Bridging the Zoom Divide: Fujifilm S9800 vs Panasonic ZS70 In-Depth Comparison

When it comes to small sensor superzoom cameras, enthusiasts and budget-minded photographers often weigh the value of extreme focal lengths against modern features and image quality. Having spent countless hours behind the viewfinder, field-testing a wide spectrum of compacts, bridge cameras, and mirrorless marvels, I’m here to dissect two fascinating contenders: the Fujifilm S9800 (2015) and the Panasonic Lumix DMC-ZS70 (2017). These in-camera world travelers sit in the same broad category but take markedly different routes on the quest for versatility, image quality, and usability.

I’ll walk you through their designs, sensors, lenses, autofocus, and real-world shooting experiences across multiple photography genres, culminating in actionable recommendations. Whether you’re a casual shooter hungry for zoom, a budding enthusiast craving useful features, or simply camera-curious, this review takes no shortcuts.

Close Shaves and Size Matters: First Impressions and Handling

Let’s kick things off with something tactile - the physical bodies and ergonomics. Both cameras sport small-ish sensors with fixed superzoom lenses, but their designs could hardly be more different.

The Fujifilm S9800 is that hefty, bridge-style behemoth with an SLR-like profile: chunky grip, pronounced lens barrel, and a robust feel weighing in at 670 grams. Its dimensions (123x87x116 mm) translate to a confident hand-hugging presence but demand a dedicated bag or at least some cuff-sized pockets.

In contrast, Panasonic’s ZS70 is a compact iconoclast - much smaller (112x67x41 mm) and nearly half the weight (322 grams). It’s an outright experiment in pocketability for a superzoom: slim, easy to handle, and friendly for street or travel shooters who prefer light packs or all-day carry comfort.

Picking up the S9800 feels like holding a trusted hunting rifle - it signals serious zoom intention (more on that shortly). Meanwhile, the ZS70 evokes a versatile sidearm with nimble controls.

When it comes to control layout and top-mounted features, here’s what I noticed:

The S9800’s top panel is straightforward, with a traditional mode dial and zoom ring on the lens barrel. The ergonomics prioritize grip comfort over reach, which suits long shooting sessions but means some buttons are a tad cramped. The zoom lever feels tactile and precise, a boon during wildlife stalking or sports action.

Panasonic’s ZS70, with its minimalistic compact design, flexes a tilting touchscreen (more on screens soon), a mode dial, dedicated Fn keys, and a zoom rocker that’s smooth but less chunky than Fuji’s. This makes for quick one-handed operation, ideal on the street or while traveling light.

Peering Inside: Sensor Tech and Image Quality Realities

Underneath these bodies lie the heart of image-making: the sensors. Both share the 1/2.3" format (6.17x4.55 mm), but their resolutions and tech diverge.

The Fujifilm S9800 features a 16-megapixel CMOS sensor with an anti-aliasing filter - a notable point since AA filters generally soften fine detail to avoid moiré but can limit sharpness. It maxes out at ISO 12800 but with no dedicated RAW support, which severely restricts post-processing latitude.

The Panasonic ZS70 meanwhile packs a 20-megapixel BSI-CMOS sensor - a newer back-illuminated design advantageously engineered for better low-light performance. The pixel crunch is higher, with a max native ISO at 3200 (expandable to 6400 via boost), plus RAW support - a major plus for enthusiasts who want more creative control and recoverability.

Based on my extensive tests in varied lighting conditions:

• The ZS70 delivers crisper details, superior noise handling at higher ISO levels, and a more balanced overall tonal gradation.
• The S9800, while decent in bright daylight, shows earlier noise intrusions above ISO 800 and limited dynamic range in shadows and highlights.

In practical terms, the ZS70’s sensor translates to better flexibility in landscapes, street photography, and even indoor events, where light is a luxury.

Seeing Is Believing: Display and Viewfinder Experience

Shooting is as much about how you compose as what you capture. These two diverge considerably in their screens and viewfinders.

The S9800 sports a fixed 3-inch LCD with 460k-dot resolution. It’s serviceable but uninspiring - no touch, no articulation, and a shallow viewing angle. You’ll find yourself relying on the electronic viewfinder (EVF), which offers 920k-dot resolution with 97% coverage; respectable but pretty modest by 2017 standards.

By contrast, the ZS70 flaunts a tilting 3-inch touchscreen at a lavish 1040k-dot resolution that brightens your shooting experience, especially at awkward angles or selfies. The touchscreen responsiveness is swift, allowing for intuitive focus selection and menu navigation. And the EVF? Panasonic nailed it here with 1166k dots, 100% coverage, and 0.46x magnification - giving crisp previews for critical framing and exposure checks.

For those who shoot handheld in bright sunlight or from hip-level, the ZS70’s screen and sporty EVF win hands down.

Zoom Wars: Lens Reach, Speed, and Macro Capabilities

Now onto the headline feature: the zoom lenses. Let’s outline what each camera brings to the table before dissecting.

• Fujifilm S9800: 24-1200mm equivalent (50x zoom) with max aperture F2.9-6.5.
• Panasonic ZS70: 24-720mm equivalent (30x zoom) with max aperture F3.3-6.4.

On paper, the S9800 rules the telephoto roost with a jaw-dropping 50x zoom, more than 1.6 times the range of Panasonic’s 30x. The wider lens reach (from 24mm wide to skyscraper-like 1200mm) makes it a virtual Swiss Army knife for wildlife hunters, birders, or even far-off sports scenes.

However, it’s not just about length - optical quality, aperture speed, and macro finesse matter.

The S9800’s brighter aperture at wide angle (F2.9) helps in landscapes and tighter spaces, but once you zoom out near 1200mm, the aperture drops to a dim F6.5, limiting performance in low light and shrinking depth of field dramatically. Macro focus on the S9800 starts at 7cm, which is decent.

Panasonic’s ZS70 opens at F3.3 (still fairly bright) and only rims down to F6.4 telephoto - a minor difference but functionally similar at max zoom. Its macro prowess is better with focusing down to 3cm, a boon for flower close-ups or detail work.

In the field, I found the S9800’s huge zoom both exhilarating and occasionally a balancing act - you’ll definitely want a tripod or bipod for steady shots beyond 800mm. The Panasonic’s shorter, more compact zoom was handholdable for longer under various light conditions, aided by its advanced image stabilization system.

Focusing on Autofocus: Systems, Speed, and Tracking

Autofocus can make or break a shooting experience, especially when chasing moving subjects like kids, wildlife, or sports players.

Both cameras employ contrast-detection systems but lack phase detection (typical in this sensor class). Panasonic ups the ante with 49 focus points versus an unspecified number on the S9800, enabling more precise AF area selection.

Face detection, continuous AF, and tracking functions are present in both, but Panasonic’s ZS70 boasts touch-enabled AF point setting and focus bracketing/focus stacking features - handy for macro and landscape shooters wanting extended depth of field. The S9800 has no manual focus ring, limiting control finesse.

In real-world testing with fast subjects:

• The ZS70 locks focus quicker and tracks movements more reliably, especially in good light.
• The S9800 occasionally hunts or lags behind when subjects move unpredictably or in low contrast scenarios.

For sports, wildlife, or any action shots requiring burst mode precision, both cameras offer 10fps continuous shooting - respectable at their price points - but Panasonic’s faster and more accurate AF translates to higher keeper rates.

Genre-By-Genre Performance: Where Each Camera Shines

Evaluating cameras solely on specifications is like judging a novel by its cover. Here’s how these two stack across all major photography disciplines, illustrated with real images each camera captured.

Fujifilm S9800 front Fujifilm S9800 screen back Panasonic ZS70 front

Portrait Photography

• Fujifilm S9800: Offers decent skin tone reproduction under natural daylight but due to sensor limitations and no RAW, post-processing latitude is limited. The bokeh (background blur) at max aperture and zoom is shallow but rather harsh due to small sensor size.
• Panasonic ZS70: Does a better job rendering smooth skin tones, with richer color gradations and creamy bokeh at wider settings. Eye detection AF helps nail sharp focus on subjects' eyes, delivering punchier portraits on a compact platform.

Landscape Photography

• Fujifilm S9800: 16MP resolution is serviceable but the AA filter softens fine details; dynamic range is limited - highlights on bright skies clip fairly quickly.
• Panasonic ZS70: 20MP sensor and RAW support deliver noticeably sharper fine detail, plus a touch more highlight recovery. The tilt screen also aids in composing landscapes creatively. Lack of weather sealing on both is a downside but no surprise at this price.

Wildlife Photography

• Fujifilm S9800: Its 1200mm reach is king here, making distant bird shots feasible without crop - but the absence of fast or reliable AF can mean more missed shots. Optical image stabilization helps, but the weight and bulk become a challenge on long outings.
• Panasonic ZS70: Shorter zoom limits reach but AF speed and tracking shine. The lower magnification zoom encourages cropping rather than pixel-peeping, but image quality at telephoto is excellent for this class.

Sports Photography

• Fujifilm S9800: Manual exposure control and 10fps firing rate support sports shooting, but autofocus lag and lack of sharpening consistency can frustrate.
• Panasonic ZS70: Reliable AF tracking and 10fps burst rate, combined with 4K video for slow-motion capture, make it the more versatile option for casual sports shooters.

Street Photography

• Fujifilm S9800: Bulky size and loud zoom draw attention - a definite downside for candid shots.
• Panasonic ZS70: Small, discreet, quiet zooming with touchscreen usability make it ideal for street shooters prioritizing spontaneity.

Macro Photography

• Fujifilm S9800: Macro starts at 7cm, fine but no focus stacking.
• Panasonic ZS70: Superior with 3cm focusing, focus bracketing, stacking, and postfocus modes that make macro exploration accessible and fun.

Night / Astrophotography

• Both cameras struggle beyond ISO 800-1600 owing to small sensors; however:
• ZS70: Has cleaner noise reduction and better manual controls.
• S9800: Limited options and no RAW limit post-process flexibility.

Video Capabilities

• Fujifilm S9800: Limited to Full HD 1080p at 60i, no 4K, no external mic input, dated codec (H.264).
• Panasonic ZS70: Offers 4K UHD at 30p, 1080p at 60fps, and slow-motion. No mic/headphone ports but excellent in-body stabilization and 4K photo mode for grabbing stills from video.

Travel Photography

• Fujifilm S9800: Heavy and large bulk hamper all-day carry.
• Panasonic ZS70: Compact design, tilting touchscreen, and longer battery life (380 vs 300 shots) earn it high marks for travel and general versatility.

Professional Usage

These cameras, being small sensor superzooms, cater more to enthusiasts or casual pros than high-end professional work demanding full RAW quality, pro color depths, or robust sealing.

Toughness and Durability: Build Quality and Weather Proofing

Neither the Fujifilm S9800 nor Panasonic ZS70 offers environmental sealing or rugged protection - both are sensitive to moisture, dust, shock, and extreme temperatures. That means you’ll need to baby them or invest in protective accessories for adverse conditions.

Connectivity and Storage: Keeping Up with Modern Workflow

Panasonic has the edge here with built-in WiFi, enabling quick image transfer and remote control via apps. The S9800 has no wireless connectivity, relying on USB 2.0 for data transfer - a painfully slow option nowadays.

Storage-wise, both use SD/SDHC/SDXC cards with single slots, but the ZS70 lacks internal memory (present on S9800), so immediate on-the-go storage is limited.

Computational Overview: Scoring the Cameras’ Strengths and Weaknesses

Numbers aren’t everything, but they are fun - here’s an overall scoring profile based on my multi-angle testing and third-party performance references:

• Image Quality: Panasonic ZS70 leads comfortably
• Autofocus and Speed: Panasonic edges ahead
• Zoom Reach: Fujifilm dominates with 1200mm beast
• Video Features: Panasonic wins clearly
• Ergonomics & Handling: Panasonic’s compactness favored for mobile use
• Battery Life: Panasonic better
• Connectivity: Panasonic only
• Price: Fujifilm more budget-friendly

Breaking It Down by Genre: Specific Scores and Recommendations

To offer even clearer guidance, here’s a detailed chart scoring both cameras for various photography types:

Final Thoughts: Which One Earns Your Hard-Earned Dollars?

Both cameras carve unique niches in the small sensor superzoom market. After extensive hands-on use, my bottom line for you is:

• Choose the Fujifilm S9800 if: You crave ultra-long zoom reach without stepping up sensor size or budget. It’s a “reach-first” tool for birdwatchers, casual wildlife hobbyists, or anyone who prioritizes maximum telephoto capability above all else and can manage the bulk and limitations.

• Choose the Panasonic ZS70 if: You want a more versatile, modern compact with better image quality, autofocus, video capabilities, and user experience. It’s perfect if you shoot a variety of subjects - street, travel, portraits, macro - and want a lightweight companion that won’t hold you back when lighting turns less than ideal.

At roughly $299 for the S9800 and $450 for the ZS70, you get what you pay for: raw zoom power versus all-around high functionality and image quality.

Parting Notes From the Field

I remember trekking through a busy market with the ZS70 tucked in my jacket pocket, snapping vibrant street portraits and close-up flower studies without breaking a sweat. Meanwhile, the S9800 came along on a weekend birdwatching trip - its mighty zoom allowing me glimpses of distant feathered friends unreachable by smaller lenses, but I also lugged a tripod and braced against the weight.

Both have their charm, but for everyday use and creative flexibility, Panasonic’s ZS70 remains my clear pick. Still, I tip my hat to the S9800’s audacious zoom ambitions - even if I have to admit, sometimes it feels like bringing a bazooka to a water pistol fight.

Happy shooting, whichever path you choose!

This comparative review is grounded in over 15 years of field-testing, lab measurements, and extensive photographic practice, distilled to help you make informed choices rooted in real-world performance, not just marketing gloss.