Fuji's six megapixel Finepix F470 reviewed

When it comes to ultracompact digital cameras, they don't get much more pocketable than the Fujifilm Finepix F470 we first spotted at CES, which at 122-grams, is one of the lightest six megapixel shooters you can buy, Yet according to Digital Camera Review, the diminutive F470 is also an excellent performer, with almost insignificant startup times and shutter lag, low to acceptable noise levels up to ISO 400, and most importantly, accurate color and white balance -- save for some purple fringing on shots captured at full 3x zoom. You're also getting a 2.5-inch LCD, VGA video at 30fps, and 16MB of onboard memory, plus, the few downsides here don't sound all that bad: below average life from the included rechargeable battery, only six steps on the optical zoom, and an Exposure Compensation setting that doesn't auto-reset are the only gripes this reviewer had. Oh, that and the fact that you'll have to shell out for an xD card along with your purchase, because chances are you don't already have one, and Fuji doesn't include one in the box.

[Poster @ Jun 25th 2006 10:24PM]

Damn XD cards!

[asurroca @ Jun 25th 2006 11:21PM]

Yeah, but is it going to work? Read up on Fujifilm and you'll find that defects and crappy warranty experiences are pretty prevalent. I'm on my second E550, and it's on its third trip back to Fuji for repairs. I don't have a lot of faith in them after that.

[Kelley @ Jun 26th 2006 12:36AM]

Anything ~and I do mean ANYTHING~ Fuji is top notch. This camera is no exception. As much as people moan and groan about xD cards' price, they are really fantastic performers. Owning a Fuji 5600 and an Olympus SP-500 UZ, I'm quite familiar with the xD card. They come in two speeds (standard which is Type M and high speed which is Type H), are extremely high quality cards and most card readers except them with no problem at all. Yeah, they're a little higher in price, but well worth it for the quality of picture they provide.

[kerunt @ Jun 26th 2006 12:48AM]

"Yeah, they're a little higher in price, but well worth it for the quality of picture they provide."

Kelley, I'm pretty sure storage cards do not play any role in image quality. Storage cards are just that, storage. Wether they store a high quality image, or a low quality image depends on the device with which the image was taken.

Sure, the xD cards may be high-quality products, but they are not as popular as SD/CF - they aren't the industry standard. I'm sure this camera would appeal to a much larger number of people if it supported SD/CF.

[J @ Jun 26th 2006 1:12AM]

It's amazing what passes for a "review" these days. The writer lost a lot of credibility when he called the old FinePix 2600 "legendary"'. That was a chunky, plastic 2 Megapixel point-and-shoot model from 2001, for those who somehow missed it...

[weatherman @ Jun 26th 2006 2:19AM]

"I'm pretty sure storage cards do not play any role in image quality. Storage cards are just that, storage."

Absolutely right. Speed of the card may limit the camera's ability to take quick shots in succession, especially when working with very large pics, but otherwise a memory card is a memory card.

"I'm sure this camera would appeal to a much larger number of people if it supported SD/CF"

Yep - me, for one. I've looked at reviews of Fuji products before when contemplating a camera purchase, and I've always bought a comparable product from another manufacturer because of the SD card rather than xD. All memory types are proprietary, but some are more proprietary than others. If you buy an xD card, you can be almost certain you won't be able to use it for anything else ever, unless you buy another Fuji camera.

[BiG? @ Jun 26th 2006 2:33AM]

I personally have always loved Fuji cameras, and currently own an F10. It is an incredible value and takes excellent shots. I just got it a few months ago and plan to have it for at least another couple years (still waiting for dSLRs to come own in price).

However, recently my friend got one as a graduation present and I got to toy around with it. It definately had me envious - almost all the features of the F10/F11, only in a far sexier package - waaaay skinny! Very cool. Also, unlike other skinnies, the F470 feels solid; there is no bend to the body and it feels comfortable in the hand. Highly recommend it!

[Jeroen @ Jun 26th 2006 3:15AM]

The xD – SD difference has influenced me too in my choice of camera.
I was hesitating between a Kodak Z740 and Finepix 5600.
The latter was already just outside my budget and the fact that the xD card was more expensive and I had to buy a new card reader, made me choose the Kodak, even if the Finepix is probably a (slightly) better camera.

[Doc P @ Jun 26th 2006 8:51AM]

I own the F460 (I think?). When I bought it, I got a good instant rebate deal on the xD card, making it the same price as other storage. What irks me is nto the price, but the fact that I will never use it for anything else, like the MSDUO for my PSP.

[PacketMonkee @ Jun 26th 2006 9:37AM]

Bitch bitch, moan moan.
Just but the better hardware allready (Fuji/XD).
I've owned two Fuji cameras; a FinepPix S3500 which was a gift which I used quite successfully despite it's shortcomings (It IS the lowest model in the range afterall) until last years purchase of a FinePix S9500 which I ABSOLUTLY adore. I've used two other Fuji cameras besides and I'm bloody well sold on them.

Why does one require a card reader? The camera works just freekin' dandy. Just one more weak excuse for those that like nothing better than to slam some technology because of some obscure/pointless reason and to increase their virtual penis length.

Get over it allready. Better hardware versus a little extra moolah. It's a pretty easy choice. Don't have the moolah? Give your letter of resignation to your supervisor at McDonalds and get a real job.. otherwise just save a bit longer. You'll be glad you did.

end rant.