Fujifilm FinePix F300EXR

amazon Fujifilm FinePix F300EXR reviews

Inheriting a F-type zoom of 10x, the F300EXR features 12 megapixel resolution, 15x optical zoom (24mm-360mm), 3-inch LCD screen, autofocus engine, PASM modes and 720p HD video recording capability.

On the same design as the F series, the F300EXR has been refined by Fujifilm in a more rugged design but is therefore easier to handle. The entire lens occupies a large part of the front. The upper side still includes a shutter button, zoom ring, power button and flash pop up. However, because the lamp is located right next to the left edge, it is difficult to hold both hands because the index finger will have to be translated to the side.

What’s new to the F300EXR is that the mode dial instead of the back has been crossed between the back and the front, which, according to Fujifilm, this design will help to adjust between modes with a quick hand and easier.

Behind the machine is a large 3 inch LCD screen almost all of the area. The quick access buttons have been converted to rotary wheel and pressed for quick menu navigation or mode selection. The movie button has also been independently made and is quite large, making it very convenient to switch between recording and shooting. But the deeper placement on the right also makes the operation of this button less convenient, especially when holding the machine with one hand.

The highlight of the F300EXR lies in the hybrid mechanism. This mechanism allows the user to choose between phase-in-focus (as in DSLR) or contrast mode. According to Fujifilm, the sensor for phase focus is integrated into the Super CCD EXR sensor of the machine. This mechanism will activate when shooting in good light conditions to take advantage of the speed, while when the light is weak, the contrast control mechanism will automatically be activated.

Following Fujifilm’s Sony, Fujifilm also introduced the new Panorama panning. According to Fujifilm, while companies typically only take 180-degree panoramas, the F300EXR can capture around a complete scene 360 degrees. Actual performance shows that this feature is very effective with good photo collage. The only thing to keep in mind is that the speed when holding the lure must be synchronized, otherwise the machine will error.

Some of the Fujifilm-type operation mechanisms on the F300EXR can make some unfamiliar people feel uncomfortable. For example, when you specialize between PASM modes and EXR mode, the lens fires at its own focal length, so if you’re shooting with a zoom, you have to zoom again, making it more time-consuming. In addition, the F300EXR is designed to remember the pre-installed settings of each mode. When you switch from manual adjustments to shutter-priority, for example, ISO will return the last setting of the shutter priority instead of being preserved in all modes.

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FUJIFILM FinePix Digital Camera F300EXR (Black) F FX-F300EXR B 12MP CCD 15x Optical Zoom Wide angle24mm 3.0-inch Display – International Version: Buy it now

In terms of speed, according to Fujifilm, thanks to the phase-focusing mechanism, the focus speed is only 0.158 seconds. Actual usage shows that the focus speed is quite fast, even when the zoom is full, but with enough light.

When the light is low, the camera returns to the normal contrast mode. Although slower, this mechanism works quite well, but sometimes the image is slightly blurry but still within acceptable range for travel generations like the F300EXR.

Despite the impressive ISO range from 100 to 12,800, in terms of image quality, the F300EXR only excels when the ISO is under 400. Up to 800 colors are degraded with noises and no visible detail loss. ISO 1600 and 3200 are too bad, and to achieve a high sensitivity of 12,800 the resolution must be reduced.

Another thing to note is that when shooting with the EXR mode (D-Range Priority contrast modes or High ISO & Low Noise), the resolution of the machine will drop to only 6 million points.

Belonging to high-end travel machines, the direct competitor of the F300EXR is in the segment of large zoom machines such as Panasonic TZ10 or Sony HX5V. Although lacking in GPS functionality, Fujifilm has added a number of advanced features to this version, which can not be ignored by advanced EXR mode thanks to new sensor technology and retrieval mechanisms. With an optical zoom of up to 15x while still maintaining a wide 24mm wide angle, the F300EXR promises to follow the heel Fujifilm FinePix 200EXR.

Features

EXR Sensor Technology: The standout feature of the F300EXR is its 12-megapixel EXR CMOS sensor. Fujifilm’s EXR technology allows the sensor to operate in three different modes: High Resolution (HR), Dynamic Range (DR), and High Sensitivity and Low Noise (SN). This flexibility enables the camera to adapt to various shooting conditions, optimizing image quality by prioritizing resolution, dynamic range, or low-light performance as needed.

Lens and Zoom: The F300EXR is equipped with a Fujinon 24-360mm (35mm equivalent) lens, offering a 15x optical zoom range. This wide zoom range makes the camera versatile, capable of capturing everything from wide-angle landscapes to distant subjects with ease. The lens also features image stabilization, which helps reduce camera shake and produce sharper images, especially at longer focal lengths.

Shooting Modes: The camera offers a variety of shooting modes, including:

• Auto Mode: For general photography, where the camera selects the optimal settings.
• EXR Mode: Automatically switches between the three EXR sensor modes based on the shooting conditions.
• Program Mode (P): Allows for more control over settings while still providing automatic exposure.
• Aperture Priority (A) and Shutter Priority (S): Gives the user control over aperture and shutter speed, respectively.
• Manual Mode (M): Full control over exposure settings.
• Scene Modes: Includes presets for various scenarios, such as Portrait, Landscape, Night, and more.
• Panorama Mode: Allows for the creation of wide panoramic images by stitching multiple shots together.

Video Recording: The F300EXR supports HD video recording at 720p resolution. The camera also features stereo sound recording and continuous autofocus during video capture, enhancing the overall video recording experience.

Performance

Image Quality: The image quality produced by the F300EXR is impressive, particularly when using the EXR modes. In High Resolution mode, the camera captures detailed and sharp images, suitable for large prints and cropping. The Dynamic Range mode effectively handles high-contrast scenes, preserving details in both highlights and shadows. In High Sensitivity and Low Noise mode, the camera performs well in low-light conditions, producing images with minimal noise and good color accuracy.

Autofocus: The F300EXR features a hybrid autofocus system, combining phase detection and contrast detection. This results in fast and accurate autofocus performance, even in challenging lighting conditions. The camera also includes face detection and tracking, ensuring sharp focus on subjects, especially in portrait photography.

Low-Light Performance: Thanks to the EXR sensor and High Sensitivity mode, the F300EXR performs admirably in low-light situations. The camera’s ability to reduce noise while maintaining color accuracy and detail makes it a reliable choice for nighttime and indoor photography.

Speed and Responsiveness: The camera is generally responsive, with quick start-up and shot-to-shot times. The burst mode allows for continuous shooting at up to 3 frames per second, which is useful for capturing fast-moving subjects.

User Experience

Ease of Use: The FinePix F300EXR is designed to be user-friendly, with intuitive controls and menus. The mode dial and buttons are logically placed, and the on-screen menus are easy to navigate. The inclusion of various automatic and scene modes makes it accessible for beginners, while the manual controls provide flexibility for more experienced photographers.

Battery Life: The camera uses a rechargeable lithium-ion battery (NP-50), which provides a decent battery life, allowing for approximately 250 shots per charge. This is sufficient for a day of casual shooting, but carrying a spare battery is advisable for extended use or travel.

LCD Screen: The 3.0-inch LCD screen is bright and clear, making it easy to compose shots and review images. The resolution of 460,000 dots is adequate, although not as high as some newer models. However, it performs well in most lighting conditions, with good visibility even in bright sunlight.

Comparison with Competitors

Canon PowerShot SX210 IS:

• Zoom Range: Both the F300EXR and the SX210 IS feature a 14x and 15x optical zoom lens, respectively. The Canon model offers slightly more zoom, but the difference is minimal.
• Image Quality: The Canon SX210 IS also performs well in terms of image quality, but the EXR sensor in the F300EXR provides more flexibility and better performance in challenging lighting conditions.
• Video Recording: Both cameras offer HD video recording at 720p. However, the F300EXR’s hybrid autofocus system provides better continuous autofocus during video capture.

Sony Cyber-shot HX5V:

• Zoom Range: The Sony HX5V features a 10x optical zoom lens, which is less than the 15x zoom on the F300EXR.
• Sensor Technology: The HX5V uses a 10.2-megapixel Exmor R CMOS sensor, which also performs well in low-light conditions. However, the F300EXR’s EXR sensor offers more versatility with its three different modes.
• Additional Features: The HX5V includes GPS and compass functionality for geotagging photos, a feature not available on the F300EXR.

Panasonic Lumix TZ10 (ZS7):

• Zoom Range: The Panasonic TZ10 features a 12x optical zoom lens, slightly less than the 15x zoom on the F300EXR.
• Image Quality: Both cameras produce excellent image quality, but the EXR sensor in the F300EXR offers more flexibility in different shooting conditions.
• GPS Functionality: The TZ10 includes built-in GPS for geotagging, a feature the F300EXR lacks.

Pros and Cons

Pros:

1. Versatile EXR Sensor: The EXR sensor technology provides excellent flexibility, adapting to various shooting conditions and optimizing image quality.
2. Impressive Zoom Range: The 15x optical zoom lens offers a wide range of focal lengths, making the camera versatile for different types of photography.
3. Good Low-Light Performance: The High Sensitivity and Low Noise mode delivers good results in low-light situations, with minimal noise and accurate colors.
4. Hybrid Autofocus System: The combination of phase detection and contrast detection ensures fast and accurate autofocus performance.
5. User-Friendly Design: The intuitive controls, mode dial, and on-screen menus make the camera easy to use, even for beginners.

Cons:

1. Limited Video Resolution: While the camera supports HD video recording at 720p, it lacks Full HD (1080p) recording, which is available in some competing models.
2. No GPS Functionality: Unlike some of its competitors, the F300EXR does not include built-in GPS for geotagging photos.
3. Average LCD Resolution: The 460,000-dot resolution of the LCD screen is adequate but not as high as some newer models.
4. Battery Life: The battery life is decent but not exceptional. Carrying a spare battery is recommended for extended shooting sessions.

Conclusion

The Fujifilm FinePix F300EXR remains a notable compact camera, even several years after its release. Its innovative EXR sensor technology, versatile zoom lens, and user-friendly design make it a solid choice for a wide range of photographic applications. While it does have some limitations, such as the lack of Full HD video recording and GPS functionality, its strengths outweigh these drawbacks.

For photographers who value flexibility and image quality, the F300EXR is a worthy investment. It stands out in its ability to adapt to different shooting conditions and deliver consistently good results. While newer models may offer more advanced features, the F300EXR continues to hold its own as a reliable and capable compact camera.