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

Nikon Coolpix P500

85

"We found that regardless of AF area mode, auto-focus speed was satisfactory for still subjects, but too slow for fast-moving ones. Manual focusing is also possible"
photographyblog.com | talking about the P500's auto-focus
"the Nikon Coolpix P500 remains a good choice for those who want the convenience of a superzoom but also require the creative control provided by a higher-end camera."
photographyblog.com | talking about the P500's overall-performance

Reasons to buy the Nikon Coolpix P500

Zoom
Great zoom
36x
Wide angle
Wide angle lens
23 mm
Screen resolution
High resolution screen
920k dots
Size
Really small
Professional size 116x84x103 mm
Weight
Light-weight
481 g
Fujifilm FinePix HS20 EXR

82

"High-speed movie shooting works well"
trustedreviews.com | talking about the HS20's video-quality
"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

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
Panorama
In-camera panoramas
Stitches together multiple photos into a panorama
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
Battery life Much longer battery life 400 shots vs 220 shots
Help
More than 80% more shots per battery charge
Panorama Can create panoramas in-camera Yes vs No
Help
Stitches together multiple photos for a wide perspective
Supports RAW Shoots RAW Yes vs No
Help
Digitally develop your own photos with precise image control
True resolution Significantly higher true resolution 10.6 MP vs 9.7 MP
Help
Capture around 10% more detail in your photos
External flash Supports an external flash Yes vs No
Help
An external flash often produces better looking flash images
High-speed framerate Higher speed movies 320 fps vs 240 fps
Help
More than 30% higher fps
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
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
82 vs 85
Explain scores
Nikon Coolpix P500 Nikon Coolpix P500
Green arrow Snapsort recommends the Nikon Coolpix P500.

advice

Need help deciding?

Ask the community!

I am considering either the Fujifilm HS20 or the Nikon P500,
For example: Taking photos in low light or great family photos or ability to take great photos underwater

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Are you a camera expert? Share your knowledge!

0
votes
by Magxane-Maglite last month
Fujifilm HS20 vs Nikon P500

To shoot some silver Jewellery, in order to settle a pro shooting for a catalogue........ I'm a ...

One person recommends the Fujifilm HS20:

" What Is the best way to work with this numeric Bridge - Is this a material easy to use without s..."

0
votes
by Kim-Neu 2 days ago
Fujifilm HS20 vs Nikon P500

What I am looking for is 1080p frames, frames per second up to 7, wide angle shooting is an opti...

0
votes
by Ali-Elhami last month
Nikon P500 vs Nikon P100

i wana use it in my travels and in parties, so i do not use it in profetional ways. i travel ...

1
votes
by Denise-Wilson last month
Fujifilm HS20 vs Panasonic DMC-FZ47

I am a beginner photographer and I love to take photos of nature. I take a lot of macro photos a...

One person recommends the Fujifilm HS20:

" I would recommend the HS20, it looks like it will meet all your needs. It has a good zoom, and i..."

0
votes
by Valantis-Iliakis last month
Fujifilm HS20 vs Nikon P7100

I am begginer and I like to take landscape photos

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 Very 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
Lowest price Very expensive Help
HS20:$299.00
P500:$299.99
Light sensitivity (boost) No boost ISO Help
Lacks boost light sensitivity
Size Large Help
HS20:130x90x126 mm
P500:116x84x103 mm
HDR Neither has in-camera HDR Help
You could do HDR manually
3D Neither camera can take 3D photos Help
No 3d support
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.

External mic jack Neither has an external mic jack Help
Limited to the in-camera mic

competitors

Shared Competitors

Advantages

Disadvantages

Canon Powershot SX40

Canon Powershot SX40

Super zoom

$347 - $380

Image stabilization Has better image stabilization
Supports 24p Records movies in 24p
Weight Is slightly heavier
Screen size Has a significantly smaller screen
Fujifilm FinePix HS30 EXR

Fujifilm FinePix HS30 EXR

Super zoom

$438 - $500

HDR Has in-camera HDR
3D Captures 3D images
Lowest price Is slightly more expensive
Thickness Is thicker
Nikon Coolpix P510

Nikon Coolpix P510

Super zoom

$397 - $400

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
Sony Cybershot DSC-HX100v

Sony Cybershot DSC-HX100v

Super zoom

$409

Image stabilization Has better image stabilization
GPS Has a built-in GPS
Lowest price Is slightly more expensive
Weight Is slightly heavier
Fujifilm FinePix HS25 EXR

Fujifilm FinePix HS25 EXR

Super zoom

$349 - $400

HDR Has in-camera HDR
3D Captures 3D images
Thickness Is thicker
Weight Is significantly heavier
Sony Cyber-shot DSC-HX200V

Sony Cyber-shot DSC-HX200V

Super zoom

$399

Image stabilization Has better image stabilization
HDR Has in-camera HDR
Lowest price Is slightly more expensive
Weight Is slightly heavier
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

Fujifilm FinePix HS20 EXR Competitors

Advantages

Disadvantages

Fujifilm FinePix HS10

Fujifilm FinePix HS10

Super zoom

High-speed framerate Higher speed movies
Continuous shooting Shoots faster
Light sensitivity Worse maximum light sensitivity
Screen resolution Lower resolution screen

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

discussion

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.