I have been a photographer for over 30 years and have had many different types of cameras. I bought this camera to take with me on an upcoming overseas trip where I didn't want to carry my Nikon DSLR. I photographed with the F770EXR in several different settings to test its picture taking capabilities. I will update this review when I return from my trip.This seems like a very well built camera. I like the feel and the size is perfect to fit in my pocket. So far the pictures have been very good. They do not compare to my Nikon DSLR, but I didn't expect them to. Outdoor pictures come close. Indoor pictures with the flash are acceptable. Indoor pictures without the flash are also acceptable as long as your subject isn't moving and there is adequate light. I haven't tried night photography yet.
The one thing I was disappointed with is the included software; MyFinePix Studio. I have an Apple Mac and the software isn't compatible with OS 10. Snow Leopard is the last version this software will work with. Go to this site to see all of the features you will either get if you use a PC or not have if you use a Mac computer:
The bottom line is I am pleased with the picture taking capability of the F770EXR. If you want DSLR results then it is best to purchase a DSLR. If you need a small travel camera to take pictures, I think you will be pleased with this camera.
4-17 update. OK after reading the other reviews especially the ones that gave the camera one star I took my camera out and checked the focus at full zoom. The camera focused right away and the pictures were clear. Maybe there were a couple of duds in the first batch released. I am pleased with mine so far.
7-13 update. Took the camera to Israel and it did great for photos. The movie camera has a lot to be desired. It doesn't focus very well and when you zoom in and out it makes a noise that can be heard on your video. Don't buy this if you are using it for the video feature. If you just need a camera for photos then I would recommend it.
I have not yet used the video, so I cannot comment on its video capabilities. I note that, with the F550, video was very good, but that camera sometimes searched for focus if you used the zoom while shooting a video.
Buy Fujifilm FinePix F770EXR 16 MP Digital Camera with 20x Optical Zoom (Black) Now
I cannot believe that anyone who knows the basics on how to use a camera and did not receive a damaged product can say this camera is bad! This little camera is incredible, with some minor flaws! I recently reduced my rating to 4.5 starts (from 5) due to the video focus problem with the camera.After researching digital cameras for over 2 and 1/2 months and suffering with 2 horrific cameras I had to send back, I finally got the right camera. My first attempt was the highly disappointing Panasonic Lumix ZS20 14.1 MP High Sensitivity MOS Digital Camera with 20x Optical Zoom (Black) (see my Amaz review for that it was terrible) as my 1st choice to replace my 7-year-old Kodak EasyShare Z760, and then after that one was a bust, I tried the almost-as-disappointing Sony Cyber-shot DSC-HX9V 16.2 MP Exmor R CMOS Digital Still Camera with 16x Optical Zoom G Lens, 3D Sweep Panorama and Full HD 1080/60p Video(see my Amaz review on that if curious), I FINALLY found a camera that takes INCREDIBLE pictures.
The Fujifilm FinePix F770EXR 16 MP Digital Camera with 20x Optical Zoom (Black) is a home run and will definitely stay in my family for the next 5 years for sure, just as the Kodak stayed with me and my family for almost 7 years.
This Fuji F770 EXR camera has been a joy to play with on my first day of use. After the battery charged for first time (took about 2.5h), I started taking random pics all around the house and some outside of the window. The menus are a bit quirky at first, but I quickly got used to them very quickly and the camera itself is very easy to use, even for someone with mid-tech skills (I am advanced on technology knowledge, and this was so simple that I expect someone with basic understanding of tech to figure this out fast).
After a whole day playing with the camera, I can say this one is staying and won't be going back! I will continue to update this review as the days go by, but here are first impressions.
Top 10 Positives:
1) Sexy camera! Batman got nothing on this camera.... I wonder if Batman has one of these strapped to his belt..? :)
2) Pictures are SHARP AND CLEAR, if you are using the right mode for the scene! I cannot stress the importance of this enough after the Sony HX9V's horrible coloring of my orange cat and over-washed pics and the Panasonic Lumix ZS20's almost 100% blurry picture rate!
3) Tons of fun "scene" modes to use. Unlike many other newer cameras, the flash IS indeed an option in almost all of these. This means I can customize (ex: "cat mode" with flash produces very nice, fast action pics... "sports mode" with
I have to admit, I LOVE choosing my own settings, and that is fun for me, just as I used to on my Kodak Z760. But the EXR mode does an incredible job as well for sharp and clean pics, and no need to change anything. :)
4) Flash pops, but it moves forward, which creates space to hold camera with left index finger, which is a huge help to keep camera steady (see negative comment on this as well).
5) The LCD screen is sharp and crisp!
6) It is easy and fast to scroll through pics and delete bad ones. It is also easy and fun to zoom and see every detail (the 16MP sensor is unreal and very good!).
7) Battery life is nice in long. I took well over 150 pics, most with flash and still had tons of juice left. I bought second battery in case I am on the road.
8) 20x zoom in a tiny camera! It is a huge zoom and pics zoomed at 20x (*no "digital zoom" used, this is all lens and focus) came out 95% clear.
9) Camera comes with a very very cool GPS system (not tested yet, but seems very good, like a homing beacon. Someone call Batman :).
10) Fast moving zoom (despite some motor noise, but minor); fast camera time from off to on and ready to shoot. Fast LCD turn own screen.
Top Negatives (mostly "quirks", really):
1) If I must complain about something, it would be the manual activation of the pop-up flash (you have to hit a button to make flash pop-up once before each use and once it is up, take as many pics as you want with flash just fine). The flash is regulated by camera's sensor, the only thing you "activate" is make it "pop-up" once before use. That is it.
Although some may view this as a negative, I actually think that it is a positive, as the automatic pop-up flashes can really be disruptive if you hold the camera as most do (with your left index finger right on the top-left of the camera for stability). After using the camera for a few hours today, I now push the flash button up as soon as I turn on the camera and since flash pops FORWARD, I can then use that space behind the flash to have my index finger in and hold camera steadier.
2) Flash does not come up on its own. But I can assure you, after one day taking pics around, I already got used to turning camera on and popping the flash at same time, so I can rest index finer on flash slot. :)
3) The "rotator" sensor (when you take landscape or portrait pics "up or down" style pics) does not rotate the date, which is kinda silly. So I can have a portrait pic ("standing up/vertical) with date sideways instead of bottom of the pic. Not a "problem" per se, but it is annoying. Rotation on camera can be kind of "iffy" at times in detecting correct position of image; I can handle that using camera's rotate feature or do it in my PC, but doing it on PC lowers pic quality.
4) Battery cannot be charged inside camera. The charger is very thin and fast to go from drained to full, but this means I need a 2nd battery for travel, just to be sure.
5) May take a day for those with low tech skills to learn, especially if wanting to use all the awesome features, like the Scene modes ("SP" on the little selector wheel) or the different "shortcut" buttons, like the "F" button or the "FN" button (not needed, but cool to use I use these to change pic sizes fast, so I can take 1MB pics for quick uploads vs 4mp pics for printing, etc).
6) The video feature lowered my previous 5 star rating to a 4.5 star rating. Why? Because when you zoom in or out, the camera loses focus and the image `blur' for a second or two. Not major to me, as I am a photo-taker, but you should know about this quirk. Videos look clear most of the time and sound was good as well.
I will upload some of my pics from today so you can get an idea of the camera's potential. Keep in mind that I have not yet been able to test the "scene" modes on landscape (I will take some mountain shots tomorrow) or the "soft skin" mode, which I want to use on my wife and see what she looks like with it. I hope it is not a "painting" like the Sony, man that was horrible. My cat looks cool, and I have some other "test pics" uploaded on the camera's page for your review.
So far as about 6h playing with the camera, and using flash like crazy (no GPS), the battery is still showing as "full" and the pics have been incredible, so far! I will keep updating this review, but as of right now, this camera is HIGHLY RECOMMENDED, and that is not saying enough after almost 3 months of research and playing with cameras at BestBuy and Target and suffering with 2 other horrible cameras.
Quick tips if you want to try and "scene" modes:
Best indoor/low light mode (some light, indoors): Party
Best pet (fast moving): sports (with flash).
Best steady pet mode: cat or dog, depending (it will focus on pet's face).
Best portrait mode (indoors): soft skin
Best all purpose/easy mode: turn wheel to EXR.
UPDATE: As of 11/3/2012, the Fuji FinePix F770EXR is an 9 out of 10 on my scale with 10 being camera best ever (or 4.5 out of 5). GET THIS CAMERA if you love "scene" mode pictures, fast "auto mode" EXR's crispy and beautiful pictures or just want a fun, small, light, and cool "pocket camera". This is not a professional camera, but for the $270 and for what you get, this is a home run all day long.
Update #2: As of 11/7/2012: Tons of pics taken, including through glass of landscape (mountains miles at distance, full zoom see attached pics). All pics continue to come out sharp and crisp, with very nice tones. Backlight mode works perfect (sunset scene/mode used see cat pic on sunny window). I have taken at least 100 pics so far, have uploaded them twice to my PC (using camera) and I still have 2/3 of the battery power. I am still on my first charge from out of the box and the battery is fine. More pic samples coming. Another downside to the camera added, thus rating is 9.0 out of 10 (with 10 being the best ever). Still an awesome camera. :)
More info and updates to come on this little gem of a camera. :)
ChristianFUJI "exr" cameras are my favorite. Over the past 6 years, I have owned "30" P-n-S $300-500 cameras. (canon, nikon, casio, panasonic, sony, fuji & olympus). So I can speak with some authority, when I say FUJI F-EXR cameras do the best job. Besides this F770exr, I have owned Fuji's F200exr and F600exr. After taking over 12,000 shots with all my cameras, I have never gotten better images than with a FUJI F___EXR camera! Made possible by their super-fast AF and shutter speed and FUJI's large EXR image processor. NOTHING beats FUJI in low-light situations, or with ACTION shots "WHEN using this camera in EXR modes". NOTHING! When not in EXR mode, its still a great camera but not as impressive (in my opinion). Action shots and Depth of Field are amazing! AND with it's 25-500mm zoom, you can get ANY shot. SEE my images of the telephone pole I submitted. Even the digital zoom shot at 1,000mm is clear and sharp (using a tripod). FYI these shots were taken mid-day, pointing West. Using EXR-Auto mode. One at 500mm, one at 1000mm. Fuji's Auto Mode chose: 1/500 sec, f/5.2, ISO-100. In the 25mm shot, FUJI chose: 1/340 sec, f/7.1, ISO-100. Distance from telephone pole was 400-feet (5 houses & 1 street from where I was). Color is Natural, not over-exposed; Edges are clear, but not too sharp, and I love that it can get good subject texture/surfaces. I'm NO photographer! I just like researching cameras. THESE F-EXR cameras CAN give me everything I want WITHOUT the bulk and weight of mid-size cameras. Later I will submit some low-light and macro photos. AND I bought this F770exr "used" from Amazon!
Want Fujifilm FinePix F770EXR 16 MP Digital Camera with 20x Optical Zoom (Black) Discount?
i am making a trip to alaska in a few months and wanted a camera i could take pictures from a distance with as well as close up. The 16 mega pixel is amazing, very detailed pictures. As far as distance goes the same, i can take pictures not quite 2/10th of a mile away and still get some very good clear detailed pictures, i took a picture of the moon at about 6pm and it came out very clear, i have tried pictures in the dark knowing what i was looking at before i took the picture because it was complete black in this room and they came out very clear as well, so in low light situations it peformed very well. The stabilization at fully extended can be alittle bothersome as far as focuing but it might just take some getting use too. i will update more after i have a chance too really use the camera. i would recommened this camera, it has alot of features and if your a novice like me then you will be amazed as i am at the quality of the picture's and feature's i love the quality & the size is amazing you can put this camera in your pocket with a case.Save 54% Off
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