Fuji xp30?

[Glaucus]

I like the look of the xp30 as it can be abused, also like the gps data on the photos. but some reviews say it's amazing and others say the colours and focus are off? What the general consensus and is there anything similar? If nothing exactly similar is they any non water/dust proof, but with gps data.

I seem to be attracted to crap cameras. But do want to buy something in the next day or two.
http://www.fujifilm.co.uk/consumer/digital/digital-cameras/advanced-compact/finepix-xp30

[Mark]

You need to take into account the perspective of the reviewer when reading reviews. If they come from a DSLR background they'll say bad things about most compacts. Specialist photography review sites that test a range of equipment will do best (e.g. the review on PhotographyBLOG seems fair).

[LeperousDust]

I've had my fair share of compact camera's, and i generally find (i don't know about this one) that most rugged cameras or none protruding lens fashion style cameras, take fairly crappy quality pictures. The lens' themselves just can't cope properly and usually have a high chance of the purple fringing on photos that really test them. But i guess that's the price you pay for fashion or ruggard-ness, otherwise all cameras would be built like that now days!

I'm sure it will capture moments fine, and as long as youre not too worried i'm sure it will be great :) Especially as you wont have to worry about it too much, but bright days and/or testing photographs may not be its thing...

[Kitten]

to be honest, compacts are all much of a muchness. Reviews are split, so just go and try them in somewhere like best buy, hold them, check out the demo pics, see which one you like the feel of, and that you find the controls easiest to manage with.

That's it really, nothing more scientific than that when it comes to compacts, imo, the best photographer in the world can't tell you much more about a compact than the regular guy on the street who just picked it up and played with it for 5 minutes. :)

[Glaucus]

Thanks went for the xp30 in the end.
All the ones with much better reviews were far more expensive around the 250mark and in the end I was prepared to up the budget by another £120. Hopefully it will serve it's purpose.

[Glaucus]

Really annoyed, it's broken down twice. I assume it's moisture damage. Sensor goes between black and purple lines. Not only that. There's now sand under the take button. Grr still got 3 days of snorkelling, probably see some awesome stuff now.

/rant

[Kitten]

can you complain? Send it back?

[Glaucus]

I'm sure I can, but still in OZ ATM so just a rant really.

[Kitten]

oh! ok, sorry, was just thinking it doesn't sound fit for purpose, but yes, very annoying :/

[Glaucus]

Well few months down the line, I finally got round to emailing them. They said to send it into them. So see what happens. But still not sure what to do as I don't really trust it and going to America this year.

[Glaucus]

Well they sent me out a direct replacement, so not bad service.
Will find out if it leaks again, soon enough.

[Kitten]

Can you get one of those waterproof cases for it, just in case? At least make sure you get your holiday pics out of it.

[LeperousDust]

Do they make waterproof cases for waterproof cameras? ;D?

[Glaucus]

Do they make waterproof cases for waterproof cameras? ;D?

They do, but it's more than the camera £170 for the case, the cameras what £130

[Kitten]

Wow, we got a cheapie plastic case thing (like a one size fits all) for 9.99! Worked fine though wouldn't be entirely comfortable completely submerging it, kept the sand & crap out.

[Kitten]

Could wrap it in clingfilm :p

[Glaucus]

Could wrap it in clingfilm :p

I love the idea. :D

[Kitten]

could work :D I've done it on my 'big' camera before now to protect it temporarily!