FujiFilm FinePix S4000 vs Sony Cyber-shot DSC-HX10V: A Hands-On Superzoom Showdown

Choosing the right camera from the "small sensor superzoom" category has never been straightforward. Between bridging portability and versatility, these cameras promise the convenience of a wide zoom range without the fuss of interchangeable lenses. But how do the 2011 FujiFilm FinePix S4000 ("S4000") and the 2012 Sony Cyber-shot DSC-HX10V ("HX10V") compare in the nitty-gritty of usability, image quality, and overall performance? Drawing on many hours of field testing, lab evaluations, and real-world shooting, I’ll walk you through their technical makeup, strengths, and trade-offs, and help you decide which model might suit your photography goals best.

At a Glance: Size, Feel, and Controls

Right away, the FujiFilm S4000 strikes you as a classic bridge camera - a bit larger, with a robust, SLR-inspired body. It weighs around 540 grams and measures 118x81x100 mm. In contrast, the Sony HX10V is significantly more compact and lighter at 234 grams, all packed into a sleek 105x60x34 mm body.

This size difference hits harder in the hand and on the go. The Fuji’s bulk demands two hands for steady shooting and feels more purposeful if you prefer a firm grip and physical control clusters. The Sony is more pocketable - better suited for travel, street, and casual everyday users reluctant to lug extra weight.

Looking from the top, you’ll notice the FujiFilm’s controls include dedicated dials for shutter speed and aperture - quite unusual for this category, offering more manual muscle at your fingertips. Sony’s HX10V keeps it simple with fewer physical buttons, leaning on menus and touchscreen-less interface.

Ergonomics here dictate who’ll get more pleasure and precision from each camera’s handling system. If you value tactile dials and a commanding grip, FujiFilm holds the advantage. If discretion and minimalism feel more natural, Sony takes the lead.

Sensors and Image Quality Fundamentals

Both cameras employ a 1/2.3-inch sensor, measuring roughly 6.17 x 4.55 mm, standard fare in this class, but that’s where the similarities end. The FujiFilm S4000 packs a 14-megapixel CCD sensor, while the Sony HX10V opts for an 18-megapixel BSI-CMOS sensor.

From experience testing thousands of cameras, I can tell you that CCD sensors of this era like Fuji’s tend to offer pleasing color rendition but struggle with high ISO noise and dynamic range, especially as ISO goes beyond their native 1600 top. The Fuji does have sensor-shift stabilization, which is useful in lower light.

Sony’s BSI-CMOS sensor in the HX10V generally provides better noise control and improved dynamic range - particularly with the higher max ISO of 12,800 versus Fuji’s 6400 - but this also comes with trade-offs in color accuracy and texture at base ISO.

When shooting landscapes or portraits where highlight recovery and subtle tonal gradation are critical, I found Sony’s sensor the more forgiving partner. Fuji’s camera, though, holds up well in daylight conditions and renders skin tones pleasantly warm - something to consider for portrait enthusiasts.

Viewing Your Shot: Screen and Electronic Viewfinder

Both offer a 3-inch rear display but differ significantly in resolution and type. The FujiFilm’s fixed LCD sports a modest 460k-dot resolution, while Sony’s boasts a sharp 922k-dot XtraFine TruBlack LCD with excellent viewing angles.

For composition and reviewing images, Sony’s LCD earns top marks for clarity and color fidelity, which greatly influences - you guessed it - the shooting experience, especially when working outdoors.

The FujiFilm S4000, however, comes with an electronic viewfinder covering about 97% of the frame, although its resolution isn’t specified and is somewhat basic. The Sony HX10V forgoes any viewfinder, relying solely on its LCD. This is an important consideration depending on your shooting style and lighting situations. Viewfinders can be a lifesaver under bright sunlight or when improving stability by bracing the camera against your face.

Zoom and Lens Performance: How Far and How Sharp?

The hallmark of any superzoom camera is its lens reach and quality, so let’s dig deeper.

The FujiFilm has an extraordinary 30x zoom range spanning 24-720mm equivalent focal length with a maximum aperture of f/3.1 to f/5.9. This monstrous reach comes with compromises, though, primarily in image softness at the telephoto end and loss of sharpness wide open.

Sony’s HX10V offers a shorter 16.7x zoom, covering 24-400mm equivalency with a slightly slower max aperture of f/3.3-5.9 but is tactically designed for more consistent sharpness and image quality across its range.

Having tested both in comparable conditions, I can say if your photography means wildlife or distant subjects where reach matters more than premium optics, the Fuji gives you that extra reach, though image quality at 720mm can be underwhelming.

But for everyday travel, street, and portrait shooting, Sony’s lens provides overall crisper results, better contrast, and faster autofocus efficiency (we’ll get to that shortly).

Autofocus Systems: Speed, Accuracy, and Tracking Realities

Autofocus performance determines success in fast-moving or unpredictable environments. Both cameras feature contrast-detection AF but differ in focus area options and speed.

The FujiFilm S4000 supports continuous AF, single AF, and tracking but doesn’t offer face or eye-detection AF features. Sony HX10V adds face detection with nine focus points, which I’ve found helpful when shooting portraits or street images involving people.

In practice, the Sony is considerably snappier at acquiring focus, mostly due to its BIONZ processor and optimized contrast-detection system. The Fuji’s contrast-detection AF can feel slower and less reliable in low light or telephoto settings.

For wildlife and sports photographers needing decisive, accurate autofocus, neither camera fully measures up to modern mirrorless standards, but Sony’s tracking and face detection give it a practical edge.

Continuous Shooting and Shutter Speeds: Catching the Action

With continuous shooting speeds, the Sony excels at 10 fps (frames per second) in burst mode, whereas the FujiFilm lags far behind with just 1 fps. This massive difference points to the sensor, processor, and buffer capabilities.

Sony’s faster shutter speeds max out at 1/1600s, suitable for most daylight action. FujiFilm offers a max shutter speed of 1/2000s but with slower buffer and continuous shooting capabilities.

For capturing sports, children, or fleeting street moments where multiple frames per second matter, Sony clearly outperforms Fuji here.

Image Stabilization: Keeping Your Shots Sharp

Both cameras include image stabilization, but the technology and effectiveness differ. FujiFilm relies on sensor-shift stabilization, physically moving the sensor to counteract shake, effective across zoom ranges but limited in very low light.

Sony HX10V uses optical stabilization embedded in the lens, generally regarded as more efficient at compensating for shake during telephoto zooming and video shooting.

Field tests showed Sony’s optical stabilization provides crisper images at slower shutter speeds and smoother hand-held video - a meaningful consideration when shooting in varied, uncontrolled environments.

Video Capabilities: HD Resolutions and Formats

Video is becoming a critical feature even for stills-focused photographers. The FujiFilm S4000 shoots 720p HD video at 30fps, encoded in Motion JPEG - a format notorious for large files and comparatively low compression efficiency. No external microphone inputs limit audio capture to the onboard mic.

Sony HX10V significantly upgrades video abilities, offering full 1080p HD at 60fps in AVCHD format, delivering cleaner compression and smoother motion capture. Though it also lacks external audio ports, the video quality and frame rate flexibility are heads and shoulders above the Fuji.

For vloggers or multimedia creators on a budget, the Sony offers a compelling package.

Battery Life and Power Sources: Longevity on the Road

Battery life can be make-or-break for travel and event photographers. FujiFilm uses 4 AA batteries, rated at approximately 300 shots per charge. The AA format allows users to source replacements worldwide easily, including rechargeables, but can add bulk and cost over time.

Sony employs a proprietary NP-BG1 lithium-ion battery, rated at 320 shots per charge, slightly better but reliant on its charger and replacements being available or packed.

Personally, I prefer Sony’s lightweight battery and more compact charging solution, but knowing your shooting conditions will determine which suits your habits.

Connectivity, Storage, and Extras

In connectivity, Sony HX10V includes built-in GPS and supports Eye-Fi wireless memory cards for image transfer - a notable convenience for travel photographers who want geo-tagging and wireless backups.

FujiFilm S4000 lacks any wireless or GPS features, reflecting its era.

Both rely on SD/SDHC cards but Sony’s support extends to SDXC and proprietary Memory Stick Duo formats, offering more flexibility.

No touchscreen on either, so menu navigation involves physical buttons and traditional controls.

Handling Various Photography Disciplines

Now, how do these technical aspects translate to specific genres? Below is my evaluation based on extensive field testing:

Portrait Photography

FujiFilm produces pleasing skin tones with slightly warmer color rendering, benefiting portrait work. Its built-in face detection is absent, making precise focus on eyes less straightforward.

Sony scores better autofocus-wise with face detection, faster AF, and higher resolution for detailed portraits. However, its cooler color balance might require tweaking in post.

Sony’s better stabilization also assists in low-light portrait shots without flash, minimizing blur.

Landscape Photography

Landscape photography demands dynamic range and resolution. Sony’s 18MP sensor and CMOS editor are advantageous here, delivering richer detail and better highlight recovery.

FujiFilm’s lens reach is extraordinary but quality diminishes at extremes. Weather sealing is missing in both, so caution in rugged conditions.

Both cameras offer manual exposure modes for fine control.

Wildlife Photography

Fuji’s 720mm equivalent zoom is tempting for wildlife, but slow autofocus and 1 fps burst rate limit effectiveness.

Sony’s faster AF and 10 fps burst, albeit at 400mm max zoom, give better chances to capture sharp, decisive wildlife images.

Sports Photography

Sony’s fast burst rates and AF tracking position it as better for sports enthusiasts shooting fast-paced action.

Fuji’s slower 1 fps burst and sluggish AF make tracking moving athletes tough and frustrating.

Street Photography

Sony’s compact size, fast AF, and discreet presence serve street shooters best.

Fuji’s weight and bulk may limit spontaneity but dials and controls appeal to manual shooters.

Macro Photography

Both offer close macro ranges - Fuji down to 2cm, Sony to 5cm. The sensor-shift stabilization on the Fuji helps handheld macro shots, but Sony’s sharper lens produces better detail overall.

Night / Astro Photography

Low light performance teeters in favor of Sony with higher ISO limits and better noise control.

Neither camera offers long exposure modes ideal for astrophotography, but manual exposure controls help experimenters.

Video Capabilities

As discussed earlier, Sony’s full HD at 60fps trump Fuji’s 720p at 30fps. Optical stabilization aids hand-held movie shooting.

Travel Photography

Sony’s smaller size and GPS feature outshine Fuji’s heavier, bulkier design. Battery life is close, but Sony’s better video and wireless abilities add value when traveling light and sharing images on the go.

Professional Work

Neither camera suits heavy professional workloads. Absence of RAW support in both severely limits workflow flexibility. Fuji’s manual dials are nice but lack robust AF and sensor tech. Sony offers better image quality and faster operation, better for casual or semi-pro use.

Putting It All Together: Performance Scores

For a quick, weighted snapshot of overall and genre-specific scores based on my testing:

Sony HX10V leads in nearly every category - from autofocus to video to travel utility - with Fuji only scoring higher in ultimate zoom reach.

Sample Image Gallery: Real-World Comparisons

Let me show you how these cameras perform side by side in daylight, telephoto zoom, low light, and macro images.

FujiFilm S4000 front FujiFilm S4000 screen back Sony HX10V front Sony HX10V screen back

Notice that Sony images retain more detail and less noise, especially at higher ISO and longer zooms, while Fuji attempts to stretch zoom range but often at the cost of sharpness.

Final Thoughts and Recommendations

So - what’s your best pick? Here’s my seasoned take tailored to your priorities:

• If you want maximum zoom reach for casual wildlife, distant subjects, or just like exploring extremes, and don’t mind bulk, slower performance, and no video ambition, pick the FujiFilm FinePix S4000. It’s a heavy-duty zoom freak’s toy with surprisingly capable stabilization.

• If you prefer faster responsiveness, superior image and video quality, better continuous shooting, and travel-friendly size with convenient features like GPS, go for the Sony Cyber-shot DSC-HX10V. Its smaller footprint and smarter AF system make it my pick for enthusiasts needing an all-rounder superzoom.

• Budget-conscious? FujiFilm S4000 usually comes at a lower price point (around $279 versus $616 for Sony in past retail pricing), so considering value per dollar, it might suit beginners or hobbyists on a tight budget.

• For multimedia and hybrid shooters, the Sony’s video specs and wireless connectivity provide clear advantages.

• Neither supports RAW files or advanced weather sealing, so professionals should look elsewhere but casual to intermediate shooters will find useful features here.

Closing Notes From My Workshop

Having put these cameras through my typical battery of lab tests and outdoor environments - street festivals, park wildlife, and sunset landscapes - I appreciate how each caters to a distinct niche. They reveal the compromises inherent in the small sensor superzoom category: size versus zoom reach, speed versus simplicity, quality versus cost.

Your choice hinges on what you prioritize more - reach or responsiveness, portability or manual control, video or stills.

Hopefully, this thorough comparison helps cut through the specs clutter and aids your decision with real-world experience and expert insight.

Go shoot something memorable - regardless of which you choose.

If you enjoyed this deep dive or want to see side-by-side video reviews and sample image comparisons, stay tuned to my channel and blog, where I continue putting cameras to the test with honest, hands-on clarity.

Happy clicking!