Head-to-Head: Fujifilm FinePix Z30 vs Sony Cyber-shot DSC-W220 – A Compact Camera Review from Experience

Choosing a compact camera in the sub-$200 bracket today means stepping back in time a little - to an era when smartphone cameras had not yet matured, and compact digital cameras ruled casual photography with their point-and-shoot simplicity and dedicated optics. Among that 2009 crop, two small sensor compacts stand out in this comparison for their balance of features and user appeal: the Fujifilm FinePix Z30 and the Sony Cyber-shot DSC-W220.

Having tested thousands of cameras over my 15+ years behind the lens and bench, I find value in digging beneath the spec sheet to examine real-world handling, image quality, and performance - especially important if you’re eyeing an older or budget model for casual, travel, or beginner use. Let’s unpack these two closely matched compacts, focusing on detailed strengths, weaknesses, and suitability across photography styles.

Pocket-Size Shootout: Build, Size, and Ergonomics

Handling is the first port of call for any camera, especially compacts. Both the Fuji Z30 and Sony W220 belong to the 'grab-and-go' segment with their slim profiles ideal for pockets and small bags.

Measuring roughly 91x59x21mm for the Fujifilm and 95x57x22mm for the Sony, both are similar in footprint but differ palpably in grip and weight. Fuji's Z30 weighs just 110g - featherlight, which might seem like a dream for street shooters or travelers prioritizing minimalism.

Sony’s W220 steps up to 147g, 37g heavier, which, although still lightweight, gives a slightly more substantial feel in hand. That added heft translates to a steadier grip, an advantage when shooting telephoto or in low-light conditions. The Fuji risks feeling a bit delicate and fiddly during active use - a known trade-off with ultra-compact devices.

Neither sports extensive tactile buttons or dials; instead, they rely on minimal controls and auto modes, emphasizing effortless point-and-shoot workflows. Absence of physical viewfinders on both shifts all framing reliance to the rear LCD, which brings us to the next section.

Visual Command Center: LCDs and Control Layout

Both cameras offer 2.7-inch LCD screens with identical 230k-dot resolution - adequate for framing but rather coarse by today’s standards. Visibility under direct sunlight is suboptimal; in bright outdoor environments, you’ll find details quite washed out or requiring shading.

Look closer, and the Sony attempts to compensate with contrast-rich imagery on its LCD while Fuji renders a slightly warmer preview color. Controls neighboring the screen mirror the user philosophy: minimalistic and straightforward. Fujifilm Z30 lacks any touchscreen capabilities, while Sony mirrors this limitation.

Both models rely heavily on their software menu system for setting adjustments, which, given these cameras target casual shooters, is user-friendly enough yet frustrating for any user wanting quick parameter tweaks.

From the top, neither camera has the conventional mode dials or extensive customizable buttons - yet, Sony offers manual focus (albeit rudimentary) while Fujifilm trades this for simplicity, offering no manual focus at all. This subtle difference will matter more in certain photography genres where precise focus control is non-negotiable.

Sensor and Image Quality: The Heart of the Matter

Both the Fujifilm Z30 and Sony W220 are equipped with a 1/2.3" CCD sensor measuring 6.17 x 4.55mm, resulting in an identical sensor area of 28.07 mm². This sensor size was typical for compact cameras in 2009, balancing cost and convenience but limiting low light performance and dynamic range as compared to larger sensor systems.

Despite shared sensor size, Sony edges ahead with a 12MP resolution versus Fujifilm's 10MP, offering images at 4000x3000 pixels compared to 3648x2736 pixels on the Z30. This increment translates into slightly better detail retention for cropping and larger prints.

Both sensors include anti-aliasing filters to reduce moiré, but this softens fine details. Neither supports RAW capture, limiting post-processing flexibility - a potential dealbreaker for serious photography enthusiasts demanding maximum control.

In-camera processing color science discloses minor but notable differences. The Fuji renders skin tones with subtle warmth and smoother gradations, lending a natural feel for portraits. Sony’s processing leans cooler and sharper, which can look clinical, especially in human subjects.

ISO sensitivity ranges suggest Sony pushes up to ISO 3200, doubling Fuji’s maximum of 1600 - a theoretical advantage for low-light shooting. However, due to sensor and processor limitations, noise quickly becomes a concern beyond ISO 400-800 on both, limiting practical usability to good or excellent lighting.

Optical Versatility: Lenses Compared

Both cameras incorporate fixed zoom lenses with significant differences in aperture range and focal length.

• Fujifilm FinePix Z30: 35–105mm equivalent, f/3.7–4.2, 3× zoom
• Sony Cyber-shot W220: 30–120mm equivalent, f/2.8–7.1, 4× zoom

Sony’s lens starts wider (30mm vs 35mm), lending more flexibility for landscapes or interior shots - a meaningful difference when cramped or desiring wider compositions. The W220's f/2.8 aperture at wide end provides marginally better low-light ability and subject isolation, whereas Fuji's lens stays in the f/3.7 territory, slightly less bright.

At telephoto, Sony extends to 120mm compared to Fuji's 105mm, providing more reach for candid or wildlife shots (albeit limited by sensor resolution and speed).

A standout feature is that Sony employs optical image stabilization, which Fuji lacks entirely. This can mean the difference between sharp handheld pictures and blurry images when shooting beyond 1/60s shutter speed at longer focal lengths.

Macro comes closer for the W220, with a minimum focus distance down to 5cm, compared to Fuji’s 8cm. This makes subtle close-ups more accessible on Sony, vital for nature or product snaps.

Autofocus, Performance, and Shooting Experience

Autofocus systems on both rely solely on contrast detection, a slower and less reliable focusing method than phase detection autofocus found in higher-end models. Sony's W220 incorporates 9 focus points, whereas Fujifilm's Z30 doesn't specify multiple focus points or advanced AF features.

In practice, this difference manifests as quicker and more accurate focus locking on the Sony. Its contrast-based system benefits from multiple detectable areas, meaning the camera can attempt to focus on non-centered subjects without user intervention.

Fujifilm feels slower and occasionally hunts longer, frustrating for moments requiring fast capture. Neither camera features face or eye detection autofocus - a capability now standard even in entry-level compacts but absent here due to their age.

Continuous shooting speeds reinforce Sony’s advantage: 2fps vs Fuji’s sluggish 1fps. While clearly not sports-level shooting machines, Sony's doubled continuous frame rate improves capturing fleeting candid shots or child-play moments.

Shutter speed range further illustrates Sony’s scope: 1s to 1/1600s versus Fuji's 3s to 1/1000s. The faster shutter speed on the Sony facilitates better freezing of action and wider aperture usage in brighter conditions without overexposure.

Flash Performance and Low-Light Shooting

Both cameras feature built-in flashes with moderate power, but Sony’s flash reach extends impressively to 7.1 meters (at Auto ISO) compared to Fuji’s 3.1 meters. This is a practical win indoors or in dim social settings.

Flash modes are comparable, offering Auto, On, Off, Slow Sync, and Red-eye reduction, supporting most casual usage scenarios.

Low-light imaging, dominated by sensor and lens ISO capabilities, again leans toward Sony due to its higher ISO ceiling and image stabilization. I found Sony images cleaner, with less motion blur and marginally better exposure balance in subdued environments.

Video Capabilities: A Walk Down Memory Lane

By today’s standards, both cameras’ video modes are basic.

• Maximum resolution: 640x480 at 30fps (Motion JPEG codec)
• No HD or 4K support
• No external microphone input or headphone jack

Sony goes a step further allowing 320x240 at 8fps - a niche mode likely for animations or time-lapse enthusiasts, but hardly practical for general use.

Neither supports modern video features like image stabilization in video mode, log profiles, or higher frame rates needed for smooth slow motion.

Consider these cameras purely for stills; video here is a convenience rather than creative tool.

Battery Life, Storage, and Connectivity

Both compacts use proprietary rechargeable batteries: Fuji employs the NP-45, with Sony’s exact model unspecified but similarly proprietary.

Official photoshoot counts are absent, but experience with such models indicates about 200-250 shots per charge - meager by today’s standards, requiring spare batteries or frequent charging for extended outings.

Storage differs slightly: Fuji supports SD/SDHC cards, widely available and economical, while Sony relies on Memory Stick Duo/Pro Duo cards, now obsolete and harder to procure.

Neither has wireless connectivity, Bluetooth, NFC, or GPS, reflecting 2009-era designs. USB 2.0 is standard for file transfer.

No weather sealing or ruggedness certifications exist on either, so cautious use outdoors in adverse conditions is advised.

Practical Photography Applications: Bridging Specs to Use

To understand how these cameras perform in real-world photography, I examined them across multiple genres including portraits, landscapes, street, and travel shooting.

Fujifilm Z30 front Fujifilm Z30 screen back Sony W220 front Sony W220 screen back

Portraits

Fujifilm’s warmer image processing lends skin tones a softer, more pleasing look than Sony’s cooler, sharper results. However, Sony’s lens has a wider aperture at 30mm, which can deliver better background blur at the widest angle, although the small sensor size limits pronounced bokeh effects.

Neither camera offers eye detect autofocus, so portrait shooting relies on accurate manual framing and focus lock.

Landscapes

Sony wins here due to a wider focal length starting at 30mm and higher resolution - useful for capturing expansive vistas and enabling moderate cropping.

Lack of weather sealing on both restricts harsh outdoor use, but the Sony’s superior reach and stabilization help get sharper shots at tele or in low light dawn/dusk scenes.

Wildlife and Sports

Neither camera is optimal for wildlife or sports photography due to slow autofocus, limited continuous shooting, and modest zoom ranges.

Sony’s faster autofocus and 2fps burst rate provide a marginal edge, but the FoV and sensor size limit detailed wildlife shots.

Street Photography

Street photography favors discretion, portability, and swift operation. Fujifilm's lighter weight and smaller size make it more pocketable and less conspicuous, although slower autofocus may challenge capturing spontaneous moments.

Sony’s broader zoom range offers flexibility but at a heavier cost and with somewhat more camera noise when focusing.

Macro Photography

Sony’s 5cm minimum focusing distance outclasses Fuji’s 8cm, allowing closer approaches and tighter framing of fine details.

Macro shooters would find that Sony provides a more satisfying shooting experience, benefiting from optical stabilization which helps maintain sharpness at high magnifications.

Night and Astro Photography

Both cameras are limited by low ISO performance and shutter speed ranges for long exposure photography.

Fuji’s max shutter speed of 3 seconds is a bare minimum for astrophotography; Sony’s 1-second minimum shutter does not help long exposures.

High noise levels at raised ISOs limit night image quality.

Overall Handling and Usability Insights

Neither camera provides manual exposure modes - a consistent limitation for enthusiasts seeking more creative freedoms.

The Sony W220’s inclusion of manual focus (though basic) and optical image stabilization marks it as the more versatile choice for amateur photographers wanting a little more control and improved image quality in various conditions.

Fujifilm’s Z30 excels in portability and simply ‘point and shoot’ convenience, appropriate for users uninterested in fiddling with settings.

Summarizing Performance: Ratings at a Glance

Breaking down overall performance:

Performance across photography genres reflects these strengths and limitations: Sony performs best in macro, landscape, and slightly better low-light; Fujifilm Z30 suits casual shooting and street photography where ultralight form factor counts.

Who Should Buy Which?

• Buy Fujifilm FinePix Z30 if:

  • You want a featherweight, fuss-free camera for casual snapshots and travel.
  • Portability and simplicity trump advanced controls.
  • You don’t mind modest zoom reach or slower focus speeds.

• Buy Sony Cyber-shot DSC-W220 if:

  • You crave versatility with a brighter, longer zoom and image stabilization.
  • You want marginally better autofocus and manual focus capability.
  • You value closer macro shooting and better low-light performance.

Final Thoughts for the Discerning Buyer

While neither camera would compete with modern compacts or smartphones for image quality or features, their old-school charm lies in delivering straightforward photography without menu complexity or bulk.

Sony’s W220 dominates this rivalry with better optics, more control, and stabilization, translating to superior real-world shooting outcomes in most scenarios. The Z30’s edge in size and weight might make it your choice if ultra-portability is paramount.

If your budget stretches beyond $200, modern compacts or mirrorless options would deliver more creative freedom and image quality. Yet, these two cameras, relics of the late 2000s, encapsulate a moment when digital photography was transitioning - perfect for collectors, beginners curious about camera history, or enthusiasts needing simple secondary shooters.

In closing, your choice hinges on your priority: Fuji offers tiny, effortless shoots; Sony brings a touch more professional spirit in a compact frame. Both serve as reminders that even humble cameras can make memorable images - if used with thought and patience.

Happy shooting!