FujiFilm FinePix XP170 Pro Reviews

The Fujifilm Finepix XP170 is the top dog in Fuji's "Extreme Sports" lineup (the almost identical XP150 is also still available). Many camera users call this class of imaging devices "underwater cameras" or "all-weather cameras", but cameras in this class are actually designed for Extreme Sports aficionados. Extreme Sports fans skin-dive, snorkel, ski, water ski, snowboard, mountain bike, BMX, and skateboard, so they need a different sort of camera - one that's tougher and more durable than other P&S digicams, in addition to being waterproof. As well as the ability to slip beneath the waves, the XP170 can endure extended exposure to rain, mist, jungle-like humidity, and dusty desert venues. In the final analysis, after a bit less than three weeks of using the camera in a variety of shooting venues, I can't recommend the XP170 as an extreme sports P&S digicam. Basically, the low resolution LCD and the dead slow maximum aperture severely limit this digicam's usefulness for its target audience.

The XP-series has carried an affordable price legacy. Until now. The XP170’s addition of Wireless Image Transfer hoiks this price point up beyond its XP150 predecessor, acquiring a more sizable £220 asking price. But the XP170 sees no improvements in optical or image quality performance compared to its predecessor and, as a result, it lacks in the all-important camera department. Yes it’s tough and waterproof and this aspect of the XP170 will serve any user well, and that, fundamentally, is why it justifies its score. But otherwise its pictures are below average, the shutter button feels stiff in use, the screen quality isn’t good enough and competitor models offer better autofocus. Much of that might be forgivable if the XP170 maintained the more budget position of earlier models in the range. If Fujifilm is going to aim for a more technological user, it needs to back it up with the necessary quality. Sadly that lacks here.

If we were to base the review of the XP170 on image quality alone it wouldn't score particularly well. Detail in images isn't great even at the lowest of ISO settings, but if you aren't going to be using the images for large prints but for sharing on the web, this won't be of much concern, particularly as colour reproduction is good enough. Where the XP170 does excel is with its range of features and handling. There is full 1080p HD video recording, Wi-Fi, impressive panoramas and the battery life is very good.