Fujifilm F80EXR

Introduction

I’ve been after an affordable, good quality point and shoot camera since my obsession with photography started a few weeks ago. This F80EXR came up on Facebook Marketplace and after a bit of research I decided it was worth the fifty quid the seller wanted. This morning, I figured I’d kill two birds with one stone; walk the dog and test the camera.

Sample Photos

Photos not processed, only resized to 600px max width. Each image can be clicked to view full size on Flickr.

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Conclusion

I like this camera. Today is only my first full day as its new owner, so I’ll post a part 2 when I’ve used it more. I messed about with it last night, but wasn’t happy with the quality. Apparently, you need to change some settings to get good low light performance (see notes below).

Link to Flickr F80EXR album is here

See Also

Digital Photography School Review

Photography Blog Review

How to Shoot a FujiFilm EXR Camera

I’ve included a quote from the following thread as it seems very helpful for shooting in low light conditions. I’ll be writing another post once I’ve got my settings dialled in.

DPReview discussion:

In P mode, you cannot set the shutter speed; you have two menu choices, Programmed AE or Aperture priority. Choose Programmed AE.

ISO400 and Auto 400 are different. ISO400 forces the ISO to be at 400, which has more (intrusive) noise reduction than ISO100 or ISO200. Auto400 allows the camera to set ISO100 or ISO200 or ISO400. as appropriate to the shutter speed and aperture the light conditions permit. (Auto800 does the same, but allows the camera to go as high as ISO800 — and some of us regard that camera to be over-eager to push the ISO up and so we stop short of Auto800.)

The biggest point Kim has made, however, is to shoot in M size, repeat M size , not L size. In M size, the DR settings will be handled in hardware, and that is the F70/80’s best trick: it gives much better dynamic range than other compact cameras (other than the F200, which does the same trick). P mode in M size is effectively EXR mode with more user control; in L size, DR is handled in firmware, and the EXR sensor’s special capabilities are not used.

Once you are in P mode, M size , select a dynamic range setting with a smaller numeric value than the highest ISO the camera will set. I usually set ISO at Auto400 and DR at DR200; AutoDR is another good setting.

Experiment with film simulation modes. Provia is supposed to be the most neutral, and Fujifilm labels it STD on the menu. Velvia simulates the punch of slide (reversal) film, but some find it too Ektachrome-y. Velvia is lower contrast, softer, almost-pastel colors, and some photographers like that best. It is all a matter of taste.

And…

2) You want P mode, auto ISO 1600, DR400 , and M size (as Prime mentioned) for most of your shooting.