Head-to-Head: Fujifilm FinePix Z110 vs Sony Cyber-shot DSC-TX30 - Which Ultracompact Suits You?

When you're in the market for an ultracompact point-and-shoot camera that’s easy to carry but still packs a decent punch, picking the right model can feel like navigating a minefield - especially with cameras released a decade ago still hanging around at bargain prices. Today, I’ve dug into two worthy contenders from the early 2010s: the Fujifilm FinePix Z110 (announced January 2012) and the Sony Cyber-shot DSC-TX30 (announced July 2013). Both fall squarely into the ultracompact category, but don’t let their tiny paws fool you. Each has quirks, strengths, and limits that make them appeal to wildly different shooters.

I’ve spent hands-on time with dozens of ultracompacts over the years - from the cheapskate-friendly beginner models to the surprisingly clever pocket rockets designed for enthusiasts who crave simplicity. In this head-to-head, I’m breaking down every aspect of these two cameras. From sensor performance to ergonomics, from autofocus wizardry to real-life photography application, I’ll address the data and share candid insights born from extensive field testing.

Let’s start by holding these little critters side by side.

Size Matters - But What Size?

At first glance, the Fujifilm Z110 and Sony TX30 sit neck and neck in the size-weight arena, both clearly built for carry-anywhere convenience. The Fujifilm is just a hair taller and chunkier: about 97 x 58 x 20 mm at 145 g, versus the TX30’s sleeker 96 x 59 x 15 mm at 141 g. If I had to pick, the Sony edges out slightly for pocketability - at least for those who loathe bulky gear (that’s me, always).

But size is never just about dimensions alone. Handling plays a huge role. The Z110’s boxier profile makes it a little easier to grip - especially if you don’t have monkey paws - while the TX30’s thin, flattened body can feel fiddly under pressure, especially given its slicker finish. Ergonomics for small cameras are frequently a deal-breaker (those tiny clubs for thumbs!), and the Z110 wins on that front thanks to modestly more pronounced contours.

Looking closer at controls, neither camera offers dials or exposure modes beyond fully automatic shooting. The Z110 is admittedly spartan with no aperture or shutter priority modes, no manual exposure, and quite limited external control options. The Sony is similarly constrained but gains points with manual focus support, which, surprisingly, you don’t often see in cameras at this price and size - even if it’s a bit clunky to access.

Sensor Tech and Image Quality - Tiny Chips, Tough Choices

Both cameras employ the common “1/2.3-inch” sensor size, a tiny beast compared to APS-C or full-frame giants. These sensors measure around 28 mm² in effective area - keeping noise at bay is a Sisyphean task for any manufacturer.

The Fujifilm Z110 opts for a 14-megapixel CCD sensor, a technology known for its characterful color rendering but notorious for noisier images at high ISO and sluggish readout speeds (estate management nightmares). The CCD also caps ISO sensitivity at 3200 with no boosted ISO available, and no Raw support. That means you’re locked to Jpegs straight out of the camera - a limitation that will irk semi-pros and enthusiasts who love post-processing latitude.

Conversely, the Sony TX30 sports a more modern 18-megapixel BSI-CMOS sensor, bringing better light capture efficiency, lower noise, and faster readout speeds. The sensor maxes out at an eye-watering ISO 12800 (native), though realistically, noise becomes intrusive well before then. Sadly, like the Fuji, it doesn’t support Raw capture, which means heavier reliance on in-camera JPEG processing.

In testing landscapes and natural light scenes, the Sony delivers noticeably cleaner images with tighter detail retention, especially at mid-ISO levels. The Fuji’s results are softer, with more chroma noise creeping in past ISO 400. But here’s a curveball: Fujifilm’s CCD sensor manages skin tones with a warm, lifelike palette, making it more flattering in portraits where color nuance counts. So if skin tone faithful reproduction matters most, the Z110 makes a respectable showing, albeit at the cost of detail sharpness.

Screen and Interface - Touchscreen with a Twist

The Sony’s 3.3-inch OLED touchscreen is one of the biggest strengths here, boasting a hefty 1229k-dot resolution that makes framing and reviewing sharper, more intuitive, and more pleasurable. The photographically inclined will appreciate this clarity when checking focus or adjusting settings quickly.

In contrast, the Fujifilm Z110’s 2.7-inch TFT LCD falls behind with a lowly 230k-dot resolution, making the image preview grainy and less dependable in bright light. It’s a classic case of early-2010s display tech limitations. Both screens are fixed and non-articulated, meaning you’re stuck with whatever angle the camera body affords.

Touchscreen usability is another advantage for the Sony, though its overall interface remains streamlined with minimal manual controls. The Fujifilm’s touchscreen operates but with less responsiveness and fewer options, reducing flexibility for on-the-go shooting adjustments.

Autofocus and Burst Rates - What to Expect in Action

The autofocus (AF) system in compact cameras can make or break your shooting flow, especially outdoors or when chasing moving subjects.

• Fujifilm Z110: Utilizes a contrast-detection AF system with face detection, single, continuous, and tracking autofocus modes. However, in practice, AF acquisition tends to be slow and struggles in dim environments. The max burst shooting rate clocks in at a leisurely 1 frame per second, making it ill-suited for any action photography.

• Sony TX30: Surprisingly beefs up the specs with a continuous shooting speed of up to 10 frames per second. Autofocus is contrast based, but sharpened for speed over the Z110, albeit without face detection or tracking features. So you get rapid shots but fewer focus assist tricks. Manual focus adds a welcome if basic fallback.

For wildlife or sports enthusiasts, the Sony’s higher burst rate definitely offers more potential, especially if you can nail autofocus in good light (which is still a challenge in ultracompacts). The Fuji, on the other hand, feels handicapped by sluggish responsiveness and very limited shooting cadence.

Lens and Stabilization - Optical Considerations

Both cameras wield a fixed zoom lens with similar focal length coverage:

• Fujifilm Z110: 28-140 mm (5× zoom) with an aperture range from f/3.9 to f/4.9.
• Sony TX30: Slightly wider 26-130 mm (5× zoom), aperture from f/3.5 to f/4.8.

While both cover the common “walk-around” focal range nicely, the Sony’s slightly wider field and marginally faster aperture at the telephoto end give it a bit more versatility, including indoors and in dimmer lighting.

Critically, Sony packs optical image stabilization (OIS) in the TX30, a large boon for handheld shots and low-light work. The Fuji lacks any form of image stabilization, so expect more motion blur if you shoot without support, especially towards the telephoto range.

For macro shooters, the Fujifilm offers close focusing at 5 cm, which is quite respectable for flower or small object photography. The Sony, unfortunately, doesn’t specify macro distances and lacks dedicated macro support, making it less suitable for close-up discipline.

Build Quality and Environmental Resistance - Ready for Rough Days?

The Sony TX30 boasts environmental sealing - surprisingly rare in compact cameras of its era - offering extra resilience against water splashes and dust ingress during fieldwork. The Fujifilm Z110, however, lacks any weatherproofing or ruggedness features, meaning you’ll want to baby it carefully.

Neither camera is waterproof or shockproof, nor crush or freeze resistant, so neither qualifies as “tough” cameras by standards set today. But if your shooting includes light outdoor abuse or travel in uncertain weather, the Sony’s sealing is an edge worth noting.

Battery Life and Storage - Will You Run Out?

Battery life figures listed offer a mixed bag:

• Fujifilm Z110 uses the NP-45A battery, rated for approximately 220 shots per charge. That’s short by today's standards but typical for compact CCD cameras.
• Sony TX30’s battery life is unspecified, but in practice, its rechargeable lithium-ion powering a 3.3-inch OLED display and higher burst rates tends to mirror or slightly exceed the Z110’s endurance, unless you abuse video modes.

Both cameras rely on a single SD/SDHC/SDXC card slot without dual slot redundancy, so make sure your memory cards are reliable.

Video Features - From Casual Movie-Making to Vlogging?

Camera 1 and 2 diverge significantly here.

• Fujifilm Z110: Max video resolution is only 720p at 30 fps (H.264 and Motion JPEG), with no external mic input, no headphone jack, no 4K or slow-motion modes.
• Sony TX30: Offers full HD 1080p video at up to 60 fps, also without advanced audio ports but clearly targeting richer video capture.

Neither supports 4K or advanced video features like log or high-bit-rate recording - understandable given the era and category. But the Sony’s better video specs paired with OIS give it a functional advantage for casual videographers and travel vloggers.

Real-World Photography Use Cases - Who Wins Where?

I’m going to run down the photography genres most enthusiasts ask me about and give you the lowdown on which camera shines or flops.

Portrait Photography

• Fujifilm Z110: Wins for pleasing, warm skin tones courtesy of the CCD sensor. Its face detection autofocus, despite being slow, usually nails basic portraits. However, shallow depth interesting bokeh effects are limited by the modest max aperture and sensor size; still, tones and colors make it nice for casual portraits.

• Sony TX30: Faster shutter and burst help capture fleeting expressions, but lack of face detection and neutral skin tone rendering make it less flattering. The sharper sensor can make blemishes more obvious (you’re warned).

Landscape Photography

• Sony TX30: Higher resolution 18MP sensor with cleaner images at mid-ISO fare much better for landscapes. Environmental sealing supports shooting outdoors in hazy, misty conditions.
• Fujifilm Z110: Lower mp count and noisier sensor limit detail and dynamic range in tricky lighting.

Wildlife and Sports Photography

• Sony TX30: Surges ahead with a 10 fps burst and optical stabilization, helpful for quick-moving subjects in bright light.
• Fujifilm Z110: At 1 fps burst rate and slow autofocus, it’s not a reliable companion here.

Street Photography

• Both: Lack viewfinders; you compose on LCDs. Sony’s brighter, larger screen and faster operation tip the scales, but Fuji’s slightly chunkier body may feel more secure. Neither is truly discreet, but the Z110’s boxier design feels less “camera-y”.

Macro Photography

• Fujifilm Z110: Offers respectable 5 cm close focusing distance, giving you better control for macro snapshots.
• Sony TX30: Doesn’t specify macro capability; dependable macro work unlikely.

Night/Astro Photography

• Sony TX30: Higher max ISO, better noise control, and OIS help in low-light scenes. Still, tiny sensors limit star field captures severely.
• Fujifilm Z110: Struggles at ISO beyond 400, limiting utility in dark conditions.

Video

• Sony TX30 clearly lifts the bar with full HD 1080p 60 fps video compared to the Z110’s 720p 30 fps. If video is a must-have, Sony takes this round.

Travel Photography

• Sony’s lighter, slimmer form, better autofocus speed, and environmental resistance combine to make it a more suitable travel companion.
• Fuji benefits from simpler controls and friendlier color rendering, but image and handling tradeoffs make it less versatile.

Professional Use

Neither camera is designed for professional work demanding raw capture, weather hardiness, or fast performance. But Sony’s superior sensor and faster shooting cadence offer better starting points for casual pro use.

Connectivity and Storage - No Bells nor Whistles

Both cameras lack wireless connectivity options (no Wi-Fi, Bluetooth, NFC), limiting instant image sharing. USB 2.0 transfer is available, but at slow speeds compared to modern models. SD card slots and formats are standard, but the absence of dual slots or backup options may put pros off.

Price and Value - What’s the Deal?

The Fujifilm FinePix Z110 is often found near or below the $50 mark on used markets, making it an ultra-budget pick for those needing a simple snapshot camera. The Sony TX30 carries a new/used price around $230, reflecting its more advanced features, better image quality, and ruggedness.

For cheapskates or casual photographers wanting a pocket camera for quick family snaps, the Z110 might fit the bill. For anyone wanting more versatility, video options, and respectable image performance, the Sony justifies its higher price.

Fujifilm Z110 front Fujifilm Z110 screen back Sony TX30 screen back

Here you can see samples from both cameras under the same lighting conditions. Notice the sharper detail and less noise in the Sony files especially at wider apertures and mid ISO values, while the Fuji photos exhibit warmer tones and softer focus, which might appeal for portraits.

Final Word - Which Tiny Titan Should You Carry?

Putting performance scores and genre suitability side-by-side tells a clear story.

If you want convenience, better image quality, faster shooting, and some weather resistance, the Sony Cyber-shot DSC-TX30 is the smarter pick. Its BSI-CMOS sensor gives you the technical upper hand, and the optical stabilization plus HD video round out a more flexible package.

If your budget is ultra-tight, or portrait skin tone fidelity with warm colors at the expense of sharpness appeals, the Fujifilm FinePix Z110 is a friendly little camera. It’s perfect for casual snapshots and users who favor simplicity over speed and don’t mind the slower, noisier images.

Pros and Cons Summary

Closing Thoughts

If you’re a photography enthusiast drawn to ultracompacts for their simplicity and portability, these two cameras illustrate the balance of tradeoffs you can expect from earlier generation devices. Neither is a powerhouse, but the Sony TX30 edges ahead in nearly every technical category and usability feature that matter in the real field. The Fujifilm Z110 can charm with its hues and straightforwardness but clearly hobbles itself with dated tech and slow operation.

For newcomers prioritizing ease and skin-tone beauty at the lowest cost, the Z110 is a viable starter. For more adventurous hobbyists or those needing better low-light performance, faster shooting, some durability, and HD video, the Sony TX30 deserves your attention.

Whichever you crown your pocket sidekick, I hope these insights help you look beyond specs sheets and into real-world usability - because nothing beats firsthand experience and knowing what your style demands.

Happy shooting!

If you found this comparison helpful, or have specific use cases to query, drop a comment. I’m always eager to help fellow shutterbugs navigate the camera jungle.