Fuji’s fun new point-and-shoot is best in class

If you’ve shopped for a camera recently, you may have been stuck deciding between a DSLR with a big image sensor and a compact point-and-shoot. Fujifilm’s latest camera, the Fujifilm X70, provides the best of both worlds with a compact body and a DSLR-size image sensor.

Boasting gorgeous looks, powerful hardware, and starting at a competitive $699.95 price, the X70 carves an attractive niche for itself: good enough for a pro, accessible to an enthusiast, and affordable for either.

After spending over a week testing the X70 in our labs and out in the field, we're in agreement: this is our favorite point-and-shoot on the market right now. It's a bit of a drag for beginners who want simpler controls or more optical zoom, but if you're in the market for a great compact camera, the X70 should be your first stop.

The X70’s controls are definitely tailored more to advanced photographers than novices, but it does a good job of keeping the layout sensible and clean. And if you’re an old-school film shooter, taking photos with the X70 will likely offer a fun bit of nostalgia thanks to various “film simulation” modes that mimic the look of old-school film.

For a point-and-shoot, the X70’s 16.3-megapixel APS-C sensor is quite massive, as it’s the same size as what you’ll find in a big DSLR like the Canon T6i. In practice, that means less grain in your images than with competing cameras like the Sony RX100 IV or Canon G3 X., and photos will have a pleasantly blurred background.

If there’s one thing we’re not happy about it’s the lack of a viewfinder. Though the tilting 3-inch screen is sharp and detailed, it doesn’t do much in very bright conditions. It does have touch controls, letting you do things like tap the screen to focus on your subject.

The X70's battery is also surprisingly long-lasting, and it’s good for about a full day of periodic shooting. If you’re traveling somewhere that you’ll be taking photos constantly, though, you’ll want to grab a backup.

If there's one area where the X70 really falls short, it's video. Fuji doesn’t exactly prioritize video in any of its cameras, and it shows here. Serious videographers would be advised to look elsewhere, though if you just want a quick clip it can do that.

While Fujifilm isn't the only camera company to put an APS-C sensor in a point-and-shoot-sized body, it's arguably been the most successful. The X70 does a fantastic job of taking the blueprint set by bulkier cameras like Fuji’s own X100T, shrinking it down, and hitting an attractive price point — while borrowing liberally from similar cameras such as the Ricoh GR.

In the end, this is a camera that should appeal to anybody who wants a compact, high-performance camera who isn’t afraid of a fairly complex control scheme and doesn’t need high-quality video. It won’t appeal to everyone, but to enthusiasts looking for a compact companion, the X70 is just right.

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