Fujifilm X70 Review Best Choice for Photography Enthusiasts

Fujifilm X70 Review Best Choice for Photography Enthusiasts

If you focus is manual and you see the world through a wide angle without worrying about a viewfinder, then you will love the Fujifilm X70. This compact camera expert to large APS-C sensor which costs 700 euros is the highest quality picture we met at this price level. But all is not rosy, however. Some slow and some very ergonomic controls can spoil the fun for some people.

Photo quality

The native sensitivity from 200 to 6400, but can be extended to 100 and ISO 51200 (JPEG only). JPEG is good up to ISO 6400. RAW usually do not have a lot of noise at the colors and the correct results are obtained when increasing the brightness of images up to ISO 1600. As on most cameras in this category, the level of detail is acceptable in dark areas, but not really on overexposed portions. In video mode, the default settings give bright, saturated colors but made no remains very neutral.

The lens is rendering net over its entire aperture of f / 2.8 to f / 16, with the exception of the typical distortion is observed on the edges with this kind of wide angle. X-Trans sensor that uses no anti-aliasing filter helps clearness. In fact, the photos are so crisp that it forgives nothing, particularly in portraits.

Performance

While it incorporates the same AF system as the X-T1, the development of the X70 is one of the slowest we've seen recently. The development centered working properly. In contrast, the auto-focus on several areas, it does not always choose the object that you want, which is usual with this kind of system. Furthermore, selection of focus points changes each time you press the shutter halfway to perform the pre-development.

The device is provided with a fixed focal length lens (28mm f / 2.8), it offers an implementation time (start + Focus + release) acceptable but not outstanding 1.4 seconds. There is a high performance mode that boosts startup and development time, but the strike battery. Note also the presence of an eye detection system that allows a choice between the right eye or left for autofocus.

The development and release under good light conditions take 0.7 seconds, a time which should be that under low light while in this case it rises to 1.1 seconds. It takes 0.7 seconds between successive shots in JPEG or RAW, which is significantly slower than the competitors. We go to 2.2 seconds when the flash is activated. However, shooting in conditions typical of street photography (f / 5.6 or lower, fixed rate and manual focus Shutter) are significantly faster. If this is the technique you use most so you will not have to worry about the X70 performance.

Burst mode is given to 3 frames / second but we measured 3.3 second JPEG images when the shutter speed is beyond 1 / 500th, and it lasts at least 30 shots. However, be aware that the device reduces the development zone in the center of the scene when using the auto focus continuous burst mode.

RAW performance is impressive: only 6 consecutive images, but at 3.9 frames / second, before slowing considerably. The battery life is not bad despite being given only to 330 pictures. But as long as we think to recharge at the end of the day, it will be good enough for most users. The device comes with a charger but you can also use a USB cable.
 

Design and functionality

With few exceptions we really enjoyed the design of the Fujifilm X70. The handle is not very large, but it is sufficiently curved to provide good grip and the thumb rest, it is very easy to photograph in one hand. There are control buttons for speed, aperture compensation and a button to control the aperture set on the lens. The latter is provided with rings having lugs that help maneuver it because it is very smooth and slightly protruding. As on most expert compact cameras of this type, we can play between the opening patterns or trigger by making their respective buttons on automatic. There is also a button on the top of the box to switch to 100% auto.

In addition to the typical controls found the back of the device, there is a dial above the thumb rest that scrolls specific options such as ISO sensitivity and shutter speed. The playback and delete buttons are oddly placed above the LCD screen (3 inches / 1040000 points), but we made it. The screen itself offers the essential touch features: touch to focus, touch to focus and trigger and swipe gestures to navigate during playback.

Some shortcomings have hindered us. The button to start recording is well placed, but it is difficult to feel and operate. The navigation buttons are too flat and too difficult to press. Support for the tripod is too close to the door of the battery / memory card, which can cause problems if you want to use a tripod or if the strap is used.

The screen is difficult to read in direct sunlight. This can be a big worry because with the objective equivalent fixed focal length 28 mm, one must constantly check the edges of the frame (The x70 has no viewfinder).

The wireless function that offers Fujifilm is one of the most enjoyable we've used. The mobile application that goes with it is both fast and rich in features for shooting and transferring files.

Despite its few flaws, the X70 Figure definitely on our list of best compact cameras. And if the picture quality is your top priority, then this is an excellent choice for less than 700 euros.