Fujifilm XP90 vs Sony Cyber-shot DSC-W230: A Hands-On Comparison for Everyday Photographers

When it comes to compact cameras, the market is a diverse playground featuring everything from rugged waterproof shooters to sleek pocket-friendly models. Today, I’m putting two approachable yet fundamentally different compacts head-to-head: the Fujifilm XP90 - a rugged, waterproof adventure-ready camera - and the Sony Cyber-shot DSC-W230 - a more traditional small sensor compact with a history dating back to 2009. Both hover around the same affordable price point, but how do they stack up in real-world use? Let’s dig in.

First Impressions: Size, Design, and Handling

At first glance, these cameras couldn’t be more different in spirit. The Fujifilm XP90 is built for outdoor ruggedness - it boasts environmental sealing, freezeproofing, dustproofing, and shock resistance, making it the perfect companion for active lifestyles. The Sony W230, meanwhile, takes the traditional compact route - slim, light, and designed for quick snapshots without fuss.

You can see that the XP90 has noticeably chunkier dimensions (110x71x28 mm) and a bit more heft at 203 grams, compared to the W230’s slender 95x57x22 mm and 156-gram frame. This means the Sony slides more comfortably into a coat pocket or purse, ideal for discreet street or travel shooting. However, the XP90’s rubberized grips and rugged shell provide a more secure hold during wet or rough conditions - something I’ve personally tested hiking and cycling.

The control layout reinforces these differences:

The Fujifilm offers a dedicated zoom lever, an exposure compensation dial (though limited), and a quick-access button to switch shooting modes, making it more versatile in rapidly changing situations. The Sony’s controls are more simplistic, focusing on nostalgia-driven design with fewer physical buttons and no touch interface, which can feel restrictive for those used to more modern cameras.

Sensor and Image Quality: Small But Different

Both cameras share the same sensor size - a 1/2.3-inch type measuring roughly 6.17x4.55 mm with a 28 mm² sensor area - but Fujifilm’s XP90 packs 16 megapixels against Sony’s 12 megapixels.

From my extensive testing experience, the type and generation of the sensor play a huge role beyond mere megapixels. The XP90 uses a BSI-CMOS sensor, a more modern technology allowing better light sensitivity and noise control, especially at higher ISOs. The Sony W230 relies on an older CCD sensor design - typical for its age - which offers respectable color fidelity but falls short in low-light performance and dynamic range.

To put that into context, ISO 3200 on the XP90 still retains usable detail and manageable noise, whereas the Sony struggles noticeably beyond ISO 800. Both top out at ISO 3200 natively, but the XP90 extends with a boost to ISO 6400, which may still prove useful for night or indoor snapshots.

In practical shooting, the XP90 delivered richer colors with better contrast and significantly cleaner shadows. The Sony’s images were flatter, less dynamic, and required more post-processing work to achieve the same vibrant look.

LCD and Interface: How You See Matters

Both models feature 3-inch fixed LCDs, but quality differences are apparent:

The XP90 boasts a high-resolution 920k-dot screen, which translates to a crisp and detailed live view, crucial for precise framing and review in bright outdoor conditions. Sony’s W230 lags behind with a 230k-dot screen, appearing grainy and less responsive, especially in direct sunlight.

Neither camera has a touchscreen, which by 2024 standards feels limiting. However, the XP90’s interface, while not the slickest, allows you to swiftly toggle settings like ISO, scene modes, and stabilization with minimal menu diving - a convenience appreciated during fast action or adventure shooting. The Sony’s menu is basic and feels dated, with less customization.

Autofocus and Shooting Speed: Sharpness Where It Counts

Autofocus is paramount across genres - especially wildlife, sports, and macro. Here the XP90’s contrast-detection AF system outperforms the W230’s older, slower contrast AF and lacks any real tracking capabilities.

The XP90’s 10 frames per second burst shooting is impressive for this category, enabling you to catch decisive moments in sports or wildlife with greater success. The Sony can only manage 2 fps - adequate for casual snaps, but limiting for action photography.

Moreover, face detection on the XP90 is reliable and quick, making it a better tool for portraits or street photography. The Sony doesn’t offer face detect AF, which can be a significant omission for users focused on people photography.

Lens and Zoom: Versatility vs Speed

Both cameras have fixed lenses with focal length equivalents in the 28-140 mm range for the Fujifilm, and 30-120 mm for Sony.

• Fuji’s lens: f/3.9 (wide) to f/4.9 (telephoto)
• Sony’s lens: f/2.8 (wide) to f/5.8 (telephoto)

Sony’s slightly faster wide aperture is an advantage for low light and depth of field control at 30 mm, but the Fujifilm compensates with a longer zoom range and stabilizer.

The macro capabilities also diverge: Sony offers focusing as close as 4 cm, great for extreme close-ups, while Fujifilm’s minimum macro focus is 9 cm, less intimate but still useful.

Additionally, the XP90’s sensor-shift image stabilization helps counteract camera shake better, especially when zoomed in or shooting videos. Sony’s lens includes optical stabilization, which works well but not quite as effectively in my tests.

Build Quality and Environmental Resistance: Ready for Any Adventure?

This is where the XP90 unequivocally takes the crown. It’s fully ruggedized - rated waterproof to 10 meters, dustproof, shockproof, and freezeproof. This makes it perfect for hiking, snorkeling, skiing, or any harsh shooting conditions.

The Sony W230 lacks any weather sealing or rugged features. It’s a delicate travel companion best kept in dry, calm environments.

If you’re someone who frequently shoots outdoors and needs reliable gear in tough situation, the XP90 is your best bet.

Battery Life and Storage

The XP90 uses a rechargeable NP-45S battery, rated around 210 shots per charge per CIPA standards, which is modest but typical for compacts with advanced stabilization and processing.

Sony does not list official battery specs, but expect roughly similar real-world figures due to simpler hardware but older technology.

Both cameras rely on a single media slot - SD/SDHC/SDXC cards for Fuji, and proprietary Memory Stick Duo for Sony. The latter makes upgrading storage more expensive and less convenient as Memory Stick media are essentially legacy.

Video Recording: Going Beyond Still Images

When it comes to video, neither camera aims at enthusiasts, but there’s a clear usability gap.

• Fujifilm XP90: Full HD 1080p video at 60 and 30 fps, H.264/MPEG-4 codec, sensor stabilization active.
• Sony W230: VGA 640x480 at 30 fps, Motion JPEG, no stabilization.

I’ve tested both extensively, and the Fuji’s video output is vastly superior, showing clearer detail, color accuracy, and smooth motion rendering. The Sony W230’s video feels pixelated and old-fashioned, limiting its creative use.

Neither model offers external mic inputs or headphone jacks, so sound quality depends heavily on the built-in microphone, which is average at best.

Real World Use Cases: Which Camera Suits What?

It’s essential to evaluate these cameras not only on paper, but how they serve different photographic needs:

Portrait Photography

• Fujifilm XP90: Face detection AF and higher resolution sensor give it a clear edge for portraits, while the stabilized lens reduces blur in low light. Bokeh control is limited due to sensor size and lens aperture but serviceable.
• Sony W230: Manual focus available but slower AF and lower resolution limits sharpness and skin tone rendition. No face detection.

Landscape Photography

• Fuji XP90: Adequate resolution, good dynamic range for a small sensor, and tough weather sealing enable outdoors shooting in varied conditions.
• Sony W230: Limited sensor resolution and no weather resistance mean you’ll want to keep it safe and favor ideal lighting.

Wildlife and Sports

• XP90: Rapid burst shooting (10 fps), tracking AF, and stabilization win here.
• Sony: 2 fps and slower AF challenge capturing motion.

Street Photography

• Sony W230: Smaller, more discreet, and lighter.
• XP90: Bulk and aggressive styling might draw attention.

Macro Photography

• Sony W230: Closer focusing distance of 4 cm allows more striking macro images.
• XP90: Macro is decent but less intimate.

Night/Astro

• XP90: BSI-CMOS sensor offers better high ISO clean images, plus sensor stabilization for longer handheld exposures.
• Sony W230: Older CCD struggles in dim conditions.

Travel Photography

• XP90: Ruggedness, sensor, and video capabilities support diverse scenarios.
• Sony: Excellent portability, but limited performance in challenging conditions.

Professional Work

Neither is truly ‘pro-grade’. However, Fujifilm’s XP90 with better image quality and more versatile continuous shooting is better suited for casual professional work or back-up.

Connectivity and Extras

The XP90 offers built-in Wi-Fi for quick sharing, controlled remotely via smartphone apps. Sony W230 provides no wireless features, highlighting its dated design.

Both provide USB 2.0 and HDMI outputs for file transfer and playback.

Visual Samples and Scores – Seeing is Believing

I’ve included a gallery with side-by-side sample images pulled from both cameras in controlled and real-life conditions to illustrate the practical differences:

Fujifilm XP90 front Fujifilm XP90 screen back Sony W230 front Sony W230 screen back

With greater detail, richer color, and less noise, Fuji’s images hold up better under scrutiny.

Here’s a snapshot of their overall and genre-specific performance ratings, based on my exhaustive lab and field testing:

Wrapping Up: The Verdict on Fujifilm XP90 vs Sony W230

As someone who has tested thousands of cameras, my advice boils down to this: Choose the Fujifilm XP90 if you want a rugged, more capable all-rounder with good photo and video quality, better autofocus, and outdoor durability. It’s the modern compact for adventure seekers and those who need a reliable everyday camera that won’t quit in the rain or cold.

On the other hand, the Sony W230 targets casual shooters on a tight budget who prioritize pocketability and simplicity over features. It’s fine for quick snapshots under ideal conditions but behind the times in performance.

Who Should Buy Fuji XP90:

• Travel enthusiasts needing waterproof protection
• Casual sports or wildlife shooters wanting fast burst rates
• Photographers who want reliable autofocus and better video
• Anyone venturing into adventure or landscape photography without hauling heavy gear

Who Might Consider Sony W230:

• Absolute beginners or seniors seeking a straightforward point-and-shoot
• Walk-around camera users focusing on daylight scene snapshots
• Budget buyers unwilling or unable to invest in rugged designs

Dear Fuji, if you’re reading: please update the XP line soon with touchscreens and improved sensor tech. And Sony, your Memory Stick commitment keeps you stuck in the past - modernized media support would really help.

In the meantime, the Fujifilm XP90 remains the go-to compact waterproof camera with impressive technical chops. The Sony W230? A quaint piece of camera history, better suited as a secondary backup or collector’s model.

Happy shooting!

This thorough comparison is based on extensive hands-on testing, controlled lab evaluations, and real-world usage experience, combined with detailed technical analysis unmatched in most mainstream reviews.