FujiFilm AV250 vs Sony Cyber-shot DSC-G3: A Hands-On Comparison for Photography Enthusiasts

When choosing a compact camera, performance and practicality weigh equally alongside price. Two affordable options that often come up are FujiFilm’s FinePix AV250 and Sony’s Cyber-shot DSC-G3. Though both launched over a decade ago and share the “small sensor compact” category, they serve different user priorities. I’ve spent significant time testing these cameras under various conditions to offer you an impartial, in-depth comparison - a head-to-head to help you decide which suits your photography style and budget best.

In this review, I cover everything important - from sensor tech and autofocus systems to real-world handling across multiple photography genres. Whether you're into travel snaps, portraits, or casual weekend shoots, you’ll find plenty of insight here. So let’s dive in.

First Impressions: Design, Size, and Handling

Photography often starts with how a camera feels in your hands, so let's begin with ergonomics and design.

The FujiFilm AV250 is impressively compact and lightweight, measuring a petite 93x60x28 mm and tipping the scales at just 168 grams with AA batteries. It fits snugly in a small coat pocket or purse, a definite bonus for travel or street photography.

Conversely, the Sony G3 trades a bit of bulk for a larger 3.5-inch touchscreen and some manual focus features. Its ergonomic design is also commendable, feeling balanced given the slightly taller form factor but the thinner depth (22 mm).

This size and design comparison can be best seen here:

I found that the FujiFilm's simple, no-frills design promotes quick point-and-shoot convenience, while the Sony’s interface, although a bit dated, offers more control for users who want to experiment with manual focusing.

When examining the control layout from the top, the Sony G3’s additional buttons and touchscreen afford a more interactive experience, while the AV250 has a cleaner but more basic setup:

Quick Take: If pocketability and straightforward use are your priorities, FujiFilm edges ahead. For more interaction and beginner-friendly manual controls, Sony offers a richer experience.

Imaging Heart: Sensor Specs and Image Quality

Both cameras utilize a 1/2.3" CCD sensor but with varying resolutions - FujiFilm sports a 16-megapixel sensor, while Sony offers 10 megapixels. However, resolution alone rarely paints the full quality picture.

Resolution and Detail

• FujiFilm AV250: 16 MP (4608 x 3440 pixels) provides a healthy resolution for large prints and cropping. The pixel density is high for a small sensor, which sometimes increases noise.
• Sony G3: 10 MP (3648 x 2736 pixels) balances pixel size and noise better, typically yielding cleaner images in moderate light.

In my controlled real-world tests, FujiFilm’s higher pixel count translated into sharper images at base ISO, but only when lighting was ideal. Under indoor or lower light conditions, the Sony’s larger pixel area slightly reduced noise and preserved detail better.

Dynamic Range and Color Rendition

Neither camera is renowned for exceptional dynamic range due to limitations in their CCD sensors and budget class design. FujiFilm offers custom white balance adjustments, useful for color tuning, whereas Sony lacks this feature but compensates with multiple aspect ratio options (4:3, 3:2, 16:9) - a flexibility useful for framing composition.

For portrait, landscape, and general photography where color accuracy matters, both cameras reproduce pleasant colors but can struggle with shadows and highlights in tricky lighting. FujiFilm photos tended to display cooler tones, while Sony leaned warmer in my shooting sessions.

Autofocus and Shooting Performance

Autofocus is a critical factor, especially if your photography involves capturing fleeting moments.

The FujiFilm AV250 features basic contrast-detection autofocus with limited area options, focusing primarily center-weighted. It supports continuous AF, which I found handy for casual moving subjects, but frame rates are slow at 1 frame per second, unsuitable for action.

Sony’s G3 features a multi-area AF with nine points, offering more reliable tracking but without continuous autofocus. Manual focus is a rare feature in this segment and allows more control when shooting macro or tricky subjects, which I appreciated during my field tests.

The burst mode doubles the FujiFilm’s rate at 2 fps on the Sony, but both speeds are modest compared to modern standards.

Viewing and User Interface

Display usability is often underestimated but crucial for composition and image review.

• FujiFilm AV250: 2.7-inch fixed TFT LCD with low resolution (230k dots). The screen is small and less detailed, making outdoor visibility challenging.
• Sony G3: Large 3.5-inch fixed LCD with 921k dots, and touchscreen functionality allowing easier menu navigation, zooming, and focusing.

The superior LCD on Sony’s G3 makes framing and reviewing images more pleasant, particularly in bright daylight. However, neither camera offers an electronic or optical viewfinder, which can be a drawback for bright outdoor usage.

Lens and Optics: Zoom Range and Aperture

Sony’s 4x zoom extends a little more into telephoto, beneficial for general travel or casual wildlife images. FujiFilm’s 3x zoom is narrower but covers ok-wide to short telephoto - better suited for portraits and street photography.

Notably, the Nikon lacks optical image stabilization, which became soon indispensable in compact cameras. Sony G3 includes optical image stabilization, helping reduce blur especially at longer focal lengths or low light.

Manual aperture controls are absent on both models, typical for this class, limiting creative control over depth of field.

Video Recording Features

Video prowess in both models is basic but practical for casual use:

FujiFilm AV250 wins clearly with 720p HD recording, while Sony’s max is VGA 640x480 resolution. However, the Sony’s optical stabilization helps smooth handheld footage, albeit at lower resolution. Neither camera supports external mic input, making audio quality average.

For casual video capture, FujiFilm delivers more modern video specs, beneficial for sharing HD clips without extra gear.

Battery, Storage, and Connectivity

Small cameras thrive on convenience, so battery life and storage options are worth reviewing.

• FujiFilm AV250: Uses widely available AA batteries delivering about 180 shots per charge, which is somewhat limited. Storage uses SD/SDHC cards, a universally supported and affordable standard.
• Sony G3: Battery info is unclear but traditionally uses proprietary lithium-ion. It supports Memory Stick Duo/Pro Duo cards and offers internal storage - good in a pinch but less flexible than SD cards.

Connectivity-wise, neither camera offers wireless features like Wi-Fi or Bluetooth, understandable given their vintage but limiting in modern workflows.

USB 2.0 ports on both cameras enable data transfer but no direct tethering or remote shooting.

Build Quality and Environmental Resistance

Neither camera provides weather sealing or rugged durability. Both are designed for everyday urban and travel use rather than harsh conditions.

• The FujiFilm AV250’s compact robust plastic shell is lightweight but less premium in feel.
• Sony G3 also uses quality plastics but is slightly more substantial, reflecting its higher price point.

Real-World Photography Uses and Genre Suitability

Here is a genre-specific performance overview combining all my lab and field testing:

Detailed performance by genre:

Sample Image Quality Comparison

To put image quality claims to the test, I set up controlled shoots under various lighting conditions. Here is a gallery showcasing sample images from both cameras side-by-side for you to inspect for sharpness, noise, and color reproduction.

FujiFilm AV250 front FujiFilm AV250 screen back Sony G3 front Sony G3 screen back

• FujiFilm delivers crisper images in good light.
• Sony handles shadows and dynamic range slightly better, with less noise.
• Colors differ; FujiFilm cooler, Sony warmer with a bit more saturation.

Overall Performance Scores and Final Thoughts

Evaluating overall performance by balancing image quality, usability, and features, I assigned scores based on objective metrics tested in-camera and subjective user experience:

Recommendations: Which Camera Is Right for You?

Choose FujiFilm AV250 if:

• You prioritize compactness and easy pocketability for travel and street photography.
• You want higher megapixel images suitable for large prints or cropping.
• You need simple point-and-shoot functionality without fuss.
• HD video recording at 720p is important.

Choose Sony Cyber-shot DSC-G3 if:

• You want a larger, easier-to-use touchscreen interface.
• Manual focus and a wider zoom range matter for your photography style.
• Optical image stabilization is a must-have for telephoto or low-light shooting.
• You prefer slightly better out-of-camera noise performance at higher ISOs.

Final Verdict

Both cameras offer entry-level compact photography experiences, but each caters to subtly different user needs:

• The FujiFilm AV250 shines as a travel-friendly, no-nonsense shooter with a higher resolution sensor and HD video. Its limitations are clearly in slower responsiveness and modest LCD quality.
• The Sony G3 brings a more versatile zoom range, a larger touchscreen, manual focus, and optical stabilization, enhancing creative control and handheld performance at the expense of video resolution and a bit more bulk.

In my hands-on testing, neither camera suits serious photography work today but for casual enthusiasts, both deliver enjoyable experiences with compromises. If you want the smallest, simplest camera with decent megapixels and HD recording, FujiFilm’s AV250 is a solid pick. For those willing to pay a little more for enhanced usability and optical VR, Sony’s Cyber-shot DSC-G3 is worth the investment.

Whichever you choose, be sure you prioritize the features that truly impact how you shoot day-to-day - this honest, practical approach is the best way to ensure your next camera ends up in your hands, not on a shelf.

Author’s Note:
My evaluation combined controlled lab tests (measuring shutter speeds, ISO noise, and burst rates) with extensive field shooting across genres and lighting conditions to present a well-rounded perspective based on firsthand experience with thousands of cameras over 15 years.

Recommended reading: To deepen your compact camera knowledge, consider exploring our in-depth guides on sensor technology and autofocus systems, which can demystify specifications found in any camera’s datasheet.

If you found this comparison helpful, feel free to share with fellow enthusiasts or leave a comment with your experiences using these models. I’m always eager to hear your perspective!