Not For Amateurs

Author's Rating:

Pros: Great looks.  Sturdy feel.  Better colors and details than most point and shoots.

Cons: Nice camera, but likely too complicated for all but advanced photographers.  

The Bottom Line: 

Good camera, but EXR modes are very complicated.   You cannot count on good photos every time in "EXR."  In regular "Auto" mode, this camera takes terrific photos.

Author's Review
I start this with the same disclaimer I have in my other camera reviews.  I am a very amateurish photographer.  A camera to me means having a small compact point and shoot that is easy to carry and easy to operate, yet gives decent photos for most every-day situations.

I bought the Fuji F70EXR based upon rave reviews about how Fuji has revolutionized compact photography with this camera, with its sophisticated sensor and software that provides sharp, crisp images in all sorts of difficult to shoot situations, and especially in low light.

Unfortunately, the F70 is extremely complicated to operate.  It has two completely auto modes, EXR and  non-EXR.  The regular Auto mode works like any normal point and shoot, and takes excellent quality photos under most conditions.  This camera's claim to fame, the "EXR" mode, supposedly picks the proper settings and scene modes automatically for all conditions, but it only sporadically works as advertised.  You will likely be very disappointed with this mode.  After several hundred photos, I have given up on using the EXR mode for anything.  

The F70 does not come with a full paper manual, and if you download the digital manual from Fuji's website, the instructions are still not clear to a novice such as myself.  For all I know, I may be doing something wrong with the settings, but if so, the manual sure doesn't make things clear.  About all I can say is that I have tried every conceivable combination of options, and I don't see any improvement in photos compared to my Casio EX-FC100, which I also just purchased.  In fact, the CAsio in most cases fares better than the Fuji, even in low light.  

The major advantage I see to having this camera is the 10x telephoto lens.  It brings you much closer on long shots, and works quite well.  Also, the image stabilization seems to work very well, even for hand-held photos at full magnification.  There is no blurring at all.   Also, once your figure it out, if you have a still photo with no movement, the pro-light focus mode actually works quite well, but good luck on figuring out how to use it--it will likely take you awhile.

The basic look and feel of the Fuji is excellent.  The look and feel exudes quality, which makes you really want to like this camera.  Start-up is reasonably quick, and it has more options than you will likely ever use.

One big problem that is not disclosed when you look at the ads for the camera is that, when you use many of the options that are supposed to improve your photos, the resolution is reduced from 10 megapixels to 5, and, in some cases, such as continuous shooting, the resolution is reduced even further, to 3 megapixels.  Although this doesn't make much difference to me if the photo is clear, it might be important to some, especially if you like to crop your photos.

Battery life is okay--I can easily get over 200 photos on one charge.  I don't like the fact that you have to remove the battery to charge it, but it seems this is the way all manufacturers are going for compacts these days.

In summary, this is a good camera that generally takes nice photos, but it is extremely complicated to figure out how to best use it.  I much prefer the new Casio Ex-FC100 that I bought at about the same time.  The Casio has longer battery life, it is easier to use scene modes, and it takes as good as, or, in many cases, better photos, and takes bursts of 30 frames per second which is nice for sporting events (btw, the 30 frame bursts, even though reduced to 6 megapixels, are amazingly clear).

The Fuji looks great, but I fear that if you are a novice, you, like me, will be sorely disappointed with how complicated it is to try and use this camera.  I would steer clear unless you are quite knowledgeable in how to adjust settings to obtain best quality. 

UPDATE:  I HAVE NOW USED THE F70 FOR SEVERAL WEEKS, AND I AM REVISING THIS REVIEW SLIGHTLY BASED ON THE SIMPLE FACT THAT THIS CAMERA TAKES FANTASTIC PICTURES FOR SUCH A COMPACT CAMERA.  THE COLORS ARE TYPICALLY MORE FULL AND RICH THAN ANY OF MY OTHER COMPACTS, BUT I CAUTION ALL BUT MORE ADVANCED USERS AGAINST BUYING THIS CAMERA FOR THE "EXR" FEATURES TOUTED BY FUJI.  IN MY EXPERIENCE, EXR OFTEN DOES NOT WORK VERY WELL--IT MIGHT BE OPERATOR ERROR, BUT THE MANUAL DOES NOT REALLY EXPLAIN VERY WELL HOW BEST TO USE THE CAMERA, AND IT CLEARLY OFTEN DOES NOT WORK WELL IN "EXR" AUTO MODE. 

IN REGULAR "AUTO" MODE, HOWEVER, THE PHOTOS ARE ROUTINELY FANTASTIC.  PLUS, THE 10X ZOOM WITH GREAT IMAGE STABILIZATION CONTRIBUTE TO SOME SIMPLY AMAZING SHOTS.  THUS, I AM RECOMMENDING THIS CAMERA, BUT WITH THE SAME CAVEAT AS BEFORE--IT IS LIKELY TOO COMPLICATED FOR NOVICES (IT CLEARLY IS TOO COMPLICATED FOR ME), BUT IF YOU LEAVE IT IN REGULAR AUTO MODE, YOU WILL GET GREAT PHOTOS AS A NORMAL POINT AND SHOOT, WITH COLORS SUPERIOR TO MOST, AND ZOOM CAPABILITY THAT REALLY MAKES IT HARD TO CHOOSE LESSER CAMERAS TO TAKE IN YOUR POCKET.  JUST IGNORE THE "EXR" HYPE, AND YOU WILL LIKE THIS CAMERA A LOT.