Fujifilm X70 Review

Tweet Share

Camera Reviews / Fujifilm Cameras / Fuji X i Review

Navigate Review Jump to review page...

Basic Specifications
Full model name:	Fujifilm X70
Resolution:	16.30 Megapixels
Sensor size:	APS-C (23.6mm x 15.6mm)
Lens:	Non-Zoom (28mm eq.)
Viewfinder:	No / LCD
Native ISO:	200 - 6400
Extended ISO:	100 - 51,200
Shutter:	1/32000 - 30 sec
Max Aperture:	2.8
Dimensions:	4.4 x 2.5 x 1.7 in. (113 x 64 x 44 mm)
Weight:	12.2 oz (347 g) includes batteries
Availability:	02/2016
Manufacturer:	Fujifilm
Full specs:	Fujifilm X70 specifications

Your purchases support this site

Fuji X70 (Black)

Fuji X70 (Black)
Fuji X70 (Silver)

X70 Deals

16.30 Megapixels	Non-Zoom	APS-C size sensor

X70 Summary

The Fujifilm X70's APS-C sensor delivers great JPEG images -- particularly when fully-utilizing Fuji's excellent Film Simulation modes -- but does come up short in a few areas. Autofocus isn't the greatest, video performance is underwhelming and its fixed 28mm eq. f/2.8 lens, while sharp, might be limiting to some. Nevertheless, its pocketable size, excellent physical controls, large sensor and overall very good image quality make the Fuji X70 a fun, stylish and capable camera.

Pros

Compact camera body; Impressive optical performance; Very good JPEG image quality; Good high ISO performance; Film Simulation modes; Tilting touchscreen display.

Cons

Inconsistent AF performance; Clunky menus; Shallow buffer depth; Poor video quality; No built-in viewfinder like X100-series.

Price and availability

The Fuji X70 began shipping in February 2016 at a suggested retail price of US$699.95 in black, or two-tone silver and black.

Imaging Resource rating

4.0 out of 5.0

Fuji X70 Review

by Jeremy Gray, Zig Weidelich, and Dave Pardue
Overview originally posted: 01/14/2016

Updates:
02/16/2016: First Shots Lab Samples added
04/07/2016: Field Test added
07/04/2016: Image Quality Comparison and Print Quality added
07/15/2016: Review Conclusion added

Alongside updated camera models, Fujifilm has also announced the newly designed Fuji X70 fixed-lens camera. This new camera pairs the same 16.3-megapixel APS-C X-Trans CMOS II sensor found in the X-E2S with a Fujinon 18.5mm f/2.8 lens, which provides a wider (and slower) 28mm-equivalent focal length than Fuji's other fixed-lens APS-C camera, the 35mm-eq. f/2.0 X100T, for a lot less money.

The 16.3-megapixel APS-C X-Trans CMOS II sensor used in the X70 utilizes Fujifilm's unique 6x6 primary color filter pattern, which has a less regular filter arrangement than the 2x2 repeating pattern found on traditional Bayer-filter image sensors. This higher degree of randomness better emulates film and is intended to reduce the appearance of moiré and minimize false color, allowing the image sensor to be used without an optical low-pass filter. Optical low-pass filters slightly reduce the sharpness and resolution of an image, so the Fuji X70 is able to maintain high resolution through its use of an X-Trans CMOS sensor.

The Fuji X70's 28mm-equivalent fixed lens has an aperture range of f/2.8-16 (with 9 aperture blades) and can focus as close as 3.9 inches (10 centimeters). It uses seven lens elements in five groups, including two aspherical glass elements. The lens also has Fujinon's unique HT-EBC coating (High Transmittance Electron Beam Coating), which helps combat flare and ghosting. Unlike the X100T, though, there's no built-in ND filter.

The lens autofocuses quickly thanks to the X70's hybrid autofocus system -- with both contrast-detection and on-chip phase detect AF -- which offers a 49-point Single Point AF mode and a Wide/Tracking mode that offers a 77-point autofocus area. Autofocus is said to be fast, with reported autofocus acquisition in as little as 0.06 seconds. The speed doesn't stop there, however, as Fujifilm says the X70 can start up in 0.5 seconds in High Performance mode, has a shutter lag time of just 0.05 seconds, can continuously shoot at up to 8 frames-per-second (for approximately 10 frames), and can use a completely silent electronic shutter with exposures as short as 1/32,000s. Visit our Performance page to see how the X70 performed in our standard lab timing tests.

As is par for the course for Fujifilm X cameras, the Fuji X70 includes Film Simulation modes, including the latest Classic Chrome mode which mutes tones and provides deep colors. And you can use these film simulation modes with the X70's Motion Panorama shooting mode. For a different look, you can use one of a variety of Advanced Filters, such as "Toy camera" or "Dynamic tone."

If you're looking for a bit more reach from the 28mm equivalent lens, the Fuji X70 has a digital teleconverter that allows for 35mm and 50mm equivalent focal lengths (by cropping and resampling the image). Fujifilm has also released a 0.8x WCL-X70 conversion lens for about US$200, which gives the X70's lens a 21mm equivalent field of view. (Note that the X100 series WCL-X100 and TCL-X100 conversions lenses are not compatible.) The Fuji X70 also accepts an optional lens hood via an adapter ring (the same hood and adapter as the X100), which is also compatible with standard 49mm filters.

On the camera body itself, the X70 is the first X-series Fujifilm camera to utilize a tilting touch display. Its 3" LCD display has 1.04 million dots and can tilt up a full 180 degrees. (We don't have a spec for the downward tilt range, but it looks to be about 45 degrees.) Its touch capabilities allow AF point selection, touch-to-shoot, and various playback features. A notable absence on the Fuji X70 is a built-in viewfinder, however, so you'll have to use the camera's large rear display for framing unless you install Fujifilm's optional VF-X21 optical viewfinder into the hot shoe, which has framing lines for 28mm as well as 21mm field of views. It sells for about US$200.

The camera has eight function buttons, one of which is customizable. On the top of the camera body are milled aluminum dials and a new Auto Mode Switch lever, which allows quick access to the Fuji X70's Advanced SR Auto mode, which automatically selects the optimal settings for the subject.

You'll be able to capture up to 330 frames on a charge with the Fuji X70's NP-95 lithium-ion battery. With the battery, the Fuji X70 weighs in at a lightweight 12 ounces (340 grams). Its dimensions are quite compact at 4.43 x 2.54 x 1.75 inches (112.5 x 64.4 x 44.4 millimeters), which is much smaller than an X100T and smaller than even the 2/3"-sensored X30, though those two siblings have built-in viewfinders and the X30 has a zoom lens.

With built-in Wi-Fi, the Fuji X70 is a connected camera, allowing geotagging, image transfer, remote camera shooting, and even Instax printing using free applications for your smart devices.

For fans of video, there isn't a lot of note here with the X70, although it is capable of recording 1080p video at up to 60 fps. Unfortunately, 4K and slow-motion video recording options are absent.

The Fuji X70 has the same 2.5mm external microphone/remote jack as the X100T, as well as a USB 2.0 and Micro (Type-D) HDMI port.

The Fuji X70 began shipping in February 2016 at a suggested retail price of US$699.95 in black, or two-tone silver and black.

Fuji X70 Field Test

A stylish and portable camera that captures great images

by Jeremy Gray | 04/07/2016

A small, retro-inspired body with numerous controls
Considering its APS-C sensor, the Fuji X70 is a surprisingly small camera, weighing in at only 12.2 oz. (347g) and with dimensions of 4.4 x 2.5 x 1.7 inches (113 x 64 x 44mm). While the X70 is considered to be a mid-sized camera, it easily fits into a jacket pocket or the pocket of a loose pair of pants. Yet, despite its compact design, it doesn't skimp on controls.

Like other Fuji X-series cameras, the X70 doesn't use a traditional PASM mode dial, but instead a combination of controls. Two very important dials are on the top deck of the camera, the shutter speed dial and the exposure compensation dial. While the exposure compensation dial is self-explanatory, the shutter speed dial is a multi-purpose dial. By rotating the shutter speed dial to 'A' and the lens' aperture ring to a specific aperture value, you will put the X70 into aperture priority mode. Do the reverse for shutter priority mode: aperture ring to "A" and manually select a shutter speed with its dial.

Read our Fuji X70 Field Test

Fuji X70 Image Quality Comparison

See how the X70 stacks up against competing fixed-lens compacts

by Zig Weidelich | 07/04/2016

Here, we present crops from our laboratory Still Life target comparing Fuji X70 image quality to its larger, more expensive X-Trans II sensor-equipped sibling, the X100T, well as against several competing fixed-lens models at similar price points or in similar categories: the Nikon Coolpix A, Panasonic LX100, Ricoh GR II and Sigma dp2 Quattro.

NOTE: These images are from best quality JPEGs straight out of the camera, at default settings including noise reduction and using the camera's actual base ISO (not extended ISO settings). Clicking any crop will take you to a carrier page where you can click once again to access the full resolution image as delivered straight from the camera. For those interested in working with the RAW files involved, click these links to visit each camera's respective sample image thumbnail page.

Fuji X70 Image Quality Comparison

Fuji X70 Print Quality

Let's see how big you can print X70 photos at higher ISOs

by Dave Pardue | 07/04/2016

Print quality and image quality are similar but not identical, because what you see on a print isn't always the same as what you see on the screen. Our print quality analysis answers the important question: "Just how big can I print my photos at higher ISOs?"

The Fuji X70 excels in the print quality department, no question about it. From a superb 24 x 36 inch print at native and expanded low all the way up to a good 4 x 6 inch print at the lofty ISO 25,600, your printer will thank you for images from the X70 even as ISO begins to rise. It's not a surprise that the highest ISO of 51,200 isn't capable of a good print, as not many cameras can yet pull that off without a full frame or larger sensor. However, knowing that you can count on good 8 x 10s all the way up to ISO 6400 from a camera as compact as the Fuji X70 is certainly reassuring while you're out in the field shooting.

Read our Fuji X70 Print Quality Analysis

Fujifilm X70 Conclusion

A pocket cam that offers great image quality, cool styling, but mixed performance

by Jeremy Gray | 07/15/2016

The Fujifilm X70 is quite an interesting camera. It combines the 16.3-megapixel APS-C X-Trans CMOS II sensor you can find in an X-E2S with a fixed focal length, built-in Fujinon 18.5mm f/2.8 (28mm equivalent) lens. It's similar in spirit to the larger X100T which comes with a 35mm equivalent f/2.0 lens, but the X70 comes with a price about $400 less.

Non-zoom cameras are not for everyone, but what the Fuji X70 lacks in versatility it more than makes up for in the image and optical quality department. Furthermore, it's durable, compact and easy to use.

Fuji X70 is a compact camera body with lots of controls
Weighing only 12.2 ounces (347 grams), the compact Fujifilm X70 proved to be an enjoyable camera to use. You can slip it away into a jacket pocket, but don't let its small size fool you, this camera is packed to the brim with physical controls that enthusiasts will love.

Read our Fujifilm X70 Conclusion

In the Box

The Fujifilm X70 retail box contains:

Fujifilm X70 digital camera
Rechargeable lithium-ion battery NP-95
AC/USB adapter AC-5VF
Plug adapter
USB cable
Lens cap
Shoulder strap
Metal strap clips and protective covers (2 each)
Clip attaching tool
Owner's Manual

Recommended Accessories

Large capacity SDHC/SDXC memory card. These days, 32GB is a good tradeoff between cost and capacity. Fujifilm recommends Speed Class 10 or faster for movies.
Extra battery pack (NP-95) for extended outings
Dedicated battery charger BC-65N
Lens hood LH-X70
Wide conversion lens WCL-X70
Optical viewfinder VF-X21
Fujifilm EF-20, EF-X20 or EF-42 shoe mount flash
Leather case BLC-X70
Stereo microphone MIC-ST1
Remote release RR-90