The problem with most devices advertised as rugged
is that they are bulkier and heavier than their less than tough counterparts.
Either that or the accessories that make them rugged turn them into hulking
versions of themselves. Fujifilm says that you don’t have to choose one or the
other. At least not for its new FinePix XP120 digital camera. This compact
shooter boasts of four kinds of rugged features while remaining not just small
but also light at just 203 g.
What are those four kinds of protections, you might
ask. Basically the camera is waterproof, shockproof, dustproof, and
freeze-proof. To be more specific, though, the XP120 can last under water at a
depth of 20 m for a few minutes and can withstand the intrusion of dust and
sand. In other words, it boasts of an IP68 grade, the highest there is. But
more than that, it will also survive a drop from a height of 1.75 m and can
operate in temperatures as low as -10°C.
Fujifilm’s “no compromise” motta extends to the
camera’s capabilities. Despite the compact size, it has a 1/2.3-inch format BSI
CMOS sensor with 16.4 effective megapixels. It even has a 5x optical zoom with
a 28 mm wide-angle view. On the back is 3.0-inch 920K dot LCD monitor for
framing the perfect shot. All of those packed in a 203 g body.
The FinePix XP120 has a few interesting features as
well, primary of which is the Cinemagraph mode. It basically lets users record
a 5-second video clip and then choose which part of the video will move. The
rest of the scene is frozen, creating an interesting if not eerie, effect,
almost like Apple’s Live Photos and Google’s Motion Stills.
The Fujifilm FinePix XP120 also has built-in Wi-Fi
for ease of transferring photos or for printing with Fujifilm’s Instax SHARE
smartphone printer. Availability of this lightweight rugged camera is still
unannounced.
Fujifilm will also be making available a Graphite
edition of its X-Pro2 and a Graphite Silver edition of its X-T2 mirrorless
digital cameras. Launched early 2016, the X-Pro2 boasts of the world’s first
and so far only “Advanced Hybrid Multi Viewfinder” that switches between OVF
and EVF in an instant. The X-T2, on the other hand, holds the distinction of
being the Fujifilm X series’ first camera to support video recording. The
Fujifilm X-Pro2 Graphite edition will be available end of the month.
