Fujifilm FinePix F70EXR
USUAL PRICE $369 SELLING PRICE $249
Following on from the stellar performance of the Fujifilm FinePix F200 EXR, we see the release of the F70 EXR. The smallest camera to boast a 10x optical zoom.
Fujifilm FinePix F70 EXR: Specification
Fujifilm FinePix F70 EXR: Features
One of the most attractive cameras I've looked at is the Fujifilm FinePix F70 EXR with its glossy gunmetal grey coating and smoothed out corners giving it an impression of sophistication and elegance rarely seen on a consumer model as this level of design is usually reserved for the top end models. A slight moulded ring illustrates where the 10x optical zoom lens is hidden and the F70 EXR is the smallest compact to hold a zoom range of this magnitude.
The layout has been left relatively simple with only a power and shutter button on the top plate although the shutter release has been accompanied by a zoom rocker. On the back is a small command dial which doesn't have the usual options that are found on these types of dials. Instead of portrait, sports and landscape modes, you can find manual, program, EXR, SP (scene)natural, natural & flash, video and auto. All the portrait modes are in the SP menu now to give the back a more simplistic view which is easier for newcomers to photography to grasp hold of. However, this could be counter productive as a massive menu system could well be a put off. Still, this method has been used before and it's not unsuccessful, so I could be barking up the wrong tree.
The F70 EXR features the same sensor as the Fujifilm FinePix F200 EXR reviewed in March 2009 so it has the same cool features that the new sensor introduced to the range. However, Fujifilm haven't been sitting back on their laurels and enjoying their extra popularity and multiple awards, they've added new features to the F70 EXR as well as reintroduce 3D photography to the masses by releasing the Fujifilm W1 3D.
New features on this camera include two new “pro” modes called Pro-Focus and Pro-Low light. The Pro-focus mode works by taking two separate images and merging them together to give an enhanced depth of field usually only reserved for DSLRs which benefit from a larger sensor. The Pro-Low light mode takes a series of four images in low ISO high ISO settings. It then merges the images to create an image controlled by noise much better than before.
It needs some fine tuning as the images are masked and placed over one another and it does show to a degree as the background looks like it's had a blur filter placed over it instead of naturally being out of focus. If they can make it look more natural, it'll be a corker of a feature.
The same film simulation modes are featured on the the F70 EXR that were originally introduced on the Fujifilm FinePix S100fs which give much more closely reproduced versions of the popular Fujifilm emulsion films such as Velvia and Astia.
Fujifilm FinePix F70 EXR: Build and handling
For such a small camera, I think it's quite weighty. It feels nice and solid in the hands and the smooth surface is comfortable to hold although could get problematic with greasy or sweaty hands as the camera could have a tendency to slip. The latter problem also putting horrible marks all over the lovely, shiny surface. The command dial is a little small although not annoyingly so but the buttons are responsive and firm and compensate for where the dial lets it down.
I don't like the positioning of the flash on a camera of this size. As I used the camera with flash, I found that my fingers were creeping over the top of the camera and covering the light. Then when I fired it, I got a slight burning sensation on my fingers which told me that I'd covered the flash up.
Fujfilm have always been well known for their easy to use UI (user interface) and the menu system on the F70 EXR is no exception. Options are clearly explained and well thought out with icons, except for the Pro-Low light as I don't know what that's meant to be. It looks like a candle or a lighthouse, I'm not sure. I think they've made a mistake by having quite so many menus though. It has the menu for scenes and EXR as well as the main menu and the FinePix menu on top of that. I found I had trouble remembering which modes were in which menu although I think given time, this wouldn't be an issue.
It's pleasing to see a metal tripod on the bottom of the camera and the spring loaded battery door is firm enough although to be fair does suffer from a mild case of movement.
Fujifilm FinePix F70 EXR: Performance
There are a number of continuous shooting modes on the Fujifilm FinePix F70 EXR with the option of shooting three or 12 images in succession. There's no continuous shooting in the true sense of the term, where it'll keep shooting until the card is full. Top3 will take three photographs then download them onto the card. It takes the photos in 1.5sec which is quick but then takes the rest of the ten second burst period to get them on the card.
Final3 starts taking photographs as soon as you press the shutter, but it doesn't record them to the card, it simply conveyors them in and out of the buffer as you keep your finger pressed. When you release your finger, the camera will then record the last three images taken.
Top12 and Final12 do the same job except recording more images albeit at a lower resolution and higher ISO. I'm impressed that it took the first 12 shots in 2.5sec and had downloaded the images in time to get another round of 12 off in the ten second test period.
Lag is around the standard performance found in compacts at the moment sitting at around 0.08sec which is a perfectly decent result.
I like the results from the colour test chart with all colours gently boosted but not too much. In fact, blue is showing considerable restraint as it normally pops out of the screen. Here it compliments the other colours as the red and yellows are warmed nicely and the earthy colours are rich. The skin tone isn't too pink and the mono tones are balanced nicely.
Fujifilm FinePix F70 EXR: Specification
- Zoom: 10x optical
- Resolution: 10Mp
- Sensor size: 1/2in
- Sensor type: CCD EXR
- Max. image size: 3616x2712
- File type: JPEG, AVI
- Sensitivity: ISO100-12800
- Media type: Internal, SD, SDHC
- Focus types: Normal, macro, face detection
- Normal focusing: 45cm-infinity
- Close focusing: 5cm-infinity
- Metering types: Programmed AE, Aperture-priority AE,
- Exposure compensation: None
- Shutter speed: 8sec-1/2000sec
- Flash: Built-in
- Monitor: 2.7in TFT colour LCD
- Interface: USB 2.0
- Power: Li-Ion Battery
- Size: 99.3x58.9x22.7mm
- Weight: 180g (excl. battery and card)
Fujifilm FinePix F70 EXR: Features
One of the most attractive cameras I've looked at is the Fujifilm FinePix F70 EXR with its glossy gunmetal grey coating and smoothed out corners giving it an impression of sophistication and elegance rarely seen on a consumer model as this level of design is usually reserved for the top end models. A slight moulded ring illustrates where the 10x optical zoom lens is hidden and the F70 EXR is the smallest compact to hold a zoom range of this magnitude.
The Fujifilm FinePix F70 EXR is the thinnest compact camera with 10x optical zoom.
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A simple layout follows Fujifilm's philosophy of easy-to-use cameras.
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Pro-Focus mode works by taking two consecutive images and pasting them together to give a more pronounced diffusion of the background.
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The F70 EXR features the same sensor as the Fujifilm FinePix F200 EXR reviewed in March 2009 so it has the same cool features that the new sensor introduced to the range. However, Fujifilm haven't been sitting back on their laurels and enjoying their extra popularity and multiple awards, they've added new features to the F70 EXR as well as reintroduce 3D photography to the masses by releasing the Fujifilm W1 3D.
New features on this camera include two new “pro” modes called Pro-Focus and Pro-Low light. The Pro-focus mode works by taking two separate images and merging them together to give an enhanced depth of field usually only reserved for DSLRs which benefit from a larger sensor. The Pro-Low light mode takes a series of four images in low ISO high ISO settings. It then merges the images to create an image controlled by noise much better than before.
It needs some fine tuning as the images are masked and placed over one another and it does show to a degree as the background looks like it's had a blur filter placed over it instead of naturally being out of focus. If they can make it look more natural, it'll be a corker of a feature.
The same film simulation modes are featured on the the F70 EXR that were originally introduced on the Fujifilm FinePix S100fs which give much more closely reproduced versions of the popular Fujifilm emulsion films such as Velvia and Astia.
Fujifilm FinePix F70 EXR: Build and handling
For such a small camera, I think it's quite weighty. It feels nice and solid in the hands and the smooth surface is comfortable to hold although could get problematic with greasy or sweaty hands as the camera could have a tendency to slip. The latter problem also putting horrible marks all over the lovely, shiny surface. The command dial is a little small although not annoyingly so but the buttons are responsive and firm and compensate for where the dial lets it down.
I don't like the positioning of the flash on a camera of this size. As I used the camera with flash, I found that my fingers were creeping over the top of the camera and covering the light. Then when I fired it, I got a slight burning sensation on my fingers which told me that I'd covered the flash up.
Fujfilm have always been well known for their easy to use UI (user interface) and the menu system on the F70 EXR is no exception. Options are clearly explained and well thought out with icons, except for the Pro-Low light as I don't know what that's meant to be. It looks like a candle or a lighthouse, I'm not sure. I think they've made a mistake by having quite so many menus though. It has the menu for scenes and EXR as well as the main menu and the FinePix menu on top of that. I found I had trouble remembering which modes were in which menu although I think given time, this wouldn't be an issue.
It's pleasing to see a metal tripod on the bottom of the camera and the spring loaded battery door is firm enough although to be fair does suffer from a mild case of movement.
Fujifilm FinePix F70 EXR: Performance
There are a number of continuous shooting modes on the Fujifilm FinePix F70 EXR with the option of shooting three or 12 images in succession. There's no continuous shooting in the true sense of the term, where it'll keep shooting until the card is full. Top3 will take three photographs then download them onto the card. It takes the photos in 1.5sec which is quick but then takes the rest of the ten second burst period to get them on the card.
Final3 starts taking photographs as soon as you press the shutter, but it doesn't record them to the card, it simply conveyors them in and out of the buffer as you keep your finger pressed. When you release your finger, the camera will then record the last three images taken.
Top12 and Final12 do the same job except recording more images albeit at a lower resolution and higher ISO. I'm impressed that it took the first 12 shots in 2.5sec and had downloaded the images in time to get another round of 12 off in the ten second test period.
Colours look good on the test chart with blue not being as prominent as normal.
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I like the results from the colour test chart with all colours gently boosted but not too much. In fact, blue is showing considerable restraint as it normally pops out of the screen. Here it compliments the other colours as the red and yellows are warmed nicely and the earthy colours are rich. The skin tone isn't too pink and the mono tones are balanced nicely.
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