Review Date: October 15, 2012
Category: Beginner Amateur
Photoxels Silver Award – Compact Superzoom
USER’S EXPERIENCE
Tuesday, October 2, 2012 – Here’s what I receive in the box:
- FinePix F800EXR
- No memory card [Fujifilm sent me a 2GB SD memory card for the review]
- Li-ion Battery NP-50A 3.7V 940mAh 3.5Wh
- BC-50B Battery Charger
- Wrist Strap
- USB Cable and A/V Cable
- Documentation: Basic Manual
- Software CDs: Owner’s Manual; MyFinePix Studio v4.0 and RAW FILE CONVERTER EX (for Windows), FinePixViewer v3.6 and RAW FILE CONVERTER (for Mac OS X 10.5-10.6),
The Fujifilm FinePix F800EXR is a compact super zoom camera that is light and pocketable. Carrying 20x optical zoom in your pocket is an attractive proposition for a take-anywhere camera.
Though the Fujifilm F800EXR’s audience will undoubtedly still be mainly Point-and-Shoot (P&S) and beginner amateur photographers, there are also PASM shooting modes and RAW for the more advanced photographers. In addition, there are a host of features in the Menu that are very practical and help get a great picture (I am thinking here of Resolution Priority, High ISO & Low Noise and especially D-Range Priority.
However, the EXR AUTO mode is excellent and you can safely let the camera decide the appropriate scene mode as well as EXR mode.
The F800EXR has Sensor-shift image stabilization which is quite effective in helping to reduce camera shake at the long focal lengths and slow shutter speeds. However, since the telephoto is at 500mm (equiv.), do not expect to be able to handhold the camera at that focal length unless you are using a fast shutter speed. The rule of thumb is that you will need a shutter speed of at least 1/500 sec. without image stabilization and of at least 1/125 sec. with image stabilization.
Note that the Owner’s Manual talks about “Picture Stabilization” instead of “Image Stabilization” — which is an error since the former term is almost always used to mean there is no mechanical stabilization (optical or sensor-shift), only upping the ISO. Then, the manual lists the stabilization as: “Optical stabilization (image-sensor shift).” It’s either optical or image-sensor shift, can’t be both, and as far as we know, it’s sensor shift. Obviously, a typo here [which persists since the F70EXR manual and] which no one at Fujifilm has deemed important to rectify.
Advanced users will appreciate the availability of PASM modes. The shutter speed range is from 1/4 sec. to 1/2000 sec. in P and A modes, 2 sec. to 1/2000 sec. in S mode and 8 sec. to 1/2000 sec. in M mode. [The specs sheet got it wrong]. Note that in S and EXR modes, the ISO range have different limits.
The Face Detection will detect and focus on a face. However, when using the self-timer, the camera will unfortunately focus all over again when the countdown is reached. But I do like the fact that once you set the self-timer, the camera stays in that mode until you reset it.
The wireless capability allows you to transfer images to your smartphone and tablet, but inexplicably not to your PC. To do the latter, you have to plug in the USB cable.
At low ISOs and wide-angle, the image quality is good. Noise is kept in check and detail is preserved. However, as you zoom, you will notice that pictures quickly lose detail as the focal length gets longer. Also, AF is fast and precise at wide-angle settings but too slow to lock onto moving subjects. This gives you an idea, if you are tempted by the long zoom, of what kind of photos the F800EXR may be best suited for. For sports and action photography, you will need to be able to prefocus at a predetermined point and wait for the action to get there. If you want to freeze the action, it means using a fast shutter speed, and hence the need of shooting when it is very bright.
Minimum focus distance at wide-angle is approx. 45 cm (1.4 ft.) and 2.5 m (8.2 ft.) at telephoto. Switch to macro mode and you can get as close as 5 cm (1.9 in.) at wide-angle and 1.3 m (4.2 ft.) at telephoto. Get into the habit of knowing these distances if you like to shoot close-up subjects. If you are too close, the camera will simply not be able to lock focus and this will avoid you frustration (and out-of-focus photos).
TIP: I usually measure the minimum macro distance from the tip of my forefinger to somewhere on my arm and use a felt pen to mark that distance. Then, in the field, I just have to point my finger at the subject and know the closest distance I can position the camera for sharp photos.
TIP. For live macro subjects that will scamper off if you get too close, use tele macro, i.e. switch to macro mode, back away to about 1.3 m and zoom in to frame the subject close. You’ll get your sharpest photos if you use a tripod or other stable base to ensure you don’t introduce camera shake when you press the shutter release button.
TIP. If your scene or subject is static, then one way to eliminate camera shake when you press the shutter release button is to set the camera to self-timer. A 2 seconds delay is not too long and the camera will then trigger itself.
You can import, view, and do basic editing on JPEG and RAW files in MyFinePix Studio. Double-click on a RAW file and SilkyPix RAW FILE CONVERTER EX is automatically launched.
What I like about the F800EXR:
- Wide-angle 20x optical zoom that is useful at every focal length.
- Good build and looks.
- Precise AF even in low light.
- Availability of PASM and RAW.
- Auto EXR works very well.
- Full HD 1080p Movie with stereo sound.
No review is complete without a couple of improvement suggestions:
- Provide a tiltable LCD.
- A Quick Function button may be more appropriate that the restrictive F button. For example, IS Mode and RAW should be easily accessible.
A Basic Manual in how to setup and operate your camera is provided in print. The detailed Owner’s Manual is now on the CD, which means you can’t carry it with you, but on the other hand it is easily searchable.
The Fujifilm FinePix F800EXR is an enjoyable compact superzoom digital camera to use. It has the ability to capture images with a wide dynamic range, has fast AF, and provides a useful 20x wide zoom. Throw in PASM shooting modes and RAW and you have a take-anywhere superzoom that both point-and-shoot and advanced photographers will enjoy using.
Next: Fujifilm F800EXR QuickFact Sheet / Buy
