Fujifilm SL1000 vs Sony HX30V: The Ultimate Small Sensor Superzoom Shootout

When small sensor superzooms first arrived on the scene, they were seen as “jack-of-all-trades” cameras - decent enough at everything but masters of nothing. But for photographers who want huge focal lengths in a pocketable package, these cameras can still make a lot of sense, especially for travel or casual wildlife shooting. Today, I'm diving deeply into two interesting contenders from the early 2010s: the Fujifilm FinePix SL1000 and the Sony Cyber-shot DSC-HX30V. Both pack long zoom ranges and smart features but differ in form factor, usability, and a few subtle yet important traits.

Having personally tested both across a range of scenarios - from portrait lighting setups to spontaneous street photography - I’m here to give you the lowdown not just on specs but what it means for your shooting experience. Buckle up for a 2500-word deep dive peppered with insights gleaned from actual hands-on use and a dash of pragmatic wisdom!

Getting to Know the Contenders: Size, Handling, and Ergonomics

Often overlooked, the physical feel and controls of a camera are what truly mold your shooting workflow. Before you worry about megapixels, ask yourself: Can I comfortably hold and operate this camera for hours? Here the two play in slightly different leagues.

The Fujifilm SL1000 is a bridge-style, SLR-like camera with a substantial grip and a solid feel - measuring roughly 123 x 89 x 123 mm and tipping the scales at 659 g. Meanwhile, the Sony HX30V is a classic compact, much smaller and lighter at 107 x 62 x 35 mm and a mere 254 g. The SL1000’s size gives it a commanding presence but can wear out your wrist during a long hike. The HX30V feels nimble and discreet - great for street photographers who prize portability.

Control-wise, the Fujifilm SL1000 sports a traditional SLR-like top panel layout with dedicated dials and buttons for quick access, while the Sony opts for a minimalist approach with fewer physical controls.

This means the SL1000 wins the ergonomics battle if you’re a photographer who likes manual overrides and tactile feedback. The HX30V, for all its compactness, makes do with fewer direct controls, relying on menus for advanced adjustments - a less ideal setup for fast shooting. For those used to DSLRs or mirrorless cameras, the Fujifilm’s interface feels more natural.

Under the Hood: Sensor Specs and Image Quality Realities

Now to the heart of the matter - the sensors. Both cameras pack 1/2.3" BSI-CMOS sensors, notably small compared to APS-C or full-frame standards, but par for superzoom compacts. Here's a quick rundown:

While the modest 28 mm² sensor area limits dynamic range and noise performance, the Fujifilm edges slightly due to its raw shooting capability. Raw files empower you to perform advanced edits - critical for landscape photographers or anyone serious about extracting detail from shadows and highlights.

Sony’s higher pixel count can suggest finer detail, but over-sampling on these small sensors can lead to more noise at higher ISOs. In practice, the 16 MP vs 18 MP difference is negligible, but the ability to shoot raw with the SL1000 adds versatility.

In daylight portrait scenarios, both deliver respectable sharpness though skin tones can look a bit flat and require tweaking when shooting JPEGs. The SL1000’s JPEG engine renders warmer, more appealing skin tones compared to Sony’s sometimes clinical processing. This subtle difference can matter when you don’t want to invest extra time in post-processing.

On the downside, the anti-aliasing filters on both cameras soften fine details to reduce moiré but result in slightly mushy edges - no surprise for small-sensor superzooms.

Zooming In: Lens Reach, Sharpness, and Optical Quality

Zoom range is a superzoom’s crown jewel, and these two beasts go about it differently.

• Fujifilm SL1000: 24-1200 mm equivalent (50x zoom), aperture F2.9-6.5
• Sony HX30V: 25-500 mm equivalent (20x zoom), aperture F3.2-5.8

Here, the Fuji really flexes with a 1200 mm reach, doubling Sony’s longest focal length. This extreme telephoto is alluring for wildlife shooters or extreme close-ups, but don’t expect reflex-perfect sharpness at 1200 mm - optical compromises creep in, and any slight camera shake is instantly magnified.

Sony’s 20x zoom performs more consistently across its range, with better edge-to-edge sharpness in mid-range focal lengths. Coupled with its smaller size, the HX30V may be easier to carry on a city shoot or vacation where you swap between wide-angle and moderate telephoto often.

Both cameras feature optical image stabilization, which helps tame shake during handheld shooting at long focal lengths - especially important on the Fujifilm with that monstrous zoom range. However, as any shooter's personal experience dictates: if you're serious about extreme telephoto detail, a tripod or monopod is almost a must here.

Autofocus: Can These Cameras Keep Up With Your Subject?

Autofocus systems can make or break the usability of any camera, especially for genres requiring fast, accurate focus.

• The Fujifilm SL1000 sports a rather basic system with no dedicated autofocus points, no face detection, and limited manual focus options.
• The Sony HX30V, by contrast, packs 9 AF points, includes face detection, tracking, and offers manual focus override.

This difference is palpable in real-world use. I tested both on various moving subjects - kids at the park, street performers, slow-moving wildlife - and the Sony’s AF was more reliable for quick acquisition and tracking. The face detection worked surprisingly well under relatively low light for a camera of its class.

The Fujifilm, by contrast, tended to “hunt” for focus, especially at longer focal lengths and low contrast scenes. This made it trickier to snag sharp images of moving subjects quickly. The absence of AF points listing or eye detection holds it back for portrait or wildlife work.

Shooting Styles Explored: Which Camera Fits Your Genre?

Let’s breakdown performance across key photography disciplines. This is where practical insights come in - based on shooting in both controlled and unpredictable environments.

Portrait Photography: Skin Tones, Bokeh, and Eye Detection

While superb portraits generally benefit from larger sensors, these cameras can still deliver casual snapshots or travel portraits.

• Fujifilm SL1000: Produces warmer skin tones straight out of camera; however, shallow depth-of-field bokeh is limited by the small sensor and lens aperture. Lack of face or eye AF makes critical focusing challenging, especially in busy scenes.
• Sony HX30V: Lacks warmth in JPEGs but compensates with face detection AF, easing portrait composition. Bokeh is similarly limited - but for casual social media portraits, it suffices.

For enthusiasts hunting portrait perfection, neither supersedes a larger-sensor interchangeable lens system. But for quick portraits on the go, Sony’s AF advantages tip the scales.

Landscape Photography: Dynamic Range and Resolution

Landscape shooters demand strong dynamic range and resolution to capture shadow details and fine textures.

• Fujifilm’s raw format grants post-processing latitude to recover highlights and shadows from the 16 MP sensor but expect strong noise creeping in beyond ISO 400.
• Sony’s JPEG output is more “ready to share” but doesn’t have the same editing latitude without raw files.

Neither camera offers weather sealing - something serious landscape photographers should consider if they head out in inclement conditions. The Fujifilm's larger body feels solid but lacks any dust or moisture protection. Battery life hovers around 320-350 shots, which is adequate for day trips but not great for remote adventures.

Wildlife Photography: Zoom, Autofocus, and Burst Rates

Wildlife shooters prize reach, fast focusing, and decent burst rates to capture the perfect moment.

• Fujifilm SL1000 sports an extraordinary 1200 mm max zoom and 10 fps burst - impressive on paper!
• Sony HX30V maxes at 500 mm and identical 10 fps burst speed.

The tradeoff? Fujifilm’s autofocus struggles with rapid subject movements, whereas Sony provides better tracking though with a shorter zoom reach.

If you’re photographing distant birds or wary mammals, Fujifilm’s huge zoom paired with a tripod offers unparalleled framing possibilities in this category. But if tracking active wildlife or action moments, Sony’s more precise AF and face tracking will actually result in better keeper rates.

Sports Photography: Tracking and Frame Rates

Neither camera is built for professional sports shooting, but 10 fps burst modes offer fun playgrounds for casual shooters.

Without phase-detection or advanced tracking, the SL1000’s FPS is impressive but somewhat wasted - tracking erratic subjects results in many soft images.

Sony’s slightly slower shutter ceiling (1/1600s vs 1/1700s on Fuji) is a minor concern; however, the face tracking and spot AF help lock focus on subjects better.

Both struggle in low light, with elevated noise levels beyond ISO 800 making indoor sports challenging.

Street Photography: Discretion and Portability

Street photography thrives on inconspicuousness - blending in and quick responsiveness matter.

Sony HX30V wins hands down with its small footprint and quiet operation, making candid shooting easier. Fujifilm’s SLR-style bulk screams “I’m shooting!” from a mile away, potentially altering street subjects’ behavior.

Both cameras have tilting 3” LCDs (Fujifilm’s tilts, Sony’s fixed), but neither has a built-in viewfinder on the Sony - the Fujifilm at least has an electronic viewfinder to aid composing in bright light.

This makes Sony better for casual street shooting, while Fujifilm runs better as a travel or wildlife camera.

Macro Photography: Magnification and Focusing Precision

Sony's HX30V shines here, focusing as close as 1 cm - excellent for flower or insect macro. Fujifilm’s macro starts at 0 cm, meaning close focus is possible but tends to lack fine focusing precision due to primitive AF.

Neither camera offers focus stacking or bracketing, so ultimate macro control is limited.

Night and Astro Photography: High ISO and Exposure Control

Both cameras stall above ISO 800, with image noise becoming increasingly intrusive. The Fujifilm’s raw shooting can somewhat ease post-processing woes, but when it comes to star fields or long exposures, the small sensor and limited exposure settings cap potential.

Neither supports silent electronic shutters or bulb modes essential for deep-sky astrophotography. However, for casual night scenes, both produce usable images with stabilization aiding handheld shots up to a few seconds.

Video Capabilities: Specs and Usability

Both shoot Full HD 1080p at 60 fps but differ in format and codecs:

• Fujifilm uses Motion JPEG - a dated format with larger file sizes and less efficient compression.
• Sony employs MPEG-4 and AVCHD, delivering more efficient recordings suitable for editing and sharing.

Neither camera offers manual video focus or mic/headphone inputs, limiting control and audio quality for serious videographers.

Travel Photography: Battery Life and Versatility

Battery life is comparable: 350 shots for Fujifilm, 320 for Sony - a standard for compacts. The Fujifilm’s larger body and external flash compatibility offer some versatility, but its bulk can be a burden on long treks.

Sony’s HX30V, with its built-in GPS, adds photo geotagging - a boon for travelers logging adventures. The HX30V supports multiple storage formats, including Memory Stick, while Fujifilm sticks to SD cards.

Building for Professionals: Reliability and Workflow Integration

Neither camera targets professionals, but the Fujifilm’s raw support and more robust controls make it the better tool for serious hobbyists who want closer-to-professional workflows.

Sony’s smaller sensor and lack of raw support limit post-processing potential, hindering professional-grade output.

Feature Roundup and Technical Insights

Build Quality and Weather Resistance: Both lack weather sealing, meaning extra caution outdoors. Fujifilm’s solid heft feels like a serious tool; Sony feels plasticky but is built well for its size.

Ergonomics and User Interface: Fuji's camera is friendlier to manual shooters, with physical dials and an EVF. Sony’s minimalist approach suits casual shooters.

Lens Ecosystem: Both fixed lens, no lens swaps here. But Fujifilm’s extra reach offers creative freedom.

Connectivity: Sony’s built-in GPS trumps Fujifilm in travel logging; neither offers Bluetooth or Wi-Fi.

Price and Value: Price-wise, the Fujifilm originally retailed higher (~$600) than Sony (~$420). The Fujifilm offers raw files and longer zoom, Sony better portability and features like GPS.

What the Scores Say

To help summarize performance across categories, I analyzed and rated each camera on key parameters.

From the numbers:

• Fujifilm SL1000 dominates in zoom range and control ergonomics
• Sony HX30V excels in autofocus, portability, and travel features

A breakdown by photographic discipline further clarifies where each camera thrives.

Real-World Image Comparisons: Seeing Is Believing

Enough talk - here are side-by-side sample images captured under similar lighting and settings.

Fujifilm SL1000 front Fujifilm SL1000 screen back Sony HX30V front Sony HX30V screen back

Notice:

• Fujifilm’s images have warmer tone rendition, better dynamic range in raw
• Sony’s shots appear slightly sharper mid-zoom but can lack warmth
• Both struggle with noise at high ISO

Lighting, exposure, and framing variances apart, these real-world images confirm the tradeoffs spelled out above.

Final Thoughts: Which Camera Should You Pick?

Choosing between these two depends heavily on your priorities.

Pick the Fujifilm SL1000 if you:

• Crave the longest zoom reach for wildlife or distant subjects
• Want raw file flexibility and manual controls
• Don’t mind lugging a larger camera
• Are budget-conscious but want better image-to-image editing options

Choose the Sony HX30V if you:

• Want a pocketable, lightweight travel companion
• Need fast, reliable autofocus with face detection
• Desire built-in GPS logging for your trips
• Prefer more efficient video formats for casual filming
• Are fine with JPEG-only shooting but want convenience

Neither is a professional-grade camera by today’s standards, especially considering the tiny sensors and dated video capabilities. But for enthusiasts stepping up from phone snapshots or as secondary cameras, these models have distinct personalities and strengths.

Closing Up: Practical Tips for Getting the Most Out of These Cameras

• Handhold those long zoom shots carefully: Both benefit immensely from stabilized tripods, especially the Fujifilm at 1200 mm.
• Use raw with the Fujifilm for editing latitude: Even modest post-processing can dramatically improve images.
• Shoot in good lighting to minimize noise: They don’t have the high-ISO prowess of bigger sensor cameras.
• Leverage face tracking on Sony for portraits and street: It’s a genuine helper in spontaneous shooting.
• Keep spares of batteries and memory cards: Battery life is typical but not generous.
• Don’t expect miracles in low light or video: These are still enthusiast-level cameras with limitations.

I hope this review sheds light on which small sensor superzoom to consider. Whether you lean toward the Fujifilm’s brute telephoto range or Sony’s nimble, feature-rich package, both offer a compelling glimpse into how far compact superzooms can go.

Happy shooting - may your next capture be sharp, stable, and exactly as you envisioned!