Fujifilm FinePix XP70 Waterproof Camera Review

Features
Handling
Performance
Verdict
Specification

The Fujifilm Finepix XP70 is a waterproof, freezeproof, sandproof and shockproof digital camera, with a wide-angle 5x optical zoom lens and a 2.7inch screen. 

Fujifilm FinePix XP70 Features

The Fujifilm Finepix XP70 features a 16 megapixel CMOS sensor, a wide-angle 5x optical zoom lens, equivalent to 28mm to 140mm, and optical image stabilisation to help increase the chance of taking a sharp shot in low light conditions.

Waterproof to 10 metres, drop-proof from 1.5 metres, and freezeproof to -10C, the camera should be able to withstand almost anything you can throw at it. The specified waterproof depth should even be suitable for some scuba diving or snorkelling activities without any additional protection. The seals also help to protect against the ingress of dust into the camera.

FullHD video is recorded at 30 frames per second and optical zoom is available during recording. Video in files are encoded in H.264 MOV format, which should ensure decent quality video with reasonable file sizes. The camera can shoot at 3.3fps at full resolution, which is a fairly typical speed for compact cameras today. Faster speeds up to 10 frames per second can be achieved by reducing the image size recorded.

Key Features

• 16 megapixel CMOS sensor
• 5x optical zoom lens, 28mm-140mm equivalent
• Optical image stabilisation (sensor shift type)
• 2.7inch screen, 460k dots
• Waterproof (25m) / freezeproof (-10C)
• Shockproof (2.0m drop)
• 1080p video at 24fps with IS and zoom
• My colours digital filters
• ISO100-ISO3200 plus ISO6400 at reduced image size
• Up to 10fps continuous shooting

Fujifilm FinePix XP70 Handling

The Fujifilm Finepix XP70 feels extremely robust, with heavy duty plastics complimented by a rubberised rear plate and chunky finger grips that provide a secure grip over the camera body, even underwater. A wrist strap which can easily be tightened for extra security is also provided.

Controls are well spaced and chunky enough so that operating the camera when wearing gloves is possible. The shutter button on top of the camera is large and sits alongside a recessed power button and a video recording button. The shutter button feels precise, making half-pressing for focus easy. When the camera is switched on, each time it reminds you to ensure the battery cover is properly locked, which may get annoying over time, as opportunities are missed waiting for the camera to become ready for image taking.

Compartments for battery, memory card, USB and HDMI connections are located behind a tough locking flap on the side of the camera. The latch that holds this flap closed is easy to operate, thanks to the large chunky dial that locks the door firmly shut.

Menus – To change settings you can press the menu button, located within the circular 4-way controller on the rear and this will bring up settings that will be familiar to anyone who has used a Fuji compact camera before.  The menus are laid out well, making it easy to find common settings.

Fujifilm Camera Application Download	Fujifilm Camera Application

Wi-Fi features - The Fujifilm XP70 comes equipped with WiFi, to allow images to be transferred to your smartphone or tablet via the free Fujifilm camera app, or to your PC with the Fujifilm PC Autosave software. The app works quickly, making it easy to transfer images to your devices.

Battery life - Battery life is rated at 210 shots according to Fujifilm / CIPA test results, which isn't overly impressive when compared to the battery performance of some similar cameras, which typically take around 300 shots per charge.

Speed - We took a number of shots to test the camera's responsiveness, from switch on to first photo, shot to shot, focusing speed etc. We take a number of shots and then use the average to ensure accurate and consistent tests, making it easy to compare with other cameras.

Shutter response and focus are excellent, and a decent amount of shots can be taken with continuous shooting before the camera slows down.

Fujifilm FinePix XP70 Performance

The performance section is where we look at the image quality performance of the camera. Additional sample photos and product shots are available in the Equipment Database, where you can add your own review, photos and product ratings.

Fujifilm FinePix XP70 Sample Photos

Sample Photos - Images are free of red-eye, and colour is good. Images don't contain a huge amount of detail, especially at ISO settings of ISO400 or greater and on the whole, they could be sharper and a little less noisy, which may have an impact on producing larger prints from the images. However, images are fine for sharing on the web via social networking.

Fujifilm FinePix XP70 Lens test images

Lens Performance - The lens is pretty sharp, producing sharp images. It is just a shame fine details are lost to a combination of noise, and noise reduction. The 5x zoom range covers a useful range of focal lengths, from wide-angle to telephoto.

Fujifilm FinePix XP70 ISO test images

ISO Noise Performance - Noise is fairly low in between ISO100 and ISO400. Beyond this, noise starts to reduce detail as the camera's noise reduction system attempts to keep images looking smooth. Even so, even images taken at ISO6400 should be fine for sharing on the web, although this setting is probably best avoided for printing.

Fujifilm FinePix XP70 White-balance test images

White Balance Performance - Auto White Balance (AWB) gives a warm result under tungsten lighting, with the tungsten preset giving a more accurate result. AWB performs well under fluorescent lights, with the fluorescent presets giving a colour cast.

Panorama | 1/600 sec | f/6.2 | 5.0 mm | ISO 100

Panorama mode - The camera features an automatic panoramic mode, where you simply press the shutter release button and pan the camera from one side to the other. Results are good, and well stitched together, although the resolution could be better.

Fujifilm FinePix XP70 Digital filters

Digital Filters - There are a wide range of preset shooting modes to help image taking in a variety of conditions. Many provide automatic settings for common shooting scenarios, such as sports, or sunsets, whilst others provide special effects, like the Toy Camera advanced filter, which adds to the ease of being able to be creative with the camera.

Video - The camera records 1080p video at 30fps with sound, and optical zoom is available during recording. Image stabilisation helps keep the shot reasonably steady while recording, although it is still worth trying to find a steady surface to support the camera. Video quality is good for a compact camera, thanks to the H.264 video encoding.

Value For Money

The Fujifilm Finepix XP70 is available for £140 which makes it very good value for money, particularly up against the following cameras, shown below, even though it lacks GPS.

Canon Powershot D30, 12m waterproof, GPS, £230
Nikon Coolpix AW120, 18m waterproof, Wi-Fi, GPS, £190
Panasonic Lumix FT5, 13m waterproof, Wi-Fi, GPS, £250
Olympus Tough TG-850, 10m waterproof, £229

You'll also need to buy a memory card and a case or bag to keep your camera safe and protected - have a look at our complete guide to camera bags.

Fujifilm FinePix XP70 Verdict

Despite having a price tag normally associated with fairly basic cameras, the XP70 is a well featured, tough camera that is easy to use and quite capable of producing decent images for sharing online, or for the occasional print. Having the Wi-Fi feature, which works in conjunction with the free Fujifilm app, also makes sharing your adventures effortless.

Fujifilm FinePix XP70 Pros

Good colour and exposure
1080p video with sound and zoom
10fps continuous shooting
2.7inch screen
28-140mm equivalent lens
Waterproof, dust proof, shock proof and freezeproof

Fujifilm FinePix XP70 Cons

Images could be more detailed
Lacklustre battery life

FEATURES
HANDLING
PERFORMANCE
VALUE FOR MONEY
VERDICT

The Fujifilm XP70 is a feature packed waterproof camera priced very competitively and features built in Wi-Fi for instant sharing. 

Fujifilm FinePix XP70 Specifications

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