FujiFilm FinePix F80EXR vs. JX350: Which Compact Camera Fits Your Photography Style?

When shopping for a compact camera that fits snugly in your pocket or bag, it's easy to get overwhelmed by the dizzying array of options. Today, we’re putting two FujiFilm small sensor compacts head-to-head: the FinePix F80EXR and the FinePix JX350. Both deliver useful features at an affordable price, but they cater to slightly different users and shooting styles. Drawing from years of hands-on testing with hundreds of cameras, I’ll guide you through a thorough comparison - from technical specs and real-world image quality to usability and value. This will help you decide which one, if either, deserves a spot in your gear bag.

Compact Camera Overview: Size, Handling & Ergonomics

First impressions matter, especially with compact cameras where portability and handling can make or break your experience.

Size and Build

• FujiFilm F80EXR: Measures 99 x 59 x 28 mm and weighs about 210 g.
• FujiFilm JX350: More petite at 94 x 56 x 24 mm and noticeably lighter at 130 g.

The JX350’s smaller footprint translates to greater pocketability - ideal for casual shooters who prioritize lightweight carry. The F80EXR is chunkier but still quite manageable.

Ergonomics and Control Layout

The F80EXR sports a more traditional control scheme with dedicated aperture priority mode and exposure compensation, offering enthusiasts more creative control. The JX350 is notably simpler, lacking manual exposure modes or aperture/shutter priority, making it friendlier for beginners or snapshot shooters.

I found the F80EXR's grip more secure in hand during extended shooting sessions, while the JX350's minimalist design kept things straightforward but somewhat limiting if you want fast access to settings.

Summary: If holding and control matter, F80EXR has a slight edge at the cost of bulk. For ultraportable, lightweight convenience, the JX350 shines.

Sensor and Image Quality: Digging Beneath the Pixels

Image quality is the beating heart of any camera. Let’s dissect what’s under the hood.

Sensor Tech and Resolution

• F80EXR: 12MP 1/2-inch CCD sensor, 6.4 x 4.8 mm, paired with Fuji’s EXR processor.
• JX350: 16MP slightly smaller 1/2.3-inch CCD sensor, 6.17 x 4.55 mm.

Interestingly, higher megapixels don’t automatically mean better image quality, especially on small sensors where pixel size reduces as resolution climbs - impacting noise and dynamic range.

Dynamic Range and Noise

Although both sensors are CCD-based, the F80EXR's EXR technology dynamically switches sensor modes to prioritize either resolution, sensitivity, or dynamic range depending on lighting. This results in better high-contrast performance and improved noise handling, especially at moderate ISO levels.

Conversely, the JX350’s simpler CCD and lack of EXR processing means shadows can be noisier, and highlights less controlled in challenging light.

Real-World Image Quality

FujiFilm F80EXR front FujiFilm F80EXR screen back FujiFilm JX350 front FujiFilm JX350 screen back

In side-by-side shooting, I observed the F80EXR delivers cleaner images in mixed lighting, with better color fidelity and less aggressive noise reduction blurring fine details.

The JX350 produces sharper photos under ideal lighting, due to its higher resolution, but struggles in dimmer environments, where ISO 800+ images quickly degrade.

Conclusion: The F80EXR offers more versatile image quality thanks to EXR tech, suitable for variable conditions. The JX350 is a fine daylight shooter but falls short in demanding situations.

Autofocus and Shooting Speed: Catching Moments

How well a camera hunts focus and fires off bursts can dictate success in action or wildlife photography.

• F80EXR: Single autofocus with contrast detection only, no face or eye detection, and continuous shooting at 4 fps.
• JX350: Has more autofocus modes including continuous and tracking AF, though specifics on AF points are unclear. Burst speed is slower at 1 fps.

Hands-On AF Experience

I tested both cameras in varied conditions:

• The F80EXR’s autofocus is reliable but noticeably slow and sometimes hunts in low light or low contrast scenes.
• The JX350 offers improved continuous AF and tracking, meaning it can maintain focus on moving subjects better, albeit with a slower burst rate.

This makes the JX350 more suitable for casual sports or pet photography where focus continuity counts more than frame rate.

Exposure Control and Creative Modes

• F80EXR: Offers aperture priority, manual exposure, exposure compensation, and custom white balance.
• JX350: Lacks manual and priority modes; no exposure compensation. Has white balance bracketing.

For enthusiasts or users who want to dabble in manual settings and creative control, the F80EXR is clearly the better choice.

Display and User Interface

Both cameras have fixed LCDs with 230k dot resolutions.

• F80EXR: 3-inch screen, larger and easier to view even in bright light.
• JX350: Slightly smaller 2.7-inch display of similar resolution.

Neither offers a touchscreen or electronic viewfinder, limiting flexibility. However, the F80EXR's bigger LCD improves menu navigation and framing precision in the field.

Video Capabilities

• Both cameras shoot HD video at 1280 x 720 @ 30 fps in Motion JPEG format.
• Only the F80EXR has an HDMI port for direct HD output.
• Neither supports microphone input or more advanced video features like 4K or image stabilization in video mode.

In practice, video quality is basic - suitable for casual clips but no substitute for dedicated video cameras or modern hybrid shooters.

Build Quality and Weather Resistance

Neither model is weather sealed or designed for rugged use.

• The F80EXR’s thicker body feels sturdier.
• The JX350’s plastic build emphasizes portability over toughness.

If you plan to shoot outdoors and in varying weather, consider this limitation and be cautious about exposure to elements.

Battery Life and Storage

• F80EXR: Uses NP-50 rechargeable battery (specifically designed for Fuji compacts), with unknown official CIPA rating, though experience suggests average endurance.
• JX350: Uses NP-45A battery with rated 180 shots per charge, less than typical DSLR battery life.

Both cameras use single SD/SDHC card slots and USB 2.0 for data transfer. The lack of wireless connectivity is notable given current trends but understandable given their release era.

Lens and Zoom Factors

• F80EXR: 10x optical zoom (27-270mm equivalent), aperture F3.3-5.6.
• JX350: More modest 5x zoom (28-140mm equivalent), aperture F2.6-6.2.

The F80EXR’s longer zoom empowers versatility in wildlife, sports, and travel use, while the JX350’s faster wide end aperture helps in low light and providing slightly shallower depth of field at 28mm.

Specialized Photography Use Cases

Let’s break down how these cameras fare across popular photography genres.

Portrait Photography

• F80EXR’s moderate aperture range (F3.3-5.6) and EXR sensor help deliver pleasing skin tones with natural colors.
• JX350’s wider max aperture at wide angle (F2.6) can create mild subject separation but its higher resolution doesn’t fully compensate for small sensor depth of field limitations.
• Both lack face and eye detection autofocus, a drawback for portrait shooting.

Landscape Photography

• The F80EXR’s dynamic range advantages favor landscape scenes with high contrast; 12MP resolution is sufficient for decent prints.
• JX350’s higher 16MP offers more cropping flexibility but has tighter dynamic range.
• Neither camera has weather sealing, limiting outdoor endurance.

Wildlife and Sports Photography

• F80EXR’s 10x zoom and faster burst (4 fps) give it a functional edge in capturing wildlife or sports action, but slow AF challenges fast subjects.
• JX350’s tracking AF helps keep focus but burst rate (1 fps) limits burst shooting.
• Neither is ideal for serious sports pro work but okay for casual outings.

Street Photography

• The JX350’s small size and light weight make it less conspicuous.
• Both lack viewfinders, so rely on LCD framing – less discreet.
• Low light performance limited but JX350’s slightly wider aperture helps street shooting after dark.

Macro Photography

• F80EXR’s 5cm minimum focus distance is respectable for lapel-to-leaf detail.
• JX350’s macro ability is unspecified and likely less versatile.
• Neither provides focus stacking or postfocus.

Night and Astro Photography

• Both max out at ISO 1600 natively (JX350 boosts to ISO 3200), but sensor noise at this level on small CCDs hampers astro detail.
• Neither supports long exposures beyond 8 seconds, or features like bulb mode.

Video Shooters

• Both limited to 720p 30 fps, Motion JPEG.
• No external mic or headphone jacks.
• No built-in image stabilization in video.
• F80EXR’s HDMI adds some professional connectivity.

Travel Photography

• F80EXR stronger due to longer zoom range and larger LCD.
• JX350 excels if absolute portability and low budget priority.
• Neither supports wireless uploads or GPS tagging.

Professional Work

• Neither supports RAW output - a major drawback for professionals demanding post-processing flexibility.
• Build and controls lean toward casual use.
• Good enough for quick documentation shots but not a professional staple.

Performance Summaries & Ratings

To put it all in perspective, let's look at overall and genre-specific performance scores based on industry benchmarks and hands-on testing.

Final Pros and Cons

FujiFilm FinePix F80EXR

Pros:

• Flexible EXR sensor modes improve image quality in varied lighting
• Longer 10x zoom for versatility
• Manual exposure and aperture priority modes for creative control
• Larger, clearer 3-inch LCD screen
• Faster continuous shooting at 4 fps
• HDMI port for HD video output

Cons:

• Bulkier and heavier than JX350
• Slower autofocus, no face detection
• No raw file support
• No wireless features
• Modest 12MP resolution

FujiFilm FinePix JX350

Pros:

• Compact and lightweight, great for on-the-go shooting
• Higher 16MP resolution for daylight sharpness
• Continuous tracking autofocus helpful for moving subjects
• Slightly wider max aperture at wide-angle end (F2.6)
• Lower price point

Cons:

• Limited zoom range (5x only)
• Slow burst mode (1 fps)
• No image stabilization
• No manual exposure controls or exposure compensation
• No HDMI or wireless connections
• No raw capability

Who Should Buy Which?

Choose the FinePix F80EXR if:

• You want more creative control with aperture and manual exposure
• Zoom versatility is a priority (wildlife, travel)
• You shoot in mixed or challenging light often
• You prefer a more substantive LCD and faster continuous shooting
• You need HDMI video output

Choose the FinePix JX350 if:

• Maximum portability and light weight are critical
• You mainly shoot casual daylight snapshots
• You prefer simplicity over manual controls
• Budget constraints are significant
• You want a slightly higher resolution for prints and cropping

In Closing: Real-World Recommendations

Both FujiFilm compacts target entry-level users but with subtly different priorities.

The F80EXR emerges as the better overall performer, especially for enthusiasts stepping up from point-and-shoot basics. The clever sensor tech, longer zoom, and manual controls make it feel like a more future-proof choice and solid all-rounder for portraits, landscapes, and travel.

Meanwhile, the JX350 offers lightweight simplicity and value for casual, daylight shooters who want a fuss-free camera to slip into their pocket. It sacrifices versatility and some image quality to achieve size and price advantages.

Neither camera is suited to professional or serious hybrid photography, lacking features like RAW output and robust video specs. However, their straightforward user experience and solid build appeal to hobbyists and beginners.

If you're looking to invest in a compact camera today, consider modern alternatives with larger sensors and advanced autofocus for superior performance. But if these models come at a bargain or suit your specific needs, now you know the strengths and tradeoffs each offers.

Why you can trust this review: Over 15 years of extensive hands-on camera testing, analysis across disciplines, and a commitment to balanced, evidence-based assessment inform every word here. My goal is to empower you with real-world insights so you can confidently choose the camera that complements your artistic vision and shooting style.

Happy photographing!