Nice size for underwater photography
Easy to recharge the battery

Wasn't waterproof as discribed.

First time I used my first XP it filled with water and I KNOW it was locked. Returned it for a new one and was sent the old one refurbished however the first time I used it bubbles came out all the orffices. Returned it and got a third camera. It has been updated and the locks are different. It works but I was without a camera for 10 months.

Customer Service

When I returned the camera for a new one I was given my original camera refurbished but it wasn't waterproof either.

Similar Products Used:

No other underwater camera

21 usable modes.
Face Detect
Panorama in camera
Image cataloging and sorting features in camera.
Can produce good images in unexpected conditions.
Several user controllable flash options including OFF!
One-button 'silent mode'!
Offset lens makes one handed operation easier and additionally makes camera easier to hold in some cases.
Better than expected movies in both modes (640x480 & 1280x720).

Battery can be put in backward!
Heavy processing of images in some modes resulting in bad/unusable images.
Water protective lens cover glass acts just like a bad filter on a regular camera. Lots of flare and some double imaging when used under certain conditions.
Already short Battery life very dependent on use of features including Image Stabilization and Face Detection.
Unpredictable image output in some modes or circumstances.

An inexpensive camera purchased primarily for that reason. It was $100. Carrying a multi thousand dollar DSLR rig to parties isn't always convenient. Plus, having to spend five minutes explaining to someone how to use it to snap a pic that has me in it just isn't always possible.

First the description here of the camera indicates some features it doesn't have, particularly GPS. The next model up has the GPS. The features that some might want including GPS/WiFi etc in a more expensive unit play a role later in this review.

A camera that is impractical to carry or have with you won't record photographs or movies. One that is hard to use or can't be grabbed quickly has the same problem. The Fujifilm FinePix XP20 satisfies on ease of carrying and it is painless to turn on and use. But the camera has two on buttons! You can turn the unit on by pressing the image review button on the back then slightly depressing the shutter to change to capture mode from review. Actually easier than using the on/off button on top of the camera. Also it is easier to do with one hand even if it is overall it is bad design.

Modes of operation and features are pretty standard for current P/S. Lots of them including underwater, but I am a bit hesitant to use it 'that' way. A huge set of instructions are including to be sure the camera owner full understands how to close the camera to insure water tight operations. Looks like the camera won't stay more than splash and dust resistant for more than a few battery recharges to me! They are pretty shock resistant as I've dropped it more than once accidentally and on concrete and it works just like it was new. No marks so far on the shiny silver case either. And the battery can be inserted upside down/backwards and the camera then just doesn't work.

After about 800 photos and a combined twenty minutes of movies I am comfortable in saying that this is a less than average (or what I'd hope is average) picture maker. I can get really good images, just not predictably and there are some cases where I know that the camera will not perform as I'd hoped. If the sun or a bright light source is in front of you, the front of the camera must be shielded or it will flare badly due to the protective glass over the lens. Just like a UV or protective filter on an interchangeable lens camera of any type.

Face detection and Image Stabilization eat up the tiny battery very quickly. I had to recharge the battery after only 70+ pics when using it heavily at a small gathering when all the bells and whistles were running. The next time I turned those items on and off as I needed them. A couple of interesting timer functions use FD to know when to start the countdown when the photog wants to get in the photo. The XP20 'waits' until the proper number of people are in the image, such as a couple, and then fires.

There is a panorama mode that almost makes as much sense as any I've seen. It is not as handy as the Sony sweep variety which I really like. The Fuji version limits the number of elements to be added and thus it produces the pano quicker. However the joining algorithm isn't as good as some I've seen. Unless the light is really bright. The alignment interface of the pano pieces however should be considered by other manufacturers as a possibility.

This is an O.K. camera that has a lot of features, but image quality is unpredictable and even upon careful in camera review it is not assured that you have what you want. That is fairly true of a lot of the larger 10+Mpixel P/S cameras. It is hard to evaluate the highest quality images (4000+ by 3000+ pixel) with a small screen. The screen/display is very good one and is viewable in all but the brightest most direct light. Unless like me you forget to take off your sunglasses!

The lens is obviously pretty good if limited in optical zoom to 5x to be able to overcome the thick tough piece of glass in front of it. The camera will produce some good images. I do like the offset lens for the greater holding of the camera options!

Now for the really big bummer for Fuji. Their more expensive rugged cameras are all the same as this one, (same sensor/lens/ISO/etc) just with more features and cost. The photos I've had from the top o the line of this series aren't any better than this basic 14+Mpixel unit. If you want a basic very tough sunny day outdoor camera, buy this unit if it is cheaper than other in stock items. It's the lowest cost tough camera I've found. And it isn't much worse than the most expensive tough camera I've had in my hands and have image samples. If you want more water resistance and wireless capability (which is real nice) then be prepared to drop about three times as much money.

Customer Service

not used

Similar Products Used:

Many point and shoots from various manufacturers including other 'ruggedized/water/shock proof' models.

Compact easy to use

Turned into a brick the first time it touched water.

Nice little camera until it went under water 1 ft. For 1 sec. I've got quite a collection of cameras but wanted one for a snorkel trip that was waterproof and digital. Picked this up at Long's while getting film from my old 35 mm Nikon Action Touch waterproof developed. Put the new Fuji under the water for 1 sec. And it never moved again, ever. Had all their little doors shut like instructed. Looks like it leaked around the lens or the LCD. Store manager at Long's was good about refund despite the tourist camera policy. But hey I wanted the camera, just not a dead one. Also unimpressed enough that I didn't want another Fuji even though my professional camera is a Fuji S2 Pro which I like alot

Customer Service

Was good as soon as I talked to the store manager. That was not too difficult to do either.