Fujifilm Z30 vs Nikon Coolpix P330: Compact Camera Showdown for Enthusiasts and Pros

Choosing a compact camera can be surprisingly tricky. On the surface, these pocket-sized shooters promise convenience and simplicity but can wildly differ in capabilities and image quality. Today, I’ll dive deep into a head-to-head comparison of two small sensor compacts that have turned heads in their respective eras: the Fujifilm Z30, a budget-friendly model from 2009, and the more advanced Nikon Coolpix P330 from 2013. While both cameras fit in your pocket, their feature sets and performance wildly differ.

As someone who’s tested thousands of cameras - from flagship pro bodies to entry-level compacts - I’ll walk you through their strengths, limitations, and best use cases for portraits, landscapes, wildlife, video, and beyond. By the end, you’ll know exactly which camera, if any, deserves a spot in your bag. Let’s get started.

Getting Acquainted: Size, Build, and Handling

First impressions count, and for cameras in this category, size and ergonomics are pivotal since we often carry them everywhere.

• Fujifilm Z30: This lightweight 110g pocket cruiser measures a slim 91 x 59 x 21mm, making it one of the slimmest compacts around. It feels like a bare-bones point-and-shoot, with very minimalist controls and no grip to speak of.
• Nikon Coolpix P330: Measuring 103 x 58 x 32mm and weighing 200g, the P330 is thicker but still pocketable. It’s chunkier due to its larger sensor, bigger lens, and more robust build. The P330 offers a modest grip and better weight balance, which I found helpful for extended handheld shooting sessions.

In real-world usage, the Z30’s almost toy-like lightness makes it ultra-pocketable, but the P330 feels like a serious tool lending confidence when composing shots. The P330’s body houses more manual control clubs for your thumbs - crucial for enthusiasts who like to tinker settings on the fly.

Control Layout and User Interface: Quick Access or Clunky?

For any photographer, nothing kills the vibe like chasing the menu when a shot appears. Let’s check out the top control design and rear interface.

The Fujifilm Z30 has a very simple layout: shutter button, zoom toggle, and a few tiny mode buttons. There’s no dedicated exposure compensation or creative modes. The rear sports a tiny 2.7-inch fixed LCD with just 230k dots resolution - dark and less sharp when outdoors. There’s no touchscreen or articulating display, and sadly no viewfinder.

On the other hand, the Nikon P330 comes with a larger 3-inch screen, over four times the resolution at 921k dots, making image playback and menu navigation far more pleasant. It doesn’t have a touchscreen, but the button layout is more thoughtful, with dedicated exposure compensation, ISO, and a manual dial for aperture and shutter speed adjustments. There’s no viewfinder either, though.

If you value quick, confident control, the Nikon’s interface wins. The Fuji feels like a basic consumer compact not built for fast shooting or manual adjustments. The Nikon’s menu system includes helpful white balance bracketing, exposure bracketing, and face detection autofocus options unseen in the Z30.

Under the Hood: Sensor Technology & Image Quality

Here’s where the rubber meets the road - sensor size, resolution, and performance take the lead in image outcomes.

• Fujifilm Z30: Contains a 1/2.3" CCD sensor with 10-megapixels. CCDs, back then, offered decent image quality but lag behind the CMOS technology in speed and noise handling. The sensor area is just 28.07 mm², quite small, which generally leads to lower dynamic range and higher noise, especially at higher ISO levels.
• Nikon P330: Features a larger 1/1.7" backside illuminated (BSI) CMOS sensor at 12 megapixels, with an area of 41.52 mm². This is a significant step up, as the BSI design boosts light sensitivity and improves low-light performance. Nikon scored this camera well in DxOMark with an overall score of 54, good color depth (21 bits), impressive dynamic range (~11.7 EV), and noise performance.

In practical testing, the P330 delivers cleaner, sharper images with better shadow recovery - especially in JPEGs - than the Z30. The latter’s images look softer and noisier past ISO 400. The Nikon also supports RAW capture, a huge bonus for enthusiasts seeking post-processing flexibility; the Fuji does not.

Lens and Zoom: Versatility vs Brightness

The fixed lens design is typical for compacts, but zoom reach, aperture, and optical quality vary widely.

• Fujifilm Z30: Offers a telephoto-equivalent 35-105mm zoom with maximum apertures of f/3.7–4.2. It’s a modest 3x zoom with no image stabilization, which hampers low-light and telephoto handheld shooting. Macro focusing begins at 8cm, which is okay for casual close-ups.
• Nikon P330: Features a versatile 24-120mm (5x zoom) lens with a bright f/1.8 aperture at the wide end, dropping to f/5.6 telephoto. The fast aperture and longer zoom range make it far more flexible across diverse subjects - from landscapes to portraits to some wildlife. It also includes optical vibration reduction (VR) to help steady shots in low light.

That Nikon lens brightens images beautifully, especially indoors and in shadows. For portraits, that f/1.8 helps produce smoother background blurring (bokeh), which the Fuji’s slower lens struggles to approximate. Also, macro shooters will love the P330’s capability to focus as close as 3cm, letting you get those richly detailed flower or texture shots.

Autofocus Systems: Eye Detection and Speed

Speedy, accurate autofocus distinguishes a frustrating camera from a joy to shoot.

• Fujifilm Z30 uses simple contrast-detection AF, single-point only, slow by modern standards, with no face or eye detection. This means hunting focus in tricky light or fast-moving subjects.
• Nikon P330 impresses with contrast-detection plus face detection autofocus and limited subject tracking. It has multiple focus points and a more responsive AF system in both daylight and dim conditions.

In field use, the Nikon consistently nails focus faster. It’s noticeably better at locking onto faces and keeping moving subjects steady. The Fuji’s autofocus can lag and is prone to errors in low contrast scenes.

Shutter Speeds and Burst Shooting

Action and sports shooters demand fast shutter response and decent burst rates.

• Fujifilm Z30 max shutter speed is 1/1000s with a painfully slow continuous shooting rate of just 1 frame per second (fps). This essentially disqualifies it for fast action or sports.
• Nikon P330 reaches 1/4000s shutter speed, ideal for freezing fast movement and shooting wide open in bright sunlight. It can shoot up to 10fps in bursts, much better suited for capturing fleeting moments.

So, if you want to photograph kids running, pets chasing balls, or sports, the P330 clearly outpaces the Fuji.

Video Capabilities: Basic vs Decent

Video is increasingly important for hybrids. Let’s see what each offers.

• Fujifilm Z30 max video resolution is VGA 640x480 at 30 fps in Motion JPEG - the bare minimum. No microphone input or stabilization means shaky, low-resolution videos.
• Nikon P330 captures Full HD 1080p video at 60 fps (also 50/30/25/24 fps) in MPEG-4 and H.264 formats. It features optical stabilization for smoother handheld footage but lacks external mic or headphone ports, limiting professional audio options.

For casual video or vlogs, the P330 is a much better choice although it lacks some pro video features. The Z30’s videos are frankly primitive.

Battery Life and Storage

• Fujifilm Z30 uses the NP-45 rechargeable battery; exact battery life isn’t well documented, but expect under 200 shots per charge, typical of early compact cameras. It stores images on SD/SDHC cards or internal memory.
• Nikon P330 features the EN-EL12 battery rated for about 200 shots per charge, which is reasonable but not remarkable. It supports SD/SDHC/SDXC cards only - no internal storage.

In everyday shooting, I found carrying a spare battery necessary for longer outings with both cameras. The P330’s LCD and processing power arguably consume battery faster despite its newer design.

Connectivity and Extras

Neither camera offers modern wireless connectivity by default, though the Nikon can use an optional Wi-Fi adapter. Both are without HDMI or microphone jacks.

The Nikon’s built-in GPS is a handy feature for travel photographers who want geotagged images straight out of the camera - a feature the Z30 does not have.

Field Performance Across Photography Genres

Let’s analyze their real-world suitability for the major photo styles we all enjoy.

Portrait Photography

• Nikon P330: Thanks to its bright f/1.8 lens and face detection AF, it nails accurate skin tones and lovely soft backgrounds. RAW format helps fine-tune exposures and colors later.
• Fujifilm Z30: Limited zoom, dull lens aperture, no face detection, and no RAW mean portraits often look flat and less pleasing.

Landscape Photography

• Nikon P330: Larger sensor and better dynamic range capture richer details in highlights and shadows. Wider 24mm lens is ideal for sweeping vistas.
• Fujifilm Z30: Less resolution and dynamic range hinder detailed landscape work. The 35mm minimum focal length feels restrictive for wide scenes.

Wildlife and Sports Photography

• Nikon P330: Optical stabilization, 10 fps burst mode, and decent AF speed help grab wildlife action and sports shots adequately.
• Fujifilm Z30: 1 fps bursts and slow AF make it impractical for fast subjects.

Street Photography

• Fujifilm Z30: Its ultra-compact, light form from 2009 is discreet and inconspicuous - perfect for candid street snaps if you’re content with basic image quality.
• Nikon P330: Slightly bigger but still pocketable; faster operation and better low-light shots make it a more flexible, albeit more noticeable, street photography tool.

Macro Photography

• Nikon P330: Comes out ahead with its closer macro focus (3cm) and sharper optics.
• Fujifilm Z30: 8cm macro distance means moderate close-ups only.

Night and Astro Photography

• Nikon P330: Big sensor, BSI CMOS, and higher max ISO (12,800) good for low-light, although compact cameras do have noise at high ISOs.
• Fujifilm Z30: Max ISO only 1600, noisy images, no stabilization - a struggle in darkness.

Video

• Nikon P330’s Full HD video with stabilization beats the Z30’s dated VGA clips by miles.

Travel Photography

• Fujifilm Z30: Light, ultra-compact, and easy to throw in a pocket for casual trips.
• Nikon P330: More capable, versatile, with GPS tagging and better image quality at the cost of size and weight.

Professional Use

Neither camera will replace professional interchangeable lens systems, but the Nikon P330’s RAW support, manual controls, and better image quality make it a more serious amateur tool.

Summary of Strengths and Weaknesses

Fujifilm Z30 front Fujifilm Z30 screen back Nikon P330 front Nikon P330 screen back

My Hands-On Testing Experience

I took both cameras out in various scenarios for multiple days to gauge their real-world performance. The Fuji Z30 felt like a cheap ride - economical but inadequate beyond simple snapshots. Its slow autofocus and unimpressive image quality frustrated me quickly, especially in low light.

The Nikon P330 won my heart with its bright lens and manual controls. Its RAW workflow gave me freedom to polish images, and the faster shutter speeds meant less missed opportunities. In shadows or night scenes, it delivered surprisingly clean results given its compact size. Its lack of touchscreen occasionally slowed navigation, but overall, it felt like a much more worthy travel companion or secondary camera for those who don’t want to lug around big DSLRs.

Final Verdict: Which Small Sensor Compact Should You Choose?

If you’re a cheapskate or absolute beginner, and you want an ultra-light, grab-and-go camera for simple snapshots in good light - Fujifilm Z30 may suffice. It’s cheap, ultra-portable, and very straightforward if you’re not fussy about quality or manual control.

If you’re an enthusiast or semi-pro looking for a compact alternative with more creative freedom, better image quality, faster performance, and decent video, the Nikon Coolpix P330 is the clear winner. Its larger sensor, faster lens, RAW capability, and manual modes outclass the Fuji comprehensively.

For specific uses:

• Portraits & Travel: Nikon P330 offers superior portrait rendering and travel versatility.
• Landscapes: Nikon’s wider lens and dynamic range win hands down.
• Wildlife & Sports: Nikon’s faster AF and zoom reach are necessary.
• Street Photography: Fuji’s tiny size can offer stealth but at the cost of quality.
• Macro & Low-Light: Nikon outshines with close focus and higher ISOs.

In Conclusion

The Fujifilm FinePix Z30 belongs largely to history as a simple snapshot tool from a pre-smartphone era. Meanwhile, the Nikon Coolpix P330 still holds value for photographers wanting a nimble, full-featured compact without stepping into interchangeable lens territory. Though now somewhat dated, the P330’s sensor tech and usability remain respectable.

If budget allows, I strongly recommend stretching for a model with at least the Nikon P330’s specs or beyond. Whether you’re new to photography or an experienced shooter seeking a pocketable backup, the quality and control differences are significant.

In the end, selecting between these two relies heavily on your priorities: is the camera an ultra-light lifestyle companion or a true creative device? Choose wisely.

I hope this hands-on, head-to-head exploration has helped you uncover the real differences beneath the specs sheet. If you want me to test other models or specific shooting scenarios, drop me a line! Happy shooting out there.