FujiFilm JX300 vs Sony HX30V: A Hands-On Comparison of Two Compact Cameras

Over more than 15 years of hands-on testing with hundreds of cameras, I’ve learned that compact cameras - even entry-level and enthusiast models - each carve out their own niche depending on your photography style, needs, and budget. Today, I’m diving deep into two compact shooters that arrived in the early 2010s: the FujiFilm FinePix JX300, a straightforward small sensor compact from 2011; and the Sony Cyber-shot DSC-HX30V, a more advanced small sensor superzoom from 2012.

Both offer compact convenience but target very different photographers. From snap-happy beginners looking for a point-and-shoot solution to travel enthusiasts craving zoom versatility - this detailed comparison pulls from my own extensive testing, technical evaluation, and photography discipline experience to help you decide which camera makes more sense today, given your needs.

Here you see the physical size difference: FujiFilm JX300 is truly pocketable and slim, while the Sony HX30V is chunkier - yet still compact for a superzoom.

First Impressions & Handling: Ergonomics Matter

Starting with the FujiFilm JX300, its petite frame weighs just 130 grams (battery included) and measures a slender 94 x 56 x 24 mm. It feels fit-for-pocket light and simple. Controls are minimalistic with no manual dials or exposure options - just point and shoot. The fixed 2.7-inch screen offers 230k dots, which is modest but decent for framing in daylight. I quickly noticed the absence of a viewfinder, which is standard in this class but makes composition feel a little less grounded in bright sunlight.

In contrast, the Sony HX30V advances ergonomics considerably. While still a compact-size unit, weighing 254 grams and measuring 107 x 62 x 35 mm, it features a more textured grip and a larger 3-inch 922k-dot “XtraFine TruBlack” LCD. This brings appreciably better viewing angles and sharpness especially in outdoor shooting conditions. Controls are likewise more comprehensive, including manual focus rings, exposure compensation, and an intelligently laid out top panel.

Sony HX30V’s richer set of controls is evident in the top layout compared to the simplified FujiFilm JX300.

In my personal workflow, I find that better handling and tactile controls improve the shooting experience immensely - particularly for prolonged sessions or when you want to tweak settings on the fly. When testing these two, HX30V’s more substantial grip and button layout translated to quicker adjustments and reduced hand fatigue.

Sensor and Image Quality: The Heart of the Matter

Both cameras use the same physical sensor size: 1/2.3” (measuring 6.17 x 4.55 mm) with an area of just 28.07 mm². This sensor size is common among budget compacts and superzooms, balancing sensor cost and zoom capability.

Despite identical sensor size, image quality performance differs because of sensor technology and resolution:

The FujiFilm JX300 uses an older CCD sensor, which delivers decent resolution but starts to struggle at high ISOs beyond 400. Its maximum boosted ISO of 3200 can produce noisy images, limiting performance in dim environments.

The Sony HX30V’s back-illuminated CMOS sensor incorporates more modern technology, enabling higher native ISO (up to 12800) with improved noise control and dynamic range. The 18MP count also grants greater cropping latitude and finer detail resolution.

While sensor size remains the same, sensor technology and resolution significantly impact image quality between these models.

In real-world testing, the HX30V consistently produced cleaner low-light images and better handled shadows and highlights, making it a stronger candidate for indoor, evening, and creative low light photography.

Display and Interface: Your Window to the Scene

The FujiFilm’s 2.7” fixed LCD with 230k-dot resolution is quite basic - adequate for casual framing, but insufficiently sharp for checking details post-shot. There is no touchscreen or articulation, which restricts flexibility.

By comparison, the Sony HX30V’s 3” 922k-dot TruBlack display dramatically outshines it in clarity, color fidelity, and visibility under sunlight. Though not a touchscreen, the screen’s brightness and contrast elevate framing comfort, essential during extended outdoor use.

Sony HX30V’s large, high-resolution screen gives photographers better control and composition confidence.

User interface differences are notable: the JX300 features a simple menu with limited options - no manual exposure modes, no white balance customization beyond basic presets, and minimal image adjustment tools.

The HX30V, however, offers manual focus, manual exposure mode, exposure compensation, and customizable white balance. This equips photographers with broader creative control, a definite plus for enthusiasts looking to learn camera techniques without jumping into interchangeable-lens territory.

Zoom and Lens Performance: From Wide to Tele

Here lies a major distinction:

• FujiFilm JX300: 5x zoom, 28-140 mm equivalent, max aperture f/2.6 to f/6.2
• Sony HX30V: 20x zoom, 25-500 mm equivalent, max aperture f/3.2 to f/5.8

The FujiFilm offers a standard zoom range enough for landscapes, portraits, and casual telephoto shots but nowhere near the reach of the Sony.

Sony’s extensive telephoto range is a standout advantage for wildlife, sports, and travel photography - scenes demanding flexible framing from tight close-ups to wide vistas.

I tested both cameras in outdoor environments with fast-moving subjects. The FujiFilm’s reach capped at 140mm limits framing options sharply for distant subjects. The HX30V allowed tight, long-distance shots up to 500mm, albeit with expected quality trade-offs at full zoom due to inherent small sensor compromises.

Moreover, Sony’s lens includes optical stabilization, vital at longer focal lengths to reduce camera shake. FujiFilm’s JX300 lacks any form of image stabilization, significantly hampering handheld telephoto sharpness.

Autofocus and Shooting Speed: Capturing the Moment

The FujiFilm JX300’s contrast-detection autofocus system operates acceptably for steady subjects but exhibits a sluggish pace and hunting in low contrast or low light. Autofocus tracking and face detection features are absent, further limiting candid or fast-action photography.

In contrast, the Sony HX30V couples its 9-point autofocus with face detection and tracking, notable features for ensuring focused results on moving subjects, especially people or animals. While it lacks continuous autofocus during video, the autofocus speed and accuracy for stills impressed me across various lighting conditions.

Another key difference: continuous shooting rates.

• FujiFilm JX300: 1 fps continuous – effectively single shot
• Sony HX30V: 10 fps continuous burst

The HX30V’s fast burst enables capturing sports, wildlife behavior, or fleeting expressions - something the JX300 cannot meaningfully achieve.

Flash, Exposure, and Low Light: Performance When Light Fades

Both cameras feature built-in flashes, but with differing effective ranges:

• FujiFilm JX300 flash reach: ~3.00 meters
• Sony HX30V flash reach: ~7.10 meters

The Sony’s greater flash range allows for better fill or dim-light shooting at moderate distances.

On exposure control, the JX300 has no exposure compensation or priority modes, limiting the photographer to fully automatic settings - fine for snapshots but frustrating if you desire creative exposure adjustments.

The HX30V supports exposure compensation, manual aperture, and shutter speed control, opening creative doors in difficult lighting or artistic settings.

Nevertheless, the lack of high ISO raw files on either is a limitation, requiring reliance on JPEG processing.

Video Capabilities: Recording with Convenience

In video mode, both record HD but at different levels.

• FujiFilm JX300: 1280 x 720 (30 fps) in Motion JPEG format
• Sony HX30V: Full HD 1920 x 1080 (60 fps), plus lower-resolution modes in MPEG-4, AVCHD

The Sony again showcases its superiority, delivering full HD video at double frame rate, contributing to smoother footage suitable for casual video work.

Neither includes microphone or headphone inputs, so audio quality is limited to built-in stereo, but the higher resolution and better frame rates on Sony make it the better video choice.

Build Quality and Durability: Real World Use

Both cameras lack environmental sealing, waterproofing, and shock proofing - standard for small sensor compacts.

Sony’s HX30V, due to its larger size and more robust plastic housing, feels more solid and capable of handling travel conditions, albeit with some care. FujiFilm JX300 is ultraslim and less robust, better kept away from rugged scenarios.

Connectivity and Storage: How They Keep Up

Connectivity is a significant differentiator.

The FujiFilm JX300 does not offer wireless connectivity; transferring images requires connecting via USB 2.0.

The Sony HX30V includes built-in GPS and wireless (Wi-Fi), useful for geotagging photos and convenient image transfer. HDMI output enables direct playback on TVs, absent on FujiFilm.

Both support SD/SDHC cards, but Sony also accepts Memory Stick variants, adding compatibility options.

Battery life favors the Sony with around 320 shots per charge versus the FujiFilm’s 180, reflecting HX30V’s more modern battery system and optimization.

In the Field: How These Cameras Perform Across Photography Genres

Having evaluated these models in real-world settings and studios, here’s how each shines or struggles across common photography disciplines:

Portrait Photography

• FujiFilm JX300: The 14MP CCD sensor renders skin tones as pleasant but somewhat flat. Lack of face detection autofocus hampers precise eye focusing, and without aperture priority, control over background blur (“bokeh”) is minimal.
• Sony HX30V: Face detection AF ensures sharp focus on eyes, with manual exposure modes allowing better control of depth of field. The lens aperture range (f/3.2-5.8) limits creamy bokeh but zoom flexibility enables decent framing.

Landscape Photography

• FujiFilm’s resolution and color capture are adequate for casual landscapes, but dynamic range is limited; shadows and highlights clip at times.
• Sony’s enhanced sensor colors and dynamic range better retain subtle hue gradations and detail, plus its longer zoom encompasses wide views and distant peaks.

Wildlife Photography

• FujiFilm’s telephoto end (140mm) falls short for wildlife, and slow AF impedes tracking fast animals.
• Sony’s 500mm equivalent zoom combined with 10 fps burst and subject tracking AF makes it surprisingly capable for entry-level wildlife capture under daylight.

Sports Photography

• FujiFilm’s single fps burst and limited AF options mean missed action sequences.
• Sony’s higher frame rate and tracking mean improved chances of grabbing decisive moments, though shutter lag still limits pro-level sports capture.

Street Photography

• JX300’s discreet pocketable size primes it for candid street shots, though lack of AF face detection can frustrate quick portraits.
• HX30V’s bulkier body and zoom may be less stealthy but offers zoom versatility to capture street details at a distance.

Macro Photography

• FujiFilm can focus as close as 10cm but lacks stabilization; image sharpness requires a steady hand.
• Sony’s 1cm macro capability plus optical image stabilization facilitate sharper close-ups with finer details, lending it an edge here.

Night / Astrophotography

• FujiFilm’s limited ISO range and high noise at boosted ISOs compromise low light usability.
• Sony’s higher ISO ceiling and better noise control help capture darker scenes and starry skies though long exposures are still limited by battery and sensor size.

Video

• FujiFilm delivers basic 720p video; acceptable for casual clips.
• Sony produces full HD at 60 fps with superior codec support, suitable for travel vlogs or social content.

Travel Photography

• FujiFilm’s pocket-friendly size and straightforward operation appeal to minimalist travelers prioritizing simplicity.
• Sony balances compactness with versatility - long zoom, GPS tagging, and better battery life make packing heavier but more capable.

Professional Work

• Neither camera meets professional standards for RAW capture, sensor size, or durable build. Sony’s manual modes and zoom might support casual freelance assignments or fieldwork where portability is key.

FujiFilm JX300 front FujiFilm JX300 screen back Sony HX30V front Sony HX30V screen back

Technical Summary: What’s Under the Hood

Who Should Consider These Cameras?

FujiFilm FinePix JX300

• Ideal for absolute beginners or casual users who want an ultra-simple, pocketable camera.
• Great as a basic everyday snapper with automatic operation.
• Budget-conscious buyers who want a cheap, lightweight point-and-shoot without fuss.
• Casual family photography or travel where convenience outweighs image quality.

Limitations: Avoid this model if you want manual control, high zoom, shooting fast action, or better low-light performance.

Sony Cyber-shot DSC-HX30V

• Enthusiasts and hobbyists needing a versatile compact superzoom.
• Travel photographers who benefit from longer reach, GPS tagging, and better battery life.
• Situations demanding fast and accurate autofocus, burst shooting, and manual controls.
• Those wanting higher-res photos and full HD video capability from a pocketable device.

Limitations: Bulkier than ultra-compact compacts, and while versatile, it lacks professional-grade sensor size, raw format, or ruggedness.

Final Thoughts from My Testing

In full transparency, I have no affiliations with FujiFilm or Sony, but I’ve personally tested both these cameras extensively in field conditions encompassing nature hikes, city walks, indoor shoots, and evening gatherings. From those experiences, I can confidently attest that the Sony HX30V holds clear advantage for most photography enthusiasts and travelers who desire greater creative control, zoom reach, and image quality.

However, the FujiFilm JX300 retains value as a super-lightweight, ultra-simple tool for casual shooting, especially for novices or those prioritizing budget. It performs admirably in good light and simple compositions where manual tweaks aren’t necessary.

When choosing your next compact camera from these two, consider your primary photography needs:

• If you want simplicity, minimal fuss, and very compact dimensions, the FujiFilm JX300 is a decent choice.
• If you want the ability to shoot more creatively, venture into manual exposure modes, require long zoom reach, or want smoother video, the Sony HX30V is worth the investment.

I hope this in-depth comparison guides you effectively, balancing technical detail and practical experience so you find the camera that best supports your photographic journey.

If you have specific shooting scenarios you want to discuss or want me to dive deeper into any area, just let me know. I love drilling into the details that really matter to photographers on the ground.

Happy shooting!