Fujifilm's durable, dunkable FinePix XP10 compact camera gets a review
By Tim Stevens 
posted June 26th 2010 9:30PM
posted June 26th 2010 9:30PM
posted June 26th 2010 9:30PM
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This thing is hideous.
@tklr08
As are Thinkpads/Toughbooks, but that's why they are so durable.
@Bearpowers
I think Toughbooks look nice
@tklr08 I'm with you on both points. I like more square-ish, angular cameras.
costco has this with camera bag, 4G SDHC card for $140
@htd
That's where I bought mine... It's okay, but could be better. Pictures are often blurry (I may be using it wrong, though) and the "wide-angle" is just cutting off the top and bottom of the photo, but it's otherwise what I need as I head into a third-world country.
Bah, spend the extra for the Panasonic TS2 for $265 shipped.
http://slickdeals.net/forums/showthread.php?sduid=299535&t=2086094
@Ducman69 I paid $300 for TS1 last year. :(
@htd I'd actually prefer the lower megapixel sensor, as pixel density is crazy high which is great outdoors in daylight, but sucks in a dimly lit restaurant. Megapixels sell though. =/
The TS1 was also already a over-performer, but the TS2 did up the ante with mas mucho "beefcake", bumping up shock protection and increasing the underwater rating to 33ft (over three times the TS1).
The ultimate camera for a ski trip, mountain biking, snorkeling, kayaking, or the pool (but wash chlorine off after). :D
The wide-angle camera quality is good in moderate to good lighting conditions, the video quality and stabilization is excellent, and for Windows users you can't beat AVCHD Lite to maximize recording time on your memory.
@Ducman69 Fuji has been known as a leader in low light shooting, (Read high ISO) since the release of the Fuji F-10 in 2005, so I don't think it'll have a problem shooting in low light. Fujis use a sensor called "Super CCD" which if you Wiki it you'll see why.
@Mikeserena
Actually I believe only certain Fuji's use that sensor. Only their top of the line compacts. Their other camera's use a more standard type sensor. Though I stand to be corrected if I'm wrong.
@Ducman69
I'm looking for a solid waterproof camera and I'm starting to get a little trigger itchy, especially considering I'll need it within a couple weeks. This Fujifilm looks pretty slick but some of the sample shots from your TS2 are swaying me away. The almost $100 (like they said, the MSRP is easy to beat online) extra cost doesn't sit well, not that I'm afraid to spend the dough for a good camera but I already have a couple nice ones and I can't imagine a device that's going to be used in the conditions this one will be is going to last that long regardless. I just need to buy one and stop focusing on the little details.
All that aside, gadgets that work underwater without any extra bulky protection totally trip me out. When you start learning about water pressure and how much there is at just 15 feet, a camera that can operate at 30 feet underwater absolutely amazes me. The cases they make are WAY bulky and make it hard to operate the finer controls so not needing one will be really nice.
daymmm! i just got the sony tx5 too. so far so good though. wish it was $200 like this Fuji
@dark star The Sony TX5 is looking pretty good from all of the available options. I had an Olympus 720 SW from 4 years ago that was recently stolen so I am looking to replace it. The new Stylus Tough 8010 is a fairly large camera (98.3mm x 63.6mm x 23.9mm) and definitely larger than the TX5 and the 720 SW.
The only cameras that seemed to fit the bill for style, size, and waterproofness are the Sony TX5, the Panasonic TS2, and the Olympus Tough series. From the looks of things the TX5 will be the way to go.
Slowest newsday EVER.
I respect the whole design approach, trying to separate yourself from the crowd. And the price is clearly a smart move. Now about that name, marketing people...XP? "So 2002".
my big issues is waterproof to 10 feet ... I don't expect to use it for scuba, but even free diving or fun snorkeling can go deeper than 10 feet ... I shall stick with Canon D10 which is waterproof to 33 feet
@Jimbojones
it is a pool side camera for the most part.
@Jimbojones
The 10 foot cameras are really just to give you the peace of mind that even if you happen to drop your new camera in the pool while jostling through crowds of annoying smelly minorities at Pi Pi's Splashtown waterpark, its not going to get soaked in urine.
PS: EAT THE BANANA!!!
@Ducman69 yeah, but why to get 10feet cam when you can get 33feet cam. My point is that you might go snorkeling, why to worry when you might go to 12 feet ... nobody will go more than 33feet (if you do then you are pro and are going to get case for camera)
@Jimbojones
price
Not a bad camera for people who go outside
Did Shrek get a facelift?
I bought this thing to take to Mexico for my anniversary. It was terrible. If there is any sunlight above you while you attempt to do underwater photos or video- forget it. You cant see anything in the LCD screen because they didn't polarize it. absolute crap. normal photos are fine for the price but otherwise- its a waste.
Videos are worth a thousand pictures. Kodak playsport or toshiba bw10 are better choices. They can take tolerable pictures.
I had last year model of this camera and I really like it I dropped it out of a tree and it survived it also survived a week of boy scout camp as a person that works at Target I do recommend this camera
I've just got the Samsung wp10 and if this ones as good as the samsung, then don't buy it. Shit video in any mode. option to turn off mic when zooming as its too bloody loud otherwise. when when filming
Is the Olympus Tough series any good compared to the other models mentioned?
@jensbodal
i got an Olympus tough series. pictures are lousy and it takes forever to take the next pict. very slow.
@dark star Yeah I've been doing some research and it looks like the Olympus and the Panasonics don't get very good reviews, but with the Panasonic having pretty good 720p HD video capabilities. The Sony TX5 looks very nice, is waterproof, has good reviews, and is smaller than my old camera; assuming much doesn't change by September I think this will be what I go with.
For $25 you can buy a waterproof camera case that has room for the lens to move in and out. The only downside is the crinkly noises you'll get when shooting video. It's a great alternative when you don't want to buy another camera.
@Andy4 Where? All the cases I've seen are $150-200. It's best these days just to buy a waterproof camera up front. I'll be taking the Panasonic Lumix TS2 to Hawaii this week, and I'm pretty excited.
@Andy4 It's made by a company in Hong Kong. I bought it in a duty free shop in the Philippines on a flight to one of the islands. For the life of me I don't remember the website.
It's probably not rated for scuba diving depths but my wife and I took it snorkeling for five days in the super-salty water and the camera was safe. We didn't take it out of the case until we were back on the main island away from the beach.
But I guess people here are looking for serious duty waterproofing and I don't have the box with me in Canada to check because we left the box back in the Philippines. But it's not a rigid case so it wouldn't stand up to serious depths.
@Andy4 Whoa, here it is.
http://rocks-photo.en.made-in-china.com/product/mMJEdeIonVkw/China-Nereus-20m-Camera-Waterproof-Case-Housing-DC-WP500.html
http://sklinter.en.made-in-china.com/product/ybFnaKoPbAUz/China-Water-Proof-Bag.html
Made by Nereus. There are different sizes for larger cameras. The FinePix xp10 has some shockproofing and freezeproofing though. Otherwise, the depths are pretty much the same. Less than 5m. But I already decided that it was better to combine a waterproof bag with a good compact camera a good video than buy a waterproof camera with terrible quality everywhere. We were happy with the clarity of the waterproof camera bag.
Meanwhile, those of us that dive deeper than 10 feet either have to deal with the waterproof generic camera bag or a $400 camera enclosure. I'm glad one vendor is coming out with a 30m scuba camera mask though.