Fujifilm FinePix XP130 review | TechSwitch

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Telephones just like the Samsung Galaxy S9 and Sony Xperia XZ are water-resistant, however would you are taking them snowboarding or snorkelling? In all probability not, which is the hole available in the market that Fujifilm goes for with its new XP130. 

An replace on the XP120 and no larger or heavier than the typical pocket-sized compact, that is one well-protected digital camera. It’s waterproof to 20m, freeze-proof to -10C, and it may be dropped onto rock from 1.75m. There’s a 28-140mm zoom lens with a variable most aperture of f/Three.9-Four.9. It’s bought a hard and fast Three-inch LCD show, nevertheless it’s no touchscreen performance. There’s no viewfinder both. 

Though it has its good moments, the 16.4MP XP130 struggles in uninteresting gentle, and has a brief battery lifetime of simply 240 pictures. Briefly, it’s not far more versatile than a smartphone…other than in a single key space; its robust bodily design. 

Who’s it for and will I purchase it?

You’ve bought a hike deliberate, however unhealthy climate is predicted. You’re going diving or snorkeling and wish to take photographs underwater. You’ve bought a snowboarding or snowboarding journey, or fishing expedition, developing quickly. These are all situations that will go well with a ‘robust’ digital camera just like the XP130, which out-does each smartphones and most different cameras within the outside design division. 

It is maybe probably to be bought for its waterproof prowess (it’s good for a depth of 20m), however a capability to work in temperatures as little as -10°C/14°F (most smartphones pack-up at Zero°/32°F) makes the XP130 an possibility for ski journeys, the place it might probably simply slot in a pocket of a ski jacket or a pair of salopettes. 

Fujifilm FinePix XP130 worth

• Present worth: £149 / $199 / AU$299

The Fujifilm FinePix XP130 is essentially the most reasonably priced ‘rugged’ digital camera round

• Feels robust, but in addition stays fairly light-weight
• Waterproof right down to a depth of 20m / 65ft
• Wi-Fi and Bluetooth connectivity choices

Journey cameras needs to be light-weight, so the XP130’s chassis is impressively robust whereas remaining light-weight. The XP130 additionally seems the half, and for a rugged digital camera, meaning armour. Not surprisingly, the XP130 has ruggedized grips on its corners, a big shutter button for straightforward entry when underwater, and a garish white, blue, yellow, silver or lime colour scheme. We’ve by no means been utterly certain why so-called robust cameras really feel the necessity for a look-at-me colour scheme, nevertheless it’s normal observe. 

So how does the XP130 differ from Fujifilm’s final robust snapper, the XP120? The principle distinction is an additional 5m of waterproofing; you possibly can take it right down to a depth of 20m / 65ft underwater. It’s bought the identical 16.4MP sensor (the half of.Three-inch sensor is without doubt one of the smallest sensors going), 5x 28-140mm optical zoom lens, freeze-proofing right down to -10°C / 14°F, and it might probably survive a drop from 1.75m / 5.8ft. 

It’s additionally bought Bluetooth in addition to Wi-Fi, for hooking-up to the free Fujifilm Digital camera Distant app for distant view and photographs switch. There’s no GPS, however that’s not essentially a nasty factor since such frippery can drain the battery quick. As a replacement, the app can use the placement and time in your telephone. 

Small and light-weight design, nevertheless it’s all about toughness

• Excellent for the seashore or ski slope
• Battery life a bit of limiting
• Wi-Fi connectivity wants enhancing

Since no one needs to take their smartphone snorkelling, or on a hike up a mountain within the rain, the one actual purpose to purchase a digital camera just like the XP130 is for its robust credentials. Crucially, the XP130 is available in at cheaper than a GoPro Hero6 Black, and its 20m / 65ft depth functionality makes this a good selection for climbing in unhealthy climate, for kayaking, and for an occasional snorkelling journey. No matter colour you select, within the field is an identical wrist-strap that’s essential in case you’re close to deep water. 

Sadly, the wi-fi compunctions settings failed far too usually. Regardless of connecting an iPhone to the XP130’s Wi-Fi community, and firing-up the Fujifilm Cam Distant app, constantly making a connection proved unimaginable. 

So-called rugged journey cameras just like the XP130 ought to have massive batteries that final all day. So why does the XP130 ship with a puny 700mAh battery? Not less than it recharges contained in the digital camera through USB (or from a transportable battery), however the few hours we bought out of it simply isn’t ok for an extended session of images. What good is a ‘journey digital camera’ in case you finish the day utilizing a telephone anyway? 

Picture high quality

• Picture high quality is fairly unremarkable 
• No uncooked file help
• No 4K video possibility

The XP130 produces good, nicely saturated photographs in conditions with loads of gentle. For a day trip climbing, kayaking, or biking when you do not wish to take a smartphone, the XP130 fills a distinct segment. Nonetheless, the picture high quality is fairly primary, and it by no means seems to achieve the standard of a high-end smartphone. 

As an illustration, photographs taken indoors are likely to lack shadow element, with black areas showing blocky and noisy (even utilizing the ‘professional low-light’ mode). Total, there is a lack of final element even in exterior pictures utilizing the 16MP ‘superb’ JPEG is highest setting, with wide-angle, telephoto and macro pictures all trying comparatively comfortable. The HDR mode provides little however over-saturation to pictures, and is greatest prevented, as are most of the ‘superior’ filters (sketch, toy digital camera, excessive key, pop and miniature) and movie modes (chrome, black and white, and sepia), most of that are mere novelty. Speaking of which, the Cinemagraph setting merely imitates the ‘stay view’ strategy of taking that’s truly a three-second video. 

For landscapes there is a useful built-in digital degree, which is price attempting to find within the onscreen menus so as to add a bit of accuracy, whereas there’s additionally a movement panorama mode that is operated by sweeping the digital camera by way of 360-degrees. Nonetheless, not solely is the method usually interrupted half-way by way of, however the completed picture is pretty small at simply 1,088 pixels excessive. Sadly, the XP130 doesn’t shoot in raw both. 

Video recording can also be a bit of primary. Although it is attainable to report in most Full HD 1080p at 60p, recording is initiated by urgent a tiny button on the highest. There’s additionally no exterior microphone connectivity, which is comprehensible for a digital camera of this measurement and value, although the built-in mic is fairly poor. 

Total, the XP130 gives common photographs and movies, and will due to this fact be thought-about largely for its environmental versatility. 

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