

Travel

For pure travel, the XP30 wins ruggedness and lightweight, while Nikon delivers versatility and battery life. Your choice depends on destination and style.

Professional Use

Neither supports RAW, both limited in workflow integration. Nikon’s manual controls and exposure compensation cater better to pros seeking creative flexibility.

My Recommendations: Who’s This Camera For?

• Choose the Fujifilm FinePix XP30 if:

  • You want a durable, weatherproof compact for hiking, beach, snow, and rough environments.
  • You prioritize simple, reliable point-and-shoot over complex settings.
  • You need a camera that can survive drops, wet conditions, and freezing temperatures.
  • Your photography is casual, mostly in daylight.

• Choose the Nikon Coolpix S9900 if:

  • You desire long reach with a 30x zoom for wildlife or sports.
  • You want manual controls and the flexibility to experiment with exposure.
  • You shoot a variety of genres, including portraits, macro, and street photography.
  • Video quality and wireless sharing are important.
  • You don’t need weather sealing but want better autofocus and burst shooting.

Final Thoughts: Balancing Practicality and Performance

Having tested the Fujifilm XP30 and Nikon S9900 extensively, they clearly serve different niches within the compact camera world. The XP30 is rugged and dependable for adventure enthusiasts who want robust, simple gear. The Nikon S9900 offers more technical features and zoom versatility for enthusiasts who want to push photography a little further without buying interchangeable lenses.

Each camera shines in its own sphere. Understanding what you value - be it reliability in challenging environments or shooting flexibility - is key to picking the right companion for your photographic journey.

If you want a quick snapshot of how these cameras performed in the field, check out the photo sample gallery I compiled above. When it comes down to it, your choice depends on matching those strengths to your shooting style, environment, and expectations. And remember, neither camera is perfect, so weigh these insights carefully before opening your wallet.

Happy shooting!

If you have specific questions about image settings, sample files, or want tips for maximizing either camera, drop me a line - I’ve got plenty more hands-on experience to share.