REVIEWED: Fujifilm FinePix XP130
A short battery life and disappointing photos leaves this well-designed ‘rugged’ travel camera looking second best to smartphones
On the surface, the Fujifilm FinePix XP130 is the ideal camera for travel. It’s waterproof to 10m. Think snorkelling trips, hiking up mountains … game on! It’s also drop-proof from 1.8m. That’s very handy when you’re out and about, clambering up rocks and general adventuring when you don’t want to be thinking about how to protect clumsily-made electronics. It’s even freeze-proof to -10C, so great for skiing trips. So why does TravGear think the Fujifilm FinePix XP130 is worth avoiding?
Fujifilm FinePix XP130 review: image quality
After a week using the Fujifilm FinePix XP130, only images taken in broad daylight were any good, and even then they weren’t detailed. Zoom-in on any image and it looks noisy and soft. The trouble is, the Fujifilm FinePix XP130 is a very basic camera. It’s poor in low light and with fast action, and it can’t shoot in the RAW format or film 4K video. It’s also got very few manual controls.
Fujifilm FinePix XP130 review: lightweight design
What we do like about the Fujifilm FinePix XP130 is its design. It’s small, and it weighs just 207g, which makes it easy to travel with. Could you put it in the outside pocket of some salopettes and take it skiing? Absolutely – and you could fall on top of it, too. A protruding loop on a corner allows easy attachment of a wrist-strap, and the battery and SD card slots are covered by a waterproof cover. However, zoom is limited to 5x because of the watertight construction.
Fujifilm FinePix XP130 review: handy features
Although it’s basic stuff, image-wise, the Fujifilm FinePix XP130 does have a few handy features. Take the handy electronic level, which ensures straight horizons. And the SR Auto mode, which automatically detects which presets to use. However, a short battery life of just 240 shots makes is seriously limiting.
Fujifilm FinePix XP130 review: conclusion
A possible purchase for skiers and snorkelers looking for something tough and waterproof, this point-and-shoot camera is nevertheless a basic camera with an annoyingly short battery life. The only reason to buy the XP130 is for its tough design.
Price as reviewed: UK £160 / US$160
Buy the Fujifilm FinePix XP130