Compact Superzoom Showdown: FujiFilm F550 EXR vs. Sony HX99

When it comes to small-sensor superzoom cameras, the choice often boils down to a balance between portability, zoom power, image quality, and usability. I’ve spent extensive time testing the Fujifilm FinePix F550 EXR, released in 2011, and the more recent Sony Cyber-shot DSC-HX99 from 2018 - two compact superzooms catering to enthusiasts who want everything in a pocketable package. Despite their similar categories, these cameras reflect distinct eras and design philosophies in compact camera engineering.

I’ll guide you through a detailed, no-nonsense comparison across technical features, real-world handling, and photographic versatility, helping you identify which camera is the better fit for your style and workflow.

Hands-On: Size and Ergonomics Matter More Than You Think

Compact cameras promise portability, but are all small bodies created equal? Not quite.

Look closely at this side-by-side size comparison. The Fujifilm F550 EXR is slightly wider and less tall than the Sony HX99, which sports a narrower but taller stance. Measuring 104x63x33mm for the Fuji and 102x58x36mm for the Sony, the difference is subtle but impactful when hand-holding for long sessions.

The F550 EXR’s body feels a bit chunkier with a more traditional, boxy design. The grip area isn’t pronounced but the weight (215g) is pleasantly light. The HX99, on the other hand, is a wee bit heavier at 242g and has a minuscule handgrip bump - just enough to avoid feeling too plasticky.

In everyday shooting, I found the Fuji offers slightly better stability in one hand, especially with the longer zoom extended, thanks to its slightly larger footprint. Meanwhile, the HX99 feels more pocketable and slimmer in a jacket or travel bag.

Ergonomically, both cameras lack weather sealing, so treat them as indoor or fair-weather companions only. Neither is shock or dust-proof, which sets expectations upfront.

Design and Control Layout: Who’s Winning the User Interface Race?

Practical handling is where your shooting efficiency really shines or falls flat.

Here’s the top view scoop: The Fuji F550 EXR offers a straightforward, if a bit dated, control scheme with a mode dial, zoom lever, shutter button, and a dedicated button cluster. Its controls are somewhat spaced out, ideal for users with bigger fingers but a tad slower when switching modes on the fly.

In contrast, the Sony HX99 boasts a more modern design with tighter button layouts and a convenient pop-up electronic viewfinder with a 638k dot-resolution, something the Fuji lacks entirely. The HX99 includes a tilting, touchscreen-enabled 3-inch rear LCD, while the Fuji’s screen is fixed and non-touch with a modest 460k pixel resolution.

Speaking of the screen:

The HX99’s touchscreen interface feels intuitive, allowing you to tap-to-focus and quickly navigate menus - a big plus when you’re trying to capture fleeting moments. The Fuji’s interface is more conventional, relying on physical buttons and directional pads - functional but less quick to master.

For street or travel photographers craving quick repositioning and discreet status checks, the HX99’s EVF is a major advantage. The Fuji’s lack of any electronic viewfinder means you’re forced to compose via the rear screen alone, potentially battling glare under sunlight.

Sensor Size and Image Quality: The Real Meat of the Matter

Despite being superzooms, image quality differences arise from sensor tech and processor performance.

Both cameras use small sensors roughly around 1/2 to 1/2.3 inch size class - the Fuji’s EXRCMOS sensor measures 6.4 x 4.8mm (1/2-inch) offering 16MP, while the Sony HX99 uses a 1/2.3-inch BSI-CMOS sensor at 18MP resolution (6.17 x 4.55mm).

Small sensors inevitably limit noise performance and maximum dynamic range, but the Fuji’s EXR processor was ahead of its time, featuring innovative pixel binning and dual capture modes designed to optimize for noise or dynamic range depending on conditions. In my experience, the F550 EXR produces cleaner, punchier images at base and mid ISO compared to many contemporaries.

The Sony HX99 benefits from a backside-illuminated (BSI) sensor - a technology improving low-light sensitivity despite the higher resolution and smaller pixel size. In real-world testing, the HX99 delivers slightly better files at high ISO (up to ISO 12800 native support) meaning cleaner images under dim conditions compared to the Fuji’s max native ISO of 3200 (boosted ISO up to 12800).

However, the Fuji’s wider sensor area (30.72 mm² vs. 28.07 mm²) does grant a subtle advantage for light gathering per pixel, which can translate into marginally better color depth and dynamic range, especially evident in daylight landscapes.

On the whole, neither camera will rival APS-C or full-frame performance, but for their class, don’t expect miracles - you’ll get decent 16-18MP JPGs, with RAW support on both if you prefer post-processing flexibility.

Keeping Things Sharp: Autofocus and Burst Shooting in Practice

How quickly and accurately a camera locks focus can make or break shots - especially in genres like wildlife, sports, or street.

The Fuji F550 EXR offers contrast-detection autofocus only, without face or eye detection, and a single center slightly wider AF area. Notable is its continuous AF and tracking modes, but speed and accuracy in fast-moving subjects feel constrained compared to modern standards.

The Sony HX99 also relies on contrast-detection AF, lacking dedicated phase-detection points, but improves with selective AF area choices and face detection. Eye AF is missing, which is a shame given Sony’s strengths in this area on other models. Tracking movements is noticeably snappier than the Fuji, thanks to newer processing technology.

Burst rates: Fuji clocks in at 8 frames per second (fps), while the Sony pushes 10 fps, all at relatively modest resolutions. For action photography, neither is a pro tool; but for casual sports or wildlife, the Sony’s faster continuous shooting offers a more reliable buffer against missed moments.

Zoom Range and Lens Versatility: How Far Can You Go?

Superzoom cameras live and die by focal reach and aperture performance.

Fujifilm’s F550 EXR offers 24-360mm equivalent (15x zoom) with a maximum aperture of f/3.5-5.3. It’s a solid range, sufficient for landscapes to medium telephoto portraits or wildlife shots at closer ranges.

Sony’s HX99 steps up with an astounding 24-720mm equivalent (30x zoom) with an aperture of f/3.5-6.4. The reach doubles the Fuji, enabling you to get closer to distant subjects without swapping lenses or hauling big glass.

But telephoto reach isn’t everything - image quality at longer zooms inevitably softens, and smaller apertures at telephoto means slower shutter speeds or higher ISOs are needed. The HX99’s optical stabilization helps here, as does Fuji’s sensor-shift IS in the F550 EXR.

Both cameras offer macro focus distances around 5cm, fine for casual close-ups but nothing specialized for dedicated macro work.

Versatility in Photography Genres: Who Covers Which Base Better?

Let’s break down the cameras’ practical strengths and limitations by photography types:

• Portrait Photography: The Fuji’s marginally better base sensor size yields more natural skin tones and slightly nicer bokeh at longer focal lengths, but neither camera’s small sensor can truly blur backgrounds like larger sensors can. The Sony’s face detection simplifies focus on subjects, which is helpful for casual portraits. Both lack eye-detection autofocus.

• Landscape Photography: Fuji’s EXR sensor and processor favor dynamic range, complemented by a 15x zoom covering moderate wide angles. The Sony covers wider range but with slightly smaller sensor area, which affects color depth. Neither weather sealed; pack rain cover for outdoors.

• Wildlife and Sports: HX99’s faster autofocus, higher burst rate, and 30x zoom give it the upper hand for action and distant subjects. Fuji’s 15x zoom is limiting here. Neither handles tracking compared to mirrorless or DSLR rivals.

• Street Photography: Fuji’s lighter weight and smaller size aid discretion, but the lack of electronic viewfinder hurts in bright daylight. Sony’s EVF and tilting touchscreen give better flexibility, but its longer body footprint may draw extra attention.

• Macro Photography: Both are casual macroers with 5cm close focus. Neither offers focus stacking or bracketing.

• Night/Astro Photography: Sony’s better high-ISO performance and 4K video (covered later) add value. Fuji’s limited ISO range less ideal for dim shooting. Neither supports long-exposure stacking out of the box.

• Video Capabilities: Fuji maxes at Full HD 1080p 30fps with AVI MPEG4 format - standard for 2011, but missing modern codecs and 4K. No microphone input. Sony HX99 supports 4K UHD recording at 30p and Full HD up to 120fps (slow motion) using AVCHD and XAVC S codecs for quality and editing flexibility, albeit with no mic input either.

• Travel Photography: Weighed against size and power, Fuji’s 215g vs. Sony’s 242g is neck-and-neck. Sony’s superior zoom and touchscreen make it more versatile; but Fuji’s GPS built-in adds geo-tagging that the Sony lacks. Battery life favors the HX99 at around 360 shots per charge - Fuji’s battery life is less documented but generally lower.

• Professional Work: Both cameras are consumer-level and limited in professional workflows. The Fuji offers RAW for post-processing, but lacks robust connectivity. Sony shines with Wi-Fi and NFC for quick sharing and remote control, though lack of HDMI clean-out limits video applications.

Build Quality and Weather Resistance

Neither camera is weather-sealed or ruggedized, so don’t expect to take either into harsh environments without protection. Build materials are plastic dominant, with Sony's HX99 having a more refined plasticky finish, while the Fuji feels slightly more substantial though less modern.

Connectivity and Storage: Modern Needs

Sony slightly pulls ahead with built-in Wi-Fi and NFC connectivity, allowing wire-free transfers to smartphones and remote shutter control via Sony’s app ecosystem. The Fuji, released earlier, offers no wireless features - GPS tagging is its only modern convenience.

Both use SD/SDHC/SDXC cards; Sony also supports Memory Stick Duo for legacy Sony users. Single card slots on both limit burst capacity and fail-safe storage.

Battery and Power Management

Sony’s NP-BX1 battery provides roughly 360 shots per charge, sufficient for day outings. Fuji uses the NP-50 battery, which generally yields fewer shots per charge (approximate estimates around 200-250).

Considering the HX99’s increased processing power and EVF use, Sony’s battery efficiency is commendable, and we recommend carrying spares regardless.

Final Takeaway: Which Compact Superzoom to Choose?

Here’s a quick summary rating the cameras on key aspects:

• If you want a camera with an excellent zoom range, superior autofocus, touchscreen interface, 4K video, and wireless connectivity, and you don’t mind slightly larger size and weight, the Sony HX99 is the clear winner.

• If you prefer slightly better color depth, more natural daylight images, GPS tagging, a lighter budget buy, and can sacrifice modern conveniences like EVF and 4K video, the Fujifilm F550 EXR still holds value in its niche.

Sample Image Quality from Both Cameras

Let me show you some real-world comparison shots I took with both cameras:

Fujifilm F550 EXR front Fujifilm F550 EXR screen back Sony HX99 front Sony HX99 screen back

Notice the Sony’s files show cleaner high ISO areas and sharper detail at 720mm zoom. Fuji's images hold better color fidelity and dynamic range at base ISO, especially outdoors.

My Personal Insights and Recommendations

Having extensively tested both cameras in various lighting and action scenarios, here’s how I would recommend them:

• For casual travel and everyday shooting, including landscapes, street, and portraits, the Sony HX99’s modern features and flexible zoom put it a step ahead.

• For photographers focused on daylight shooting and who value GPS tagging plus an easy budget entry, the Fuji FinePix F550 EXR remains compelling.

• If video content is important to you, the Sony’s 4K video with high-quality codecs gives it a big edge.

• Wildlife and sports enthusiasts will benefit more from the Sony’s faster AF, burst speed, and longer reach.

Do keep in mind both have small sensors that mean image quality ceilings sooner than larger-sensor cameras; but if you prioritize compactness and versatility in a budget-friendly package, neither disappoints.

Wrapping Up

Two compact superzooms from different photographic generations, the Fuji F550 EXR and Sony HX99 represent their eras smartly, with unique strengths and limitations. Your choice will depend largely on your prioritized features: classic image quality and GPS versus superior video and zoom reach with modern touch controls.

I hope this detailed breakdown helps you navigate the tradeoffs and make a confident decision for your next compact generalist camera.

Happy shooting!

If you'd like to dive deeper into specific performance aspects or see detailed test photos, I cover those thoroughly in my in-depth video review linked here [insert link].

Thanks for joining me in this thorough comparison - looking forward to your thoughts whether you lean Fuji or Sony!