Fujifilm FinePix F600 EXR review

The travel zoom compact that uses GPS to get you where you need to be

The FinePix F600EXR is a wholly tempting offer. It packs a huge 15x optical zoom, lots of scene modes and built-in GPS at a low price. All of these features are crammed into a compact body that comes in red, black, or white.

It’s the perfect travelling companion, with the Landmark Navigator that automatically locates places of interest from a database of 1 million locations and shows you where they are in relation to your current position. Once you’ve found your destination it’s easy to capture the shot by turning the mode dial to any one of the automatic or scene modes, or opt for manual settings. It’s rare for a compact to boast this much control that’s ready to be unlocked.

The all-important image quality doesn’t disappoint either, with crisp, punchy pictures that are full of detail. Its performance in low light is one of the best we’ve seen in recent years, with a new EXR Auto mode that detects whether the subject is moving and boosts the ISO sensitivity to ensure blur-free shots. There’s no fiddling when it comes to turning the flash on and off, as it won’t fire unless you press the button at the side of the camera to release the pop-up flash. Photos can then be reviewed on the three-inch LCD screen that is bright enough to use in sunny conditions.

We tested the attractive red model, which comes with a glossy finish and black trim. It’s a stylish design with a rubber grip on the front for your fingers and a ridged thumb grip around the back for comfort while shooting. Each button is clearly labelled and logically laid out and the menu is split into ‘set-up’ and ‘photo’ sections. There are more advanced modes available too, including the option to shoot in RAW format for increased editing options. It seems there is no end to the features on board this impressive model. For less than £300, the Fujifilm F600 represents great value for money.