Buying guide for best fujifilm cameras
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If you currently shoot photos using a smartphone camera, you might be ready to make the move to a more serious camera. Whether you want more control over the final image, higher-quality photos and videos, or instant prints, a dedicated camera can deliver. But if you only look at DSLR cameras, you might miss out on a Fujifilm camera that would perfectly fit your needs and budget.
Fujifilm manufactures several types of non-DSLR cameras at many different price points, ranging from beginner-level models to advanced mirrorless interchangeable lens cameras. In addition, Fujifilm’s cameras offer a look that is much different than other cameras, which makes them a popular choice.
When you’re looking for the best Fujifilm camera to meet your needs, we at BestReviews can give you plenty of help. If you’re ready to buy, check out our top Fujifilm camera picks in the product list above. Keep reading if you’d like more information about Fujifilm cameras in general.
High-performance Fujifilm cameras
Fujifilm manufactures many cameras for intermediate and advanced photographers. These cameras are expensive, but they offer a nice level of image quality and performance.
Another distinguishing aspect of many Fujifilm high-end cameras is the retro design. The all-black or silver-and-black case will remind you of old film cameras.
Mirrorless Fujifilm cameras
Mirrorless interchangeable lens cameras (ILC) are the most popular cameras Fujifilm offers. These cameras make up the bulk of Fujifilm’s lineup, with nearly a dozen models available.
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Versatile: You can change the lens to achieve different shooting capabilities.
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Fast: These cameras offer fast autofocus and the ability to capture fast-moving subjects well.
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High-quality images: These cameras create high-quality images and videos similar to those of entry-level DSLR cameras.
- Price: Mirrorless ILCs from Fujifilm are pricey, but they deliver a lot of desirable features. You can expect to pay $750 to $1,500 for the camera body alone. (Some camera bodies ship with a kit lens, which increases the overall cost by $100 to $200). You may also choose to buy additional lenses, which can cost $100 to $1,000 apiece. Telephoto lenses tend to cost more than wide-angle or average focal length lenses. Any X-mount lens will fit Fujifilm mirrorless cameras.
Fixed lens Fujifilm cameras
Some high-end cameras from Fujifilm have a built-in lens that you can’t change out, like a point-and-shoot camera.
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High-quality lens: These fixed lens Fujifilm cameras have far better lens quality than most typical beginner-level cameras. In fact, many have interior components and lens glass that approximate what you’d find in Fujifilm mirrorless ILCs,
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High-quality images
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Excellent performance
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Price: Like the mirrorless ILCs, the fixed lens Fujifilm cameras are expensive, too. You can expect to pay from $700 to $1,500 for models like the X100F, X70, and X100T.
Fun Fujifilm cameras
Fujifilm also makes many camera models that are aimed at beginning photographers and designed to be fun to use. These cameras have colorful bodies and operate far differently than Fujifilm’s high-end cameras.
You wouldn’t rely on these cameras for high-end photography because they just don’t offer that level of image and video quality. But in certain circumstances, they are functional as well as enjoyable to use.
FinePix waterproof cameras
These Fujifilm cameras can be used in harsh conditions and still give you good results. This feature makes these cameras fun to use, even though they don’t create image quality that can match the high-end cameras. Waterproof FinePix cameras have small zoom lenses (usually 3X or 5X), so don’t expect high-level telephoto performance.
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Durable: A typical FinePix waterproof camera will work in temperatures as low as 14°F, in water to 50 feet deep, and after a fall of about five feet. These cameras are rugged, giving you a good value.
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Price: You’ll find quite a few different models of Fujifilm FinePix waterproof cameras, including the XP80, XP120, and XP130. These are inexpensive, typically available for $125 to $250. You might need to replace the O-rings on these cameras every one to two years for an additional cost of about $20 to $50 (depending on the model).
Instax instant print cameras
If you remember the days of Polaroid cameras and waiting for the “magic” of the print to appear, the Instax cameras from Fujifilm will give you a similar feeling. You load packs of film into these cameras and produce small instant prints when you press the shutter button. The square digital photos are small, too, when you consider most new digital cameras create images of 20 megapixels or more. Instax cameras are made for fun rather than for serious photography. Fujifilm has three primary designs of Instax cameras.
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Mini: Its most popular instant print camera, Fujifilm sells several different models, including the Mini 9. These cameras create prints that are 2.4 inches by 1.8 inches.
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Wide: Fujifilm Wide instant print cameras, such as the Wide 300, create prints that measure 2.4 inches by 3.9 inches.
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Square: The Fujifilm Instax Square camera is a instant print/digital camera hybrid that creates square photos. You can save digital photos of about 3.7 megapixels to the internal memory, or you can choose to make prints measuring 2.4 inches square.
- Price: You can expect to pay anywhere from $30 to $100 for Instax Wide and Mini cameras, depending on the model. Square models, which allow you to save digital copies of your photos in addition to making instant prints, cost $200 to $250. You will also have to purchase Instax film for these cameras. You can expect to pay roughly $5 to $10 per pack of film for both the Mini and Wide cameras. Square film is a little more expensive at $10 to $15 per pack. Each single pack makes ten instant prints.
Other Fujifilm cameras
Fujifilm has some older camera models that you may still be able to find for sale as the inventory clears out.
Fujifilm’s FinePix cameras
These point-and-shoot cameras tend to have big zoom lenses.
- Price: FinePix cameras generally cost from $200 to $600.
Fujifilm dual-lens 3D cameras
Fujifilm developed this camera a few years ago, but this model is no longer actively manufactured.
FAQ
Q. How do I know if I’ll need to buy lenses for my Fujifilm camera down the road?
A. Because Fujifilm manufactures a few different types of cameras, it can be a little confusing to figure out what add-ons you may need. If you’re purchasing a Fujifilm mirrorless camera, it takes interchangeable lenses, so you might want to buy more lenses later. Fujifilm instant print, fixed lens, and waterproof cameras all have built-in lenses that cannot be changed, so there’s no need buy lenses later.
Q. How does a mirrorless camera differ from a DSLR camera?
A. Both mirrorless and DSLR cameras use interchangeable lenses, and both offer extremely high image quality. These two features set them apart from other types of cameras aimed more at beginners. The primary difference between DSLRs and mirrorless cameras involves the interior components. The DSLR uses a mirror mechanism (similar to a film camera) to record photos and use the viewfinder. The mirrorless camera design doesn’t need a mirror, so these cameras are thinner.
Q. What is a waterproof camera?
A. Waterproof cameras are completely sealed against water penetration. This allows you to use the camera safely to a specified water depth. As long as you stick to the recommended water depth for the recommended amount of time, you can shoot underwater photos without damaging this type of camera.
Q. Can I save my photos to a computer to make larger prints later with my Fujifilm instant print camera?
A. It depends on the model of Instax camera you’re using. The Mini and Wide cameras only work with Instax instant print film. Each time you press the shutter button, the Instax camera makes a print, which will be your only copy of the photo. The Instax Square instant print camera does contain internal memory, which you can use to store digital copies of your pictures.
