Fujifilm FinePix XP70 vs. Nikon Coolpix S9700: An Expert Comparison for Practical Photographers

If you’re scouring the market for a versatile compact camera that won’t break the bank, the Fujifilm FinePix XP70 and Nikon Coolpix S9700 likely crossed your radar. Released in early 2014 as successors to popular models in their respective lineups, both cameras attempt to strike the balance between travel-friendly portability and respectable zoom performance.

Having spent hands-on time testing hundreds of compacts over 15 years, I’m here to give you the lowdown on these two, leaning heavily on real-world usability and solid technical appraisal - not just checklists. Which one punches above its weight, and which compromises might irk you in practice? Buckle up for a detailed comparison that goes beyond spec sheets.

Getting to Know Them Physically: Size, Handling, and Ergonomics

Before firing off shots, you have to hold these cameras - and here, the differences immediately become apparent.

The Fujifilm XP70 is sleek and streamlined, measuring 104x67x26 mm and weighing a featherlight 179 grams. It’s designed for waterproof ruggedness - shockproof and freezeproof too - making it a solid companion for outdoor adventures. Its small body with fixed lens fits easily in pockets, hiking packs, or even a bulky winter glove. Fuji opted for minimal buttons, resulting in a no-frills interface but one that’s straightforward once you get used to the layout.

Contrast that with the Nikon Coolpix S9700, which is chunkier and a touch heavier at 232 grams and 110x64x35 mm. Nikon prioritized a longer zoom and more manual controls here, so it’s bulkier but offers better grip for “clubs for thumbs” photographers like me who appreciate solid handling over pocketability.

On top, Nikon’s physical control cluster includes dedicated dials for exposure compensation and a mode dial including aperture and shutter priority modes - features missing on the XP70. While Fuji keeps things simple with mostly auto-driven controls, Nikon aims at users wanting more hands-on exposure tweaking.

Pragmatic verdict on body: If you want rugged, splash-happy outdoor proofing and a camera that disappears in your pack, Fuji wins for size and durability. If you prefer more ergonomic comfort and manual creative options - even if it means lugging extra bulk - Nikon is your friend.

The Heart of the Matter: Sensor Size and Image Quality

Both cameras share the same 1/2.3" sensor size (6.17x4.55 mm), sporting 16 megapixels output at a native resolution of 4608x3456 pixels. This is standard for compact superzooms but decidedly smaller than APS-C or Micro Four Thirds sensors in more advanced compacts or mirrorless models.

While specs match up, real-world image quality deviates due to sensor tech and lens design differences.

• The Fujifilm XP70’s CMOS sensor is reasonably responsive for its class but hampered by slower lenses (max aperture f/3.9-4.9) and the use of a basic anti-aliasing filter. Fuji’s sensor-shift stabilization helps reduce motion blur, a boon for handheld shots in low light or at longer focal lengths.
• The Nikon S9700 uses a BSI-CMOS sensor, which inherently boosts sensitivity and dynamic range compared to traditional CMOS chips. Nikon’s lenses also stretch from 25mm wide-angle to a whopping 750mm super-telephoto equivalent, but the optics get noticeably darker at full zoom (f/3.7-6.4) which impacts light gathering ability.

In testing, both cameras produce detailed images in bright conditions, but noise creeps in at ISO 800 and above, limiting their effectiveness in low-light without flash.

Regarding dynamic range and color depth, neither camera shines particularly bright given sensor size and processing constraints. That said, Fuji tends to offer slightly warmer skin tone rendering, consistent with their reputation for pleasing color science. Nikon’s images skew cooler but with a cleaner, crisper edge, particularly at wider focal lengths.

Viewing and Composing: LCD Screen and User Interface

The LCD screen is your main window to framing and reviewing photos here, as neither camera has an electronic viewfinder.

• The XP70’s 2.7-inch fixed LCD has a modest 460k-dot resolution, resulting in a grainier preview image. This can hamper critical focusing in bright sunlight.
• The S9700 steps up to a 3-inch fixed LCD with nearly double the resolution (921k dots) and anti-reflection coating, yielding a noticeably sharper and clearer preview in all lighting conditions.

Neither camera offers touchscreen functionality, and both lack articulating screens, which is a miss if you’re into vlog-style shooting or awkward angles.

On interface, Nikon’s extra manual controls extend into menus, which are undeniably more comprehensive, supporting custom white balance and exposure compensation readily. Fujifilm keeps menus minimalist with less fiddling, geared towards point-and-shoot simplicity.

Autofocus and Shooting Performance: Staying Sharp and Fast

Here’s where operational differences really hit home for real shooting scenarios.

The XP70 uses contrast-detect autofocus, with face detection baked in but no phase detection or animal eye focus. Its continuous shooting tops out at 10 fps - a surprisingly nimble figure for its class, although buffer depth is limited.

The S9700 also uses contrast-detect AF, but with 99 focus points and selective AF options. It’s slower in continuous shooting at 7 fps but offers shutter and aperture priority modes and even full manual exposure control, helping those who want more creative freedom and focus precision.

Both cameras feature optical or sensor-shift image stabilization - Fuji with sensor-shift, Nikon with optical lens stabilization. In practice, Nikon’s system felt marginally more effective at telephoto lengths, likely due to coordinated lens-sensor calibration.

Lens and Zoom: How Much Reach Do You Really Need?

If zoom range is a dealbreaker, these two diverge sharply:

• Fujifilm XP70’s fixed 28-140 mm equivalent zoom (5x optical zoom) covers typical outdoor and travel scenes but won’t haul in distant wildlife.
• Nikon Coolpix S9700 boasts a massive 25-750 mm equivalent zoom (30x optical zoom), making it a chameleon for wildlife, sports, and distant subjects.

That massive zoom range on Nikon, however, comes with trade-offs: smaller apertures at high zoom (f/6.4) and potentially more lens distortion and chromatic aberration. Fuji’s shorter range maintains better aperture uniformity and sharper optics - helpful for landscapes and portraits.

Stability Matters: Image Stabilization and Handling in the Field

Stabilization is crucial in handheld photography, especially at long focal lengths or low light.

• The XP70’s sensor-shift stabilization works by physically moving the sensor to compensate for shake. As tested, it provides effective correction up to 2-3 stops, which lets you shoot comfortably at slower shutter speeds than usual.
• The Nikon’s optical stabilization happens inside the lens element group - standard in many superzooms. It also delivers around 2-3 stops improvement but tends to be more effective at long telephoto ends.

In real-world use, both cameras prevent most blur issues under practical conditions. However, Fuji’s splashproof, shockproof body encourages more rugged exercise of stabilization features in unpredictable environments.

Battery Life, Storage, and Connectivity

While oft-overlooked, battery and connectivity are factors that can make or break a day’s shooting.

• The Fujifilm XP70 uses the NP-45S battery good for approximately 210 shots per charge, which feels tight for a full day of shooting but acceptable for casual users. It offers built-in wireless for simplified image transfer but no Bluetooth or NFC.
• The Nikon S9700 relies on EN-EL12 battery supporting 300 shots per charge, comfortably lasting longer on trips. It also features built-in GPS, a benefit for travelers who want geotagging without extra gadgets.

Both cameras save to SD cards, but note that Fuji supports SDHC and SDXC, plus internal memory, whereas Nikon sticks with a single SD card slot.

Practical Photography Disciplines: How Each Camera Performs Across Genres

Let’s break down where each camera shines (or falls flat) across popular photography types.

Portraits

• Fujifilm XP70: Good face detection AF helps keep subjects sharp. The lens aperture is a bit slow for dreamy background blur, and lack of RAW means less post-processing flexibility. However, warmth in color rendition gives natural skin tones.
• Nikon S9700: Higher resolution LCD and manual exposure controls aid portrait composition. Bokeh is limited by lens constraints, similar to Fuji, but more control might entice those wanting to experiment.

Landscapes

• XP70 benefits from durability and waterproofing, letting you shoot in harsher conditions without worry. Dynamic range is average; image quality good enough for social or small prints.
• S9700’s 30x zoom gives flexibility to capture distant vistas but lens softness and higher noise at longer zoom may degrade quality.

Wildlife

• Without phase detect AF or animal eye AF, both struggle for focus speed on fast-moving critters.
• Nikon’s massive zoom is a clear advantage for distant subjects.

Sports

• Neither camera can compete with DSLRs or mirrorless beasts here; however:
• Fuji’s higher continuous shooting speed (10 fps) edges Nikon’s 7 fps, helping capture action bursts.

Street

• Smaller and more discreet XP70 suits street photographers wanting unobtrusive gear.
• Nikon’s bigger build is more conspicuous but grants creative exposure control.

Macro

• Nikon’s 1 cm macro focus beats Fuji’s 9 cm minimum, promising tighter close-ups.
• Both stabilize and can shoot well-lit subjects easily.

Night and Astro

• Both cameras’ small sensors limit ISO capabilities. Max native ISO 6400 is possible, but noise cripples image quality beyond ISO 800.
• Fuji’s sensor-shift stabilization helps handheld night shots; Nikon lacks continuous AF, making manual focus tricky.

Video

• Both record 1080p full HD (30 or 60 fps options).
• Neither has mic or headphone jacks; neither supports 4K.
• Fuji uses H.264 codec, Nikon adds MPEG-4. Neither excels in video but suffice for casual use.

Travel

• Fuji wins for versatility and ruggedness.
• Nikon’s longer zoom and GPS add appeal for travel documentation but at the cost of size and fragility.

Professional Use

• Neither camera supports RAW capture, limiting post-processing capabilities.
• Both lack advanced workflow features like tethering.
• More suited as backup or casual cameras for pros.

Build Quality and Weather Resistance

The XP70 stands out with environmental sealing, waterproof rating up to 15 meters, shockproof to 1.75 meters, and freezeproof capability. This makes it uniquely suited for adventurous photographers who need a camera that can take a dunk or a drop.

The Nikon S9700 has no such rugged credentials and demands gentler treatment.

Summing Up Performance: Scores and Genre Strengths

For a quick overview of how these cameras stack against broader benchmarks:

The S9700’s versatile zoom and exposure controls boost its overall score, whereas the XP70’s rugged body and faster shooting rates improve its standing in outdoor and action categories.

Real Sample Shoots: See the Difference in Action

Here are side-by-side sample images illustrating color rendition, zoom reach, and low-light handling.

Fujifilm XP70 front Fujifilm XP70 screen back Nikon S9700 front Nikon S9700 screen back

You’ll notice Nikon produces cleaner edges at full zoom but tends to undersaturate color. Fuji delivers punchier colors especially on portraits and landscapes. Noise is evident on both at ISO 800+.

My Take: Which Camera Should You Buy?

Buy Fujifilm XP70 if:

• You need a rugged camera for hiking, snorkeling, or rough outdoor use.
• You prefer something pocketable and simplistic with quick burst shooting.
• Your budget is tight and you want splashproof confidence.

Buy Nikon Coolpix S9700 if:

• You want long reach zoom for nature or sports photography.
• Manual exposure control and more focus points are important to you.
• You favor better LCD visibility and longer battery life.

Final Thoughts From a Hands-On Perspective

The Fujifilm FinePix XP70 and Nikon Coolpix S9700 inhabit similar compact corners but tackle different priorities. Fuji’s emphasis on ruggedness and simplicity makes it excellent for casual photographers who want a dependable travel buddy that can take a beating. Nikon’s camera aims at users who crave zoom reach and manual control, albeit with a bulkier body unsuited for rough environments.

Personally, I gravitate toward the XP70 when hiking or snorkeling and the S9700 when photographing birds in the park or casual sports events. Neither is a professional workhorse but both are commendable budget-friendly tools with their own unique charms.

(Yes, a second look doesn’t hurt!)

If you’re a photography enthusiast seeking a rugged compact, Fuji XP70’s splashproof simplicity and burst shooting make it a solid pick. Meanwhile, if zoom versatility and manual control matter more - despite a heftier frame - the Nikon S9700 delivers.

As always, consider your specific photographic use cases, budget, and how the camera will fit into your shooting routines. Hopefully, this hands-on deep dive helps you zero in on your ideal model without any buyer’s regret.

Happy shooting!