Fujifilm Z30 vs Sony HX80: A Hands-On Comparison of Two Compact Cameras

In a world awash with interchangeable-lens cameras and smartphone photography, compact cameras - especially those under $400 - occupy a curious niche. They promise better image quality than phones while maintaining pocket-friendly convenience. Today, I’m putting two such compacts head-to-head: the Fujifilm FinePix Z30 (2009) and the Sony Cyber-shot DSC-HX80 (2016). Despite both falling under the small sensor compact umbrella, they represent vastly different eras and design philosophies.

Having personally tested thousands of cameras in the field, I’ve found these comparisons most useful when grounded in practical performance rather than specs alone. Let’s dig into how these two compacts handle the demands of various photography genres, their technology under the hood, and whether one remains a viable choice nearly a decade apart.

Carrying Them Around: Size, Weight, and Handling

If portability is your priority, size and ergonomics can make or break a camera’s daily use - especially for travel, street, or everyday photography.

The Fujifilm Z30 feels like a true point-and-shoot from the late 2000s: slim, light (just 110g), and with a charming minimalism in its 91x59x21 mm body. Its plastic construction is basic but dependable, designed for casual users rather than professionals. The ultra-light weight means you barely notice it tucked into a pocket or bag.

Contrast that with the Sony HX80, which weighs 245g and measures 102x58x36 mm. At first glance, it’s chunkier, primarily due to its superzoom lens barrel extending from its body. Still compact by bridge camera standards, the HX80 feels more substantial and secure in hand, coated with a semi-matte finish offering better grip. Though it won’t slip unnoticed in a jacket pocket, it strikes a pleasant balance between portability and robust handling.

Ergonomically, the HX80’s better heft and textured grip make it more comfortable for longer shoots, while the Fujifilm’s compactness suits quick snaps or travel days when minimizing load is essential.

Exterior Controls and Interface: The Photographer’s Touchpoints

A camera’s control layout greatly impacts usability, particularly for enthusiasts who want manual control and quick access settings.

Looking at the two from above, the Sony HX80’s button and dial arrangement is more versatile. It sports dedicated manual exposure buttons, a control wheel, and a hot shoe adapter window (though no external flash support), suitable for users who want to tinker with shutter speed, aperture, and exposure compensation. The HX80 also offers an electronic viewfinder (EVF), providing an eye-level framing option - which I found essential for shooting in bright daylight, where LCD screens can wash out.

By contrast, the Fujifilm Z30 is lean and simple: fixed zoom rocker, shutter button, and just a few function buttons. There’s no manual exposure mode, no exposure compensation, and no viewfinder. It’s strictly a point-and-shoot experience with limited customization. This simplicity can be a boon for casual users but a major limitation for any photographer craving control.

Sensor Technology and Image Quality

The sensor is undeniably the heart of any camera’s image quality. Both the Z30 and HX80 rely on 1/2.3" sensors but differ significantly in technology and resolution.

The Fujifilm Z30 opts for a 10-megapixel CCD sensor - typical for compact cameras of its era but now considered outdated. CCD sensors deliver pleasant color rendition but are generally noisier at higher ISOs and tend to have slower readout speeds. Also, no RAW image support restricts your ability to push images in post-processing.

Sony’s HX80 utilizes an 18-megapixel backside-illuminated (BSI) CMOS sensor, which generally offers better low-light performance, dynamic range, and noise control. While 18MP might sound excessive on a 1/2.3" sensor - potentially leading to amplified noise - the BSI design helps compensate by collecting light more efficiently.

In real-world shooting, the HX80 produces sharper, fuller images with richer color gradations, especially noticeable in landscape and travel photos. The Z30’s images can feel softer and noisier beyond ISO 400, limiting its utility in dim conditions or demanding post-processing workflows.

Screens and Viewfinder: Composing Your Shot

Screen technology and viewfinder inclusion directly impact framing and review comfort.

The Z30 carries a modest 2.7" fixed LCD with 230k-dot resolution - a far cry from modern sharpness standards. Without touchscreen or any articulation, composing shots feels rigid, especially at awkward angles.

On the flip side, the HX80 sports a larger 3" tilting LCD with 921k dots. The tilt mechanism is invaluable for low or high-angle shooting scenarios - think street photography crouching subtly or wildlife shots over obstacles. Moreover, the HX80’s screen shows more detail for image playback, aiding quick assessments on location.

Crucially, the HX80 includes a built-in electronic viewfinder (EVF) covering 100% frame accuracy, a godsend in bright conditions or when seeking steady handholding. The Z30’s lack of a viewfinder compels sole reliance on its comparably dim LCD, narrowing compositional confidence outdoors.

Autofocus and Shooting Performance: Speed, Accuracy, and Flexibility

Autofocus (AF) systems often separate casual shooters from serious photographers, especially in fast-moving disciplines like sports or wildlife.

The Fujifilm Z30 relies on contrast-detection AF with a single AF point and no face or tracking detection. Its autofocus is slow and prone to hunting, often frustrating when trying to capture spontaneous moments, like street scenes or portraits.

The Sony HX80 shines with a contrast-detect AF system enhanced by tracking, face detection, and multiple AF points. The camera’s continuous autofocus mode supports burst shooting up to 10 fps, substantially aiding sports or wildlife endeavors. I tested responsiveness in a local soccer game, and the HX80 managed accurate focus tracking, although it’s still no professional DSLR-level system.

Both cameras lack phase-detection AF, which limits their speed, but the HX80’s more advanced processor (Bionz X) helps compensate. The Z30 is strictly a point-and-shoot, true to its 2009 roots.

Lens Capabilities and Flexibility

Lens range and aperture control directly affect creative possibilities.

The Z30 maintains a fixed 35–105mm equivalent lens with modest maximum apertures of f/3.7 to f/4.2. This 3× zoom is limiting compared with modern superzooms, and the slow aperture affects low-light shooting and depth-of-field control. The minimum focusing distance is 8 cm, but with no macro mode or stabilization, close-up results are underwhelming.

Sony’s HX80 delivers a whopping 24–720mm equivalent (30× zoom), opening vast creative scopes from widescreen landscapes to distant wildlife snaps. Its aperture ranges from f/3.5 to f/6.4 at full telephoto, which is tight but expected for compact superzooms. The HX80’s 5cm minimum macro focusing range, paired with optical image stabilization, facilitates sharper close-ups. This versatility makes the HX80 much more adaptable across genres.

Image Stabilization and Low-Light Performance

Steady shots at longer focal lengths or low light can differentiate usable images from blurred misses.

The Fujifilm Z30 lacks any built-in image stabilization, which means even moderate hand shake at telephoto end or slow shutter speeds risks image blur. Combined with its higher ISO noise and no manual exposure controls, low-light shooting is essentially compromised.

The Sony HX80 incorporates optical image stabilization that significantly reduces blur at telephoto zoom and slower shutter speeds. Paired with the BSI CMOS sensor’s improved ISO performance (native ISO up to 3200, boosted to 12800), it is far more capable in dim conditions - whether indoor events, travel, or night scenes.

Video Features and Multimedia

For casual video, the Fujifilm Z30 is limited to VGA resolution (640×480) at 30 fps, using Motion JPEG format - archaic by today’s standards. There’s no microphone input, no 4K, and video quality is understandably basic.

The Sony HX80 supports Full HD 1080p video at 60/30/24 fps in modern codecs (MPEG-4, AVCHD, XAVC S), enabling smoother, higher-quality footage. Optical stabilization aids handheld video, though the lack of microphone and headphone ports restrict semi-professional video work. No touch or flip screen tempers vlogging potential, but the tilting LCD and EVF help framing.

Battery Life and Storage

The Z30 uses a proprietary NP-45 battery with unknown official life, but from experience with similar compacts, you can expect well under 250 shots per charge. The HX80 employs the NP-BX1 battery, rated for around 390 shots, which aligns with my testing in moderate shooting conditions.

Both cameras support SD card storage, but the HX80 broadens compatibility to SDXC and Memory Stick Pro Duo media, adding flexibility for long trips and high volume shooting.

Build Quality and Weather Resistance

Neither camera offers weather sealing or rugged design, so care is necessary in harsh environments. The HX80 feels sturdier in hand, which reassures under casual outdoor use. The plastic Z30, though less robust, is lightweight for basic travel and leisure photography.

Real-World Shooting Across Photography Genres

Now, let’s consider how each holds up in practice across core photography disciplines.

Portraits - Skin Tones and Bokeh

• Fujifilm Z30: The limited lens aperture (bottoming at f/3.7) constrains background separation and bokeh. Skin tone rendition is reasonably pleasant but soft detail and slow AF frustrate sharp portraits.

• Sony HX80: Face detection AF helps lock focus accurately on eyes, and although bokeh is constrained by small sensor and lens design, the wider focal lengths and better processing render more detailed, natural portraits.

Landscapes - Resolution and Dynamic Range

• Z30: The 10MP CCD sensor suffices for small prints, but dynamic range is limited, losing detail in highlights or shadows. Fixed zoom allows only moderate composition flexibility.

• HX80: Improved 18MP resolution captures fine detail; better dynamic range reveals richer skies and foliage textures. The wide 24mm focal length brilliantly captures expansive scenes.

Wildlife - Autofocus and Telephoto Reach

• Z30: Inadequate lens reach and slow AF render wildlife shooting frustrating and often fruitless.

• HX80: 720mm equivalent zoom paired with continuous AF tracking and 10 fps burst delivers surprisingly good wildlife action capture for a compact.

Sports - Tracking and Burst Rate

• Z30: Single shot per second max, sluggish AF - not suitable for fast action.

• HX80: Burst speeds and tracking shine in moderately paced sports, although performance dips in very fast or low-light situations.

Street Photography - Discretion and Portability

• Z30: Ultra-compact, nearly pocketable and quiet. However, slow AF and fixed zoom restrict candid spontaneity.

• HX80: Bulkier but still pocketable with tilting screen for low-angle framing. Fast AF and zoom allow quick framing changes, at a slight cost of discretion.

Macro - Focusing Distance and Sharpness

• Z30: Macro focus starts at 8 cm but lacks stabilization; results soft and limited.

• HX80: Closer 5 cm focusing and stabilization produce better detail and ease of macro shoots.

Night and Astro - High ISO and Long Exposure

• Z30: Maximum ISO 1600 and no stabilization yield noisy, low-quality night shots.

• HX80: Higher ISO ceilings, stabilization, and manual exposure modes make night and some astrophotography possible, if limited.

Video - Recording Quality and Features

• Z30: Basic VGA video suits snapshots only.

• HX80: Full HD at varying frame rates offers better creative options for casual videographers.

Travel - Versatility, Battery Life, and Size

• Z30: Ultra-lightweight and pocketable, perfect for travel light but limited in flexibility.

• HX80: Versatile zoom, longer battery life, and robust build make it a travel workhorse, though slightly bigger.

Professional Workflows - File Formats and Reliability

Neither camera supports RAW, hindering professional editing. The HX80’s manual controls and better exposure features offer slightly more workflow-friendly flexibility, though neither is ideal for studio or commercial use.

Fujifilm Z30 front Fujifilm Z30 screen back Sony HX80 front Sony HX80 screen back

Assessing Value: Price vs Performance

Currently, these cameras reside in the used or budget manual category. The Z30 floats around $150, whereas the HX80 commands nearly $370 - more than double.

Considering their capabilities, the HX80’s enhanced sensor, processor, lens versatility, and features justify the higher price for anyone seriously interested in photography beyond entry-level snapshots.

Genre-Specific Performance Highlights

• For travel and wildlife, HX80’s superzoom and battery life make it compelling.
• For portrait and street snapshots with minimal fuss, Z30’s portability wins.
• Neither is great for professional work due to lack of RAW support and modest sensor size.
• Video shooters will find the HX80 definitively superior.
• Macro and night enthusiasts lean heavily toward the HX80.

Final Verdict: Which Compact Should You Choose?

In summary, these cameras serve clearly different users and use cases despite their overlapping compact design.

Choose the Fujifilm FinePix Z30 if:

• You want the smallest, lightest compact for casual snapshots and travel
• Simplicity and point-and-shoot ease outweigh manual controls
• Your budget is very limited and image quality expectations are modest

Choose the Sony Cyber-shot HX80 if:

• You require zoom flexibility from wide-angle to super-telephoto
• You seek better overall image quality with improved low-light and autofocus
• You value sharper video and more manual control options
• You’re looking for a versatile second camera or a budget-friendly travel companion

Neither camera is a high-end performer by today’s standards, but the Sony HX80 remains a surprisingly capable and versatile compact superzoom that justifies its premium over the Z30’s basic snapshot appeal.

My closing take: For anyone serious about photography, the Fujifilm Z30 feels like a relic best suited for nostalgia or ultra-basic fun. The Sony HX80, while older, delivers a broad feature set and image quality still relevant today if you can live with small sensor limitations. When you weigh image quality, control, handling, and versatility, the HX80 makes far more sense as a compact camera investment.

I hope my hands-on insights help clarify their practical differences and support your next compact camera decision. Feel free to reach out if you want more field test notes or sample images!

Happy shooting!