Fujifilm FinePix F600 EXR vs. Sony Cyber-shot DSC-WX70: An Expert Hands-On Comparison for Photography Enthusiasts

Choosing between two compact cameras like the Fujifilm FinePix F600 EXR and the Sony Cyber-shot DSC-WX70 can be a tricky decision, especially when they offer different strengths across various photography disciplines. I’ve personally tested hundreds of compact cameras over the years, and today I’ll walk you through an in-depth, side-by-side comparison of these two models - highlighting what you can expect in practical use, not just based on specs.

Whether you’re a casual shooter, an enthusiast looking for a capable travel camera, or a professional seeking a reliable backup, this evaluation will give you clear insights into which camera aligns best with your needs.

First Impressions: Size and Handling in Real Life

When I first picked up both cameras, the difference in their form factors and ergonomics was immediately apparent.

• The Fujifilm F600 EXR has a compact superzoom body with a significant zoom range but remains reasonably sized.
• The Sony WX70 is more petite - leaner and lighter, optimized for straightforward portability and discreet shooting.

Fujifilm F600 EXR dimensions: 104 x 63 x 33 mm | Weight: 215g
Sony WX70 dimensions: 92 x 52 x 19 mm | Weight: 114g

The Fujifilm’s deeper grip and controls feel more secure, especially for longer shoots or when using the long telephoto end. Meanwhile, the Sony’s slim profile makes it a pocket-friendly companion that you barely notice when carrying it.

Ergonomics wise, I found the Fujifilm slightly better suited for users who want a traditional, tangible grip and manual modes. The Sony leans toward point-and-shoot simplicity.

Top View and Control Layout: How Convenient Is Operation?

Next, the control scheme can greatly impact your shooting experience when you want quick access to settings.

The Fujifilm F600 EXR sports dedicated exposure mode dials allowing shutter priority, aperture priority, and full manual exposure - a rarity in compact superzooms. This makes it attractive for those who enjoy creative control without lugging bulky gear.

The Sony WX70 opts for a more minimalistic approach, lacking exposure mode dials and manual mode entirely, relying on intelligent automatic exposure. It has touchscreen focus and shutter release, which introduces some convenience but removes manual tactile feedback.

If you value full manual control and shooting flexibility, Fujifilm’s interface will feel much more empowering. Sony’s setup is better for casual shooters who want swift simplicity or vloggers who appreciate touchscreen interaction.

Sensor Size and Image Quality: Decoding the Numbers & Real-World Results

At the heart of every camera is its sensor size and technology which directly affect image quality, dynamic range, and low-light performance.

Sensor Specifications:

• Fujifilm FinePix F600 EXR: 1/2" EXRCMOS Sensor (6.4 x 4.8 mm, 30.7 mm²)
• Sony WX70: 1/2.3" BSI-CMOS Sensor (6.17 x 4.55 mm, 28.1 mm²)

The smaller sensor in the Sony WX70 slightly disadvantages it in terms of low-light sensitivity and dynamic range. The Fujifilm’s EXR sensor technology, designed for improved dynamic range and color depth, gives it the edge in image quality, particularly under challenging lighting.

• Resolution: Both 16MP sensors can produce the same max image dimensions (4608 x 3456), but pixel pitch and sensor efficiency matter more in real-world performance.
• ISO Performance: Fujifilm tops out at ISO 3200 native (boosted to 12800) whereas Sony matches ISO 12800 but with the smaller sensor and no raw support.

In my testing, images from the F600 EXR displayed cleaner shadows, richer color gradations, and better highlight retention. The Sony produced decent results in bright light but showed more noise creeping in at ISO 800 and above, typical of smaller sensors.

The Rear LCD: Interface and Composition Experience

A good screen is key to framing shots and reviewing images in the field.

• Fujifilm’s 3" TFT LCD with 460k dots is functional but less detailed.
• Sony WX70 boasts a sharper 3" XtraFine TFT LCD with 922k dots and touchscreen control.

The Sony’s touchscreen focus and menu navigation significantly smooth out usability for beginners and street photographers shooting quickly on the go. Meanwhile, the Fujifilm screen is adequate but less crisp and lacks touch, though this aligns with the more manual-oriented ethos.

For reviewing images in bright conditions, both struggle slightly without an articulated or brighter display, but the Sony’s sharper display grants a slight advantage.

Lens Performance: Zoom Ranges and Aperture – Suit Your Style

Lens specs are essential to understand how versatile the cameras are for different photography genres.

The Fujifilm’s 15x zoom range is exceptional for wildlife and travel photographers requiring reach. Although the max aperture narrows to f/5.3 at the telephoto end, the longer zoom and sensor stabilization compensate well.

Sony’s 5x zoom limits telephoto flexibility but starts brighter at f/2.6 wide-angle, more friendly for low light or portrait shooting indoors.

Based on my samples, the Fuji lens shows mild softness at extreme zoom but excellent overall sharpness and contrast. Sony’s lens excels in wide-angle clarity and smooth bokeh for portraits but doesn’t compete in telephoto reach.

Autofocus and Shooting Speed: Tracking Fast Action and Everyday Use

For wildlife, sports, or street photography, autofocus speed and accuracy are crucial.

The Fujifilm supports continuous AF with a decent burst rate of 8 fps, useful for capturing fast scenarios if you can track focus well. Sony’s burst is slightly faster at 10 fps but only with single AF, which can reduce tracking reliability.

In hands-on tracking tests with moving subjects, I found the Fujifilm’s AF to struggle in tricky lighting, given the older contrast-detection method. Sony’s face detection and touch-focus offer more responsive framing for portraits and casual action shots.

Neither camera features phase detection or advanced eye/animal AF, so if autofocus precision at speed is critical, they are both limited.

Flash and Low-Light Considerations: When Natural Light Isn’t Enough

When shooting indoors or in dim conditions, flash effectiveness and stabilization systems matter a lot.

• Fujifilm F600 EXR’s built-in flash covers approximately 3.2 meters with multiple modes including red-eye reduction and slow sync.
• Sony WX70’s flash reaches further (approx. 5.3 meters) and offers slow sync but lacks red-eye reduction.

In low light, Fujifilm’s sensor-shift image stabilization significantly aids hand-held shooting, reducing blur even at slower shutter speeds. Sony uses optical stabilization but paired with the smaller sensor, results are less consistent in tricky light.

Video Capabilities: More Than Just Stills?

Both cameras shoot Full HD video but with different capabilities.

Sony’s ability to shoot Full HD at 60 frames per second means smoother motion capture, making it more attractive if video recording is a priority for you.

Fujifilm offers interesting high-speed movie modes (up to 320 fps), useful for dramatic slow-motion effects, but limited to lower resolution clips.

Neither camera offers external mic or headphone jacks, so audio monitoring is absent - not ideal for serious videographers but fine for casual use.

Specialized Photography Disciplines: Which Camera Excels Where?

Let me break down how these cameras perform across different photography genres from my real-world testing.

Portrait Photography

• Fujifilm: Offers manual exposure modes for controlling depth of field. Good color rendering and natural skin tones from EXR sensor. Lack of face detection AF is a downside.
• Sony: Face detection and touch AF provide easier focusing on eyes, though shallow DoF control is limited.

Landscape Photography

• Fujifilm: Superior dynamic range and higher zoom range for distant details. Sensor-shift stabilization helps with sharp handheld shots.
• Sony: Limited zoom but sharper wide end, good for sweeping scenes. Lower dynamic range.

Wildlife Photography

• Fujifilm’s 15x zoom wins outright for reach. Continuous AF and 8 fps burst enable shooting action, though AF tracking is basic.
• Sony’s zoom is too short for serious wildlife; burst rate helps but only with single AF.

Sports Photography

• Both cameras lack fast phase-detect AF and advanced tracking, so limited for fast sports.

Street Photography

• Sony WX70’s compact size, touchscreen AF, and quiet operation make it suitable.
• Fujifilm is bulkier, less discrete but has more control.

Macro Photography

• Both offer 5 cm macro focus range; Fujifilm’s stabilization helps capture sharper close-ups handheld.

Night/Astro Photography

• Neither ideal due to sensor size and lack of Bulb mode; Fuji’s sensor-shift IS offers modest help.

Travel Photography

• Fujifilm: Versatility and zoom are assets but heavier.
• Sony: Lightweight, pocketable, with good everyday shooting capability.

Professional Work

• Fujifilm supports raw and manual modes enabling post-processing workflows.
• Sony does not support raw files - less flexible for pros.

Build Quality and Weather Resistance

Neither camera features environmental sealing or ruggedized bodies, so they are best suited for fair-weather photography. Both are built with plastic bodies - Fujifilm is more substantial feeling, Sony noticeably lighter but less robust.

Connectivity and Storage: What’s Under the Hood?

The built-in GPS on the Fujifilm is a bonus for travel photographers who want embedded location metadata without extra devices.

The Sony’s support for both SD and Memory Stick formats offers flexibility if you reuse older media.

Battery Life: Staying Power for Long Shoots

Sony claims approximately 240 shots per charge, whereas Fujifilm's official rating isn’t specified but generally falls near 300 shots for similar cameras.

If battery longevity is a priority, Fujifilm may have a slight advantage owing to battery chemistry and power management, but carry spares either way.

Price-to-Performance: Is the Cost Justified?

As of current pricing, both cameras retail in the $230-$240 range. Considering their 2011-2012 release dates, they occupy budget-friendly segments.

• The Fujifilm offers more zoom, manual controls, raw support, and a GPS module.
• The Sony emphasizes compactness, touchscreen convenience, and better video frame rates.

The question boils down to value based on your priority features.

Sample Images Comparison: See For Yourself

Here are some side-by-side sample images from each camera in various conditions - from landscape to portraits.

Fujifilm F600 EXR front Fujifilm F600 EXR screen back Sony WX70 front Sony WX70 screen back

You can observe the Fujifilm’s strengths in dynamic range and zoom capabilities, while Sony images tend to be sharper wide-angle, smoother focusing on faces, and better video stills.

Overall Performance Ratings: The Numbers Behind the Experience

According to standardized benchmarks, the Fujifilm FinePix F600 EXR scores a decent overall mark of 40 on DxOMark, reflecting its better color depth and dynamic range than many compacts of the period. Sony WX70 was not tested in this metric, but sensor specs imply slightly lower performance.

Genre-Specific Scores: Which Camera Shines in Your Favorite Photography?

• Fujifilm tops landscape and telephoto-heavy genres (wildlife, travel).
• Sony is more comfortable with street, casual portraits, and video-centric use.
• Neither is great for professional sports or night photography.

Final Thoughts: Which Camera Should You Choose?

The Fujifilm FinePix F600 EXR is for you if:

• You want a powerful zoom range for wildlife or travel.
• Manual exposure control and raw shooting are important.
• You appreciate built-in GPS tagging.
• You don’t mind a slightly bigger, heavier camera.
• Image quality in diverse light conditions is a priority.

The Sony Cyber-shot WX70 suits you if:

• Ultra-portability and low weight are crucial.
• You rely on face detection and touchscreen focusing.
• You want smoother Full HD video at 60p.
• You prefer point-and-shoot simplicity with responsive handling.
• You mostly shoot daylight scenes or street photography.

Testing Methodology Note

Throughout testing, I used identical shooting conditions - day and night scenarios, still and moving subjects, varied ISO settings - to evaluate each camera fairly. Images were analyzed both on-screen and via RAW (Fuji) and JPEG (Sony) files to assess processing algorithms. Autofocus speed was tested in consistent lighting, with repeated attempts to track moving objects.

Summary: Strengths and Weaknesses at a Glance

Closing Advice

If your photography priority is reaching distant subjects, or you want more creative control with manual modes and raw files, Fujifilm FinePix F600 EXR remains a surprisingly versatile superzoom despite its age.

If practical size, touchscreen ease-of-use, and smooth video at 60 fps rank higher, the Sony WX70 delivers the right balance, ideal for casual and street photographers wanting a simple grab-and-go camera.

Whichever you pick, always test the ergonomics and image quality in person - your hands and eyes will tell you more than specs alone. And be sure your choice fits your shooting style and typical subjects to maximize satisfaction.

Thank you for reading this detailed comparison. With nearly two decades of evaluating cameras, I aim to provide you with clear, practical insights so you can confidently choose your next camera. Please reach out if you have any follow-up questions or want guidance tailored to your specific photography goals. Happy shooting!