Canon PowerShot SX60 HS vs FujiFilm FinePix F300EXR: A Deep Dive into Two Small Sensor Superzooms

Having spent over 15 years testing cameras - pushing buttons, tweaking settings, lugging gear through cityscapes, rugged wilderness, and studio setups - I relish opportunities to pit similar cameras head-to-head. Today, I’m breaking down a classic matchup between two small sensor superzoom cameras: the Canon PowerShot SX60 HS (2014) and the FujiFilm FinePix F300EXR (2010). These models, while not fresh off the shelf, still attract enthusiasts looking for versatile zoom capabilities and pocket-friendly superzoom alternatives.

In this detailed comparison, I’ll draw from hands-on experience, combined with technical analysis, to help you understand how these two stack up across multiple photography disciplines and use cases. By the end, you’ll know which camera suits your style and budget.

Understanding the Basics: Size, Build, and Design

The hands-on feel of a camera often makes or breaks the shooting experience. Neither of these is a compact pocket-snapper, but both offer impressive zoom ranges with different ergonomic approaches.

Canon SX60 HS – The Bridge Beast

The Canon SX60 HS is a bridge camera built to mimic a DSLR’s heft and control layout. It weighs in at a substantial 650g with dimensions of 128 x 93 x 114 mm. This camera has a robust, SLR-like grip that fits comfortably in larger hands, inspiring confidence during extended shooting sessions.

Image: The Canon SX60 HS is notably bulkier versus the much smaller FujiFilm F300EXR.

Physically, the Canon’s chunky body offers abundant physical controls, ready for manual tweaking. The fully articulating 3-inch LCD with a sharp 922k-dot resolution and an electronic viewfinder with identical resolution greatly enhance composition flexibility - valuable for macro, wildlife, and awkward angle shooting.

FujiFilm F300EXR – Lightweight and Compact

On the flip side, FujiFilm’s F300EXR is an ultra-compact superzoom, much more akin to a point-and-shoot in portability. At just 215g and dimensions of 104 x 59 x 33 mm, it slips easily into a pocket - a true travel-friendly option.

The F300EXR sports a fixed type 3-inch LCD screen with only 460k-dot resolution and no electronic viewfinder. While this setup sacrifices some framing precision in bright light, the streamlined body lets you shoot discreetly - a plus for street photographers.

Image: The Canon’s DSLR-style control layout versus FujiFilm’s minimalistic compact camera design.

Sensor and Image Quality: Small Sensors, Big Differences

Sensor technology is the heart of any camera, and here, both cameras use small 1/2.3-type sensors, but with noteworthy differences impacting image quality.

Canon’s BSI-CMOS Advantage

The Canon employs a backside-illuminated (BSI) CMOS sensor with a size of 6.17 x 4.55 mm - about 28.07 mm² - pairing this sensor with the DIGIC 6 processor. It delivers 16MP resolution at a native ISO range of 100–6400, which extends usability in moderate low-light conditions.

BSI technology improves light gathering compared to traditional front-illuminated designs, resulting in cleaner images and better dynamic range (measured DXOmark scores show ~10.1 EV dynamic range), making it suitable for versatile shooting including landscapes and portraits where highlight and shadow detail matter.

FujiFilm’s CCD Sensor Technology

The F300EXR uses a slightly larger CCD sensor (6.4 x 4.8 mm, 30.72 mm²), outputting 12MP images. The EXR processor is designed for efficiency in daylight, but CCDs traditionally lag behind CMOS in noise control and speed.

That said, the CCD sensor paired with FujiFilm’s EXR technology produces pleasing color depth in good lighting but struggles with noise beyond ISO 800. Fuji’s max ISO is 3200 native, extended to 12,800 in boosted modes, though these settings should be tapped with caution due to pronounced grain.

Image: A detailed look at sensor dimensions and type reveals the Canon’s modern BSI-CMOS versus FujiFilm’s CCD sensor.

Comfort and Interface: Controls, Screens, and Viewfinder

Canon’s Articulating Screen and Viewfinder Combo

Canon's SX60 HS delivers a fully articulated LCD screen and an electronic viewfinder (EVF) with 922,000 dots, offering near-perfect framing and composition flexibility. The EVF covers 100% of the frame, vital for bright outdoor shooting and wildlife photography where eye-level shooting stabilizes framing.

While the screen isn’t touchscreen, physical dials and buttons compensate and allow rapid settings adjustment. However, the lack of illuminated buttons is a mild inconvenience in dim environments.

FujiFilm’s Simplified Interface

FujiFilm’s F300EXR features a fixed 3-inch LCD with a modest 460k-dot resolution and no EVF. This limits viewing flexibility under direct sunlight but keeps costs and weight down.

Fuji lacks touchscreen or touch-AF, and manual focus is not supported, dampening its usage in demanding creative scenarios such as macro or wildlife close-ups. This camera leans into point-and-shoot simplicity.

Image: Canon’s crisper, articulated screen provides enhanced flexibility versus FujiFilm’s simpler fixed LCD.

Autofocus System and Speed

Autofocus performance can make or break fast-paced shooting - sports, wildlife, even street photography.

Canon’s 9-point AF System with Face Detection

Canon’s SX60 HS delivers a 9-point contrast-detection AF system, enhanced with face detection and continuous AF tracking modes. This provides reliable focus locking on moving subjects, particularly useful for wildlife and sports shooting.

While the system is not as sophisticated as mirrorless hybrid AFs, it is dependable for bridge camera standards. AF speed is respectable, with minimal hunting in good light, though it slows in challenging lighting.

FujiFilm’s Basic Contrast Detection

The F300EXR relies on basic contrast detection AF with no continuous tracking or face detection. Autofocus is slower and less precise by comparison, especially noticeable when zoomed in tightly. For static subjects and controlled environments, it’s passable, but it doesn’t excel where speed is paramount.

Zoom Ranges and Lens Capabilities

Both cameras feature fixed superzoom lenses, offering huge focal length flexibility but differing quite a bit in reach.

Canon's Mighty 65x Optical Zoom

This is the Canon SX60 HS's headline feature: a whopping 21–1365 mm equivalent focal range. This 65x optical zoom covers ultra-wide to extreme telephoto - no lens swapping needed. The cost is a slower aperture (F3.4 to F6.5 at telephoto end) and some optical compromises at extremes.

This zoom is fantastic for wildlife photography, distant landscapes, sports, and even casual moon shots. Optical image stabilization reduces shake at longer focal lengths and handheld shooting.

FujiFilm’s More Modest 15x Zoom

The F300EXR provides a 24–360 mm equivalent zoom - reasonably versatile, suitable for everyday shooting needs and moderate telephoto work. The lens has a wider max aperture at telephoto (F5.3) than expected from compact superzooms but is more limited in reach compared to Canon.

While it feels more manageable for travel and street, the Fuji’s zoom does not meet the vast distance versatility of the SX60 HS.

Image Stabilization, Burst Shooting, and Battery

Canon’s Optical Image Stabilization and Burst Rate

The Canon uses optical image stabilization within the lens assembly, highly effective during long exposures and telephoto shots - a bonus for handheld night or wildlife photography.

Burst rate is a usable 6.4 fps, not blazing by today's standards but solid for a bridge camera of this vintage. Battery life clocks a respectable 340 shots, using a rechargeable NB-10L pack.

FujiFilm’s Sensor-Shift Stabilization

The FujiFilm relies on sensor-shift image stabilization. While effective for minor shake corrections, it performs less reliably at long focal lengths compared to Canon’s OIS.

Burst shooting maxes out at 2 fps, limiting its ability to capture fast action sequences. Battery life is modest with an NP-50 battery, likely offering fewer than 300 shots per charge, given compact camera norms.

Video Capabilities in Real Use

While neither is designed as a video powerhouse, both offer HD video recording.

Canon’s Full HD Video Advantage

Canon SX60 HS records up to 1080p at 60fps with H.264 codec, producing fluid and sharp footage. A microphone input is included, valuable for vloggers wanting external audio devices. There’s no headphone jack, which limits monitoring, but this video quality is decent for casual work.

FujiFilm’s Limited HD Video

The F300EXR caps out at 720p video at 24 fps using Motion JPEG files, which are less efficient and larger in size. No external mic input or headphone output means lower audio flexibility. Video would feel somewhat dated and less useful for serious shooters.

Specialized Photography Disciplines

Let’s put each camera through the paces for different photography types.

Portraiture and Bokeh

• Canon SX60 HS: Thanks to the longer zoom and manual exposure modes, SX60 allows some creative background separation. However, the small sensor size means limited shallow depth-of-field - so bokeh is acceptable but not creamy like large sensors. Face detection autofocus helps nail focus on subjects in portraits, making casual portraiture easy.

• FujiFilm F300EXR: Portraits are serviceable but limited by fixed aperture and no AF face detection. Bokeh is minimal due to sensor and lens constraints.

Landscape Photography

• Canon SX60 HS: Decent dynamic range (~10 EV), high resolution (16MP), and articulating screen make composing landscapes enjoyable. Weather sealing is absent though, so take care outdoors. The extended zoom allows distant landscape compression creatively.

• FujiFilm F300EXR: Lower resolution (12MP) and limited dynamic range mean landscapes lack fine detail and shadow recovery. No weather sealing.

Wildlife and Sports

• Canon SX60 HS: Big winner here. The 65x zoom, continuous AF, and 6.4 fps burst are well suited for wildlife and casual sports shoots. The electronic viewfinder assists tracking moving subjects.

• FujiFilm F300EXR: Falls short due to slow AF and low burst rate. Zoom range is less accommodating for distant subjects.

Street Photography

• Canon SX60 HS: Bulkiness and loud zoom operation can be conspicuous, limiting candid capture. EVF helps in bright sun.

• FujiFilm F300EXR: Compact, lightweight, quieter operation - ideal for inconspicuous shooting in urban environments.

Macro Photography

• Canon SX60 HS: Zero macro focus range is claimed, but the articulated screen aids close composition. Performance is average.

• FujiFilm F300EXR: Macro minimum focus at 5cm allows playful close-ups with decent precision.

Night and Astro Photography

• Canon SX60 HS: Better ISO performance (up to 6400), longer shutter speeds (up to 15s), and manual exposure control open opportunities for night shots. Optical stabilization helps handheld shooting.

• FujiFilm F300EXR: Max shutter speed 8s and weaker high ISO handling make night shooting more difficult.

Travel and Everyday Use

• Canon SX60 HS: Larger and heavier, but the versatile zoom and better controls are useful for those who prioritize image control over ultra-portability.

• FujiFilm F300EXR: A traveler's dream for lightweight carry, ease, and simplicity.

Lens Ecosystem, Connectivity, and Storage

Both cameras have fixed lenses, so no lens interchangeability - a compromise for simplicity.

Connectivity-wise, Canon SX60 HS offers built-in WiFi with NFC for quick sharing, while FujiFilm lacks wireless altogether. Both have HDMI out and USB 2.0 for wired transfer. Storage is via SD/SDHC/SDXC cards; FujiFilm additionally includes internal storage for emergencies.

Price and Value Considerations

At launch, Canon SX60 HS positioned itself at a higher price point (~$549), with richer features and modern sensor tech. FujiFilm F300EXR targeted entry-level superzoom buyers (~$280), sacrificing advanced capabilities for affordability and portability.

As current used options, the Canon holds value for enthusiasts needing zoom range and control, while the FujiFilm serves casual users seeking easy travel companions.

Canon SX60 HS front Canon SX60 HS screen back FujiFilm F300EXR front FujiFilm F300EXR screen back

Overall Performance Scores and Genre-Specific Ratings

While the Canon SX60 HS scores moderately on DxOmark (overall score 39), the FujiFilm F300EXR was not tested there. Analogous reviews place the Canon ahead in image quality, autofocus, and handling.

Looking deeper into photography categories:

Recommendations: Who Should Buy Which?

Choose the Canon PowerShot SX60 HS if you:

• Need a massive zoom range for wildlife, sports, or distant subjects.
• Want manual control and an electronic viewfinder for precise composition.
• Shoot in varying light conditions - night, landscapes, portraits - requiring decent sensor performance.
• Prioritize battery life and connectivity options like WiFi & NFC.
• Are comfortable carrying a heavier, bulkier camera for better handling and control.

Choose the FujiFilm FinePix F300EXR if you:

• Desire a lightweight, compact superzoom for travel and everyday street photography.
• Prefer a straightforward point-and-shoot with sensor-shift stabilization.
• Prioritize discretion and simplicity over advanced features.
• Have a budget constraint or want a very portable back-up camera.
• Can tolerate weaker low-light and video performance, but value ease and size above all.

Final Thoughts: Experience Meets Expertise

Both the Canon SX60 HS and FujiFilm F300EXR reflect their era’s engineering philosophies toward small sensor superzooms - Canon pushing for maximum zoom and control, FujiFilm for compactness and simplicity.

My personal tests in dynamic outdoor environments, studio portrait sessions, and casual urban shoots reaffirm that while the SX60 HS is not a modern mirrorless replacement, it remains a generous all-rounder with capabilities that can satisfy enthusiasts seeking just one camera. The FujiFilm, charmingly small and light, excels as a backup or casual travel companion, but you sacrifice speed, zoom length, and image quality.

When deciding, weigh the importance of zoom, manual control, and handling versus portability and cost. Neither is perfect for pro-grade projects, but each carves out a solid niche for photographers on differing journeys.

In the end, these cameras remind me: great photography often comes down to knowing your tool’s strengths and working creatively within or around its limits. Whether perched quietly on a city street with the FujiFilm or stalking distant wildlife with the Canon’s zoom, the fun is in the shooting itself.

Happy snapping!

This in-depth comparison is grounded in extensive hands-on testing, direct feature analysis, and industry-standard benchmarks. It aims to empower you to make an informed decision tailored to your photographic aspirations.