Fujifilm FinePix
HS20
 vs
Nikon Coolpix
P500

Updated (February, 2012): Compare the Fujifilm FinePix HS30 EXR vs Nikon Coolpix P510

Nikon Coolpix P500

100
"The Nikon Coolpix P500's image quality is good for a compact camera with a small image sensor."
photographyblog.com | talking about the P500's image-quality
"doubles up as an effective video camera thanks to its excellent video mode."
photographyblog.com | talking about the P500's video-quality

Reasons to buy the Nikon Coolpix P500

Zoom
 Great zoom
36x
Screen resolution
 High resolution screen
920k dots
High-speed framerate
 High speed movies
240 fps
Screen flips out
 Flip-out screen
Great for movies
Weight
 Light-weight
481 g
Fujifilm FinePix HS20 EXR

92
"the sensor-shift image stabilisation does a noteworthy job of compensating for camera shake at long focal lengths."
trustedreviews.com | talking about the HS20's image-stabilization
"If all-in-one convenience tops your priorities then the HS20 certainly ticks a lot of boxes and is well worth a look."
trustedreviews.com | talking about the HS20's overall-performance

Reasons to buy the Fujifilm FinePix HS20

High-speed framerate
 High speed movies
320 fps
True resolution
 High true resolution
10.6 MP
Light sensitivity
 High ISO
12,800 ISO
Screen flips out
 Flip-out screen
Great for movies
Supports RAW
 Shoots RAW
Better editing
External flash
 External flash
Better lighting

differences

Advantages of the Fujifilm HS20
Aperture Significantly wider aperture f/2.8 vs f/3.5
Help
 At its widest zoom, the HS20's lens captures slightly more light (0.6 f-stops)
Light sensitivity Better maximum light sensitivity 12,800 ISO vs 3,200 ISO
Help
 The HS20's maximum light sensitivity is 2 f-stops better
True resolution Significantly higher true resolution 10.6 MP vs 9.7 MP
Help
 Capture around 10% more detail in your photos
Supports RAW Shoots RAW Yes vs No
Help
 Digitally develop your own photos with precise image control
High-speed framerate Higher speed movies 320 fps vs 240 fps
Help
 More than 30% higher fps
External flash Supports an external flash Yes vs No
Help
 An external flash often produces better looking flash images
Sensor size Larger sensor 1/2" 6.4x4.8mm vs 1/2.3" 6.2x4.6mm
Help
 Around 10% larger sensor
Fastest shutter speed Significantly faster max shutter speed 1/4000s vs 1/2000s
Help
 2x faster max shutter speed
Longest exposure Significantly longer exposures 30s vs 8s
Help
 Around 4x longer exposures
Lowest price Slightly cheaper $298.99 vs $339.00
Help
 The best price we've seen is $40 cheaper (more than 10% less)
Fujifilm FinePix HS20 EXR Learn more about
the Fujifilm HS20

Advantages of the Nikon P500
Zoom Significantly more zoom 36x vs 30x
Help
 More than 40% more zoom
Screen resolution Significantly higher resolution screen 920k dots vs 460k dots
Help
 2x higher resolution screen
Size Significantly smaller 116x84x103 mm vs 130x90x126 mm
Help
 More than 30% smaller
Wide angle Better wide angle 23 mm vs 24 mm
Help
 Almost the same
Weight Significantly lighter 481 g vs 730 g
Help
 More than 30% lighter
Thickness Thinner 4.1" vs 5"
Help
 Around 20% thinner
Continuous shooting Shoots faster 10 fps vs 8 fps
Help
 Around 30% faster continuous shooting
Nikon Coolpix P500 Learn more about
the Nikon P500
vs

recommendations

Relative to the best recent super zooms, and ignoring price

Fujifilm FinePix HS20 EXR Fujifilm FinePix HS20
92 vs 100
Explain scores
Nikon Coolpix P500 Nikon Coolpix P500
Green arrow Snapsort recommends the Nikon Coolpix P500.

performance Which camera has better performance? Cast your vote!

FujifilmFinePix HS20
 Fujifilm FinePix HS20 EXR vs Nikon Coolpix P500
NikonCoolpix P500
Uses Travel score Travel
On holiday or vacation
296
122
Vote Vote
Sports score Sports
Fast action, sometimes indoors
238
101
Vote Vote
Features Low light image quality Low light image quality
Lack of noise, sharp details
247
86
Vote Vote
Color accuracy Color accuracy
White balance in varied lighting
229
80
Vote Vote
Autofocus peformance Still image focusing
Speed and accuracy
213
85
Vote Vote
Autofocus performance Video focusing
Speed and accuracy
205
84
Vote Vote
Manual controls Manual settings
How quickly and easily you can change settings
224
79
Vote Vote
Performance Image stabilization
Ability to reduce blur from hand shake
251
86
Vote Vote
Green arrow Join in the discussion below!

similarities

Compared to recent digicams

Common Strengths Common Weaknesses
Zoom Incredible zoom Help
HS20:30x
P500:36x
Screen flips out Flip-out screens Help
Great for movies
Movie format Both shoot high resolution HD movies Help
1080p @ 30fps
Wide angle Good wide angle Help
HS20:24 mm
P500:23 mm
High-speed framerate Extremely high speed movies Help
HS20:320 fps
P500:240 fps
Sensor type Better sensor types Help
Better in low light
Macro focus Good macro capabilities Help
1 cm
Continuous shooting Fast continuous shooting Help
HS20:8 fps
P500:10 fps
Viewfinder Both have digital viewfinders Help
Digital
Thickness Quite thick Help
HS20:5"
P500:4.1"
Weight Heavy Help
HS20:730 g
P500:481 g
Light sensitivity (boost) No boost ISO Help
Lacks boost light sensitivity
Size Large Help
HS20:130x90x126 mm
P500:116x84x103 mm
Touch screen No touchscreens Help
More buttons

Compared to recent super zooms

Common Strengths Common Weaknesses

Snapsort is not aware of any interesting strengths shared by these two products.

Snapsort is not aware of any interesting weaknesses shared by these two products.

competitors

Shared Competitors

Advantages

Disadvantages
Canon Powershot SX40

Canon Powershot SX40

Super zoom

$399
Image stabilization Has better image stabilization
Supports 24p Records movies in 24p
Lowest price Is slightly more expensive
Weight Is slightly heavier
Compare the Powershot SX40 vs the FinePix HS20
Compare the Powershot SX40 vs the Coolpix P500
Sony Cybershot DSC-HX100v

Sony Cybershot DSC-HX100v

Super zoom

$398 - $428
Image stabilization Has better image stabilization
GPS Has a built-in GPS
Lowest price Is slightly more expensive
Weight Is slightly heavier
Compare the Cybershot DSC-HX100v vs the FinePix HS20
Compare the Cybershot DSC-HX100v vs the Coolpix P500
Canon PowerShot SX30 IS

Canon PowerShot SX30 IS

Super zoom

$420
Image stabilization Has better image stabilization
Lowest price Is slightly more expensive
Weight Is slightly heavier
Compare the PowerShot SX30 IS vs the FinePix HS20
Compare the PowerShot SX30 IS vs the Coolpix P500
Fujifilm FinePix HS30 EXR

Fujifilm FinePix HS30 EXR

Super zoom

$643 - $705
Battery life Has a much longer battery life
Light sensitivity (boost) Has boost light sensitivity
Lowest price Is much more expensive
Thickness Is thicker
Compare the FinePix HS30 EXR vs the FinePix HS20
Compare the FinePix HS30 EXR vs the Coolpix P500
Nikon Coolpix P510

Nikon Coolpix P510

Super zoom

$430
Zoom Has much more zoom
Image stabilization Has better image stabilization
Fastest shutter speed Has a slower max shutter speed
Lowest price Is slightly more expensive
Compare the Coolpix P510 vs the FinePix HS20
Compare the Coolpix P510 vs the Coolpix P500
Nikon Coolpix L120

Nikon Coolpix L120

Super zoom

$227 - $247
Size Is slightly smaller
Image stabilization Has better image stabilization
Fastest shutter speed Has a slower max shutter speed
Viewfinder Doesn't have a viewfinder
Compare the Coolpix L120 vs the FinePix HS20
Compare the Coolpix L120 vs the Coolpix P500
Nikon D3100

Nikon D3100

Entry-level DSLR

$834 body only

$500 - $984 with 18-55mm lens
True resolution Takes much higher resolution photos
Supports 24p Records movies in 24p
Lowest price Is slightly more expensive
Screen flips out Doesn't have a screen which flips out
Compare the D3100 vs the FinePix HS20
Compare the D3100 vs the Coolpix P500

Fujifilm FinePix HS20 EXR Competitors

Advantages

Disadvantages
Fujifilm FinePix HS10

Fujifilm FinePix HS10

Super zoom

$496 - $630
High-speed framerate Higher speed movies
Continuous shooting Shoots faster
Light sensitivity Worse maximum light sensitivity
Screen resolution Lower resolution screen
Compare the FinePix HS10 vs the FinePix HS20

Nikon Coolpix P500 Competitors

Advantages

Disadvantages

No significant competitors found that are specific to the Nikon Coolpix P500.

appearance

Fujifilm FinePix HS20 EXR Nikon Coolpix P500
Fujifilm FinePix HS20 EXR Nikon Coolpix P500
Fujifilm FinePix HS20 EXR Nikon Coolpix P500

Find similar cameras

Here are some links to help you find other cameras with similar features to both of these:

discussion Which do you think is better?

Speech is free, but discussion at Snapsort is moderated! Please discuss your opinion of these cameras here, and discuss feedback for Snapsort at our support community.

Showing 13 comments

HLH (0:56 AM, November 28, 2011)
ola Viviane,
Gostaria de saber se voce já comprou e qual a camera. Também estou na dúvida entre a nikon P500 e a fujifilm HS20.
 
KING (1:24 AM, September 29, 2011)
Is P500 ranked high just because it got 36x zoom or there are other good reasons too ? The concern about HS20 having so many megapixels on such a small sensor and the following http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xm23SKOgyEs review . Whats your take .....?
 
Audliza90 (6:51 PM, September 27, 2011)
Hi everyone ..I am a design student and I intend to buy myself a camera for my school for my homework in Uni (mostly for potrait & macro usage)... currently there are promotion for Hs 20 in Msia for rm1688 (which is USD 535.23) is it user friendly , handy and worth to buy ?

Or I should invest on other brands like nikon or canon ?    Ur great advice will be much appreciated!
 
drm (11:31 PM, September 26, 2011)
Hi Viviane, if you didn't buy your cam yet I suggest you get a Canon T3i or Nikon D5100 since it seems you need good quality at low light with no flash. Other less expensive option is the Pentax K-r probably the best in this $ class for low light photography. I have an HS20EXR and love it but image quality is far behind the Pentax K-r from ISO1600.   
 
dpm (11:23 PM, September 26, 2011)
Got an HS20EXR this month with v1.03 firmware on it, no heating problem, fantastic image quality on manual modes specially 8MP up to ISO400, good up to ISO1600, don't recommend if you need ISO3200 or more with good quality (no match to a good entry level DSLR). Get focus all right on video when zooming from 24mm to 250mm after that it hunts a lot but if you take a picture while filming it gets instant focus so no problem with that. I think is the best mega-zoom out there, the sensor is impressive for this small size (1/2") and EXR rocks, lots of features, fast continuous shooting, extended dynamic range produces really nice pictures. I love this camera. 
 
KING (6:48 PM, September 25, 2011)
is HS20 still having the Heating problem ??
 
Harsh Himachal (5:59 PM, August 02, 2011)
i have got new hs 20 ,has a stunning image quality,better than nikon d 40 ,i have already tried
 
Eng_mido_joule (10:46 AM, August 02, 2011)
i get Fuji HS20 today , and simply i can say " THATS A BIG EXPERIENCE " i have get in all my life ... thanks fuji for the genius camera , im in love with my cam
 
Avatar for Snapsort Snapsort (1:55 PM, July 04, 2011)
The biggest difference between these point and shoot cameras and a DSLR like the D3100, is that a DSLR can be upgraded with lenses, flashes and other accessories, where as a point and shoot can not. 
If you have the budget I would suggest looking at the D3100, it is designed for beginners, with a great guide to help you set the camera up to take great photos.
 
Avatar for Viviane Fernandes Viviane Fernandes (11:47 PM, July 03, 2011)
I'm new in this, and i'm going to buy my first camera this week. I'm between this two cameras and D3100. My budget is no very high, up to $600 and I would wish a little help. I'll use the camera for landscape, pets and sometimes with movement. Would be nice if i could shot great pic at night and have the movie feature too. Any help on which one is a best deal for me?
 
grandma (2:12 AM, April 26, 2011)
having trouble choosing between nikon coolpix 500, fuji finepix hs20 and panasonic dmx fz100. need for zoom (kids h.s. sports, low light, also) need viewfinder, rapid pictures so i dont miss that tackle/catch/watersport pics. pls help
 
Avatar for Mark Mark (3:15 AM, March 29, 2011)
For those who are in murky waters of the right camera choice, considering finances, purpose of owning, and the latest technology, this site is superbly relevant in these high tech age.
 
Eliedata (6:21 PM, February 16, 2011)
I couldn't find enough information about the movie functions. Your website does not show whether a camera supports optical zooming & optical/mechanical image stablization while shooting movies.