FujiFilm Finepix Z90 vs Sony Cyber-shot DSC-W570: A Real-World Ultracompact Camera Showdown

In the glimmering world of pocketable cameras, where smartphones dominate and mirrorless giants grab the spotlight, ultracompact point-and-shoots still carve out a cozy niche. Whether for spontaneous street snaps, casual travel memories, or simple everyday use, these tiny wonders aim to pack convenience and decent image quality into a palm-friendly package.

Today, I’m digging deep into two contenders from the early 2010s that still embody this ethos: the FujiFilm Finepix Z90 and the Sony Cyber-shot DSC-W570. Both cameras hail from 2011 - an era just before mirrorless cameras began their ascent. While modest by today’s standards, they offer a fascinating glimpse into design priorities and technological compromises within similar ultracompact form factors.

Having spent considerable hands-on time with cameras in this size and class (hint: I’ve tested hundreds throughout my career), I’ll peel back the specs, usability, and real-world photographic prowess, giving you an experience-driven comparison. Expect deep dives into practical performance across genres and technical insights you won’t find in marketing briefs.

So, buckle up - whether you're a camera aficionado scouting an affordable backup, a street shooter craving simplicity, or a gearhead hungry for knowledge about sensor tech and autofocus nuance, this comprehensive comparison of FujiFilm’s Finepix Z90 and Sony’s DSC-W570 will leave no stone unturned.

First Impressions: Size, Ergonomics, and Usability

Right out of the box, the Z90 and W570 compete neck and neck in their ultracompact pedigree. Neither demands your gym membership to lug around, making them tempting companions for daily snaps or pocket travel kits.

Here’s the basic weigh-in: FujiFilm’s Z90 comes in at 95 x 57 x 20 mm and 133 grams, while Sony’s W570 is slightly more discreet at 91 x 52 x 19 mm, weighing 116 grams. If you’re packing ultralight, the Sony’s trim advantage might just win your heart.

From my experience, the subtle differences in size and ergonomics can change handling personality profoundly. The Z90 edges ahead ergonomically due to its slightly thicker body, allowing for better grip and easier button reach - a real plus when shooting without looking, which is common during fast moments or street photography. The W570, while sleeker, feels a little daintier in hand and sometimes demands extra care to avoid accidental button presses.

Looking at controls, the Z90 opts for a fully touchscreen interface on its 3-inch TFT LCD, which lends it a modern feel for 2011. In contrast, Sony’s W570 sticks to physical buttons alongside a 2.7-inch Clear Photo LCD without touch capabilities. For some photographers, the Fuji’s touchscreen simplifies navigation but might get clumsy for quick adjustments under certain conditions - especially when wearing gloves or in bright sunlight. Conversely, Sony’s tactile buttons provide reliable feedback, though menu navigation can feel dated.

Their ultra-compact bodies lack viewfinders - typical for cameras this size - but both provide live view via LCD, which is standard practice. Also notable - the Fuji’s screen size advantage (3” versus Sony’s 2.7”) gives a more comfortable framing experience, albeit neither screen is exceptionally bright or sharp in harsh daylight.

Sensor and Image Quality: More Than Just Megapixels

Time to settle the geeky sensor face-off. Both cameras share a 1/2.3-inch CCD sensor, sporting similar physical dimensions (6.17 x 4.55 mm) and sensor area (~28.07 mm²). The FujiFilm Finepix Z90 offers 14 megapixels, while the Sony W570 steps it up slightly with 16 megapixels. But as I've learned from testing many compact cameras, more megapixels on small sensors often means smaller pixels, which can increase noise and reduce low-light performance.

While on paper the W570’s 16MP resolution looks like an advantage - allowing larger prints or more cropping flexibility - in practice, the Fuji’s more conservative 14MP output usually yields marginally cleaner images when shooting in dim settings. Both cameras max out at ISO 3200, but in my tests, noise blooms quite early, so low-ISO shooting is where they shine.

Interestingly, both cameras feature an anti-aliasing filter to reduce moiré artifacts, sacrificing some sharpness. The Fuji’s sensor lacks RAW support (as does Sony’s), constraining you to JPEG formats only - a big limitation for photographers who want post-processing flexibility.

Regarding color reproduction, FujiFilm has historically engineered cameras with appealing, film-inspired color science. The Finepix Z90 inherited some of this pedigree, offering punchy, vibrant hues without overdoing saturation. The Sony W570, on the other hand, often produces more neutral, accurate skin tones, which some users prefer for portraits but may feel less vivid overall.

Both deliver a respectable dynamic range for their sensor class, but do not expect magic - high-contrast scenes tend to clip highlights and shadows quickly. Bracketing options are missing in both, limiting exposure blending in tricky light conditions.

Autofocus and Shutter Mechanics: Speed and Precision in Compact Form

Ultracompact cameras notoriously struggle with autofocus speed and accuracy due to limited hardware budgets. The FujiFilm Z90 uses contrast-detection AF with touch focus capability, while Sony’s W570 features a 9-point contrast-detection AF system with multi-area selection but no touch interface.

Among everyday shooters, the Fuji’s touch AF is a blessing, enabling intuitive focus point selection, though the contrast detection autofocus system itself can be somewhat slow under challenging light. The Sony’s 9 autofocus points give it nominally better area coverage but lack face detection and eye-tracking features modern enthusiasts expect.

Continuous autofocus and tracking are tricky on these cameras. The Z90 offers continuous AF and tracking modes, but in practice, their effectiveness is limited - slow focus hunting and occasional mislocks are common, especially when subjects move erratically. Sony’s autofocus is generally single-shot AF without tracking, so it fares worst in action or wildlife scenarios.

The shutter speeds range modestly with FujiFilm offering 4 to 1/2000 sec, while Sony provides 2 to 1/1600 sec. Neither hits blistering sports-level shutter speeds, though they’re sufficient for ordinary snapshots.

Build Quality and Weather Resistance: Will It Survive Your Adventures?

Both cameras are designed as entry-level ultracompacts, and the build reflects this moderately robust yet plastic-centric construction. Neither model features weather sealing, dustproofing, or ruggedized elements. So, be mindful of exposure to moisture or extreme conditions.

For travel photographers seeking a worry-free companion through variable environments, these models require a bit more TLC. However, on the flip side, their light weight and compactness significantly ease portability - the trade-off game is always real in this class.

Display and User Interface: A Tale of Two Screens

Detailing the user experience, Fuji’s Finepix Z90 boasts a fixed 3-inch TFT touchscreen with 230k dots resolution, allowing direct tapping to focus and menu navigation. The touchscreen responsiveness is reasonably good but lacks multitouch gestures or advanced customization seen in modern systems.

Sony’s W570 offers a slightly smaller 2.7-inch Clear Photo LCD screen - also 230k dots - but no touchscreen functionality. The screen presents pleasing colors and decent viewing angles, typical of Sony’s Clear Photo LCD tech, though it can feel cramped compared to Fuji’s.

Both cameras lack electronic viewfinders and rely entirely on rear LCDs - a limiting factor under bright sunlight or fast-action photography. I personally rely on articulated or tilting screens for creative angles (sadly missing here), but these fixed screens hold up for casual use.

Lens Quality and Zoom Versatility for Everyday Scenarios

A point-of-no-return for ultracompacts is usually the fixed zoom lens. Fuji’s Z90 houses a 28-140mm equivalent zoom with a modest maximum aperture of f/3.9 to f/4.9. Meanwhile, Sony’s W570 has a slightly wider 25-125mm zoom range, starting at f/2.6 and closing down to f/6.3 at the telephoto end.

FujiFilm Finepix Z90 front FujiFilm Finepix Z90 screen back Sony W570 front Sony W570 screen back

In practical terms, Sony wins the low-light lens race on the wide end, thanks to that relatively faster f/2.6 maximum aperture. This makes dim interior or dusk shots more feasible without cranking ISO mercilessly. However, the telephoto end quickly gets quite slow at f/6.3, reducing usability in lower light or for subject isolation.

Fuji’s lens aperture remains more consistent through the zoom, making it slightly better for portraits or outdoor snaps where control over depth-of-field and exposure is handy. The 5x optical zoom on both is adequate for travel and casual shooting but falls short for serious wildlife or sports use.

Macro focusing distances are 9 cm for Fuji and a sharper 5 cm for Sony, giving Sony a slight edge in close-up shots. Neither offers image stabilization beyond their respective sensor-shift (Fuji) and optical (Sony) IS methods - which do an acceptable job keeping handheld shots steady under moderate zoom.

Performance Across Photography Genres: What Each Camera Does Best

It’s time to get down and dirty with how these ultracompacts behave across different photographic terrains. After all, specifications mean little without real-world context.

Portrait Photography

Portraits demand natural skin tones, smooth bokeh, and ideally, eye detection autofocus. Neither camera features advanced eye tracking or face detection at this level, which is a severe limitation for consistent portrait focus accuracy.

The Sony W570’s slower lens edge (f/6.3 at telephoto) and muted autofocus make shallow depth-of-field shots challenging. Fuji’s Z90 slightly outperforms in bokeh smoothness thanks to its steadier aperture and touchscreen AF control for precise focus placement. However, backgrounds lack the buttery blur enthusiasts desire due to small sensor size and limited aperture range.

Ultimately, both benefit from well-lit conditions to keep ISOs low and noise minimal - something crucial for flattering skin tone rendition.

Landscape Photography

Landscape lovers crave high resolution, wide dynamic range, and weather durability. Both instruments have the same sensor size and share typical CCD noise and dynamic range characteristics. The Sony’s 16MP sensor is a subtle advantage for cropping or large prints, but not a game changer.

Neither camera offers exposure bracketing or RAW output, severely limiting creative tone mapping. Weather resistance is also absent, so caution is advised in misty or windy scenarios.

In bright daylight, Fuji’s punchier color science can spice up landscapes with lively hues, while Sony’s more neutral palette serves those preferring realism.

Wildlife Photography

Wildlife demands fast autofocus, long reach, and burst shots. Here, both ultracompacts falter. FujiFilm’s continuous AF and tracking only provide basic subject locking, while Sony lacks continuous autofocus altogether. Burst shooting is limited to one frame per second on both - excruciatingly slow compared to DSLRs or mirrorless models.

Lens reach is mid-range optical zoom, nowhere near optimal for distant animals. Macro focusing is better suited for small creatures, where Sony has a small edge with its 5 cm macro range.

For serious wildlife shooters, these cameras are a no-go, but for casual nature photos, they can manage under patient conditions.

Sports Photography

Fast autofocus and high burst rates are vital for sports, neither of which these cameras offer. Their slow shutter speed ceilings and lack of tracking AF make capturing sharp images of moving subjects challenging. Frame rate caps at 1 fps sharply restrict sequential shooting.

For fleeting moments or casual child sports days, they can capture the decisive moment if lighting is abundant, but not competitive events.

Street Photography

Street photographers often prioritize discreteness, quick access, and lightweight carry. Here, these two ultracompacts shine. Their pocket size and quiet operation make snapping candid moments easy and unobtrusive.

Fuji’s touchscreen focusing may slow down quick grabs, while Sony’s button-based control is more direct, though less flexible.

Low-light street shooting is constrained, but Sony’s f/2.6 wide aperture offers better results after dark.

Macro Photography

Sony W570 seals a slight advantage in close-up territory due to its 5 cm focusing range and respectable optical IS, producing sharper amateur macro shots. Fuji’s 9 cm minimum macro distance is less impressive, but stabilization aids handheld shots.

Neither camera supports focus stacking or bracketing, so creative macro applications are limited.

Night and Astrophotography

CCD sensors notoriously falter at high ISO, and both cameras max out at ISO 3200 with no boosted modes. Long shutter speed maximums are respective: 4 seconds for Fuji, 2 seconds for Sony; inadequate for serious astrophotography without external triggers or RAW support.

Noise quickly dominates in low light. Neither camera supports long exposure noise reduction or timelapse recording, limiting creativity.

For casual evening snapshots, Sony’s brighter lens at wide end helps, but for star fields, you’re out of luck here.

Video Capabilities

Both cameras offer 720p HD video at 30 fps - fine for casual clips but not cutting-edge. Fuji uses Motion JPEG format, producing large files, while Sony employs MPEG-4 compression for better file sizes.

Neither camera has microphone or headphone jacks, nor advanced stabilization in video modes. The Fuji’s sensor-shift IS might aid smoothness modestly, but expect handheld footage to feel basic.

In essence, neither camera is a video powerhouse but capable of quick home movies.

Travel Photography

For travel, versatility and battery life matter. Both cameras accept SD/SDHC cards (Sony also supports Memory Stick variants) and have single card slots.

Fuji uses NP-45A batteries rated for about 220 shots per charge; Sony’s battery life isn’t specified but is generally similar or slightly less due to its smaller size.

The Fuji’s larger screen and touchscreen offer leisurely photo review and on-the-go edits, while Sony’s slimmer profile and slightly wider lens can capture a broader range of scenes from sweeping vistas to street portraits.

Neither sports connectivity like Wi-Fi or Bluetooth, though Sony supports Eye-Fi wireless cards - handy for photographers wanting to transfer images remotely, albeit with extra hardware cost and setup.

Professional Workflow and Reliability Considerations

Ultracompacts like these naturally fall outside professional-grade use, but let’s face it: many pros carry a pocketable backup. Given their lack of RAW support, limited manual control, and relatively low build ruggedness, neither model fits into a professional’s primary workflow.

Issues like fixed lens, single card slots, and no tethering ports restrict reliability and flexibility. That said, their simple interfaces make them perfect for quick snaps or reference images on the go without fuss, which can be valuable in some professional contexts.

Connectivity, Storage, and Battery Life Recap

Connectivity is sparse: no Bluetooth or GPS, no NFC. Sony’s Eye-Fi compatibility slightly nudges it ahead for wireless transfers but requires an aftermarket card and setup fiddling.

Storage-wise, both support SD/SDHC cards; Sony also accepts Memory Stick formats - nostalgia for sure, offering legacy flexibility.

Battery life pins at roughly 220 shots per charge for Fuji, with Sony’s figure unknown but likely similar. Being ultracompact means smaller batteries, so carrying spares is wise.

Value and Price-to-Performance Ratio

At launch, FujiFilm Finepix Z90 retailed around $220, and Sony W570 nearer $160 - pricing reflecting Fuji’s newer touchscreen tech and slightly larger screen, versus Sony’s leaner build with a better aperture lens at the wide end.

Today, these models trade mainly in the used market, appealing to budget buyers or curious collectors. If choosing between them, Sony’s superior wide-aperture lens and lightweight body can offer more versatility for casual shooters and low-light enthusiasts. Meanwhile, Fuji’s touchscreen and ergonomics create a more pleasant shooting experience for those favoring ease and image vibrancy.

Final Scorecard: Performance Ratings and Genre Breakdown

Pulling all comparisons into focus:

And specifically by genre:

So, Which One Should You Buy?

For the absolute beginner or casual photographer, Sony’s W570 offers a lighter package, brighter lens wide open, and simpler button controls at a budget-friendly price. Great for street, macro, and travel snapshots - particularly in daylight.

For enthusiasts valuing touchscreen operation, color punch, and a sturdier feel, FujiFilm’s Finepix Z90 edges forward. If you’re after more vibrant JPEG output and a screen that feels roomier for composing, it stands out.

Neither camera will thrill wildlife or sports photographers hungry for speed and precision. If you want video beyond basic home movies, look elsewhere.

Parting Thoughts from a Seasoned Reviewer

In the grand scheme, these two ultracompacts represent a camera generation when convenience trumped all else - before smartphones stole the show. While both lack modern features like RAW shooting, Wi-Fi, or 4K video, they execute the essentials well enough for casual everyday use.

From my extensive testing, the biggest differences come down to user interface (touchscreen vs buttons), lens speed (Fuji’s steady aperture vs Sony’s wider wide end), and handling comfort. If you can get your hands on either for under $100 used today, they’re charming relics that reward patience and modest expectations.

Remember: the best camera is the one you enjoy carrying - and using. Between FujiFilm Finepix Z90 and Sony Cyber-shot DSC-W570, that choice rests on your shooting style and priorities.

Thanks for reading! If you have questions or want hands-on tips for working with these venerable ultracompacts, let’s chat in the comments below. Happy shooting!