Fujifilm FinePix XP60 Preview

by Eamon Hickey
Posted: January 7, 2013

The Fujifilm FinePix XP60 joins Fujifilm's XP series of ruggedized, waterproof cameras designed for hikers, boaters, and other outdoors enthusiasts -- or anyone who's just tough on cameras. Similar to last year's XP50, the Fujifilm FinePix XP60 slots in as a base model in the XP lineup, offering a good range of still and video features and capabilities but without the extras such as GPS geotagging or WiFi connectivity found on its more expensive XP-series siblings.

The Fujifilm FinePix XP60 continues with the familiar Cyclops-like styling of previous XP models and, of course, it boasts Fujifilm's "Four-way Protection," common to all XP models. In the XP60's case, the camera is waterproof to 20 ft./6m, shockproof to a fall from 5 ft./1.5m, freezeproof to 14°F/-10°C, and dustproof. Headlining the new features is the XP60's 16-megapixel CMOS sensor, which offers improved image quality, according to Fujifilm. Other notable new features include a 60 frames-per-second burst mode (at reduced resolution), a set of filters for special image effects, and a re-designed, double-sealed battery door lock.

As we noted, the Fujifilm FinePix XP60's styling, size, and construction are similar to previous base XP models, but it will be available in a modified set of colors -- yellow, blue, red and green (no silver, black, or orange as with the XP50). Although the Fujifilm XP60's sensor is new, it carries over the sensor shift image stabilization of previous XP models.

The camera's 5X zoom lens is also familiar from previous models and covers a very useful range from 28mm to 140mm (in 35mm equivalent terms). As we've noted before, however, its maximum aperture of f/3.9-f/4.9 is on the dim side. Viewing and composing is done with the XP60's 2.7-inch LCD, which sports an anti-reflective coating to make it easier to view in bright sunlight or underwater.

The Fujifilm FinePix XP60 also sports a wide selection of special scene modes, including HDR and Motion Panorama 360 modes, which automatically combine images to make high dynamic range photos and panorama images.

In addition to the new 16-megapixel sensor, the Fujifilm FinePix XP 60 offers several other features and capabilities not found on previous base XP models. First among them is a 60 frames-per-second high speed shooting mode that operates at reduced resolution and can capture a maximum of 70 frames of action per second. This mode complements the 10 fps continuous-shooting mode that operates at full resolution and captures a maximum of 10 frames. Both modes are now accessed by a dedicated Burst Mode button on the top of the camera.

Like its predecessors, the Fujifilm FinePix XP60 can record Full HD 1080i 60fps video, but the XP60 can also record high speed video at up to 240fps (at reduced resolution, of course), allowing slow-motion video capture of sports and action. New in-camera video editing features also let you combine video clips and perform other basic edits without first exporting clips to a computer.

The Fujifilm FinePix XP60 also boasts a range of new special effects filters, including Pop Color for a contrast and saturation boost, Toy Camera for a vignetted 1970's look, Soft Focus and several others.

The Fujifilm XP60 will begin shipping in March 2013 for a suggested list price of US$199.95.

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