Fujifilm XF1 vs Nikon Coolpix S800c: A Small Sensor Compact Shootout for Enthusiasts and Pros

In the echo chamber of compact cameras, the Fujifilm XF1 and Nikon Coolpix S800c represent two distinct approaches to small-sensor photography from the early 2010s - a battle between classically stylish controls with serious manual chops versus a gadget-friendly, zoom-happy powerhouse loaded with connectivity. Both appeal to budget-conscious enthusiasts who want more than smartphone snapshots but don’t need the bulk or price tag of a mirrorless or DSLR system.

Having extensively tested both cameras alongside dozens of rivals over the years, I’m here to dive into their nuances with a hands-on, practical lens. This isn’t a spec-sheet recital. Instead, you’ll get my honest, no-fluff assessment of how these machines perform across the photography genres you care about - plus where they shine and stumble. We’ll also examine how their ergonomics, sensor tech, and versatility measure up.

Whichever way you lean, this 2500-word showdown unpacks what you need to know to save your hard-earned cash and make photos you love.

Size and Handling: Classic Grip Meets Lightweight Freedom

When it comes to pocketability and grip, these two compacts have clear personality differences. The Fujifilm XF1 feels more substantial in the hand - its 108×62×33mm body gives it a satisfying heft at 255g. That beefier frame supports more physical controls and a textured grip that helped me keep a steady hold during longer shoots. The lack of a touchscreen might seem old-school, but the traditional dials and buttons reward those who like tactile feedback without fumbling on a slippery glass surface.

Conversely, the Nikon S800c is lighter and more travel-friendly at 184g and a thinner 27mm profile (111×60×27mm). Its sleek, rounded shell feels nimble slipping in and out of jacket pockets or small bags - a boon for street photographers and travelers prioritizing compactness.

While the Fujifilm’s chunkier body might intimidate cheapskate compacts clubs for thumbs, I personally found its controls more satisfying to use when composing under pressure. The Nikon’s all-smooth, touchscreen-driven interface responds well but lacks the physical shortcuts that seasoned shooters often crave.

Design and User Interface: Manual Tradition vs Smart Simplicity

Looking down at their tops tells a lot about each camera’s philosophy. The XF1 boasts dedicated dials for shutter speed and exposure compensation, plus an aperture priority mode - rare in compacts of its era. These give the user creative control a real boost if you like to manually tweak settings without diving into menus. You’ll find a single control dial near the thumb, though the relatively small number of cross-type autofocus points and lack of focus peaking hold it back from mirrorless-grade precision.

The Nikon S800c leans heavily into simplicity and connectivity. There's no shutter priority or manual aperture, only program and auto modes. Instead, its touchscreen OLED lets you scroll through settings and creative filters comfortably - perfect for beginners or anyone wanting quick results with minimal hassle. The 10x zoom feels generous, but the thinner body sacrifices some button real estate and control customization.

If you’re coming from SLRs and want more direct control with instant adjustments, the XF1 wins here. For casual users or tech-savvy shoots who value convenience and Wi-Fi/GPS built-in, Nikon makes a strong case.

Sensor and Image Quality Deep Dive: Bigger is Better, But How Much?

Under the hood, these compacts differ significantly in sensor size and performance. The Fujifilm XF1 sports a 2/3" EXR CMOS sensor measuring 8.8x6.6mm - quite large for compacts - with a resolution of 12 megapixels. Its sensor benefits from Fujifilm’s unique color science and EXR tech designed to optimize dynamic range or low-light sensitivity depending on the mode.

The Nikon S800c uses a smaller 1/2.3" BSI CMOS sensor (6.17x4.55mm) with 16 megapixels. Despite the higher pixel count, the smaller sensor area limits the light-gathering capability and noise performance compared to Fujifilm’s chip.

In real-world trials, the XF1 consistently delivers cleaner images at ISO 800 and above. Its wider maximum aperture of f/1.8 on the wide end gives extra advantage in low light and allows for more natural background separation - key for portraits and creative bokeh.

The Nikon’s 10x zoom comes at the expense of maximum aperture (f/3.2-5.8), so shooting in dimmer conditions pushes ISO higher, increasing noise. On landscapes shot at well-lit mid-range ISOs, the Nikon shows sharpness and detail but slightly diminished dynamic range and color depth compared to Fujifilm.

In summary: if image quality is paramount and you don’t mind the shorter zoom, the XF1’s sensor trumps the S800c, capturing richer colors and cleaner shadows. For versatility and zoom reach, Nikon trades off some IQ.

Screen and User Interface: OLED Touch vs Fixed TFT

The XF1 employs a 3-inch fixed TFT LCD with 460K dot resolution and no touchscreen functionality. This works fine for framing and menu navigation, though the lower pixel count translates to less pop and detail, especially under strong sunlight or when reviewing images.

In contrast, the S800c’s 3.5-inch OLED display with 819K dots dazzles with vibrant colors and deep blacks. Its touchscreen interface makes zooming via pinch, changing settings, and scrolling through photos swift and instinctive.

For street or travel shooters, the Nikon’s larger, more responsive screen gives an edge in situational awareness and quick composition. However, in cold weather or with gloves, physical controls like those on the Fujifilm make operation easier.

Autofocus and Burst Shooting: Speed vs Accuracy in Dynamic Situations

Let’s talk action: wildlife, sports, or fleeting street moments demand a reliable AF system and frame rate.

The XF1 uses contrast detection autofocus with face detection and center-weighted focus area. It offers continuous AF and single AF but lacks advanced tracking or eye/animal detection. Its burst shooting clocks in at a decent 7 fps.

Nikon’s S800c has similar contrast AF, but with 9 focus points and center-weighted metering centered on face detection and tracking autofocus - courtesy of its Expeed C2 processor. Its continuous shooting speed edges up to 8 fps, slightly faster.

In hands-on testing chasing fast-moving subjects, the Nikon’s tracking showed fewer missed focus locks and was quicker to reacquire in good light. However, both cameras struggle under low light or with erratic movement compared to mirrorless or enthusiast bridge cameras.

Sports shooters or wildlife enthusiasts craving sharp focus on unpredictable subjects might find the S800c’s autofocus more forgiving, though neither camera will keep pace with top-tier systems.

Lens and Zoom Range: From Wide to Long Reach - The Versatility Factor

Fujifilm XF1 front Fujifilm XF1 screen back Nikon S800c front Nikon S800c screen back

Fujifilm XF1’s 4x zoom lens spans 25-100mm (35mm equivalent) with a bright f/1.8-4.9 aperture range. The wide aperture at the 25mm wide end delivers superb performance in low light and beautiful bokeh for portraits.

Nikon compromises the aperture for a whopping 10x zoom of 25-250mm but with a variable aperture of f/3.2-5.8, dimming brightness considerably at higher focal lengths.

For macro work, the Fujifilm’s 3cm close-focusing limit allows tighter framing and more detailed shots of small subjects compared to Nikon’s 10cm minimum focusing distance.

In landscape scenes, Nikon’s longer reach can isolate distant subjects, such as mountain peaks or wildlife, better, but the reduced sharpness and aperture can limit quality. Portraits favor Fujifilm’s wider aperture for smoother skin tones and subject separation.

Durability and Build Quality: Who Can Take More?

Neither camera offers weather sealing, waterproofing, or shock resistance, so both require careful handling. The XF1 feels more robustly constructed with metal body panels and firm dial clicks - a reassuring partner for outdoor shoots.

Meanwhile, the Nikon’s plastic-y shell and slimmer profile trade ruggedness for portability. Neither is a pro “grab and go” all-weather beast, but the Fujifilm’s heft better handles intentional pressing through varying conditions.

Battery Life and Storage: Keeping You Shooting Longer

Battery-wise, the S800c rates around 140 shots per charge with a rechargeable EN-EL12 battery, reflecting its Android-based smart platform’s power demands.

The Fujifilm XF1’s NP-50 battery life isn’t officially stated but in practice yields roughly 230 shots per charge - roughly 50% more endurance. It’s more efficient thanks to fewer wireless features and simpler guts.

Both support SD/SDHC/SDXC cards but have only one slot - typical for compacts but worthy of note for pros wanting backup card redundancy.

Connectivity and Extra Features: Smart or Classic?

This is one area Nikon clearly targeted tech-savvy users. The S800c runs Android OS, offering built-in Wi-Fi for photo sharing, GPS tagging, and app-based editing. It’s a precursor to modern smart cameras and integrates well with social media workflows.

The Fujifilm XF1, by contrast, lacks wireless capabilities entirely. With a USB 2.0 port for transfers and an HDMI out for playback, it stays firmly in the “traditional compact” camp of direct camera-only imaging.

Having tested both in various workflows, I can say Nikon’s connectivity features make it hands-down more versatile for casual shooters wanting instant sharing without a computer. But the tradeoff is battery drainage and a less tactile shooting experience.

Specialized Photography Disciplines: Where Do They Fit?

Portrait Photography

XF1’s fast aperture and accurate face detection produce flattering skin tones and natural bokeh. The fixed prime-style lens excels here. Nikon’s smaller aperture yields less background blur and noisier low-light portraits.

Landscape Photography

Nikon’s longer zoom captures distant views better, but smaller sensor limits dynamic range slightly. XF1 offers richer shadow detail thanks to its EXR sensor, useful for high-contrast nature scenes.

Wildlife Photography

S800c’s 10x reach and better AF tracking give it an edge shooting unpredictable wildlife, albeit sensor noise becomes a factor in low light.

Sports Photography

Neither camera will satisfy fast-action pros, but Nikon’s marginally faster burst shooting and tracking autofocus make it a slightly better choice for casual sports.

Street Photography

XF1’s discreet size, tactile controls, and better low-light IQ win for urban shooters wanting quick manual override. Nikon’s touchscreen and zoom complement wide-to-tele range shooting but at cost of slower handling.

Macro Photography

Fujifilm’s near 3cm minimum focus distance beats Nikon’s 10cm, allowing more detailed close-ups.

Night and Astrophotography

Smaller sensors struggle here, but XF1’s brighter lens and better low-light ISO performance offer cleaner images. Nikon’s sensor noise and slow aperture hinder night scenes.

Video Capabilities

Both offer Full HD 1080p at 30fps with H.264/MPEG-4 compression, but no mic or headphone jacks limit serious vlogging usability. Nikon edges out with USB 3.0 transfer speed.

Travel Photography

Both suit travelers; Nikon’s lightness and zoom rival XF1’s image quality and manual control. Battery longevity favors XF1.

Professional Workflow

XF1 supports raw shooting; Nikon does not, a key advantage for pros editing images in Lightroom or Capture One.

Value Analysis: What You Get for Your Dollar

*Prices fluctuate on used market; comparison based on initial MSRP and typical used value.

For photographers craving control and image finesse, the Fujifilm XF1 provides outstanding value still today, especially when paired with post-processing. Nikon’s S800c appeals to travelers and casual users who prize zoom versatility and instant sharing over absolute image quality or creativity.

My Final Verdict: Who Should Buy Which?

• Choose the Fujifilm XF1 if...

  • You prioritize image quality with cleaner ISO performance and better color rendering
  • Manual exposure controls and aperture priority mode matter to you
  • You want RAW files for professional editing workflows
  • You are shooting portraits, macro, or low-light environments frequently

• Choose the Nikon S800c if...

  • You need a compact camera with long zoom reach for wildlife or travel photos
  • You want built-in GPS and Wi-Fi for instant geotagging and wireless sharing
  • You prefer a touchscreen for easy setting changes and playback
  • You shoot casual day-to-day scenes without the desire for advanced manual control or RAW support

While the Fujifilm XF1 screams enthusiast compact camera with solid sensor technology and thoughtful manual options, the Nikon S800c boldly embraces the nascent smart-camera trend - a curiosity at the time but perhaps ahead of its time in usability.

Ultimately, your choice hinges on which feature set aligns best with your shooting style. Neither is perfect for pro sports, wildlife, or astrophotography, but they each carve a respectable niche in budget-friendly compacts for those who want more camera and better photos without the bulk.

Appendix: Detailed Performance Breakdown

From portrait bokeh to landscape dynamic range, this side-by-side scoring reveals how the XF1 outperforms Nikon in multiple creative areas, while Nikon holds modest advantages in zoom reach and connectivity.

In sum, both are worthy contenders - but your priorities in ergonomics, image quality, and features should guide your hand.

Thanks for joining me on this deep dive. Keep considering your unique needs, budget, and shooting style before pulling the trigger. A great compact is a stepping stone to better photography, and both Fujifilm XF1 and Nikon S800c have their place in the enthusiast’s arsenal.

If you want more hands-on test photos and detailed crop comparisons, check out my full gallery:

Fujifilm XF1 front Fujifilm XF1 screen back Nikon S800c front Nikon S800c screen back

Happy shooting!