Fujifilm Z33WP vs Sony H50: A Detailed Comparison of Two 2009 Compact Cameras

When exploring cameras from the late 2000s, it’s fascinating to see the paths manufacturers took - especially when comparing seemingly similar compacts but with very different target audiences and feature sets. Today I want to share my personal, hands-on comparison between the 2009 Fujifilm FinePix Z33WP and the Sony Cyber-shot DSC-H50 - two budget-friendly compacts that, despite their era, have unique positioning in the marketplace. If you’re hunting for a lightweight waterproof shooter or a versatile superzoom with manual controls, this detailed review guides you through their strengths and compromises carved out from years of my own camera testing across genres.

Throughout this comparison, I’ll blend technical analysis, real-world usage experience, and genre-relevant insights to help you decide which model (if either) might suit your photography needs - and why there’s still value in exploring cameras brushed aside by time.

First Impressions and Handling: Built to Survive or Built to Zoom?

Starting with form and feel, you’ll immediately notice a huge difference in size and weight. The Fujifilm Z33WP is small, svelte, and ultra-lightweight at just 110 grams, measuring roughly 92x60x21 mm. By contrast, the Sony H50 is substantially larger and heavier - 547 grams and more than four times as thick (116x81x86 mm). This is not just a size gap; it’s a philosophy difference.

The Z33WP’s compact waterproof design aims for hassle-free snap-and-go shooting around pools, beaches, or rainy hikes - where tossing your camera into a bag with your keys or even dropping it into shallow water isn’t a disaster. Its environmental sealing is a rare treat for a 2009 sub-$200 camera. You get splash resistance that's reassuring, but don’t expect rugged shockproof or freezeproof durability.

The Sony H50, on the other hand, is a small-sensor superzoom powerhouse. It feels more like a small DSLR due to its heft and grip design, built for enthusiasts who want longer reach without the bulk of interchangeable lenses. The large handgrip and more pronounced control dials hint at more deliberate photography.

Ergonomically, I found the Sony’s control layout more versatile, with dedicated manual exposure modes, aperture priority, and shutter priority - far more options than the Z33WP’s fully automatic-only operation. If you crave creative control, the H50 will be your friend. The Fujifilm, however, excels at simple point-and-shoot ease, perfect for those who want waterproof convenience without fuss.

If you’re curious about handling nuances, check this top-view comparison showcasing controls and button placements:

Sensor and Image Quality: Modest Yet Distinct

Both cameras share a common sensor size - a 1/2.3" CCD sensor measuring 6.17x4.55 mm, giving a sensor area of about 28 mm². The Z33WP delivers 10 megapixels, while the Sony H50 outputs 9 megapixels. Although these resolutions seem modest now, in 2009 they were standard for this compact category.

However, there are differences in technology and performance. The Sony’s sensor, paired with its larger lens range and optical image stabilization, often yields slightly cleaner images at equal ISOs. The maximum ISO also differs: the Fujifilm caps at ISO 1600, while Sony doubles that upper limit to 3200 - although noise levels in both cameras at higher ISOs are substantial by today’s standards.

Neither camera supports RAW image capture, so all photos are compressed JPEGs - limiting post-processing flexibility. Their anti-aliasing filters help reduce moiré but at some cost to micro-detail.

Looking at sensor specs alongside native ISO and resolution emphasizes these points:

In real-world shooting, colors from the Fujifilm tend to be warmer and punchier, typical of Fuji’s film-inspired look. Sony’s images are more neutral but sometimes flat. The Z33WP’s waterproof lens and sealed construction sometimes affect clarity slightly, especially at telephoto extremes.

Finally, note the Z33WP’s fixed 35-105 mm equivalent lens compared to the H50’s extensive 31-465 mm equivalent zoom, giving you dramatically more framing freedom with Sony - especially important for zoom hungry scenarios like wildlife.

LCD and Viewfinder Experience: Where Convenience Meets Versatility

The fine details of your composition and menu navigation hinge on screen and viewfinder quality. The Fujifilm features a 2.7-inch fixed LCD with 230k-pixel resolution; no touchscreen and no viewfinder. This means composing shots in bright sunlight can be tricky, and you’ll rely entirely on the back screen.

The Sony edges this with a slightly larger 3-inch screen at the same resolution but adds an electronic viewfinder (EVF) - a critical advantage for bright conditions or when you want steady framing while zoomed in.

Both displays lack advanced touchscreen functionality or tilt/swivel, typical of consumer-grade compacts of their era. But the EVF on the Sony H50 makes manual focusing and exposure adjustments much more comfortable, especially as you zoom in on distant subjects.

If you want to compare directly:

This difference strongly affects street, wildlife, and sports photography where flexibility in framing and steady hold is key.

Autofocus and Shooting Speed: From Casual to Semi-Pro

When it comes to autofocus (AF), both cameras use contrast-detection systems - typical for compacts - with some caveats.

The Fujifilm Z33WP sticks to a single AF point with no face or eye detection, continuous AF, or tracking whatsoever. It’s designed for simple snapshots, so autofocus speed is adequate for stationary subjects but slow and unreliable in low light or action scenes. Its burst shooting is limited to a slow 1 fps, making it unsuitable for fast-moving subjects.

The Sony H50 provides 9 AF points and limited multi-area focusing, again without face detection but with better responsiveness. It offers slightly faster burst shooting at 2 fps - not blazing fast, but better suited for sports or wildlife starters. Manual focus is also available on the Sony, giving you more control over shallow depth of field or macro situations.

Both cameras lack advanced AF tracking or animal eye-detect, none of which were common on budget compacts in 2009.

Flash and Low Light Performance

Both cameras include built-in flash units with different effective distances - Fujifilm around 3.9 meters and Sony up to 9.1 meters. The Sony’s flash modes provide more creative options, including slow sync and rear-curtain sync, helpful in low-light or artistic shots.

Neither camera has external flash support; you’re limited to onboard illumination.

Low light performance is constrained by small sensors and fixed apertures - both are prone to noise and blur as ISO increases or shutter speeds fall. However, the Sony’s optical image stabilization (OIS) helps counteract shake at slower shutter speeds. The Z33WP lacks any image stabilization, often resulting in blurrier images handheld in dim conditions.

Lens and Zoom: Modest Waterproof Range vs Towering Superzoom Telephoto

Lens versatility is a major differentiator.

• The Fujifilm Z33WP offers a fixed zoom from 35 to 105 mm equivalent focal length (~3x zoom). This is a moderate telephoto range ideal for portraits and casual landscapes but limited for wildlife or sports.
• The Sony H50 astonishes here with a 15x zoom ranging from 31 to 465 mm (equivalent) - stretching from wide-angle sweeping views to long telephoto for distant subjects.

Both use fixed lenses that cannot be changed, but the Sony’s zoom breadth opens up vastly different genres. Coupled with its optical stabilization, shooting at long zooms is more practical than with the green-waterproof but short-zoom Fujifilm.

Macro capabilities are surprisingly better on the Sony, with a focusing distance down to 1 cm against Fuji’s 8 cm minimum. This means closer, more detailed macro shots, a plus if you enjoy capturing insects or textiles.

Video Capabilities: Basics, No Frills

Neither camera shines in video. Both record VGA resolution (640x480) at 30 fps, stored as Motion JPEG files. No HD, no 4K or higher resolutions here.

The Fujifilm has no microphone input - neither does the Sony - and neither features image stabilization for video. The Sony’s slightly better zoom and manual focus can help with video framing, but overall, videographers should look elsewhere.

For many, video is only an occasional supplement with these models - not their strength.

Battery Life and Storage: Simple Yet Practical

The Fujifilm Z33WP uses an NP-45 battery, while the Sony H50 runs an NP-BG1 battery. Official battery life specs weren’t highlighted for either camera at launch, but from my extended use, the Sony’s larger body and advanced processing tend to consume more power, translating to moderate battery endurance - often requiring spares for day-long shoots.

The Fujifilm’s ultra-compact design conserves energy better, but waterproof housings limit battery size, so it’s advisable to carry a spare for extended adventure use.

On storage, the Fujifilm supports SD/SDHC cards, which are still widely compatible today, while the Sony uses Sony’s proprietary Memory Stick Duo format - less convenient and increasingly rare. This could affect ongoing usability costs.

Both models have only one card slot, and internal memory is minimal.

Connectivity and Extras

Neither camera offers wireless connectivity - no Wi-Fi, Bluetooth, or NFC - which was normal for the period but disappointing by today’s standards.

The Fujifilm has an HDMI port for direct image playback on TVs; the Sony does not, reflecting its more budget-conscious approach.

Neither camera supports GPS or geotagging, which also limits modern travel photographers’ workflow.

Real-World Photography Performance Across Genres

Let me walk you through how these cameras fare in specific photographic domains, based on my extensive shooting tests:

Portrait Photography

For portraits, skin tone rendition and bokeh quality are vital. The Fujifilm’s fixed 35 mm equivalent wide-ish lens is decent for environmental portraits, but the small sensor and lack of aperture control limit background separation. The maximum aperture of f/3.7–4.2 isn't especially fast, so you’ll get moderate subject isolation.

The Sony’s longer zoom combined with aperture priority mode enables tighter portraits around 85-135mm equivalent. Manual focus and nine AF points help nail focus on eyes. I found Sony’s color rendering more neutral - good if you prefer less warmth.

Neither camera excels at face or eye detection AF given their time, but Sony’s AF area options offer a slight edge.

Landscape Photography

Landscape shooters need sharpness, dynamic range, and a broad field of view. Both cameras offer 4:3 and 3:2 aspect ratios at roughly 9-10 MP resolution.

The Sony’s wide 31 mm equivalent end outperforms the Fuji’s 35 mm zoom-start, letting you capture broader vistas.

Dynamic range on these small CCD sensors is limited - expect blown highlights in bright skies and clipped shadows. Neither camera supports bracketing or RAW to improve this.

Weather sealing favors the Z33WP, making it a better choice hiking into damp conditions or misty coastlines, where the Sony’s lack of sealing is a liability.

Wildlife and Sports Photography

Here, the Sony clearly leads with 15x zoom and manual exposure controls. Its 2 fps burst and 9 autofocus points give a leg up, but don’t expect DSLR-grade speed or precision.

The Fuji’s 3x zoom and single AF point effectively rule out serious wildlife or sports shooting. Its 1 fps burst is barely functional for motion.

Image stabilization on the Sony goes a long way in telephoto handheld shots, especially birds or distant runners.

Street Photography

Both cameras’ compactness matters here - Z33WP wins in size and discretion, blending well on the street.

The Sony’s bulk and lens zoom make it more conspicuous but provide framing flexibility.

Low light ISO handling is mediocre on both due to sensor size, but Sony’s OIS helps maintain sharp shots at slower shutter speeds.

Macro Photography

The Sony’s 1 cm minimum focusing distance and manual focus make macro shooting surprisingly feasible here.

Fujifilm’s 8 cm minimum distance limits close-up creativity.

Neither camera has focus stacking or bracketing, so relying on manual skill and steady hands is key.

Night / Astro Photography

Small sensors and limited ISO range challenge both cameras.

The Sony’s higher maximum ISO 3200 and longer maximum shutter speed (up to 4000th) give some room to experiment with low light.

The Fuji caps at 1/8s minimum shutter speed, limiting star trails or nightscape; its lack of stabilization makes handheld night shots risky.

Video

Basic VGA video supports only casual snippets without sound input or stabilization.

If video is a focus, look past both.

Travel Photography

Travel often demands versatility, battery longevity, and size balance.

The Z33WP’s waterproof build and tiny footprint itch the box for adventurous travelers by the water.

The Sony’s immense zoom and manual exposure modes suit those prepared to carry a larger pack but want range and creative control.

Fujifilm Z33WP front Fujifilm Z33WP screen back Sony H50 front Sony H50 screen back

Overall Build Quality and Durability

The Z33WP’s waterproof rating is a standout. It survives splashes, rain, and brief submersion. This gives it a niche advantage rarely found in this price bracket over the years.

Sony H50 relies on conventional compact construction with plastic chassis - fairly robust but no weather proofing. The bulkier design helps durability and handling but not outdoor survivability.

Recommended Uses and Buyer Guidance

• Choose the Fujifilm Z33WP if:
  You want a small, waterproof camera for casual outdoor snapshots near water, beaches, or pools without the hassle of extra gear. You prioritize portability and weather sealing over zoom reach and manual control.

• Choose the Sony Cyber-shot H50 if:
  You seek a versatile compact with a long zoom capable of moderate telephoto and macro, plus manual exposure options. It’s best if you appreciate creative control or want a budget-friendly superzoom despite bulk and no weather sealing.

Technical Specifications Breakdown

Final Thoughts: Context Matters

With over 15 years of testing hundreds of cameras, I appreciate what each of these models carved out for its niche. The Fujifilm Z33WP is a niche waterproof compact with limited creative ability but outstanding portability and protection against the elements. Perfect for active, casual shooters who don’t want to worry about rain or splashes.

The Sony H50 is a more traditional superzoom compact aimed at enthusiasts who want more control, longer zoom reach, and manual shooting modes but can tolerate more bulk and no weather sealing.

If you want to capture distant wildlife, landscapes in bright sun, or experiment with aperture/shutter priority, Sony wins hands down. However, if occasional rugged outings near water or simple day-to-day snapshots dominate your photo habits, Fujifilm’s waterproof finesse is unmatched at this price point.

While both cameras show their age today, their underlying design choices provide a good case study in balanced trade-offs in early 2000s camera engineering.

If you want to dive deeper, see my curated sample gallery below comparing image results from both cameras side-by-side:

Fujifilm Z33WP front Fujifilm Z33WP screen back Sony H50 front Sony H50 screen back

Thanks for reading this careful head-to-head - feel free to leave questions or share your own experiences. Happy shooting!