Fujifilm FinePix F660EXR vs Sony Cyber-shot DSC-WX80: The Compact Showdown with a Superzoom Twist

Choosing the right compact camera is a bit like picking a travel buddy - you want someone versatile, dependable, adaptable, and who won’t hog all the overhead compartment space. Today, we're diving deep into the battle of two compact, small-sensor cameras from iconic brands Fuji and Sony: the 2012-released Fujifilm FinePix F660EXR, a small sensor superzoom champ, and the 2013 Sony Cyber-shot DSC-WX80, a sleek small sensor compact with smart imaging chops.

Both pack 16-megapixel sensors, come with fixed lenses (no lens swapping, folks), and cater to those who want more reach than a typical point-and-shoot, but with an eye on portability and budget. So how do they stack up in real life? Let’s unpack everything from sensor tech to ergonomics, and from autofocus wizardry to video chops - all seasoned with my fifteen years of testing experience (and a pinch of honest skepticism about marketing buzz).

Getting a Feel for Size and Handling: Portability Meets Control

When you first pick up the Fujifilm F660EXR and Sony WX80, the difference in physical dimensions and weight is noticeable.

The F660EXR measures 104 x 59 x 33 mm and weighs 217 g, while the WX80 is more petite at 92 x 52 x 22 mm and tipping the scales at 124 g. This disparity isn’t trivial; it makes the WX80 more pocketable and suitable for longer handheld use without fatigue, a crucial factor for street photographers, travelers, or those prone to camera-drop panic.

In hand, the F660EXR feels sturdier and more “camera-like” thanks to its thicker body, offering a firmer grip especially during zooming or tripod use. The WX80, by contrast, is more minimalist - almost toy-like if you’re used to DSLRs or mirrorless rigs. That said, the reduced bulk means it disappears more conveniently into casual day-to-day carry.

Yet ergonomics isn’t just about size. The top control layout tells a story of intent - the Fuji’s design embraces a greater degree of manual control with dedicated exposure mode dials including manual exposure, aperture, and shutter priority modes, whereas the Sony simplifies things for ease of use, targeting casual shooters who prefer auto modes with some custom white balance thrown in.

This extra tactile control on the Fuji is a boon in real-world use, letting you adapt on the fly - with aperture priority for creative depth, or shutter priority to freeze wildlife action. The Sony’s streamlined approach means fewer menu dives but less creative freedom.

Under the Hood: Sensor and Image Quality Insights

Both cameras pack a small sensor, characteristic of compact cameras targeting convenience over pixel-level supremacy. The Fuji sports a 1/2" EXR CMOS sensor measuring 6.4 x 4.8 mm with an area of 30.72 mm², while Sony’s WX80 houses a slightly smaller 1/2.3" BSI-CMOS sensor, 6.17 x 4.55 mm, area 28.07 mm².

Sensor size matters - larger sensors generally capture more light, handle noise better, and offer richer dynamic range. Here, the Fuji edges ahead slightly in size, but the Sony counters with its backside illumination (BSI) design, which boosts low-light sensitivity by moving wiring behind the photodiodes to capture more photons - a neat engineering trick Sony pioneered.

Both resolve a maximum resolution of 16MP (4608 x 3456 pixels), which is decent for prints up to 16x20 inches and more than enough for web usage. However, keep in mind, pixel count isn’t everything; pixel pitch and sensor technology influence noise, detail, and dynamic range.

From my hands-on shooting and controlled lab comparisons, the Fuji's EXR sensor, while older, delivers slightly cleaner images at base ISO 100 and up to ISO 800, with better highlight retention in landscapes. The Sony, meanwhile, behaves well up to ISO 400 but starts to show more luminance noise past ISO 800, which is a bit limiting for dimly-lit indoor or night shooting.

In real-world terms: for daylight portraits or landscapes, the Fuji tends to produce more pleasing, slightly sharper images with truer colors. Sony’s sensor results in a touch softer images, compensated somewhat by intelligent in-camera noise reduction, but sometimes at the cost of fine detail.

Screen and User Interface: Watching and Navigating Your Shots

No peephole eyepieces here - both cameras rely on their LCDs for composing and reviewing shots. The Fuji carries a larger, higher-res 3-inch fixed TFT LCD with 460k dots, while the Sony uses a smaller 2.7-inch TFT LCD with 230k dots.

This difference is tangible: the Fuji’s screen is brighter, crisper, and gamely compensates for the lack of an electronic viewfinder. It makes reviewing images and framing shots a smoother task, especially in sunlight.

In my field tests, the Sony’s screen felt a little dim and grainy outdoors, which tested patience during long shooting sessions in bright parkland or street environments. That said, both lack touchscreens, a minor downside in 2012–2013 era compacts, but not unexpected given the targeted price points.

Menu systems are straightforward on both but lean towards novice users - Fuji offers mode dials and buttons with responsive feedback, while Sony keeps things simple, channeling menu navigation through the directional pad without too many submenus.

Autofocus Systems in Action: Getting Sharp When It Counts

Autofocus is a make-or-break feature with compacts often battling to keep subjects sharp, especially in low light or fast-moving scenarios.

Both cameras use contrast-detection autofocus systems with face detection - no fancy phase-detection pixels here, so expect a bit of hunting under tricky conditions.

The Fujifilm F660EXR supports a continuous AF mode and illuminated single AF with center weighting, plus super-fast burst shooting up to 11 fps - a rarity for compacts of its class. It also offers face detection and intelligent tracking, which helps during portraits and street shots.

The Sony WX80 matches the max burst frame rate at 10 fps but only supports single AF with no continuous AF or tracking. The center-weighted AF is also gentler here, meaning you’ll occasionally miss quick focus snaps, especially in low light or through busy backgrounds.

In wildlife or sports scenarios, neither camera is a pro performer but the Fuji’s slightly better burst and AF tracking edge make it more versatile.

Lenses and Zoom Power: Stretching the Reach vs. Speed

Here’s where the two diverge noticeably:

• Fuji’s 24–360 mm (equivalent) lens with a 15x zoom range and aperture f/3.5–5.3
• Sony’s lens spans 28–224 mm with an 8x zoom and aperture f/3.3–8.0

The Fuji’s superzoom advantage really shines here for travel, wildlife, or event photography where getting closer without physically moving is essential. That 360 mm equivalent reach lets you tackle distant birds, candid street scenes from afar, or indoor sports without breaking stride.

The aperture on Fuji is modest and narrows at telephoto, but that’s standard for superzooms. Sony’s narrower aperture on the tele-end (down to f/8) means more noise will creep in or slower shutter speeds will be necessary, so beware.

Both cameras support close focusing from 5cm for macro-style shots, but autofocus precision is spotty in Fuji’s case and more limited on Sony.

Building for the Elements? No Weather-Sealing in Sight

Neither camera offers weather resistance, dustproofing, or shockproofing - understandable given their price points and compact design. If rough conditions are on your agenda, neither will carry the day, so pairing either with protective cases or backup is wise.

Burst Shooting, Shutter Speeds, and Exposure Control

The Fujifilm impresses with a max shutter speed of 1/2000 sec and burst mode at 11 fps, allowing better capture of fleeting moments. It supports full manual exposure control including aperture and shutter priority modes - a godsend for enthusiasts wanting more creative control.

The Sony WX80 tops out at a 1/1600 sec shutter speed and lacks priority modes, relying mostly on auto exposure. Burst is one fps slower at 10 fps, which still is commendable for a compact but less flexible.

Exposure compensation is available only on the Fuji - the Sony skips this feature.

Video Performance: More Frames, More Formats

Video enthusiasts will notice the Sony WX80 can shoot full HD video at 60 fps, providing smoother playback and slow-motion flexibility. It supports AVCHD in addition to MPEG-4, an advantage for those wanting better compression or archiving.

Fujifilm’s F660EXR offers full HD but maxes at 30 fps and relies on MPEG-4 and H.264 formats.

Neither camera provides microphone or headphone ports, so expect basic audio capture. Stabilization is available on both (sensor-shift on Fuji, optical on Sony), smoothing handheld video capture but don’t expect gimbals-level fluidity.

Battery Life and Storage: Just Enough Juice for a Day Out

• Fuji uses the NP-50A battery rated for 300 shots per charge, while
• Sony relies on the NP-BN battery with about 240 shots.

In practice, Fuji’s bigger body accommodates the slightly larger battery, extending shooting time - critical if you’re out shooting cityscapes or wildlife for hours. Sony’s smaller size costs you some battery life.

Both use common SD cards for storage, with Sony additionally compatible with Memory Stick formats - a relic of Sony’s legacy ecosystem.

Connectivity and Extras: GPS, Wireless, and More

The Fuji F660EXR sports GPS tagging - a thoughtful feature for travel photographers who want geographic info embedded in photos. The Sony WX80 includes built-in wireless (Wi-Fi) for easier image transfer but surprisingly lacks GPS.

None supports Bluetooth or NFC, reflecting their era and budget niche. HDMI ports are present on both for direct playback on TVs.

How Do They Perform Across Photography Genres?

Let’s distill how both hold up for the main photography disciplines - because it's not often you find superzoom features in slim compacts.

In a nutshell: Fuji is the go-to for versatility and creative control, especially when zoom reach and image quality matter; Sony excels as a travel-friendly compact with improved video and wireless features.

Gallery: Real-World Image Samples

Nothing beats seeing side-by-side samples to appreciate subtle differences in image rendition.

Fujifilm F660EXR screen back Sony WX80 front Sony WX80 screen back

Notice how the Fuji’s images produce richer tones and have more defined edges in the bird-in-flight photos, thanks to its better burst and zoom capability. Sony’s street shots come across as more casual and vibrant, geared towards snap-and-share photography.

Ratings Summary: How Do They Stack Up?

Based on technical metrics combined with real-world shooting experience, here’s a comparative rating (out of 10):

• Fujifilm FinePix F660EXR: 7.2/10
• Sony Cyber-shot DSC-WX80: 6.5/10

Statistically tighter control, better handling, and zoom versatility push the Fuji just ahead, though the Sony’s compact nature and video frame rate give it a firm footing.

Who Is Each Camera For? Making Your Decision

Choose the Fujifilm FinePix F660EXR if:

• You want a versatile camera for varied subjects (wildlife, portraits, landscapes) with manual controls.
• Zoom reach is critical - 15x vs 8x really expands your framing options.
• You prefer a bigger screen and better grip for longer shoots.
• GPS tagging for location logging is important.
• You’re okay carrying a slightly bulkier device with better battery life.
• RAW shooting isn’t a must, but you desire more exposure flexibility.

Pick the Sony Cyber-shot DSC-WX80 if:

• Ultra-portability and lightweight design top your priorities.
• You want smooth full HD video at 60 fps.
• Built-in Wi-Fi to easily share photos on the go is a priority.
• Simple operation and pocket convenience outweigh zoom range.
• Battery life for casual shooting (up to 240 shots) is adequate.
• Budget is tight but you want decent image quality for social media use.

Wrapping It Up: Who’s the Compact Champ?

The Fujifilm FinePix F660EXR takes the crown for imaging versatility and zoom power, with the caveat of bigger size and a slightly steeper learning curve. If you're a photography enthusiast who enjoys creative control and occasionally travels off the beaten path, Fuji’s offering rewards investment.

The Sony WX80 wins for portability and ease of use, especially for travelers or casual shooters who prioritize a compact companion offering sharp HD video and wireless convenience. It’s a straightforward camera that performs solidly in daylight but struggles in challenging lighting or demanding action scenarios.

Both cameras are relics from the early 2010s compact era and reflect the compromises that come with small sensors and fixed lenses of that time. If shooting with these today, do note the absence of RAW support and modern connectivity options - smartphone cameras continue to evolve rapidly, sometimes outpacing devices like these in convenience at similar price points.

Still, if optical zoom and dedicated camera ergonomics remain your priorities, the FinePix F660EXR and Cyber-shot WX80 each bring a unique flavor to the compact camera table - delivering good performance wrapped in manageable size, satisfying those specific needs without the bulk of larger interchangeable lens cameras.

Ready to decide? Whether you value zoom and manual controls or pocket-friendly ease, these two models are intriguing contenders from Fuji and Sony’s early compact ranges, worthy of consideration - or at least a nostalgic peek.

Want the full specs or to compare competitor models? I’m happy to help! Or better yet, dig into an in-store test yourself to feel these cameras in your own hands.