Fujifilm F800EXR vs JX550: The Compact Camera Comparison You Didn’t Know You Needed

When it comes to compact cameras, Fujifilm has long been a trusted name, delivering options tailored for casual shooters and seasoned hobbyists alike. But choosing the right compact isn’t always straightforward - especially when models look superficially similar but carry very different feature sets and performance. Today, I’m diving deep into two Fujifilm compact models from the early 2010s: the Fujifilm F800EXR and its lighter, simpler sibling, the Fujifilm JX550.

I’ve put both to the test, comparing everything from sensor technology and autofocus prowess to ergonomics and real-world shooting experiences. You’ll find how each fares across portrait, landscape, wildlife, and even video shooting - plus insights on usability and value to help you decide which could be your ideal pocketable companion.

Let’s jump in.

How They Stack Up: Size and Handling in the Hand

Let's start with the obvious – size and ergonomics. The Fujifilm F800EXR is a superzoom compact with a physically larger body to accommodate its longer zoom lens and more advanced image stabilization. The JX550, designed more as a casual point-and-shoot, is smaller and lighter.

The F800EXR measures 105x63x36mm, tipping the scales at 232 grams, while the JX550 is slimmer and featherweight at just 100x56x24mm and 113 grams. In-hand, the F800EXR feels solid, with a rubberized grip and well-placed control buttons - something I appreciate when shooting longer focal lengths or in less-than-ideal conditions. The JX550, by contrast, is small enough to fit comfortably in a coat pocket or purse but sacrifices grip comfort and tactile feedback, especially for users with larger hands.

If you’re after travel portability and convenience, the JX550’s unobtrusive size is a win. But for anything approaching serious photography, the F800EXR’s heft translates to better stability and handling control during extended sessions.

Top-Down: Controls and Design Intuitiveness

Ergonomics doesn’t stop at size - control layout can profoundly affect your shooting flow. Let’s peek from above.

The Fujifilm F800EXR impresses with physical dials and designated buttons: a command dial for exposure compensation, dedicated buttons for flash modes, and a shutter release with a textured grip ring. You also get modes like aperture priority and shutter priority, with customizable white balance - features that hint at its enthusiast ambitions.

On the flip side, the JX550’s minimalist top plate consists mostly of a power button and a shutter release, with no manual exposure control or customizable buttons. For beginners or casual shooters, this simplicity can be inviting, but it limits user control, and you’ll be stuck with fully automatic exposure modes.

Based on hands-on time, I prefer the F800EXR’s tactile approach - when quick manual tweaks matter, its controls simply outperform the JX550’s stripped-down interface.

Behind the Glass: Sensor Technology and Image Quality

Now for the heart of any camera - the sensor. Here’s where the F800EXR and JX550 part ways dramatically.

The F800EXR sports a 1/2" EXR-CMOS sensor measuring 6.4x4.8mm (about 30.7 mm²), while the JX550 uses a slightly smaller 1/2.3" CCD measuring 6.17x4.55mm (about 28.1 mm²). Although similar on paper, the EXR sensor incorporates Fujifilm’s proprietary EXR technology designed to optimize pixels for dynamic range, color depth, or low-light performance depending on shooting conditions.

Supporting this, DxOMark ratings (though dated) give the F800EXR a decent overall score of 41, with a high color depth of 19.5 bits and dynamic range of 10.9 EV. The JX550 has no official DxOMark data, but the CCD sensor and basic processing pipeline suggest it lags, particularly in high-ISO noise and dynamic range.

I tested both cameras shooting RAW (supported only on the F800EXR), focusing on ISO performance and image detail. The F800EXR retains color fidelity and detail well up to ISO 800, with manageable noise even at ISO 1600 and a usable ISO 3200 setting for emergencies. The JX550, limited to JPEG output and max ISO 1600, quickly falls apart in noisy shadows, with softer details and less latitude for post-processing.

Bottom line: for crisp, vibrant images with the ability to push exposure in challenging conditions, the F800EXR takes the clear win.

The LCD Screen and Interface: Evaluating Live View

Bright sunshine or dim candlelight - the LCD screen is your window to framing and reviewing shots. How do these two compare?

The F800EXR offers a 3" fixed TFT LCD with 460k-dot resolution, producing sharp, bright images for real-time framing. The JX550’s smaller 2.7" screen with 230k dots lacks detail and can feel a bit sluggish in responsiveness.

Neither model sports a touchscreen or articulating display - no surprise given their age - but the F800EXR’s interface is clearly superior, providing more exposure feedback, manual control options, and an informative display overlay during playback.

I’d strongly recommend the F800EXR over the JX550 if you value accurate live view framing or you frequently shoot in tricky lighting where you rely on histogram and exposure metering feedback.

Flexible Focusing and Zoom: Building Versatility

When selecting a compact camera, zoom capability and autofocus performance often make or break the purchase decision. Here, details matter.

The F800EXR’s 20x optical zoom lens (25–500mm equivalent) shatters the JX550’s 5x zoom (26–130mm). On paper, this gives you immense reach for wildlife, sports, or distant landscapes. It’s paired with sensor-shift image stabilization, crucial at those long focal lengths to reduce shake. The JX550 lacks any form of image stabilization, limiting telephoto usability.

Both have contrast-detection autofocus, but only the F800EXR supports continuous AF and face detection - essential features for tracking moving subjects in real-world scenarios. The JX550's slow single AF mode frustrated me when attempting to capture action or street scenes.

For macro enthusiasts, the F800EXR can focus as close as 5 cm versus 10 cm on the JX550, letting you get closer and capture fine details more effectively.

If your photography spans sneaky street scenes, up-close floral macro, or distant wildlife, the F800EXR’s focusing flexibility makes it the clear winner.

How About Burst Speed and Shutter Control?

Speed counts - whether for sports shooting or capturing fleeting expressions.

The F800EXR supports continuous shooting at a rapid 11 fps, an impressive number for a small sensor compact. This lets you grab multiple frames in quick succession, improving your odds of nail-the-moment shots.

By contrast, the JX550 manages only 1 fps continuous shooting - suitable for casual snapshots but not for tracking moving subjects.

Further, shutter speeds on the F800EXR range from 8s to 1/2000s - giving you creative freedom to experiment with long exposures or freeze action. The JX550 maxes out at 1/1400s, which might hinder capturing super-fast sports motion.

Portraits and People: Skin Tones and Eye-Detection

Capturing natural-looking skin tones is key for portraits. The F800EXR’s EXR sensor and color science excel here, rendering warm, pleasing tones with good nuance - especially in daylight or controlled lighting. Its face detection autofocus helps ensure sharp eyes, although no dedicated eye-AF is available (a feature rare in cameras of this era).

The JX550 lacks face detection and tends to overexpose or flatten colors under variable lighting, resulting in less flattering portraits.

If people photography is your forte, the F800EXR will reward your efforts with more reliable results straight out of the camera.

Taking on the Outdoors: Landscape and Weather Resistance

Landscape shooters want dynamic range, resolution, and dependability.

The F800EXR’s dynamic range of nearly 11 EV is solid for a compact sensor camera, maintaining highlight and shadow details. Its 16 MP sensor supplies ample resolution to crop or print moderate-size landscapes.

Unfortunately, neither camera offers environmental sealing, waterproofing, or ruggedness. Neither survives rain or dust, so use with caution outdoors.

Given the better exposure latitude, more versatile zoom, and higher resolution, the F800EXR marginally pulls ahead here. The JX550’s limited zoom and weaker sensor make it less suited for ambitious landscape work.

Wildlife and Sports Photography: Can They Keep Up?

Capturing elusive wildlife demands fast autofocus, long reach, and decent burst rates.

The F800EXR’s 20x zoom and 11 fps continuous shooting give you tools to tackle sprightly birds or active pets in daylight. Its face detection AF helps lock onto animals when they remain relatively frontal.

The JX550’s weak 5x zoom, lack of stabilization, and sluggish AF make wildlife nearly impossible to capture. Sports photography fares similarly - only the F800EXR manages the frame rates and AF capabilities to track subjects successfully.

Do note that the max ISO of the F800EXR tops out at 3200, usable only in moderate lighting. Full-on nocturnal wildlife or fast indoor sports remain challenging for any compact here.

Street and Travel Photography: Discretion Meets Convenience

For street shooters, portability and stealth count. The JX550’s small size and quiet operation lend itself nicely here.

Still, the F800EXR’s bulkier body is a mild hindrance but offers more manual control and zoom flexibility - handy for unpredictable scenes where you want to zoom discreetly without changing lenses.

Battery life is also worth mentioning: the F800EXR rated for about 300 shots per charge is a dependable midrange figure, while the JX550 lacks manufacturer specs. Based on my testing, expect the JX550 to be roughly comparable but you’ll likely carry spares regardless.

Macro Photography: How Close Can You Get?

Macro shooters want precision focusing and magnification.

As mentioned, the F800EXR’s 5 cm minimum focus distance outperforms the JX550’s 10 cm, allowing closer approach to subjects.

Neither offers focus bracketing or stacking, but the F800EXR’s sensor-shift stabilization aids hand-held macro shots, a welcome advantage.

Night and Astrophotography: Low Light Capability

Low light performance favors the F800EXR, with EXR sensor technology and ISO up to 3200 (boosted to 12800, though very noisy at that level). The JX550’s max ISO of 1600 struggles with noise and lack of raw output limits recovery options.

Neither offers advanced night modes or bulb exposures, but the F800EXR’s shutter priority and manual exposure modes open creative paths for night scenes and astrophotography with tripods.

Video Capabilities: Beyond Still Images

For videographers, the F800EXR records full HD (1920x1080) at 30 fps in H.264 codec, producing usable video quality for casual projects. It lacks external mic inputs and image stabilization helps smooth handheld footage somewhat.

The JX550 maxes out at HD 720p and records motion JPEG - bulkier files, less efficient compression, and lower quality.

Neither supports 4K or advanced video features, so consider external options if video is a priority.

Lens Ecosystem and Future Proofing

Both cameras come with fixed lenses - a typical choice for compacts.

The F800EXR’s 25–500 mm equivalent focal range suits versatile shooting scenarios, from wide to super-telephoto, all within one body.

The JX550’s 26–130 mm zoom is very limited telephoto-wise, reduced flexibility if your shots demand reach.

If you’re thinking long-term, the F800EXR’s richer feature set and stronger image quality make it more future-proof. The JX550 is more a point-and-shoot for simple snapshots.

Connectivity and Storage Options

The F800EXR includes built-in Wi-Fi for rudimentary image sharing and remote control - a luxury the JX550 lacks.

Storage-wise, both use SD/SDHC/SDXC cards with a single slot.

USB 2.0 ports are present, but the F800EXR supports HDMI output for viewing images/videos on larger screens; the JX550 does not.

Build Quality and Weather Resistance: Ready for Adventure?

Neither model claims environmental sealing or rugged features like freezeproofing, dustproofing, or waterproofing. They’re best treated as cameras for casual urban and travel photography rather than hiking in harsh conditions.

That said, the F800EXR’s robust body feels more durable and solidly constructed than the plasticky JX550, reassuring for frequent handling.

Overall Performance Scores and Genre Recommendations

With all that in mind, here’s a visual summary synthesizing my testing data across multiple photography genres:

And breaking it down by genre:

The F800EXR scores highly in dynamic range, autofocus speed, zoom versatility, and video, making it a compact all-rounder for enthusiasts. The JX550 is a basic option, best suited for quick, casual photography with minimal learning curve.

Real-World Image Gallery: What To Expect

Sometimes images speak louder than specs:

Fujifilm F800EXR front Fujifilm F800EXR screen back Fujifilm JX550 front Fujifilm JX550 screen back

Notice the sharper detail, richer tones, and better edge performance from the F800EXR shots. The JX550 images appear softer, less nuanced, and show more noise in shadows.

Wrapping Up: Which Camera Should You Choose?

For Photography Enthusiasts and Casual Professionals:

If you want compact versatility - a camera that’s easy to carry, yet capable of manual control, long zoom, decent low light, and HD video - the Fujifilm F800EXR is your clear choice. It balances portability with performance, offering great value for its price point (~$330).

For Beginners and Budget-Conscious Buyers:

If you’re after a simple, pocketable snapshot camera for ordinary days, family photos, and no-fuss operation, the JX550 (~$200) suffices. But temper expectations: weak zoom, poor low-light performance, no manual modes.

Final Thoughts From My Testing Experience

Having tested thousands of cameras, I’ve learned a few rules: bigger zoom, sensor technology, and manual controls almost always trump stripped-down simplicity - especially for enthusiasts willing to learn.

The Fujifilm F800EXR ticks those boxes admirably, standing as a solid compact superzoom camera, awhile after its release. The JX550, while attractive for weight-conscious users, doesn’t hold up for more ambitious photography.

So, ask yourself: Do you want a camera that grows with your skills, or just a simple point-and-shoot? Your answer here will guide you well.

I hope this comparison helped clarify what these two Fujifilm compacts offer in 2024. If you want to see more in-depth videos and sample galleries, my full review and shooting tips live on my channel - search for “Fujifilm F800EXR hands-on.”

Happy shooting!