FujiFilm FinePix XP120 Review

Last updated on November 11th, 2020 at 02:31 pm

One of my roles as a parent is to provide a better life for my children than my parents could for me. And we’ve done okay so far—the older one’s already visited four countries, the younger carries a Bluetooth speaker around like it’s his own personal device, and with new toys coming in regularly, the world’s pretty much their oyster!

But it’s not all about the things you receive—I want to give my sons plenty of opportunities to develop themselves as well, and it turns out Fujifilm Canada presented a perfect opportunity to do it!

The FujiFilm FinePix XP120—For When You Want to Teach Your Kids Life Skills Without Worrying About Them Breaking Stuff.

Just as many parents start their kids on piano at a young age, I wanted to give the boys early exposure to a skill I know well and introduce them to the world of photography.

I remember getting my first camera around 12 years old, a little green toy camera that introduced me to the world of photography and the stories it held. And I wouldn’t know it then, but that’d take me down a 20-year path that’d teach me how to develop my film. Own more than 15 cameras as I continued expanding my skills. It’d even help me build it up as an integral part of my life as a blogger, expressing myself not only through words but meaningful visuals as well.

My boys—though still very young—already show an interest in the art, trying their hands at posing and storytelling to see how it unfolds on the LCD screen. I think they’d love to get more hands-on with equipment to mould their ideas into reality, but who in their right mind would trust a three-year-old with a camera? They’re fragile. They’re complicated. And they’re expensive. Sadly, all things considered, it looked like my boys need to wait years before they can handle one themselves.

Or do they?

Fujifilm Canada recently gave the Palmer fam the chance to try the FujiFilm FinePix XP120, a point-and-shoot camera that’s ready for the world as it’s waterproof, dustproof, freezeproof and shockproof!

Yes, you read that right—it’s a rugged little monster built to tackle all sorts of challenges, with internal features complementing that tough exterior!

For example:

1) Ease of Use

My preschooler’s not yet adept enough to navigate the XP120 menu (though it is quite simple), but that’s why there’s a built-in SR Auto mode for automatic scene recognition, and optical image stabilisation to keep photos looking crisp even when he’s over excited! And with a dedicated video recording button right on top (shooting Full HD 1080p @ 60 frames/sec), he can switch between camera modes in a snap!

2) Simple Enough for a Preschooler, but Solid Enough for His Dad

As a blogger, I’ve come to rely on a hefty SLR with some top-notch lenses for my photo work. Which is great, but anyone packing a lot of gear can tell you that weight adds up quick! What’s great about the FujiFilm FinePix XP120 is that you still get a 16.4 MP camera with 5x optical zoom! And it performs, shooting up to speeds of 60 frames/sec if you’re looking to capture any high-speed action!

3) It Has More Features Than Your Phone Does

Yes, the point-and-shoot market got whittled down as smartphone camera technology grew smarter, but there’s still strength in the stand-alone device, with features built in helping it hold its own. You’ve got modes like:

• Cinemagraph, which lets you keep part of your photo still while others move for a clever artistic effect;
• Interval shooting, if you’re looking to tell a story only segments at a time, shooting images regularly that’re seconds or even minutes apart, without needing to touch the camera again;
• And Time Lapse, for those dramatic effects when a single moment simply won’t cut it!

While we won’t get to take the XP 120 for a real spin until later in the summer (with beaches, camping and road trips afoot), so far it seems a solid choice as a family camera, and I’m sure Sarah and our boys will have a great time trying it out!

The FujiFilm FinePix XP120—Because One Day, Their Work Could End Up in National Geographic.

Summer’s a perfect time to make memories, but how’ll you capture them if you don’t have the right tools for the job? As a photographer who’s used the FinePix XP120 first-hand, I can tell you—this little guy’ll give you pics you can look back on with pride!

Good luck to all who enter—and remember what someone once told me: “You never know it’s the last time ’til it’s the last time,” so get out there and do those memories justice!

Until the next, I remain,

–case p.

Disclosure: I am participating in the FujiFilm campaign managed by SJ Consulting. I received compensation in exchange for my participation in this campaign. The opinions on this blog are my own.