The Fujifilm X70, launched in early 2016, has earned a revered place among compact APS-C cameras. Renowned for its blend of portability, image quality, and user-centric design, the X70 is celebrated by street photographers, travelers, and enthusiasts alike.
This Fujifilm X70 review delves into the various aspects that make the Fujifilm X70 one of the best compact APS-C cameras ever made, focusing on usability, handling, user experience, focal length for street photography, and image quality.
Here are the specifications of the Fujifilm X70:
Sensor and Image Quality:
- Sensor Type: 16.3 MP APS-C X-Trans CMOS II
- Image Processor: EXR Processor II
- ISO Range: 200-6400 (expandable to 100-51200)
- Image Stabilization: Digital IS for video only
- Lens: Fujinon 18.5mm f/2.8 (28mm equivalent)
Viewfinder and Display:
- Viewfinder: None
- LCD Screen: 3.0-inch, 1.04M-dot tilting touchscreen
Autofocus:
- Autofocus System: Hybrid AF with phase detection and contrast detection
- Focus Modes: Single AF, Continuous AF, Manual Focus
- AF Points: 77 points (single point, zone, wide/tracking)
Shutter:
- Shutter Speed: Mechanical: 1/4000s - 30s; Electronic: 1/32000s - 30s
- Continuous Shooting: 8 fps
Video:
- Video Recording: Full HD 1080p at 60/50/30/25/24 fps
- Other Features: Built-in stereo microphone, mic input via adapter
Body and Design:
- Body Material: Magnesium alloy
- Dimensions: 112.5 x 64.4 x 44.4 mm (4.43 x 2.54 x 1.75 in)
- Weight: 340 g (including battery and memory card)
- Build Quality: Compact and robust
Battery:
- Battery Life: Approx. 330 shots per charge (NP-95 lithium-ion battery)
- Charging: USB charging
Connectivity:
- Wi-Fi: Built-in Wi-Fi for image transfer and remote control
- Ports: Micro HDMI, Micro USB 2.0
Other Features:
- Film Simulation Modes: Includes Velvia, Provia, Astia, Classic Chrome, and more
- Dynamic Range Bracketing: 100%, 200%, 400%
- Advanced Filters: Toy Camera, Miniature, Pop Color, etc.
- Interval Timer Shooting: Yes
Usability and Handling
One of the standout features of the Fujifilm X70 is its exceptional usability and handling. The camera is designed to be highly intuitive, with controls that are logically placed and easily accessible. Its compact size makes it extremely portable, perfect for photographers on the go who need a camera that can easily fit into a pocket or small bag.
Once I added the half case to the camera its near perfect for me.
Design and Build Quality
The X70 boasts a sleek, minimalist design with a robust build quality. The camera's body is made of magnesium alloy, giving it a solid and durable feel while remaining lightweight at just 340 grams. This balance between sturdiness and portability is a significant advantage for photographers who need a reliable yet convenient camera.
Control Layout
The Fujifilm X70 features a range of manual controls that are typical of Fujifilm's X series. The top plate houses a shutter speed dial, an exposure compensation dial, and a customizable function button, providing quick access to essential settings. The aperture is controlled via a ring on the lens, allowing for easy adjustments without taking your eye off the scene. This tactile control layout is a hallmark of Fujifilm cameras, making the X70 feel like a precision tool in the hands of a photographer.
Touchscreen Interface
A significant addition to the X70 is its 3-inch tilting touchscreen LCD. This screen can tilt up to 180 degrees, making it perfect for selfies and creative shooting angles. The touchscreen functionality enhances usability, allowing for touch focus, touch shooting, and easy navigation through the menu system. This feature is particularly useful for street photographers who need to capture moments quickly and discreetly.
User Experience
The overall user experience of the Fujifilm X70 is highly positive, largely due to its combination of portability, ease of use, and advanced features.
Quick Start-Up and Performance
The X70 boasts a fast start-up time of just 0.5 seconds and a responsive autofocus system. This speed is crucial for street photographers who need to capture fleeting moments. The camera's hybrid AF system combines phase detection and contrast detection. Athough its not the fastest autofocus its still very usable. Most street photographers prefer to zone focus and the X70 has decent manual controls as well as back button autofocusing.
Wi-Fi Connectivity
Built-in Wi-Fi is another feature that enhances the user experience. It allows for easy sharing of images and remote control of the camera via Fujifilm's Camera Remote app. This connectivity is a boon for travelers and social media enthusiasts who want to share their photos instantly. Over the years the app has been improved and I can say that it works confidently which is a credit to Fujifilm for listening to their community, customers, and trends.
Battery Life
The battery life of the X70 is decent, offering approximately 330 shots per charge. While this might not be as high as some larger cameras, it is adequate for a compact model. Additionally, the camera can be charged via USB, providing flexibility for charging on the go. I would always recommend having spare batteries
Here is a video about whether the Fujifilm X70 is worth it. Obviously, this is someone's opinion but can give you a certain perspective.
Focal Length for Street Photography
The Fujifilm X70 is equipped with a fixed 18.5mm f/2.8 lens, equivalent to a 28mm focal length in full-frame terms. This focal length is ideal for street photography for several reasons:
Wide-Angle Perspective
The 28mm equivalent lens offers a wide-angle perspective that is perfect for capturing the essence of street scenes. It allows photographers to include more context in their shots, creating images that tell a more complete story.
As a Dad-tographer I find that an 24mm or 28mm is great for intimate moments you'll find yourself in. This may not be the same situation as a street photographer who's a fly on the wall but for the photographer who is involved in their experience you need a wide angle.
Versatility
A 28mm lens is versatile enough to handle a variety of shooting situations. It is wide enough for landscapes and cityscapes, yet it can still be used for environmental portraits. This versatility makes the X70 a great all-around camera for everyday use.
Depth of Field Control
With an aperture of f/2.8, the X70 allows for a reasonable amount of depth of field control. While it may not provide the extreme shallow depth of field of a faster lens, it is sufficient for isolating subjects and creating a sense of depth in street photography.
Image Quality
Despite its compact size, the Fujifilm X70 delivers outstanding image quality, rivaling many larger and more expensive cameras.
APS-C X-Trans CMOS II Sensor
The X70 features a 16.3-megapixel APS-C X-Trans CMOS II sensor. Fujifilm's X-Trans sensors are known for their unique color filter array, which reduces moiré without the need for an optical low-pass filter. This design leads to sharper images with excellent color reproduction and detail. 16 megapixels is more than enough for all types of photography and you still have enough resolution for cropping.
Fujinon Lens Quality
The fixed 18.5mm f/2.8 Fujinon lens is renowned for its sharpness and clarity. It produces images with minimal distortion and excellent corner-to-corner sharpness. The lens is also optimized for the sensor, ensuring optimal performance and image quality.
Film Simulation Modes
One of the standout features of Fujifilm cameras is their film simulation modes, and the X70 is no exception. These modes emulate the look of classic Fujifilm films, such as Velvia, Provia, and Astia, as well as black-and-white options like Acros. These film simulations provide photographers with a variety of creative options directly in-camera, reducing the need for extensive post-processing. The film simulations can be tweaked to make your "recipes". This is a huge deal in the Fujifilm community.
High ISO Performance
The X70 performs well in low light, with a native ISO range of 200-6400, expandable to ISO 100-51200. Images at higher ISOs exhibit low noise and retain good detail, making the X70 a reliable performer in various lighting conditions.
I like to keep images at ISO 1600 or lower but will gladly shoot at ISO 6400 with no problem.
Dynamic Range
The camera's dynamic range is impressive, capturing a wide range of tones from shadows to highlights. This capability is particularly useful for street photography, where lighting conditions can vary greatly within a single scene.
Conclusion
The Fujifilm X70 is a remarkable compact APS-C camera that excels in usability, handling, user experience, focal length suitability for street photography, and image quality. Its combination of a large APS-C sensor, high-quality Fujinon lens, intuitive controls, and portability makes it an exceptional choice for photographers who need a capable and versatile camera in a compact form factor.
Whether you're a street photographer looking for a discreet and responsive camera, a traveler needing a reliable and lightweight companion, or an enthusiast who values image quality and manual controls, the Fujifilm X70 is a camera that delivers on all fronts. Its enduring popularity and positive reviews from the photography community are a testament to its capabilities and the excellent user experience it provides.
By understanding the unique features and advantages of the Fujifilm X70, it's clear why this camera remains one of the best compact APS-C cameras ever made. Its design, performance, and versatility make it a timeless tool for capturing the world in stunning detail.
Fujifilm X70 Photo Gallery // JPGs are straight out of came
My name is Jason Logan. I'm photographer and content creator from Jersey City, NJ and founder of JMT Photography & Media. We provide portrait, headshot, event photography and more in the New York City metro area. Learn more about our work at www.jmtphotographymedia.com