FujiFilm F300EXR vs Sony HX100V

FujiFilm F300EXR vs Sony HX100V: A Detailed Comparison for Enthusiasts Eyeing Small Sensor Superzooms

When it comes to compact superzoom cameras, the FujiFilm FinePix F300EXR and Sony Cyber-shot DSC-HX100V stand out as interesting choices from the early 2010s. Both models seek to pack versatility into relatively compact bodies while catering to enthusiasts who crave long zoom ranges yet don’t want the bulk or complexity of interchangeable lenses.

Having spent many days outdoors with cameras in this class, I know the subtle but meaningful differences shape daily shooting experiences. So let’s dive into a hands-on, technically grounded yet approachable comparison between these two cameras. We’ll explore their strengths, weaknesses, technical details, and ultimately figure out who they’re really best suited for.

Feels and Size: Compact vs Bridge - Handling Matters

First things first: how do these cameras feel in your hand and on the go?

The FujiFilm F300EXR is a pocketable compact camera with a sleek, minimal design. It measures 104 x 59 x 33 mm and weighs a ridiculously light 215 grams. Hold it loosely in your hand, and it’s barely noticeable in a jacket pocket or purse. Ideal for travel or casual shooting when lugging minimal gear is a priority.

In contrast, the Sony HX100V is a true “bridge camera” - larger and more DSLR-like in shape, with solid ergonomics geared to enthusiasts. Its size is 122 x 87 x 93 mm and weight hits 577 grams, nearly triple the Fuji’s mass. That optical grip, knurled dials, and substantial body provide confidence for longer shooting sessions.

The tradeoff here is obvious: Fuji offers supreme portability; Sony provides better handling and control surface. If you prefer a nimble everyday camera, Fuji wins hands down. But if you want something that fits better for extended shooting or one-handed zooming, Sony’s heft and grip feel more purposeful.

Top View and Control Layout: Precision or Simplicity?

Moving our inspection to the top controls, the FujiFilm F300EXR comes with straightforward, compact physical controls - nothing fancy, very streamlined.

The Sony HX100V, on the other hand, features a more complex top panel with dedicated mode dials, zoom rocker, and shutter handles designed for faster tactile operation. For those used to DSLR ergonomics, it feels familiar and precise.

If you want quick manual exposure tweaking, you’ll appreciate Sony’s dedicated dials over Fuji’s more menu-driven approach. However, Fuji keeps things minimalist for easy point-and-shoot use, especially for users who are overwhelmed by too many buttons.

Sensor Technology and Image Quality: The Heart of the Camera

This is crucial. Both cameras wield small sensors typical of superzoom compacts, but their specifications differ. The FujiFilm uses a 1/2" CCD sensor with 12 megapixels. Sony employs a slightly smaller 1/2.3" BSI-CMOS sensor with 16 megapixels.

Physically, Fuji’s sensor area measures 6.4 x 4.8 mm (30.72 mm²) whereas Sony’s is slightly smaller at 6.17 x 4.55 mm (28.07 mm²).

Now, here’s where it gets interesting: Fuji’s EXR processor aims to optimize dynamic range and reduce noise through adaptive pixel binning modes - a fairly advanced concept in 2010. It can switch modes depending on whether you want higher resolution, better dynamic range, or lower noise.

Sony’s BSI-CMOS sensor technology (back-side illuminated) improves low-light sensitivity by letting more light reach the photodiodes. You also see a 16MP resolution bump, giving slightly finer detail when shooting in good light.

Image quality takeaway:

• Fuji’s EXR sensor offers improved dynamic range performance, helping lands, skies, and shadows retain detail.
• Sony’s sensor excels in low light due to BSI architecture and higher resolution - expect crisper images at base ISOs.
• Both include antialiasing filters that slightly soften images to avoid moiré but maintain decent sharpness.

Practically, Fuji’s photos at base ISO can look punchier with well-controlled shadows. Sony’s shots produce cleaner results above ISO 800, good for indoor or dusk shoots. Neither camera will challenge mirrorless or DSLRs in image quality, but within their class, Sony’s sensor edges out Fuji’s for most-day shooting, especially in challenging light.

LCD Screens and Viewing Experience

The rear screens are vital in framing and reviewing images.

Fuji comes with a 3" fixed LCD panel with modest 460k-dot resolution. Sony boasts a 3" tilting LCD with a sharper 921k-dot resolution and “XtraFine” TruBlack technology, reducing reflections and improving contrast.

Though Fuji’s LCD suffices for basic composition, it can feel a bit dim in bright sunlight and lacks flexibility for low or high angle shooting. Sony’s tilt screen makes shooting from unusual angles far easier - a real boon for macro or candid street shots without drawing too much attention.

So if you need a more versatile LCD experience, Sony firmly wins. Fuji keeps things simple but functional.

The All-Important Lens: Zoom Range and Aperture

Both cameras feature fixed lenses offering immense versatility, but with key differences.

• FujiFilm F300EXR: 24-360mm equivalent focal range (15x zoom), aperture F3.5-5.3
• Sony HX100V: 27-810mm equivalent focal range (30x zoom), aperture F2.8-5.6

The Sony HX100V’s zoom stretches twice as far into the telephoto territory, peaking at 810mm equivalent - great if wildlife or sports telephoto reach matters. Fuji’s slightly wider 24mm wide end is beneficial for landscapes and environmental portraits, though.

The faster aperture at the wide end of Sony’s lens (F2.8 vs F3.5 on Fuji) provides an edge in low light and shallow depth-of-field effects, though neither lens rivals dedicated primes in bokeh quality.

Fuji offers a macro focus limit of 5cm, beneficial for close-ups, while Sony does not specify macro focusing range, but users noted reasonable close-focusing despite the massive zoom.

In summary, Sony’s lens is the more ambitious with enormous zoom reach plus a slightly faster wide aperture, making it more versatile across diverse shooting needs.

Autofocus and Shooting Speeds: How Fast and Accurate?

FujiFilm F300EXR autofocus relies on contrast-detection systems with no continuous or tracking AF features, offering only single AF. It can be a bit sluggish and sometimes hunts in low light. No phase detection or face detection is available.

Sony HX100V employs a 9-point contrast-detect AF array with multi-area selection and manual focus option. While still contrast-based, it is noticeably faster and more reliable, with quicker lock-on times, especially in decent light. No advanced face detection but better autofocus flexibility.

Continuous shooting speeds further underscore Sony’s advantage:

• Fuji maxes at around 2 FPS (frames per second)
• Sony cranks out up to 10 FPS burst rate

For sports, wildlife, or action photography, Sony’s autofocus and burst shooting capabilities deliver meaningful benefits.

Outdoor Durability and Weather Sealing

Neither camera has environmental sealing or rugged build ratings like water/dustproof or shockproof features. Fuji’s compact form means it naturally fits in pocket protected storage, while Sony’s larger size demands more protective carrying options.

Neither is ideal for extreme or wet conditions without aftermarket protective housings.

Battery, Storage, and Connectivity

Both cameras use dedicated lithium-ion batteries - Fuji’s NP-50 and Sony’s NP-FH50 - offering roughly similar battery life, though Sony’s larger body typically can accommodate higher capacity in practice.

Storage wise, Fuji sticks to SD/SDHC cards and an internal buffer, while Sony accepts a wider range including SD/SDHC/SDXC and Sony’s proprietary Memory Stick formats - good if you own compatible memory cards already.

Connectivity options reveal a larger gap:

• Fuji lacks wireless capabilities and GPS.
• Sony HX100V supports Eye-Fi card wireless image transfer and has built-in GPS for geotagging images.

In travel or fieldwork, Sony’s GPS functionality is a practical advantage for organizing images with location metadata.

Video Performance: Basic vs Advanced HD

If video is on your radar, Sony offers a clear edge.

Fuji’s F300EXR records capped at 1280×720 resolution, 24 fps, in Motion JPEG format. Essentially basic HD video with limited frame rates and less-efficient codec, leading to larger files. No external microphone input or advanced video features.

Sony HX100V offers 1920x1080 Full HD recording at 60 fps (or 1440 x 1080 at 30 fps) in efficient MPEG-4/AVCHD formats. You get smoother high-definition footage, optical steady shot image stabilization, and modest manual exposure control.

Neither has microphone inputs or advanced video-oriented features like log profiles or 4K, but Sony’s overall video capability is clearly superior.

Real-World Image Samples and Performance

I tested both cameras side by side across several genres:

• Portraits showed Fuji struggled with slight softness and noisier images but produced pleasant color tones. Sony’s images were sharper with slightly less noise. However, neither camera impresses with bokeh quality; expect typical small-sensor depth of field. Both lack face or eye detection AF to enhance portrait workflow.

• Landscapes benefited from Fuji’s wider lens and decent dynamic range from EXR modes, especially in challenging sunlight. Sony’s higher resolution files allowed more cropping flexibility though with slightly reduced dynamic range.

• Wildlife shooting clearly favored Sony’s 30x zoom and faster burst rates. Fuji’s 15x zoom limited framing options, and slow continuous shooting prevented capturing action sequences.

• Sports photography was tougher for Fuji’s autofocus and 2 FPS rate, while Sony’s 10 FPS and faster AF yielded more usable shots.

• Street photography pointed again at Sony’s faster AF, versatile zoom, and tilting screen for candids, though Fuji’s compactness made it more discreet.

• Macro shots were easier on Fuji due to closer focusing distance.

• Night and astrophotography were challenging on both due to sensor size, but Sony’s BSI sensor minimized noise better above ISO 800.

• Travel photographers will likely value Fuji’s portability highly, but Sony’s GPS and zoom versatility appeal more for multi-scenario shoots.

Summary Table: Strengths and Weaknesses

Who Should Buy Which Camera?

If you prize extreme portability, simple operation, and a decent all-around zoom without the weight, the FujiFilm FinePix F300EXR remains an appealing choice - especially for casual travel, family snapshots, and those on a strict budget. It performs reasonably well in landscapes and macro, with a useful EXR sensor that helps dynamic range a bit.

The Sony Cyber-shot HX100V is for enthusiasts who want more versatility: long telephoto reach to 810mm, a tilting high-res screen, faster autofocus with decent burst shooting, solid full HD video, and useful features like built-in GPS. Its larger size and higher price pay off if your photography challenges extend to wildlife, sports, or street photography requiring zoom and speed.

Final Ratings and Performance Scores

For a quick glance, here’s how they stack up overall and by photography type:

You’ll notice Sony outperforms Fuji in most dynamic categories except compact travel where Fuji’s small size rules.

In Closing: An Expert’s Take

Small sensor superzoom cameras from this era often force compromises: sensor size limits image quality and low-light performance, zoom lenses require tradeoffs in aperture speed and sharpness, and speed features remain modest.

Between these two, Sony offers a significantly more versatile package, but at cost - literally and in size. Whereas Fuji provides shoot-and-go convenience that can be a blessing in casual contexts.

If it were my weekend camera for hiking and casual urban exploration, I might pick the Fuji for its grab-and-go form factor. But for any telephoto-reliant work or video, Sony’s HX100V would be my pick, especially given the advanced sensor tech and superior AF.

Dear manufacturers, please bring back the sweet spot of small superzoom bridge cameras with modern sensors and more intuitive controls - the hunger for all-rounder pocketable cameras with creative potential still hasn’t faded!

Feel free to ask if you want me to dive deeper into particular shooting styles or specific image samples from these models. Until then, happy shooting!

FujiFilm F300EXR front FujiFilm F300EXR screen back Sony HX100V front Sony HX100V screen back