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Fujifilm FinePix F800EXR review

Our Rating :
Price when reviewed : £229
inc VAT

Another great EXR camera, but the new Wi-Fi function isn't the best, and we have concerns over quality control

Specifications

1/2in 16.0-megapixel sensor, 20.0x zoom (25-500mm equivalent), 232g

http://www.bristolcameras.co.uk

We’re big fans of Fujifilm’s EXR series of cameras, and all the more so since they sprouted ultra-zoom lenses. The competition is catching up for image quality in low light, though. While the budget Fujifilm Finepix F660EXR earned itself a five-star review, the Fujifilm Finepix F770EXR couldn’t match the all-round appeal of the Panasonic Lumix DMC-TZ25.

Fujifilm FinePix F800EXR

Fujifilm has just one new model this time around, but with features taken from the F770EXR and a price that has already been discounted to around £230, it looks like a promising pocket ultra-zoom.

The F800EXR includes Wi-Fi – a first for a Fujifilm camera. With the help of accompanying free apps for iOS and Android, it can send photos to smartphones and tablets and use these devices’ GPS radios to tag photos. It’s a clever idea. Cameras tend to be turned on and off regularly, which disrupts GPS tracking, whereas a phone app can keep tracking constantly. The implementation is clumsy, though, requiring lots of finger ballet on both the phone and camera each time we wanted to update our position. The F770EXR’s built-in GPS worked much more neatly.

Fujifilm FinePix F800EXR
Here’s the iOS app in action

Transferring photos from camera to phone proved to be fairly arduous too. The camera creates a Wi-Fi network for the phone to join, but it often gave up waiting and closed down the connection before we managed to transfer anything. A little persistence usually paid off, though. It’s great to be able to take a photo and immediately post it on Facebook without having to resort to a smartphone’s inferior camera. This is going to become a must-have feature for all digital cameras.

Fujifilm FinePix F800EXR

Otherwise, the F800EXR appears to be identical to the F770EXR. That means a range of clever shooting modes to minimise noise or expand the dynamic range for better highlight and shadow detail. Priority and manual exposure modes are included, but not manual focus, and it’s not possible to move the autofocus point. There are two function buttons for quick access to key settings, except that certain key settings such as white balance and raw mode are only available by delving through the main menu.

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Basic Specifications

Rating***
CCD effective megapixels16.0 megapixels
CCD size1/2in
Viewfindernone
Viewfinder magnification, coverageN/A
LCD screen size3.0in
LCD screen resolution460,000 pixels
Articulated screenNo
Live viewYes
Optical zoom20.0x
Zoom 35mm equivalent25-500mm
Image stabilisationoptical, sensor shift
Maximum image resolution4,608×3,456
File formatsJPEG, RAW; QuickTime (AVC)

Physical

Memory slotSDXC
Mermory supplied30MB internal
Battery typeLi-ion
Battery Life (tested)300 shots
ConnectivityUSB, AV, mini HDMI, Wi-Fi
Body materialaluminium
Lens mountN/A
Focal length multiplierN/A
Kit lens model nameN/A
AccessoriesUSB cable
Weight232g
Size64x106x37mm

Buying Information

Warrantyone year RTB
Price£229
Supplierhttp://www.bristolcameras.co.uk
Detailswww.fujifilm.eu/uk

Camera Controls

Exposure modesprogram, shutter priority, aperture priority, manual
Shutter speed8 to 1/2,000 seconds
Aperture rangef/3.5-10 (wide), f/5.3-16 (tele)
ISO range (at full resolution)100 to 3200
Exposure compensation+/-2 EV
White balanceauto, 7 presets, manual
Additional image controlsdynamic range, film simulation
Manual focusNo
Closest macro focus5cm
Auto-focus modesmulti, centre, face detect, tracking
Metering modesmulti, centre-weighted, centre, face detect
Flashauto, forced, suppressed, slow synchro, red-eye reduction
Drive modessingle, continuous, self-timer, AE bracket, dynamic range bracket, film simulation bracket, panorama, 3D