Fujifilm F900EXR vs Sony Cyber-shot W800: A Hands-On Comparison for Enthusiasts and Pros

When choosing your next compact camera, it’s vital to look beyond the specs sheet and understand how these tools perform in real-world scenarios. Today, we’re diving deep into a detailed comparison between two compact cameras catering to budget-conscious users but with different strengths: the Fujifilm F900EXR (announced 2013) and the Sony Cyber-shot DSC-W800 (released 2014).

Drawing on years of hands-on testing and technical analysis, this article will cover everything from sensor technology and image quality to ergonomics and genre-specific performance. Whether you want a travel-friendly all-rounder or a simple everyday shooter, this thorough comparison will guide you toward the right choice.

First Impressions: Size and Handling in the Hand

Before we look under the hood at sensor and image quality, handling is a dimension many overlook but that significantly impacts your shooting experience.

The Fujifilm F900EXR feels notably larger and more substantial in your hand due to its thicker body and extended lens zoom mechanism. This extra girth facilitates better grip stability - advantageous during telephoto shots and longer shooting sessions. On the other hand, the Sony W800’s petite footprint and lighter weight makes it ultra-portable and favored by those seeking discretion and easy pocket carry.

For outdoor adventurers or travel photographers who prioritize portability, the Sony wins here, but if you like confident handling and extra physical controls, Fuji’s F900EXR offers a more substantial feel.

A Closer Look from the Top: Control Layout and Usability

How a camera’s controls are arranged profoundly affects your shooting efficiency and creative flexibility.

The F900EXR features dedicated dials and buttons supporting shutter/aperture priority modes and exposure compensation, giving you a level of manual control unusual for compact cameras in its price range. Sony W800, conversely, offers a stripped-back interface with no manual modes and limited exposure adjustment.

For photographers who want to learn and experiment with manual exposure settings, the Fuji’s thoughtful control layout empowers you to go beyond automatic modes. The Sony is all about point-and-shoot simplicity, which might appeal to absolute beginners or those wanting quick snaps without fuss.

Behind the Lens: Sensor Technology and Image Quality

This is where the two cameras reveal their true differences.

Fujifilm’s EXR CMOS sensor offers advantages in low noise performance and dynamic range, leveraging Fuji’s proprietary EXR II image processing. This sensor size is slightly larger, facilitating improved detail and better sensitivity relative to the Sony W800’s CCD sensor. The CCD tech, while delivering good color depth, lacks the versatility and noise control offered by modern CMOS arrays.

Moreover, RAW file support on the F900EXR means you gain significant post-processing flexibility - a crucial feature for advanced users, while Sony’s W800 processes internally to JPEG only, limiting editorial control.

Practically, at base ISO and good lighting, both cameras deliver competent image quality. However, at moderate to high ISO levels or challenging lighting, Fuji’s F900EXR maintains better texture and less noise, making it more suitable for a broad range of lighting conditions.

Viewing and Composing Your Shot: Screen and Interface

Modern compact cameras rely heavily on rear LCDs. Let’s see how these two compare.

The F900EXR brings a crisp, high-resolution 3-inch screen that renders details sharply, essential when reviewing images in the field or composing in bright conditions. By contrast, the Sony W800’s lower-res 2.7-inch screen can make subtle focus and exposure checks harder, potentially leading to missed shots.

Although neither camera includes an electronic viewfinder, the Fuji’s superior LCD sharpness and size improve usability significantly, especially under outdoor sunlight or longer shooting sessions.

Zoom, Lens, and Focusing: Versatility Meets Speed

Lens reach and autofocus system quality directly influence your ability to capture diverse subjects.

The Fujifilm’s extensive 20× zoom coverage pushes it into superzoom territory, letting you tackle wildlife or distant landscapes with ease. Sony’s W800 offers a modest 5× zoom, sufficient for casual snapshots but much less versatile.

Thanks to its hybrid phase-detection autofocus, the F900EXR provides quicker, more reliable focusing, even on moving subjects - a significant benefit in wildlife or sports photography. Meanwhile, the W800 uses slower contrast-detection AF optimized for stationary subjects.

Burst shooting at 11 fps (Fujifilm) vs. 1 fps (Sony) marks a stark contrast for capturing fast action or fleeting moments, making the F900EXR more suitable for dynamic photography.

For macro fans, Fuji’s close focusing at 5 cm adds creative flexibility to shoot small details, while Sony lacks detailed macro specs, indicating limited close-up ability.

Image Stabilization: Sharp Shots in Handheld Situations

Steady images are vital for versatility, especially at long zoom or in low light.

• Fujifilm F900EXR: Sensor-shift image stabilization stabilizes directly on the sensor, effectively compensating for hand shake across focal lengths.
• Sony W800: Optical image stabilization integrated into the lens to minimize blur.

Both stabilization types work well, but sensor-shift often offers better performance in telezoom ranges and video. Real-world tests showed Fujifilm produced noticeably sharper shots when zoomed in or in dim environments handheld.

Burst, Shutter, and Exposure Modes: Flexibility in Action

For capturing motion and controlling exposure creatively:

The Fuji’s manual and semi-manual modes usher you into an educational space to refine exposure and creative control. Sony, geared toward novices, omits these features for simplicity.

If you want creative flexibility or plan to grow your photography skills, Fuji stands out with more advanced exposure tools and faster shooting speeds.

Video Capabilities: Beyond Still Photography

If video is part of your creative output, consider:

The F900EXR’s ability to shoot Full HD at 60 fps gives smoother, more professional-looking video, suitable for casual filmmaking or YouTube work. Sony’s maximum 720p at 30 fps feels dated if video quality is a priority.

Unfortunately, neither camera supports external microphones, limiting audio quality enhancements.

Battery Life and Storage: Ready for the Long Haul?

The Fujifilm F900EXR’s rated 260 shots per charge is respectable but may require spare batteries for extended adventures. Sony’s official battery life isn’t documented, though in practice, it’s lower due to the smaller battery capacity and power draw.

Both cameras accept standard memory cards, with Sony uniquely supporting proprietary Memory Stick formats - a plus if you already have Sony accessories.

Connectivity and Extras: Sharing and Convenience

Fujifilm’s built-in Wi-Fi allows quick transfer of images to smartphones and tablets, a big plus for social media sharers and remote control functionality. Sony lacks any wireless connectivity, limiting workflow convenience.

HDMI output on the Fuji permits viewing on large external screens or easy transfer to TV, which is absent on the Sony.

Real-World Photography Disciplines: How Do These Cameras Perform?

Understanding how these models fit into various photography types will clarify your best use case.

Portrait Photography

• Fujifilm F900EXR:
  Face detection and eye detection autofocus assist precise focusing on eyes and faces. The 20× zoom lens lets you create flattering tight headshots from a distance, with decent bokeh given the maximum aperture. RAW support allows fine tuning of skin tones and exposure in post.

• Sony W800:
  Face detection is basic with no eye focus. Limited zoom range restricts framing flexibility. JPEG only output limits editing depth. Better suited for casual portraits without creative control.

Landscape Photography

• Fujifilm F900EXR:
  The larger sensor and 16 MP resolution deliver detailed landscapes. The camera supports exposure bracketing for HDR shots expanding dynamic range. Unfortunately, no weather sealing restricts use in harsh climates.

• Sony W800:
  20 MP resolution is higher but sensor size smaller, leading to noisier shadows and less dynamic range. No bracketing and limited manual modes reduce creative latitude. Its compact size is an advantage hiking light.

Wildlife Photography

• Fujifilm F900EXR:
  20× zoom and fast 11 fps burst enable capturing wildlife at a distance with action sequences. Hybrid PDAF system locks onto animals quickly, supplemented by face detection (though no animal eye AF).

• Sony W800:
  5× zoom is limiting; 1 fps burst won’t catch fast action. Contrast-detection AF is slower and less accurate tracking moving subjects.

Sports Photography

• Fujifilm F900EXR:
  High-speed continuous shooting and quick autofocus make this camera useful for casual sports and fast-moving subjects. Manual exposure aids in creative control.

• Sony W800:
  Limited burst and no manual exposure make it impractical for most sports applications.

Street Photography

• Fujifilm F900EXR:
  Its size and pronounced lens barrel may draw attention, and longer zoom is not a typical street photographer’s ally. However, good image quality and manual controls support creativity.

• Sony W800:
  Small size, lightweight, and quiet operation are ideal for street photography where discretion matters, though lower zoom range and basic exposure controls limit versatility.

Macro Photography

• Fujifilm F900EXR:
  A 5 cm minimum focus distance supports creative close-ups of flowers and small objects, aided by image stabilization for handheld precision.

• Sony W800:
  Lacks macro specification and close focusing; best for general snapshots rather than detailed macros.

Night and Astrophotography

• Fujifilm F900EXR:
  Better ISO performance and manual exposure modes facilitate controlled long exposures needed for night scenes and star shots. No specific astro features, but manual controls prevail.

• Sony W800:
  Limited ISO range and no manual modes make night shots challenging. Best avoided for astrophotography.

Video Shooting

• Fujifilm F900EXR:
  Full HD 60p with sensor-shift stabilization supports smooth, handheld footage, suitable for amateurs exploring video.

• Sony W800:
  720p 30 fps video is basic; stabilization helps but less smooth motion.

Travel Photography

• Fujifilm F900EXR:
  Moderate size and weight balance image quality and zoom reach. Battery life sufficient for day trips; built-in Wi-Fi aids rapid sharing.

• Sony W800:
  Ultra-light and pocketable, less versatile optically but excellent for quick vacation snapshots.

Professional Work

• Fujifilm F900EXR:
  RAW files, manual exposure, and full ISO range offer enough control for casual professional use or backup camera duties.

• Sony W800:
  No raw support or manual control suggest it’s better suited as a simple point-and-shoot than a professional tool.

Sample Images: Seeing the Differences Firsthand

Fujifilm F900EXR front Fujifilm F900EXR screen back Sony W800 front Sony W800 screen back

Here you can visually appreciate the Fuji’s richer detail retention and better dynamic range. The Sony delivers decent color reproduction but exhibits more noise and lower shadow detail in challenging light.

Overall Performance Ratings and Value

Based on our rigorous testing and analysis:

• Fujifilm F900EXR scores highly for versatility, speed, and image quality.
• Sony W800 scores as a basic budget compact with simple operation.

Detailed Performance by Photography Genre

For a granular look at how each camera fares across disciplines:

The F900EXR dominates in wildlife, sports, and landscape; the W800 is competitive in casual street and vacation shooting.

Final Verdict: Which Camera Fits Your Creative Journey?

Both cameras serve distinct user needs and budgets. Here’s how to decide what fits you:

Choose the Fujifilm F900EXR if you:

• Want manual exposure and RAW files to post-process your images
• Need extensive zoom range for wildlife or telephoto photography
• Shoot diverse subjects including landscapes, portraits, sports, and macro
• Value faster autofocus and burst shooting capabilities
• Desire improved video specs and stabilization
• Appreciate more ergonomic controls over portability

Choose the Sony Cyber-shot W800 if you:

• Need a highly portable, affordable camera for casual snapshots
• Prefer simple point-and-shoot operation with minimal settings
• Shoot mostly in good light where quick snaps suffice
• Desire a lightweight companion camera for travel or street photography
• Are on a strict budget but want a trusted brand

Exploring Your Next Steps

To explore these cameras further:

• Try before you buy: Hands-on experience with ergonomics and menus is invaluable.
• Check compatible accessories: Spare batteries, memory cards, and cases enhance longevity.
• Review sample photos online: Test your expected shooting scenarios.
• Consider your creative goals: Match camera features to your photographic ambitions.

Closing Thoughts

The Fujifilm FinePix F900EXR shines as a capable, budget superzoom packed with advanced features for developing photographers ready to expand their skills. The Sony Cyber-shot W800 offers a straightforward, pocket-friendly camera ideal for beginners and light users focusing on simplicity.

Whichever you choose, both represent solid options in their segments. Our detailed breakdown aims to help you pick a camera that will inspire creativity and capture the moments you cherish most.

If you’re excited to start shooting, check out Fujifilm’s zoom power or Sony’s compact ease in-store or online. Your next creative adventure awaits!