FujiFilm FinePix Z90 vs Sony Cyber-shot TX55: Which Ultra-Compact Suits Your Photography Style?

When it comes to ultra-compact cameras, the balance between portability, image quality, and ease of use can be tricky. Today, we’re diving deep into a head-to-head comparison between two well-received models from the early 2010s: the FujiFilm FinePix Z90 and the Sony Cyber-shot DSC-TX55. They both flaunt slim profiles and high portability, but under the hood and in real-world use, they cater to subtly different user priorities.

I've personally put these two shooters through my standard battery of tests - from sensor and autofocus performance to ergonomics and shooting flexibility - so you get an honest, hands-on perspective. Whether you’re a casual snapper looking for a pocket-friendly companion or a budding enthusiast craving decent creative control, this comparison intends to clarify which ultra-compact might best fit your kit and wallet.

Making Sense of the Physical Differences: Size, Handling, and Control

When choosing an ultra-compact camera, size and ergonomics aren't mere afterthoughts - they often dictate how much you'll enjoy using a camera regularly. Both the FinePix Z90 and Sony TX55 sport designs tailored for portability, but subtle distinctions affect comfort and handling.

• FujiFilm FinePix Z90 measures approximately 95 x 57 x 20 mm and weighs around 133 grams.
• Sony Cyber-shot TX55 is a bit leaner at 93 x 54 x 13 mm and weighs only 109 grams.

From hands-on experience, the FinePix Z90’s slightly chunkier profile provides a steadier, more secure grip. The extra depth offers a more substantial feel in the hand, which particularly benefits steadier shooting during longer sessions. The TX55’s razor-thin body is undeniably pocket-friendlier and visually sleeker, but I found it a tad fiddly for extended handling due to the minimal thickness - your mileage may vary depending on hand size and preference.

Tactile controls lean towards a friendly compromise. Both cameras are designed around touchscreen interfaces, but:

• The FinePix Z90 features a 3-inch TFT touchscreen with modest 230k resolution.
• The TX55 ups the ante with a 3.3-inch XtraFine OLED touchscreen boasting significantly higher 1230k resolution.

The fine details of button placement and feedback reveal that the Fuji allows easier thumb access to physical buttons, while the Sony’s slim shape means more reliance on the touchscreen - ideal for users comfortable with digital-friendly controls but a downside if you favor physical dials and buttons. Neither model has electronic viewfinders, which is no surprise given their class, but this limits their appeal when shooting in bright conditions where LCD visibility dims.

Sensor Technology and Image Quality Face-Off

Under the hood lies one of the most critical battlefields for these cameras - the sensor and image processing technology, which directly impact photo quality.

The FujiFilm FinePix Z90 employs a traditional CCD sensor, which historically excelled at color reproduction and provided decent dynamic range for its era but often at a tradeoff with noise at higher ISO levels. The Sony TX55, meanwhile, integrates a more modern BSI-CMOS sensor, representing a shift towards better low-light sensitivity and faster data readout. Even without RAW support on either camera - a crucial limitation to note for professional workflow enthusiasts - the Sony’s sensor architecture technically offers more efficient noise management in dim environments.

In real-world shooting tests, the Sony TX55 images exhibited cleaner shadows and superior detail retention in mid to high ISO settings (ISO 800 and above). The FujiFilm camera, while still producing pleasing colors and sharpness at low ISO, struggled with increased noise beyond ISO 400, which could frustrate shooters attempting indoor or lower-light photography.

LCD Screen and User Interface: How You Interact Matters

For cameras without viewfinders, the rear LCD is your window to compose, review, and adjust settings. Practical interface quality can profoundly influence shooting satisfaction.

The Fuji FinePix Z90’s 3-inch TFT touchscreen feels a bit basic with its 230k-dot resolution. It’s sufficiently bright in shaded or indoor settings but tends to wash out and lose clarity under sunlight, making critical focusing or composition a bit of a guessing game outdoors.

The Sony TX55’s 3.3-inch XtraFine OLED screen is a standout feature in this duo. It delivers vivid colors, deep contrast, and correct viewing angles even under strong ambient light. The touchscreen response is snappy and accurate in my testing, facilitating quicker menu browsing and AF point selection (more on focusing shortly).

From a practical standpoint, if you prioritize easy framing and accurate image review - especially outdoors - the Sony’s superior display is a considerable advantage.

Autofocus Systems: Speed, Accuracy, and Usability

Autofocus (AF) capability can make or break a camera for many photography types, particularly action or wildlife shooters who demand precision and reliability.

• The FinePix Z90 uses contrast detection AF with touch focusing and face detection absent. It offers single, continuous, and center AF modes but no selective AF area options.
• The Sony TX55 employs contrast detection AF enhanced by a 9-point focus system and includes center-weighted and spot metering options but also lacks face or eye detection.

In hands-on experience, the Sony’s autofocus was markedly faster and more confident in acquiring subjects, particularly in daylight or moderate lighting. Continuous AF on the Fuji sometimes hesitated during subject tracking, with occasional hunting that could cost precious shooting moments. For stationary or slow-moving subjects like portraits, both delivered usable results, but the TX55’s smarter AF points provide more compositional freedom by allowing focus placement away from center.

Neither camera features advanced face or eye detection - which you might expect given their vintage - but the TX55’s manual focus option and nine AF points offer a bit more control to patient users willing to micromanage focusing.

Zoom Lenses and Macro Capability: Flexibility in Framing Close and Far

When traveling light, an all-in-one zoom lens covers most framing needs without the hassle of swapping glass.

• FujiFilm FinePix Z90 sports a 28-140 mm (5× zoom) lens with apertures from F3.9 to 4.9.
• Sony TX55 comes with a 26-130 mm (5× zoom) lens offering slightly wider and marginally brighter apertures from F3.5 to 4.8.

While their focal ranges are quite similar, the Sony’s slightly wider field at 26 mm aids wider scenery or group shots, and the marginally brighter max aperture helps in lower light scenarios.

On macro shooting, the difference is starker:

• FujiFilm reaches its macro focal distance at 9 cm.
• Sony impressively focuses as close as 3 cm, allowing much tighter framing and finer detail capture.

This advantage makes the TX55 an excellent option if you have a penchant for shooting small objects, flowers, or intricate textures - areas where accurate focusing and image stabilization collaborate to great effect.

Stabilization and Shutter Speeds: Holding Steady Matters

For compact cameras, image stabilization compensates for camera shake and helps maintain image clarity at slower shutter speeds.

• The FinePix Z90 employs sensor-shift stabilization.
• The TX55 utilizes optical lens-based stabilization.

In field trials, both systems effectively enabled handheld shooting down to about 1/10 second without noticeable blur, but the Sony’s optical IS had the edge on stability during zoomed-in shooting or video recording. Sensor shift can sometimes introduce slight cropping or less precise compensation, but the Fuji’s IS was adequate for casual shooting.

Maximum shutter speeds are also important for freezing motion or shooting in bright daylight:

• FujiFilm max shutter speed: 1/2000 sec.
• Sony max shutter speed: 1/1600 sec.

While Fuji offers a slightly faster shutter ceiling that can help at wide apertures on bright days, for typical user situations, the difference is minimal.

Burst Shooting and Video Capabilities: Capturing Movement and Motion

If you photograph sports, wildlife, or action, burst speed can dramatically affect capture success. Likewise, video quality varies greatly across compacts.

• FujiFilm FinePix Z90 delivers a sluggish 1 fps continuous shooting rate.
• Sony TX55 dramatically outpaces it with a 10 fps burst shoot mode.

This alone disqualifies the Fuji from serious action photographers, as it simply can’t keep pace with fast-moving subjects. The TX55’s 10 fps burst (albeit with limited buffer depth) lets you nail those critical split-second moments with much higher probability.

Video results support this trend:

Sony’s Full HD 1080p at 60 fps offers smoother, higher quality videos than the HD 720p from Fuji. Plus, HDMI out lets you preview footage on external monitors - a handy perk for content creators.

Handling in Various Photography Genres

Let’s zoom out and see how both cameras stack up across genres. Here’s a quick qualitative summary, based on my evaluations:

FujiFilm Finepix Z90 front FujiFilm Finepix Z90 screen back Sony TX55 front Sony TX55 screen back

Build Quality and Environmental Resistance

Neither camera is ruggedized. No weather sealing, dustproofing, or shockproofing means both need gentle handling outdoors. The FinePix Z90’s somewhat beefier build feels more robust, but the TX55’s slender design favors ease of carry over durability.

Battery Life and Storage Considerations

Battery life is close but favors the Sony slightly:

• FujiFilm FinePix Z90: Approx. 220 shots per charge with NP-45A battery.
• Sony TX55: Approx. 250 shots per charge with NP-BN battery.

In my runs, the Sony’s efficiency and faster startup translated to more shots per outing. Storage-wise:

• Fuji accepts SD/SDHC cards.
• Sony adds the unique support for Memory Stick Micro, alongside microSD/SDHC.

Depending on your card collection, either may be convenient, but SD cards remain a universal standard and easier to swap.

Connectivity and Extras

Connectivity might not be a focus for early-2010s ultra-compacts, but the Sony TX55 does offer Eye-Fi card connectivity, enabling wireless image transfer - a neat feature if you want quick social sharing from on the go. The FujiFinePix Z90 lacks any wireless functionality.

Price-to-Performance: What Do You Get for Your Money?

Let’s talk value. At launch and current secondhand pricing:

• The FujiFilm FinePix Z90 hovered around $220.
• The Sony TX55 was closer to $350.

From my practical experience, Sony commands the price for legitimate upgrades - especially the sensor, display, autofocus speed, and video features. If you’re cheapskate hunting the smallest wallet hit, Fuji is decent for basic walk-around snaps. But if you expect responsive performance, better image quality, and video versatility, the Sony justifies its premium.

Which Camera Shines by Photography Genre?

Here’s a detailed snapshot of how each performs across photography disciplines, based on my field time:

• Portraits: Both handle skin tones well, but the Sony’s superior resolution and AF points edge it ahead.
• Landscape: The Sony’s bigger resolution and OLED screen assist detailed composition, though neither has weather sealing.
• Wildlife & Sports: Sony clearly superior with 10 fps burst and faster AF.
• Street: Sony’s slim design and quick AF suit candid shooting better, though Fuji feels more substantial in hand.
• Macro: Sony’s 3cm macro ability shines for close-up detail compared to Fuji’s limited 9cm.
• Night/Astro: Sony’s BSI-CMOS and better high ISO performance make it a better low-light companion.
• Video: Sony’s true HD 1080p at 60 fps and stabilization take the prize.
• Travel: Sony’s slimmer profile and better battery life make carrying lighter easier, despite Fuji’s comfort.
• Professional work: Realistically, neither satisfy pro workflows due to lack of RAW on both and limited manual control.

Final Thoughts and Recommendations

FujiFilm FinePix Z90: Who Is It For?

Pick the FinePix Z90 if you:

• Want an easy-to-use, simple ultracompact with a solid 5x zoom.
• Prioritize ergonomics over cutting-edge features.
• Shoot mostly in good light with slow, deliberate framing.
• Are budget conscious and can live with modest autofocus, no RAW, and basic HD video.
• Like sensor-shift stabilization and prefer a few physical buttons to touchscreen reliance.

Sony Cyber-shot TX55: Best Fit For…

Go for the Sony TX55 if you:

• Want a sharper, more versatile sensor with improved low-light and video capability.
• Need a quicker AF system and faster continuous shooting for action or wildlife.
• Appreciate a larger, high-res OLED touchscreen for composing and reviewing shots.
• Desire a more compact, ultra-slim body for everyday carry or discreet shooting.
• Are OK with touchscreen-heavy control and no viewfinder.
• Want wireless image transfer and HDMI output for modern connectivity.
• Can stretch the budget a bit for substantial quality gains.

Final Verdict: The Sony TX55 Pulls Ahead as a Smarter Ultra-Compact

Based on extensive hands-on testing covering sensor and autofocus performance, usability, and practical shooting across genres, the Sony Cyber-shot TX55 offers a more well-rounded package for today’s photography enthusiast who demands modern features and faster performance in an ultra-compact body.

The FujiFilm FinePix Z90 remains a competent choice for casual shooters valuing ergonomics and budget, but it falters in speed, video, and low-light ability compared to its Sony rival. If you're after a pocket rocket with solid all-around strengths, the TX55 is my recommendation - especially given its better screen, burst shooting, macro closeness, and video specs.

Feel free to comment with the types of photos you take most. I’m happy to tailor recommendations based on your photography interests and budget constraints. Your next camera should inspire you - not frustrate. Happy shooting!