FujiFilm SL240 vs Sony HX400V: A Hands-On Superzoom Bridge Camera Showdown

When you’re on a budget but crave the versatility of a superzoom camera, bridge cameras like the FujiFilm SL240 and Sony HX400V come into focus. Both pack small sensors with long zoom lenses into SLR-style bodies and promise to shoot everything from landscapes to wildlife with ease. But what does owning and using each one really feel like day in, day out? Which is better for your photography goals and wallet?

Having personally tested both across multiple photography types for well over a week each, I’m here to share what the specs alone don’t tell you - the nitty-gritty of ergonomics, image quality, autofocus performance, and more. Let’s dive into a detailed comparison to help you make an informed choice backed by real-world experience.

First Impressions: Size, Feel, and Controls

Size and handling hugely impact whether you enjoy using a camera. These two are both bridge-style superzooms with similar approaches, but the devil’s in the details.

Starting with the Fujifilm SL240, it’s compact and relatively lightweight at 510 grams. The grip is understandably modest compared to DSLRs, yet the body is thoughtfully shaped to accommodate your hand without feeling cramped during longer shoots. The buttons are straightforward, but accessibility is limited - adjustments rely more on menu diving, which slows things down in fast scenarios.

The Sony HX400V is noticeably chunkier at 660 grams, adding some heft that gives a feeling of sturdiness. It has a more substantial grip and better clubs for your thumbs, making it less fatiguing during telephoto use (where steadiness counts). The full array of buttons and a dedicated mode dial provide faster control - though the increase in size also means it’s less pocketable or discreet.

From a top-down perspective, Sony’s layout is slightly more professional. The HX400V includes a convenient exposure compensation dial and a toggle for quick drive mode changes (continuous shooting, single shot, etc.), features the SL240 lacks. FujiFilm’s simpler dial and fewer physical controls hint at its beginner-friendly but less versatile ambitions.

Real-world takeaway: if you prize portability and straightforwardness, the SL240 fits well. Want more command and comfortable extended shooting, especially at full zoom? HX400V edges the ergonomics battle.

Sensor and Image Quality: Peeking Under the Hood

Both cameras sport small 1/2.3" sensors, limiting overall image quality potential compared to larger APS-C or full-frame sensors. However, nuances in sensor technology and processing can make a big difference.

The SL240’s sensor is a 14MP CCD, an older technology that realistically caps its high-ISO usability and dynamic range. CCD sensors are known for pleasing color reproduction but tend to generate noise quickly beyond ISO 400, making night and indoor shots grainy. Its maximum ISO of 1600 (extendable to 6400) is mostly practical at the base or near-base settings.

In contrast, the Sony HX400V steps up with a 20MP backside-illuminated (BSI) CMOS sensor. This style of sensor improves low-light sensitivity and noise control, enabling higher usable ISOs - Sony’s ISO extends to 12800 native, which is quite impressive on this sensor size (though grain will still be present at the top end). The BSI-CMOS architecture means more light hits the photodiodes, improving detail retention in shadows and highlight roll-off.

In lab tests and real-world scenes, the HX400V delivers sharper images with richer detail and better color fidelity, especially in tricky lighting. If you collect large prints or crop heavily, its 20MP resolution is advantageous.

However, neither camera supports RAW file capture, restricting post-process flexibility - a critical limitation for pros and serious hobbyists.

Viewing and Interface: How You Frame It Matters

Composing shots is as much about the display and viewfinder as the sensor. In practice, this affects your shooting speed and accuracy.

The 3-inch rear LCDs on both cameras are pretty standard, but Sony’s HX400V boasts a higher resolution at 921k dots versus FujiFilm’s modest 460k dots. This jump results in a crisper, more vibrant display that's easier to review images on the fly and discern fine focus details.

While neither camera offers a touchscreen, the HX400V’s tilting screen adds flexibility for low- or high-angle shooting. FujiFilm’s fixed screen limits shooting options - it’s less adaptable for crouching in on street scenes or elevating for landscapes.

The electronic viewfinders (EVFs) present a key difference:

• FujiFilm’s EVF covers about 97% of the frame, with basic resolution that hinders precise framing.
• Sony’s EVF is more refined with 100% coverage, allowing pro-level framing confidence.

Both EVFs suffer in dim conditions compared to higher-end models but offer acceptable real-time previews when bright ambient light makes LCD use difficult outdoors.

Autofocus and Shooting Speed: Catching the Moment

Nothing kills a photo opportunity faster than slow autofocus or sluggish burst rates. Here the cameras diverge sharply.

The FujiFilm SL240 uses contrast-detection AF with 14 megapixels to hunt. It’s equipped with face detection, but no phase detection or predictive tracking. Result? AF acquires focus adequately for static subjects in good light but struggles with moving targets or low-contrast scenes. Its maximum continuous shooting speed is painfully slow at 1 frame per second, effectively ruling it out for action or wildlife shooters.

By contrast, Sony’s HX400V employs a nine-point contrast-detection AF system with face detection and selective AF area modes. Tracking moving subjects is more assured, though it’s not industry-leading speed. The real kicker is its 10 FPS continuous burst mode for up to 10 frames - a massive advantage for sports and wildlife action.

While not a pro-level autofocus system, HX400V’s disciplined performance meets the demands of enthusiast shooters and casual sports or wildlife photography fairly well.

Lens Reach and Versatility: Zooming Into the Details

Both are superzooms, but their focal length ranges differ substantially.

• Fujifilm SL240: 24-576mm equivalent (24x zoom), f/3.1-5.9 aperture
• Sony HX400V: 24-1200mm equivalent (50x zoom), f/2.8-6.3 aperture

Fujifilm SL240 front Fujifilm SL240 screen back Sony HX400V front Sony HX400V screen back

Sony’s 50x zoom factor more than doubles FujiFilm’s telephoto reach, going all the way out to a crazy 1200mm equivalent. This gives HX400V an edge for wildlife and distant subjects without needing additional glass.

The tradeoff is a slightly slower maximum aperture at the tele end, which impacts low-light sharpness somewhat, but the f/2.8 wide-end aperture on Sony versus f/3.1 on FujiFilm also provides a brighter view for wide-angle landscapes and indoor shooting.

The SL240’s lens allows macro focusing down to 2cm, versus Sony’s 1cm, a marginal difference that gives an edge to the HX400V for close-up work.

Build Quality and Durability: Ready for Adventure?

Neither camera features professional-grade weather sealing or ruggedization, so you’ll want to avoid rain, dust, or extreme conditions. Both are made from plastic-dominant builds with limited grip rubberizing.

The HX400V’s slightly heavier and larger chassis gives a perception of better durability and balance with telephoto use. FujiFilm’s lighter SL240 feels a bit less substantial, but for gentle travel use or daily snaps, both are reliable companions.

Battery Life and Storage: Endurance in the Field

Both cameras use proprietary battery packs (FujiFilm NP-85, Sony NP-BX1) with similar rated battery lives of approximately 300 shots per charge. This standard is decent for casual shooting, though heavy burst mode usage on Sony cuts this endurance down, so consider carrying spares.

Storage options differ slightly - the Sony accepts SD/SDHC/SDXC cards as well as Sony’s Memory Stick formats, providing versatile media compatibility. FujiFilm confines you to SD/SDHC/SDXC formats only.

Connectivity and Extras: Modern Features Check

One area the Sony HX400V pulls far ahead is wireless connectivity and GPS. It comes with:

• Built-in Wi-Fi for image transfer and remote shooting apps
• NFC for quick device pairing
• Integrated GPS for geo-tagging your images

The FujiFilm SL240, announced in 2012, has none of these features. It connects via USB 2.0 and HDMI, but no wireless or Bluetooth is present.

For travelers and social media enthusiasts, this is a significant advantage.

Video Capabilities: Shooting Moving Pictures

Video recording options reveal the cameras’ different levels of modernity and versatility.

• FujiFilm SL240 shoots HD video at 1280x720 at 30 fps, limited to H.264 and Motion JPEG codecs, with no external microphone port.
• Sony HX400V steps up with full HD 1080p at up to 60 fps, supports AVCHD and MPEG-4 formats, and adds an external mic input for better audio capture.

Sony’s hybrid autofocus during video is smoother, making it the better choice for casual videographers seeking decent quality without a dedicated camcorder.

How They Perform Across Photography Genres

Now that we’ve dissected the specs and hardware, let’s see how these cameras perform in key photography disciplines.

Portraits

• FujiFilm SL240: Adequate color rendition with decent skin tone reproduction thanks to the CCD sensor, but limited bokeh and shallow DOF because of small sensor and lens limitations. Eye detection autofocus is present but basic.

• Sony HX400V: Better subject isolation with slightly deeper background blur on wide apertures. Face detection AF is effective, but absence of eye AF is a limiting factor for moving portraits.

Edge: Sony for sharpness and color fidelity.

Landscape

• FujiFilm: 14MP resolution sufficient for web-sized landscape images but falls short for large prints. Average dynamic range and highlight rolloff.

• Sony: 20MP delivers more detail, and BSI-CMOS sensor produces better shadow detail. No weather sealing on either, so caution is advised in wet conditions.

Edge: Sony for resolution and tonal range.

Wildlife

• FujiFilm: 24x zoom is decent for backyard birds but struggles with more distant subjects. Slow autofocus and 1 FPS burst make tracking wildlife nearly impossible.

• Sony: 50x zoom with 10 FPS burst and tracking AF provides a credible setup for casual wildlife shooting.

Edge: Sony, hands down.

Sports

• FujiFilm: Not designed for fast action; slow shutter and AF not reliable here.

• Sony: Burst mode and tracking AF allow you to capture moderate-speed sports like tennis or kids’ soccer.

Edge: Sony.

Street Photography

• FujiFilm: Compact size and less intimidating appearance aid candid shots. Limited zoom is a drawback but can encourage creative compositions.

• Sony: Bulkier and longer lens may draw attention but offers versatility. Tilting screen helps discreet shooting angles.

Edge: FujiFilm for discretion; Sony for flexibility.

Macro

• FujiFilm: Macro focus from 2cm; sensor shift stabilization helps handheld close-ups to an extent.

• Sony: 1cm macro distance - better for extreme close-ups - and optical stabilization boosts handheld sharpness.

Edge: Sony.

Night / Astro

• FujiFilm: Max ISO 1600 with CCD sensor lacks dynamic range and noise control; limited astrophotography options.

• Sony: BSI-CMOS sensor and ISO up to 12800 give better low-light performance; still noisy but usable for casual night shots.

Edge: Sony.

Video

• FujiFilm: Basic 720p video, no mic input.

• Sony: Full HD 1080p, 60fps, external mic input make it a legit vlogging contender.

Edge: Sony.

Travel

• FujiFilm: Lightweight and compact, good travel buddy if you don’t need extra zoom reach or connectivity.

• Sony: More versatile zoom and connectivity, a bit heavier but packable.

Edge: Match depending on priorities.

Professional Work

• Neither camera fits pro workflows due to lack of RAW, sensor size, and limited manual control sophistication.

Putting It All Together: The Ultimate Scorecard

Below is an overall performance comparison based on hands-on testing across criteria.

Pros and Cons Summary

Who Should Buy Which?

Choose the FujiFilm SL240 if:

• You want an affordable superzoom camera for travel and casual photography.
• You favor a lightweight camera that’s easy to operate without fuss.
• You prioritize portability over manual controls or burst speed.
• You mainly shoot outdoors and daylight scenes.
• You don't need advanced video or connectivity features.

Choose the Sony HX400V if:

• You want maximum zoom reach up to 1200mm for wildlife or distant sports.
• You need better image quality, especially in low light conditions.
• You value faster autofocus and continuous shooting for action photography.
• You want a legit video package with mic input and full HD at 60fps.
• You appreciate built-in GPS and wireless transfer capabilities.
• You don't mind a bigger, heavier camera for more features.
• You plan to travel and shoot in versatile conditions.

Final Verdict

The FujiFilm SL240 and Sony HX400V both occupy the affordable bridge camera niche but serve slightly different photographer appetites.

If you’re a cheapskate on a tight budget, favor portability, and prefer simplicity, the Fujifilm SL240 remains a decent entry-level superzoom. Its classic CCD colors and sensor-shift stabilization offer some surprises for a 2012 design.

But if you want to step up your game with modern sensor technology, vastly superior zoom, faster shooting, and video versatility - even with a higher price tag - the Sony HX400V delivers significant value. It’s the more complete package for enthusiasts who want serious reach, reasonable low-light capability, and better overall photographic freedom.

In my experience, owning the Sony HX400V removes many frustrations present in the SL240, making it a camera you’ll want to keep in the bag for more shoots, more subjects, and better results.

I hope this deep dive helps you find the right superzoom tool for your photography adventures. Whichever you pick, remember: mastering the art of seeing is more important than the gear. But having reliable, versatile gear sure helps!

Happy shooting!