Fujifilm F660EXR vs Sony HX350

Comparing the Fujifilm F660EXR and Sony HX350: Real-World Superzoom Showdown for Photography Enthusiasts

When I test cameras, especially in the small sensor superzoom category, I look beyond spec sheets. It’s about how a camera empowers your creative vision throughout the day, across genres, and in unpredictable conditions. The Fujifilm F660EXR and Sony HX350 are intriguing siblings from their respective makers, targeting enthusiasts who crave long reach and portability. But which one truly delivers practical value? I spent comprehensive hands-on hours analyzing their performance, usability, and image quality to help you make an informed choice.

A Tale of Two Bodies: Compactness versus SLR-like Presence

The moment you hold both cameras, their physical differences are striking. The Fujifilm F660EXR fits comfortably in one hand with its compact, straightforward shape - it’s every bit a pocket-friendly travel buddy. Meanwhile, the Sony HX350 sports an SLR-esque bridge camera form factor, noticeably larger and heavier, intended for those who want grip and extended control options in a more robust package.

• Fujifilm F660EXR: Measuring 104x59x33mm and tipping the scales at just 217 grams, it feels almost like a point-and-shoot that’s eager for adventure.
• Sony HX350: With dimensions of 130x93x103mm and a considerable 652 grams, it demands a deliberate carry but rewards with a DSLR-style grip that benefits prolonged shooting.

The ergonomics? The HX350's pronounced handgrip offers stability with superlong telephoto shots, while the F660EXR's slim shape can feel cramped after a full day of shooting, especially with small buttons and no dedicated manual focus ring.

Control Layout and Handling: Intuitive or Overwhelming?

Peeking from above reveals another aspect - both cameras have thoughtfully placed controls yet cater to different user mindsets.

• The Fujifilm embraces simplicity. Its fewer buttons mean you spend less time fiddling and more capturing spontaneous moments, but advanced photographers might miss direct access to certain settings.
• The Sony HX350 spreads out buttons and function dials that feel familiar to DSLR shooters, greatly improving quick adjustments, particularly on long zoom shots or manually focused macro captures.

During intense scenarios like fast-moving wildlife or sports, the HX350's control layout shines, letting me change exposure or toggle stabilizer modes fluidly without diving into menus.

Sensor Technology and Image Quality: Crunching the Numbers and Pixels

The core of any camera’s image potential lies in its sensor and processor. The Fuji employs a 1/2” EXR CMOS sensor boasting 16 megapixels, while the Sony takes advantage of a slightly smaller 1/2.3” BSI CMOS sensor but ups the resolution to 20 megapixels.

• Sensor size & resolution: Although their physical sensor areas are similar (around 30.7 mm² for Fuji and 28.1 mm² for Sony), Sony’s higher pixel density can potentially lead to more noise at high ISOs due to smaller photosites.
• Processor: Fuji’s proprietary EXR processor excels in dynamic range optimization, especially in its specialized EXR modes, enhancing shadow details and preserving highlights without heavy noise trade-off.
• Real-world image sharpness: In daylight, both cameras deliver pleasantly sharp images. Fuji’s images reveal slightly warmer color tones with natural skin rendering, valuable for portrait work. Sony’s shots are pristinely detailed but occasionally skew cooler, which may appeal for landscape and macro precision.

Live View and Display Experience: Composing Your Shot

Neither camera offers a touchscreen, but the display quality and viewfinder options vary significantly.

• The Fujifilm's fixed 3-inch TFT LCD with 460k-dot resolution feels basic but does the job, showing colors a bit flat and struggles under bright sunlight.
• The Sony’s 3-inch tilting LCD ups the ante with 922k-dot resolution, improving focus confirmation and preview sharpness. While it lacks touch input, the tilt mechanism proves invaluable during ground-level macro shots or over-the-head street captures.
• Sony’s inclusion of a 202k-dot electronic viewfinder (EVF) with full 100% coverage better situates it for action shooters and outdoor scenarios, especially when sunlight impairs LCD visibility.

Autofocus Systems: Speed, Accuracy, and Tracking

For me, autofocus is a pivotal factor, particularly when chasing wildlife or sports moments where missed focus equals lost opportunities.

• The Fujifilm F660EXR uses contrast-detection autofocus with face detection, continuous and single AF modes, but no advanced tracking or phase detection. It performed adequately indoors and on static subjects but showed noticeable hunting with fast-moving targets, especially towards the telephoto end.
• The Sony HX350 also lacks phase detection but somewhat compensates with improved contrast-detection algorithms and selective AF area options, improving precision. Real-time eye AF wasn't present, but overall autofocus was faster and more reliable in varied light.

Zoom Range and Lens Performance: Reach and Aperture

Both models are fixed lens superzooms but differ markedly in focal length.

• Fujifilm: 24-360mm (15x zoom), max aperture F3.5-5.3
• Sony: 24-1200mm (50x zoom), max aperture F2.8-6.3

Sony’s extraordinary 50x zoom brings an unparalleled reach ideal for wildlife or sports photographers working from distance, while Fuji’s 15x zoom is more moderate but offers better low-light aperture at the wide end.

Hand-in-hand with zoom, image stabilization performance plays an essential role. Both cameras utilize sensor-shift (Fujifilm) or optical (Sony) stabilization, effectively reducing handshake blur. However, shooting at max zoom with Fuji was noticeably more challenging handheld due to shorter focal length and stabilization limits, whereas Sony’s optical IS felt more robust, granting sharper telephoto results in natural light.

Flash, ISO Range, and Low-Light Capability

• The Fuji’s built-in flash covers up to 3.2 meters at wide angle, sufficient for casual fill-in but limited for larger scenes.
• The Sony's flash reaches a longer 8.5 meters with Auto ISO, offering better illumination for indoor or evening settings.
• Both cameras max out at ISO 3200 natively, expandable to 12800, but their smaller sensors struggle with noise beyond ISO 800–1600. The Sony handles high ISO slightly better due to its processor, producing marginally cleaner images in dim conditions.

Burst Shooting and Buffering for Action Shots

With continuous shooting, Fuji reaches an impressive 11 frames per second while Sony clocks in at 10 fps. Practically speaking, I observed similar buffer depths, supporting several seconds of rapid burst before slowdown. Fuji’s faster burst rate appeals for sports photography but is slightly hindered by its slower autofocus acquisition during sequences.

Genre-Specific Performance

I’ve collected sample images and tested both cameras across diverse photography types to assess strengths and weaknesses.

Fujifilm F660EXR screen back Sony HX350 front Sony HX350 screen back

Portrait Photography

• Fujifilm’s color reproduction and skin tone rendering deliver warmth and natural look, enhanced by its EXR modes capturing subtle tonal gradations.
• Sony’s capable autofocus with face detection ensures sharp focus on eyes, supplemented by tilting screen for unique framing angles.

Landscape Photography

• Sony’s higher resolution and slightly wider aspect ratio options translate to crisper detail, especially notable in far-reaching vistas captured at 24mm.
• Dynamic range is comparable but Fuji’s EXR sensor excels in shadow recovery when shooting raw (although raw output is absent here), giving it an edge for HDR lovers.

Wildlife Photography

• Sony’s massive 1200mm zoom and superior image stabilization put it in front, enabling safe distance shooting with acceptable sharpness.
• Fuji’s 360mm zoom limits reach, useful for closer subjects or urban wildlife but less flexible in the wild.

Sports Photography

• Both offer quick burst speeds, but Sony with its better ergonomics and faster autofocus tracking is an advantage for capturing split-second movements.

Street Photography

• Fuji’s compact size, quiet shutter, and modest zoom make it unobtrusive, fitting for candid environments.
• Sony’s bulk and louder operation might draw attention but delivers framing versatility with its tilting screen.

Macro Photography

• Sony edges Fuji with a ridiculous 1cm minimum focus distance versus Fuji’s 5cm, unlocking greater magnification potential.
• Both suffer depth of field limitations, but Sony’s AF precision helps nail critical focus on small details.

Night and Astro Photography

• Neither camera is specialized here; long exposure is limited to 8 seconds on Fuji and 30 seconds on Sony.
• Noise at high ISO hampers dark sky shots, though Fuji’s EXR mode attempts noise reduction while preserving detail.

Video Capabilities

• Both cameras shoot Full HD 1080p at 30 fps with similar codecs, but no 4K or advanced video features.
• Fuji’s electronic image stabilization helps minimize video shake better than Sony’s optical IS during handheld recording.
• Audio inputs are absent on both, making them less suitable for serious video work.

Travel Photography

• Fuji’s portability and GPS tagging help travel photographers swiftly capture memories with geo-data.
• Sony’s long zoom might require a dedicated bag but offers greater versatility, especially in wildlife encounters.

Professional Work and Workflow

• Both target enthusiasts, not professionals needing RAW capture or tethered shooting.
• Limited connectivity without Wi-Fi or Bluetooth restrict modern workflow integration.
• Storage flexibility leans slightly toward Sony with Memory Stick Pro Duo support alongside SD cards.

Build Quality and Weatherproofing

Neither camera features environmental sealing, so caution is necessary in tough weather or dusty conditions. Build quality on both is solid but plastic-heavy, typical for their class and price.

Battery Life and Storage

• Both cameras rated similarly around 300 shots per charge, which is standard but not exceptional. I recommend carrying spares for extended outings.
• Single SD card slots simplify media management but limit redundancy options demanded by professionals.

Connectivity and Extras

Neither offers Wi-Fi, Bluetooth, or NFC, which is a significant omission in today’s interconnected gear landscape. GPS is built into the Fuji but missing on the Sony, an advantageous tool for travel photographers who value location metadata.

Price and Value Analysis

At an MSRP around $230 (Fujifilm F660EXR) to varying higher price levels for Sony HX350 depending on retailer (generally $300+ used), both sit at affordable entry points but with different value propositions:

• Fujifilm appeals for photographers seeking a pocketable superzoom with respectable image quality and intuitive handling.
• Sony HX350 targets users craving super-telephoto reach and superior ergonomics but willing to carry extra bulk.

Final Thoughts: Who Should Choose Which?

If you want portability, ease, and warmer image tones for portraits or travel, the Fujifilm F660EXR is a great pick. It feels like a camera that gets out of your way, snapping pictures with decent speed and quality. Just don’t expect raw files or extensive zoom reach.

If your focus is wildlife, sports, or macro needing extreme zoom, better ergonomics, and more precise manual focus ability, I recommend the Sony HX350. Yes, it’s heavier and pricier, but the step-up in reach, control, and autofocus realism makes it worthwhile.

In my testing, neither camera replaces a DSLR or mirrorless flagship but both offer solid options for enthusiasts wanting an all-in-one zoom tool. Choosing between them means balancing priorities like portability, focal length, control, and budget. I hope this detailed side-by-side helps you pinpoint the camera aligning with your photographic ambitions.

Feel free to reach out with questions - having personally tested thousands of cameras, I’m happy to dive deeper into any feature or shooting style you’re curious about!

Happy shooting!

• Your trusted camera reviewer and photography enthusiast