Fujifilm S9800 vs Sony RX10 II: A Superzoom Showdown for Enthusiasts and Pros

Choosing a superzoom camera can quickly become a balancing act between reach, image quality, and versatility. On one side, we have the Fujifilm S9800, an affordable bridge camera boasting a jaw-dropping 50× zoom and user-friendly controls. On the other, Sony’s Cyber-shot RX10 II commands attention with cutting-edge sensor tech, robust build, and a premium zoom lens, all wrapped in a single package.

Having thoroughly tested both cameras across an array of photography disciplines, this comparison guides you through their technical guts, real-world usage scenarios, and ultimately - which camera deserves your hard-earned money. I’ll be sharing insights from countless hours behind the viewfinder, across studio setups and unpredictable outdoor shoots.

Let’s dive deep.

Getting a Feel: Size, Weight, and Ergonomics in Hands

First impressions count - extended shoots demand comfortable handling, and size governs portability. Both cameras mimic DSLRs with bridge-style bodies but with notable differences.

Physically, the Fujifilm S9800 measures 123 x 87 x 116 mm and weighs roughly 670 grams, running on easy-to-find AA batteries - a practical choice for travel or emergency spares. The Sony RX10 II is more compact front-to-back (102 mm) but taller and wider at 129 x 88 mm, weighing in heavier at 813 grams.

The RX10 II’s heft comes with a magnesium alloy chassis offering durable weather sealing - an assurance when shooting in unpredictable conditions (more on that shortly). The S9800 leans into lightweight convenience and easy grip rubberized areas, but lacks environmental protection.

From an ergonomic standpoint, the RX10 II sports a deeper handgrip, and its larger lens barrel feels balanced despite the extra weight. Controls are thoughtfully laid out - neck-strap eyelet placement, mode dial with tactile clicks, and customizable function buttons that can be remapped to your shooting style. The Fujifilm S9800 leans more basic, with a plastic feel and fewer custom options, fitting budget-focused shooters well.

This size and control difference matter for extended wildlife tracking, outdoor travel, or pro use where stability and speed often trump pocketability.

Top-Down Control and Interface: Handling Your Shot with Finesse

Good control layout can make or break the shooting experience. Let’s see what these two bring on top.

The Fuji places a decent mode dial on the top left, but it’s somewhat wobblier and offers fewer dedicated custom keys. ISO selection and exposure modes require more menu diving compared to Sony’s layout. There’s no top LCD screen; instead, power and zoom buttons sit together on the right, logical but not exceptional.

The Sony RX10 II excels here with a refined top LCD panel relaying shutter speed, aperture, ISO, remaining battery, and card capacity. This quick glance-info panel appeals to pros who want minimal menu interruption. The mode dial is solidly constructed, with easy access to manual, shutter priority, aperture priority, and custom modes.

Even shutter and video record buttons are distinct and well placed - important when toggling between capturing HD video (or 4K with later models). Although no touchscreen in either camera, the quintessential click wheels and buttons on Sony feel more precise and responsive.

If you prefer speedy changes on-the-fly - say in action or wildlife shooting - Sony’s ergonomics provide a clear edge.

Sensor Technology and Image Quality: Where It Counts the Most

Let’s look under the hood - sensor size dramatically influences image quality, especially resolution, low light, and dynamic range.

The Fujifilm S9800 employs a 1/2.3-inch CMOS sensor measuring 6.17 x 4.55 mm, delivering 16 megapixels. These sensor dimensions are common in budget superzooms but represent significant compromises. By contrast, the Sony RX10 II boasts a far larger 1-inch BSI-CMOS sensor at 13.2 x 8.8 mm, yielding 20 megapixels.

What does this mean in practice?

• Dynamic Range: Sony’s sensor easily outperforms with a measured dynamic range near 12.6 EV stops, capturing more shadow and highlight detail. Fuji’s smaller sensor is more prone to clipping highlights and crushing shadows, limiting flexibility in tricky lighting.

• Color Depth: The RX10 II achieves 23 stops color depth, rendering smoother skin tones and richer hues - crucial in portrait and landscape work.

• Noise Performance: Sony leads at high ISOs with usable ISO up to 51200 with noise reduction, while Fujifilm maxes at ISO 12800 but with significant grain buildup earlier.

• Resolution: Both cameras produce decent output for 8x10 prints but Sony’s 20 MP allows for larger crops, and more detail capture.

In everyday shooting - outdoors, portraits, travel - the RX10 II’s sensor ensures cleaner images, fine tonal gradations, and broader creative latitude at higher ISOs, especially indoors or dusk.

The S9800 sensor is adequate for casual use - family snaps, wildlife when light conditions cooperate - but highlights the typical constraints of small sensor superzooms: noticeable noise above ISO 400 minimal RAW support (none, in fact), and limited highlight rescue.

Live View and Rear Screen: Composing Your Shot

Electronic viewfinders and LCD displays are the main visual windows on these mirrorless types - their quality affects ease of framing and reviewing photos.

Fuji’s 3-inch fixed LCD runs at 460k dots - quite low-resolution by today’s standards. It’s adequate in bright daylight if you boost brightness but lacks any articulating function or touchscreen. The EVF is 920k dots but offers only 97% coverage, which means slight cropping in critical framing.

Sony ups the ante with a 3-inch tilting screen at an impressive 1229k dots - commanding clarity and viewing angles for shooting from unusual perspectives. The EVF is bright, crisp (2359k dots), offers 100% coverage, and a healthy 0.7x magnification - meaning much less guesswork framing fast action or landscapes.

No touchscreen on either, but the RX10 II’s interface is faster to navigate, with quick access to playback zoom and settings menus.

For vlogging or live previews that require angled screens, the Sony wins hands down. If you’re stuck on a tripod low or high, or shooting macro, the tilting rear screen feels liberating.

Lens and Zoom Capabilities: Reach vs. Quality Balance

The “superzoom” label glitters here, but the details matter, especially maximum zoom power and aperture range.

Fujifilm equips the S9800 with a fixed lens spanning 24-1200mm equivalent focal length - a staggering 50× optical zoom. Aperture ranges from f/2.9 wide open to f/6.5 at telephoto end. Such reach promises extraordinary flexibility for wildlife or street candid distance shots.

On the flip side, Sony’s RX10 II has a shorter zoom range, 24-200mm (8.3× zoom) but holds a constant and bright f/2.8 aperture across the zoom, a rarity for superzooms in this class. The shorter telephoto is not necessarily a downside when paired with a much larger sensor and superior image quality, but it is something to consider depending on your needs.

Fujifilm’s 7cm macro focus range is fine for casual close-ups but lacks the precision of Sony’s 3cm minimum - remarkably close, supporting detailed macro work with smooth background blur.

Another point: The Sony’s lens offers better optical performance generally, with sharper corners, less chromatic aberration, and faster, quieter autofocus.

If you demand extreme long reach on an affordable budget, Fujifilm fits. For top-tier image quality with bright optics and good all-round versatility (including macro), Sony RX10 II stands above.

Autofocus and Shooting Speed: Catching the Decisive Moment

A camera’s autofocus (AF) system can either make your shoot fluid or frustrating.

The Fujifilm S9800 uses contrast-detection AF only, with no phase detection. It’s reliable but slower, especially in low light or with moving subjects. The camera offers face detection but no animal eye AF, which limits wildlife and pet photography.

The RX10 II features a 25-point contrast-detection AF system, enhanced by Sony’s Bionz X processor, delivering quicker lock times, improved tracking, and face detection. Sadly it lacks phase detection on the sensor but performs admirably in many scenarios.

Burst shooting speed: Fujifilm claims 10 fps continuous shooting, but this is limited to a small buffer and lower resolution JPEGs with potential lag. Sony delivers faster 14 fps high-speed bursts with larger buffers and full resolution, better suited for sports or fast action.

In short, you’ll find the Sony’s AF more responsive, accurate, and capable of sustained burst shooting for wildlife or sports, whereas Fujifilm will serve best in slower paced photography.

Image Stabilization and Low Light Performance

Both cameras offer optical image stabilization, crucial when zoomed in or shooting without a tripod.

Fujifilm’s stabilizer works well based on my tests with steady hands, reducing visible camera shake across focal lengths but struggles slightly at maximum 1200mm zoom range.

Sony’s optical stabilization paired with its larger sensor offers superior results - far less blurring visible even handheld at 200mm.

Low light shooting? Here’s where sensor size again dominates. The RX10 II maintains a clean image at ISO 1600 and usable performance up to ISO 3200 without heavy noise reduction - a benefit in event photography or night street scenes.

Fujifilm’s noise climbs rapidly beyond ISO 400-800, making it less ideal in dim environments unless you accept grainy JPEG output.

Video Recording Capabilities: Moving Beyond Stills

Video shooters get curious - how do these cameras handle movies?

Fujifilm S9800 records Full HD 1080p at 60 fps, compressed in H.264 format - standard but limited. No microphone or headphone jack restricts professional audio input, and no 4K video or slow-motion modes are available.

Sony RX10 II shines with 4K footage capture at 30p (albeit in limited modes compared to RX10 III), plus Full HD up to 60p. It supports external microphones and headphones, crucial for serious video creators. The sensor’s larger size affords better depth of field control and low noise in dim scenes. Optical stabilization also aids smooth handheld video.

If video is a priority, the RX10 II clearly offers the more versatile, higher-quality solution.

Weather Resistance and Build Quality

If you shoot outdoors often, weather sealing matters more than you might think.

The Sony RX10 II boasts dust and splash-proofing, making it a rugged companion for hiking, wildlife, or adventure shooters unwilling to baby their gear.

The Fuji S9800 lacks any form of environmental sealing, so caution is needed in rain or dusty environments.

Battery Life and Storage Options

Long shooting days test battery performance hard.

Fujifilm’s reliance on 4 x AA batteries provides convenient runs as you can carry spares or swap alkaline/NiMH cells on the go, but capacity varies by brand. Official CIPA estimate is around 300 shots per charge.

Sony RX10 II uses the proprietary NP-FW50 battery with a better estimate of 400 shots per charge, enhanced with power-saving electronics.

Both cameras offer single card slots supporting SD cards, but Sony adds compatibility with Memory Stick formats. USB 2.0 is standard; Sony adds Wi-Fi and NFC for easier image transfer and remote control, while Fujifilm has no wireless connectivity.

Sample Images: Seeing is Believing

Here’s a side-by-side sample gallery to judge image quality, color reproduction, and lens performance.

Fujifilm S9800 front Fujifilm S9800 screen back Sony RX10 II front Sony RX10 II screen back

Notice how Sony’s images exhibit richer tones, more detail in shadows, and less noise at higher ISO settings. Fuji’s long reach produces impressive compression and framing, but their images soften near the edges and show increased chromatic aberrations.

Overall Performance Ratings: How They Stack Up Numerically

A composite scoring approach helps quantify differences objectively.

Sony RX10 II scores significantly higher in image quality, autofocus, video, and build, with Fujifilm S9800 performing reasonably well only in zoom range and user-friendliness.

Performance Across Photography Genres: Tailoring to Your Needs

Different photographer types demand different key strengths.

Who Should Choose Which?

Buy the Fujifilm S9800 if:

• You want extreme zoom reach (50×) on a budget (~$300).
• You prefer easily replaceable AA batteries.
• Your shooting is mainly casual, daylight travel and occasional wildlife.
• You don't require RAW files or professional video/audio features.
• Portability and simplicity trump high-level performance.

Go with the Sony RX10 II if:

• Image quality, color accuracy, and dynamic range top your priorities.
• You shoot portraits, landscapes, events, or video with professional intentions.
• Weather sealing and rugged build matter for demanding outdoor work.
• You want faster autofocus, higher burst rates, and more creative control.
• The higher price (~$1000) fits your investment in an all-in-one camera.

Final Thoughts: Superzoom Realities and Practical Insights

Having spent weeks shooting side-by-side, I can say the Fujifilm S9800 is a solid budget option for casual users craving a massive zoom without breaking the bank. Its limitations in sensor size, image quality, and videography keep it firmly out of the serious enthusiast’s realm.

The Sony RX10 II, however, has stood the test of time as a versatile bridge camera - punching well above competitors with its large sensor, bright constant aperture lens, and robust features. It marries the convenience of a fixed lens superzoom with near-DSLR image fidelity, making it a remarkable multipurpose tool.

Every camera buyer’s priorities differ - do consider what will elevate your photography: ultimate zoom reach, or overall quality and flexibility. Knowing these cameras’ strengths and weaknesses firsthand will steer you toward the smarter choice.

Happy shooting!

If you’re interested in a deeper dive on video performance or wildlife shooting with these cameras, check out my dedicated reviews linked above.