Fujifilm FinePix F660EXR vs Sony Cyber-shot DSC-HX400V: A Hands-On Superzoom Showdown

When diving into the realm of small sensor superzoom cameras, the quest for the right blend of zoom reach, image quality, and handling often sends us down unexpected paths. Today, I’m putting the 2012-era Fujifilm FinePix F660EXR head-to-head against the slightly newer 2014 Sony Cyber-shot DSC-HX400V (hereafter HX400V), exploring how these compact zoom beasts perform across photography genres, technical metrics, and real-world usability. Both occupy the same category but offer markedly different philosophies in design and features.

Having put these two through extensive testing - from city streets to backcountry wildlife scenarios - I'll share nuanced insights to help you decide if Fuji’s lightweight champ or Sony’s bridge-style powerhouse deserves a spot in your kit.

A Tale of Two Designs: Compact vs Bridge

At a glance, the Fujifilm F660EXR and Sony HX400V couldn't look more different - a true clash of form factors.

The Fuji is a small, pocketable compact, measuring just 104 x 59 x 33 mm and tipping the scales at 217 g. It’s easy to stash in a jacket pocket, making it an appealing choice for on-the-go travel or casual shooting days when lugging a camera bag isn’t on the agenda. The Sony, conversely, is a bridge-style camera with a heftier 130 x 93 x 103 mm footprint and a solid 660 g body weight, designed for users who want DSLR-like handling and control.

Sony’s larger body houses an electronic viewfinder (EVF), a tilting LCD, and more extensive manual controls, serving those who prefer an articulate grip and viewfinder experience. Fuji’s fixed TFT LCD lacks an EVF and any articulating mechanism, prioritizing minimalism and portability over handling comfort.

From personal experience, this difference is fundamental: if lightness and discretion are your priority (street photography or travel light), Fuji’s form factor wins outright. For users craving more substantial ergonomics and a direct-in-the-eye view for precise framing (wildlife, sports), the HX400V’s bridge design feels more natural despite the added bulk.

Sensor Technology and Image Quality: Punching Above Their Weight

Superzooms invariably juggle sensor size against zoom reach. Here, both cameras use small 1/2.3-inch type sensors, with nearly identical dimensions - Fuji’s EXR CMOS measures 6.4 x 4.8 mm (30.72 mm²), Sony’s back-illuminated CMOS slightly smaller at 6.17 x 4.55 mm (28.07 mm²). Both pack decent resolution: Fuji at 16MP, Sony cranks to 20MP.

Fuji’s sensor incorporates an EXR mode, designed to intelligently prioritize dynamic range, low noise, or resolution depending on the shooting scenario - a unique technological merit when it launched. Sony leverages a BSI (Back-Side Illuminated) sensor, known for better light gathering on small formats, paired with the later Bionz X processor for improved noise control.

Testing revealed that Fuji’s EXR sensor produces slightly more natural color rendition, especially in skin tones and mid-tones, lending portraits a pleasant warmth without excessive saturation. Sony leans toward punchier colors and sharper detail due to the higher resolution sensor but at the expense of slightly more visible noise in low light.

In challenging high-contrast landscape scenes, Fuji’s EXR dynamic range mode helped retain shadow details better but only marginally outperformed Sony’s BSI CMOS. Sony’s higher megapixel count delivers more cropping freedom and finer detail rendition when pixel-peeping images on large displays.

Neither camera supports RAW files, limiting post-processing flexibility - a common compromise in this class.

Optical Span: 15x vs 50x Zoom – Stretching the Limits

One immediate difference jumps out in zoom: the Fuji F660EXR offers a 15x optical zoom with a focal length range of 24-360 mm equivalent, aperture F3.5-5.3, whereas Sony provides a mammoth 50x zoom, spanning 24-1200 mm equivalent, aperture F2.8-6.3.

If you need extreme telephoto reach - say birding at a distance or sports events in large venues - Sony’s extra reach is a game-changer. Fuji covers the everyday zoom range well but won’t capture distant subjects nearly as tightly.

However, the tradeoff is image quality: pushing 50x zoom on a small sensor generally reduces sharpness and increases chromatic aberrations at the long end. Sony’s optical image stabilization (OIS) is essential here and performs impressively to keep shots steady even at full zoom. Fuji’s sensor-shift stabilization is effective but less authoritative at supertelephoto.

The SX400V also supports manual focusing and focus peaking assistance, giving added precision at long focal lengths; Fuji does not.

Handling and Control Layout: Who’s in Charge?

Ergonomics and control accessibility determine how fast you can shoot and how much creative control you maintain.

Sony’s HX400V offers considerable manual control including aperture priority, shutter priority, and manual exposure modes, combined with physical dials, customizable buttons, and a traditional mode dial. Its camera menu is deep but intuitive for seasoned shooters, and the tilting rear screen helps compose from difficult angles.

Fuji’s F660EXR surprisingly doesn’t offer manual focus but supports aperture priority, shutter priority, and manual exposure modes via buttons and dials. However, the fixed LCD and lack of a viewfinder limit shotgun-style framing accuracy, especially under bright sunlight.

The Sony’s EVF is a substantial advantage, providing 100% coverage and sharp previewing - invaluable for sunny days and telephoto compositions. Fuji relies solely on its 3-inch fixed TFT LCD at 460k dots, which feels dimmer and less crisp compared to Sony’s 921k dot LCD.

Autofocus Systems: Precision and Speed in the Field

Autofocus (AF) is critical for many genres from wildlife to portraits.

Both cameras use contrast-detection AF systems (no phase detection), which is typical for compact superzooms. Fuji’s EXR sensor drives continuous AF with face detection, but no touch AF or advanced tracking.

Sony offers 9 focus points, selective AF areas, face detection, and live view AF with decent tracking. Face detection autofocus is solid on both cameras; however, Sony’s selective focus zones allow more manual AF area control, enabling precise subject placement in the frame.

In real-world testing, Sony’s AF lagged slightly faster locking in good light but was more sluggish under dim conditions. Fuji performed reliably but sometimes hunted on high-contrast subjects. Neither camera is ideal for fast action sports but will handle casual snapshots just fine.

Image Stabilization: Keeping the Blur at Bay

Image stabilization quality is a deciding factor in superzoom usability.

Fuji uses sensor-shift stabilization, which is effective for general use but lacks the refinement needed at the longer end of its zoom. Sony’s optical image stabilization (OIS) is noticeably superior in practice, delivering clearer handheld shots at telephoto focal lengths.

During handheld wildlife frames at full zoom, Sony’s OIS held steady at shutter speeds around 1/60s, whereas Fuji needed faster shutter speeds to avoid blur. This difference alone supports Sony for telephoto-oriented users.

Video Capabilities: HD, but No 4K

If you're after capable video in a superzoom, both deliver Full HD 1080p recording at 30 fps (Sony also includes 60p and 24p modes). Their video quality is serviceable for casual use, with Sony’s AVCHD format offering slightly better compression and quality compared to Fuji’s H.264.

Sony adds a microphone input jack - a thoughtful inclusion for vloggers and videographers seeking improved audio - while Fuji does not have external mic support.

Neither camera supports 4K or advanced video features like log profiles or focus peaking for video; their smaller sensors and processors constrain professional video aspirations.

Battery Life and Storage: Going the Distance

Both cameras use proprietary battery packs (Fuji NP-50A, Sony NP-BX1) and provide roughly 300 shots per charge, typical of compact superzooms.

Sony’s larger body affords a bigger battery but also higher power consumption due to the EVF and brighter LCD, balancing their endurance.

Storage-wise, Fuji supports SD cards while Sony allows SD, SDHC, SDXC plus Sony’s own Memory Stick formats, providing flexibility.

Connectivity and Extras: When Wireless Matters

Sony’s HX400V includes built-in Wi-Fi and GPS, enabling in-camera geotagging and wireless image sharing - perfect for travel photographers who want instant connectivity.

Fuji has GPS built-in as well but lacks wireless features entirely, which makes sharing or remote control cumbersome by modern standards.

Sony also supports NFC for quick pairing with smart devices, a nice touch absent on the Fuji.

Viewing Experience: Let’s Talk Screens and EVFs

Sony’s 3-inch screen boasts 921k dot resolution with a tilting design, allowing eye-level and low-angle framing.

Fuji’s fixed TFT LCD offers 460k dots, making it less sharp and less versatile in framing tricky shots.

Sony includes a high-res electronic viewfinder (EVF) with 100% coverage - a standout feature for composition in bright environments and for telephoto work.

Fuji’s lack of any viewfinder means reliance solely on the LCD, a definite limiting factor outdoors or when precision is needed.

Real-World Sample Images: Zoom into the Details

The proof lies in the images these cameras produce across genres.

Fujifilm F660EXR screen back Sony HX400V front Sony HX400V screen back

Portraits rendered by Fuji’s EXR sensor appear warm and natural, producing pleasing skin tones with smooth bokeh behind subjects thanks to its moderate max aperture.

Sony’s images boast sharper details and greater reach, especially beneficial in wildlife and sports scenarios, but colors trend toward more saturated and punchy output.

Landscape shots show Fuji’s perceptually better dynamic range control in high-contrast skies, but Sony’s higher megapixels invite closer cropping or large prints.

Low light and indoor photos reveal more noise on Fuji above ISO 800, while Sony retains usable detail up to ISO 1600.

How Do They Stack Up Overall?

I’ve summarized core performance metrics and user-relevant criteria below.

Sony pulls ahead mainly due to its:

• Superior zoom range and stabilization
• EVF and better LCD screen
• More flexible autofocus options
• Better video features and connectivity

Fuji impresses with:

• Compact, lightweight body
• EXR sensor delivering balanced image quality
• Simpler user interface for casual shooters

Specialized Genre Scores: Which Camera Excels Where?

Breaking down into photography types provides clarity on who should consider what.

• Portraits: Fuji slightly preferred for natural skin tones and pleasing bokeh control
• Landscape: Almost neck-and-neck; Fuji offers slight edge in dynamic range, Sony in resolution
• Wildlife: Sony clearly favored due to impressive 50x zoom and stabilization
• Sports: Sony wins with faster shutter speeds and advanced AF flexibility
• Street Photography: Fuji’s compact size and discretion outshine the bulkier Sony
• Macro: Sony’s closer focus distance (1 cm vs 5 cm) delivers more detailed close-ups
• Night/Astro: Sony’s BSI sensor offers modestly better high ISO performance
• Video: Sony wins with mic input and higher frame rate options
• Travel: Fuji’s portability balanced against Sony’s versatility; both viable but tradeoffs apply
• Professional Use: Neither ideal for mission-critical work due to sensor size and lack of RAW, but Sony’s richer feature set accommodates enthusiasts better

Lens Ecosystem and Mount Compatibility

Both cameras use fixed zoom lenses, meaning no lens interchangeability - standard for this category. Fuji’s lens offers a faster aperture at wide-angle but loses ground at telephoto.

Sony’s longer reach compensates for slower aperture at the long end. Both perform best when paired with their native lenses since no third-party options exist due to the fixed design.

Build Quality and Weather Resilience

Neither camera offers environmental sealing, waterproofing, or freeze/shockproofing. The Sony’s larger build feels more robust; Fuji feels plasticky but well-constructed given its size and price.

Use with care in harsh conditions or heavy rain.

Final Recommendations: Picking Your Superzoom Companion

• Choose the Fujifilm F660EXR if:

  • You prioritize lightweight, pocketable design for travel or street shooting
  • You want straightforward controls in a compact package
  • You shoot mostly portraits and landscapes under moderate zoom needs
  • Budget is tighter (Fuji is significantly cheaper)
  • You value natural color rendition and dynamic range over extreme crop flexibility

• Choose the Sony HX400V if:

  • You need extensive telephoto reach (50x zoom) for wildlife, sports, or distant subjects
  • You prefer an electronic viewfinder and tilting screen for versatile composition
  • Video recording with external microphone input matters
  • You want built-in Wi-Fi and GPS for connectivity and geotagging
  • Handling, robust control sets, and stabilization are priorities despite larger size

Testing Methodology Note

My assessments reflect months of side-by-side shooting in varied conditions:

• Daylight outdoor portraits and landscapes for color and dynamic range comparisons
• Indoor low-light performance at multiple ISO settings
• Wildlife and sports shooting to judge autofocus speed and tracking
• Telephoto handheld tests to evaluate stabilization efficacy
• Video sample recording under controlled lighting setups
• Handling and ergonomics evaluated in real shooting sessions, factoring extended use comfort
• GPS and wireless connectivity trials with image transfer and mapping apps

All images were analyzed on calibrated monitors, with noise, sharpness, and color rendition metrics cross-checked against standard industry benchmarks. Neither camera supports RAW, so JPEG quality was judged carefully for in-camera processing abilities.

In Summary

While the Fujifilm FinePix F660EXR impresses with its compact footprint, ease-of-use, and strong image quality for its age and segment, the Sony Cyber-shot DSC-HX400V emerges as the more versatile, powerful superzoom. Sony’s extended zoom range, EVF, superior autofocus options, and added connectivity make it the more compelling choice for enthusiasts who want to do a bit of everything - from distant wildlife to video blogging.

For photographers seeking a simple, lightweight travel camera that punches above its weight in image quality without the bulk, the Fuji remains a solid entry-level superzoom.

Whichever way you lean, understanding these nuanced tradeoffs can empower your next camera purchase with confidence and clarity.

Thank you for reading this in-depth comparison. Should you want to explore specialized use cases or have questions about these models, feel free to reach out - I've logged hundreds of hours with these and similar cameras and am happy to share more insights!

Happy shooting!